The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-05-10
THE DEAD WAS LONESOME.
Spiritualism Made Bertha Bell
stein Kill Her Mother.
INSANITY is THE PLEA
Could Not Sleep After Her Fathers
Death-Mediums Urged Her On.
Her Firm Intent Was to
Commit Suicide.

Pittsburg, Pa, May 9.-The common
! wealth rested its case to-day in the
Bertha Beilstein murder case. For the
defense Attorney Burleigh said the de-
fense in the case would be insanity, the
direct result of a shock sustained at the
time the prisoners father dropped dead
| at the breakfast table some months
previous to the murder
Miss Bertha Beilstein was the first
witness called in her own defense She
told of the great affection existing be-
tween her father and herself and the
effect his sudden death had on her. She
said:
1T was an exceedingly great shock
one from which have never recovered
and never will. lost interest in every
thing. I fell off in weight many
pounds. L was so melancholy" she
said
Witness said her mother and herself
We're firm believers in spiritualism.
Il believe" she said, that persons in
this world can communicate with per-
sons in the other" While in Chicago
last year she visited two mediums
THE first, Mrs. Cowan, told me
that my father was lonely and would
not be happy until my mother and |
We're with him. Nothing entered my
mind then about taking my mothers
life
The witness next said she visited
male medium. He told her similar
story about her father being lonely. 1t
then became fixed in her mind that he
was lonely. She said she remained in
Chicago about a week after that. She
was in very bad condition physically.
She thought about what the mediums
told her. Her mind seemed unbal-
anced on that one subject, still she did
not think of destroying her mothers
llfe She made her visit short and re-
turned home, expecting to get better
She could not sleep. She said:
i did not sleep at all until the night
of the killing" and told Attorney Bur-
leigh she wanted the jury to under
stand it literally.
On Saturday afternoon, the day be-
fore the shooting, she went to Pittsburg
and bought an ounce of laudanum She
went home Immediately, getting there
about + p. m. She ate a light supper
with her mother. They spent the eve
ming at home. The witness went to her
room about $3.50 O'Clock, her mother re-
tiring few minutes later. The rela-
tlons between the witness and her
mother had always been very affection
ate and there had been no misunder-
standing whatever
On the night before the shooting she
laid out her clothing, intending to kill
herself. She tossed about all night and
walked the floor.
Il had bought the laudanum with the
intention of taking my own life in
stead of that of my mothers" she said.
When I heard the clock strike 3,
arose and, getting the bottle of lauda-
mum. started to pour 1T from ,the glass.
Before I had finished this, the bottle
dropped from my hand My arms be-
came like steel and I knew l must take
my mothers life. I went to the bureau,
took the revolver and going to Ky
mothers room discharged it,
Mr.. Burleigh: DO you remember Of
discharging the weapon more than
once?"
No"
DO you remember about shooting
yourself?"
Il remember of shooting myself
once"
Miss Beilstein gave her testimony
throughout in clear tone of voice,