The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-01-17
ECKSTEIN ON THE STAND.
testimony That Goes to Stain the
Character of the Dead Girl.
(By the Associated Press

Allentown. Pa, Jan. 16.-Fhirty -four
witnesses have thus far been called in
the Bechtel murder case and the prosecu
ton has not yet closed its case There
was little or interest in today's proceed
ings aside from the appearance of Alois
Eckstein, Mabel Beehtels accepted sutton,
on the witness stand.
The District Attorney today agreed to
withdraw the indictment hanging over
Wesenberg, provided the latter would
so on the stand as a commonwealth wit
ness. To this Wesenberg consented but
his testimony was unimportant.
Mrs. Probst, MabeTs sister, who was
today recalled to the stand, testified that
Weisenberg- had said that for five dollars
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 Bechtel and
Weisenberg visited her at the hotel.
Counsel for the defense asked the wiz.
ness question concerning the characte:
of the hotel. The district attorney Oh
jected and defendants counsel said:
II believe We can show the reputation
OF a house as well as that OF a person
We wish to do this because it IS part Of
the defense's theory that Mabel received
her injuries IN a house OF that character.
We further wish to show the nature d.
the places Mabel visited at night
The objection was sustained and the
witness was excused.
Mabel Strank, who was a friend IF
Mabel Beehtel, testified that OH one occa-
sion she heard Miss Bechtel and Eckstein
quarrelling on the street. Eckstein ac-
cused the young woman of rinking AID
associating with other men.
when Eckstein and Mabel quarrelled
did you hear the exact accusation EcK-
stein made?'
Yes; Eckstein said that he saw Mabn,
taken into the City Hall while she was
drunk"
David Weisenberg told of his being WITH
Mabel on Sunday evening. He said NJ
sent a note to her on Monday morning
by messenger. Tire boy returned stat
ing that Mrs. Beehtel said Mabel mad
gene driving.
Alois Eckstein, the sutton Of Mabel
EcksteIn. said he had the free run of the
Bechtel home. He was there on Sunday
and left at p. m. with Mabel. She said
she was going TO meet Wesenherg. Eek
stein said he pleaded with her not to Go
so, and reminded her of their engage
mcnt. When Eckstein got there Monday
evening, Mrs. Bechtel seemed cold and
reserved, and Tom watched him furtively
over his paper. Eckstein said
Il saw Mabel on the trolley car" Mrs
Bechtel answered: mo you didn't" He
said Mrs. Bechtel quoted Weinsenbere as
saving that SIS would cause Eckstein and
Mabel TO be buried.
Eckstein told OF a conversation he hal
with Tom during their incarceration in
the police station Just prior to the latter's
suicide. Eckstein wanted 20 60 to Mabel's
funeral. Tom said: II don't want 10 20.
can't face It,"
Later Tom asked him: wouldn't yov
like TO die with me- How nice il would
be il we could die together"
Police Sergeant Frank G. Roth testified
tfat at the coroners inquest he gave
his opinion to Mrs BechteI that Ten had
struck Mabel doing 50 harder than he in
tended and causing her death. Mrs Bech :
tel replied: no, poor Tommy did net
dc il