The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-11-03

Attention. Pa. October 29.-ThOnIas
BechteI. who was held awaiting inves-
tigatiou of the murder of his sister,
MabeI H BechteI. at their home a few
days ago, committed suicide this
evening in his cell in the cen
traI police station. The police consid-
er this act as u practical acknowledge
ment Of Bechtel's guilt. Bechtel was
in cell No. =, on the right side of the
corridor. Several relatives and friends
We're admitted To see him this after
noon. About 4 o'clock he called across
the corridor to Alfred Eckstein, Miss
BerhteTs afnanced lover. who is also
held pending the ~coroner's inquest:
Hello. AL, are you there"
Yes. answered Eckstein.
BechteI responded; [" wish you were
mere with me now that We might die
together"
These were the last words head
from Bechtel. A short time later Eek
stein called Bechtel and got no an
sWer. bu he thought he heard an un-
usual gurgfe. House Sergeant Frank
u. nom Idu Dttu through the cells Ollly
i short time before. At a quarter past
, o'clock ne entered the corridor and
called both men. Getting no ansWer
from BeChtel he looked INTO his cell
and was appalled, to see a stream of
blood running over the cell floor.
Bechtel had laid himself on the bench
III his cell and cut his hrOat with a
knife. He was dead when found. The
knife lay near him IN the floor. How
no Cr,+ I'll. E-,iFa C NOT EnOu-n
Intense excitement prevailed at Do-
lice headquarters tonight. Dense
crowds pressed against the windO rs
and doors and filled the street for nalf
a bloch each way.
The funeral of the murdered girl
took place this afternoon. the services
being held at her late home. a steaIy
stream of people entered the house
and filed past the casket containing
the body until the services began at ,
o'clock. Gathered about the bier of
the murdered girl was the aged moth
eT. who is n physical wreck, and Who
il almost constantly in Mysteries; the
three daughters. and three of the four
sons. The absent one was Thomas.
He had been refused permission to
attend the funeral on the advice of the
district attorney. When BechteI WIS
told that ne would not be permitted to
take q parting farewell of his deal
sister. he raved. His fury was intense
The family also felt bitter
The suicide of Thomas Bechtel has
been followed by the police OfiCiIls
telling the story of the murder of Miss
Bechte rs gathered by them. 1t starts
with last Thursday when Eckstein ac-
cumpIuIed Miss Bechtel to PhilddSi-
phia. He left her there and returned
home. Weisenberg met her in PhIla-
delphia and accompanied her to Allen
town. They went to a certain place
together, where they remained until
midnight. Thomas BechteI heard of
this. and being st]renUOusly opposed to
WeIseuberg, he u]pbraided her in her
room upon her return home. lie
struck her 4 powerful blow on the
cheek. causing her to fall heavily
against 4 bureau. dead.
Members of the family held 4 council
and decided upon the story made pub
lie on Tuesday n upon the DISPOSE
ton of the body and clothing as found.
Charles Bechtel's sIater's hatChet was
used in striking a blow on the head
of the dead girl to give semblance Of
the assault. Eckstein knew nothing
Of the murder, the police say.