Submitted by Debbie
"Charles Becker (July 26, 1870 - July 30, 1915) was a New York City police officer in the 1890's and 1910's and who was tried, convicted and executed for ordering the murder of a Manhattan gambler, Herman Rosenthal. Becker was the first American police officer to receive the death penalty for murder. The scandal that surrounded his arrest, conviction, and execution was one of the most important in Progressive Era New York in the 1890s and 1910s."
Charles Becker. (2009, June 25). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 16:20, June 25, 2009, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Charles_Becker&oldid=298583115
New York City / N.Y. State Data Page / Genealogy Trails Main Index
The Quincy Daily Journal
July 30, 1915
Page 12
Becker Goes to Electric Chair Still a Brave Man
Former Police Official Led the Way to His Own Execution and Went to His Death at 5:55 A. M. Protesting His Innocence With a Prayer On His Lips.
Only Once Did he Show Signs of Collapsing and That Was When He Hesitated on Entering the Execution Chamber - “ I Am Not Guilty by Deed, or Conspiracy, or in Any Other Way, of the Death of Rosenthal. I am Sacrificed to My Friends,” He Tells Witnesses – Pays Noble Tribute to Loyal Wife in “Dying Declaration.”
Ossing, N. Y., July 30 – Charles Becker was put to death in the electric chair here this morning for the killing of Herman Rosenthal, the New York gambler. The former New York police lieutenant retained his composure and protested his innocence to the last and went to his death with a prayer on his lips and a photograph of his wife pinned on his shirt over his heart.
Three shocks were given before the prison physicians pronounced Becker dead at 5:55 o'clock. Becker led the way to his own execution. The condemned man sat up all night on the edge of his cot calmly talking to Deputy Warden Charles H. Johnson.
“I have to face it,” said Becker, “and without trouble to any one.”
The deputy warden left Becker about an hour before the time set for the execution and when the priest, Father W. E. Cashin, the prison priest, and Father Curry of New York, came to administer the last rites, they found the man who instigated Herman Rosenthal's murder, with his face resting on his hand gazing at the prison floor. The priest's remained with him to the end.
WITNESSES FATHER FOR EXECUTION
It was shortly after 5 o'clock when the first of the witnesses of the execution began to assemble outside the prison walls. Their names were checked off by Deputy Warden Johnson, who directed them to take their places at a gateway that led directly to the execution in a new death house which had been built adjoining the old execution chamber, where the four gunmen were put to death over a year ago for killing Rosenthal. When the witnesses were seated Deputy Warden Johnson nodded to Principal Keeper Fred Dorner and they left the room through a small wooden door that led to the death cells beyond where Becker was praying with his spiritual advisers.
Becker rose to his feet when he saw Johnson, 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 the little file of men that marched to the room of death:
“I am not guilty by deed, or conspiracy, or in any other way, of the death of Rosenthal. I am sacrificed to my friends. Bear this to the world and my friends. Amen.”
HESITATED UPON ENTERING DEATH ROOM
The one time police officer hesitated as he entered the execution room. It 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 of witnesses, glanced 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 himself in the electric chair. Behind Becker followed the prison priests chanting the prayer of death, which was repeated by the condemned man.
“Jesus, Mary, Joseph, have mercy on my soul,” nervously spoke Becker as the deputy wardens stepped forward and adjusted the electrodes. Hardly a minute elapsed before electrode was applied to the right leg, a slit having been previously cut in the trouser leg from the knee down. After the electrode had been firmly adjusted against a shaven spot on the back of the condemned man's head, the state executioner looked at Deputy Warden Johnson, who surveyed the figure that was still mumbling the death prayer in the chair, Johnson half turned his head and the executioner jammed the switch.
The first shock lasted a full minute and the executioner said that it was 1,850 volts and ten amperes in strength. It came while Becker was still commending his soul to his maker.
