The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1904-01-26
DRAMATIC
SCENE AT THE BECHTEl
MURDER TRIAL.
AGED MOTHER ON STAND
Protests Innocence Of the
Entire Family.

Allentown. Pa, Jan. 21.--The recital
of the pathetic story of the tragic
death of Mabel Bechtel from the lips
of her aged mother, Catherine Bech-
tel on trial as an accessory to the
murder, occupied the entire afternoon
session of the court today. Not once
or twice, but thrice Mrs. Bechtel pro-
tested the Innocence of herself and the
members of her family, and in a dra-
matte climax, she called upon high hea-
ven to be a witness to her innocence.
Mrs. Bechtel was upon the witness
stand for four hours and half, all
but one hour of which was occupied in
the rehearsal of the story of the find
ing of Mabels body on Tuesday, Octo-
Der 9th, and of the events of the four
days that preceded the discovery of
the tragedy, ..
District Attorney Lichtenwalter add
ed to the sensational features Of the
day by insisting upon conducting the
case. although not in fit condition to
do So He was in the law library be-
fore the. opening of court and was
warned by Judge Trexler that If he
appeared in court, he would be held
in contempt. Lichtenwalter finally
needed the warning and was taken
home by his friends.
Mrs. Bechtel was called to the stand
as soon as court was called to order
She retained her composure until
Toms stained bedding was flashed be-
fore her eyes. Then she broke down
and wept These scenes were repeated
several times during the afternoon par
ticularly when reference was made to
Toms death.
Attorney Schaadt began the story
with the visit of Mabel to Philadel-
phia on the Friday preceding her death,
her return late on Saturday night, the
call of Eckstein on Sunday ;Mabel's
departure from home to meet Weisen-
berger and her return at 1880 o'clock
that night, after all the others were in
bed. Then she was asked:
1T is charged that on this night
Sunday Tom struck Mabel and
killed her. Now you are an old woman
and must expect to meet your God
ooou duo"tl W ullll, ltll uS,
is it true?"
~ swear to God that such thing
did not happen in our family" was
the dramatic answer.
Mrs. Bechtel said she was not in her
kitchen between o. As and 3:15 Monday
morning as alleged by Eugene Hartzell,
a neighbor, and that she neither
changed the carpets in the bedroom,
nor concealed the hatrhet with which
the state alleges Mabel was killed.
The hatchet was broken three months
before, she said. Mrs. Bechtel reiter-
ated that Mabel told her Monday morn
ing that she was going driving with
that day and that she did
not return that night. The woman re-
peated with firmness and clearness that
she had been awakened by the dogs
and had seen cab stop in the back
alley at 1890 Tuesday morning and
that two men carried a bundle into
Miller's yard. The next morning while
to begin the days washing,
she walked against Mabel's body in the
alley, This phase of the case was gone
over in detail and Mrs. Bechtel was
asked: .. .s
"You say that Tom and all your fam
lily is innocent?"
"Yes. as innocent as you or God in
heaven himself"
do you know how Mabel came to
her death?"
mo; if did / would tell it. whether |
1t was the youngest or oldest of my
children. wouldn't save one or wish |
to be saved myself. | have prayed and
prayed that before die people may
know that T is blameless and
that am ~ s-s-t.
Mrs. Beehtel gave her story in de-
tall and as climax she was asked:
Did you or your son Tom or any
member of your family. on that Sun
day or Monday night interfere with,
or in any way injure your daughter
Mabel?" .s4a
With tears streaming down her face,
she declared again, "As God is my
Judge and witness, we are all inno-
cent"
Mrs. Bechtel's cross examination will
be completed tomorrow morning, then
the other members of the family will
be put on the stand