The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1912-04-11
WARRANT OUT FOR BEACH
HE is CHARGED WITH SLASHING
WIFE'S THROAT IN AIKEN.
Damaging Evidence Claimed by De-
tective, Conradicting Statement
of Mrs. Beach.

Aiken, April 8.-Frederick O.
Beach, New York millionaire and
society leader, and one of Aiken's
prominent winter residents, is charg-
ed with slashing his wife's throat in
this city several weeks ago, a war
rant being issued here to-day for
his arrest.
This action revives interest in the
mysterious assault on Mrs. Beach on
February 26, when it was generally
believed that her assailant was a ne
gro.
The warrant charges Beach with
assault and battery with intent to
kill, and was issued on the affidavit,
of Special Detective M. S. Baughn,
supported by afidavits of several of
his witnesses.
A deputy has gone to Columbia to
get requisition papers from Governor
Blease on the governor of New York,
and will go on on to New York city
tomorrow to serve the warrant, al
though it is stated that Beach has al
ready sailed from that city for
Europe, his departure, it is alleged,
taking place two weeks before his
schedule, as announced a few hours
before his leaving Aiken for his
home in New York.
In the event that Beach has sailed
for Europe, it is not known what
steps will be taken toward service of
the warrant.
Evidence Against Beach.
Detective Baughn, of Atlanta, has
been at work on the case just three
weeks, having begun an investigation
shortly after a Pinkerton man, who
failed to throw any light on the mys-
terry, ceased his efforts. What De-
tective Baughn considers a damaging
piece of evidence against Beach is
the alleged finding of gold plated,
diamond studded pocket knife be-
longing to the millionaire. 1t is also
stated that an examination of this
knife by a prominent chemist in this
State disclosed quantity of human
blood on one of the blades. In addi-
tion there is offered as evidence the
phony pearl earring, also covered
with blood, and the back comb,
which it is alleged, fell from Mrs.
Beach's hair when she was stabbed.
Both of these and the pocketknife
were found on the driveway on the
opposite side of the house from the
spot where Mrs. Beach said she was
attacked, and directly adjoining the
laundry house, between the Beach
residence and the residence of Jo-
seph Hartman.
Doubt Wife's Story.
1t was the latter physical facts
which first gave rise to doubt of Mrs.
Beach's statement, though the au-
thorities kept their find a secret for
some time, and not until to-day did
it become known that the knife had
been found. Therefore, there was
nothing to connect Mr.. Beach with
the attack except comment based on
surmise.
The investigation has been practi-
cally completed by Detective Baughn
and the results have been placed in
the hands of Solicitor R. L. Gunter.
Special Agent Baughn came to
Aiken on March 16, just after the
Pinkerton man had abandoned the
field. Evidently the Investigation
was carried on with the greatest pos
sible dispatch and expediency, GER
tainly with a great deal of secrecy,
for even now very few people are
acquainted with the detective.
Shortly after Mrs. Beach was at
CdCk0Q, anu dltSI d IL ulIlSSS SColSu
for her supposed negro assailant, re-
wards were offered for the apprehen-
sion of the criminal. The rewards
were increased from time to time un-
til now there is outstanding reward
of $4,000 for the arrest and convic-
ton of a man "of medium height
and illiterate.'
According to details made known
subsequent to the attack, Mrs. Beach
heard a noise in front of her resi-
dence on the night she was wounded.
She went into the yard to investi-
gate and was handed a note by a ne
gro, who seized her and slashed her
throat with a sharp weapon, inficting
an ugly wound. The alleged negro
then disappeared.
According to statement attrib-
uted to Mrs. Beach, the note handed
to her was signed by Marie" said
to be a servant in the employ of
Mrs. Joseph Hartman.