The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1915-07-30
LED WAY TO HIS
OWN EXECUTION
Becker Retained Composure and Protested His
Innocence to the Last Photograph Of Wife Pin
ned Over His Heart-Three Shocks Through
Body Officially Dead at 555

OSSINING, n. Y, July 30.-Charles
Becker was put to death in the electric
chair here this morning for the kill
ing Of Herman RosenthaI, the New
York gambler. He retained his com
posure and protested his innocence to
the last
He went to his death with a photo
graph of his wife pinned in his shirt
over his heart. Three shocks were
given before the prison physicians pro-
nounced Becker dead at 555.
Becker lead the way to his own ex-
ecution. He sat up all night calmly
talking to Deputy Warden Charles
johnson. The deputy left Becker
about an hour before the time set for
the execution.
1t was shortly after ) O'Clock when
the first of the witnesses of execution
began to assemble Quietly their
names were checked off by Johnson,
who directed them to take their places
at the gateway that led directly to the
execution chamber. Then the Witnesses
were led to the place of execution in
new death house which had been built
adjoining the old execution chamber
where the four gunmen were put to
death over a year ago for killing Ro-
senthal.
When the witnesses were seated
Deputy Warden johnson nodded TO
Principal Keeper Dorner and they left
the room through the small wooden
door that led to the death cell where
| Becker was praying.
Becker rose to his feet when he saw
Johnson and took a crucifix from the
hand Of the prison priest. The one
time police officer hesitated as he enter
| ed the execution room. 1t seemed to
| witnesses that he was startled that the
| death chair was so near ut hand He
| looked quickly at the double row of
| witnesses, glanced at the floor, swept
| with his eyes the whitcned walls of
| the room and then suddenly, as if com
| ing to himself, walked briskly over the
rubber mat and seated himself in the
electric chair.
| Behind him followed the prison
priest, chanting the prayer of death
which was repeated by the condemned
man.
Hardly minute elapsed before the
electrode was applied to the right leg
a slit having been previously cut il
the trouser leg from the knee down.
After another eIectrode had beer
firmly adjusted against shaven spo
on the back of the condemned man ;:
head the state executioner looked al
Deputy Warden Johnson, who surveyed
the figure that was still mumbling
prayer.
The first shock lasted a full minut
and the executioner said it was 1856
volts and 10 amperes in strength. I
came while Becker was still commend
ing his soul to his maker.
The two prison physicians steppc,
forward to examine the collapsed fg
ure that sat supported in the deaf
chair by the thick black leather strap
, There was found to be a feeble flutter
ing of the heart. The physicians step
ped back from the rubber mat an,
again the electric current pulse
through the body.
The shock lasted seven seconds an
the current was then turned off,
T After a hasty examination DR.. Far
asked that third shock be giver
This lasted five seconds.
Three physicians among the witness
: es then made an examination and d.
Farr at 800 oclock announced, q
pronounce this man dead.