The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-06-23
KEPT HANDS OFF.
Why Was Frank Bechtelheimer
Shielded by Officers2
Charged With Robbery and
Shielded by Police.
FACTS COME.OUT TODAY
Nan Is Arrested and Brought
Into City Court.
Rumors of Sensational Develop
ments in Heck Case.
COMEOUT TODAY

Sensational evidence to the effect
that public officials had for months
protected someone suspected of guilt,
was produced today in the preliminary
hearing of Charles Heck. charged with
the robbery of w. r. KuykendaL' sew
en- months ago. Not until the com
planning witness was forced undeT
cross-examination to name Hecks &C
complete was a warrant issued Tor the
arrest of Frank Bechtelhelmer
Under oath Kuydendall said he feared
to tell members of the police force ne
names of the men who robbed MN.
because he knew they were pals or
highwaymen." He said he knew WIN
Hutton former patrolman, was a part
ner of Charley Heck. He said ne knew
that Ed Voiles, detective, was a close
friend of Frank Bechtelheimer's ana
that he dared not tell the officers the
names Of the guilty men for fear they
would aid in their escape.
KuykendaH said he had always
known who robbed him. The tact that
Bechtelheimer was Heck's accolnpllce
has been in the hands of the ponce
the sheriff's force and the county at
torney's Office for weeks. NOT uuLlA
Kuykendall was forced to name the
warrant issued for Bechtelheimers ar
rest. Following the hearing TINS morn
ing, none of the officials who nave add
charge Of the cases cared 20 explain
or assume the responsibility Tor Been
teIheimer's immunity.
viii Hutton, a veteran on the %
peka police force, left the force ratheF
UNEXPECTEDLY last winter. Chlef Jen-
ksns at the time declared that hutton ,
record was clean. Hutton, it is clam
ed, kept company with mrs F1 cs9-ne =
sister and was a close fr1erd OF Cnas.
Heck. Following his sudden resigIiatIo1l'
he left Topeka. He has never returned.
Robbery a Bold One.
IT was the night of November 25'
when w. r. Kuykendall, a zeal estate
agent, was choked, slugged and roDneu
in his room on the second floor or the
building at 1913 Kansas avenue II was
one Of the most daring holdupS pull
ed off in Topeka in several years Ar
ter robbery, members or the polAc9
force and newspaper reporters VlSlleu
the room and talked with kuydenoall.
There he declared that he did not know
who had robbed him. He SAD Two men lt.
had attacked him as he entered hIs
room and had take $465 in currency,
watch, SIS check and other property
to a total value OF Soll.
on the witness stand today Kuyken-
dali told why he made the statement
the night of the holdup.
.sBill Hutton and Ed VOTES were
there that night said the complalIllls
witness, land knew that Hutton was
a pal and perhaps brother-ln-law q
Heclx,s. knew that Ed Voiles was
| nal of Frank Bechtelheimer's
| didn't want to let on that knew Whe
| the highwaymen We're because hLeN
they had strong friends on the ponce
II # developed, however, that vcilez
was not in the room the night OF the
robbery. However, Kuykendal staleo
he nistook Lon Sauls, another detec-
tive for Voiles. .-,,..-.4.,o
/ Heck was arrested the day following
! the boldtlp. Kuykendall identified him.
! Heck. gave bond and shortly afterWard
| left town. A few weeks ago he was re
arrested If Omaha and returned to TO
pelxa. He has since been in jail
Hack Driver Arrested.
According to Kuykendalrs testimony,
he told Joe Ross, a deputy sheriff, on
Decoration Day that Frank Becntel-
heimer, q hack driver, was Heck's ac-
| complete. Then the news reached the
county attorneys office. But the lack
| driver was never arrested until in the
| course of the hearing today. The at
| torney secured KuykendalIs statement
that Bechtelheimer was the second
party But it was over the most bitter
objection of the county attorneys
force Before the question was an
| swered, they prevailed on Judge Bar
yer to grant a recess. When court
| again opened, Bechtelheimer vas
brought into court or a state warrant