Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-10-30
SUICIDE OF MURDERER.

SUICIDE OF MURDERER.
Thomas Bechtel, who had been held
awaiting investigation of the murder of
his sister, Mabel II. Bechtel, at their
home in Allentown, Pa, a few days ago,
committed suicide yesterday evening in
his cell in the Central Police Station.
The police consider this act as practical
acknowledgment of BechtePs guilt.
Bechtel was in cell No. 2, on the right
side of the corridor. Several relatives
and friends we're admitted to see him
Yesterday afternoon. About 4 O'Clock
be called across the corridor TO Alfred
Eckstein, Miss BechtoPs affianced lover,
who is also held pending the coroner's
inquest: "Hello Al, are you thereY"
eyes" answered Eckstein. Bechtel
responded: ~ wish you were here
with me now, that we might die to-
gether."
These were the last words heard from
BechteI. 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 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 a
stream of blood running over the cell
floor.
Bechtel had laid himself on the bench
in his cell aud cut his throat with a
knife. He was dead when found. The
knife Law 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. There
is rumor to the effect that newsboy
passed the knife to him in the cell.
Bechtel was single man and 3oyears
of age. He was a laborer, doing odd
Jobs about the town and in the country.
He was a hard drinker, and when in
toxicated was easily angered and prone
to fight. He was Of powerful physique
and possessed great courage.
The funeral of the murdered girl took
place yesterday afternoon, the services
being held at her late home. AS the
girl lay in the caskct, her appearance
told its own story. Both eyes were
badly discolored as though they bad been
struck by a clenched fist. There was
big bruise on the nose and several
smaller ones on the cheeks and ear. The
worst wound, that on the forehead, was
hidden by the hair. The body was in
TERED in the family lot in which lie the
remains of Lizzie, sister of Mabel,
who committed suicide by drowning her
self Is years ago.
The suicide of Thomas Bechtel has
been followed by the police officials tell
ing the story of the murder of Miss Bech-
tel as gathered by them. 1t starts with
last Thursday, when Eckstein accom-
panied Miss Bechtel to Philadelphia.
He left her there and returned home.
Weisenberger met her in Philadelphia,
accompanied her to Allentown, leaving
Sunday at p. M. and reaching
Allentown at s. They went toa acertain
place together, where they remained un-
til midnight. Thomas Bechtel heard OF
this, and being strenuously opposed to
Weisenberger he upbraided the girlin her
room upon her return home. He struck
her powerful blow on the cheek, caus-
ing her to fall heavily against bureau,
dead. Members Of the family held a
council and decided upon the story made
public on Tuesday and upon the disposi-
ton of the body and clothing as found.
Charles Bechtel's slaters hatchet was
used in striking blow on the head of
the dead girl to give semblance of the
assault. This happened Immediately
alter midnight. The body was conceal
cd in the home until Monday night,
when it was placed in the areaway,
where it was found Tuesday morning.
Eckstein knew nothing of the murder,
the police say.
David Weisenberg was called to testify
at the Coroner's inquest last night. lie
said that he was with Mabel on Sunday
evening from to IL o'clock and then
left her at the door of her own home; did
not see her after that and made no at
tempt to do so. He sent a note to her
home by messenger at 9 o'clock Mon
day morning. The note read; "lf
you are at home | would like to see
YOU" The boy returned with the an
swer that Mabel was not at home. The
witness never spoke to Eckstein. The
latter stopped Miss Bechtel twice on the
street when witness was with her and
wanted to speak to her, but she refused
each time. Eckstein walked away with
out saying anything; witness never
promised Mabel So. Never heard Eek
stein make threats.
Information charging murder has
been lodged against the entire Bechtel
family. Eckstein was committed to
prison as witness in default of $500
bail. John and Charles Bechtel were
committed to Jail in default of $500 bal
each to appear as witnesses at the con-
tinuation of the inquest this afternoon
Before they left they were ushered ihte
the prison cell and shown the corpse o.
their brother, which was then removed
ID morgue. Mrs. Bechtel and daugh.