davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-10-25
MRS, BECKER COLLAPSES
ON HEARING VERDICT
Word "Guilty!" Hurled Into Her Face as
She Awaits Result in Anteroom
of the Court

rounded by men and women. and passed
directly out, without turning around.
As her senses came back 10 her, the
wife Of the convicted murderer began to
sneak brokenly. ITS terrible. It's a ter
rible shock / can't believe 1t. IT Will be
reversed. He is an innocent man. on
this Is too horrible"
Forty minutes after the verdict had
been rendered Becker was taken up to
the first mczzanine floor. from which the
entrance 10 the Bridge Of Signs leads. AT
the head Of the stairs Ia the northeastern
corner of the building his wife, half car
rled by John Becker and other relatives.
met the accused man.
When she was close enough TO see him
Mrs. Becker ran TO her husband and
threw herself into his arms. The pris-
oner took her in his arms and tried to
soothe her. She was convulsed in sohS
and tears. and could only speak In short
sentences While she shook like lear
Mrs Becker chung to her husband for
fun minute. her head on his breast Lieu
tenant Becker smoothed her hair with his
hand and attempted to console her, say
ing:
1T will all come out right in the end,
dear: don't worry for me, little woman
Finally two women friends OF Mrs
Rocker touched her on the shoulder, and
she stepped back for moment. Then she
kissed her husband again and again. The
convicted man smiled at her as he was
led across the Bridge Of signs, and a few
minutes later Mrs. Becker was taken up
town Ia taXicab.
According to those who took Becker
into his cell. the only words he uttered
as he was led from the sight OF his wife
and friends, were:
Il am sorry the jury found as they
did"
The news OF the verdict spread through
the Tombs like wIldhre. The other pris.
oners had stayed awake, waiting to hear
the verdict reached by the jury. Some
openly expressed their pleasure, while
others showed their undissuised disap,
pointmsnt.
There were loud cries from one tier oil
cells, in which the names Of William
Shapiro the chauffeur OF the murder car.
and Rose, Vallon. Schepps and Weber
were mingled with curses for the "squeal'
ers."
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-10-25
Frequent Storms in Career.


Becker has preserved this adamantine
exterior all through his stormy days on
the police force. And he has had storm
and stress since he enlisted in the depart
ment on November /, 1893. More than
once he has had 10 appear before SUI
perior officer and explain just why and
how he came TO do this. that and the
other thing So far he has successfully
explained away all troubles
lie first attracted the attention OF MS
superiors when his record showed an
extraordinary number OF arrests, most OF
them following violence OF one order or
another When he was an ordinary po-
liceman In uniform patrolling city streets
he shot and killed a plumbers helper
John Fay Becker was chasing gang or
burglars. and Fay was an innocent by
stander.
Fay was identified" by the police as
John O'Brien, a burglar, and his BODY
was sent to the morgue under that name
Another man was arrested for that burg
larry. so that the chase seemed justified
and until the young plumbers helper was
identified Becker received much applause.
After that he was suspended, and an in
vestigation was held. But nothing nap
pened.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-10-25

