The San Francisco call., 1897-11-17
CURTIN IN
CHARGE. Of
THE CASE
Detectives Will Probe
the Dixon Murder
Mystery.
FRANK BELEW UNDER
FIRE.
Weeps When Questioned as
to the Death of His
Sister.
ALLEN CREATES A GOOD
IMPRESSION.
the Rejected Suitor Is
Innocent.
Weeps When Questioned as
to the Death of His
Sister.
ALLEN CREATES A GOOD
IMPRESSION.
L0Elcers Inclined to the Belief That
the Rejected Suitor Is
Innocent.
Special Dispatch to THE CALL


DIXON, Nov. I6-There has been a
great deal OF excitement here to-day over
the fact that Detective John Curtin ar
rived and took charge of the invest. CATION
in the mysterious Bslew murder case.
The weIl-known captain OF the Curtin
agency at once establ shed headquarters
at the Arcade Hotel, summoned the prin-
Cipal witnesses before him and started a
practical and systematic search for facts.
Until his arrival nobody had been sub
jected to anything like a systematic ex-
animation, though the murders we're COM
mItted more than week ago.
The most important witnesses ques-
toned by Captain Curtin were Frank
Belew and Harry Allen. The latter has
been accused OF the crime by some of the
Bellows. while Frank Belew was openly
accused OF it by Allen, who was once en-
gagged to Susie Belew Captain Curtin
came in company with District Attorney
Devlin and the official stenographer OF
the county.
They b ad Frank Belew under the fire Of
eros examination for nearly three hours.
Hs stood the test without faltering until
mention Of his sisters death was made.
Wuen he was asked regarding the details
OF her death, especially with reference to
the way be held her hands when she was
dying, he wept like chiId.
Tom Belew was examined first but his
story was quite brief. Alter he had told
all he knew about his sisters last hours
and about hi brothers feelings toward
the other mem bers OF the family he was
ezCused ana his accused brother was
csled.
following the examination of Frank
BsIew Allen tod his story in detail, Civ
ing his reasons for his suspicious OF Frank
Belew. He made a good impression and
is believed TO be innocent
There are a few great landmarks in the
case as at present developed. They stand
forth boldly, and unless some new theory
is sprung they will cut quite figure
in the case if it ever comes to
trial. Frank Belew, one OF the ac-
cused men, positively claims that
he left Dixon for his brother's ranch at
$50 o'clock on the Sunday evening pre-
ceding the breakfast that contained the
poison that killed his brother and sister.
The theory of those who accuse him is
that he left at east two hours later.
Constable Newby and Sheriff Rush
think they can prove that he was seen on
the streets at about $50 that night. Night
Watchman Station IS SAID to be one of the
witnesses on this point, but he mas been
told not to say what he will swear to, so
his evidence will be guess until he is on
The stand.
Harry Allen says he can show that he
was in some one Of the saloons of Dixon
every minute OF the night from about 7
o'clock until he went home at 11:30
These facts become interesting when it is
remembered that every circumstance
seems to point 10 the fact that the poison
was placed in the teabettle on SUNDAY
night some time between $50 o'clock
and $50.
Frank Belew was in the house at sup
per. He admits that he was taken sick at
supper and that he was In the kitchen,
where, he says. he was i'll. He could have
gone there alone wnile his sister was
dressing her hair, expecting Charles
Ehmann, her betrothed, every minute.
Ehmann saws he locked the Kitchen door
at about 9 80,
The supposition is that the poison was
placed IN the teakettle before the door
was locked. for there is no evidence that
anV one entered the room violently, The
locks and windows being undisturbed.
The poisOner might have entered the lit
tie kitchen through the back door almost
any time during the three hours previous
to Ehmanns visit for the purpose OF lock-
ing up for the night.
He and Miss Belew were alone in the
house, and were in the parlor. 1t has
therefore been shown beyond question
that Frank Beiew could have done the
deed for he ADMITS that he was in the
kitchen at an hour when the fatal dose
might have been placed in he kettle.
In connection with the suspicious
against Frank BeIew, the officers are max
ing a close examination of his financial
condition and general hab IS. He adj
mltted to The CALL correspondents 10.
night that he once signed his dead broth
er's name 10 some notes, but said that
deed was an error Of his past life for which
he repented ard atoned.
He says it has nothing to GO with the
grave charges now maze against HIM. In
this connection it should be said that
Frank fears arrest and believes that the
suspicion is so strong thatif he is arrested
he Will have hard ume convincing the
people OF his innocence. Harry Alien
sad tonight:
Il wish they would hold the inquest,
arrest me. or do something TO get rld OF
the matter as soon as possible, for L am
weary of this suspicion and tired OF the
lalse and ridiculous accusations"
Captain Curtin is 10 remain during the
week He refuses to say anything con-
/ cerning the case further than that he re-
celVed some encouragement from his in
\es'lgations. He speaks in high terms OF
sue efficiency of the county and township
oIhcers who have been working on the
case since The murder
"orer''or Bmdd Offers KetCnrd.
SACRAMENTO, Nov. 1.-THE Cover
nor offered a reward of $500 for the arrest