Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1915-07-31
BECKER FUNERAL ARRANGE
MENTS NOT YET MADE

EECkER FUNERAL ARkANGE-
MENTs NOT YET MADE
CONTINUED from PAGE One.)
markable, showing him to be an un.
usually powerful man."
Becker's body was removed today
and funreal services will probably be
held On Sunday.
Five Pay Penalty.
The execution OF Becker, who went
to his death unfalteringly, grasping a
crucifX and mumbling Jesus, have
mercy on u.s., was the fifth to result
from the Rosenthal murder.
With a photograph of his wife,
whom he referred to in his last state
ment, as the 'purest, nCblest woman
that eve lived" in his black shirt
just over the heart, Becker still
breathing a prayer, was seated in the
chair, the strap adjusted and the cur
rent turned on The final chapter
was then added to one of the most
sensational underworld cases in the
history of the country.
New Death House.
1t was shortly after 5 o'clock when
the first Of the witnesses of the X
cution began to assemble outside the
prison wells. Quietly their names
were checked off by Deputy Warden
Johnson, who directed them to take
their places at a gateway that led
directly to the execution chamber.
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 gunrlen were put to death over
a 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 beyond
where Becker was praying with his
spiritual advisers.
Becker rose to his feet when he saw
Johnson, and took a cruciiX 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.
The First Shock.
The first shock lasted a full minute
and tle eXecutiOner said that it was
1850 volts and ten amperes in
strength. 1t anne while Becker was
still commencing his soul to his Max
Gr.
The two prison physicians stepped
forward to examine the collapsed fig
ure that sat supported in the death
chair by the thick, black leather
straps. T:le stethoscope was applied
to the heart and DR.. Charles Farr,
the prison physician pressed his fin
ger against the artery in the neck.
There was still a feeble fluttering of
the heart.
The physician stepped back from
the rubber mat and again tle electric
current pulsed through the body.
The shock lasted seven seconds and
the current was then turned off. At
ter a hasty examination, DR.. Farr
asked that a third shock be given.
This lasted five seconds. An exam
nation that took several minutes fol
lowed. Three physicians among the
witnesses then made an examination
and DR.. Farr, at 5:55 o'clock, quietly
announced: 81 pronounce this man
dead"
Gift to Warden.
During the night Becker penciled
on a piece of paper what he caption
ed, my Dying Declaration" 1t was
taken to the warden's office, where
two copies We're typewriter, which
Becker signed with his fountain pen.
in a bold hand. TO Deputy. Warden
Johnson, WAC had charge of the exc
cution in place, of Warden Thomas
Mott Osborne, who does not believe
in the death penalty, the one-time
police lieutenant gave his fountain
pen as a gift. ut is the last thing
that have to give away and I want
you to have it. | want you to give
this statement to the newspaper
men,"
The Final Hours.
After his wife had said farewell,
shortly after midnight, Becker main
tanned a casual conversation with
Deputy Warden Johnson. who sat be.
side the screen in front of his cell.
Some time he smoked cigars, after
which he would let his head rest up
on his hand and gaze reflcctively at
the concrete floor for minutes at a
time. Dawn found him seated on the
edge of his cot, carefully pinning a
photograph Of his wife on his white
shirt, just over his heart. Then, as
if he desired to have her all to him
self, Becker put on a thin black al
paca coat, which he tightly buttoned.
The photograph was not seen by the
witnesses until the prison physician
opened his coat as he sat in the death
chair.
Becker was III. to death by State
executioner, whose name is unknown
to the public. This man succeeded
State Electrician Davis and he caid
he would not take the job unless his
name was kept secret. He lives tn a
little town upstate and went about
his work briskly.
Becker's executioner said that in
his opinion that man had been killed
instantly with the first shock.
An autopsy IN the body of Becker
| wac ~nprfnrmpd. according RI law af.