Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-07-31
BECKER DIES WITH
PRAYER ON H|SL|PS
Pays Death Penalty in Electric
Chair for Having Instiga.cd
Rosenthal Murder.
MAINTAINS HIS INNOCENCE
Issues Statement Just Before
Death Denying Guilt and Pay
ing Eloquent Tribute to Wife.

ing Eloquent IlOutc TO Wlfe.
SING SING PRISON. OSSININt;. y. T..
July 3O-Charles Becker paid the death
penalty by electrocution here early to-
day for having instiGatcd the murder
of Herman Rosenthal. gambler. three
years ago With wonderful co,nposure,
and maintaining his innoceice to the
last. the former New York police lieu
tenant led the way to the execution
chamber \ photograph of his wife
was pinned on his shirt over his heart.
Three shocks were given before the
prison physician pronounced life en-
inct at 5:55 o'clock.
With two priests at his side thontinr
a litany. Recker joining in and repeat
ing, Have mercy on us the con-
demncd man walked steadily TO the
death chair. He had sat UP all nirht
on the edge Of his cot talking 10
Deputy Warden Charles H. Johnson
have got TO face it. and am 90
ing TO meet il quietly and without
trouble TO any one, he said
The deputy warden left Eeckcr abou,
an hour before the time for the exccu-
tion When Father Cashin. prisou
priest. and Father Curr:'. of New York.
came, they found Becker with hi. face
resttns on his hand gazing at the prison
noor They remained with Kim TO the
end To Father Curry he gave his las,
message, which was:
am not guilty by deed or con-
spiracy. or in any other way Of, the
death OF Roscnthal. am sacrificed
to my friends. Bear this message to
the world and my friends Amen"
HESTTATES AS HE ENTERS
EXECUTION ROOM
The onc-time police officer hesitated
as he entered the execution room. II
seemed 10 the witnesses as IL he w,s
startled that the death chair was so
near at hand He looked quickly ar
the double row OF witnesses, glanced a,
the HQor. swept with his ewes the
whl,cned walls OF the room. and then
suddenly. as If coming 10 himself
walked briskly over the rubber mat
ana seated himself in the electric chair
behind Becker followed the priests
chant'nG the pr-yer OF death, which
was repeated by the condemned man.
Jesus. Mary, Joseph. have mercy "
my Soui, ncrvously spoke Beckcr as
deputy wardens stepped forward and
adjusted the electrodes Hardly n
minute elapsed before the electrode
was applied 10 the right leg. a slit
having been previously cut in the
trouser leg from the knee down. Af
Ter the elcctrode had been firmly ad-
onstcd against shaven spot on the
oack OF the condemned mans head. the
state eXecutioner looked at Deputv
warden Johnson, who surveyed the
hsure that WAS still mumbling the
death prayer in the chair. Johnson
half turned his head. and the exccu
toner jammed the switch
me hrSt shock lasted n full minute
and the eHecutioner said il was Ism
volts and ten amperes in strength. II
came while Becker was still commend
ing his soul to his Maker.
PHYSICIAN FINDS FEEBLE
FLUI'rERING OF HEART
The two prison physicians stepped
forward TO examine the collapsed fig
ure that sat supported in the death
chair by the thick. black leather straps.
The stethoscope was applied to the
heart and DIR. Charles Farr. the prison
physician, pressed his finger against
an artery in the neck. There was still
a feeble futtcring of the heart
The physician stepped back from the
rubber mat. and again the electric cur
rent pulsed through the body The
shock lasted seven seconds. and the
current was then turned off After a
hasty examination, DR. Farr asked thai
third shock be given This lasted
five seconds. An examination that
took several minutes followed Three
physicians among the witnesses then
made an examination. and Dr. Earr. at
800 o'clock. quietly Announced: Il
pronounce this man dead"
During the night Heckcr penciled on
a piece of paper what he captioned "My
Dying Declarations" 1t was taken to
the wardcn's office. where two copies
were typewriter. which Becker signed
in bold hand with his fountain Den.
To Deputy Warden Johnson, who had
charge of the execution In place Of
Warden Thomas Mott Osborne, who
does not believe in the death penalty.
the ne-time police lieutenant gave his
fountain pen as "a gift. "It is the las,
thing that ! have to give away. and
want you TO have IL. want Won TO
give this statement TO the newspaper
men"
IN DYING DECLARATION
MAINTAINS INNOCENCE