The Butte inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1901-1912, 1903-10-15
Helen Kelly Murdered by
Albert Beckmann, a
Former Suitor.
SLAYER GETS AWAY
Seen by Several and Iden-
tification Will be
Inevitable.

Miss Helen Kelly was murdered this
morning in her room at the Dakota block,
OF the corner OF West Gacna and Dakota
streets. The police at an early hour began
securing the city and surrounding country
to find Albert j. Ilcckmann, who is sus-
pccted OF the crime. Unrequitcd love and
revenge are said 10 bc the causes.
The murder was one of the most shock
ing crimes in the history OF Butte. Miss
Kelly was young girl. not more than i8
years of age. Her youth and innocence
and sweet womanly qualities made her
loved by large circle of friends. II was
not believed that there was n person living
low enough to harm her. Her murderer
committed the deed in most cold.
bloodcd manner
Four Balls Took Effect.
Her assailant rang the bell At her door
this morning shortly before ? o'clock and
when she appeared he opened fire with
six shooter. Three bullets entered the
body and three others we're imbedled in
the casing of the door.
The revolver was held so close TO her
that her clothing caught fire. Death was
almost instantaneous When assistance
arrived minute or two after the shooting
she was found lying within her room faco
CHASTITY wounds. Blood covered the door
where she had fallen against it. Tho
spring lock on the door had fastened the
door SO that it had 10 be broken open
In Love With Her.
Albert J. Beckmann is a porter, who has
| been employed at the California club
room, over the beer hall at the corner Of
Main street and Broadway He was deeply
Ia, L., MI, I'll. had L.I IYr
repeatedly to marry him, but she had re-
fused him.
He brought suit yesterday in Justice
O'Connor's court at Walkervllc to recover
5000, which he alleged he had loaned her.
He was unable 10 prove his contention,
however, and the case was dismissed.
Bcckinann is said to have sworn ven
gcancc and Miss Kelly told several friends
that she believed he intended to harm her.
She was advised 10 report the matter 10
the police, but decided 10 wait day or
t"O longer.
Ordered to Leave.
Bcckmann AT one time roomed al the
Dakota block, which is conducted by Miss
Mary Kelly, a sister OF the unfortunate
girl who was killed this morning. Beck
mann was ordered TO leave the house some
time ago. which he did, taking up his quar-
tcrs elsewhere.
Last night Beckmann was seen around
several Of The gambling houses by per
sons who know him. He appeared sullen
and morosc and was evidently brooding
over something. To one man VINO ae-
costcd him pleasantly he answered in "A
surly manner and the conversation was
dropped.
This morning Bcekmann appeared at the
California club and began his work Of
cleaning the rooms.
Description.
When he had nearly finished his work he
left the place suddenly without saying
word to any one. He wore a derby hat,
brown corduroy trousers and dark coat
This was about 6:3o o'clock.
Louis Ilarron, who rooms in the Da-
kota block, stated that he heard steps ON
the stairs shortly before o'clock and
few seconds later the door bell al the
office, where Miss Kelley roomed Was rnng
violently. There was the sound Of the
door being opened and mans voice
shouted: II want my money"
Almost Immediately following the shout
Of the man several shots were heard and a
woman screamed. There was the noise
of body falling to the floor and the door
slammed again. Then rapid steps were
heard on the stairway and all was still Tor
a few seconds.
In Her Blood.
IIarron dressed hurriedly and came
down to The room. When he arrived sev-
cral other persons had preceded him and
had broken open the door. Miss Kelly
was lying weltering in her own blood
William Melvin rooms in No. 3, adj
joining the apartment occupied by Miss
Kelly He was awakened by the shots and
the scream of the young woman as she
fell. lie heard steps on the stairs and
looked out into the hail. hut saw no one.
He then ran back and looked out Of his
window to see the person who was rum
ming away. He saw a man with derby
hat, dark coat and brown corduroy trous-
ers run down Dakota street to the alley
and then disappear.
Clothing on Fire.
Melvin then hurried to the door of Miss
Kclys room and found it locked. He
promptly burst it open and found her lying
on the floor covered with blood and hei
clothing on fire. He extinguished the
flames and by that time others had ar
rived on the scene.
The body was taken to the Montana I'M
dertaking parors, after Coroner Egan had
been summoned. There were four bullet
wounds in the body. One had entered the
thorax through the upper portion OF the
breast bore and had evidently severed the
trachca. Two bullet wounds were found
in the abdomen and one in the back. Until
an autopsy is held it will not be known
-|,---..~--, q. H.. TL...N