davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-19

round the courtroom, which prompted
Justice Seabury to pound his gavel for
order.
Marshall admitted that the District Al
torneys once had been paying MS
board for the last few weeks and that
he had been under the eye OF detective
from Mr. Whtmans Office during that
time. He said he had seen Rose one day
last April and identified him as the man
he saw at the Harlem conference.
Thomas Bently. another negro followed
Marshall TO the witness stand and tesu-
fed that he had been arrested by Stem
ert. of Beckers squad, in the rad on
Johnson's place.
Harry Pollock was the last witness
called by the people. He came al the
way from San Francisco 10 testify at
this trial he said that he had known
Rose for twenty years, and Becker for
a few months at the time of the murder.
Rose came to his house. at 18th 81. and
Riverside Drive. about the middle Of
July" he said. and seemed 10 be ILL., lie
said he went to Police Headquarters
after a conversation with Rose on July
Il. 1912. and that he saw Becker who told
him 10 tell Rose to stay at Polloks
apartment and not to worry.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-19
VAN HELPER CRAZED
BY NEAR-ACClDENT
Negro Attacks Policeman
When Auto EndangerS
Five Children.

Driven temporarily insane by the mar
row escape of five children from death or
serious injury when a motor moving van
ran on the sidewalk where they 1ero
playing last night. Peter Fleming, of 4'6
Clermont av., Brooklyn, negro helper
on the van, attacked a policeman, ana
four men were required to subdue him.
The van is owned by William Liggins,
OF 1922 Bedford av., and was in charge OF
John Harkens, Of 10 Spencer ST While
driving through Lorimer St, between
Meserole ana Norman avs, a three-year-
old youngster toddled into the street 50
suddenly that Harkens was forced TO act
quickly 10 save tine child's life.
He gave the steering wheel a spin and
avoided the child. but the heavy vehicle
bumped up over the curbstone anu
crashed into the stoop Of the house or
Andrew Robinson. at 1918 Lorimer St.
Five children were playing there as the
van crashed into their game.
Three, quicker than the rest, Jumped
out OF harms way. The others we're
under the radiator when Harkens re
covered control OF his machine and
Lane, seven years old. OF 1880 Lorimer St.
and Leonard Phillips, seven, OF 1921 Lori
mer ST.
Fleming then lost all control OF MS
muscles for a moment and fell from ms
seat back into the van. Recovering his
strength. he leaped from the van into the
street as Policeman Dowd, OF the Green
point avenue station, ran up.
Muttering inarticulately, the negro
picked up a wooden plaything left by the
children and beat Dowd over the head
with it. The attack was so unexpected
that the policeman was unable to defend
himself for a moment. but finally Crap
pied with Fleming. IL was not unul three
or four men in the street interrered tnat
the demented man was overcome.
An ambulance from Williamsburg Hos
pltal brought straitjackct, which was
speedily adjusted 10 the struggling helper.
Later AT the hospital. Fleming apparently
was restored 10 his normal sanity. He
said he had no recollection OF his actions.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-19
ELECTRIC CHAIR In
b GREWSOME PLAY
Taxpayer Puts Prisoner to
Death When Warden
Loses Nerve.

The height OF grewsOmeness was at
tained yesterday at Hammersteins in a
playIet entitled deterioration, put for
ward as an argument against capital
punishment 1t was given first at noon
in a special performance before an audi
ence OF writer's, speakers and teachers
An exact reproduction Of the electric
chair IN the death chamber is shown, the
condemned man is brought in. staggering
and moaning; he makes an hysierical
speech and collapses into the chair and
the current hickevs In a blue fame In the
contact helmet.
When the warden gives the signal the
executioner loses his nerve, and cries out
that he cannot do his part.
The warden asks for a volunteer among
the spectators. one is a brother Of the
woman the prisoner murdered; but al
though he is eager TO see his sister
avenged. lie shrlnks from the act him
self. Finally volunteer steps forward.
EXPLAINING that he has nothing against
the condemned man, but has been tax
payer for twenty years.
BY his own hand he puts the man 10
death. the intended argument being that
individuals I'm a community which permits
capitaI punishment are as responsible as
he whose hand carries II out The play
let is BY John u. Barry. OF The san
Francisco Bulletin" member Of the
Anti-Capital Punishment Society OF Cali
fornia.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-19
Former Trainer Beaten TO
Death, Then Dragged to
Shed, Says Coroner.
BLACKENED FACE
STILL UNEXPLAINED
Robbery Not Motive In Woodmere
Crime-Attack Is Mystery
Inquest Friday.

