The record-union., 1895-02-06
HORRIBLE TRAGEDY.
A Kansas Farmer, in a Drunken
Rage, Shoots Woman.
THEN SERIOUSLY WOUNDS \ MAN
WHO TRIED TO SAVE HER.
The Woman, Almost Exhausted From
Loss OF Blood. With Superhuman
Effort Raises Herself From the
Flo, +. Seizes an AK, and Beats the
HoGd Of the Murderer Almost to
Jelly.
Special to the RECoRD-UNIov.

Special to the RECoRD-UNIov.
ATCHIsoN (Kan.), Feb. 5.-James
Mutt, made famous for killing Lawyer
W. W. Duke in Uniontown, Pa, over a
decade ago, because he ruined Miss
Mutt is dying from wounds inflicted
early this morning by Mrs. John Pay
ton, who committed the act after Mutt. in
drunken rage, had fatally shot her.
Neither can live. Leonard Coleman,
hired man, who attempted to save Mrs.
Payton's life, is lying seriously wounded,
having received bullet from Nutt's re-
volver, but will recover.
The crime was most horrible and un-
provoked. The prominence of the fam
lilies concerned make it more sensational.
The Nuts and Dukes were at one time
prominent politicians in Pennsylvania
Fourteen years ago w. W. Duke, a
prominent lawyer in Uniontown, Pa,
was killed by Mutt for having ruined
Miss Mutt. Before that the Nuts and
Dukes were at war good deal, aud DUR
ing one of several encounters Duke
killed Nutrs father. He was acquitted.
however, making the plea OF self-defense.
When young Mutt came to trial he was
also promptly acquitted, the trial Great
ing a great sensation at the time.
Shortly afterward Mutt moved to Kan
Sas, TO near where his present farm is
situated. He was considered a good Citi-
zen and became prosperous. Until two
years ago the Paytons worked for Mutt
living on his farm. Their relations be-
came strained, however, and the Payton
family, consisting OF parents and five
children, rented a farm eight miles from
Nuts place from Mrs. a. L. Bradbury
Payton has been away from home most
Af hn for Il,
which time Mutt renewed mis- relations
with the family. Nothing out of the way
was discernible in his conduct, how
ever, until last night, when he saun-
tered into the Payton household
at d late hour under the influence of
man, the HI d man. was the onlv other
man on premi ies. NJ - ND
been OIL IS s, go, was
ant mood, au' g-UinV ordered - j.
ton to get HIM sCme supper. MS. Pay
ton complied, though more thr 1ugh fear
than because she cared TO, az :, scenting
trouole, quietly got the cuiluren from the
room.
As he ate, Mutt became more abusive
toward Mrs. Payton, ana when he fin
ished eating be deliberately drew his re-
volver and pointing it at the now thor
oughly frightened woman, cried: ''I' ~
going to Kill you" Before she could
into effect and sent three bullets into her
body. The shots attracted Coleman, who
rushed into the house with an AK in his
hand. The instant Mutt saw him he lev
eled his weapon at him and fired. Two
shots struck the Would-be rescuer. He
fell to the floor and for a time lay uncon-
scious in the blood that poured from his
wounds.
In the meantime Mrs. Payton, with
superhuman effort. had raised herself
from the floor and secured the ak. Mutt
had become weakened now and literally
sank in his tracks. Rushing to where he
lay, the woman, her wounds bleeding
prOtusely and herself weak from excite
ment and loss of blood, rained blow after
blow upon his head. Not until her vic
TINS head was a mass of jelly did she
desist, when she fell to the floor uncon-
sciOus. When Coleman finally regained
consciousness, he found both Mutt and
Mrs. Payton lying in great pools OF their
blood. lie then gave the alarm. When
assistance arrived the woman was beyond
help. AS soon as Nutps wounds were
dressed he was removed to Atchison,
arriving here this evening.
Both he and Mrs. Payton are too badly
Injured to live, and neither are able to re-
late the story of the crime. Coleman is
also in bad way, but will recover. Mrs.
Payton is Is years old.