Omaha daily bee., 1915-07-31
CHARLES BECKER
DIES In ELECTRIC
CHAIR AT SUNRISE
Former Police Lieutenant, Con.
victed Of Murder of Herman
ROsenthal, is Executed in
Sing Sing Prison.
WRITES DYING DECLARATION
He Reiterates His Statement that
Had No Part in Staying New
York Gambler.
KEEPS coMPosURE TO THE END

York Gambler.
KEEPS C0MPoSURE TO THE END
SING SING PRISON, ossining. N,
Y, July 3O.-Charles Becker was
put to death in the electric chair this
morning for the killing of Herman
Rosenthal. the New York gambler.
The former New York police lieuten-
ant retained his composure and pro-
tested 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;b5 o'clock.
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 II. Johnson.
II have got to face II" said Becker.
and ! am going to meet II quietly
and without trouble TO anyone"
The deputy warden left Becker
about an hour before the time set
for the execution, and when the
priests, Father w. f., Cashin. the
prison priest. and Fathsr Curry of
New York, came to administer the
last rites they found the man who
instisated Herman Rosenthal's MUIR
der with his face resting on his hand
gazing at the prison floor. The
priests remained with him to the end
First Witnesses Arrive.
II was shortly after o'clock when the
first OF the witnesses OF the execution
began to assemble outside tho prison
walls. Quietly their names were checked
off by Deputy Warden johnson, who
directed them 20 take their their places
at gateway that led directly TO the
execution chamber. Then the witnesses
were led to the place of execution In a
new death house which had been built
adjelning the old execution chamber.
where the four giinmen were put rtesasat |,
over q year ago for killing RcseathaIi
When the witnesses were seated. Deputy
Warden Johnson nodded to the principal
keeper. Fred Dorner. and they left the
room through IA small wooden door that
led to the death cells beyond. where
Becker was praying with his sparituai
advisers.
Becker rose 10 his feet when he saw
Johnson and took a crlcifix from the
hand OF the prison priest To Father
Curry, Becker gave his laet message as
he took his place at the head Of the file
Of men that marched to the room OF
death.
Final Denial of Crime.
Beekers message, which he uttered to
the priest. wac:
Il am not guilty by deed. or conspiracy,
or In any other way OF the death Of
Rosenthal ] am sacrificed to my friends.
Bear this message 10 the world and my
friends. Amen"
The only time the police officer hesi-
tated was as he entered the execution
room. It seemed to the witnesses as II
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 whit
ened walls OF the room and then suddenly,
az II coming TO himself walked briskiy
over the rubber mat and seated himself
In the electric shair. Behind Becker fol-
lowed the prison priests. chanting
prayer which was repeated by tho con-
demned man.
Jesus. Mary. Joseph, have mercy on
0V4wr a.taIl ll 81.
deputy wardens stepped forward and ad-
justed the electrodes. Hardly a minute
elapsed before the electrode was applied
TO the right leg. After the electrode had
been firmly adjusted against a shaven
spot on the back OF the condemned mans
head. the state executioner looked at
Deputy Warden johnson, who surveyed
the figure that was still mumbllng the
death prayer in the chair. Johnson half
turned his head. and the executioner
jemmed the switch.
Three Shocks Given.
The first shock lasted a full minute
and the executioner said that II was /, $50
volts and ten amperes In strength. II
came while Becker was still commencing
his soul 70 his Maker
The two prison physicians stepped for
ward to examine the collapsed figure that
sat supported in the death chair by the
thick black leather straps
The stethoscope was applied 70 the
heart and DR.. Charles Farr. the prison
physician. pressed his finger against the
artery In the neck There was still a
feeble fiuttering Of the heart
The physician stepped back from tho
rubber mat and again the electric our
rent pulsed through the body The shock
lasten seven seconds. The currenk was
then turned off. After a hasty exami-
nation DIR. Farr asked that third shock
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