The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1903-11-05
MURDERER A SUICIDE
Slayer of His Sister Cuts His Own
Throat in the Jail.

Allentown, Pa, SDecial.-Thomas
Bechtel. who was held awaiting inves-
tigation CT the murder of his sister,
Mabel H. Rechtel, at their home few
days ago, committed suicide Thursday
evening in his cell at the central police
station. The police consider this act
as a practical acknowledgement OF
Bachtel's guilt. Bechtel was in cell
No. 2, on tine right side Of the corridor.
Several relatives and friends were ad-
mitted to him during the afternoon.
About 4 o'clock he called across the
corridor to Alfred Ecstein, Miss Bech-
tells affianced lover, who is also held
pending the coroner's inquest: Hello.
AL, are you there "
"Yes", answered Eckstein.
Rechtel 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 Eek
stein called Rechtel and got no answer,
but he thought he heard an unusual
gurgle. House Sergeant Frank G.
Roth had been through the cells only
q short time before.
a quarter, past o'clock he entered
the corridor and called both men. Get
ting 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 knife. He was dead when found.
The knife lay near him on the floor.
How he got the knife is not known.
Intense excitement prevailed at police
headquarters. Dense crowds pressed
against the windows and doors and
filed the street for half block each
way. The funeral OF the murdered girl
took place Thursday afternoon, the
services being held at her late home. A
steady stream OF people entered the
house and fled past the casket contain
ing the body until the services began
at o'clock.
The suicide Of Thomas Bechtel has
been followed by the police officials
telling the story Of the murder Of Miss
Rechtel as gathered by them. 1t starts
with last Thursday, when Eckstein ac-
corspanied Miss Bechtel to Philadel-
phia. He left her there and returned
home. Weisenberg met her in Phila-
delphia and accompanied her to Allen
town. They went to certain place to-
gether, where they remained until mid
night. Thomas Bechtel heard Of this.
and being strenuously opposed to
Weisenberg. he upbraided her in her
room upon her return home. He
struck her 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 on Tuesday
and upon the disposition Of the body
and clothing as found. Charles Bech-
tells sisters hatchet was used in strik-
ing the blow on the head Of the dead
girl to give semblance Of the assault.
Eckstein knew nothing Of the muir
der, the police say.
Information, charging murder, has
been lodged against the entire Bech-
tel family. John and Charles Bechtel
and Eckstein were committed to Jail
in default of $500 bail each as wit
nesses. Mrs. Bechtel and daughters
were allowed to go. no bail being re-
quired. At the inquest several wit
nesses were heard, but counsel for the
Bechtels refused to allow them to testi-
fly on account of the charge Of murder
against them.