The morning call., 1895-02-06

AWFUL TRAGEDY ON A KANSAS FARM.

ATcHIsoN, Kans., Feb. 5.--James Mutt,
made famous by killing Lawyer w. w.
Duke in Uniontown, Pa, over a decade
ago, because of an affair with Miss Mutt,
is dying from wounds inflicted early this
morning by Mrs. John Payton, who COM
mitted the act after Mutt, in drunken
rage, had fatally shot her. Neither can live.
Leonard Coleman, a hired man who at
tempted to save Mrs. Payton's life, is lying
seriously wounded, having received bull
let from Nuts revolver, but will recover.
The crime was most horrible and unpro-
voked. The prominence of the families
concerned make it more sensational. The
Nuts and Dukes were at one time promi-
nent politicians in Pennsylvania. Four
teen years ago w. w. Duke, a prominent
lawyer in Uniontown, Pa, was killed by
Mutt. Before that the Nuts and Dukes
we're at war a good deal and during one of
several encounters Duke killed Nuts
father. He was acquitted, however, max
ing the plea of self-defense. When young
Mutt came to trial he was also promptly
acquitted, the trial creating great sensa-
tion at the time. Shortly afterward he
moved to Kansas, near where his present
farm is situated. He was considered
good citizen and became prosperous.
Until two years ago the Paytons worked
for Mutt, living on his farm. Their rela-
tions became strained, however, and the
Payton family, consisting of the parents
and five children, rented farm eight miles
from Nuts place from Mrs. A. f. Brad
bury. Payton has been away from home
most of the present winter cutting ice, dur
ing which time Mutt renewed his relations
with the family. Nothing out of the way
was discernible in his conduct, however,
until last night, when he sauntered into
the Payton household at a late hour under
the influence of liquor. Payton was absent,
and Coleman, the hired man, was the only
other man en- the premises. Mutt, who
had been on weeks. spree, was in no
pleasant mood, and, grufly ordered Mrs.
Payton to get him some supper. Mrs.
Payton complied, more through fear than
because she cared to, and scenting trouble,
she quietly got the children from the
room.
AS he ate, Mutt became more abusive to-
ward Mrs. Payton and seemed to be turn
ing mad. When he finished eating he
deliberately drew his revolver and pointing
| itat the now thoroughly frightened woman,
| cried, Tim going to Kill you. Before she
could make a move he had carried his
threat into effect and sent three bullets
| into her body. The shots attracted Cole
man, who rushed into the house with an
ak in his hand. The instant Mutt saw
him he leveled his weapon at him and
fired. Two shots struck the would-be res
cuer. He fell to the floor and for time
| lay unconscious in the blood that poured
| from his wounds.
| In the meantime Mrs Payton, with a
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, he wounds bleeding pro-
! fusely and b rself weak from excitement
and loss of blood, rained blow after blow
upon his head. Not until her victims
| head was a mass of jelly did she desist,
when she sank to the floor unconscious.
When Coleman finally regained conscious
ness he found both Mutt and Mrs. Payton
lying in great pools of their blood. He
| then gave the alarm. When assistance
arrived the woman was beyond help. AS
soon as Nuts wounds were dressed he
was removed to Atchison, arriving here
this evening.