River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1915-08-05
MRS. BECKER'S
BRAVE BATTLE.
Courageous Woman Did Every
thing to Save Her Husband.
TAUGHT SCHOOL TO ASSIST

In the End She Finds Her Home Gone
and Mother and Baby Dead-Buoyed
Up Condemned Man Until He Was In
the Very "ValIey of the Shadow of
Death"
Back of Charles Becker's tenacious
fight for life was woman-Helen
Lynch Becker, his wife. In the final
analysis it was an example of the pr1-
nordial battle OF man for woman and
woman for man. With elemental
strength and courage the woman fought
for her mate against the powerful hand
Of the state which took his life for
planning the murder of Herman Rosen-
thal gambler.
When Becker first was trapped she
went to his assistance without delay.
When the news that second trial had
been granted came to her beside her
mothers coffin she arose and in joy
FASTENED to greet Lawyer Shay, who
brought the news, with a kiss. The
evening Of the execution found her
seeking the governor to plead for
mercy.
There have been hints Of secret de-
Tense funds raised by the police and
by gamblers. However, so far as posi-
tive information goes, Mrs. Becker, but
for the help Of Police Lieutenant John
Becker and Jackson Becker, brothers
Of her husband, has fought practically
alone
At the outset of the contest she had
money. Becker was credited with a
fortune made by his levies as chief of
til strong arm squad. At the time
Of his arrest he had just completed,
though lie had not yet occupied,
handsome home at 1899 Olinville ave
nue., New York.
Teaches to Keep Up Fight.
What cash Mrs. Becker controlled
was paid out on the first trial and in
prosecuting the first and only success
full appeal. She then returned to work
as a schoOlteacher. After the second
trial the Bronx home was pledged for
counsel fees. A lawyer holds the mort
gage. 1t IS said that Mrs. Becker's
only resource now is her position as
schoolteacher.
Mrs. Becker is q small but well pro
pOrtioned woman in the thirties. Con
stitutional vigOr shows in her snappy,
dark eyes, colorful cheeks and firm,
erect carriage.
IN the three years of her husbands
fight her remarkable courage has won
praise from every one who had the OPP
pOrtunity to study her under the most
trying circumstances. The wives of
Lefty Louie" and "Gyp the Blood"
the two married gun men who went to
the chair, met their tragedies with
bravery. Mrs. Herman Rosenthal. the
slain gamblers widow, was strong in
her demand for vengeance. But Mrs.
Becker under an agonizing strain of
adversely showed a spirit of fight and
fortitude that compelled admiration.
Kept Husbands Hope Alive.
From the first she kept up her own
hopes and buoyed her husbands sag
ging spirits. What his wife's pluck
meant as a support only Becker him
self knew. During the last weeks she
always carried cheering smile into
the death house at Sing Sing. Her
high spirits radiated throughout the
gloom of the condemned tier. She had
a smiling nod for every inmate of the
place.
Marion T. Manton, counsel for Beck
er IN the second trial and associated
with Bourke Cochran in the legal
moves up to the last, recently paid this
compliment to Mrs. Becker:
''She is a wonderful woman. l have
never known another who stood such
4 strain so bravely and So well. Mrs
Becker has undergone experiences
which would have crushed almost any
one"
Only a few days ago Mrs. Becker
said to a reporter:
IN the ten years of my married life
/ have never had any reason to regret
that / married Charles. He has been
& splendid husband, and l would rath-
er lose all the other members Of my
family. OF course my brothers and
sisters are dear to me- and they have
been splendid to me through all my
trouble, but they can never mean as
much TO me as my husband"
So far rs her public expressions go
she always has believed stanchly in
her husbands innocence. She had I'M
bounded faith in his native force of
character, for Becker had the sort of
strength that served him well as chief
Of the old strong arm squad at police
headquarters. She always thought if
Becker had taken the witness stand
at his trials be would have forced his
innocence upon the minds of judge and
jury.
He never had an opportunity to de
fend himself" she said once.