The San Francisco call., 1897-11-23
Inquest at Dixon.

the celebrated Belew murder case would
be held to-day. On The eve of the investi-
CATION that begins in The morning there is
intense interest, for people dwell here in
union like the mem bers ot one family.
There has never been anything like such
a crime in this part of the State, and few
seem willing 10 believe that either of those
accused had anything to do with 1t. As
the masses here hesitated until the last
before they would believe it was murder,
so they are slow to locate the RESPONSE
biliIy. They will leave that TO the Coro-
ner's jury.
1t is now almost certain that there will
be no arrest following the inquest, unless
Captain Curtin and the District Attorney
have some evidence sup their sleeves"
which they deny the existence of to those
not on the inside. Franz Belew, one OF
the principal suspects, was in town to-
day. He was an object OF much interest
to strangers, and was poin ted out to all
inquirers as the man accused of having
poisoned his brother and sister. The
strain of ten days has not told on him
much, though he has at times been greatly
worried. His brothers have stood by him
from the outset, giving him courage when
ever his spirits were low.
The inquest will be held at Ven ONE
Hall. the largest building in Dixon, and it
is believed that it will not seat half OF those
who apply for admission. District Attor-
ney Deviin told some OF his legal friends
the day he left here that he doubted very
much whether the inquest would be long
drawn. 1t was his policy at the outset TO
reserve the strongest evidence until a
more serious inquiry. if the case ever
reaches such stage. 1t may be said with
considerable confidence that the Coroner s
jury will not accuse anybody of foul play.
The inquest bids fair 10 b. a periunctory
affair, and it is almost certain that the
verdict will be that the dead brother and
sister were poisoned by person or per-
sons to the jIrv unknown"
In spite OF deep feeling and much sus-
picion, it is the general opinion that
nothing OF i'm mportance will result from
The inquest. II the examination before
the Coroner becomes very warm Frank
Beiew will be asked to explain some OF
the contradictions in his statement 10 the
detectives and the District Attorney. In
similar way, Harry Allen will be pinned
down as 20 the meaning of his many
threats. 1t may come to light that Allen
talked so desperately that the dead man
was forced to carry q revolver for his own
protection. There are rumors that there
will be an attempt 10 show that Allen has
| long been iii the habit of talking wlckedly
ana tnat he has In the past year caused
several men 10 leave the Snead ranch for
lear he would harm them for interfering
in his affairs, particularly where women
were involved. All these stories tend to
keep up the tension.
There is much curiosity also as to
whether there will be evidence concern
ing mysterious woman in the case, as
foreshadowed By Arthur Below. Many
people believe there will be several i'm
portant surprises before the inquiry closes,
but there will probably be little light
thrown on the mystery of the murder OF
the little family that was swept from
earth two weeks ago.