,,hicb I believe can be safely left
case .our hands There is nothing 10
n that he had any knowledge OF the
So, from this evidence.
rh,5.,ns'y relations with the men may
lratr suspicion, but suspicion Is not
ny He may have had suspicious af-
proUuni departure and the departure
ta I'VE gunner on account OF Rosenthai
Of Wy w bouts But that suspicion does not
n,,s that he was participant IN the
crime will perceive, gentlemen, that
lOu can he no question as to Rose.
n..har and WALTON being participants OK
NeV1o-,roe Schepps denies his partici-
t ns, do not see any testimony that
pa.utid Justify a Judge, as a matter OF
,.% 10 say that he was participant
seh.pps Not an Accessory.
>. ,s IN evidence that ne had connec-
IL with these men after the murder,
W. he was present at the payment Oh
tha' ,1oney, that ne associated with them.
the innO,thing he did afterward, while II
puI S, a guilty knowledge, does not
SHOVE snow him a co-conspiratOr or accom-
plps scause. N order to be an accom-
oe'"bo s must have his connection direct
pllet a;rect before the commission of the
o. Rose was an accessory before
cIisi sf,er The fact remains that Schepps
alS d RI real knowledge.
ha uI.- the instructions of law you
~ Lave 70 consider his testimony as
W. W.. VINO is not an accessory.
'H T.is testimony is TO be taken by You
la a.oiSe whether or not he was an aC-
70 Ur1Jcr The law states that the tes-
fnnny Of one accomplice cannot De
t latt,e 10 corroboratc another, and l want
= csIl that 10 your attention
tn conviction cannot be mad on the
r.
leSS,a,rroysi by such other evidence as
-Ss IN connect the defendant with the
80 II is unnecessary for me TO eX-
, $ .'.r' the meaning OF the word tends.
Tbe application Of that rule Of law must
dspend on your Judgment.
have decided that there is evil
s.re. that tends to connect the defen-
Jsnt with the crime, but it is for you
~ ssy whether such evidence is suf-
fesnt'
Formeriv the testimony Of an accom-
-,;cg was accepted in courts Of law as
pi.rscient evidence for conviction. Because
oi sympathy that was changed. Inc 2uHs-
&c as 10 the extent of suHlcient corroO-
lnrrsstiye evidence IS left entirely with the
Va~y You are to decide as TO its SUI
Sciencv Every case must rest on It's
~ facts Every case has It's own peCuIr
lar features. But II there De sunlclent
syidence-suiEcient corroooTauye evidence
20 The crime YOU must convict
STbs intent of thc law Is that If man
no convicted on such evidence he IS not
~ be- convicted solely upon the testimony
~ accomplices How far that corrobora-
i've testimony goes is for you to decide
mon the facts presented to you. The law
--ssrr1,ts the admission Of the testimony
~ accomplices. The law does not put the
Grand Of falsity upon II. The law does
not saw such testimony must not be re
e,Iyed. but says Il must be received, and
that the jury must receive and Welsh that
testimony.
The law requires that the evidence OF &C
enmpIlces shall be heard. In order. there
fSre' that Justice may not be defeated the
law accepts the corroborative testimony
Of accomplices.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-10-25

In an anteroom Just off Justice COR
chambers Mrs. Becker, wife Of the &C.
cused lieutenant, sat in white-faced eN-
pectancy. drcading TO hear what fate the
Jury had IN store for her husband, yet
eagerly awaiting some word which would
tell her il he were to go free or die IN
the electric chair. She was surrounded
by relatives and friends, among whom
were Charles Pitt. Lieutenant Becker s
press agent; Charles Reich, brother OF
Jack" Sullivan; Miss Susie Lynch, her
sister: another married sister; FREDERICK
II. HAwley. the cX-reportsr who testified
for the defence, and Lieutenant John
Becker, brother Of her husband.
Twice, when the jury announced that
they wished instruction on certain points
I'm the case. Mrs. Becker rose from her
chair, trembling. believing that verdict
had finally been reached. Each time, upon
learning that the jurors had not reached
a verdict. she relapsed into her chair
inert. almost unconscious.
When the jury fled into the courtroom
and Foreman Skinner had pronounced the
words which sealed the doom OF Becker.
the Newspaper men made rush for the
telephone. some Of them crying as they
swept through the door into the corridor:
Guilty in the first degreer
Mrs. Becker heard the cry taken up
and echoed through the vaulted corri-
doris. She rose in her chair, supported
nv her brother-in-law and sisters ana
clutched her right hand TO her breast
then she tottered and fell back In n
syoon. After she had been partially re-
yived she was carried upstairs, where she
received medical treatment, but stu con-
t,rued in q state OF hysterical grief.
When her strength seemed to have re-
turned 10 her IN some degree, the con-
d.mped mans wife was taken to the
basement OF the Criminal Courts Build
ing near the white street entrance Her
face usually pale and drawn, bore deep
sush. and she seemed to be iaborlng
under a great feeling. While those ABOUT
bar famed her face and bathed her
temples with water, Mrs. Becker again
swooncd.
While she was still in "A semi-conscious
state. District Attorney Whitman passed
through the White street entrance, on his
way out of the building. lie did not see
The huddled figure in the chair sur
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-10-25

day and tonight. and broke up several
demonstrations by the strikers and also
drove the pickets away. Negro valfers
were temporarily employed to-day I
Edward Blochlinger. OF New YORK, orr
ganiscr of the International Hotel Work.
ers' Union, who is the moving spirit IN
the strike, said to-day the strikers del
mand working week of not more than
fifty eight hours FOL. women. with an n.
crease OF IS a month In their wages. and
one day week off with pay. working
day Of not more than ten hours, with one
dav of a week, is demanded for cooks.
Mon walters demand $40 week. with
two davs of a month. An increase OF IS
per cent In wages, better food and better
working conditions are asked for otheN
hotel employees.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-10-25
scAFFoLD FALLS ON THREE MEN.

