The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-06-12
Boston Man Meets Death in
 Electric Chair
LAST DESPERATE EFFORT
With the Death of Tucker One of the Greatest Legal Battles In the History of Massachusetts
 Comes to an End.

Boston. June 19.-Charles L. Tucker was electrocuted at 12;12 this morning for the murder of Mabel Page. Tucker was officially pronounced dead by the prison doctors at 12:19 a. m. Three ap- plications of the currents were made. Tucker, arriving in the death chamber and in front of the chair, drew from his trousers pocket brief statement which he read. The statement was:
 q hope that God will forgive me for all the wrongs I have ever done in my past life. I forgive everybody who has wronged me. I am at peace with my Maker. May God have mercy on my soul"
 Tucker then sat down in the chair and after the guards had adjusted the straps the warden raised his hand as signal to the electrician.
 After the first application of the elee- tricity Dr. Joseph Mclaughlin. the prison surgeon, made an examination and an- nounced that the pulse was still beating. After the current had been applied second time the surgeon detected move ment of the heart, but when the current
  nounced dead. This announcement was made at 12:19
 The surgeon stated that Tucker was shock was sustained.
 Last Effort to Prolonq Life.
 A last and futile effort was made to prolong the life of Charles L. Tucker through executive clemency. but after hearing the appeal of his clergyman as we'll as his counsel. Governor Guild to- night decided not to interfere with the execution of the sentence
 After banHzing Tucker in the faith of < the MetsJilist.a Episcopal church Rev. Thomas Bishop Sought an interview with Governor Guild At the close of the con ference the following statement was is-. sued by the secretary to the governor: Rev Thomas Bishop called upon the governor this afternoon and retracted his former statement expressed to the gover- nor some days since of Fuckers guilt. He said that the basis of his opinion was a long conversation with the prisoner in which the prisoners apparent sincerity in his plea of innocence overcame Mr. Bishops previous conviction. MT. Bishop.
 
 repreve him.
 James H. Vahey. the prisoners counsel showed the governor Fuckers letters to his counsel which likewise asserted his innocence.
 The governor took the letter and the ap- peal of Bishop and Vahey under advise ment, and later notified them that he was 'regretfully forced to decline to in- terfere with the execution of the sem tence."
 One of the incidents of the day was a telegram received at the state house by Governor Guild from President Roosevelt in relation to the Tucker case It reads as follows:
 Roosevelt Sends Telegram.
 ''The White House,
 Washington, June 10, 1906. Governor Curtis Guild, Boston, Mass: Have been requested on behalf of cer- tain parties in Boston to interfere with the execution of Tucker, 1t being alleged that 1t is my duty to so do inasmuch as have the power under the federal laws. No showing has been made to me that have power, but without regard to this. I desire to state to you that in my judg- ment your decision not to interfere with the carrying out of the sentence of Tuck CT seems to me entirely sound and com mands my hearty sympathy. It seems par ticularly a case in which there should be no interference with the carrying out of the sentence"
 In his letter to MT. Vahey, Tucker said:
 Fuckers Letter to Counsel.
 "I have been misjudged and wrongfully accused of crime that I know nothing about, one that I am entirely innocent of This peculiar case was purely crcum- stantial, and did not get the benefit of the doubt. Some of the members of the jury signed a letter to the governor for communication, which shows that they had doubt in their minds.
 "The governor has no right to bring up my past life to connect me with this crime. A man may steal, but there are limits to everything.
 'It Is awful to die when one Is innocent and when one Is so young. good hearted and healthy. Oh, I am glad that am innocenti One feels much better when ones conscience is clear. I would tell you willingly if l were guilty. and I would make my peace with God. but am not. and I die innocent a child un- born of this crime. The governor whom think is very unjust. has gone against me, and if nothing turns up to interfere will have to die, and I assure you I will die brave and like man.
 q have nothing to confess am entirely innocent. I have been asked if guilty to confess, but to the people who have asked me I said: T have nothing to con fess; do you want me to tell Her
 oiAA So ooiIJ TUT ny utdT parents. They are so good and faithful. cannot say any more. Tears fall from my eyes so fast that can hardly see to pen these words to you.
 My last words to you are that am in- nocent and they will be the last words that I will have on my lips when I die"
 Desperate Legal Struggle.
 The electrocution of Charles L. Tucker marked the final chapter in the history of the murder of Mable Page at her home in Weston. Mass. March 31. 1904, and also marked the close of the most desperate legal battle ever waged in Massachusetts for the life of convicted murderer
 Mable Page was murdered at her. home in Weston on March 31, 1904 Her body was found several hours later by her aged father. On nearby table was found note. which was supposed to have been written by Miss Page stating that she had been called to Boston because of ill., ness of her brother It later developed that her brother, Harold, was not i'll and the handwriting on the note and postal