The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-07-30

the opinion of his spiritual dvis-
crS. Fathers Cashin and Curry.
Sing Sing Prison. Ossining, N Y,
July 3O-CharIes Becker was put to
death in the electric chair here this
morning for the killing of Herman
Rosenthal, the New York gambler.
The former New York police lieu
tenant retained his composure and
protested his innocence to the last.
He went to his death with photo
graph of his wife pinned his shirt
over his heart
Three shocks were given before the
prison physician pronounced Becker
dead, at 5:55 o'clock
Becker led the way to his own exc
cution.
The condemned man sat up all
night on the edge of his cot, calmly
talking to Deputy Warden Charles H.
Johnson.
4 have got to face it, said Becker.
and I'm going to meet it quietly and
without trouble to anyone
A Man. Without Hope.
The deputy warden left Recker
about an hour before the time set for
the execution, and when the priests,
priest. and Father Curry, of New
York. came to administer the. last
Tftes tit1y fQend tine man conVlceeG
of instigating Herman Rosenthafs
hand, gazing at the prison floor. The
priests remained with him to the end.
1t was shortly after o'clock when
the first witnesses of the execution
begau 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 the gateway that led di
rectly to the execution chamber.
Witnesses Were Led In.
Then the witnesses were led to the
place of execution in new death
house which had been built adjoining
the old execution chamber where the
four gunner were put to death over
a wear ago for killing Rosenthal.
When the witnesses were seated Dep
uty Warden johnson nodded to Prin-
cipal 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 rose to his feet when he saw
johnson and took crucifix from the
hand of the prison priest.
Sacrificed by My Friends.
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 Beck
er's message which he uttered to the
priest was:
Il am not guilty by deed or conspir-
acy or in any other way of the death
friends Bear this message to the
world and my friends. Amen
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, if coming to himself.
walked briskly over the rubber mat
and seated himself in the electric
chair.
Becker Repeats Death Prayer.
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 elapsed before the
electrode was applied to the right leg,
a 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 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 execu-
toner jammed the switch.
Executed as He Prays.
The first shock lasted a full minute
and the executioner said that it was
1850 volts and ten amperes in
strength. 1t came while Becker was
still commencing his soul to his
maker.
Vital Spark Lingers.
The two prison physicians stepped
forward to examine the collapsed fig
ilre that sat supported in the death
chair by the thick black leather straps.
The stethoscope was applied to the
heart and DR.. Charles Farr. the pris-
on physician. pressed his finger
against the artery in the neck. There
was still a feeble fluttering of the
heart.
The physician stepped back from
the rubber mat and again the electric
current pulsed through the body. The
shock lasted seven seconds and the
current was then turned off.
Third Shock Is Given.
After a hasty examination DR.. Farr
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