New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-07-31


The great majority of them YESTERDAY
were newspaper men. few OF whom
would not have gladly remained away
had it been possible.
The oaken chair, with its leather seat
and heavy black leather straps STOOD
three feet in front OF a partition 10
tho left of il, near the wall Of the room'
stood DR.. Farr and his assistant Dr'
Henry E. Mereness, jr. Beside them
was the Acting Assistant Principsl
Keeper William Halpin, a big broad
shouldered fellow in blue uniform
On the right stood Keeper Hayes
mustached man, with heavy Bang.
Keeper McInerney, gray headed ana
round as a butter ball. stood beside 'he
famous little red door waiting for the
sound of footsteps behind it.
Johnson Sleepless and Wan.
Denutv Warden Johnson, who had
been Becker's chief confdant ior
months. stood leaning against the norm
vail ~ the room. His face was drawn
and a stiff new beard on his eheeSs
made him look the more wan he hSu
not been TO bed since early Thursoay
morninr Four hours of the night ne
had lust spent in Becker's cell. MI
I~L.oD hardly looked at the chair.
At the back Of the ROOM pehiha anu
81 ,h. left Of the chair, and backed py
=, Arrangement of levers and rheo-
stats and electric bulbs, stood that mys-
terious figure, the state executloner'
He is little dried-up man, maybe
forty-fve years old. with head 'na' :
Getting bald, and small hands and lee''
For once Yesterday he did not wear the
orotesoue rubber overshoes he usually
dons TO protect himself against tne
great electrical current he controls IN
s+eed he had on glistening patent
leather shoes. He had on the same
sort Of gray suit and rundown
collar. but he had left his qia-
mond horseshoe scarfpin BEHIND
His attitude was purely professional a
sort Of detached cts all in the day s
work" pose. He's the cut-rate execu-
TONER who replaced Davis Davis used
70 charge $3.50 for killing a man. "hat
the new man charges is not known put
it's less.
The deputy warden faced the onlooK-
ers and gave them the usual warning
not to speak, not TO answer II the CON
demned man spoke, not to approach the
chair until the prisoner had been pro-
rornred dead. He had hardly ceased
speaking when Keeper Mclnerhey
raised his head from where he hsteneu
Of the little door. 1t swung inward
and Principal Keeper Dorner, gaun'
man with snow-white hair and lace
like a tragedian's, walked in. just be-
hind him came guard, and then amer
Curry and Father Cashin and Becker
himself. followed by other guards.
Face in Grim, Set Lines.
II was difficult for just moment 70
nick out Becker, his black clothes
merged so with the black soutanes OF
the priests and the blue Uniforms Oh
the guards. OF course ne was pare
baaded He was collarless, his soft
white shirt turned in at the throat his
big neck columned quickly INTO MS
emil His black hair was cut close and
stood out in a sort of sharp 1rnge
above his forehead AS he walked, the
hare skin of his leg showed through his
already slit trousers. Under the cleo
trio light Of the white-painted room he
looked sallow, and his face vas set III
hard. firm lines.
"Jesus. Mary and Joseph, ! give you
my heart and soul" he repeated after
Father Cashin as he walked to the
chair. II was but a step from the door.
"Jesus. Mary and Joseph, assist me IN
nv last agony" he said as Keeper Fox,
giant of a man, knelt TO adjust the
electrode on the leg. Fox had been
with Becker in the death house many
times. He was there night before last
During the execution he was vlsibly al
fected He blew his nose loudly with a
big white handkerchief.
Father Cashin H. his black cassock. a
purple stole over his shoulders, stood
near the chair Father Curry was be-
side HIM The elder priest was EVIL
IDENTIFY much overcome, but bore up
bravely. Father Cashin repeated the
Litany of the Holy Name. the words
coming strong and clear from his lips.
Held Silver Crucifix.
Lord have mercy on u.s." repeated
Becker.
Keeper Hayes, back of the chair, was
already settling down the wire head
helmet which looks about as much like
football players head harness as any
thing else. up. X" Dorner and other
guards were buckling tight the straps
about the legs and arms.
"Have mercy on me. give you my
heart and my SOUL" chanted Becker
after Father Cashin's words. The
priest held in his hand the silver cruel
fix which so many men have held in
the stiffened grip of death. Becker had
brought it into the execution chamber
with him, but while he was being
strapped in the chair II was taken from
him for a moment.
81 offer you my life, o Jesus. Have
mercy on me-" The voice from the
chair seemed to choke bit as the chin
strap of the helmet was buckled in
front of the corded neck. Father Cashin
handed the ex-po.ice Lieutenant the
crucifx once more. He held it upright
in his left hand, as the hand lay
clenched and strapped down on the arm
of the chair. Becker could not see the
crucifx. The edge Of the helmet, with
its wet sponge inside, jammed down
over his eyes. The rubber face band
age covering forehead and chin was
strapped on. Only his lips were Wis
ible. "Have mercy on me. / give you