Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1883-05-01
SHOT BY HIS PAI:TNEx.
A lSOStOn Merchant Mistaken for Thief q
aSOund Steamer and Killed.

A boston Merchant Mista ken for q Thief on
aSOund Steamer and Killed.
A. Perley Pickett. of the firm of Pickett
& Beal, wholesale dealers in teas, coffees,
and spices at No. 18 Broad street, Boston,
was shot and almost instantly killed by
his partner, Arthur H. Beal, in state
room which they occupied on board tho
sound steamer Bristol on the trip from
New York They had been in New
York on business and were returning.
When they retired for the night Mr.. Flick
EFT took the lower berth in the state room
and Mr.. Beal the upper berth. AS both
had considerable money and valuables,
they felt some nervousness. The room
was close, and Mr.. Pickett before resting
desired to lower the window for ventilla-
ton. Mr.. Beal objected, and it was agreed
to lower the window and fasten the blinds.
Mr.. Beal still felt uneasy aud fell slowly
into troubled sleep. He woke up several
times, and the last time, shortly after
midnight, he was startled by seeing that
the blind was partly open, and between
the opening the form of mans head.
Calling out "Perley Perleyv' he re-
ceived an answer which seemed to come
from tho berth beneath him, and think
ing a burglar was getting into tho room,
he quickly seized his revolver from under
his pillow and fired. The form fell with
a heavy thud on the floor.
Getting out of his berth and turning on
the gas, Beal was Mortified to find that it
was his partner who was shot and that he
was in the agony of death. Pickett had
apparently gotten up to get breath of
air, and Mr.. Beal, suddenly awakening,
his nerves highly strung, mistaking the
place from where the reply to his call
came, made the horrible mistake Of shoot
ing his friend. Touching the electric bell,
he called a messenger, who in turn sum-
moled officers of the boat. 1t was found
that the bullet had entered Mr.. Fickett's
head through the left temple. He lived
about one hour and half. Beal i'm
mediately surrendered himself to Datec
tive Lynch, who was upon the boat, and
told very straightforward story of tho
accident Mr.. Lynch came on to Boston
in the morning, and on thorough inquiry
found that both men stood we'll among
their business associates, and the cOnclu-
sion generally reached was that the affair
was just what it appeared to be, dread
full accident and not a crime.
Upon the steamer arriving at Fall River
the agent, A. L. Ackley, telegraphed to
Iuo superintendent dI oOSIOu, lnIOfmln&
him Of the accident and requesting that
the relatives be told. Mrs. Flickett went
to the store early in the forenoon to meet
her husband and there received the news
of his tragic death. She was entirely over
come. Mr.. Beal's father received
a dispatch from his son who was
in custody at Fall River and
Immediately started for that city. MIR.
Beal resides at No. AZ Russell street,
Charleston, is 26 years old, married, with
out children. MIR. Pickett resided at No.
4 Victoria street, was 80 years old, and
leaves widow ard two children-a boy
z years old and girl of 2. Mr.. Beal is
nephew of John Stetson, the theatrical
manager. Mr.: Beal attended principally
to the inside Office work of the firm, while
Mr.. Fickett, who was quick, driving,
energetic man. did the outside work.