Two prison doctors stepped forward to examine the collapsed figure that sat supported in the death chair by the thick black leather straps. The stethoscope was applied to the heart and Dr. Charles Farr, the prison physician pressed his finger against the artery in the neck. There was still a feeble fluttering of the heart.
The physician stepped back from the rubber mat and again the electric current pulsed through the body. The shock lasted seven seconds and the current was then turned off. After a hasty examination Dr. Farr asked that a third shock be given. This lasted five seconds. An examination that took several minutes then followed. The physicians among the witnesses made an examination and Dr. Farr at 5:55 pronounced Becker dead.
MAKES DYING DECLARATION
During the night Becker penciled on a piece of paper what he captioned “My Dying Declaration.” It was taken to the warden's office where two copies were typewritten, which Becker signed with his fountain pen in a bold hand. 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 one-time police lieutenant gave his fountain pen as a gift.
“It is the last thing that I have to give away and I want you to have it. I want you to give this statement to the newspapermen.”
Becker's message given out just before he went to his death read:
“Gentlemen: I 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 presence of my God and your God, I proclaim my absolute innocence of the foul crime for which I must die. You are now about to witness my destruction by the state, which is organized to protect the lives of the innocent. May Almighty God pardon everyone who has contributed in any degree to my untimely death. And now on the brink of my grave I declare to the world that I am proud to have been the husband of the purest, noblest woman that ever lived – Helen Becker. This acknowledgement is the only legacy I can leave her. I bid you all good bye Father, I am ready to go. Amen.”
(Signed) “Charles Becker”
PINNED WIFE'S PICTURE OVER BREAST
After his wife had said farewell, shortly after midnight, Becker maintained a casual conversation with Deputy Warden Johnson, who sat beside the screen in front of his cell. Sometimes he smoked cigars, after which he would let his head fall on his hand and gaze reflectively at the floor for minutes at a time. Dawn found him seated on the edge of his cot, carefully pinning a photograph of his wife on his white shirt just over his heart. Then, as if he desired to have her all to himself, Becker put on a thin black alpaca coat, which he tightly buttoned.
The photograph was not seen by the witnesses until the prison physician opened his coat as he sat in the death chair.
Becker was put to death by the state executioner whose names are not
BECKER GOES TO THE ELECTRIC CHAIR STILL A BRAVE MAN
(Continued from Page Twelve)
known to the public. This man ____ State Electrician Davis and he ____ said he would not take the job unless his name was kept secret. He lives in a little town up-state and went about his work briskly.
Becker's executioner said that in his opinion the man had died instantly at the first contact. An autopsy on the body of Becker was performed according to law, immediately after the execution.
After Becker's body had been removed from the electric chair, Samuel Haynes, a negro murderer, was brought into the execution room and electrocuted. One of Becker's last requests to Warden Osborne was that he be put to death before Haynes.
MRS. BECKER TO KEEP UP FIGHT.
A statement credited to Mrs. Becker was given out here shortly after her husband's death.
“I shall never rest,” she was quoted as saying, “until I have exposed the methods which were used to convict my husband. Whether he was guilty or innocent, there was no justification for the means employed to convict him. I would rather lost all the other members of my family, as dear as they are to me, than lose Charlie. No one can take his place. In all of the ten years of our married life, I never had occasion once to regret that I was his wife.
“Charlie was no angel. He made no pretense of being one. He was just an ordinary human being – and perhaps that is why I loved him so.”
Dr. W. O. Stillman of Auburn, who assisted in the autopsy, said that Becker showed unusual resistance to the electric fluid. After the autopsy Dr. Stillman said:
“I noticed no unusual effects on Becker's vital organs. The way he resisted the strong current was remarkable, showing him to be an unusually powerful man.”
It was expected that Becker's body would be removed some time today to New York, where funeral services probably will be held on Sunday.
MRS. BECKER RETURNS HOME IN DISTRESS.
New York, July 30 – Returning from her last visit to the death house at Sing Sing prison where she had taken her farewell of her husband, Mrs. Charles Becker arrived at the Becker home in the Bronx at 2:40 a. m. today. She was accompanied by one of Becker's brothers, who half carried her into the house. Mrs. Becker showed evidences of the deep distress she was undergoing.
