Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-10-15
Gambler Who Paid Money
to Murder Crew to Get
Them Away, Strengthens
the States Case.
DECLARES BECKER
ORDERED MURDER

Expressed w 1871 W Cut
Tongue From the Body
as a Warning.
New York, Oct. 14.-With a view to
corroborating and strengthening the
testimony of Bald Jack" Rose, the
prosecution called "Bridgie" Webber
to the stand when the trial Of Police
Lieutenant Charles Becker, charged
with the murder of Herman Rosen-
thai, was resumed today.
John F. McIntire, chief counsel for
Becker, intimated last night that he
might not call any witnesses at all,
simply letting the states case go to
the jury and attempt to brand It az in
complete The defense has several
witnesses under subpoena, however.
Winfield H. Sheehan, secretary OF
Police Commissioner Waldo, was the
first witness called. His appearance
was distinct surprise.
"Bridgie'' Webber followed Sheehan
on the stand. Sheehan, who Is a
former newspaper man, was asked to
identity his signature on document
handed to him by Assistant District
Attorney Moss. The document was a
communication addressed to Becker
and attached thereto were letters
identified by the witness as having
been in his opinion written by Becker.
Sheehan said he, had signed the dOcu-
ment 1T the direction OF Commissioners
Waldo.
si"Did you ever talk to Becker about
the matters mentioned in these COM
munications?" asked Mr.. Moss
''No, sir" Sheehan answered.
Webber corroborates Rose.
sheehan was excused and "Bridgie"
Webber was summoned. He said his
real name was Louis and that he was
a gambler. He knew Herman Rosen-
thai for fifteen years and Jack Rose
for tho same time. Becker he had
known for two years, having first met
him in Jack Roses place and the next
time in front of his (Webber's) poker
rooms.
"He used to come to my place
often" said Webber.
did you ever have any conversa-
tions with Becker about Rosenthal?"
Eyes, with Harry Vallon and Jack
Rose the latter part of June. Becker
said the -- Is trying to do me In
every way. He's trying to see Waldo
the commissioner, and now he's going
to yet to Whitman. That has
got to be stopped; he's got to be
croaked before he gets to Whitman
II said, Charley, that's a pretty
dangerous thing to do, to murder a
man.
"'Thats all right said Becker, he's
got to be stopped .
"Bridgie" told Of subsequent meet.
ing with Becker. :.
"What are you doing about that
Becker said to me- Webber testified.
"'He's doing me he's got to be
croaked.' I said Charley, he's going
to be taken care Of. You're liable to
see It In the papers any day"
The witness then told Of meeting
Rose and telling him Of Becker's in
sistence that "that the Job" be done.
Tells Of inception Of Plot.
webber described the inception of
the murder plot. Rose had agreed to
get the four gunmen together at his
poker rooms on the night Of July 18th.
One night Webber saw Becker and
Jack Sullivan at prize fight. He left
them and went to his poker rooms.
Lefty Louis" Jack Rose, Harry VAL
lon. "Gyp the Blood" Sam Schepps
and "Dago Frank" appeared on the
scene, "Bridgie" said.
Rose asked me IL knew where
Rosenthal was" Weber testified. II
went to the Metropole and saw Rosen.
thai there. I came back to my place
and said, 'Rosenthal Is In the Metro.
ple.' Then they all went out but Rose.
I stayed five minutes and then left"
Webber said he was not at the
scene of the murder until after Rosen-
thai had been shot.
~ saw the body on the sidewalk"
he testified. He met Becker after
the murder In his poker room with
Jack Rose and Jack Sullivan.
"I congratulate you. Jack, a good
ion said Becker" Weber testified
" This is terrible, Charley said Rose,
they've got the number Of the ma
chine"
"sNever mind said Becker, I'll take
care of you and the gang"
Weber testified he heard Becker
say at the time: II just saw him
(Rosenthal) laying there in the police
station and I'd like to have taken my
knife and cut out his tongue as a
warning for future squealers"
The witness admitted his place was
an opium Joint