South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-07-30

would like 10 have "A stenographer
now have something important 10
give out, Becker said 10 Dorner when
ne mad donneG his new clothes. He
Mas told that it was against the
prison rules TO allow him TO have a
stenogTapher. but that he could have
pencils and paper.
Writes Statement.
From prison officials il was learned
mat Becker was angry at a state
ment given out in Albany in which il
was stated that there were suspicious
circumstances connected with the
death OF his first wife.
GU can inform the newspaper men
that / viii have a statement that will
refute these charges in every partfcu-
lar and that il may prove interest
ing reading" Becker declared in angry
tones when writing material was
brought.
He got TO work at once but twice
during the day il was announced that
the statement would require revision.
Whether Becker's counsel assisted him
IN preparing the statement while they
were in the death house could not be
learned.
Blankets were hung up about the
cell and Becker screened himself from
the view OF fellow convicts. He de-
layed his task long enough to pray
with Father Curry and with Father
Cashin but returned 10 il as soon as
the two priests left the cell
The: passion was read continually
during his spare moments by Becker.
He also received spiritual easement by
reading from the four gospels, the
fiftieth Psalm. the Miserere and the
acts of Contrition, Faith, Hope and
Charity. These were recommended to
the condemned man by his two spirit
ual advisers.
Lords Talk Favoritc.
The Lords talk to the disciples at
the last supper was Becker's favorite
spiritual panacea, and is resorted to
whenever he became highly nervous
but ne divided his religious read
ing during the last few days and
followed ne various made by Father
Cashin and Father Curry.
w. Bourke Cochran and Martin G.
MantOn spent Two hours with Becker
during the afternoon. soon after they
entered the death house, Jackson and
John Becker. brothers Of the CON
demned man. AID Mrs. Katherine Gel
ger. his sister. reached the prison.
They were allowed TO visit the death
house.
When his counsel emerged from the
death house they said they had moth
ing TO give out and knew nothing of
any statement.
Becker is thoroughly composed"
said Deputy Warden Charles Johnson
during the afternoon. He is resigned
to his fate, is meeting it without fear
and will continue to show the same
disposition. l believe, until his death"
DR.. Charles w. Farr and Dr. Henry
MOrenees. the prison physicians, eX-
amined Becker during the afternoon.
They said he showed slight trace of
nervousness at times, but otherwise
the prisoner was entirely normal. His
pulse stood at IS.
HE shook hands with us and re-
marked smilingly: I suppose you
have come TO hid me goodbye said
DR.. Farr in describing his visit. 7
wonder, doctor. whether ! could have
some flowers sent in TO me. I am just
beginning TO realize how dreary my
last hours really are" Becker said
to DIR. Farr.
The physician communicated the
prisoners wish to Warden Osborne.
but the warden would not state
whether the flowers would be sent in.
It was against the rules, he said, but
it was intimated among the guards
that Becker received a big bunch of
beautiful red and white roses soon
after his wish became known.
w
Becker, very little attention was
given TO Sam Haynes. who will pay
the penalty for numbering Mrs. John
Harrison in Paterson, Putnam county,
y. Y.
1t was originally intended that
Haynes should go TO the chair first.
but Becker pleaded with Warden Os-
borne 10 be allowed to go first in or
der that the ordeal might be over with
as soon as possible. Haynes. who
has been a shuttle cock Of fate in
the latest developments connected
with his fellow prisoners, readily con-
scented to the change
The negro had spent a year in
the death house without having a
visitor. aside from John LOwery. the
lay preacher of New York. who will
lead him 10 the chair. He has no rel
atives as far as can be learned by
prison officials and his sole source of
worry during the last two weeks was