Simply as a point of interest regarding the "electric chair" in the 1920 text, as well as in some versions of "Frankie & Johnny": Although the electric chair was invented in 1890, it was not adopted as a method of execution in the United States until some years later. It was thought to be more humane than hanging.

Acc. to Wikipedia (which seems trustworthy here), the first state to adopt the electric chair was Ohio in 1897.

Missouri, the locale of both ballads, has never used the chair for executions.

Billy Lyons was shot by Lee Sheldon on Dec. 29, 1895; and Frankie Baker by Alan Britt on Oct. 15, 1899.