The San Francisco call., 1906-06-12
MURDERER DIES
IN THE CHAIR

BOSTON. June 11-Charles I. 7,ucls-
convicted OF the murder of Mabel Page
tWo years ago. was electrocuted tonight
a. Charleston. Mass A final effort was
made today 10 proleng the life of
Tucker through executive clemencv
but after hearing the appeal of his
clergyman, as well as his counsel. Coy
ernor Guild again declined 10 Interfere
WIN the execution Of the sentence.
after baptizing Tucker in the faitb
OF the Methodist Episcopal church p
Ihomas W Bishop forrner pastor of
the church at which Tucker was once
IN attendant, and his spiritual adviser
convinced BY his prOtestations of inno-
cence. sought an Interview with Gov
ernor Guild and obtained an appoint
me1t late IN the Afternoon He was
Sloseted with the Governor for In hour
but the executive declined to interfere
81 any way
one OF the incidents of the 6av was
z telegram received at the State House
oE Governor Guild from President
roosevelt IN relation TO the Tucker
case. II appeared that some of those
who participated in the Fanueil Hail
meeting on Saturday night sent a tele-
gram 10 the President asking him 70
interfere in fuckers behalf The Pres
ioents telegram 70 the Governor. in
which he commended the Massachusetts
executives action last week, was as
1o-ows:
The White House. Washington,
June 1e. 1906.
'Governor Curtis. Guild. Boston Mass
Have been requested on behalf of
certain parties in Boston to interfere
with the execution of Tucker. it being
alleged that il is my duty so TO do.
inasmuch as I have the power under
the Federal laws
No showing has been made to me
that I have such pewer. but without
regard 70 this I desire TO state to YOU
that IN my 5ud dgment your decision not
70 interfere with the carrying out of
the sentence Of Tucker seems to me
entirely sound and commands nv
hearty sympathy. II seems particular
ly q case in which there should be no
interference with the carrying out of
the sentence.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT"
Tucker swe71e in the cell at the
Chsrlestown prison today with reali-
cation that his last day on earth had
arrived. He continued to demonstrate
his remarkable nerve and informed the
death watch that he had enjoyed good
nights sleep.
After breakfast the prisoner began
preparations to receive the sacrament
of baptism II was for the purpose
OF administering this rite that fuckers
spiritual adviser. Rev. Thomas w
Bishop, secured a postponement of the
death sentence, Tucker having con-
sented at the last moment TO become a
member of the Methodist Episcopal
church.
The eIectrocutien of Tucker marks
the final chapter in the history of the
murder OF Mabel Page at her home in
Weston, March 81, 1854, and also marks
the close Of the most desperate legal
battle ever waged in Massachusetts for
the life Of a convicted murderer. A
petition TO Governor Guild was pre-
State. In a short time there were over
.11s. coo names attached TO it
Mabel Page was murdered at her
fathers heme. Her body was found
several hours later by her aged father.
On q nearby table was found a note,
supposed to have been written by Miss
Page stating that she had been called
70 Boston because OF the illness of her
brother II later developed that her
brother Earold was not Ill ana the
handwriting on the note and postal
rard which was also found in the house
figured in the trial. the prosecution con-
tending that the handwriting as shown
On the postal card was Identical with
Epeciu1ens Of fuckers handwriting.
The police learned that Charles l.
Tucker an Auburndale young man OF
rowing habits, had been seen near the
Pare house on the day OF the murder
They found Tucker, and, on taking him
. 10 q police station, questioned him, but
released him. About three weeks after
ward the officers searched Iucker
home. There, in an old coat they found
q broken knife blade stained and
scarred, the scars indicating that an ef-
fort had been made 70 destroy IL by
means OF a file. A stickpin of peculiar
design was also found, which was -sini-
or to one that Mabel Page had owned
Indictment for murder in the nrst oe-
gree followed
The evidence at the trial was largely
Of a cireuTnatantial nature and counsel
for the defense produced witnesses and
maps 10 prove an alibi-
Since fuckers trial and conviction
Edwin Page. the father OF the muir
oered girl, has died. as has Professor
y. s. Wood of Harvard University, who
was the expert analyst for the prose
sution.