Democratic Sentinel, Volume 18, Number 44, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 November 1894 — NEW MODE OF EXECUTION. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

NEW MODE OF EXECUTION.

Connecticut Murderer* Will Hereafto Hint Themeelvee. ■ The new automatic gallows which has been adopted in Connecticut in pursuance of an act of the last general assembly is considered an Improvement in some respects on that of Colorado. By reference to the accompanying cut the working of the machine can be easily understood. Through the doorway can be seen the steel cage (G) In which the condemned man passes his last days. A Is the platform under the noose. It Is raised an eighth of an Inch above the level of the lloor, hardly enough to be noticeable by the man as he steps upon It. Immediately three denuties will pinion the man’s legs r place tho cap over his head and adjust the-nocse. The warden occupies a position dK rectly in fiont of the condemned man. In this position he has a cleat view of tho prisoner, and also of a dial over the door through which the man must pass. Instantly tne platform settles a lever Is worked which releases an adjustable sliding valve at the bottom of a cylinder (C), containing fifty pounds of shot. Like the sand in an hourglass, tho runs out of the openiug. This allows a plunger (B) to drop slowly into the cylinder. As this falls it pulls a cord (E), attached to which 14 a compound levej (F), and also works the dial, giving warning as to the progress of tho machine. This mech-

anlsm can be set foranyttmo desired.’ As tho cord tightens and is pulled downward by the plunger it slowly opens tile compound lover, which at a oertuin angle, perfectly adjusted, pulls a bolt, and the great dead weight (D) Is released. As tho big weight falls down the grooved track to the ground under tho building the hempen rope, running over pulleys on across beam (F), will quickly jerk tho condemned man seven feot Into tho air. On the drop there will bo a rebound, and the man will bo suspended with his feet about two font from tho lloor. The mechanism Is Inclosed by a pttrMtlon along the entire side, so that ’nothing can bo seen by tho condemned man except tho nooso. The machine works noiselessly, and tho weight falls upon soft dirt.

THE AUTOMATIC HANGING MACHINE