The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-03-03
Frank Beach Fires PointbIank
at N. B. Frisbie.
Thinking He Had Killed Him
Blows Out Own Brains.
HE DODGED IN TINE.
Intended Victim Dropped to the
Floor Unhurt.
End of Drunken Spree and Do
nestle Trouble.


Frank Beach, an employe of the
Parkhurst- Davis Mercantile company,
committed suicide by shooting at 1880
last evening, after a drunken spree in
which he attempted to kill N. B. Fris-
bic, proprietor of the Johnson hotel al
alp Kansas avenue.
few minutes before he shot him
self through the head, Beach appear
cd at Frisbies hotel, and was standing
at the desk talking to Frisbie, when
Charles Beach, his son, came up to the
desk and paid his weekly board bilf.
The younger Beach had taken board
at the hotel, because he was afraid
to stay at home, his father having
made threats against the whole fam
lily.
what is that for?' asked Beach
senior, referring to the payment OF
Frisbie explained that the boy had
engaged board for a week
The elder Beach then reached into
his trousers pocket, produced a re-
volver, and aimed it at Frisbie's head.
As the shell exploded, Frisbie drop
ped behind the counter, and crawled
to the end of it. 1t is evident that
Beach believed he had killed Frisbie,
as did all the guests who were seated
at tables about the dining room. ]. A.
Ramsey, who was sitting near the
desk says:
at appeared to me that F-risbie fell
after the shot was fired, but he duck
ed at the instant of the explosion, and
the bullet struck the wall behind him.
Beach then walked out, carrying the
revolver in his hand
AS Beach left the building, he en-
countered R. D. Gibson, who rooms at
the hotel. Gibson attempted to pass
him, but Beach thrust the pistol in
his face and backed him out onto the
sidewalk Beach then walked north
on Kansas avenue to Fourth, and
turned east Gibson ran for a police
man, and found Officer Hull at the
postoffice corner. Together Hull and
Gibson pursued the man with the gun.
and were close upon him, when he
turned into the alley half a block east
of Kansas avenue on Fourth. Hull
was within a short distance of Beach,
and had ordered the man to halt,
when another shot was fired. Hull
thought the man was shooting at him,
and lodged. but did not return the
fire. Beach fell forward and the Off
Ger was upon him at the instant he
struck the ground. Turning his pock-
ct f1ashlight upon the PROSTATE man,
Hull saw that he had shot himself
through the head, and had died in
stantly.
The officer called Coroner H. H.
Keith, who made an examination and
then ordered the body removed to
Penwelrs undertaking establishment.
When the dead man was searched,
the officers found a silver watch, a
letter from Sheriff Wilkerson in re-
GARD to delinquent personal tax, and
a pint bottle part full Of whisky.
Beach had been drinking heavily for
some time, and had made threats
against the lives of his wife and two
grown sons. Last Friday night it is
alleged. he added to his usual threats
ethat when one member of the family
died, they would all die" This fright
ened the two sons, and they went to
Frisbie's to board
''I consider 1t narrow escape said
Frisbie last night st certainly looked
flash was almost in my face. I dropped
to the floor, and crawled along the
counter to be out of range. This proba-
bly, gave Beach the impression that he
had killed me.
There was absolutely no excuse for
his attack. He seemed to be sore be-
cause I was boarding his two sons"
Il have no tears to She'd said Chas
Beach, the son who was present when
the shot was fired at Frisbie as he
viewed his fathers body in the alley
a few minutes later. 'fIt is a wonder
he hasn't killed me-"
Beach. who was As years of age, has
been in the employ of the Parkhurst-
Davis company for several months, and
formerly ran grocery store in Park
dale
Mrs. Beach, regardless of the fact
that her husband has made a practice
of choking and beating her on frequent
occasions for many years, seemed de-
voted to her husband. and the shock
received upon being told of his suicide,
has left her in a serious condition. Mrs
Beach is subject to heart trouble and
Is under the care of a physician today
at the home of Charles T. Harris, pro-
prietor of the Kiehl laundry One of
the Beach boys, Arthur, has been in
the employ of Harris for some time.
The Beach family separated, deserving
their home on lower Monroe street SAT-
urday morning, the two boys going to
Frisbies motel, and the mother going
to a friend in Parkdale. Owing to Mrs,
Beach's condition. and the lack of &C
commodations at the house of this
friend Mr.. Harris and his wife removed
her to their home. and are caring for
her.
Beach has been arrested several times
by the police for beating and otherwise