Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-07-30
DENYING HIS GUILT,
LIEUT.. BECKER DIES
|NELECTR|C CHAIR
Three Shocks Sent Through
Body; Life Pronounced Ex-
tinct at 5:57 Am.
MEETS DEATH CALMLY,
WITH PRAYER ON LIPS
Holding a Crucifx, With Wife's
Photo Pinned Over Heart, He
Is Destroyed.
PENCILS DYING DECLARATION
Declares He Had No knowledge of
Conspiracy That Led to Murder
of Rosenthal, the Gambler,
by Gunmen.

SING SING PRISON. OS-
SHINING, n. Y, July 3o.-Charles
Becker was put to death
in the electric chair here this
morning for the killing OF Her
man Rosenthal, the New York
gambler. The former New York
police lieutenant retained his COM
posure and protested his inno-
cence to the last. He went to his
death with a photograph of his
wife pinned on his shirt ever his
heart. Three shocks were given
before the prison physician pro
nounced Becker dead at SIS
o'clock. Becker led the way to
his own execution.
The condemned man sat up all
night on the edge of his cot, calm
ly talking to Deputy Warden
Charles H. Johnson.
have got to face 1t, said
Becker. "And l am going to meet
it quietly and without trouble to
any one"
Priests Console Condemned Man.
The deputy warden left Becker about
an hour before the time set for the ex-
ecution, and when the priests, Father
w. e. Cashin, the prison priest, and Fa-
ther Curry of New York came to ad-
: minister the last rites they found the
man who instigated Herman Rosen-
thaTs murder with his face resting on
his hand gazing at the prison floor.
The priests remained with him to the
end.
1t was shortly after o'clock when
the first of the witnesses began to as
semble outside the prison walls. Quiet
ly their names were checked off by
Deputy Warden Johnson. who directed
that led directly to the execution cham
Der. Then the witnesses were led TO
the place of execution in a 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 RosenthaL When
the witnesses were seated Deputy War
den Johnson nodded to Principal Keep
er Fred Dorner and they left the room
through small wooden door that led
to the death cells beyond, where Beck
er was praying with his spiritual ad-
visers.
Death March Starts.
Becker rose to his feet when he saw
johnson and took a crucifi from the
hand of the prison priest. To Father
Curry Becker gave his last message
as he took his place at the head of the
little file Of men that marched to the
room of death. Beckers message which
he uttered to the priest was:
II am not guilty by deed, or conspir-
acy. or in any other way of the death
of Rosenthal. I am sacrificed to my
friends. Bear this message to the
world and my friends. Amen"
The one-tme police officer hesitated
as he entered the execution room. 1t
seemed to the witnesses as if he was
startled that the death chair was SO
near at hand. He looked quickly at the
double row of witnesses, glanced al the
floor. swept with his eyes the whitened
walls of the room, and then suddenly
as if coming to himself, walked brisk
ly over the rubber mat and seated him
self in the electric chair. Behind Beck
er followed the prison priests, chanting
the prayer of death. which was repeat
ed by the condemned man.
"Jesus, Mary. Joseph have mercy on
Sny SOUL, nerNOuSly spoke Becker as
deputy wardens stepped forward and
adjusted the electrodes. Hardly min
ute elapsed before the electrode was
applied to the right leg, a slit having
been previously cut in the trouser leg
from the knee down. After the cleo
trode had been firmly adjusted agains,
shaven spot on the back of the con-
demned mans head the state execu.
tioner looked at Deputy Warden John
son. who surveyed the figure that wa.
still mumbling the death prayer in the
chair. Johnson half turned his heac
and the executioner jammed the switch
Destroyed as He Prayed.
The first shock lasted full minute
and the executioner said that it was
1.s1o volts and ten amperes in strength
1t came while Becker was still com
mending his soul to his Maker
The two prison physicians stepped
forward to examine the collapsed fig
ure that sat supported in the deatf
chair by the thick black leather straps
heart. and DR.. Charles Farr. the prison
physician. pressed his finger agains
an artery in the neck. There was still
| feeble huttering of the heart
The physician stepped back from the
-Ibber mat and again the electric cur
rent pulsed through the body TIL,
S:z,ock lasted seven seconds. and tn,
| rrent was then turned off After {
u asty examination DIR. Farr asked tha
n third shock be given. This LASTED
we seconds. An examination tina
look several minutes followed Thre,
physicians among the witnesses theI
made an examination, and DR. Farr a
5:5J o'clock. quietly announced. Il pro
nounce this man dead"
Pencils Dying Statement.
During the night Becker penciled or
piece of paper what he captionet
My Dying Declaration 1t was taker