Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-01-16
THE EECHTEL TRIAL.
Many Witnesses but Little to Show
Who Killed Mabel.

Allentown, Pa, Jan. 15.-In the trial
today, of Mrs. Catherine Bechtel, as
an accessory after the fact to the MUIR
der OF her daughter. Mabel, counsel
for the defense continued the cross
examination of Mrs. Margaret Miller,
who was on the witness stand when
court adjourned, yesterday. Mrs. Mil
Ter testified that she observed three
blood spots on the sidewalk directly
in front of the Bechtel home The
first drop, said Mrs. Miller, was about
three feet from the entrance TO where
Mabel's body was found. The second
was two feet nearer the curb and the
third was about the same distance
from the second.
Changing the subject of examination,
Attorney Schaadt asked Mrs. Miller if
she noticed any carriage tracks in the
rear of the Bechtel house after Mabel's
body was found. Mrs. Miller said she
saw carriage tracks and hoOf marks
adding they looked as though the
horse did not stand STILL
Mrs. Miller. you said, yesterday"
continued Mr.. Schaadt, that Tom did
not talk 70 Mabel. Is it a fact that
Tom hardly spoke to any member of
the family
yes. SIR replied the witness.
what did Mrs. Bechtel say about
Tnm?'
.''She often said, I've got deaf and
dumb boy"
How was Mrs. Bechtel toward
Mabel?"
she was too good to her. Mabel
ar,
pleased"
Did Mabel ever quarrel with her
mother?"
"Oh. yes, sir; she used to swear at
her something dreadful"
Questioned by the district attorney.
Mrs. Miller said she found n pair of
overalls in her yard on the day follow
ing the murder but she could not say
they We're Thomas Bechtel's. The wit
ness testified that Mrs. Bechtel and
Mabel frequently quarrelled about
Weisenbers, the mother objecting to
her daughter associating with him.
Mrs. Lizzie Wieand, who lives in the |
house adjoining the Bechtel home. testi- |
fled that she heard nothing unusual on |
the night Mabel was murdered. Walter |
IiartZeil brother of Mrs. Wieand said |
|
lng Of M2bels body he was home enter !
tanning friends. Shortly before midnight |
they We're disturbed by the loud barking |
of the dogs in the yard of the i3cchtel |
house 1t was midnight when his friends
left the house.
lid you go right to bed after that"
the witness was asked.
Not right away" replied Hartzell.
'Did you hear anything?"
Il heard the door in the Bechtel house
open and shut"
Edward Karffmann, who was playing
cards at the Wieand home, corroDorated
Miss Wieand and Hartzell.
Mrs. VIM Burger and Miss Susan Sny-
der. nciShbOrs of the BechtelS, told of the |
conduct of Mrs. Bechtel on the Monday |
The testimony confirmed the story told
by Mrs. Miller.
Coroner Scheirer testified that rigor
morris setting in when he took
charge OF Mabel Bechtel's body. He said
the wound had evidently been inflicted
by a concave instrument. The witness
said he found a pint of blood under the
wounds on the forehead. The wounds
looked as thought they had been washed |
DR. w. W. ESbach corroborated Coroner ;
evidence as to Mabel's clothing.
etc. I,
Police Chief Eastman recited his con-
nection with the case and told of finding .
articles in the Bechtel house
affair.
Eugene IIartsell, neighbour said that
at , A. NJ. ne saw a light in the Bechtels | ,
kitchen. the rear door being open. He
heard the voices of man and woman; | c
also heard water flowing into the cess ::
pool. Two hours later the door was =,
closed and no water was flowing.
Several other witnesses testified, but ,
their testimony threw little light upon
the mystery of the girls death.