The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1915-07-30
In Dying Declaration Former
Police Officer BIames the
State for Execution.
PAYS "A TRIBUTE TO WIFE
Vow Taken by Mrs. Becker to
Expose Methods Used to
Convict Her Husband.
q, a..ee,.Iro ,arss,


Y. July 30.-Charles Becker was put
to death in the electric chair here this
morning for the killing OF Herman
RosentaI, New York gambler. He
retained his composure and protested
his innocence to the last. He went to
his death with a photograph OF his
wife pinned on his shirt over his
heart. Three shocks were given be-
fore the prison physician pronounced
him dead.
Becker led the way to his own exc
cutfon. The condemned man sat up
all night on the edge of his cot calmly
talking to Deputy Warden Charles
Johnson. al have got to face it, said
Becker, "and / am going to meet 1t
one"
1t was shortly after 5 O'Clock when
the first OF the witnesses Of the execu-
ton began to assemble outside the
prison walls. Quietly their names were
checked OFF by Deputy Warden John
son, 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 exc
cution chamber.
Repents Death Prayer.
Becker hesitated as he entered the
execution room. He looked quickly
at the double row Of witnesses, glanced
at the floor, swept with his eyee the
whitened walls of the rooms 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 priest chanting the prayer of
death which was repeated by the con
demned man.
Jesus, Mary. Joseph have mercy on
my SOUL" neryously spoke Becker as
Deputy wardens stepped forward and
adjusted the electrodes. Hardly min
ute elapsed before the electrode was
applied to the right leg. a slit having
previously been cut in the trouser leg
from the knee down. After the elec-
trode had been adjusted against q
shayen spot on the back of his head
the state executioner looked at Dep
uty Warden Johnson who surveyed The
figure that was still mumbling the
death prayer in the chair. Johnson
half turned his head and the exeou-
TONER jammed the switch.
The first shock lasted a minute and
the executioner said it was 1850 volts
and ten amperes in strength. 1t Came
while Becker was still commendins
his soul to his maker
Three Shocks Given.
The two prison physicians stepped
forward to examine the collapsed fig
IRE that sat supported in the death
chair by the thick, black leather
straps. The stethescope was applied
to the heart and DR.. Charles Farr, the
prison physician pressed his finger
against the artery in his neck There
was still feeble futtering oil the
heart. The physicians stepped back
and again the electric current was
sent through the body The shock
lasted seven seconds and the current
MAS then turned off. After a has+y
examination DR.. Farr asked that a
rhird shock be given. This lasted five
seconds Another examination :oi-
lowed Three phys clans among the
witnesses then made an examination
md DR.. F'arr at 5:55 O'Clock announce
~ pronounce this man dead.
During the night Becker penciled on
niece of paper what he captiont
aMy Dying Declaration" 1t read:
Proclaims Innocence.
Gentlemen: Il stand before yol in
nv full senses Knowing that no power
an earth can save me from the grave
Srat is to receive me- In the face ot
+haf. in the teeth of those who con
demned me and in the presence of my
God and your God l proclaime my alb
solute innocence of the foul crime fol-
n witness my destruction by the state
Which is organized to protect the live,
~ the innocent. May Almighty GOO
S.ardon everyone who has contributed
a. any degree to my untimely death
Aud now. on the brink of my grave,
Aaclare to the world that am proud
~ have been the husband of the pur-
ast noblest woman that ever lived
yIaien Becker. This ACKNOWLEDGING
e she only legacy I can leave her
: Nil you all goodbye Father, an
-eadv to go. Amen.
Tes sSsned "cHARLES RECKER."
wife Not Through.
.,ar his wife had said farewell
lily after midnight Becker main
t SINE casual conversation with Dep,