An autopsy yesterday on the BODY ~
Walter j. Blackburn disclosed what act
ing Coroner Lewis VI. Raisig. OF Wood
mere. who is also a justice OF the peace
declares 10 be a case OF murder.
Blackburn formerly was a trainer o,
polo ponies. OF late he had been con.
idential clerk for George b. Hanavan, a
lawyer. OF Franklin av.. Voodmere. Long
Island. with whom he made his home
MIR. Rsisig says he was beaten 10 death.
and while dying was dragged into a shed
behind the Hamilton Hotel. at Pearssll
Place and Broadway. Woodmere. where
he was left By his asssllants after his
pipe had been placed in his mouth.
The autopsy was performed by Or. A.
Hoyt Beamsn. the Coroner's physician.
Blackburn died, the doctor decided. from
shock caused by his being struck heavily
on the right temple with a club or a
chair
A curious feature that the doctor could
rot explain, however, was why Black
murs face Vas so black when his body
was found that he resembled negro.
That was what gave rise 10 the early sup
position that he had been strangled.
The body had not been robbed, and the
dead mans gold watch had stopped at
o'clock He was found az : 10 o'clock on
Sunday evening by Charles p. Seamon.
Blackburn had been dead only fifteen min
utes but there was no trace OF his assall-
ants, no trace OF any weapon and no sign
OF a struggle in the shed.
The Coroner found that Blackburn left
Hanavans home, where nc lived. on sun
day afternoon 10 take walk. lie drank
two glasses Of beer in the Hamilton Hot.l
at about 3 p. m. lie also telephoned 10
BENJAMIN L. Valentine a lawyer. making
a business appointment with him for yes
terday. Mansels Frerichs, proprietor OF
the hotel. denied that any night occurred
in his place.
Blackburn was forty years old and
bachelor His only relative Is a brother
living at al7 Cambridge st. Hamilton.
ont The dead man had been we'll known
IN Noodmere for years. About fifteen
Years ago he conducted the Fox and
Hounds. A Woodmere hotel patronlzed b.
many wealthy sportsmen. Then he went
10 Texas and became famous as a trainer
OF polo ponies on the Savage & Conover
ranch Several years ago he returned to
Woodmere.
Coroner Raisis Will hold an inquest on
Friday evening. He has subpPnaed
Frerichs. the hotel proprietor, and num-
Der Of others.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-19
Knew OF No Enmity.

She said that Rose and Weber had
been friendly toward her husband. ana
she never knew Of any enmity between
them. She said Jack Rose was in the
West 45th ST. gambling house every DAY
after il opened until II was raided, hut
that she didn't know he was representing
Becker's interest in the place. She had
never been upstairs In the gambling house
she and her husband living In the base
ment until the night OF the raid.
She first met Becker on Thanksgiving
night 1911, at dinner at the Elks Cluo
when Becker was with her husband, and
again at a similar dinner on New Year 5
Eve Of that year Becker evinced great
deal Of friendship for her husband on
those ocasions. she said. throwing his
arms around Herman's neck and telling
him not To worry that he would send him
some money" and see that his gambling
business got along all right.
Mr.. Manton. on cross-examination OF
Mrs. Rosenthal. drew the attention of the
Jury TO the fact that she was still in
mourning for her husband though he had
Deen 0cdG TWO years sAllb bplhNNb O"t
some discrepancies between her testimony
at the first trial and yesterday, but did
not materially shake her story
James Marshall. clean-cut negro boy
whom the District Attorney called TO
prove the Harlem conference" proved
to be a convincing witness for the people.
He declared he had worked for Becker as
a stool pigeon in getting evidence
against gambling houses on which raids
were based. lie said he first got ac-
ouainted with Becker In February. 1911,
when some of Becker's men raiided a
restaurant" on 2sth ST.. where he was
working. and he went TO Police Head
quarters the next day 10 see Becker about
the arrest Of his brother-in-law, who was
arrested In the raid.
Becker gave me SO at that time ana
told me 10 go out and gamble with IT,"
said the witness. IL was 10 get evidence
for the police
Marshall said that one night in June
Becker gave him $50 and told him 10 go
into the basement Of 23O West 12ith st.
where a man named Johnson was running
a crap game" and play and report 10
Becker. Mr.. Whitman brought out that
the next day Becker had told the boy To
file a complaint against the place. and the
complaint was introduced In evidence.
showing that IT was made on June %.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-19

