The Ravalli Republican. [volume] (Stevensville, Mont.) 1894-1899, 1897-03-24
MONEY OR LIFE.
Thco Bccknan Morally Wounds Frank
Paycttc in Missoula.

Thco Bcckman Mortally Wounds Frank
Payctte in Missoula.
Missoula, March 1S.-Theo. Beck
man shot and fatally wounded Frank
Payettc this morning at 2 o'clock in
front Of the Montana hotel. The
men came in from Bearmouth sew
cral days ago. Payctte was on his
way to Trail creek, B. c., and was
followed by Bcckman, who claimed
that payctte owed him a balance Of
about S15 for wages. Both men are
cooks, and Payctte had been rum
ming a boarding house at Coloma,
mining camp in Deer Lodge county.
Bcckman approached Payctte several
times Yesterday and demanded that
he be paid the balance of his wages.
This payettc refused to do, claiming
that he had bought a large bill Of
groceries and had no money left.
Bcckman followed Paycttc all day
and Emporium cd him to pay him his
wages: but without success. Last
night both men we're in the Montana
hotel, Payette waiting for the delay
ed wcstbound train, and Beckman
watching him. At about s o'clock
Bcckman came up and sent a tele-
gram to Bearmouth. He asked a
gentleman in the Western Union
telegraph Office to write the message
for him and wanted to put the whole
story Of his troubles in the telegram.
He finally sent his message, asking
what he should do. He returned to
the Montana hotel and again deman-
dcd his wages of payettc, with no
better success than before. He then
sat down and waited until Payctte
should leave.
AS No. ], the wcstbound train,
pulled in, Paycttc took his valisc and
started for the depot. lie was fol-
lowed by Bcckman, who again de-
mandcd his money. lie was again
refused. and without another word
he reached for his gun and Payettc
started to run for the hotel When
Bcckman fired the first shot, it en-
tered his side on the right, and 60
ing through his right lung, it lodged
just under the skin just below the
breast bone. Again BcckmaD fired
and the second shot went through
the left leg just above the knee.
Again he drew his terrible gun and
fired, the third bullet finding a
resting place in the right leg. Pay
cite at this point fell and Bcckman
missed him and shot out a window
glass in the Montana hotel.
Officer kcim of the night force
was at the depot and rushed for
Bcclman at the first fire, but before
he could reach him the terrible work
has been done. Bcckman was taken
in charge by Officers Kcim and Nick
Jahrciss and lodged in jail. DR..
Spottswood was called and had Pay
cite removed to the Sisters hospital,
where he lies at late hour tonight
in a very critical condition, and the
doctors say it is next to impossible
for him to recover. Bcckman was
| taken to the hospital BY the sheriff
and County Attorney Duncan and
was identified by Paycttc as the man
who did the shooting.
When Bcckman was searched at
the jail, Deputy Sheriff Corbett
found the revolver on him and when
the officer removed the cartridges
from the chamber there were four
empty shells and one loaded one:
Bcckman watched Corbctt with cor
siderable interest and was surprised
to see the one loaded shell. lie look
at the shell and rcmarkcd: "Dd /
know he was there, | use him too" :"
Bcckman was locked up, but NO
charge has yet been entered against
him, nor Nill there be until Paycttc's
condition changes. The April term
Of court will more than likely have Il
charge Of murder in the first degree
90 try.
Paycttc is single man about 40
years old. He worked in luiglcy be-
fore going to Coloma.