No effort was made to question her about her visit to Sing Sing. She was met by her sister, Miss Mary Lynch.
The Quincy Daily Journal
Friday, July 30, 1915
Page 12
BECKER'S WIFE MADE TEARFUL PLEA FOR CONDEMNED HUSBAND
Her Appeal to Save the Life of Her Husband Greatly Touched the Heart of Gov. Whitman, But the Latter Stood Firm in His Belief of the Former Police Official's Guilt – Becker Spent Greater Part of Last Day on Earth Writing Letter to Gov. Whitman in Which He Demanded Retraction From Governor.
Poughkeepsie, N. Y., July 30 – In a dimly lighted room of the Nelson House here last night, Mrs. Charles Becker pleaded futively (sic) with Governor Whitman to commute her husband's sentence to life imprisonment.
Weeping slightly, but maintaining such control that the governor later remarked admiringly on her composure, she based her appeal solely on her belief, in her husband's innocence.
There was no offer either by her or John S. Johnston, one of Becker's attorneys, who accompanied her, to express anything in exchange for the convicted man's life.
“Governor, I know Charlie is no saint,” was her repeated assertion, “but he is not the foul murderer he has been branded.”
The governor was visibly affected, but shook his head negatively.
“I cannot,” he said, “but I want you to feel free to tell me everything. If there is anything that you know that you think would help your husband or that I should know you may tell it to me with the fullest assurance that it will be absolutely confidential.”
“There is nothing to tell,” Mrs. Becker replied. “I only know he is innocent.”
“No New Evidence,” Whitman Saya.
The conference between Mrs. Becker and the governor lasted about 15 minutes. Mr. Johnston and Major John Stanley Moore, the governor's military secretary, were also present.
Prior to seeing Mrs. Becker the governor conferred for more than an hour with Mr. Johnston. The attorney appealed for a reprieve so the case might be taken to the court of appeals and also asked the governor to permit former Justices Edgar M. Cullen and Charles D. Andrews to pass on the appeal for a commutation or reprieve as specially appointed commissioners.
The executive declined both requests. When asked to grant a reprieve that new evidence might be submitted the governor said there was none.
When the governor had completed his conference with Mr. Johnston the doors of the room were opened and the governor walked over to Mrs. Becker. She rose immediately and began to talk to him.
“IT'S BEEN A TRYING EXPERIENCE.”
“I suppose,” he said, very slowly, “that you want to ask me if I have seen Mrs. Becker. I have, and I have told her that I cannot intervene.”
Turning then to Mr. Johnston, the governor said: “You had better make a statement now.”
Mr Johnston explained the legal points in the case which he had raised, and the governor told on what grounds he had refused to consider them just cause for his interfering with the execution.
As the governor finished talking he moved over to a chair and sat down on the arm limply.
“It's been a trying experience for me,” he said, “I thought I had gone through everything possible in the district attorney's office, but I know now that such was not the case.”
“Are you in favor of the pardoning power being placed with a commission?” he was asked.
“No,” he replied quickly, straightening up. “I think the pardoning power should lie with the governor.”
Ossining, N. Y., July 30 – The last hope of former Police Lieutenant Charles Becker, twice convicted for instigating the murder of Herman Rosenthal, gambler, died when he was told early in the evening that his wife had failed to move Governor Whitman to commute his sentence to life imprisonment.
This Mrs. Becker asked of the governor at a conference she had with him in Poughkeepsie.
Failing in her mission, she motored here to break the news to her husband, but it had already reached him before she arrived.
BECKER DEMANDS WHITMAN RETRACTION
Becker, it was said, had not expected clemency. Almost at the moment the news was received the prisoner have out a letter that he had written to Governor Whitman, in which he attacked the executive for having, as he indicated, given to the newspapers statements which cast a “foul aspersion on my character,” and for which he demanded a retraction.
