South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-07-30
Dies by Means of Instrument Which He Had
Always Advocated For Criminals
And in Which He One Time
Was Joking Strapped.
RETAINS SELF-CONTROL TO END
Was "StrOng Man and Hard to KILL" Four Shocks Being
Necessary to Send Him to Death-We Bears up
BraveIy in Climax of Her Battle For the
Life of Husband.

ber of death Others watched as
though fascinated by the black straps
and the other fatal harness which
hangs from the chair.
At 5:42 o'clock the little green
door swung open noiseIessly. There
was a gasp as Becker. erect and calm.
stood upon the threshold. In his
hand he carried a crucifiN which was
grasped so tightly that the knuckles
were white.
Dressed in Black.
Becker wore an ill-ftting black
suit which was wrinkled as though he
has been sleeping in it. He wore a
soft shirt open at the throat which
showed up in strong contrast Beck
er's hair was cropped close 20 his
head and his face was clean shaVen.
The right trOuscr leg was split
from the bottom TO the knee in or
der that the electrode might be strap
ped against the bare flesh. The un-
derclothing was also split and this. as
well as the leg of the trousers. was
rolled 10 the knees SO tightly that the
veins stood out upon the hare flesh
Becker's left hand hung down at
his side. He opened and shut 10 sew
eral times as though this action help
ed him TO retain control of himself
Immediately behind Becker stood his
spiritual adviser. the Rev. Father
Cashin. the Roman Catholic chaplain
at Sing Sing and the Rev. Father
Curry. Following the priests Was
Deputy Warden Charles II. Johnson,
who came in with Becker at the
doomed mans request.
Becker glanced uneasily about the
room Then his eyes fell upon the
window and he looked out into the
gray. foggy morning. IL was his last
loving glance upon the living world.
Becker's lips moved and he murmured
so quietly that he could barely be
heard:
Have mercy on us"
This was repeated time after time
Half way 10 the chair Becker was
heard 40 say:
Jesus. most humble 1 give YOU my
heart and soul"
The doomed man traversed the
distance from the door TO the stair in
seven irregular steps The first two
were short and faltering. but then
Becker gripped himself and settled
into his normal stride.
Becker stopped i'm front Of The
chair. He squared his shoulder and
without moving his feet glanced over
his shoulder.
Believed in God.
II believe in my Cod muttered
the condemned man. II love Thee
with nay whole heart
Becker's knees seemed TO sag and
he halted suddenly. Six keepers and
assistants surrounded the prisoner as
he took his seat They busted them
selves Immediately. but uotwithstand-
ing their haste. the suspense was
dreadful a tragedy such as the
stage has never mimicked such one
was this occurrence early this morn
ing.
AS Becker raised both his arms 10
allow a strap 20 be- placed around his
waist. he intoned softly.
Jesus have mercy on u.s. Have
mercy on u.s. dear Jesus.
The prisoners eyes We're widely
opened and he glanced about the
room. bat there was an emptiness N
them which led more than one per-
son 10 believe that a merciful injec-
tiO1 OF morphine had been given him
before ne left his cell.
Becker's head was turned toward
the ceiling as the black helmet was
could not be heard An attendant
who had adjusted the plate strap
which was fastened with metal against
the skin was affected so greatly that
his hands treru bled and ne dropped IL
In an instant. however. ne had recov-
cred himself and all was ready for the
fatal shock.
bt' hft 9dt Win ms uFaA tlttfA
backward The lower half Of his face
was visible ard his lips moved rest
lessly an the time. His arms rested
upon his knees and i'm his right hand
he still grasped the little crucihx
AT that moment a man. whose
identity was not revealed. pushed the
switch. Becker made no sound. but
his body rolled in the chair and the
straps creaked and groaned.
smell OF Flesh
The smell OF burning flesh ard
singing hair greeted the nostriis.
Purple veins swelled upon the dying
mans throat The lips were drawn
back from the teeth as though caught
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