The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1915-08-04

sued from the Tombs to the gunner.
These gunmen--known in the
streets of the Fast Side as "Gyp the
Blood" Horowirz, Lefty Louie" Ro-
senberg, "Dago Frank" CS5ici and
Whitley" Lewis-were rounded up
one by one. The last two were ar
rested. "Gyp The Blood" and LIEF
ty Louie" were not found till Sep
TENDER, hiding in a Brooklyn fiat.
With them were found their young
wives, who, to divert suspicion, had
died their light hair black.
To give standing to the testimony
Of Becker's three accomplices who
had turned informers-Rose, Web
berr, and Vallon-a, corroborating
witness who was not implicated was
needed. Sam Schepps, a dapper lit
tie gambler who had fled the city,
was the mai who could do this. He
was found at Hot Springs, Ark, and
brought back to New York and the
peoples case against Charles Becker
was complete. 1t went to trial on
October Z, 1912.
Verdict of Guilty Returned.
A verdict of guilty Of first degree
murder was returned at midnight &C.
tober "a, 1912, after the jury had
deliberated seven hours and 81 min
utes. Becker was sentenced six days
later to die in the electric chair dur
ing the week of December 9, 1912.
Within less than G. month the four
gunner were placed ON trial as the
actual slayers, found guilty and sent
to the death house.
More than a year later, on Febru-
airy %, 1914, the court of appeals de-
cided that Becker should have a new
trial. The gunmen's conviction was
upheld and they paid the penalty
with their lives OH April IA, 1914.
One of the number, "Dago. Frank"
confessed the guilt of his three asso-
ciates, but maintained his own inno-
cence. His confession, made on the
eve of the execution, became known
the day they were put to death.
Becker was brought back to the
Tombs. His second trial was begun
May 6, 1914, and ended May %, with
a verdict of guilty. He was SEN
fenced to die during the week of July
6, 1914. An appeal was filed, but
the conviction was upheld by the
higher court in a decision handed
down May rs last, and the date of
the execution was set for the week
beginning July IL.
Shortly after the court of appeals
denied Becker a third trial, w.
Bourke Cochran became Becker's
chief counsel. He appeared before
United States Supreme Court JUS
tice Hughes and argued for a writ of
error, which was denied.
During the week previous to that
in which Becker was sentenced to die
Gov. Whitman granted the condemn
ed mar a reprieve of two weeks as
he had learned, it was stated. new
motions were to be made in Becker's
behalf.
Becker's Final Effort.
On July 20, a $4,000 word state
ment by Becker was forwarded to
the governor. The statement was
said to contain new facts and made
public mention for the first time of
the name of the late Congressman
Timothy D. Sullivan in connection
with the case. The. governor de-
clined to commute Becker's sentence
after reading the statement. Beck
er's attorney thereupon appealed to
Supreme Court Justice Philbin for a
third trial and on July % the justice
signed an order for District Attorney
Perkins to show cause why a new
trial should not be granted. The or
der was returnable before Supreme
Court Justice Ford on July 26. The
justice reserved decision and devoted
nearly all of his time for the next
two days to going over papers in the
case. Shortly after 10 o'clock on the
night of July %, Justice Ford an
nounced he had denied the applicat-
ton, and Becker's only hope re-
manned in possible executive clemen-
cy by Gov. Whitman.
Wife Was Loyal.
Throughout Becker's troubles his
wife remained loyal to him and was
his constant adviser. She labored ap-
parently without firing in his behalf,
assisting his counsel in every way
OncSih1e h onpooroJ to ~ s,,L