ABOLITION OF THE HANGMAN

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1918, 14 August 1888, Page 3

ABOLITION OF THE HANGMAN

Tn connoction with Mr Taylor's desire : that Governinont should bring m a Bill • this or next session ameadiag the law m the direction of aubatltntlog death by [ electricity for hanging ia executions for ] murder, a contemporary gives the following description of the ' modus operandi ' of the now death dealing agent, The condemned man ie taken into a portable hat, like a sentry box. Spring looks will olose tonnd the man's neck, waist, hands, and feet to keep the body from falling. This will be the work of a moment, ] E'eotric wires, connecting with the main i wire?, which supply light to the city, or 1 fr.em a powerful battery, will be laid to '• the place of execution. A metallic plate is laid oo the fljor and oonneoted to the ' aoder wires, A seoond electrode is m- : troduced from above, its end descending ; son near the head of the condemned that ! it can be depressed to touob it when all io ready. The feet of the condemned will be bare, tbo hair out short from a i small place on top of the head — if he be ', not already bald. The current having ' been tested and ascertained of sufficient force, aa soon as the supreme moment ; has come, the sheriff or other offioor touches a pnsh-button, closing the circuit and the life of the prisoner is gone before the brain of the executioner can toll what his fingers have done By thia prints* s man ceases to ex'st m the five-huudrtdtb part of a second.