The Savannah morning news., 1904-01-17
WOULD COST SIS TO PUT
TWO OUT OF THE WAY.
More Evidence Presented in the
BechteI Murder Case.

BechteI Murder Case.
Allentown, Pa, Jan. 16.-Thirty-four
witnesses have thus far been called in
the Bechtel murder case, and the pros
ecution has not yet closed its case.
There was little of interest in to-
days proceedings aside from the APP
pearance of Alois Eckstein, Mabel
Bechtel's accepted sutton. on the wit
ness stand.
The district attorney to-day agreed
to withdraw the indictment hanging
over Weisenberg, provided the latter
would go on the witness stand as a
commonwealth witness. To this Wei
senberg consented, but his testimony
was unim2ortant.
Mrs. Brobst, Mabels sister, who was
to-day recalled to the stand. testified
that Weisenberg had said for IS he
could have both Eckstein and Mabel
put out of the way.
Jennie Conrad. a young woman en-
ployed at the st. Charles Hotel, this
city, testified that Mabel Bechtei and
Weisenberg visited her at the hotel.
Counsel for the defense asked the
witness a question concerning the
character of the hotel. The district
attorney objected and defendants coun-
sci said:
Il believe we can show the reputa-
ton of a house as we'll as that of a
person. We wish to do this because
it is part of the defenses theory that
Mabel received her injuries in house
of that character. We further wish to
show the nature of the places Mabel
visited at night"
The objection was sustained and the
witness was excused.
Mabel Strink who was a friend of
Mabel Bechtel, testified that on one
occasion she heard Miss Bechtel and
Eckstein quarreling on the street.
Eckstein accused the young woman of
drinking and associating with other
men.
when Eckstein and Mabel quar-
relied, did you hear the exact accu-
sation Eckstein made?"
Yes, Ecksten said that he saw Ma
bel taken into the City Hall while she
was drunk
David Weisenberg told of his being
with Mabel on Sunday evening. He
| said he sent a note to her on Monday
morning by messenger. The boy re
turned, stating that Mrs. Bechtel said
Mabel had gone driving.
| Alois Eckstein, the sutton of Mabel
| Bechtel, said he had the free run of
| the Bechtel home. He was there on
! Sunday and left at o'clock in the
! evening with Mabel. She said she was
! going to meet Weisenberg.
Eckstein said he pleaded with her
not to do so, and reminded her of
their engagement. She promised him
a definite answer the following night
When Eckstein got there Monday ev-
ening Mrs. Bechtel seemed cold and
reserved, and Tom watched him over
! his paper. Eckstein said:
II saw Mabel on the trolley car
Mrs. Bechtel answered: mo, you
didn't"
He said Mrs. Bechtel quoted Weisen-
berg as saying that S. would cause
Eckstein and Mabel to be buried.
Eckstein told of a conversation he
had with Tom during their incarcera-
ton in the police station. just prior to
| the latter's suicide. Eckstein wanted
| to 90 to MabeTs funeral. Tom said:
II don't want to go. 1 can't face 1t.
Later Tom asked him: Wouldn't
! you like to die with me? How nice
| it would be if we could die together"
Police Sergeant Roth testified that at
| the coroner's inquest, he gave his opin-
| ion to Mrs. Bechtel that Tom had
struck Mabel, doing so harder than he
intended, and causing her death. Mrs.
Bechtel replied: mo; poor Tommy
| did not do it,