New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-07-29
Slayer, Unshaken by
News, Ready to
Go to Chair.
HIS ONLY GRIEF
is FOR WIFE
Decision Received at Pris-
on Directly After
She Departed.
CALL BRINGS PRIEST
Father Cashin Asked to Phone
Mrs. Becker-EXecution at
5:45 A. M. Tomorrow.
From STAT Correspondent Of The Tribune.


Ossining, n. Y, July 2S.-"Well, III
die like q man" With these words
Charles Becker received the news that
his last hope had failed. There was a
strong handgrip for Deputy Warden
Charles H. Johnson, who brought him
the news, and he sat down on the edge
of his cot with the picture of his wife
before him to await the arrival of the
prison chaplain.
By a margin of minutes Mrs. Becker
missed being at her husbands side
when the news was received. She
reached the prison shortly after Z
o'clock this evening, and did not leave
until few minutes after 10 o'clock.
The down train was whistling for the
Ossining station when the news reached
the prison 1t was too late to recall
her. Becker's one request of Father
William E. Cashin was that he tele-
phone to Mrs. Becker.
The news flashed through the prison.
It was 1928 when the first word came.
Inside of ten minutes it had come
from half a dozen sources and the
telephone bell was jingling con-
tinually. The guards, streaming with
rain water and hugging their rifles
under their coats, were just coming in
from the walls. The change of the
guard aided in spreading the news.
Becker, having said farewell to his
wife, was seated on his cot waiting.
The atmosphere of the prison was
even more depressing than usual. For
hours there had been steady rain.
The iron bars and the stonework were
clammy with moisture. The air was
heavy.
Mrs. Becker, for the first time in her
three years ordeal, had been openly
distrait and there was a hopeless look
in her eyes.
The door changed, and Becker looked
up 10 meet the eyes of Deputy Warden
johnson, standing on the opposite side
of the heavy screen. The prisoner
arose and shufled across the scant
space.
Charlie, I've bad news for you,
said the deputy warden, extending his
hand through the bars. "The motion
was denied"
"Denied"-- repeated Becker.
Then he grasped Johnson's hand in
a warm, firm grip, whose tensity alone
betrayed his emotion. There was not
a quaver in his. voice nor a shrinking
in his glance as he spoke.
well, III die like man." he said.
Deputy Warden Johnson returned
the handclasp and withdrew, leaving
Becker to the pelting of the rain, his
thoughts and the picture of his wife,
from which the glass had been re-
moved.
Warden Osborne, as soon as the news
was received, telephoned to Father
Cashin. lie came splashing through
the mud in a taxicab and was at once
admitted to the death house. He was
there about twenty minutes.
He found Becker singularly calm
and collected. He was not afraid to
die; his only grief was for his wife'
He did not wish to leave TO her the name
of a man convicted Of murder. But ne
was confident that his name would De
cleared in time. Whatever the ludg-
ment of men might be, he SAID, ne
had no fear of the hereafter. lie asKed
Father Cashin TO telephone Mrs. becker
immediately and inform her of his
gertrude of the future and the CAIN
ness with which he was facing It..
Tomorrow afternoon Mrs. Becker
will make her last trip to Sing sing.
From . TO 4 in the afternoon is the
time allowed the doomed man TO see
their relatives. In Becker's case 1t is
nrobable that the time may be ex-
tended a bit.
The death watch will be set at :
o'clock tomorrow morning. In view OF
the prominence which the case has had
in the newspapers extra guards Will
be stationed about the prison TO keep
curiosity seekers at a distance. FIJI
day morning Father James B. Curry
of st. James's Roman Catholic Church
who added his affidavit to those who
ioined in the last minute effort TO save
Becker, will act with Father Cashin as
a spiritual adviser.
The prison officials are confident tnat
Becker will keep his word; that there
will have to be no extra precautions
in the execution chamber; that, so far
as such a thing may be, all will be done
in order.
Gave Away Belongings
Becker spent this trying dsy as well
as man might Gagged up in !" cell
anxiously awaiting decision whether
he should die or have chance for
life. Outwardly he was calm and pre-
served his usua. steel nerved exterior
But how the terrific strain told on him
mentally, he exhibited when. Father
Cashin told hi at 6 o'clock that JUS
tice Ford would probably give his de-
cision by 10 p. m.
Thank God, this suspense VIII soon
be over!" exclaimed the condemned
man.
Feeling that the day would bring him
c~-.l<ssed on page 0. coiumn