The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1915-08-04
BECKER PAYS
DEATH PENALTY
ELECTROCUTED LAST FRIDAY
FOR MURDER OF ROSEN-
THAI, IN 1912.


July 3O.-Charles Becker was put to
death in the electric chair here this
morning for the killing of Herman
Rosenthal, the New York gambler.
The former New York police lieuten-
ant retained his composure and pro-
tested his Innocence to the last. He
went to his death with photograph
of his wife pinned on his shirt over
his heart. Three shocks were given
before the prison physicians pro-
nounced Becker dead at 5:55 o'clock.
Becker led the way to his own exc
cution. He sat up all night on the
edge of his cot, calmly talking to
Deputy Warden Charles H. Johnson.
81 have got to face it," said Becker
"and 1 am going to meet it quietly
and without trouble to any one."
The deputy warden left Becker
about an hour before the time set for
the execution 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 condemned man with his
face resting on his hand, gazing at
the prison floor. The priests re-
mained with him to the. end.
Shortly after o'clock the first of
the witnesses began to assemble out
side the prison walls. Quietly their
names were checked off by Deputy
Warden johnson. Then the witnesses
were led to the place of execution in
a new death house adjoining the old
execution chamber, where the four
gunmen were put to death over
year ago for killing Rosenthal. When
the witnesses were seated, Deputy
Warden Johnson nodded to Principal
Keeper Fred Dorner and they left
the room through a small wooden
door that led to the death cells be-
ryond where. Becker was praying with
his spiritual advisers.
=, Beeker's Last Message.
Becker arose to his feet when he
saw johnson and took 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.
His message was: 81 am, not guilty
by, deed or conspiracy or in any other
way, of the death of Rosenthal. 1
am sacrificed to my friends: Bear
this message to the world and my
friends. Amen"
The one time police officer hest
tated 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 wit
nesses, glanced at the floor, swept
with his eyes the whitened walls of
the room and then suddenly, as if
coming to himself, walked briskly
over the rubber mat and seated ilim-
self in the electric chair. Behind
Becker followed the prison priests
chanting the prayer of death, which
was repeated by the condemned man.
"Jesus, Mary, Joseph, have mercy
on my SOUL" Nervously spoke Beck
er as deputy wardens stepped for
ward and adjusted the electrodes.
Hardly a minute elapsed before the
electrode was applied to the right
leg, slit having been previously cut
in the trouser leg from the knee
down. After the electrode had been.
firmly adjusted against a shaven
spot on the back of the condemned
mans head, the state executioner
looked at Deputy Warden Johnson,
who surveyed the figure that was still
mumbling the death prayer in the
chair. Johnson half turned his head
and the executioner jammed the
switch.
The first shock lasted full min
ute and the executioner said that it
was 1850 volts and ten amperes in
strength. 1t came while Becker was
still commencing his soul to his
Maker.
The two prison physicians stepped
forward to examine the collapsed fig
ure supported in the death chair by
the thick black leather straps. The
stethoscope was applied to the heart
and DR.. Charles Farr, the prison ply