Connecticut western news., 1896-04-02
Rech unarr Arrest

PHuApEIPHrA, March S0 John Rech, tho Rockville lN. I.l farmer who was ar- rested In BuStleton. Pa, on suspicion of having murdered his wife Elizabeth at thelr home near Mays Landing. N. l.. was brought to police headquarters In this city and Is held there bonding investigation.
 It has becn learned that Mrs. Rcch was none other than Bessie Weaver. whoso troubles with her father aud his house keeper, sfterward her stopnother. gained wide publicity dozen years ago. Sho was the daughter of Dr. Martin Weaver, wealthy hut eccentric resident of German town, suburb of this city. He died, leaving an eStste of over tsc, 000 entirely Co his second wife. Soon after hts death Bessie married William Hoft of German town. Sho had previously instituted pro. ccedings to break her fathers will. hut subsequently, compromised on an arranRe. ment by which the income from the es- tate was divided betwecn Bessie and her stepmother during the remainder of thcir lives. In 1887 heft procured divorcc, and she soon aftcrward married Henry W. Baohman Of this oity. Baohman also ob. tained a divorce.
 Attorney 0. W. Williams of the phIla. delphis bar was trustee for tho estate Ho has thrown some Interesting side lights on
 
 said, Mira Reoh came to his office. To his surprise. she carried on her arm boy hAhy which she said was her own and that 10 was months old. Mir. Williams did not question her statement at tho time. but 10 sct him thinking He had seen Mrs. Rech on an average of once a month for the past year. and he failed to sec how the baby could he hers. Uron the occasion of hor last visit shc pold Mir. Williams that she had made up her mind to leave hor kua. band because he treated her badly. and he noticed that two of her front teeth wore missing.
 Conspiracy te Get the Money.
 It seems that the couple were not law fully married, although ceremony was gone through before a justice of the pcacs In Jersey City In May. lSao He is said to have confessed nhat he has e wife and daughter in .Cstnsaqua. Pa.. but whether she ever obtained divorce papers Is not known. It is claimed that ho and EiiSn- beth Weaver conspired to lct him become the beneficiary under tho will of her fs- ther In case of her death Under the terms of the doctor's will Elizabeth had between SS0. GOO and $50, 0on left her in trusA Should she die without issue, tho money was to go to charity.
 As the first step in the conspiracy, the woman made a will leaving her inherit. ance to Rech in trust for their child They had yet to obtain a child. Whom they appeared In Estelville. she began to make it appear they had a child in this city. About six weeks ago they are said to have come here and advertised for an infant about l0 months old. One was ob. tainel which Is said to be the iliegiti- mate offspring of prominent society woman and a New York business man.
 With the child they returned to Estel- yllle The resolve to murder the woman, it is said. entered Rcch's mind suddenly. but the manner In which it was done fs not known. It occurred last Saturday week. It seems. however that he stran- gled her while she slept and then carried her to the grave he had hastily proparcd With an ax he chopped tho branches Of a tree to hide the spot. He came hero Thursday night and Friday went to Fox chase and on Saturday to Somerton. where he stopped at hotel Ho had previously left the child In Philadelphia in "bahy farm" On Saturisy night he road of tho discovery of the body and began trum. bling SO that the hotel proprietor spoke to him. He admitted he was John Rech. He was then turned over to the police.