Three laborers were buried under scar
fold containing several tons Of orick at
Broadway and 26th street yesterday ana
one man was so badly hurt that IT was
said al the New York Hospital ne had
little chance Of recovery Inc men were
under the fallen structure nearly fifteen
minutes before fellow workmen dug them
out. Charles Maloney, OF NO. so East
18th street, was the one most gravely IN
jured. The other men, Joseph Lafaklna
having been treated by an ambulance sur
geon.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-10-25
MESSENGER ROBBED OF $4,000.

Minneapolis, Oct. 4.-oscar christian
son, a messenger boy for the 500 Rail-
vav. to-day was robbed Of 5000 in pay
checks OF the company, on one of the
principal streets of this city. The man
obtained the checks by representing him
self as a railway employe who had to
make changes in the paper.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-10-25
WATERS WANT MORE PAY
New Workers Fill Places of
Strikers in Washington Hotels.
From The Tribune Bureau.1

IFF0m TIC Tribune BuTeau.
Washington. Oct. 24.-White walters
have been brought from New York TO
take the places OF the walters who went
on a strike last evening at the New WI
lard, the New Raleigh and other hotels,
and the managers of the hostleries say
that the four hundred strikers will not
be taken back unGer any consideration.
Policemen guarded the dining rooms to-
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-10-25
Gives No Personal Opinion.

In charging on one OF the requests oil
the defence, that the case be declded on
evidence and not on any arguments OF
opinions expressed by the court or coun-
sci. the Justice said he would do 30, add
ing that he had not personally expressed
any opinion.
1T is for you. gentlemen of the jury
IN decide If you have thought / have
EXPRESSED the slightest opinion of the guilt
or innocence of this defendant, ask you
to dismiss it from your mind.
He then ended as follows:
Tbere is one more thing and l am done:
I have instructed you as 10 the rights o.
the defendant, and they must De oDserLeu'
This defendant is on trial Tor muruei,
a,,J NOT for anything else. Whatever you
find YOUR duty 70 be. you must olschaIse
e. II YOU believe he Is innocent your duty
is TO acquit him. II you peneSe lie 10
guilty. II is your duty 10 80 nno.
eharoe you az sworn men to DO
YOUR duty and do II as you feel Il
should he done.
Justic. Goff finished addressing the jury
az 2:l2 o'clock. As he finished Harolu
skinner foreman Of the jury, arose III
his .ea, and said something 10 the COURT
in an inaudible tone When he resumed
his seat Mr. Mcintyre, who had got up
at the same time, said he wished to take
exception to the fact that the court nau
modified some Of his requests when ne
had asked to be put In the charge anu
the fact that he had excluded others.
Mr.. Mcintyre. reading from severn,
sheets OF paper which he had prepared
during the course Of the charge, read eN-
ceptions to nearly every point In the
charge 1t was then 2:2O o'clock, and the
court squad, which had been scattered 10
| various parts OF the courtroom, assembled
| I'm front of the jury box and escorted the
Jurors, headed by Mr.. Skinner, to the jury
| room. whence they were soon taken out
! to luncheon. returning at o'clock to be-
gin their deliberations.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-10-25
esRlIN MEAT RIOTS CONTINUE.

Berlin, oct. 2.-The dear food riots
Increased I'm violence to-day when some
no1 women raided a butcher shop, de-
rnolIshed the premises and stole the meat.
The manager was seriously Injured; All
~ other butcher shops In the district
rave been closed and barricaded. The
notice have been ordered out in strong
force.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-10-25

What constitutes credibility? 1t Is the
credence YOU give the testimony. You
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-10-25
Called a FAKE Hero"

