[D8704AEP], Letter from Alfred Porter Southwick to Thomas Alva Edison, November 8th, 1887

https://edisondigital.rutgers.edu/document/D8704AEP

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Title

[D8704AEP], Letter from Alfred Porter Southwick to Thomas Alva Edison, November 8th, 1887

Editor's Notes

Seeking information on electrical execution for a commission of the New York State Legislature; what strength of current would be necessary to produce certain death in all cases and under all circumstances? Commission will probably recommend that all executions take place at the state prisons; where there are no electrical plants, special machinery will be needed; what would you recommend and what would it cost? Details of cost and maintenance will be needed for the report; give me your opinion from a practical standpoint in as much detail as you can; my own opinion is that a chair constructed with metal arms to which wires were attached to pass current across the chest would be sufficient. Commissioners Eldridge T. Gerry, Matthew Hale, and Southwick are listed at the end of this letter.

Date

1887-11-08

Type

Folder/Volume ID

D8704-F

Microfilm ID

119:294

Document ID

D8704AEP

Publisher

Thomas A. Edison Papers, School of Arts and Sciences, Rutgers University
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