Edison and the Electric Chair by Mark Essig

Author:Mark Essig
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
Published: 2009-10-04T16:00:00+00:00

HAVING FAILED to ruffle him on technical questions, Cockran pressed Edison on the rumors of conspiracy.

"Now, Mr. Edison, do you know Mr. Brown pretty well?"

"Fairly well. I have seen him about a dozen times."

"When did you first become aware of his existence?"

"I think the first time I saw him, he came out there about this very business, to Orange."

"And he was a stranger to you then?"

"I think so. I do not think I had ever seen him before."

"Did he come up there and ask you to let him have your laboratory for the purpose of killing dogs?"

"He wanted to try some experiments."

"Are you in the habit of giving your laboratory to everybody that asks you?"

"Yes, sometimes I let them experiment there."

"Might I entertain the hope that I might be allowed myself to go there?"

"Yes, sir," Edison replied with a smile. "You can come at any time. I will be glad to see you."

"Mr. Brown evidently commended himself to your approval during these experiments."

"He seemed to be a pretty nice kind of fellow, and it was no trouble to me, and I let him do it."

Cockran decided to try a more direct approach: "Now, Mr. Edison, there is a great degree of feeling between you and Mr. Westinghouse?"

Edison paused for several beats. "I do not dislike Mr. Westing­house," he said finally.32

"There is a contest between you in the courts, isn't there?"

"Yes, sir."

"And in relation to some of these electric-light inventions?"

"Yes, sir."

Surprisingly, Cockran let the matter drop there. As the lawyer paused, Referee Becker asked Edison whether an electrician could operate the execution machinery without hurting himself. "Yes, sir," Edison said.

Cockran jumped in: "That is, you believe he can. You do not know anything about it."

"Of course I have got to testify to my belief," Edison retorted. "I have not killed anybody yet."33

Cockran had had enough. He lit Edison's cigar and dismissed him from the stand.34

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