A little while before that Becker told
of two negro women who had attempted
10 rob him. When he tried to place them
under arrest he had quite a lot OF DIM
Guilty. lie said. and one of them took away
his revolver However,. he did arrest
one OF the pair.
on February 10, 1897. Becker arrested
young and very attractive woman VINO
was walking along a certain street. lie
charged her with being a street habitue.
She was locked up all night. In the
morning her story Of innocence was found
TO be true She was the wife OF proml-
nent silk merchant in New Jersey.
Policemen who have known Charlie
Becker for a long time remember chiefly
the occasion when he received medal
for saving the life OF man. on July
morning one James Butler tumbled into
the water at West 10th street. Becker
is said TO have gone after him and res
cued him I'm the nick OF time. lie wore
his medal for two years, and then Butler
made an affidavit that he was an expert
swimmer and had gone overheard at the
request OF Becker and a promise that he
would receive SIS. Becker never paid the
n
money butter Sdiu' anu ~
Becker IaNe -
Becker "ouiu nave uro""eu Il he
hadn't pulled him out.
IN lvl beSh'' ''""' &c" "'''''S ''''
the head Of Police Inspector SchmittDer-
ger He was at that time also placed on
trial for arrestng an innocent woman.
In this case the charge went against the
complainant and Becker was ridden Of
another stain.
on January I, 1897, Becker was made
a Iiau,epant. and in 1911 he was placed
in charge Of the STRONG arm" squad
ras, March he conducted y raid upon a
var,hII,g house and a man was shot and
Killed He was relieved from command
for a. ,ov. months but was restored
,ooo
n"a 1'00'000 ~
one of the things that the District At
torney's office spent much time on Just
before the trial was the amount OF money
Becker had sailed away IN banks IL was
had deposits of more than $4,000, despite
tho fac, that the combined salaries OF
-, - t,t, u,t,a u,bo 10 a scbooI
hiiilseii anu Mo - a., 80, 49,
teacher. amounted 10 parey Slo'"V Wi'hi"
the last Ave years. In addition, Becker
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-10-25
Fear Deters Criminals.

That is one Of the deterrent forces in
the prevention of Crime-the fear that
some one Of his accomplices may tell the
story of the crime. 1t is apprehension
which. in a way. tends toward the pres
seryation OF society. 1t is the fear that
one criminal may come into court and IN
form on his fellow criminals.
A Juror believes in a witness or not
He NAV disCredit him. II testimony I'M
presses YOU as truthful despite the man,
You must give that consideration.
Speaking Of the testimony OF JACK Rose
the first and most important witness
for the prosecution, his testimony should
be taken as II one continuous session.
You should have the whole narrative as
Of one story. =.
n Roses story is manufactured. II
should be so considered, but, on the other
hand II il was true, then during MS
fen hours in the witness chair, three lor
examination and seven for cross-eXamina-
ton. you should give It that considera-
ton.
Gentlemen, you have to pass upon the
value Of that mans testimony. For the
Guilt or innocence Of the defendant de-
psnds TO a great extent on that mans
testimony. have already charged
you that you are to pass upon the
eredibility Of that mans testimony, or
the testimony Of any other witness.
What constitutes credibility? It Is the
Credence you give the testimony. You
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-10-25
BECKER HAS MET MANY A
STORM WITH IRON NERVE
CompOsure Has Gone Far, Until
the Present, to DiSSlpate
Frequent Trouble.
TWICE IN DEATH CASES
Killed Bystander in Burglar
Chase - Man Shot Dead
During Gambling Raid
Called a Fake Hero"

1t was not more than a few hours after
Herman Rosenthal was shot to death in
front of the Metropole Hotel that the
name of Police Lieutenant Charles Beck
er began to be mentioned in connection
with murder plot. The shooting was in
the early morning of July l6, and Becker
was arrested rs he sat at his desk in the
Bathgate avenue station on the night of
July %. He WINGED it was said, when the
the detectives told him their errand, but
he Immediately regained the iron COM
pOsure he has shown all during the fight
for his life.
The day Pfter his arrest he was ar
raigned. an still ne kept his nerve. The
trial did not begin until long after that
time, only seventeen days ago. but dur
ing the CALLING days OF his imprisonment
Becker never betrayed that he felt the
weight OF the yoke that must have borne
so heavily on his broad shoulders. Early
In August he looked calmly through the
bars at q reporter and said
This Is one OF the things that come
10 a man. | have no fear of the out
come # there Is any justice left"
A week later he said detorminedly that
he had nothing to confess and never
felt better" and a week later than that
he wrote note that he was still quite
happy and we'll"
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-02-27
COLOMBIA AND KNOBS VISIT.

