The Washington times., 1905-07-17
HURDERERS NET
DEATH CALMLY
Condemned Men Electro
cuted at Sing Sing.
COMMITTED BRUTAL GRIMES
Were of Lower Order of Mentality, and
Served Many Terms in
Prison.

OSSINING. n Y, July 1I.-Praying s
for mercy on their souls Charles Jack
son, colored, and James Breen. white,
paid the death penalty in the electric
chair in the Sing Sing death house this
morning for having taken human lives.
Both electrocutions were successful.
from a medical and mechanical stand
point
Shouting a cry 'Good-by, boys; better
luck to YOU fellows" to his comrades
in the condemned mems house Breen
greeted Principal Keeper Connaushton.
and left his cell for the last time. Faith
ers {. V. Mahony and 2. j. Martin. both
prison chaplains and priests in the st.
Augustine Church here, had been givin &
Breen spiritual preparation for his
doom and accompanied him in the death
march. Lawyer Patrick, charged with
the murder of Millionaire Rice, whose
eleetrocutlon date is not far of, was at
the door of his CELL but made no re-
ply. \ slender little fellow Breen looked
exceptionally slight in his white soft
shirt and black trousers.
Death Cut Of Prayer.
Crucifx in hand and muttering 1T
tie prayer, Lord have mercy on my
SOUL" Breen walked into the death
chamber at SAC. 1t took Just one minute
to strap him in the chair and the cleo
tric current of 1880 volts and of eight
amperes shot into his body at 5:50:51,
cutting off his prayer.
The current was reduced to go volts
run up again, and shut off at 5:51 81
Precipitation dripping from his hair fell
on the back of his neck. formed an
arc. making a current which slightly
burned the collar of his shirt. 4 second
shock was turned on at SOD. left on for
five seconds. and the physicians pro-
nounced him dead The body was quick
iy removed for the autopsy, and fifteen
seconds after o'clock Jackson was
brought into the chamber.
A powerful, husky man, he was IN
strange contrast to the. pale little fellow
who had gone before. Jackson, who had
within "A few weeks become convert
to the Catholic faith. also carried
crucifix and was attended by the priests
II required a minute ana quarter 10
strap him in the chair. and as he NUT
tered 'MeTciful Jesus, have mercy on
me" the current was turned on at
6;01 :28 On account OF his powerful build
jackson was given a current of 1900
volts, increasing from s to 10 amperes.
The first contact was off at 6:0Z:44, and
a second shock was given at 6:o4:8 and
was left on for four seconds. jackson
was pronounced dead at 6:05:S0. As the
first shock was turned on the cruCff1X
dropped from his hand.
Jackson Hardened Criminal.
Both men were of the lower order of
mentality, and both had served time
before for other crimes Warden john
son said he considered Jackson one of
the most hardened prisoners he ever had
in the death house.
State Electrician Davis was in charge
of the double electrocution. Both men
were from New York city. Jackson's
sister claimed his body. but Breen's re-
mains have not been called for The
latter left a letter asking that his body
be ernbalmed before the autopsy. but e
is tIoIIght Albert Patrick, under SEN
tence of death for the murder of old
man Rice, urged him to make the re-
quest. 1t was not done.
The ColOred man was t"enty-ntte
years Of age. Breen's age IS not known,
but the prison authorities claim him at
twenty-eight. Both men passed quiet
night
Two brutal crimes were charged up
against Jackson and Breen. for which
they were electrocuted.
At about $3.50 o'clock on the night OF
July 10. 1903, Charles W. Roxbury was
walking along River avenue, IN New
York city with his sweetheart, Lillian
Fhomasch. Without warning a man
quickly stepped uP behind them and
struck Roxbury powerful blow on
lhe back of the head with club. Rox-
bury was feIIed 10 the ground ard
ened she could not tell, that night,
whether 1t was white or black man
that killed her lover. The next day In
court she positively Identified Jackson,
who had been arrested on suspicion of
the murder.
Damaging Evidence.
When searched he had Roxbury's
pocket book and watch in his posses
sion. lie told conflicting stories. first
claiming he had found the articles. later
that they had been given to him at a
circus: that he had picked them up IN
a street car. and had been given them
by a man on the street. He was con
vtcted. and sentenced September l. 1903.
A stay was granted by the court of ap-
peals. but a new trial denied, and he was
ordered electrocuted-
Breen's crime was that of the bar
room thug On the night OF Septem-
Der Is, 1903. he went into the saloon cor
ner Of Catherine and Water streets, in
New York city, conducted by Capt. W.
H Keyes who had only year before
retired from the life Of a pilot. Breen
had been drinking. Stepping up 10 the
bar, he pulled out a revolver, declar-
irR that if any one Of three men he named
came in the place he would put 4 hole
in them Later on one of the men en-
tered, and BreeR became abusive Cap
tain keyes put him out of the saloon
Breen returned. and as Keyes attempt
ed TO eject him 4 second time ne put
fired. The victim died few minutes
later.
Breen ran into the arms of a police
man. was arrested, tried. convicted and
peals refused TO grant q new trial APP
plications for clemency made to Gov
eTnor Higgins in both cases failed.