The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1915-07-30

Gees Coolly TO Death
Ills face was solemn. but his eyes
were clear, and were unfalteringly
fixed upon the pathway to death.
IL was not with an air of bravRdo
that Becker stood alone there In the
doorway. Hut no hand aided his
step. No guard watched him for
fear he would collapse,
The low voices OF tho priests and
necker's own whispered cxhorta'
tions echoed thruout the chamber
Becker carried black crucifiN
about 10 inches long In his left
hand. As he calmly sat back In
the chair he raised the crucifix TO
his lips, Father Curry and Father
Cashln intoncd;
"Oh. Lord. assist mo In my last
agony. | give you my heart and
my soul"
Becker remained mistaken
as the guards adjusted the cleo.
trodes and looked about him
calmly. noting the witnesses
Then the condemned man help
ed 10 tighten the straps which
were 20 hold his body az he
was shocked into eternity.
Father Cashin and Father Curry
constantly intoned prayers. and
Rockers lips reiterated the words
Jesus. have mercy"
Repeats Priests Prayer
These were his last words. over
and over he said them. even aa his
face was covered and his voice
smoihered by the adjustment OF
the head and face pieces
The right leg OF neckers trousers
was slit and hts leg barred from the
knee to his shoe.
The sight OF this bare leg was one
Of the most striking features OF the
strange picture. necker's face was
mostly hidden by the guards as
they worked about the chair adjust.
ing the straps.
The condemned man wore tho
prescribed black trousers and loos.
black shirt. open AZ the throat
They gave him more the appear
ance OF a workman than tho belted
aud buckled police lieutenant IA.
mlllar to the public.
Eseeusioner 10 Young Man
The official cxccutioner was
dapper young man OF perhaps 30.
Ills name was not announced. but
Il was said he would receive 500
$50 eaeh--for executing Becker and
Sam Haynes. a negro.
When all was ready. tho exccu.
toner. In full view Of the witnesses.
calmly shut the switch. An the
powerful current shot thru hts
frame. Beckcr's big body shot
straight ont. Juggling at the crcak.
ms straps. For n minute Il was
stretched thus.
The dying mans grip on the cru.
cifix frightened.
Then. when the current was
switched off. the orosa slipped from
the r-lsxed fingers A guard caught
IT, Bccker's body then dropped
back in a position OF utter collapse.
Physicians ripped open tho shirt.
As the cloth was turned back
for the stcthoscope. a photograph
Of his wife was revealed.
Whe's Photo inside shirt
The picture was pinned inside the
shirt. The doctors pushed II aside
They then held the stethoscopc to
Becker's heart and felt the arteries
OF his neck. Another shock was
demanded.
The cool executioner swung the
switch shut and open again. The
Icrumpied body again strained
against the straps.
The doctors again tested the
heart. and seemed 10 argue as to
whether there was stiil evidence OF
life. They again directed an order
to the executioner. and again the
current was shot thru the limp
body.
Bscker's lips parted In a CHASTITY
smile. Three physicians from
among the legal witnesses were
asked 10 verify the death OF the
condemned man. They advanced.
felt for beats Of Becker's heart. and
nodded their agreement that he was
dead.
Becker Pronounced Dead
II was exactly $3.50 when Or
Farr. prison physician. announced
loudly: Il pronounce this man
dead"
During the CHASTITY ceremonies
the priests stood solemn and silent
for the most part. but occasionally
whispered prayers.
They were the only ones whose
sympathy showed either in their
faces or gestures. The guard. ply.
sicians and attendants talked
calmly.
Warden Osborne was not In tho
prison. He does not believe In cap
ital punishment.
As a protest he left Sing Sing al
the hour fixed for the execution and
walked alone over the Ossining
hills.
Drives Movie Men Away
His face was drawn and pale.