Raleigh, June 26—Protesting his innocence with his last conscious breath, and protest against the current with his physical body, Daniel Milton Nobles died in the execution chamber of the State Prison yesterday morning. He was in the grip of the current three minutes and 46 seconds.
So intense and prolonged was the voltage required to kill the shrinking, scared little figure that crouched within the straps that livid flames broke out from the electrode strapped on his legs and ran around the knee, lapping at a ripped open trouser leg, and another leaped out from under the chin strap and curled up over the ears. The warden hastily checked the current and the flames died.
The sickly smile that played uncertainly over his face as he came through the door vanished as he sat down in the chair. His fingers sought the end of the arm of the chair and felt their way back. He glanced down with a faint show of interest as the electrode was strapped against his leg. There was a moment’s delay as the attendants reached for the helmet and the breast straps.
“You can say what ever you want to say now—you haven’t much time,” Rev. S.J. Betts reminded him.
“Well, I hope I’ll meet you all up yonder,” he began slowly, “I have made peace with the good blessed Lord, and I know my time has come. I am innocent”—his voice trailed off into a long drawn sigh.
From the front page of the Farmville Enterprise, Friday, June 29, 1923. Compare this reporter's description with that of another reporter's--www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/8493267847537044513/8121041253623349839.
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