The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-10-31
BROTHERS HEAR
 OF THE SUICIDE
Charles and John Bechtel Told
 of Thomas Death
INQUEST IS CONTINUED
Mrs. Bechte Was Told of the Death of Her Son for the First Time By Chief Eastman, and Com
 pIetely Collapsed.

Allentown, Pa, October 30-Charles and John Bechtel, who were taken into cus- 1 tody after the coroners inquest into the death of Mabel Bechtel, their sister, were not informed of the suicide of their brother Thomas until today. They occu- pied the same cell last night. Neither ap- | peared to be concerned about his position. In answer to questions today, the men said they were not aware that they were 1 suspected of a guilty knowledge of their 1 sisters murder.
 They denied emphatically that the girl was killed in her own home on Sunday night and declared she was not at home that night. When informed that Tom Bechtel had committed suicide, Charles said:
 q guess he was troubled too much; he worried because he could not go to the funeral"
 Blood Spots Found.
 While the Bechtel family were attending the funeral of the murdered girl yester- day, Chief of Police Eastman made thorough search of the house. Blood spots were discovered on the stairway leading to the cellar and five boards were re- moved and taken to police headquar- ters.
 Eckstein was admitted to bail today. He
  this afternoon.
 The coroner's inquest which was ad- journed late last night was resumed at 2 D. m., when the coroner called Fire Chief Cohn and Policeman D. c. Jacoby and William Hickey, who testified to finding blood spots on the carpets and wall. They described the location of the hall and rooms, and stated that the fam fly did not hesitate but willingly showed bn place.
 After the finding of the body of Miss Bechtel and the procuring of the diff ferent blood-stained articles in the Bechtel home. Thomas Bechtel accom- panied Eastman on his first tour of the premises. Witness told of visit to Thomas room. There were also spots on the carpet, what he believed to be blood stains but which Thomas said were to- bacco stains. Thomas, he said, hoped the guilty one would be found The chief told of the arrest of Thomas Bechtel and the chief said to Thomas: "Tll have to arrest Eckstein." Thomas flushed and hurriedly exclaimed: Don't do that; he is innocent"
 Members of Family Questioned.
 The attorney for the Bechtel's had the chief to relate what Miss Bechtel told him last Tuesday morning. This was the story of the barking dogs, the team in the alley and men carrying something through the Miller yard. He saw fresh carriage and horseshoe tracks in the alley. Mrs. Bechtel. Miss Bechtel. Mrs. Probst, married daughter, John and Charles Bechtel and Charles Eckstein were sepa- rately called before the jury. Each re- fused to answer any questions whatsoev- CT, stating that they might say something that would tend to incriminate them selves. It was while Mrs Bechtel was in the ante-room that she learned that Thomas was dead. Her attorney, MT. Schaadt, asked Chief Eastman: Where Is Thomas now?"
 The chief hesitated and said:
 'I guess at the morgue He committed suicide in his cell yesterday
 With this Mrs Bechtel broke down completely weeping violently She was led from the room in state of collapse.
 Jury Renders Verdict.
 With the examination of few other witnesses the inquest was closed and the jury after brief deliberation, returned verdict as follows:
 we believe that Mabel Bechtel came to her death at 627 Cedar street (her home) between Sunday evening, October 25 and Tuesday morning, October 27, and that death was due to a fractured skull from blow inflicted by some person in the house unknown to the jury. We believe that the inmates of the house, Mrs. Cath crime Bechtel, Myrtha Bechtel John Bcchtel, Charles Bechte and Alois Eek stein were accessories after the crime Warrants were served upon Mrs. Bechtel and the members of her family and Eek stein this evening. They were taken be- fore Mayor Lewis who accepted bail for Mrs. Bechtel in 5000, Myrtha Bechtel in $400 and Eckstein in $500.
 John and Charles Bechtel were commit ted to jail. Application for writ of habeas corpus vii be made tomorrow.