So I'm reading the review of Cormac McCarthy's new book in
the latest issue of TEXAS MONTHLY, and I see that it's by Don
Graham. I've known Don casually for about 40 years, and I
respect him as a both a scholar and book reviewer. He says
that the book's a "kick-ass read."
He also says this: "The book begins with the voice of Ed Tom
Bell, and old county sheriff: 'I sent one boy to the
gaschamber in Huntsville.'" What I'd like to know is, which
Huntsville would that be? The one in Texas, as far as I know,
doesn't have a gas chamber and has never had one. From 1819
until 1923, hanging was the means of execution. From 1924
until injection became the method of execuction in 1977, the
state used the electric chair, built by inmates and known as
Old Sparky. It's now in the Texas Prison Museum in
Huntsville.
Don doesn't comment on the "gaschamber" remark. Maybe the
book doesn't really say that. It's hard for me to get past
something like that when I read it at the beginning of a
book.
Billl Crider
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