The Washington times., 1904-01-17
.ECKSTEIN GOES
UPON THE STAND
Testimony Of Star Witness
in Bechtel Trial.
TELLS STORY OF HIS ARREST
Facts Surrounding Tragedy Brought
Out as the Investigation Progresses.
Interest Is Intense.

ALLENTOWN, Pa. Jan. 16.-Alois
Eckstein. the fiance of Mabel Bechtel.
this afternoon told for the first time his
story of the tragedy. He was on the
stand an hour and recited in a dramat tic
manner his love for the girl and of many
incidents surrounding the tragedy
Pending his cross-cxamination court adj
.jeurned until Monday morning.
EcKstein said ne knew Mabel for four
years. and they were engaged 10 be mar
ried on November 26.
He said he called at the house on Sun
day. October %. and had accompanied
Mabel up town, where she said she
would meet Weisenberger for the last
time
Witness said he tried to dissuade Ma
bel from keeping her enga cement with
Weisenberger and pleaded with her to
go back home. They had been talking
about the marriage and Mabel said that
Eckstein should call the following even
ing and that she would give him a def
mite answer.
A Cool Reception.
EclSstein did call. he said. but was
given a very cool reception. Mrs.
Bechtel told him that Mabel had gone
ing. The whole family seemed TO watch
Eckstein as a cat would a mouse. he
said. and finally when he could bear II
no longer ne left Eckstein said the
treatment he had received that evening
was so different from the other recep-
lions he had been accustomed 10 receiv-
ing that he could not help notice ii.
Eckstein told in a very dramatic man
ner the story of hir arrest and that Of
Tom, and Of the latter's remorse. which
had its climax in his suicide by cutting
his throat with a big knife that he had
concealed about his person before being
locked W.
On the day of Mabel's Suneral Tom
said that he did not want to go, as he
''oI0 not have the courage to face it
David II. Weisenberger, one of the
sweethearts of Mabel preceded Eckstein
on the stand and remained there about
an hour. He told of his meeting Mabel
at the home of Mrs. Davis. in Philadel-
phia, on the Saturday night before the
murder. At the end OF his visit they
returned to Allentown, where he testi-
fed he left Mabel at the station and
went to his home at South Bethlehem.
With Girl Sunday Night.
He then told of meeting Mabel by ap-
pointment on Sunday night, but refused
20 answer as to which way they went
or whether they went TO the Eighth
Ward Hotel. Ills counsel explained that
he declined to answer because of an in
dictment involving relations with the
dead girl. The district attorney then an
ncunced that the Commonwealth would
withdraw this charge against Weisen-
berger. and pay the costs If he would
testify. He then said that he had gone
70 the hotel with Mabel because the
night was cold. but had taken her home
shortly before II o'clock. where ne left
her at the door. He told of hearing Of
her murder while on a trip through New
Jersey and stuck to his original testi-
mony. despite a severe cross-examina-
! ton.
Dr.. John Lear, the first of the States
experts. was on the stand today. but
was not asked to give any opinions as
to the alleged bioodstains on the ex-
hibits. This question will come up Mon
day or Tuesday, and IT is probable that
the Commonwealth will then rest. Most
OF the evidence. besides that Of Eek
stein and Weisenberger, bore upon the
/ conduct of the family after the finding
of the body, the stories of Mrs. Bechtel.
and the condition of the various rooms
1 in the house.
| 1t is probable that the trial will con-
tinue the greater part Of next week.