The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-02-06
GASHED BY A WOMAN
JAMES MUTT, WHO KILLED LAWYER
DUKE, DYING IN KANSAS.
Head Chopped by Mrs. Pnyton, Into
Whose BODY He Had Fired Three
BulIets-Hired Man Wounded.

ATCHISON, Kan, Feb. 5-James Mutt.
made famous for killing lawyer w. w.
Duke. in Uniontown, Pa, over a decade ago.
because he betrayed Miss Mutt, is dying
from wounds inflicted early this morning
by Mrs. PaytoH, who committed the act
after Mutt, in drunken rage, had fatally
shot her. Neither can live. Leonard Coleman.
a hired man, who attempted to save Mrs.
Payton's life, is lying dangerously wounded,
having received bullet from Nuts re-
volver, but VIII recover
The crime was most horrible and unnro
voked, and the prominence of the families
concerned make it more sensational. The
Nuts and Dukes were at one time prorni-
nent politicians in Pennsylvania while Cole
man, who Is twenty-seven years old orig
inally came from New York. where he was
we'll known. Fourteen years ago w. w.
Duke, then prominent lawyer in Union
town. Pa, was killed by Mutt for having
betrayed Miss Mutt. Before that time 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 SEN
sation at the time. Shortly afterwards he
moved to Kansas, to near where his present
ANA A. - oiecntCo, diiu lIldlldSeu Ills mOtnGr'S
farm. He was considered a good citizen
and became prosperous. Until two years
ago the Paytons worked for Mutt. living
on his farm. Their relations became
strained. however, and the Payton family.
consisting of parents and five children,
rented farm eight mile from Nuts place.
from Mrs. A. A. E. Bradbury
Payton has been away from home most
OF rne present winter. cutting ice, and Mutt
renewed his relations with the family Moth
Ing out Of the way was discernible in his
conduct, however. until last night, when
he sauntered into the Payton household at
late hour under the influence cf liqucr.
Payton was absent, and Coleman. the hired
man. was the only other man on the prem
ises. Mutt who had been on weeks spree.
was in no pleasant mood, and gruffly or
dered Mrs. Payton to get him some supper.
Mrs. Payton complied. though more through
fear than because she cared to, and. fear
ing trouble. she quietly got the children
from the room. As he ate Mutt became
more abusive toward Mrs. Payton and
seemed to be losing his mind When he
nad nnished eating he deliberately drew his
rev2iver and, pointing it at the now thor
ougniy frightened woman, cried:
m going to kill YOU
Before she could make a move he At
teliipled 10 carry his threat into effect and
sent three bullets into her body The shots
attracted Coleman. Iwho rushed into the
mouse with an axe in his hand The instant
he entered Mutt leveled his weapon at him
ana nred Two shots struck the would-be
rescuer. he fell to the floor, and for time
lay unconscious In the meantime Mrs. Paw
Ton, WITH a superhuman effort, had raised
nerseiT from the floor and secured the AK
Mutt seemed to become suddenly weak, and
sank to the floor. Rushing to where he
lay the woman, her wounds bleeding pro-
fusely and herself weak from excitement
ana loss OF blood. rained blow after blow
on Nuts head. Not until her virtino,s baad
was a mass of jelly and she too weak to
longer WELD the ak did she desist Then
she sank to the floor and went into a
state OF Inconsistencies that lasted for sew
When Coleman recovered consciousness he
found both Mutt and Mrs. Payton lying in
great pools of blood. Coleman gave the
alarm When assistance arrived the woman
was beyond help. As soon as Nutt's wounds
were dressed he was removed to Atchison.
arriving here this evening. Both he and
Mrs Payton are too badly injured to live,
ana neither are able to relate the story
of the crime. Coleman is also in had
way, but will recover