The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1895-02-06

Atchison, Kan, Feb. 5.-James Mutt,
made famous for killing Lawyer W. w.
Duke in Uniontown, Pa, over a decade
ago. because he seduced Miss Mutt, is
dying from wounds inflicted early this
morning by Mrs. John Payton, who
committed the act after Mutt. in a
drunken rage, had fatally shot her.
Neither can live.
Leonard Coleman, a hired man, who
attempted to save Mrs. Payton's life,
is lying seriously wounded. having re-
cetved a bullet from Nuts revolver,
but he will recover.
Horrible and UnprovoI<ed.
The crime was most horrible and un-
provoked. The prominence of the fam
lies concerned makes it more Sensa-
tional. The Nuts and Dukes were at
one time prominent politicians in Penn
sylvania. Fourteen years ago w. w.
Duke, prominent lawyer in Union
town, Pa, was killed by Mutt for hav-
ing seduced Miss Mutt. Before that
the Nuts and Dukes were at war a
good deal and during one of several
encounters Duke killed Nuts father.
He was acquitted, however, making the
plea Of self-defense.
When young Mutt came to trial he
was also promptly acquitted, the trial
creating sensation at the time.
Shortly afterwards he moved to
Kansas to near where his present farm
IS situated. He was considered a good
citizen and became prosperous Until
two years ago the PaytOnS worked for
Mutt, living on his farm.
Relations Became Strained.
Their relations became strained,
however, and the Payton family, con-
sisting of parents and five children.
rented farm eight miles from Nuts
place, from Mrs. 4. e. Bradbury. Pay
ton has been away from home most
! of the present winter, cutting ice, dur
| ing which time Mutt renewed his rela-
tions with the family. Nothing out Of
the way was discernable in his con
duct, however. until last night, when
he sauntered into the Payton house
hold at a late hour under the influence
Of liquor. PaytOn was absent and
Coleman, the hired man, was the only
other man on the premises Mutt. who
had been on a weeks spree, was in no
pleasant mood and grufly ordered Mrs.
PaytOn to get him some supper. Mrs.
Payton complied. though more through
fear than because she cared to, and
seeming trouble she quietly got the
| children from the room.
I'm Going to Nil TOu.''
AS he ate. Mutt became more abusive
toward Mrs. Payton, and seemed to be
| turning mad. When he finished eating
| he deliberately drew his revolver. and
! pointing it at the now thoroughly
| frightened woman, cried m going 10
kill you
Before she could make a move he
I had carried his threat into effect and
sent three bullets into her body. The
| shots attracted Coleman, who rushed
| into the house with an axe in his
hand. The instant he entered, Mutt
| leveIled his weapon at him and fred.
Two shots struck the wOuld-be rescuer.
| He fell to the floor and for a time lay
unconscious in the blood that poured
from his wounds.
| Mashed His Head to Il Jelly.
| In the meantime, Mrs. Payton. with
! a superhuman effort, had raised her
self from the floor and secured the axe
| Mutt had become weakened now and
| literally sank in his tracks. Rushing
| to where he lay the woman, her
wounds bleeding profusely and herself
weak from excitement and loss Of
| blood, rained blow after blow upon his
! head.
/ Not until her victims head was a
| mass OF jelly dld she deSISt, when she
| sank to the floor unconscious. When
| Coleman finally regained consciousness
he found both Mutt and Mrs. Payton
lying in great pools of their blood
He then gave the alarm. When as
sistance arrived the woman was be
yond help. As soon as Nuts wounds
were dressed he was removed to At
Gibson, arriving here this evening. Both
he and Mrs. PaytOn are too badly in
jured to live, and neither are able to
relate the story of the crime. Coleman
is also in bad way. but will recover.
| Mrs. PAXTON is % years old.