Newark evening star and Newark advertiser., 1915-07-30
BECKER IS
EXECUTED
in SING SING
Leads Way in March to
Electric Chair, Chant
ing Prayer.
THREE SHOCKS NEEDED
TO EXTINGUISH LIFE
Reaffirms Absolute Innocence
in Dying Statement-WidOw
Promises Exposure"

SING SING PRISON. Ossining,
N. Y, July SO.-Charles Becker was
put to death in the electric chair here
this morning for the killing of Her
man Rosenthal, the New York gam
bier. The former New York police
lieutenant retained his compasure and
protested his innocence to the last.
He went to his death with a photo
graph of mis- wife pinned on his shirt
over his heart. Three shocks were
given before the prison physicians
pronounced Becker dead, at 5:55
o'clock
Becker led the way to his own ex-
ecution. The condemned man sat up
all night on the edge of his cot, calmly
talking to Deputy Charles H. John
son
Il have got to face it," said Becker,
land I am going to meet it quietly
and without trouble to any one"
The deputy warden left Becker
about an hour before the time set for
the execution. and when the priests,
Father w e. Cashin, the prison
priest, and Father Curry, of New
York, came to administer the last
rites they found the man who linsti-
gated Herman Rosenthafs murder
with his face resting on his hand
gazing at the prison floor. Becker
became a Catholic after his first con-
viction, The priests renamed with
him to the end.
1t was shortly after o'clock when
the first of the witnesses of the exc
cution began to assemble outside the
prison walls Quietly their names
were checked off by Deputy Warden
Johnson, who directed them to take
their places at a gateway that led di-
rectly 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
gunmen were put to death over a
year ago for killing Rosenthal. When
tho witnesses were seated Deputy
Warden schnson nodded to Principal
Keeper Fred Dorner, and they left
the room through a small wooden
door that led to the death cells be-
yond, where Becker was praying with
his spiritual advisers.
Becker arose to his feet when he
saw Johnson and took a crucifix 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.
Beckers message, which he uttered
to the priest, was:
IT am not guilty by deed or con-
spiracy or in any other way of the
death of Rosenthal | am sacrificed
to my friends. Bear this message to
the world and my friends. Amen"
Startled at Sight of Death Chair.
The one-time police officer hesitated
as he entered the execution room. 1t
seemed to the witnesses as if he was
startled that the death chair was so
near at hand He looked quickly at
the double row of witnesses, glanced
at the floor, swept with his eyes the
whitened walls of the room and then
suddenly, as if coming TO himself,
walked briskly over the rubber mat
and seated himself in the electric
chair. Behind Becker followed the
prison priests chanting the prayer OF
death, which was repeated by the
condemned man.
"Jesus, Mary. Joseph, have mercy
on my SOUL" nervously spoke Becker
as deputy wardens stepped forward
and adjusted the electrodes. Hardly
minute eldJSCu OGlOiC tAiC NiNSNi pNO
was applied to the right leg, slit
having been previously cut in the
trouser leg from the knee down.
After the electrode had been firmly
adjusted against a shaven spot on
the back of the condemned mans
head the State executioner looked at
Deputy Warden Johnson, who sur
veyed the figure that was still mum
bling the death prayer in the chair.
johnson half turned his head and the
executioner jammed the switch.
The first shock lasted full minute,
and the executioner said that it was
1880 volts and ten amperes In
strength II came while Becker was
still commencing his soul to his
Maker.
More Current Is Needed.
The two prison physicians stepped
forward to examine the collapsed
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