In this letter Becker reiterated his innocence of the crime for which he has been convicted.
“To these charges and to all others I answer,” the letter read, “by repeating solemnly, on the brink of the world to which you are sending me before my time, what was my constant answer while in the world: I am as innocent as you of having murdered Herman Rosenthal or of having counseled, procured or aided in his murder, or of having any knowledge of the dreadful crime.”
FIRST WIFE'S DEATH MENTIONED
The alleged statements which Becker referred to as having been credited to the governor were that he had offered to plead guilty of murder in the second degree; that, quoting from Becker's letter, he “had offered to give testimony against several persons (whose names are not disclosed), of having shared with me in collecting money from lawbreakers”; that he had sent counsel to two men arrested for complicity in the Rosenthal murder, and that “with a cruelty almost inconceivable, it is stated that my first wife died under circumstances warranting suspicion that I had caused her death.”
Becker explained the death of his first wife by declaring that she had died of “hasty consumption,” and that no breath of suspicion had ever been raised against him in that connection.
PUTS IN DAY WRITING LETTER.
“Mark well, sir, these words of mine,” the letter concluded, “when your power passes, then the truth of Rosenthal's murder will become known. But not while your nominees remain district attorneys and can hold the club over these persons.
“With the aid of judges who were misled into misconceiving the testimony offered at my-trial, and into misstating it, both to the jury and on appeal, you have proved yourself able to destroy my life.
“But, believe me, I will surrender it without rancor. Not all the judges in the state, nor in this country, nor the governor of this state, nor all of them combined can destroy permanently the character of an innocent man.”
The letter was mailed to Gov. Whitman last night. Becker had spent nearly the whole day in his cell preparing it.
DEATH SUIT OF BLACK
The statements which elicited it appeared in copies of the morning papers, which were sent to his cell shortly after he arose at 6 a. m., to spend what were to be his last 24 hours of his life.
Late in the afternoon his two brothers, Jackson and John Becker, and his widowed sister, Mrs. Katherine Geuigher, visited him and remained with him in his cell until long after his evening meal which, though light, Becker ate with apparently his normal appetite. Mrs. Geuigher was weeping when she came out.
Dr. Charles W. Farr, prison physician, and Dr. Henry Mereness, his assistant, made the customary physical examination of the prisoner at noon. They reported that his pulse was normal.
“Becker seems to have a strong grip upon himself,” said Dr. Farr. “When we entered his cell he half smiled and said, “Well, I suppose you've come to say goodby. (sic.)”
Last night Becker seemed coldly resigned to his fate. The prison officials reported that while he awaited the arrival of his wife, somewhat impatiently, his composure was remarkable.
“SEEMED TO BE COLD AS ICE.”
“He was seated in his cell smoking a cigar,” said Leon C. Weinstock, commissioner of prisons, who saw the prisoner in the death house at about 10 o'clock.
“he was as cold as ice. When I remarked that he seemed to be taking it easy, he said. “What can I do? I've got to face it, haven't I?”
The Quincy Whig
Friday, July 30, 1915
Page 3
STORY OF BECKER'S CRIME
Dies This Morning for Killing of Gambler by Hired Gunmen
New York, July 29 – Herman Rosenthal, the gambler, for whose murder Charles Becker was sentenced to die in the electric chair, was shot to death by hired gunmen in the early morning of July 16, 1912, in front of the Hotel metripole on Forty-third street, a few steps from Broadway. The murder was the swift culmination of sensational charges made a few days before by Rosenthal against Becker in which Rosenthal asserted that Becker, then heard of the Strong Arm Squad of detectives, freely sold police protection and had accumulated thousands of dollars of graft money.
Rosenthal went furtehr (sic) than that. He swore that Becker was his silent partner in a gambling enterprise that failed and that Becker, angered by losses where he had expected large profits, raided the Rosenthal establishment and drove Rosenthal out of business by stationing uniformed policemen on his premises day and night.
