Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1915-08-03
chas. Becker Killed on Friday.

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At last the curtain has been drawn
and the fight to save the life of Chas.
Becker, charged with taking the life
of Herman Rosenthal in New York
city, has come to close by the legal
killing of Becker Rosenthal was
shot and killed on the 10th of July,
1912. He was, like Becker, a CRATER
and gambler. For his murder, five
men have been put to death: "Gyp
the Blood" "Whitey Louis" "Dago
Frankn and "Lefty Louie" and Chas.
Becker. The latter was the most
prominent, as he had held high place
on the police force of New York city.
Two other gunner were Implicated
in the murder of Rosenthal: Jack
Sullivan and Willie Shapiro, they
secured their freedom by turning
states evidence.
1t equally as foul deed, to hang
or electrocute or in any way to take
the life of a human being as it is for
man or set of men to commit deli
berate murder. Better results can be
obtained from life imprisonment
where there is chance to rectify a
wrong where prisoner has been I'M
Justly committed, and this often
happens especially when all the testi
.mony is purely circumstantial. The
killing of Becker was most horrible
and sickning in its details, and a sad
commentary on the advancement OF
civilized people in this the goth CEN
fury. Just read it:
"When all was made ready, the
dappeE eXecutioner stepped back and
in full view of the witnesses calmly
shut the switch.
AS the great current of electricity
shot into the frame of the former
master of gunner, the big body
Strengthened out, tugging at the
creaking straps. For full minute
was heard and slight curl of smoke
went up from the right side of Beck
er's head, rising from under the cap
Just over the ear.
When the shock was at it's height,
Becker's grip on the crucifix tighten
ed. But as the electrocutiOner snap
ped the switch off the cross slipped
from the relaxed fingers. A guard
caught it. The whole body dropped
to a position of utter collapse. Beck
er's shirt was then ripped open by
the physicians. AS the black cloth
was turned back to make way for the
stethoscope, the photograph of Beck
er's faithful wife was revealed. 1t
was pinned inside. The doctors push
ed it aside impatiently, evidently not
knowing what it was. They held
stethoscopes to the heart and felt of
the neck arteries.
Another shock was demanded of the
cool young executioner. He stepped
back and swung the switch shut and
open again. The crumpled body
strained at the straps again.
Once more the doctors tested Beck
er'S heart They seemed to argue as
to whether there was still evidence
of life.
Once again the executioner was ap-
pealed to and once again he shot on
the current. The dead mans lips
parted in CHASTITY smile.
Three physicians from among the
legal witnesses were asked to verify
Becker's death. They stepped for
ward, felt a moment for heart beats
and nodded agreement that the eX-
policeman was dead.
At exactly $50, DR.. Farr, the prison
physician, announced in loud voice
i pronounce this man dead
During these CHASTITY ceremonies
the priests stood solemly by, silently
praying, but now and then whispering
prayers. They were the only ones
whose sympathy for Becker showed
in face or gesture. Others, guards
physicians and attendants went about
the work with a calm buSinesS-like
elaboration.
Despite the fact that the guards
worked as though they were trained
carefully for the work, the execution
was said by those who have seen a
number, to have been unnecessarily
horrible. Guards did not properly
adjust the strap supposed to cross the
chest and 60 under the arms. 1t was
by mistake slipped OVER instead Of
under the left arm, so that when the
current was turned on, the body shift
eel around in the chair, the death caL
slipped up and the CHASTITY agony Of
clenched teeth as Becker died was
plainly visible"
Isn't this horrible enough to freeze
the blood in the veins of any man in
which there is speck of humanity
There should be worldwide move
against taking the life of a human be
ing, no matter what the crime. True
person committing a crime should be-
punished and his imprisonment anG
additional penalties made commenSu
rate to the enormity of that crime. He
should be strictly guarded so that a
REPETITION of crimes shall be impossible
and the pardoning power limited il
not fully Abandoned. But to take
life, never.
Becker'S last statement when death
stared him in the face and he believed
that a lie meant to eternally damn
his soul, was as follows:
Gentlemen: | stand before you in
my full senses, knowing that no power
on earth can save me from the grave
that is TO receive me. In the face Of
that, in the teeth of those who con.
denim me and in the presence of my
God and your God, proclaim my alb
solute innocence of the foul crime fol
which l must die. You are now about
to witness my destruction by the
state which is organized to protect
the lives of the innocent. May AL.
mighty God pardon everyone who has
contributed in any degree to my I'm.
timely death and now on the brink OF
my grave, | declare to the world thai
| am proud to have been the husband
of the pureSt, noblest woman that
ever lived, Helen Becker. This &C
acknowledgements is the only legacy ]
can leave her. l bid you all goodbye
Father, l am ready to go. Amen
SENATOR LAFoLLETTE will not be
candidate for president but is out
after the nomination for U. S. Sen