The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1915-08-05
Execution Of Becker.

in the electric chair here this morn
ing for the killing of Herman Rosen-
thai, the New York gambler. The
former New York police lieutenant
retained his composure and protest
ed his innocence to the last. He
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 at 5:55 o'clock.
Becker led the way to his own exc
cution. He sat up all night on the
edge of his cot, calmly talking to
Deputy Warden Charles H. Johnson.
Il have got to face it," said Beck
er, and 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 condemned man
with his face resting on his hand gaz-
ing at the prison floor. The priests
remained with him to the end.
Becker's Last Message.
His message was:
81 am not guilty by deed, or con-
spiracy, or in any other way, OF the
death Of Rosenthal. I am sacrificed
to my friends. Bear this message to
the world and my friends. Amen"
The one-time police officer hesitat-
ed 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, glanc-
ed 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 a
minute euapsed before the electrode
was applied to the right leg, slit
having been previously cut in the
trouser leg from the knee down. Az
ter the electrode had been firmly ad-
justed against a shaven spot on the
hack of the condemned mans head,
the State executioner looked at Depu-
ty Warden Johnson, who surveyed
the figure that was still /mumbling
the death prayer in the chair. John
son half turned his head and the exc
cutioner jammed the switch.
The first shock lasted full min
ute and the executioner said that it
was 1850 volts and ten amperes in
strength. It came while Becker was
still commencing his soul to his Max
or.
The two prison physicians stepped
forward to examine the collapsed fig
ure supported in the death chair by
the thick, black leather straps. The
stethoscope was applied to the heart
and DR.. Charles Farr, the prison ply
sician, pressed his finger against an
artery in the neck. There was still
feeble suffering Of. the heart.
Pronounced Dead.
The physician stepped back iron.
the rubber mat and again the electric
current pulsed through the body. The
shock lasted seven seconds. After a
hasty examination DR.. Farr asked
that a third shock be given. This
lasted five seconds. An examination
that took several minutes followed.
Three physicians among the witness
es then made an examination and DR..
Farr at 5:55 o'clock quietly announc-
ed:
Il pronounce this man dead"
During the night Becker penciled
on piece of paper what he caption
ed my dying declaration. It was
taken to the warden's office. where
two copies were typewriter, which
Becker signed in bold hand with
his fountain pen. To Deputy War
den Johnson. who had charge OF the
execution in place Of Warden Thomas
Mott Osborne, who does not believe