The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-05-31

not been told by the Jail authorities yet
that the higher court has dismissed his
appeal for a new trial. Warden Jay
says that he Is not worrying apparent
ly, but is less cheerful than he was a
few months ago. A Tribune reporter =
| week ago visited the county Jail and
saw the condemned man. He was
sprightly and cheerful and was putting
in the afternoon intently studying u
prayer book.
lie Murdered Ills Sweetheart.
The crime for which Beck is con-
victed was committed on Tuesday, Oct.
3, at s o'clock in the morning at Oily
phant. He walked into the house of
Mrs. Josephine Kramer, on Race street.
and her sister, Mary Kerzic, who had
come to the country with him only
three days before, was scrubbing the
floor. He asked her If she would marry
him, and upon her refusal he drew
revolver from his pocket and shot five
times at her. Three of the bullets en-
tered her body; the one that pierced
her brain was the second fired and she
fell dead on the floor without strug-
gle. He ran for his life, but was cap
tured and lodged in Jail. 1t Is claimed
| that Beck came of noble birth and that
| he fell in love with Mary, who was
peasants daughter, but that his father
objected to the suit. Frank was born
in Liebach, Austria, and was 81 years
old when he came to this country.
Mary lived close to his fathers lands,
and at the age of 90 he learned to love
/ l,t.~
shortly afterward, serving only short
| time. On his return home he became
more deeply enamored of her and final
| ly they concluded to fly to this country
out of reach of his stern and proud fa-
ther and get married.
| Mary procured the money from her
sister, Mrs. Josephine Kramer, of Oily
phant, which brought both of them
over together, and they arrived at Mrs.
Kramer's house in Olyphant on Sun
| day afternoon at 4.30, Oct. 7.
Anton BOurs chnack Came Between Them.
When they arrived in New York
Anton Bourschnack, who boarded with
Mrs. Kramer, met them at Castle
Garden and escorted them to Olyphant.
At this point the trouble began to
brew. Beck, 1t was understood, would
marry Mary, but her sister, Mrs.
Kramer, demurred and advised her to
marry Bourschnack. Beck Is a tall,
| 1.-THE, handsome fellow, and has bright
blue eyes: on the other hand Boursch-
mack Is a course, swarthy, stupid-look-
| Ing fellow.
Mary agreed to jilt her handsome
lover and accept the hand of Boursch-
mack. This was the cause of the muir
der He arrived in Mayfleld with her
on Sunday afternoon at 43O, and after
a short stay at Mrs. Kramer's house
went on the stret car to Mayfield to the
| house of his uncle, Joseph Petrotschi.
At the latter place he remained three
hours and returned to Olyphant to his
sweetheart to find that in his absence
| Mrs. Kramer had succeeded in trans
| ferrlng Mary's affections to Boursch-
| mack. The news made him dsconso-
| late, and he refused to eat. He begged
Mary several times to recant, and when
he was refused he purchased on Mon
day night at Lally Brothers hardware
store. In Olyphant, a five-shooter. He
went to her as a last entreaty on the
| following morning with the result
stated. He asked her to marry him
and when she refused he killed her.
First Found Guilty of Murder.
| He was put on trial for his life on
Monday, Dec. 3. last year, before Judge
II. M. Edwards The commonwealth
|