Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-07-31
Led Way to Chair

Led Way to Chair
Becker led the way to his own exc
cution. The condemned man sat up
all night on the edge Of his cot. calm
ly talking to Deputy Warden Charles
H Johnson.
II have got to face it," said Becker,
land l am going to meet il quietly
and without trouble to anyone" The
deputy warden left Becker about an
hour before the time set for the exc
cution and when the priests, Father
W. E. Cashin, the prison priest, and
Father Curry Of New York, came to
administer the last rites they found
the man who instigated Herman Ros-
enthals murder with his face rest
Ing on his hand gazing at the prison
floor. The priests remained with him
to the end.
Witnesses Assemble
It was shortly after o'clock when
the first of the witnesses Of the exc
! cution began to assemble outside the
prison walls. Quietly their names
were checked off by Deputy Warden
johnson, who directed them to take
their places at a gateway that led
to the place of execution in a new
death house which had been built adj
Joining the old execution chamber,
lwhere the four gunner were put to
death over a year ago for killing
iRosenthal. When the witnesses were
seated Deputy Warden johnson nod
lded to Principal Keeper Fred Dorner
land they left the room through a small
wooden door that led to the death
lcells beyond, where Becker was pray
ing with his spiritual advisers.
Becker arose to his feet when he
saw Johnson and took a crucifix 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.
Message to Priest
Becker's message which he uttered
to the priest was:
IT am not guilty by deed or conspir-
acy or in any other way Of the death
OF Rosenthal. l am sacrificed to my
friends. Bear this message to the
world and my friends. Amen"
The one-time police officer hesitated as
he entered the execution room. It SEEM
ed 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 at the floor. swept
with his eyes the whitened walls of the
loom and then suddenly, as II coming
t. himself. walked briskly over the rub
Der mat and seated himself in the cleo
tric chair. Behind Becker followed the
prison priests chanting the prayer of
death, which was repeated by the con-
demned man.
Jesus. Mary, Joseph, have mercy on
my SOUL" nervously spoke Becker as
deputy wardens stepped forward and ad-
justed the electrodes. Hardly a minute
elapsed before the electrooe was applied
TO the right leg. a slit having been pre-
vously cut in the trouser leg from the
knee down. After the eiectrode had been
UTUuy duJuStcu against d SIldScn SpCI OH
the back OF the condemned mans head,
the state executioner looked at Deputy
Warden Johnson. who surveyed the fig
ure that was still mumbling the death
prayer in the chair. johnson half turn.
ed his head and the executioner jammed
the switch
The First Shock
The first shock lasted a full minute.
and the executioner said that it was
1850 volts and 10 amperes in strength. 1t
came while Becker was still commencing
his soul to his maker.
The two prison physicians stepped for
ward to examine the collapsed figure
that sat supported In the death chair by
the thick black leather straps. The
kaleidoscope was applied to the heart
and DR.. Charles Farr, the prison physi-
clan, pressed his finger against an artery
in the neck. There was still a feeble
huttering Of the heart.
Pronounced Dead
The physician stepped back from the
rubber mat and again the electric cur
rent pulsed through the body. The shock
lasted seven seconds and the current
was then turned of. After a hasty ak
animation DR.. Farr asked that a third
shock be given. This lasted five seconds.
An examination that took several min
utes followed. Three physicians among
the witnesses then made an examination
and DR.. Farr at 5.55 o'clock quietly an
tnounced: II pronounce this man dead
During the night Becker pencilled on
a piece Of paper what he captioned
my, dying declaration" 1t was taken
to the warden's office where two copies
were typewriter, which Becker sign
ed with his fountain pen in a bold
hand. To Deputy Warden Johnson.
who had. charge Of the execution in
place Of Warden Thomas Mott Os-
borne. who does not believe in the
death penalty, the one-time police lieu
tenant gave his fountain pen as a gift.
ut Is the last thing that have to
give away, and want you to have It.
I want you TO give this statement to
the newspa1 g men,"