One hundred years ago
FOUR men were executed by electricity in New York on the 7th inst. For some reason, the authorities had decided to exclude–the public, and as an additional precaution to secure secrecy, the execu- tions took place before 6 in the morn- ing. All the criminals were murderers, and each in succession was seated in a heavy oak chair and securely bound. The wires were then fastened to his head and the calves of his legs, and an electric shock sent through them of the strength of 3,000 volts. According to the most detailed accounts, death in each case was instantaneous; but according to others, in each case a second shock was given. It probably was given to make sure, but was not necessary, which accounts for the discrepancies. One of the most scientific witnesses, Dr. Daniels, hints that "a thrilling story" might be told, but even he informed another witness that the men died at once. It seems certain that the electric current, in passing, burned the flesh as lightning sometimes does, and much ghastly writing is expended on this detail, which is, however, except as a fact in science, entirely unimportant.
None of the criminals resisted or quailed; but there seems to have been a short period of dreadful suspense, dur- ing which, on the second occasion, one of the jurymen, unable to endure the tension of feeling, fainted away. We cannot like the innovation, and have elsewhere given some reasons for a feel- ing which is, we believe, universal on this side of the water.
The Spectator 11 July 1891
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