The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-12-09

they had gone home, he retired to his
bed and apparently entered sound
slumber. The death watch who was In
the cell with him stated that he seemed
cheerful and bid them good night,
when he retired. He slept for several
hours, but about o'clock this morning
seemed restless and it was noticed that
he was i'll. The physician was sent for
and as soon as he arrived. pronounced
1t q case of morphine poisoning.
The hanging was postponed until 3
O'Clock. The phsicians tried every
means known to restore the man to
consciousness, but their efforts were
in vain.
Several theories have been advanced
as to how the condemned man secured
the poison, but none of them seem very
plausible. One Is that it was given him
by some of his relatives. but his seems
hardly probable for while he was taxi
ing leave of them the death watch was
with him and 1t would have been i'm
possible for him to have received a
package from any of them. Another
theory Is that he has had the poison
secreted about his person for several
days or weeks. but his could hardly
he. Probably the most plausible theory
is that it has been handed him by a
fellow prisoner in the Jail.
THE CORONER ARRIVES.
Coroner Mckee was at once notified
of his death and made his appearance
at the county prison an hour later. A
postmortem examination was held. The
stomach. liver lungs and kidneys We're
removed by the prison physician and
will be submitted to chemical analy-
sis. AS soon as this can be accomplish
ed the coroner's jury will recOnvene
after which an investigation will be
made In order to ascertain II possible
where the poison came from.
Eckert's son called at the prison this
afternoon for the remains of his faith
er and then took them to his late home
in Nanticoke. from where his funeral
will take place tomorrow.
Before young Eckert left the prison
the warden said to him.
somebody has supplied your father
with poison. Do you know anything
about it,"
81 do not" he replied, II never for a
moment thought my father wanted to
die In that way"
Where the poison came from will in
all probability remain a mystery for
ever.
STORY OF ECKERTS CRIME.
The murder for which Eckert was
destined to die today was committed
in NanticOke July 6, 1895.
The man whom he killed, Fred T.
Bittenbender, was manufacturer of
mining drills, and he was known all
through LuZerne county. He was a
school director at Nanticoke, and took
a personal interest in the schools. He
applied to the public interests the same
principles that made his business a
success. He caused the appointment
of Eckert as janitOr of the State street
school building. Complaint was made
to Bittenbender that instead of attend
ing to his duties as janitOr Eckert was
tending his flower beds and cultivat-
ing his garden.
Mr.. Bittenbender with another
school director, George w. Gruver
went to the school at 9 o'clock on the
morning of the murder. They drove
there in carriage and inquired for
Eckert. Eckert was not here and the
directors, driving back to his house,
found him gardening. Mr.. Bittenben-
der called to Eckert, saying, See here,
Abe; how 1t 1t YOU are not at the
school house doing the work for which
you are paid? You are paid for that
work and not for digging your garden"
Eckert did not appear to- he angry,
but coolly said: "All right, Fred: I'll
20 down and attend to it right away"
Then Mr.. Bittenbender and Mr.. Cru
yer drove away.
1t was just a quarter past twelve
when Mr.. Bittenbender and his faith
er and George w. Floch were driving
up Main street, near the First National
bank. Eckert saw them and called
from the sidewalk as he raised his fin
ger: wait. Fred; l want to speak to
you a minute"
Mr.. Bittenbender drew the carriage
up to the curb saying. as he drew the
reins. "All right Abe. What is it?"
Eckert raised his left hand on the
carriage and said, Il have been think
ing for the past week that you have a
Grudge against me, Fred, and I don't
like the way You spoke. to me this
morning. Why did you talk to me in
that way?"
''Well." said Mr.. Bitenbender, "you
know that you are paid to do that
work, and the board expects you to do
1t. Now. Abe. I'll tell you right here,
IL you don't like the work get out at
once and let some other fellow do the
work"
Without the utterance of another
word from either. Eckert released his
hold on the carriage. stepped backward
and quickly drawing a revolver from
his pocket in quick succession fired
three shots at Bittenbender. Bitten.