These charges were published and District Attorney Whitman began an investigation of them. He summoned Rosenthal to the criminal courts building and listened to his story. An appointment was made with Rosenthal for the next day. Before the time came, Rosenthal was murdered.
When the assassins had done their work, they ran across the street, jumped into a gray automobile which was waiting at the curb and whirled away uptown. A bystander caught the license number of the car.
District Attorney Whitman, notified by telephone of the murder, reached the police station where Rosenthal's body lay before dawn. He aroused his detectives from their sleep and spread a dragnet over the city for the murder car. It was found before night. Its driver, Louis Shapiro, and Louis Libbey, part owner, were arrested openly in an emphatic statement that the police had abetted the murder.
New York City, already interested in the charges of police corruption, responded to the news of the murder as if to a call to arms. Becker, who had been the chief target of Rosenthal's accusations, was openly suspected. He was relieved of his command of the Strong Arm squad and transferred to the Bronx. Jack Rose, his graft collector, walked into the Criminal Courts building the day after the murder and surrendered to the district attorney, declaring he had nothing to fear. Harry Vallon and Bridgie Webber, gamblers and friends of Rose and Becker, were arrested as witnesses. The grand jury began its investigation.
Rose lay in prison twelve days without word from Becker, and, believing his chief had deserted him, confessed, Vallon and Webber corroborated his story. He told of his long association with Becker, of police corruption which existed as Rosenthal had charged, of thousands collected by Becker for police protection and, finally, of his commission by Becker to arrange to have Rosenthal killed by gunmen – a commission he executed.
That night, July 29, 1912, District Attorney Whitman summoned the grand jury by telephone and telegraph, laid his evidence before it and within two hours obtained the indictment of Becker on a charge of murder.
Rose had testified that these men were assigned by “Big Jack” Zelig, a gang leader who had been arrested by Becker's men on a trumped up charge, to do the murder. They were to receive $1,000 and Zelig was to be released. Zelig's orders had been issued from the Tombs to the gunmen.
These gunmen-known in the streets of the East Side as “Gyp the Blood” Horowitz, “Lefty Louie” Rosenberg, “Dago Frank” Cirofici and “Whitey” Lewis-were rounded up one by one. The last two arrested, “Gyp the Blood” and “Lefty Louie” were not found till September, hiding in a Brooklyn flat. With them were their young wives who, to divert suspicion, had dyed their light hair black.
During the week previous to that in which Becker was sentenced to die, Gov. Whitman granted the condemned man a reprieve of two weeks, as he had learned, it was stated, new motions were to be made in Becker's behalf.
On July 20, a 15,000 word statement by Becker was forwarded to the governor. The statement was said to contain new facts and made public mention for the first time of the name of the late Congressman Timothy D. Sullivan in connection with the case.
The governor declined to commute Becker's sentence after reading the statement. Becker's attorneys thereupon appealed to Supreme Court Justice Philpin for a third trial and on July 23, the justice signed an order for District Attorney Perkins to show cause why a new trial should not be granted. The order was returnable before Supreme Court Justice Ford on July 26. The justice reserved decision and devoted nearly all of his time for the next two days to going over papers in the case. Shortly after ten o'clock on the night of July 28, Justice Ford announced he had denied the application and Becker's only hope remained in possible executive clemency by Gov. Whitman.
The Quincy Daily Journal
Friday, July 30, 1915
Page 12
BRIEF HISTORY OF THE BECKER CASE
Herman Rosenthal, the New York gambler for whose murder Charles Becker was sentenced to die, was shot by hired gunmen in the early morning of July 16, 1912.
The murder was the culmination of charges made a few days before by Rosenthal against Becker in which Rosenthal asserted that Becker, then head of the Strong Arm squad of detectives, freely sold police protection and had accumulated thousands of dollars of graft money.
Rosenthal swore that Becker was his silent partner in a gambling enterprise that failed and that Becker, angered by losses, raided the Rosenthal establishment and drove Rosenthal out of business by stationing uniformed policemen on his premises.