defence had about thirty witnesses and
expected TO occupy three days in present
ing their case 10 the jury.
The first witness TO be called this morn
ing will be Fred Hawley, newspaper
man. Jacob Reich will be the next one
called. He will tell Of the conversation
he had with Weber, Nallon and Schepps
during his stay in the West Side prison
Charles Reich, a brother of Jacob, VIII
follow him. Then Jacob Ftschman VIII
take the stand, and also Sheppard WHITE
O'Connor and Steinert. members OF Beck
er's strong arm squad.
The defence. it is understood. Will con-
tend that Rosenthal was murdered as the
result of a gamblers feud and that Beck
or was framed up" by Rose, Weooer'
WALTON and Schepps while the four were
detained i'm the West Side prison and the
Tombs.
To prove its contentious the defence VIII
produce witnesses who viii testify that
Jack Rose was somewhere else on the
night OF June q. 1872 instead Of at the
corner of I2ith ST. and Seventh ay, where
the prosecution has alleged the Harlem
conference" took place
The defence will endeavor to prove oy
producing two entirely new witnesses that
Becker never met Rose and Weber al
i2d ST. and Broadway after the murder OF
Rosenthal. II was at this meeting that,
according 10 Rose and Weber, Becker
said to Rose: II congratulate you Zen
the boys not to be afraid-everything VIII
be taken care Of"
The defence expects 10 make some
startling revelations in the presentation
OF the dictagraph testimony.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-19
Saw Rose with Becker.

The District Attorney then referred 20
the night Of June =. the night OF the
Harlem conference" when Becker was
supposed 10 have raided Johnson's place.
The witness was asked TO describe the
events previous 10 the raid on that night
II was standing with Steinert and Shep-
rard. OF Becker's strong arm squad, on
the south side OF l24th ST. near Seventh
av.." said Marshall when | saw Mr..
Becker standing on the opposite corner
talking with two men, one OF them was
Jack Rose. I didn't know him then. but
recognized him by his picture later.
Becker called me over TO where they we're
standing and asked me about Johnsons
place. l told him there were only two
men in the place at that time, and he
said he would not make the raid until
later"
MarshaIrs answers were clear and
snappy, and he made a good antagonist
on cross-examination by Mr.. Manton.
Recker's lawyer did not shake his story.
Mr. Manton wanted TO know. the mrs,
thing. IL Marshall was not a stool
pigeon" for the police.
We'll. wasn't getting any salary for
it, replied the boy. and a laugh went
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-19
CHILD STRUCK BY AUTO

Emily Bodensick. five years old, OF
Elmhurst. Long Island, was injured prob
ably fatally yesterday when she Wa
struck by an automobile operated b.
Henry Bonglan, of White Plains, y Y
The women occupants Of the car lifted
the girl into the tonneau and took her 20
the office Of DR.. J. W. Dow.
Edward Robertson. eight years old. OF
Elmhurst, who was knocked down by an
automobile on Sunday. died yesterday IN
st. Johns Hospital, Long Island city
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-19
WOMEN ORGANIZE LEAGUE
Christian Endeavor Workers to
Meet Once a Month.

New York women engaged In various
folds Of Christian endeavor have decid-
cd that II is time for them TO get TO-
rether. Accordingly they held a con-
ference yesterday at Calvary Church
f.a West b1th ST. and informally or
canized into a league that will meet
Among those WHO spoke al the after
PIERS Miss f. NJ Hughes. Miss Carrie
- Eggers. Miss Mary Angevine. Miss
Alice Dodge. Mrs. Martha NJ. Rogers
Miss Gertrude Davey, Miss Anne 6
White and Mrs. William H. panielson.
The Rev Ann J. Allebach, missionary
Of Brooklyn. presided.
At the evening session the speakers
we're Mrs j. :. Comstock. Mrs !. j;
Russell, Mss Gertrude Macarthur and
Dean Susan 7. Knapp.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-19

