New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-07-30


of the head and the quick, athletic
walk were missing. She held her eyes
10 the stone tagging as she passed on
down the warden's porch and through
his private hall to enter the prison
and the principal keepers ONCE
where she was to speak with her nus
band for the final time.
She made no statement OF any knd
as she went into the house. Those VINO
watched her as she passed down the
hall saw her pause for the merest sec
ond before the hall mirror and twist
her hat straight on her head, per-
fectly womanlike mannerism.
IL had been a long wait for her ar"
rival She left .he Nelson House in
Pouehkeepsie at 7:45 o'clock. but her
forty.fve mile journey took UP almost
three and a half hours. The chauffeur
said afterward he did not really know
where he got lost; that he had TO
make several detours. In the mean
time. DEPUTY Warden Johnson. seated
on the lawn in front Of the prison, was
eagerly awaiting her arrival. He as
we'll as any one knew the terrlhc
strain her husband was enduring as he
sat in his death cell and waited.
Each time motor cars twin hghts
would stab the darkness far up Hunter
Street Mr.. Johnson would rise from ms
rocking chair and step up atop the ter
race, and with him the guards and the
sre., of reporters gathered here
There was no evidence of curiosity.
over all spread a feeling Of deepest
sympathy for the plucky woman who
has made such stiff fight. Men who
had absolutely no concern IN either
Becker or his wife otherwise than IN
newspaper capacity were manhestIy
nervous.
whats the NATTER" 81 hope the
car hasn't broken down" Il wonder II
they got lost" were some of the things
heard constantly in front of the prison.
and almost all the comments ended
with Poor little woman"
Demands a Retraction.
The last hope Of Becker died when he
was told early in the evening that ms
wife had failed to move Governor MT
man 10 grant him a reprleve. rms,
Nrs. Becker asked of the Governor at
n conference she had with him at
Poughkeepse. Failing in her mission,
she motored here T. break the news 10
her husband. but it had reached him
before she arrived.
Becker. it was said, had not expected
clemencv. Almost at the moment the
news was received the prisoner gave
Il
Whitman in which he attacked the EN-
ecutive for having, as he indicated,
given TO the newspapers statements
which cast a foul aSperSion on my
character" and for which he demanded
Ietracuon.
In this statement Becker again re-
iterated his innocence OF the crime lor
which he has been twice convicted.
Late tonight Becker seemed co!dly
resigned TO his fate.
"He was seated in his cell smoking
cigar" said Leon c. Weirstock, Com
missioner of Prisons, who saw the
prisoner in the death house at about
10 o'clock.
"He was as cd as ice. When | re
marked that ne seemed 10 be taking It
easv he said: What else can ! do ? I've
got to face it, haven't -"
Sees Fatal Coincidence.
Father Cashin saw Becker in the
deathhouse as he was waiting for ms
wife. The priest walked up to the
bars. "What time is It now, Father
Becker asked him.
Father Cashin drew out his big gold
watch.
cts exactly twenty minutes after
nine. Charlie" he answered.
Becker started visibly. He wiped
his hand over his forehead IN a dazed
sort of fashion. "My Cod" he said
at was at this precise minute, this
very day. three years ago, that | was
arrested in New YORK
There is much speculation here
whether Becker will make statement
when he goes to the chair. whether
his statement given out this afternoon
will be the last is still question. IL
is not considered beyond belief that ne
will at the last moment again state ms
innocence even in the shadow OF the
chair There is small doubt he VIII
leave a post norton statement
Courageous On Last Day.
That same courage which Becker has
manifested all through his lmprlson-
ment was the outstanding characters
tic the last day before his execution.
The charges made in Albany cut him
to the quick, but nth the exception or
the resentment he showed then, out
wardly he was as calm and strong as
ever. Even as late as o'clock tonight
his nerves were steady and firm.
Glow is ne getting along reporter
asked DEPUTY Warden. Johnson, who
had lust left the condemned man.
splendid. | never saw man like
him. lie shows no more of tremor
than you or do" answered the official.
Becker expected no clemencN. lie
u from the time he received word OF
Justice FOrd'S decision late last night
that there was no earthly chance for
him. He did not know of the brave
wife's last fight for him tonight
With his wonderful GOODNESS he be-
gan early this morning his prepare
lions for death. He ate fair meal
and, as always. scanned the newspapers
closely. He was not through with them
when the prison barber. with a guard,
came into his cell. The barber clipped
the condemned mans hair, trimming II
close so the wet sponge of the death
helmet might ut the closer.
Becker made no comment. He was as
cool as if he had been in city barber
shop instead Of in tiny cell, stripped
Of well-niCh everything but a prison cot
on which lay a Bible and a prayer
book, and above which hung the picture
of his wife
When the barber was through guards
took Becker TO the shower bath. And
when he came back his cell was stripped
indeed, for the picture of his wife
which has been with him so many long
DAYS was gone. He had asked that 1t
be sent TO New York
"These Things Are Lies"
He too. up the newspapers again and
read the statement sent out from AL
bany that his first wife had died under
suspicious circumstances, and that he
had offered to plead guilty to second
degree murder in the Rosenthal case.
Becker was ncensed over these allega-
.;o.. 0T los - ha called them HIS