The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-02-07

FAIRFIELD. Cal. Feb. s.-Frank Eelew
has confessed that he is fratricide-a
double murderer, On the lath OF last No
vember the little town OF Dixon was
thrown into condition Of extraordinary
excitement by the deaths from poisoning
of Louis Belew and his sister Susie, who
lived In the same house. Bruno Klein,
an employe of Louis Belew. was also
poisoned. but recovered after severe
engaged TO be married, and suspicion OF
having placed in the water kettle the
poison which caused their deaths at first
fell upon a rejected sultor of Miss Be,ew.
This man was not arresred. however. the
officers being satisfied Of his innocence.
Detectives worked secretly on the case
and were soon convinced that Frank
Belew had murdered his brother and sls.
ter because he had been disinherited and
coveted their property. The authorities
were aided by Franks hrother-.n-law,
John w. Bird, who alleged that Frank
had confessed his guilt 10 him. Frank
Belew was arrested on Thursday night.
and at first protested his innocence. de-
nouncng Bird as n deliberate falsifier.
The officers predicted that Eelcw would
weaken in JAIL and before he had been
I'm his cell forty-eicht hours he had told
the story OF the poisoning twice to re-
porters in the presence OF two different
jail officials.
At first Beiew said he did not know why
p...s
quentiy said:
II guess killed them for revenge. They
had slanaered my wife"
The officers are unwilling TO admit that
Beiew's motive attained the dignity OF
revenge. insisting that he committed tho
murders through cupidity and for tho
sole purpose of securing the six or seven
thousand dollars possessed by his brother
and sister. After telling how he had man.
aged to slip the poison into the kettle.
Beiew admitted that he went home and
slept soundly. no psngs Of conscience dis
turbng his slumbers.
Beew told Of how the news came to
him OF the three people dying I'm his
brothers home how he went there and
stood by the bedside Of Susie. his sister.
and watched her death struggles. Then
oniy-and only for moment-did he feel
a pang OF pity.
"'when | saw Susie dying I was filled
with remorse / wished / had not done
IT," said he. and again tho tears flowed.
II met Louis Sunday. November 20
said Frank Beiew. In the course OF his
confession. He said nay wife had run
away with another man. ! told him II
was a lie. He never did like MY wife.
They never had a good word for her.
said no more 10 Louis then. | was very
mad at him. Then / went down TO see
Susie. She asked me TO cem@ down TO
supper was mad at Louis and Susie.
I suddenly remembered I had some rat
poison al home. l went and got II. but
when returned I was backing out from
my first intention. when Susie jumped
on my wife again. and ! determined TO
put an end TO them both.
II was excited AZ the time. though I
had not been drinking that day. I just
lifted the Id OFF the kettle and put tho
poiscn in-put In all that was In tho paper.
/ don't remember what ! did with the
paper regret now that dla It. / <eei
pretty tough about It.
II DO not know what VIII become %
RE. guess I win have 10 stretch FOR
It. but l guess viii make the best Of II.
expect 10 he punished for IT,
II knew that Susie had about 1900.
did not know what Louis had as he Was
IN debt I did not think be had as much
as Susie. I had no feeling that was
going TO get any portion Of this money
by their death. Gd not XII them for
money. bat because they had slandered
my wife"