The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-10-30
THOMAS
BECHTEL
A SUICIDE
Brother Of Murdered Allentown
Girl Cut His Throat In Cell
Last Night.

Allentown. Pa, Oct. so-Thomas Bech.
tel who was held awaiting investigation
OF the murder Of his sister. Mabel Bech.
tel, at their home few days ago com
mitted suicide last night I'm his cell in
the Central Police station. The police
consider the act az a practical ac-
know edgemert Of Bechters guilt Bech-
te1. was IN cell No. 2ion the right side
friends were admitted to see him yes
terdaye afternoon.
About 4 o'clock he called across the
corridor 10 Alfred Eckstein. Miss Bech-
tells lover, who is also held pending the
coroners inquest: Hello Al. are you
there7"
YES" answered Dckstein.
.Bechtel responded; Il wish you we're
here with me now. that we rnight die to-
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 Sergt. Frank q. Roth had been
through the cells only n short time be-
fore. AT quarter past o'clock he
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 Moor Bechtel had laid himself on
the bench IN his cell and cut his throat
with knife. He was dead when found.
The knife lay near him on the flour.
HIS FURY WAS INTENSE
How he got the knife is not known
lie was carefully searched when placed
IN the cell and no weapon was found.
Bechtel was single man and 30 years
oid he was a laborer, doing odd jobs
was hard drinker and when intoxicated
was easily angered and prone to tight.
lie was of powerful physique and possess
ed great courage. At various times he
was substitute and an extra policeman.
The manner In which Bcchtel secured
the knife with which he ended his life
Is mystery to the police.
The funeral of the murdred girl took
place yesterday afternoon, the services
being held at her late home A steady
stream OF people entered the house and
nlcd past the casket containing the body
until the services began at o'clock.
Gathered about the bier OF the muir
dered girl were the aged mother. VINO
is physical wreck and who is almost
In Mysteries. the three daugh-
fers and three of the four sons. The alb
sent one was Thomas. lie had been re-
fused permission to attend the funeral
on the advice OF the district attorney.
When he was told that he would not he
permitted 10 leave his cell To take n part
ng farewell Of HIS dead sister. he raved.
His fury was intense. The family also
elt bitter
The suicide OF Thomas Bechtei has been
ollowed by the police officials telling the
tory OF the murder OF Miss Bechtei as
by them. IL starts with last
Thursday. when Eckstein accompanied
Hiss Bechtel 10 Philadefnhia
FELL AGAINST THE BUREAU.
lie left her there and returned home.
veisenberg met her In Philadelphia and
ccompanied her 10 Allentown, leaving !
here Sunday at 4 p. IN. and reaching /
here four hours later. They went 10 a l
ertain place together, where they re- 1
,ained until midnight Thomas Bechtel
card OF this, and being bitterly on
osed 20 Wesenberg. he upbraided his
lster in her room upon her return home.
te struck her n powerful blow on the
heck, causing her TO fall heavily against
bureau. dead. Members of the family
ED p council and decided upon the
tory made public on Tuesday. and .-oon
ne disposition OF the body and clothlnc
= found. Charles BetchePs slater's
atchet was used In striking a blow on
ne head OF the dead girl 10 give senh-
ance OF the assault.
rms happened Immediately after mia.
'isht. The body was concealed IN ~.
'vne until Monday night. when A was
IN the area way. where A was
y.ne tuesday morning. Eckstein knev
'o,hns or the murder the notice cav
'"m"r 70 the effect that a n~~sh,v