These charges were published and District Attorney Whitman began an investigation. He summoned Rosenthal and listened to his story. An appointment was made with Rosenthal for the next day. Before the time came Rosenthal was murdered.
When the assassins had done their work they ran across the street, jumped into an automobile and whirled away uptown. A bystander caught the license number of the car.
District Attorney Whitman, notified of the murder, reached the police station where Rosenthal's body lay before dawn. He aroused his detectives to search for the car. It was found before night.
ACTUAL SLAYERS INDICTED.
Becker was relieved of his command and transferred. Jack Rose, his graft collector, surrendered to the district attorney the day after the murder, declaring he had nothing to fear. Harry Vallon and “Bridgie” Webber, gamblers and friends of Rose and Becker, were arrested as witnesses. The grand jury began its investigation.
Rose lay in prison 12 days without word from Becker, and, believing his chief had deserted him, confessed. Vallon and Webber corroborated his story. He told of his long association with Becker, of police corruption, of thousands collected by Becker for police protection and of his commission by Becker to arrange to have Rosenthal killed by gunmen – a commission he executed.
The Quincy Whig
Saturday, July 31, 1915
Page 9
MEN WHO SUFFERED FOR ROSENTHAL MURDER
Herman Rosenthal was murdered July 16, 1912, so the date set for the execution of Charles Becker the New York police lieutenant, July 30, 1915, was two weeks more than three years after the crime. Becker induced Jack Rose, “Bridgie” Webber, and Harry Vallon, gamblers, to employ “Gib the Blood,” “Lefty Louie,” “Whitey” Lewis and “Dago Frank,” well known thieves, pickpockets and gangsters, who lived chiefly off the earnings of women on the streets to do the work.
They rode in an automobile to the entrance of the Hotel Metropole, in Forty-third street, the heart of the “Upper Tenderloin” of New York City, at _ o'clock in the morning when the street was brightly lighted. Rosenthal was called from the restaurant by a messenger, and shot to death in sight of scores of persons at the door. The murderers were electrocuted at Sing Sing, April 13, 1914. Becker got a second trial and his lawyers kept his case in the courts until this time.
Becker's reason for the murder was that Rosenthal, whose gambling house was kept closed largely through Becker's influence, had gone to District Attorney Whitman, now governor of New York, to give information which would have resulted in the policeman's indictment.
The Quincy Whig
Saturday, July 31, 1915
Page 3
TWO WOMEN NOW UNITED IN GRIEF
Mrs. Charles Becker and Mrs. Herman Rosenthal Mourn Together Because of Same Slaying
New York, July 30-Mrs. Herman Rosenthal and Mrs. Charles Becker were made sisters today, when the former police lieutenant paid with his life for instigating the murder of Mrs. Rosenthal gambler husband.
Broken in health and spirit, penniless and unnerved by the memories today brought up in her mind, Mrs. Rosenthal left last night for a friend's cottage on Long Island to escape the strain. She is practically penniless and dependent upon friends.
There never was any doubt in Mrs. Rosenthal's mind that Becker caused the death of her husband. She said Becker was guilty the day after the murder.
The Quincy Daily Journal
Saturday, July 31, 1915
Page 9
WHITMAN CALLS ON MANTON TO EXPLAIN
Becker's Attorney Is Asked by Governor to Explain Alleged Published Statement.
New York, July 31 – Martin T. Manton, who conducted the defense of Charles Becker at his second trial, has given out a telegram received from Gov. Whitman, which reads as follows:
“A newspaper dispatch reports you saying to Becker's denial that he had agreed to make revelations of grafting: “The governor said Martin T. Manton had given him a statement containing the names of five men, tow dead, three living, who were implicated in the grafting.” Did you make this statement, or authorize it?”
When shown a statement that Mrs. Becker had said she would not rest until she had exposed the methods used in the prosecution and conviction of her husband, Mr. Manton said that had been Mrs. Becker's feeling for some time, but he did not know her definite plans.
