Rensselaer Republican, Volume 19, Number 48, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 August 1887 — CHESTERTON IS EXCITED. [ARTICLE]

CHESTERTON IS EXCITED.

Charge of Murder Against “Rev.” Mr. West. Sad Termination of the Suite Beck-West Scandal-Bhe is Taken to St. Louis and Murdered—The Ex-Saver of Souls Skips Out to Save His Own Worthless MeekComplete History of the Case.

The particulars of the simultaneous disappearance of Miss Susie Beck and the Rev. W. T. A. West, a few weeks since, were fully reported in these columns. Susie Beck was the daughter of poor parents living near Chesterton,lnd., and was employed as a servant in the family of Rev., Mr. West. The wife became suspicious of Susie and she was discharged. She went to Chicago on June 21st, to which city West soon followed under the pretense of taking medical treatment. They, went to St. Louis, entirely penniless, and passed their first night in a wheat field in the outskirts. He told a pitiable story, of having eloped with her despite her parents’ desires, and how they had tramped many weary miles. Charitable persons assisted them and he got work ashn elecro-plater. He bought a package of over two pounds of arsenic at a manufactory, to be used in his trade. His wife was taken sick with all the symptoms of cholera morbus and died July 18, the doctor giving a burial certificate. She was buried, but when the body was exhumed it was discovered that she had given premature birth to a child, which had been placed in the coffin with her. The next day West disappeared and went home to his wife. Then from Chesterton, Ind., came the announcement that Thomas Abbott was the Rev. William Thomas Abbott West, and Mrs. Annie Abbott was Susie Beck. A letter was received purporting to be from Susie Beck, dated at Chicago two’ days after her death. West appeared at Chesterton, dazed and ill, and he fled as soon as he learned that he had been identified as Abbott. He took away all his photographs but one. West’s suspicious actions in St; Louie alone led to his detection. He left Chesterton on the 26th, having money from unsuspecting friends. A letter was received at Chesterton on Saturday from Toronto, Canada, in a handwriting that remarkably resembles West's, purporting to be from George E. West, asking for particulars of his brother’s scandal. He particularly asks that the fact of his writing be kept from the family in Chesterton, and says he has had no word from the matter since he left Chesterton some weeks ago.

The deed was done and well done,and it would appear that 'it never would be discovered. But the man who had done it saw immediately 100, even 1,000 flaws in the details of his work. He thought a thousand eyes were on these flaws and that it all required explanation. He disappeared and then framed the letters to explain it all when no explanation was needed —his very excess of shrewdness gave to the world the clew which would expose the crime he wished to conceal. He raised the body of his victim from the grave to testify against him and make plain every detail of the crime. A light from the tomb, as it were, brought out all the imperfections of his plot. A special from Chesterton says: The excitement in Chesterton over the West case is intense. Men express themselves as being ready for any duty. Prominent people express themselves as being ready to pull a rope on West if the opportunity occurs. Services iu West’s old* church were held Sunday, but very few attended. The church has received a terrible set-back there. Many people have ° already ordered their names erased from the church book. From ■ morning until night, throngs of excited people were to be seen, and nothing was heard but “West,” “West,” Business is suspended and a stranger stepping into Chesterton would think war times had returned. The Western miners hold more meetings and conventions than any other class of workingmen, and seem to make leas headway in the permanent settlements of disputes.