The Savannah morning news., 1901-08-13
DOG AS A DETECTIVE.
How He Led Officers to the Discovery
of Crime.

Mexico Letter in New York World.
hideous parallel to the famous
Guldensuppe case, made even more
startling by the added element of ro-
nance, is now being investigated by
the police of Mexico.
Fearing his marriage with another
woman, Bernadina Topete, known as
La Beata," slaughtered her wealthy
lover. Francisco Gonzales Michel, de-
liberately cut his body in bits and re-
served for her private treasure box the
murdered mans eyes and tongue-"be-
cause she loved him so,' she said.
The woman's crime was betrayed by
no accomplice-she wisely had nome.
Nor was it a discovery upon which the
police may plume themselves. The ia
tai slip in La Beatas proceedings was
that she permitted a dumb witness of
her crime-a great st. Bernard dog,
for which Senior Michel had given $1,000
in Europe and who loved him as much
as did the woman who finally took
his life.
First Meeting with a Beauty.
Senior Michel moved to Guadalajara
a few years ago. He was educated,
handsome and possessed of a great
fortune. The official position of his
family and his own pleasing manners
gave him the entree to the best houses
of this city. For a time he seemed
to be satisfied to do nothing except
be the leader among a certain set of
clubmen.
1t was during this time that he first
met Bernadina Topete. Her father
worked as a porter and sometimes her
mother added to the scanty income
by going out as a servant. Bernadina
had worked, too. Her parents had
kept her in school longer than most
of their neighbors did their daughters,
and when the young girl came home
she devoted her time to making drawn
work instead of household drudgery.
The Rumor of "a Marriage.
Michel was attracted by her beauty,
which was striking, and by her native
wit. Although his wealth and position
were known to the girls family and
they were we'll aware that there was
no idea of his marrying her they made
no objection to his frequent calls. 1t
was not long before Bernadina left her
home and was installed in handsome
apartments which Senior Michal bought
for her and which were furnished as
iavishly as those of a princess.
From this time Senior Michers time
was entirely given to La Beata as the
young girl came TO be called (from his
devotion to her). He made no secret
of his infatuation and was daily seen
with her along the many fashionable
drives which surround the city
Meanwhile Michel went into business
and his mercantile profits soon were
greater than the income left him by
his father.
Though Senior Micheps relations
with La Beata were known he was still
welcome in society. He would have
had little difficulty, had he so wished,
in marrying daughter of any one of
many families. He went to few pri-
vate houses, however, and apparently
remained La Beata's faithful adorer.
In spite of this stories gained cur
rency that the wealthy merchant was
going to break off his old life and take
a wife so that he could have heirs to
whom he could leave his proprty.
These stories Senior Michel always
laughingiy denied. But the denials
somehow, did not carry conviction.
That La Beata heard of this gossip
there is little doubt. Her fear that she
was about to be deserted is, the police
say, the only motive which could have
prompted her horrible deed.
One day Senior Michel suddenly dis
appeared from home. His clerk said
that they did not know where he was.
La Beata said that Senior Michel had
gone on trip to Mexico City and had
told her that from there he might have
to go to other cities and would be away
for some time.
For few days her statements quiet
ed the wonder of his friend. Then tele-
gram from Mexico City showed he had
not been there.
While his friends wondered the SER
wants who had the care of MichePs pri-
waite apartments called their attention
to a strange circumstance. This was
that the huge 81. Bernard dog which
had always followed him about and
which whenever he was away had re-
manned with La Beata, had been
brought to Senior Michels home the
day after he was last seen. One OF La
Beata's servants had brought the dog
to the house, saying IL was his
mistress's wish. The dog had acted
strangely and had shown an intense
desire to get out.
A Mystery Tor the Police.
Senior Michel's friends appealed to
the police.
AS the officers detailed on the case
entered the house the dog rushed up
to them and seemed to be asking them
TO let him out of the house and to go
with him. At last the policemen de-
termined to try him and see where he
would 60 IL set free. They had a car
riage in waiting and as the dog was
turned loose In the street they directed
the coachman TO follow the animal.
There was no hesitation in the ST.
Sernard's movements - Straight