The Quincy Whig
Sunday, August 01, 1915
Page 1
UNIQUE INSCRIPTION ON BECKER'S COFFIN
Silver Plate Placed On Side Stating That He Was Murdered By Governor Whitman.
New York, July 31 – A silver plate bearing the inscription “Charles Becker, murdered July 30, 1915, by Gov. Whitman,” was placed tonight on the coffin containing Becker's body by direction of his widow.
Mrs. Becker is quoted as saying that she determined upon this plan after she appealed to Gov. Whitman for a reprieve, which the governor denied.
The Quincy Daily Journal
Monday, August 2 1915
Page 1
GREAT CROWD AT BECKER FUNERAL
Plate Alleging That Becker Was “Murdered by Gov. Whitman” Removed From Coffin.
New York, Aug. 2 – The funeral of Charles Becker, former police lieutenant, who died in the electric chair at Sing Sing, took place today.
Before the body was taken to the church friends of the former police lieutenant gathered at the house to view the body. Police reserves formed them into a live that stretched for half a mile. Those who saw the casket noticed that it bore a new plate reading, “Charles Becker, Died July 30, 1915.” A plate removed by the police yesterday bore the allegation that Becker was “Murdered by Gov. Whitman.”
In the crowd that passed in and out of the Becker house were policemen of all ranks. With a few exceptions they were all in civilian clothes. As the casket was being removed from the house the crowd pushed in and the police had difficulty in keeping the way clear. A wreath alongside the floral cross had the words, “To the martyr, with sincere sympathy,” on it. Another wreath bore a card of Alexander S. Williams, former police inspector, who was a close friend of Becker.
Less than a dozen carriages followed the hearse to Woodlawn cemetery. As the carriages filled with the floral offerings were about to drive through the gates of the cemetery, uniformed employes (sic) stepped up and removed the “sacrificed to politics” inscription from the floral cross. Hundreds of curious persons crowded around the grave as the coffin was being lowered.
The Quincy Whig
Thursday, August 05, 1915
Page 4
BECKER LIVING AND DEAD
New York had many a thrill with Charles Becker living. Her people were entertained for a few days with Charles Becker dead. There was a genuine effort among some of the dead police lieutenant's friends to make him out a martyr but attempts of the kid failed. The funeral procession from the home to the church and finally to the cemetery was the center of a mob which was termed “ribald.” A halt was necessary at the gates of the cemetery to enable the authorities to remove objectionable markings from some of the floral emblems. After the cemetery attendants had removed cards bearing reference to the manner of Becker's death the procession was allowed to go on.
It had been reported that the name plate on Becker's coffin contained an inscription entitled “Murdered by Governor Whitman.” The offending name-plate had been removed by the hour set for the obsequies. Had the offending name-plate been discovered another halt in the funeral would have been neceaary.
About five thousand people crowded the Becker home for a morbid glance at the face of the man convicted of murdering Rosenthal. Of this number it was estimated that not more than one hundred knew the police officer in life. They were not friends but inquisitive idlers. Those who visited the home returned to the crowd outside and told them how “he was all burned up with electricity.” Others brought reports of the fixtures in the Becker flat.
Another curious fact in connection with the funeral is that eight out of ten of the quasi-mout_ers were women and over half of the women had little children with them. The youngsters were held up in the crowd so that they might see everything. Outside of the church the crowd became a rabble with women laughing and the children shouting. At the cemetery the rabble helped itself to flowers and mementos of the occasion.
The general tone of the whole affair outside of the relatives and immediate friends was that of a picnic or huge lark. The women and children enjoyed themselves. It was far enough removed from being any tribute to Becker to be a disgrace. Becker living got better consideration and respect from the people of New York than Becker dead.
There is a morbid and coarse element which always responds to an occasion of the kind. Becker's funeral was no demonstration of respect to him. Possibly this morbid interest, characteristic of a small part of our population, may be diagnosed some day as a disease.
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