Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1915-08-04
CHAs. BECKER ELECTRoCUTED.
Former n. Y. Police hteutenant EN-
ecuted OH Murder Charge.

uealn III the electrlc cnalr here 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 a photograph
OF his wife pinned on his shirt over
his heart. Three shocks were given
before the prison physicians pro-
nounced Becker dead at 5.55 o'clock.
Becker led the way to his own ex-.
ecution. He sat up all night on the
edge of his cot, calmly talking to
Deputy Warden Chas. II. Johnson.
II have got to face it," said
Becker "and l am going to meet it
quietly and without trouble to any
one"
Shortly after o'clock the wit
nesses were led to the place Of exc
cution. Becker arose to his feet
and took a crucifix from the hand Of
the priest. To Father Curry, Becker
gave his last message as he took his
place at the head of the little file 3of
men that marched to the room p Of
death. His message was: -
Il am not guilty by deed. or ri
conspiracy, or in any other way, "
Of the death Of Rosenthal. Lam
sacrificed to my friends. BearlH3
this message to the world and so
my friends. Amen" ~
The one-time police officer hesi-
tated as he entered the eXecutiohs
room. 1t seemed to the witnesses as
if he. was startled that the death
chair was so near at hand. He looked
quickly at the double row~2of wit4
bnesses, gIaeedis at the floor. swept
with his eyes the whitened walls Of
the room, and then suddenly, as if
coming to himself, walked briskly
over the rubber mat and seated him
self in the electric chair. Behind
Becker followed the prison priests
chanting the prayer Of death, which
was repeated by the condemned
man.
Becker spoke nervously a. deputy
wardens stepped forward and ad-
justed the electrodes. Hardly a min
ute elapsed before the electrode was
applied to the right leg, slit hav-
ing been previously cut in the trou-
ser leg from the knee down. After
the electrode had been firmly ad-
justed against a shaven spot on the
back of the condemned mans head
the State eXecutioner looked at Dep
uty Warden Johnson, who surveyed
the figure that was still mumbling
the death prayer in the chair. John
son half turned his head and the
executioner jammed the switch.
The first shock lasted a full min
ute and the executioner said that it
was 1850 volts and ten amperes in
strength. 1t came while Becker was
still commencing his soul to his
Maker.
The two prison physicians stepped
forward to examine the collapsed fig-
ure supported in the death chair by
the thick black leather straps. The
stetchoscope was applied to the heat
and DR.. Chas. Farr, the prison ply
sician, pressed his finger against an
artery in the neck. There was still
feeble fluttering of the heart.
The physician stepped back from
the rubber mat and again the cleo
trio current pulsed through the body.
The shock lasted seven seconds. Af-
ter hasty examination, DR.. Farr
asked that a third shock be given.
Ihls lasted five seconds. An exami-
nation that took several minutes fol-
lowed. Three physicians among the
witnesses then 'Nede an examination
and DR.. Farr, a, 1.55 o'clock, quietly
announced: 81 pronounce this man
dead"
Becker's Message.
TO Deputy Warden Johnson the
one-time police lieutenant gave his
fountain pen as a gift. ct Is the
last thing I have to give away and
want you to have it. want you 10
give this statement to the newspaper
men,"
Becker's message read:
Gentlemen: l stand before you in
my full senses, knowing that no
power on earth can save me from the
grave that is to receive me. In the
face OF that, in the teeth Of those
who condemned me, and in the pres
ence of my God and your Cod, I pro-