The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1895-02-06
DUKES SLAYER DYING.
A Kansas Tragedy Recalls Two
Pennsylvania Murders.
jim MUTT SHOOTS TWO PEOPLE.

His First Victim, o Woman, Will Die.
The Woman, After Being Wounded, In
1lcts Fatal Wounds with an Az on Her
AssaiIant.
ATcHrsoN,> Kan, Fob 6.-Jim Mutt,
made famous for killing Lawyer NJ. L.
Dukes, in Uniontown, Pa, over a decade
ago, because he seduced Miss Mutt, is dy-
ing from wounds inflicted yesterday by
Mrs. John Payton, who committed the act
after Mutt, in drunken rage, had fatally
shot her Neither can live Leonard Cole
man, hired man, who attempted to save
Mrs. Payton's life, Is lying seriously
wounded, having received bullet from
Nuts revolver, but will recover The
crimo was most horrible and unprovoked.
Tho prominence of the families makes it
most sensational.
The Nuts and Dukes were ut one time
prominent politicians in Pennsylvania,
while Coleman, who is 81 years of age,
originally came from New York, where he
was well known. Fourteen years ago NJ.
l.. Dukes, then u prominent lawyer in
Uniontown. Pa, soduccd Miss Mutt, and
killed her father in an encounter arising
out of this. He was acquitted on plea
of self defense, and was then killed by
James Mute, the girls brother, who was
in turn acquitted on plea of emotional
insanity, The trial created IL great sensa
ton at the time.
shortly afterwards young Mutt moved
to Kansas, to where his present farm is
situated, and managed his mothers farm.
He was considered good citizen, and be-
came prosperous. Until two years ago the
Paytous worked for Mutt, living on his
farm. The relations became strained, how
ever, and the Payton family, consisting OF
the parents and five children, rented II
farm eight miles from Nuts place, from
Mrs. A. h. Bradbury.
Payton has been away from homo most
of the present winter cutting ice, during
which time Mutt renewed his relations
with the family. Nothing out of the way
was disccrnable in his conduct, however,
until he snuntrred into the Paytou house
hold at u late hour under the influence Of
liquor, Pdytpa WAS absent, and Coleman,
the hired man, was tho only other man on
the promises. Mutt, who had been on n
weeks spree, was in no pleasant mood
and gruflly ordered Mrs. Payton to get
him some supper. Mrs. payton complied,
aud sccnting trouble, quietly got the chill
drcu from the room A he ate Mutt be-
came more abusive toward Mrs Pnyton
anu seemed to be becoming insane When
he hal finished eating he deliberately drew
his revolver, and pointing it at the now
thoroughly frightened woman cried:
"lm going 10 Kill you"
Before she could make a move he car
red his threat into effect, sending three
bullets Into her body The shots attracted
Cnlsnnn, who rushed into the house with
an ax in his hand. Tho instant he en-.
tered Mutt leyeled his weapon at him and
fired. Two shots struck the would be res
cnar. He fell 10 the lolr, and for a timo
ley unconscious in the blood that poured
from his wounds. ..
At the same lime Mrs. Payton, with u
superhuNGu effort raised herself from the
floor ana secured the nx. Mutt had sunk
down, overcome by liquor, and was help
less. Rushing to where he lay the woman.
with her own wounds bleeding profussy
and herself weak from loss of blood r.lined
blow after blow upon Nutt's head Not
until she was too weak to longer WELD the
ak did she dcsist Then she sank to the
floor and became unconscious.
Coleman first came to his senses. and
found both Mutt and Mrs. Payton lying
in great pools Of their blood Tying Mutt
to n chair, Coleman gave the alarm, When
assistance arrived the woman was beyond
hep. Neither Mrs. Pnytnn or Mutt are
able to relate the story OF the crime. Cole.
man isSllsp in n bad way, but will recover.
Mutt has been removed to Atehison.