Arizona republican., 1921-04-03
Kills SvrQCuSe Dean;
 Ends ONn Life
DR. BECKWITH, FORMER CALIFORNIA BANK EXAMINER, KILLS DEAN OF SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY AND SUI CIDES FOLLOWING LOSS OF POSITION ON UNIVERSITY TEACHING STAFF
Republican A. p. Leased Wirel

SYRACUSE, N. Y, April 2.-Dr. Holmes Beckwith, educator. former army lieutenant and California bank examiner, who shot and killed his su- perior, Dean John Herman Wharton, at Syracuse university today before committing suicide, was probably in sane as a result of chagrin over los ing his position, according to state ments made by the authorities and Chancellor James R, Day of the uni versity tonight.
 That Beckwith had premeditated suicide has been clearly established, the instructor having left letters showing his intention. At first il was believed Dr. Wharton had been killed in attempt to prevent Beck with's suicide. County officials are agreed in the belief that pr. Wharton was shot following an argument when Beckwith presented a letter in an- swer to Wharton's notification that the university would have no need Of Beckwith's services after June
 Five bullets were found in Dr. Wharton's body.
 Dean Wharton was 32 years old and had been instructor at Syracuse university since his graduation from that institution eight years ago. He | was made dean of the college of busi- ness administration two years age and Beckwith was an instructor un der him.
 l Beckwith had been the brunt of several jokes by the student body. He locked the doors of the classroom at the minute classes were due to begin and he would not admit tardy pupils. He was strict in discipline and he had some peculiarities which made him more or less a victim for students pranks and he was unpop- ular with them. It is claimed they circulated a petition for his discharge last fall
 University authorities had con vinced themselves that Beckwith was a liability rather than an asset and last Monday he received notification
 to resign.
 Premeditated Rash Act He protested without avail.
 Friday night. it has been estab- lished, he spent hours writing letters. one of which was addressed to Dea n , Wharton. It said among other } things: "A cornered rat will fight"
 That he had a rather turbulent ca , reer and regarded at least two per 7 sons. outside of Syracuse, who hat . figured in his troubles. as beini worthy subjects for murder. is show Tn the SIuQN OI HIS Discussing his discharge at Cobra i, do college. Dr. Beckwith speaks or 3 MT. Howbert, a bank president. ap- parently one of the board of govern ors. and writes:
 MT. Howberts anger knew nc
 bounds I have never met him. think a man to take the action hf did is so unjust he should be shot In his written story of his lie he , discusse trouble he had at Grinnel college in Iowa, which evidently cul- minated while he was serving in the army He wrote:
 T would have murdered MT. Main
 who certainly deserves this end il l, having treacherously betrayed one j. 7 : his country's service. Then l woul , have shot myself"
 Had Exciting Career
 The story of Beckwith's life shows
 he was born October 5. 1884. in Ka-
 kiu, Island of Maui, then of Hawaiia [
 kingdom His father and grand ! father were Congregational minister: ! and his one sister, Ruth Beckwitl
 Bullock. is a missionary in Sians T. Tan. China.
 He attended the Pacific Theologica h school at Berkeley, Calf, but did DO d graduated from Columbia He mar . ried Helen Francis Robinson il Il California before entering Columbia . They separated some time ago. Afte | graduation he spent short time II Germany and returned to America a ) a teacher at Dartmouth He con n demned Dartmouth as the toughes e college in America" He had troubl l. there. blaming his difficulties ol