livered a message from Rose to Becker
That was the day before Rose gave NM
self up to Dougherty.
The prosecution contended that TINS OH
Of testimony by Dougherty showed that
Becker was lying 10 superior ofncer 10
shield himself and that II was also gooh
corroboration OF Roses remark In MS
letter 10 Sam Schepps, when the latter
had hastily decamped for Hot Springs
after the murder. that.
Becker was the first one TO get from
under"
Mrs Herman Rosenthal. widow OF the
murdered gambler made an impressive
witness She was the first witness called
by the state yesterday. Though II has
been two years since her husband was
killed. she was still In deep mourning
She still bore the burden Of her sorrow
with emotion and brushed the tears from
her eyes occasionally while testifying.
Mrs. Becker sat directly facing the
woman in mourning. She glanced at her
once when she first took the witness
stand, ard turned Ter gaze elsewhere the
rest Of the time. Mrs. Rosenthal never
looked at Becker or his wife. but Kept her
eyes on the District Attorney or the jury.
The jury seemed deeply affected by her
sad appearance and her testimony. DIS
trict Attorney Whitman examined her
with delicate sympathy.
She directly attacked Beckers credi-
bility in relating the incidents before ana
subsequent to the fri !ndly raid on her
husbands gambling house in West io'h
St, in April, 1912. by Becker and mis-
strong arm squad" She said that Becker
told her at the time that everything would
be all right, that he had TO make the raid
because of pressure from headquarters
but that he would take good care u Her
man.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-19
Naval Stores Case Up Again.

Savannah. May IA plea in abate-
ment was fled and argued before Fed
eral Judge W. /. Grub here to-day by
counsel for the defence in the case OF
the government against L. s Nash ct al.
known as the American Naval Stores
Company case" The defence contends
that the Supreme Court OF the United
States IN setting aside the former judg-
ment intended that the case should
never come up again.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-19
Lied to Save Becker's Life

Now, isn't il a fact that YOU struck
bargain with Assistant District Attorney
Groehl in which it was agreed that the
charge OF perjury against YOU would be
dismissed il you turned state evidence in
this case" asked Mr.. Manton.
Justice sustained District Attorney
Whitman's objection TO the question.
Becker's counsel put in the testimony
of Pitt before the grand jury when he
was called to testify prior 10 the indict-
ment OF Becker. Pitt admitted that he
lied then, but did IL because he wanted
TO save Becker's life" II he could. Mr..
Marton also read several letters which
were alleged 10 have been written by
Pitt Il Becker after the latter was In
the death house Some OF the letters
denounced District Attorney Whitman In
strong terms and stated that he had
framed up Becker" and that certain
newspaper men were acting as the press
agents for the ID A" In regard TO the
Rosenthal case.
Pitt would not deny or sfNrm the
authorship OF these letters, but said IL
he did write them he probably lied. He
had testified on direct examination that
Becker asked him TO write letters to
him at the prison which would tend 70
create the impression that he had been
framed" in the case. Pitt seemed
pleased when Mr.. Manton got through
with him and he was excused.
Mr.. Manton said last night that the
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-19
"Be Sure and Have an Abb"

Pitt told of going 70 Headquarters the
night OF the shooting was
killed at a. m July l6-and leaving the
Dora Gilbert affidavit with Armstrong.
Beckers clerk. in the latter's ONCE in
Room lO5. where he usually saw and
taxed with Becker at Headquarters
Becker told him the next day that he
found the affidavit in his desk but that
il wouldn't do much good now" He
told Pitt he wanted him to go out and
get everything ne could on Rose, which
might be used even IL he was declared an
accomplice. Pitt testified.
Referring TO the night OF the murder.
before he went TO Dora Gilbert's house.
when Pitt said Becker told him 10 keep
away from Times Square that night, Pitt
said.
II said TO Becker, but YOU have let me
in on everything else. why not on this,
Is IL about Herman? Becker said: Never
mind about that. you do as you are told
You be sure and have an alibi for TO-
night
After Rose Was arrested Pitt saw
Becker and said TO him, according to his
testimony
Charlie, see that they have GOT
Jack Becker said: I want you TO 20 to
Jack and tell him TO sit tight. and tell
him ! will take care OF him.
Pitt said he told Becker he didn't know
whether he could get into the Tombs. but
that he would try to get his brother
Louis in. The witness said he finally Got
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-19
Pitt Takes Stand.

Every one in the courtroom was keyed
up TO expect one of the big sensations OF
the trial when young Pitt vas called 10
the stand. Pitt fulfilled expectations
The question was raised, but not In open
court. by Becker's lawyers that Pitt
might be shown TO be an accomplice If
his story were true. IL was pointed out
that he testified he knew that something
was coming on on the night OF the MUIR
der and that he admitted guilty knoWl-
edge OF the crime afterward and tried 10
cover It UP. II might be shown that ne
was at least an accessory after the fact.
II is not thought likely. however that
Becker's lawyers will pursue this attitude
toward Pitt In summing up. District At
torney Whitman pointed out that all OF
the guilty knowledge Pitt admitted
necessarily came from Becker himself.
and to contend Pitt was an accomphce
would be a clear admission of guilt on
Beckers part.
Pitt was pale when he was sworn as
a witness. He has a heavy head Of dark
hair which accumulated the pallor lie
wore glasses. He appeared 10 be fright
ened a the prospect before him. and did
not regain n comfortable composure un-
Ill Mr.. Whitman had him well started
on his sensational story. He glanced al
Becker several times while testifying, but
they were feeting glances.
Pitt testified that he had known Becker
four years and that when Becker became
head of the strong arm squad he met
him most every day. Most Of Pitts tes-
timony went into the court record under
vigorous objection By Mr.. Manton.
which was not sustained by the court.
District Attorney Whitman started with
the night of July IS, the night OF the
murder. when Pitt went TO the home OF
Dora Gilbert, former wife OF Rosenthsl.
and obtained an affidavit FOR Becker. IN
which she bitterly attacked the character
OF Rosenthal. and which Becker told
Pitt TO give TO the newspapers;
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-19
Corroborate Roses Testimony.

