The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-05-17
Lefty Louie's Wife Declares
She Promised Her Husband
Before He Died, That the
Truth Shall Prevail
Becker Slipped
Messages In Books
Told Prisoners Not to Worry,
That All Would Come Out
Right - Blamed Lieutenant
and Rose for Husband s
Death.

NEW YORK. May 16.-~Lillian Ro-
bsnberg told the whole story today
of the confession her husband made
10 her on the night OF Easter Sunday.
the last night OF his life.
Lefty told her that the gunner
murdered Rosenthai at Roses de-
mand. because they were afraid of
Lieutenant Becker, and that the shots
were fred by Gyp the Blood and DaEo
Frank, while he and Whitley Lewis
looked on.
He spared his wife until almost the
last hour, although he had confessed
his guilt and Becker's responsibility
to his father. and to two rabbis- So
he was able TO assure her, when death
was only around the corner, that he
had cleared his conscience. and that
he wanted her to tell the truth about
the murder. whether she was called
az a witness or not
Mrs. Rosenberg confirmed today
the fact published this morning, that
she condemned gunman, the leader
Of the four killers. had asked her To
seii the truth about the murder. and
the reasons for II, ard that she had
given her promise,
Mrs Rosenberg revealed great
neAI more than was limited At IN her
testimony. She unveiled the eAcrets
nj tn9 0E0ln mousse III SEllk stAE sTi40
said that while Becker and the gun
men were months together in the
death house. Becker frequently SNUG
xled hopeful and reassartng messages
to her husband. and To the other muir
derers writing them that they must
not despair. that things would come
opt all right She said that Becker
slipped these notes between the pages
|~of books that he lent the gunner.
and that the keepers never detected
the trick
Fond of Mrs. Becker.
She told reporter that she was
fond Of Mrs Becker. and that she
a.d everything she could to keep from
testifstng, because she did not want
Mrs. Becker 10 suffer as she had done,
but that Mrs Tnez Miiholiand Bots
sevain had advised her 10 do what
her conscience told ner was right,
and that the truth was best In the
long run.
This afternoon, when she was asked
IL abe wanted 10 tell all she knew
about the murder, and Louis Rosen-
berg's confession, she said
II promised Louie that 7 would
tell the whole truth. whether | was
called as witness or not He told
me to tell ali | knew. He said;
Now. grille. there's no chance OF
me escaping I'p, ready for my pun
.shment, I've freed my conscience
I don't want you 10 tell any Hes Tor
me. or about me Tell nothing hut
sh- fruth-~whatever you know.
That was on the Sunday night be-
fore Louie was executed, I promised
him would do Just what he wanted.
He said
Becker and Rose are responsible
sor all this. They put us where We
are
III is Gods truth" Mrs, Rosenberg
went on. that Louie never fred
shot"
THAT was what Whitley Lewis said
twhen he was In the chair, wasn't "!
she was reminded
Whitley Told Truth
Yes. but that WAS true, too. What
Whitley said was the truth. He and
Louie were at the Metropoie, but they
did not use their guns. Only two
OF the boys shot Rosenthal.
Were they Gyp and Frank 7"
Eyes. Frank was there
How many persons have you tod
about the confession
well. I went first to Rabbi Kopf-
stein and told him. That was the
night OF Louies funeral"
did he tell you 10 testify or to
come forward p
mo. DR.. Kopfstein didn't say any
thing az ! RENE mher"
What induced you to repeat the
confession"
Il was worried about having to tes-
tify again. / hoped that Mr.. Whit
man would lei me off and l would
not have to tell this Finally | went
to Mrs. Boissevain, who has advised
me that I must do whatever my con-
science told me was right She said
that telling the truth was better In
the end, and l felt she was right