The daily sentinel., 1913-09-26
In the Gloomy Death | Iouse
Becker is Chosen Captain
Strange Dramatic Ceremonies in Choosing Leader Enacted by
II Men Who Await the Electric Chair in Sing Sing
Pathetic in the Extreme

New York. Sept o6-Within feet of the death chair at
Sing Sing prison awaiting their call pay the penalty for
murder in the first degree have acclaimed former Police Leuten
Charles Becker convicted of numbering Herman Rosentha
the gambler, as captain of the death house"
Out of Difference William Anthony Grace and Happy
Jack Nulraney, who until their electroon shared with Becker
the popularity of the death house. the formay selecting cap
who the Judge deferred after the
removal of Grace last Monday.
Until last January Lawrence Spohr, former corporal in
the United States artillery Fort Socum served several
captain His removal White Plains await second trial
for the murder of his sweetheart Rosie Oooe left the vacancy
which Becker was chosen to fill
Becker the four gunmen Francis w. Nuehlfield who with
his cousin, William Lngey murdered Patrick Burns Bronx
oonkeeper Joseph J. NcKenna murderer 6yearod
Sgd Eckrom of the Bronx the majority of the death
house inmates uehed the the crowd and insisted
on making the former lieutenant their commander.
Leave it Charlie" NIuehfed said when Whitley Lewis
suggested that the death cell colony should have their hair closely
cropped for the summer months.
Lefty Louis Rosenberg and "Dago + Frank co5ie were
McKenna also opposed the idea The police
tenant took the matter under and then gave decision
style of haircut then adopted by the gunmen
That looks cassy, remarked Mrs Lefty Louis when she
visited the death house. and her husband bowed the re
ton of the former lieutenant.
out the idea Of 6oe wseog die
ing in it, Believe in the future and read your Bible"
That advice followed by decision to hold services every
Young Hing Chairman square gunmen detailed
night each as leaders Of the They were instructed to read
followed by the singing of hymn.
will % when you" d %s bd to 60 bd through tina ha & door
T le nueh oe.te sau m & VINO mo on rev weeks weeks ago
jointly convicted Muhlfeld member of the
Young Mems Christian Association and for time
gest.
and The ss @ house " SGE Ss g pR s Tong L
ready mastered several of hymns and eager learn
enoughe English that they might read the Bible fuenty
II send you all he me-, Lee Dock called out
after Mckenna Whitley Lewis had coached him his
nuncaons The night Dock called of the guards and
gave him eleven paper ane which he had fashioned of col
ored paper from magazine covers.
On Thursday, when the relatives of the gunner called the
death house. Lee Dock had another surprise He had arranged
TO hayet
they turned about he held paper pistol his hand Dock had
spent days aborng with and paper until he had made
perfect model of magazine revolver.
81 made present of that Mr. Gyp" Lee Dock called
after the visitors left.
As every man confined in the death house at present
ling decision the of appeals which be handed
down until the reopen October the have little
fear of being to the chair.
'If could only get fresh air while" the
four gmen complained directly after Becker chosen their
complaint because the guards overhead the request and Warden
Clancy issued order making imperative take every
the death cell courtyard least day.
During the and fires the workshops the death house
hit the hardest Because the shortage of guards
they unable get for minutes airing for
weeks. Only last week arranged that the
could be given outdoor exercise But Becker insisted that all
the other get their breathing spell before he permitted HIM
self to be led into the sunshine
s'The BOYS need it more than do" Becker said.
One of the chief troubles which confronted Becker and the
other last week the hysercal shouting of Alexander
Skirvirsky who became the death house After de-
bate which lasted several hours Lefty LOUIS and Lee Dock
ask Principal Keeper Connaughton for relief
After their message had been carried Warden Clancy
made by Dr. Farr the chief phys
cian have Skrvirsky examined by unay The
result of the inquiry that Thursday morning the
taken to the insane asylum at Dannemora.