This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!
Kemmler’s Execution by Electric Chair at Auburn
The August 6 1890 execution of William Kemmler at Auburn N Y marked the first use of electricity as a method of capital punishment. Witnesses described a drawn out scene with a initial surge of current and repeated shocks lasting several minutes. Medical observers noted brain involvement and a disagreeing view on suffering, with editorials arguing the method’s horrors outweigh its quick death.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
William Kemmier
Tillie Ziegler
William Kemmler
Warden Durston
Dr. Haughton
Chaplain Yates
Kemmler
George Vieling
Vieling
Durston
Dr. Spitzka
Anyne
Dr. Balch
Dr. McDonald
George F. Shrady
Medical Record of
New York
Kemmiler
Dakotas
Germany
Columbus
Ind
James Campbell
Emma Huntsman
Washington City
William Ross
U. S. Electric Light Company
Louisiana Lottery
Massachusetts
Charleston
Steele
Oklahoma Territory
Wells
Guthrie
Territory
Anna
L. L. Green
J. M. Green
Presbyterian Church
Centralia
Illinois Central Road
Geo. D. Gibbons
Zanesville
Allen J. Stevens
Carpenter
Reading
James Marvin
Findlay
Ohio Agricultural Station
Lima
John Diltz
Diltz
Cleveland
John Heeb
Milt Hazlett
Kingston Township
Delaware County
James Smith
Amanda Township
Fairfield County
Clarey Lown
Wakeman
Huron County
Lown
Gallipolis
Cadiz
Norris
J. M. Garvin
Ray
H. V. Merrick
Garvin
Wiliam B. Donnally
Pomeroy
Katie Weber
Jessie May McKnight
William McKnight
Altonian
Pomeroy Stud Company
McArthur Fair Grounds
Huntsville
Missouri
Cartwright & McCurdy
Youngstown
Pomeroy Belt
Grace Peyton
Telegraph
Kate Dean
Thoms Dean
Middleport
Dennis Harrison
Olive Township
Benjamin Hamilton
Kate