The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-10-31
BechteI Cuts His Throat in the
Prison Cell.
STORY Of THE MURDER
The Police Declare That Mabsl Was killed by
Blow on The Head ffdm Her Bfo!her's
fist.-.Her Relations With WeiseG-
b rg the Cause.
(By the Associated Press.)

Allentown, Pa, Oct. 29.-Thomas Bech-
tel, who was held awaiting investigation
of the murder of his sister, Mabel H.
Bechtel at their home few days age,
committed suicide this evening i'm his cell
in the central police station. The police
consider this act as practical acknowl-
edgement of Bechtel's guilt. Bechtel was
in cell No. on the right side of the
were admitted to see him this afternoon.
About o'clock he called across the eorri-
cor to Alfred Echstein, Miss Bechteps ar
famed lover, who is also held pending the
ccroner's inquest:
Hello. Al. Are you there?"
Yes answered Eckstein.
Bechtel responded:
Il wish you were here with me now
that we might die together
These were the last words heard from
Bechtel. A short time later Ecksteln
called Bechtel and got no answer, but
he thought he heard an unusual gurgIe.
House Sergeant Frank G. Roth had been
through the cells only a short time be-
fore
At quarter past five o'clock he c.
tered the corridor and called both men.
Getting no answer from Bechtel he looked
into his cell and was appalled, to see d
stream of blood running over the cell
floor. Bechtel had laid himself on the
bench in his cell and cut his throat with
a knife. He was dead when found. Tho
knife lay near him on the floor.
How he got the knife is not known.
Intense excitement prevailed at police
headquarters tonight. Dense crowds
pressed against the windows and doors
and filled the street for half block
each way.
The funeral of the murdered girl took
place this afternoon, the services being
held ct her late home. A steady 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 muir
dered girl was the aged mother, who Is a
physical wreck, and who is almost cor
stantly 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
Bechtel was told that he would not be
permitted TO take a parting farewell OF
his dead sister, he raved. His fury was
intense. The family also felt bitter.
The suicide of Thomas Bechtel has been
followed by the police officials telling the
story of the murder of Miss Bechtel as
gathered by them. 1t starts with last
Thursday when Eckstein accompanied
Miss Bechtel to Philadelphia He lett her
there and returned home. Weisenberc
net her in Philadelphia and accompanied
her to Allentown. They went to a GER
tain. place together where they remained
until midnight Thomas Bechtel heard OF
this. and being strenuously opposed to
Wcisenberg. he upbraided her in her room
upon her return home. He struck a
powerful blow on the cheek, causing her
to fall heavily against a bureau, dead.
Members of the family held council and
decided upon the story made public or
Tuesday and upon the dispoition of the
body and clothing as found. Charles Bech-
tells skaters Ratchet 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.
Information charging murder has been
lodged against the entire Bechtel family.
John and Charles Bechte and Eckstein
were committed to Jail in default of $500
bail each as witnesses. Mrs. Beehtel and
daughters were allowed to go. no bail
being required.
AT the inquest tonight several witnesses
were heard. but counsel for the Bechtels
refused to allow them to testify on at
count of the charge of murder against
them. The hearing will continue tomor-
row.