George s Dougherty former Deputy
Police Commissioner. testified that he had
asked Becker at Police Headquarters on
July IS. after Rose had been before
Dougherty and Inspector Hughes for ex-
animation. II he Becker knew anything
of Roses wheres bouts on the two inter
yening days after the murder. Becker
told him. he said that he had not seen
or heard from Rose since July II, a whole
week previous.
The peoples evidence showed that Beck
or knew Rose was at the home Of Harry
Pollok on those two days. Pollok testi-
fed yesterday that he had come TO Po-
lice Headquarters on Wednesday sra de-
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-19
Gus B.. pL,11 IL -.

the word to Rose. but the latter didn't
seem impressed with the message from
Becker.
Pitt said Becker told him when ne,
Pitt, saw and talked with Deputy COM
missioner Dougherty-the latter having
sent for plitt--to be careful and not use
the name of Sam" Schepps, but to refer
70 him as Brown" Brown was the
name Rose used for Schepps at various
times. Becker advised him. Pitt, TO re-
tain Louis Abrahams. or Robert Moore,
as Roses counsel the witness SAID, as
Becker did not know James j. Sullivan.
whom Rose had already retained ana
didn't trust him.
Just prior TO Becker's arrest. when ne
had been transferred to the Bathgate aV.
police station, in The Bronx Pitt said ne
saw Becker there and talked with him.
Says Becker Feared Betrayal.
Becker said: 4 wonder II those -- -
-- will stick or squeal on me. said
Pitt in answer to District Attorney Whit
mans question. Becker put his hand in
his pocket and pulled out big roll Of
bills, and asked how Rose was fixed
down there lin the Tombsl. told him
frcn the notes | mad received from Rose
I thought he was fixed pretty well.
Becke- said: Well, I'm doing all can for
him."
Pitt said ne saw Becker soon after his
arrest in the Tombs. and Becker said TO
HIM
L. oil those
would squeal on me- said: That's
over now, Charlie. let's get down to busl-
ness Becker said: I want you to go out
and get everything on Jack Rose AL
though hell be declared an accomplice
anyway lie told me 10 get N touch with
some OF the strong arm squad and tell
them 10 testify that he had had no con-
yersatlon with Mrs. Rosenthal on the
night Hcrman's place was raided'
Pitt testified that he spent few min
utes with Becker in the lavatory of the
train that conducted him to Sing Sing
and that during that time Becker had
said to him:
I'm going TO leave this TO YOU. II
anything happens TO me 1 want you TO
kill that - squealing Rose
Mr.. Manton entered a vigorous objec-
ton TO the introduction of the alleged
conversation. but he was finally over
ruled by the court. The cross-eXamina-
ton then began.
Mr. Manton in an aggressive tone tnat
bespoke utter contempt for the witness
asked him his age. Pitt could not re-
member whether he was twenty-slx or
twenty-seven, and said that he was born
some time in the month of April MI.
Manton asked him If he had ever been
confined in an insane asylum. and Pitt
replied that ne had not. Mr.. Manton In
sisted on referring to the insanity ques-
ton despite Mr.. Whitman's heated OBJ
iections. Pitt said that he had not been
examined for insanity.
The cross-examiner questioned the wit
ness closely as TO his meetings with AS
slstant District Attorney Groehl. MIR.
Manton made Pitt tell how many times
he had met Mr.. Groehl and where lie
made the witness go over the meeting
week by week and month by month up
until the very day before he had gone on
the witness chair.
Bisbee daily review. [volume] (Bisbee, Ariz.) 1901-1971, 1914-06-26

1914 Date Of second publication June
~, 1914 Date of third publication
June 10. 1914. Date of fourth publica-
ton June 26, 1914 (9D