Inc prompt dCClOA VI CAc -6OVCA -
ment of Colombia in repudiating the
action of its minister in notifying that
a visit to Colombia by Secretary Knox
on his present trip would be 'inoppor-
tune" places some of the democratic
members of the house in an awkward
|predicament. Representative Ralney,
one of the democratic leaders, con
demned former President Roosevelt
and President Taft for negotiating with
Panama for the work which Colombia
refused to do, and for not submitting
Colombia's protest to The Hague court
for arpitration. The st. Louis Globe
Democrat declares the position taken
by Rainey and his colleagues Is absurd.
So far as the American people are con-
cerned, 1t says, there is nothing to
arbitrate. The people Of Panama mad
a real grievance against Panama Tor
attempting to defeat a great public
work which would be of vast benefit
to, the world as well as to Panama,
and they took the most effective way
open to them to strike back. The
United States recognized the new re.
public when it was set up, and every
country in the world has followed our
example, except Colombia. Reviewing
some canal history the Globe-Demo'
crat says:
The Colombian congress, in the mat
ter of leasing a right of way to the
United States government to build
canal across the Isthmus of Panama,
attempted "hold-up," and was beaten
lat that game by the Intervention OF
the people Of its state OF Panama,
through which the canal was to run.
They seseded, set up a republic OF their
own, which the United States promptly
recognized, and then, as the owners OF
the territory along the projected water
way, they gave the lease to us, which
Colombia had refused. Our govern
ment at once purchased the rights OF
the French company, which mad con-
structed part Of the canal, and began
the work which promises to complete
that waterway some time in 1913.
Because Colombias plot to extort
more money from the United States
than we were willing to give failed,
and because, in the failure, she lost
part Of her territory through revo'
luton in the region which her obstill.
acy and corruption would nave In
jured, she is angry at the United
States, and asks from us some or all
of the money which she formerly re-
fused, and which we have already
paid to the government which is en-.
titled to it.
The canal which we are pushing
through the isthmus will be completed
and we will remain the owner OF it.
The flag which we raised over the
canal zone will stay. Our protectorate
over the Republic Of Panama is recog-
nized by every country on the globe
except Colombia. If the democrats
wish to make an issue OF the Panama
affair in 1912 the\ republicans would
be glad to meet them on that line.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-02-27
RUSSELL.

Mrs. Nell Nader of ottumwa who
has been visiting her brother y. ..
Cooper, returned home Monday.
Mrs. John Means died at the home
Of her son Chas. Of Atlantic on Feb
ruary II, The funeral was held at the
M. e. church on Sunday afternoon at
2:30. Interment in Russell cemetery
C, E. Werts and Chas. Kells left on
Tuesday for eastern Oklahoma on
business.
The Presbyterian Aid society was
most pleasantly entertained at the
home of Mrs. IIany Keller on We'd
nesday afternoon.
Mr.. and Mrs. H. r. Means Of Des
Moines who were called here by the
death Of Mr.. Means mother. returned
home Monday
Miss Ida Price who has been nursing
in Melrose returned home Tuesday
Rev. Hohanshelt Of Charlton preach
ed at the Methodist church here on
Monday evening Revival meetings
commenced Sunday evening.
The Aid society OF the Methodist
church was pleasantly entertained at
the home of Mrs. Il. G. kells on We'd
nesday afternoon.
Bert Beals of Des Moines who has
been visiting his parents Mr.. and Mrs.
A. S. Beals returned home Monday.
IL Prof. G.. C. Bingaman gave the Sth
grade examinations to the country
pupils Of the eastern part of the coun-
ty on Tuesday and Wednesday. Fifteen
pupils took the examination.
A large number of schoolmates ut
Kenneth Vinsel gave him a surprise
party on Wednesday evening in honor
Of his 18th birthday.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-02-27
CARE AND THOUGHT.

If you want to succeed it is not enough that you
should just be honest pugger There is after it has
been established that you are honest quite ways TO
travel before you make it known that you are trust
worthy You may be careless absent minded, that
even though you honest you not be trusted with
any responsibility.
IT. through carelessness, you lose valuable paper,
1t gone just fully and completely as It it We're stolen
II you break window costly article or piece OF
machinery, it losswhether it done Intentional
~ careessy the loss there just the and haste
be met t5s
An absent minded person is nuisance instead OF
help. He not advance because he{cant-he is not
worth advancing. He may be good hearted and honest
tut he not be trusted aone-because he VIII not use
his head.
You must concentrate your mind on what you are
doing. Do not pay any attention to the other fellow TIL
the time to turn the job to h-see to it that
he gets it time If he has to watch you and tell you
when you are through with your part you will never
learn to doit.
You must read and study about your work or busl-
ness If you do not give any thought to what you are do
ing, you can't even hold your own, much less advance.
Wake up-thnk about your work and yourself.
You can do it if you will It's up you You cant do your
work in the morning if you going to rehearse all
forenoon what you did the evening before.
You must concentrate your thought and effort on
what you are doing.