The San Francisco call., 1897-11-11

DIXON, Nov. 10.-To-d day witnessed the
closing of an interesting chapter in the
remarkable story of the poisoning of the
BeIews.
There is no doubt in the minds of the
masses here that the humble little home
Of the dead brother and sister was not
there will be an account to settle later if
the suspicious of the Sheriff and District
Attorney of the county can be verified.
The burial of the unfortunate dead to-
day touched q responsive chord in the
hearts of the entire population. The
funeral was one of the largest and most
I'M pressive ever seen in this part of the
Stl.e.
Shortly after l o'clock the solemn ring
ing of an oId-fashioned, deep-toned church
bell summoned the people of the town
a d country for miles around to the First
Baptist Church to the funeral of the late
Louis and Susie BeIew, the unfortunate
brother and sister who were poisoned on
lie eve OF their wedding. There were no
more popular young people in the village.
IS they had been the pride of their
parents, who left them the bulk of their
estate few years ago, so they were
es eemed by their fe!low-men.
Inc afternoon was one of the most
beautiful of all the halcyon days OF
autumn, and the long cortege filed sol
emnly through the quiet streets, past the
places the dead had known, over the leaf
strewn roads 70 the Odd Fellows Gene
terry. The funeral closed all places of
business, the schools were shut for the
day, and not even saloon was open from
noon until the minister had said the last
word.
But there was another agonizing pic
ure, which is part of the dreadful mys-
terry. 1t is the picture of the survivor of
the household writhing in pain, lowering
near death.
On humble cot IN the livery. stable
that was owned by the dead man lies
Bruno Klein, the faithful hired man, who
ate at the Belew home, who drank of the
waters of death al the Belew we'll. He is
the sole survivor Of all who dwelt in the
house of mystery and desolation, and as
the bodies OF the dead were being re-
turned 10 elemental dust news spread
over the village that Klein was worse and
that his life trembled in the balance. with
strong probabilities that the reaper would
win.
Belief grows that death was the result
of some cunning murderer's plan. and
there is pail over the little town, hover
ing omInously over the sunshine and the
flowers, marring the golden beauty of the
day. The poison of suspicion is in the
air. 1t pierces the hearts Of the countless
friends O. the dead and begins TO assume
definite shape and direction. Everywhere
there are whispers of foul play. but people
hardly dare trust their thoughts to them
selves for fear they may do an IN Justice to
the living.
Sheriff Rush has been visited by hun
dreds OF earnest citizens, who insist that
a most foul murder has been com mitted-
and this is his own opinion. Nothing
cOnvlnces any BODY that death was due to
natural causes and everybody is eager to
hear the verdict of the chemist who has
the stomach of Miss Belew and sample
of water from the well at the Belew home.
The belief here IS general that death was
the result OF ONE miscreant's design, that
the m urder was calmly planned by some
human fend, whose mind was fatally
bent on mischief and whose heart was
wholly void OF social duty.
At present the death OF two of Dixon's
most estimable and popular young people
is as dark and terrible a mystery as was
ever woven into the warp and wool OF
doubt and crime in this part of the State.
What the solution may be depends largely
on The skill with which the criminal has
covered his tracks and on the vlgllsnce
and acumen of those who remain to hunt
for clews.
In view of the suddenness of the taking
oil OF these young people every fact con-
nected with their last days and their
sCcial and family relations is being scru-
tinized by their friends and by the author
itie Succinctly told, the plain facts OF
their lives and surroundings become in
teresting. A Conan Doyle might weave