The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1903-10-30
BECHTEL SUICIDES In CELL
MAN WHo WAS HELD FOR MUIR
DER OF HIS SISTER.
Allentown, Pa. Police Consider the
Act a Practical Acknowledgement of
His GuiIt-ReiatIves Had Been Admit
ted TO ses Him During the Anernoon
--La.s Words 10 Eckstein. ~

Allentown, Pa, Oct. 29.-Thomas
BechteI, who was held awaiting inves-
tigation of the murder of his sister,
Mabel Bechtel, at their home a few
days ago, committed suicide this even
| ing in his cell in the central police sta
ton. The police consider this act as a
practical acknowledgment of Bechtel's
guilt. Bechtel was in cell No. 2, on the
right side Of the corridor. Several rel
atives and friends were admitted to see
him this afternoon.
About 4 o'clock he called across the
corridor to Alfred Eckstein, Miss Bech-
tePs lover, who is also held pending the
coroner's inquest: Hello, Al, are you
there?''
''Yes,'' answered Eckstein.
Bechtel responded: II wish you were
here with me now, that we might die
together
These were the last words heard from
Bechtel. A short time later Eckstein
called Bechtel and got no answer, but
he thought he heard an unusual gurgle.
House Sergeant Frank G. Roth had
been through the cells only short time
before.
At Sis he entered the corridor and
called both men. Getting no answer
from Bechtel he looked into his cell and
was appalled, to see 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. The knife lay near
him on the. floor.
How he got the knife is now not
known. He was carefully searched
when placed in the cell and no weapon
was found. There is rumor to the eff
feet that neWsboy passed the knife
to him in the cell.
Bechtel was a single man and thirty
years OF age. He was a laborer doing
odd Jobs about the town and the coun-
try. He was a hard drinker and when
intoxicated was easily angered and
prone to fight. He was Of powerful
physique and possessed great courage.
At various times he was a. substitute
and an extra policeman
The manner in which Bechtel secured
the knife with which he ended his life
is mystery to the police.
The funeral of the murdered girl
took place this afternoon, the services
being held at her late home. A steady
stream Of people entered the house and
filed past the casket containing the
body until the services began at 2
o'clock
Gathered about the bier of the MUIR
dered girl was the aged mother, who
is a physical wreck, and who is 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 he was told that he
would not be permitted to leave his cell
to take 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 tell
ing the story of the murder Of Miss
Bechtel ais gathered by them. 1t starts
with last Thursday when Eckstein, ac-
companied Miss Bechtel to Philadelphia.
He left her there and returned home.
Weisenberg met her in Philadelphia and
ACCOMPANIED her to Allentown, leaving
there Sunday at .. M. and reaching
here four hours later. They were at
a certain place together. where they re-
mained until midnight. Thomas Bech-
tel heard of this, and being strenuously
opposed to Weisenberg, he upbraided
his sister in her room upon her return
home. He struck her a powerful blow
on the cheek, causing her to fall heavi-
ly against bureau, dead. Members of
the samily held a council and decided
upon the story made public on Tues
day and upon the disposition of the
body and clothing as found. Charles
BechtePs slater's hatchet was used in
striking blow on the head of the dead
girl to give semblance Of the assault.
This happened Immediately after mid
night. The body was concealed in the
home until Monday night when it was
placed in the areaWay where 1t was
found Tuesday morning. Eckstein
knew nothing Of the murder, the police
say. s.$s
A runlor to the effect that newsboy
passed knife to Bechtel is emphatical-
1y denied by the police.