Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-25
HE SAW GIRL KILLED
Becker Tells Strange Story
About Staffeldt Crime.
CONFESSION IN M0RGUE
Compelled to Place His Hand on Face
of the Victim.
HANDKERCHIEF PROVES STORY
Property of Mrs. Simonson, at Whose
Home Men Washed Their
Hands.
HANDKERCHIEF PROVES STORY

NEW 4ORh, May Z0,-IfemDing anu
weeping Henry Becker. who was arrested
on Thursday on suspicion of having knowl-
edge of the murder of fifteen-year-old
Amelia Staffeldt, in Elmhurst. last We'd
nesday, made many statements as he stood
in the presence Of the slain girls body yes
terday that would prove. very damaging
evidence against him If he were regarded
as entirely responsible for all that he says.
Dramatic and significant as the occur
renee was. Capt. McCafferty and most
of the detectives are reluctant to attach
very much Importance to it all. as they be-
lieve the young man is emotional, that he
has some mental peculiarities and is likely
to speak largely as a result of suggestion
from others. not comprehending always the
full weight of his utterances
/, Nevertheless what he admitted and what
was found out later prove conclusively
that he was in the vicinity of the murder on
Wednesday. and other arrests will follow.
If they have, not already been made. as a
result of what he told the police. In brief,
he said that another man, Slav, accom-
panied him from New York on Wednesday
morning to ElmhuEst and that it was the
Slav who struck down the girl. Two street
car transfers bearing consecutive numbers
found in his pocket strengthened this state
ment.
He also told in more detail about going
to Mrs. Simonson's house to wash his
hands, and said he was there Joined by the
Slav after the latter had completed his
murderous work. A pocket handkerchief
found in Becker's pocket when he was ar
rested practically proved this part Of his
story to be true.
Mrs. Simonson's Property.
This handkerchief was observed by the
detectives at the time, but no importance
was attached to it. 1t was rather small
for man to carry, and 1t was noticed that
in one corner was the initial 80" Yester-
day Mrs. Simonson. at whose pump the
two men washed their hands after the
murder. reported to the detectives that
handkerchief had been taken from her
clothes line that day and that 1t was
marked with the initial So" Last night
Detective Calvin went to Long Island City
and got the handkerchief out of Becker's
pocket. and it was found to be Identical
with those in possession of Mrs. Simonson.
She identified 1t positively.
There was also found lin Becker's pocket
Chinese laundry ticket, and when that
ticket was presented at the Elmhurst
laundry yesterday 1t called for white and
black striped shirt, but the garment had
been washeds and the laundryman could
not tell what day It was left at his place
or what the customer looked like. There
Is a stain on the left shoulder Of the shirt
in about the spot described BY Mrs. simon
son as seen by her on the shirt Of one of
the men who washed at her pump. but
Capt. McCanerty said last night he was
inclined to believe the mark was caused by
rust from suspender buckle.
Without any knowledge as to where he
was going Becker was taken from the
Long Island City jail yesterday afternoon
tn Poy1 ayYtu ~, ind oI6
where the dead girl still lies. The morgue
is a dismal room over stable. and not
until the young prisoner stood by the side
of the coffin lid did he have the slightest
taking him.
Sees the Dead Girl
Without warning, Detective Graham
quickly drew back the cloth that covered
the face and, almost shouting to Becker,
said, Henry, look at that FACET The
young man peered downward for an in
white. his hands and legs shook and he
dropped on his knees. muttering incoherent-
ly and crossing himself
ooh! OH" he moaned and then muttered
several sentences that no one could under
stand.
stand up and look at that face and tell
me if you ever saw her BEFORE" COM
manded the detective.
Yes, no; oh, l don't know" mumbled
the prisoner. 'Oh would to God that you
were alive today. poor girl
Stroke her forehead" commanded one
of the detectives.
For an instant Becker drew back and
then he tenderly patted the dead girls
cheek. mutterng to himself.
Did you do it," again asked the detec-
tive, graSping Becker by the arm.
NO no." he said. Il did not. do it, but I
saw her; yes, 1 saw her."
Where did you see herr" asked Graham
In the house, in the field" he said. II
saw her. but l. did not do it,
When you saw her what did she have?"
he was asked.
"A knife; she was in the field.
For the next half hour in the little
morgue the detectives continued to ply
him with questions. Being led part of the
time by their questions. he said he had
come to Elmhurst on Wednesday morning
sleeping in the fields near where the girl
was murdered. When he awakened he
saw the Slav flirting" with girl little
way off, and then he saw him grapple her
When he saw this he ran away across the
fields toward the Jackson avenue street
railway tracks. and just before he reached
Mrs. Simonson's house the Slav caught up
with him.
His Stories Conflict.
He then described how they went in and
washed their hands at the pump drying
them with newspapers, just as Mrs
Simonson had related, and that his COM
panion had asked the woman what time
1t was and she had slammed the door in
their faces.
Then. he said, they lay in the swamp
for little while, and he went to New
York on street car. He told conflicting