The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1915-07-31

'the Purest and Nobest Woman
That Ever Lived"
Ossining, ~ Y, July 31.-Charles
Becker has paid the penalty for in
stigating the murder three years ago
of Herman Rosenthal, the gambler
He was electrocuted in Sing Sing
prison one hour after sunrise. He
died with cross in his hands. His
last words were Jesus have mercy
on us"
Becker went to his death with
photograph of his wife pinned ON his
shirt over his heart. Three shocks
were given before the prison physi-
clans pronounced Becker dead.
Becker led the way to his own ex-
ecution. The condemned man sat up
all night on the edge of his cot,
calmly talking to Deputy Warden
Charles IL. Johnson.
Il have got to face ii" said Becker.
And | am going to meet it quietly
and without trouble to any one"
The deputy warden left Becker an
hour before the time set for the ex-
ecution and when the priests, Father
w. L. Cashin, the prison priest, and
Father Curry of New York, came to
administer the last rites they found
the man who instigated Herman Ros-
enthal's murder with is face resting
on his hand gazing at the prison floor.
The priests remained with him to the
end.
In New Death House.
1t was shortly after a. m. when
the first witnesses of the execution
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 direct to
the execution chamber. Then the wit
Desses, were led to the place of execu-
tion in a new death house which had
been built adjoining the old execu-
tion chamber, where the four gunmen
were put to death more than a year
ago for killing Rosenthal When the
witnesses were seated Deputy War
den Johnson nodded to Principal Keep
er Fred Dorner and they left the
room through a small wooden door
that led to the death cells beyond
where Becker was praying with his
spiritual advisers.
Becker rose to his feet when he
saw Johnson and took a crucifix from
the hand of the prison priest 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 con-
spiracy, or in any other way of the
death of Rosenthal. am sacrificed
to my friends. Bear this message to
the world and my friends. Amen"
Chant Death Prayer.
The former police officer hesitated
as he entered the execution room. 1t
seemed to the witnesses as il 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 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 elapsed before the electrode
was applied to the right leg, a slit
having been previously cut in the
lrouser leg from the knee down, AT
ter the electrode had been firmly ad
justed against shaven spot on the
back OF the condemned mans head
and the state executioner looked at
Deputy Warden Johnson, who sur
veyed the figure that was still mum
bling the death prayer in the chair.
Johnson half FED his head and the
executioner iammed the switch.
Three applications of the current
were necessary before Becker was
declared dead.
After Becker's body had been re-
moved from the electric chair Samuel
HAYNES, negro murderer, was
brought into the execution room and
electrocuted Becker had asked that
he precede the negro to the chair.