The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1915-07-30
New York Police Lieutenant
Maintains Innocence of
Death of Herman Rosenthal
Even in Death Chair.
FATAL SHOCK COMES
DURING FINAL PRAYER
Statement Issued a Few Hours
Before Execution Declares
Innocence of Murder in
All Ways.


Sing Sing Prison, Ossinning. y. ".
Z IIuly 3O.--Charles Becker vas put To-
death in the electric chair here thss
morning Tor the killinE of Herman
Rosenthal, the Sew YORK gambler.
The former New York police Hruten-
ant retained his romposure and pro-
tested his innocence tU the last lie
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 al 5;55 O'Clock.
Becker led the way to his own ex-
"cuton The condemned man sat up
an night ON the edge of his cot, calm
y talking to Deputy Warden Charles
u. Johnson.
I, wGs shortly after . O'Clock when
the first of the witnesses OF the ex-
ccutio1 began 10 assemble outside the
prison walls. quietly their names
were checked or by Deputy Warden
johnson, who directed them Ia take
their places at a gateway that led di-
rectly To the execution chamber. Then
the witnesses were led 10 the place of
execution in q ncw death house which
had been built adjoining the old ex-
"cution chamber, whore the four gun
men We're pat To- death over year
agu for killing Rusenthal
when the Witnesses were seated
Deputy Warden johnson nodded To
the principal keeper. Fred Dorner.
and they left the room through a
smull wooden door that led 10 IN,
death cells beyond whore Becker was
praying with his spiritual advisers.
Becker rose To- his feet when he
saw Johnson and took a cruDihX from
the hand of the prison priest. To
Father curry of New York. Becker
gave his last messag" as be took his
place at the head uf the nlc OF men
that marched tu the room of death.
Hcoker's message, which he uttered
t. the priest was;
~ am not guilty by deed or con-
spiracy, or In any other way of the
death Of Roseuthal. ] am sacrificed
10 my friends. Bear this message to-
the world and my friends Amen"
The one time police officer hesitat-
cd as he entered the execution room
10 seemed Co the Witnesses as II he
was startled that the death chair was
81, near M hand lie looked quickly
AT the double row of Witnesses, glanc-
I'd az the floor. swept his eyes M the
whltcned walls of the room and then
suddenly as " coming to himself
walked briskly over the rubber mat
aud seated himself In the electric
chair, Behind Rocker followed the
prison priests chanting prayer
which was repeated by the condemn
ed man
"Jesus. Mary. Joseph. have mercJ
on my soul" noryously spoke Becker
as deputy wordens stepped forward
and adjusted the electrodes Hardly
ID minute elapsed before the electrode
was applied 10 the right leg. After
The electrndc had been firmly adjust
ed against a shaver spot ON the back
of the condemned mans head the
state rNccutinncr looked at Deputy
Warden Johnson. who surveyed the
figure that was SIN mumbiing the
death prayer In the chair. Johnson
half turned his head ana the eXecu-
TONER Iammcd the switch.
The first shock lasted a FUN minute
ana the cNcCutiuner said that n was
1880 volts aud ten hmpcrcs iu
strength n came while Becker was
still commencing his soul to his
nnker.
Durinc the night Becker pcHcillrd
on piece of paper what he caption
ed My Dying Declaration II was
taken 10 the wardcn's Office where
two copies cwre typowrirtcn, which
Becker signed with his fountain pen
In % bold hand.
Rocker's message, given ont Just
before he Went tn his death. rend;
"Gentlomen. ! stand before YOU IN
my full senses. knowing that no pow
er o. earth can save me from the
grave that ls to receive me. In the
face uf that. iu the teeth of those who
condemned me and iu the presence ot
wv God and your God, ! proclaim my
absolute innocence of the foul crime
tor which I must die. You are now
about 20 witness my destruction hy
the state, which o. organized 60 pro-
tcct the lives OF the innocent. MAY
Almighty God pardon every one who
has contributed In any degree 60 my
untlmely death. And now on the
brink Of my grave I declare to the
world that ! am proud 20 have been
tho husband OF the purest. noblost
woman that ever lived-Iielcn Becker
This acknowlcdgement h. the only Leg
ncy l can leave her. bid YOU All
IInnNlnnNH saat uN4n1