The Washington herald., 1909-05-08


coroners jury yesterday for the killing
OF Irving ". Beck, was a prisoner last
night ar the District Jail. He is held Tor
the action Of the grand jury
An inquest was held over the body OF
Beck at the District morgue. which was
crowded with curious spectators. among
them q number Of women. who were pres
ent 10 see the fourteen-year- widow.
Mrs. Dorothy Willard Beck. around whom
the story OF the tragedy is woven
The jury reached a verdict after a few
minutes deliberation, and Willard left the
moTgUe for the jail. escorted by detec-
tIves. Mrs. Willard, his wife, and their
daughter, Dorothy, left the mOrgue be-
fore the verdict was announced. having
probably been advised the jury would
hold Willard.
Widow n Mere Child.
Surprise was shown at the girlish ap-
pearance OF Mrs. Beck. who appeared
dressed more like a schoolgirl than a
married woman, wearing skirts which
reached only TO her ankles. with her hair
down her back.
The girl did not seem 10 realize the full
significance Of the proceedings. and
showed no signs OF emotion. She greeted
her father in a simple, chHdlike way. and
her conduct during the hearing was that
Of a girl
Witnesses told the story Of the shooting
from the tine Willard left his home. at
e04 \. street southeast. shortly before 10
o'clock Thursday morning, until Beck
died az Casualty Hospital Thursday
night, including the details Of the shoot
ing in Beck's grocery store. at 80 y
street southeast, shortly after noon on
Wednesday
The inquest was begun about I1:30
O'clock Mrs. Willard and her daughter
had found seats in the room when VII
lard was assisted 10 a seat He sprained
an ankle when he fell down the steps
at Beck's store, a few seconds after he
shot the groceryman. and cannot walk
without assistance. Neither Willard. his
wife nor his daughter were required 10
testify. although their attorney. Thomas
c. Taylor. requested the girl 10 Tiss and
show herself several times when wit
nesses were testifying.
All witnesses apparently agreed that
Beck cane to his death from revolver
shots fred by Willard.
Saw the Shooting.
Among the witnesses were Fred Zusch-
nit. a brothe--in-law OF Beck Zuschnitt
said he had worked for Beck eleven
years, and was familiar with tie quar-
rel between his employer and Willard
Zuschnitt was in the store when Willard
entered and heard the few words be-
tween the craneman and his son-in-law.
Zuschnitt witnessed the shooting. and
told what he had seen IN detail
Edward Hoffman. Of 212 y street south
east. who was also in the store, corrobo-
rated ZuschnItts testimony. Hoffman
said he went 10 a house al los Indiana
avenue, where he found Mrs. Beck. and
told her Of the tragedy.
AdOlph Arneson. fireman at the District
pumping station who was one Of the first
men 20 reach Beck after the shooting.
testified he heard Willard say: If he
Is dead I an happy. II he is not dead
m unhappy"
Arneson said he had followed Willard
from a baTroom about a block distant
from Becks store. anticipating that VII
lard and Beck would engage in a fight
Capt Williams and Sergt- Ryan, OF the
Fifth precinct, testified that they obtain
cd the pistol used BY Willard from Arue-
son when they arrived On the scene The
revolver contained three empty and two
unexplOded shells. Dr. Thomas A. Lee,
assistant resident physician al Casualty
Hospital. told how Beck was removed TO
the hospital IN an automobile by Thomas
X. Smith, a lumber dealer. Dr. Lee said
he believed Beck's death was due TO in
teTnal hemOTrhage- Physicians AT the
hospital knew Beck could not live as
soon as they made an examination OF
his injuries, said Dr.. Lee.
Although Willard did not talk at the
inquest. ne gave a brief account Of the
shooting 70 the police Of the Fifth pre-