Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-10-30
A CONFESSION
In the Shape Of Suicide Of
Thomas BechteI.
Was Held at Allentown, Pa, on CHARGE
Of Numbering Sister.
Horrible Story of Murder and MutiIa-
ton Of Girls Body.

Allentown, Pa, Oct. 29.-Thomas
Bechtel, who was held awaiting inves-
tigation of the murder of his sister:
Mabel Bechtel. at their home a few
days ago, committed suicide, this
mornig, in his cell in the central police
station. The police consider this act as
practical acknowledgement of Bechss
tells guilt. Bechtel was in cell No. 9.
on the right side of the corridor Sew
eral relatives and friends We're admitted
to see him. this afternoon. About /
O'Clock, he called across the corridor to
Alfred Eckstein, Miss BechteFs lover,
who is also held pending the coroner's
inquest:
Hello AL, are you there?"
yes" answered Eckstein.
Bechtel responded: 81 wish you were
here with me now that we might die,
together" 20 s. =
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 CUR
gle. ',e'
House Surgeon Sergeant Frank G.
Roth had been through the cells only
n short time before At 5.15, he entered
the corridor and called both men.
Getting no answer from Bechtei he
locked into his cell and was appalled,
to see a. 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 not
known. He was carefully searched
when placed in the cell and no weapon
was found.
Bechtel was single man, and 80
years old. He was 1aborer, doing
odd jobs about the town and the cotin-
try. He was hard driilker and when
intoxicated was easily angered ana
prone to fight. He was Of powerful
physique and possessed great courage.
At various times he was sub and an
extra policeman.
The funeral of the murdered girl took
place, this afternoon, the services being
held from 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 att
torney. When he was told that he
would not be permitted to leave his.
cell to take a parting farewell of his
dead sister he raved. His fury was
intense. The family also felt bitter. 9e
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 ac-
companied Miss Bechtel to Philadel-
phia. He left her there and returned
home. Weisenberg met her In Phila-
delphia and accompanied here to Allen
town. leaving there at p. M. Sunday,
and reaching here four hours later.
They went to certain place together
where they remained until midnight.
Thomas Bechtel heard of this and be-
ing strenuously opposed to Weisenberg
he upbraided his sister in her room
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