One of the only, if not the only, journalist allowed on “the Row,” 4th floor of GA’s maximum security prison where Death Row was located a stone’s throw from “Old Sparky,” the hand-made white-painted electric chair made by a man whose fate wound up in its unholy seat.
The first Georgia electric chair was not constructed by an inmate who was subsequently executed in it. Rather, it was assembled by one George Edward Barnes of Milledgeville, the community where the Georgia State Penitentiary was situated prior to the facility opening at Reidsville.
Pardon my delay in finding your comment. This is interesting. It is also an example of how growing up so closely to a topic can color your account; I will eat all the crow I deserve after I go research. This kind of reply reminds me of what it was like when my father was still alive, which is to say I never got away with anything. I appreciate a shrewd eye and a learned discourse, so thanks. This was a story told to me many times and as I think about how or exactly whom did the reconfiguring on this, it does cause a head-scratch. Where did you get your information? I think it is a substantive bit of history, however grim.
R
I did time in this prison and I’ve sat in the chair and layed down on the slab in the mortuary I worked maintenance so I could get around like I wanted to but in truth the place needs to be closed you freeze to death in the winter and burn up in the summer and don’t ever turn your back on anyone in that place I seen some bad shit in that place
No prison is a pleasant place to be. I heard stories about it and have been there once, but now that they’ve moved death row to Jackson Diagnostic Center, they have made the 4th floor a museum of sorts, which I’ve been invited to come visit and do some interviews.
Thanks for the story, very interesting.
R