The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1922-06-20

you sit down." he was told and he
Yves then seated in the chair and the
adjusting of the straps begun. A
frightened, half demoniacal grin
overspread Kirby's face as the prison
officials proceeded with their solemn
duty. "Is it too tight?" they asked
him and Kirby's only reply was an
inarticulate grunt The strap across
his chest was loosened a little and
Kirby began TO squirm about in the
chair in an effort to free himself. He
succeeded in practically slipping his
one arm from the holding straps and
it was only after some little delay
that he was finally securely fastened
in the chair.
Col. A. X. Sanders moved up be-
side the chair. "If there's anything
you want to say" he told Kirby, "you
can say it now" Kirby made no sign
that he had heard and ahe two cleo
trodes and the leather blindfold were
then adjusted and at GIT o'clock the
current was turned on and the 1900
volts sent into his body. One minute
later the current was turned off and
when a faint beat of the heart was
sti found, the current was again
turned on at 6:21 o'clock. A minute
later it was again cut off and at 6:23
O'clock Kirby was pronounced dead.
The death chamber was then clear
ed Of witnesses, Kirby's body lifted
from the chair and carried into the
little room adjoining the death cham
Der,
7Gappins Makes Statement
At S:31 O'Clock Gappins walked in
to the chamber and took his seat in
the chair. He was pale and his eyes
we're swollen with tears, but outward
lyIhe was as calm as usual. The straps
were adjusted and Gappins made his
shert statement. 81 want every
young man." he said, 'to let this be
4 warning to all of thenl-young and
old. If the truth had been told about
me I'd not be here, but if I have to.
die ! feel / can go. Jesus knows my
soul and he knows that the truth has
not been told. want to advise every
goaug man not to believe anything
that's told them. I see several faces
that / know here and some of you
may not believe me, but I'm telling
the truth. If I'd have known what
] was going into i WOULD not have
gone. I've not had Justice"
lie turned and looked about the
room. Sergeant" he said, 'tell my
mother goodbye for me. Goodby
sesgeant. Geodby everybody" The
electrodes were attached and Gappins
began the chanting Of q prayer which
was cut short when the current was
turned on at 6:37 o'clock. At 6:3s
o'clock the switch was pulled out and
at, ,6:89 o'clock Gappins was pro-
nounced dead.
Again the witnesses were changed
and at 6:48 o'clock Fox calmly walk
ed into the room. and unaidad took his
seat in the electric chair. Good
morning, gentlemen, he said with a
wave of his hand.
1--WE nothing to say" he said, "ex-
cspt that / hope that this will save
some ether poor sinner. l am sorry
and ashamed of what l did, I got into
bad company. Of course, I don't
think Pm good company. Pve moth
ing to say against the other two and
J I hope God will bless them both. I've
nothing against Brazell and his fam
lily. He was a good boy, think, and
I hope to meet him and all of them
in Heaven by Gods grace" He sat
silent and motionless as the cleo
trodes were adjusted and did not
move in the short interval that elaps-
ed before the switch was thrown in at
.6:51 O'Clock. A minute later the
current was cut off and when upon
examination it was found that Fox
was not dead, the current was switch
ed on again at 6:54 o'clock. Another
SO seconds elapsed and the current
was again turned off. At 6:55
o'clock Fox was pronounced dead.
Hour Kept Secret
The early hour and the secrecy
maintained by all concerned of the
exact time set for the electrocutions
limited the crowd at The penitentiary
to few persons other than the Is OF
more witnesses and the prison off,
Gals. Gappins' father was at the