The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1914-12-21
MRS. BOMHOLT
BEATED TO DEATH
FOR FIFTEEN DOLLARS


er's son by Miss Bomholt II is SAID
that Miss Bomholt had of7ene gwen
Mrs. Becker small sums OF money
and that her purchase OF Mrs. Beck
er's home baked bread was In the ma
ture OF charity TO the woman.
Mrs. Becker never Quailed when
confronted with the money she said
IL had been there for TWO weeks that
II was stained by the dye from Grim
son waist that she had worn. Later
she said. she had cut her hand, ana
got the money bloody.
But after the long grill by the de
tectives when her nerve was giving
way, the paltry sum that caused her
10 kill her benefactor was insistently
exhibited 10 her. Then she confessed.
She declared that the large piece
OF coal. found in the shed. was her
weapon. She had quietly entered the
shed as Miss Bomholt bent over the
coal scuttle. unnoticed by the aged
spinter. Sh estole up and dealt Miss
Bomholt terrible blow with the
piece of coal.
Miss Bomholt turned. she said, and
moaned oh why have you struck
me?" Two more crushing blows were
the only answer. The mortally wound
cd woman staggered TO her feet.
Blindly she made her way 10 the
house, and to her bedroom followed
by her assallant In the bedroom,
Mrs. Becker brought the piece OF coal
down upon Miss Bomholt's head again
and again, even as Miss Bomholt
prayed. with her dying breath, for
forgiveness for her slayer.
Miss Bomholt was moaning and sob
bling and begging for mercy as the
blows rained on her head. Finally
the means ceased.
Mrs. Becker went to the drawer OF
the kitchen table, where Miss Bonn
holt always obtained the money TO
pay her. She said the drawer was
partly open, and she saw the money
the last time she had called. II was
greed for the SIS that caused the
crime, she admitted.
A gray skirt, heavy corduroy coat
and fascinator that Mrs. Becker wore
were found at her home. They were
blood-soaked, the police declare.
William Felski, 30-year-old son OF
Mrs. Becker by former marriage, and
Wilhelm Langes, who roomed at the
house, were arrested and held for In
vestigation, but the police say they
are reasonably sure that the men had
no knowledge OF the crime
When told. early Monday morning.
OF Mrs. Becker's confession, FIR Bonn
holt remarked, 1T is the vengeance
of Go that | spoke OF iu my funeral
sermon. Ii has come more quickly
than even | expected, but | knew that
il would come"
Police declare that Mrs. Becker has
been under surveillance for several
days. She attended the funeral of Miss
Bomholt, in the church, though she
stayed away from The Charles Bon
holt home while the body was there
Detectives Smith, Martin, Lannan
and Shook were assigned 10 keep an
eye on the woman. the police say, and
were watching her at the church ser
vices. They declared that she exhib-
tied no emotion. but IL was noticed
that she did not look at the corpse.
as the audience filed past the casket.
The officers named, with Detectives
Reid and Dibble, who have been In
charge OF the case, made the arrest.
evening Mrs. Becker was
sent TO the women's detention station
On Cannetd-ave
Mrs. Becker was taken TO police
headquarters TO be ''mugged and mea
sured." Monday morning.
She Is almost In a state OF collapse.
sazes stolidly at the floor. and signs
She is a stout woman, not the least
he picture Of the slayer. but really
woman. She has
been married twice. both of her hus.
bands being dead She has six chill
iren. She wears spectacles. and her
hair is streaked with gray. She wore
. warm gray coat. black skirt, black
WOOL gloves. and worn black shoes.