The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1921-04-03
Dean Wharton Of Syracuse
University Shot by Holmes
Beckwith, Whom He
Dismissed.
SLAYER A SOCIALIST
Series of Discharges From
Other Posts Believed to
Have Affected His
Mind.
HAD DOMESTIC TROUBLE
Spent q Week in Writing
About His Wrongs After He
Determined Upon Murder
and Suicide. :.
HAD DOMESTIC TROUBLE

Special Despatch to THE New York HzRALD.
SYRACUSE, April 2.-Prof. John Her
man Wharton, dean of the College OF
Business Administration at Syracuse
University, was shot and killed to-
day by Prof. Holmes Beckwith, an
atheist and Socialist, who held SUD-
ordinate position under DR.. Wharton
Beckwith committed suicide by shoot
ing himself in the chest and fore
head.
A week ago Beckwith was notified
his services would not be needed an
other year. Resentment over his dis
nissal and brooding over other re-
verses are believed to have driven him
insane. Chancellor James r. Day, head
OF the university, holds this view.
In a remarkable "open letter" left in
his room, Beckwith details his dis
missal from the faculties Of two other
colleges, tells how he met with flnan-
cial and matrimonial reverses. and ex-
presses the belief he was being per
secuted" On each Of the other oc-
casions when dismissed from the col
leges he says he contemplated murder
and suicide.
Beckwith came from his rooming
house to the university early this morn
ing and went to DIR. Wharton's office to
discuss his dismissal and the trouble he
had had with students.
Pumped Bullets Into Superior.
I The men evidently Quarrelled and
Beckwith drew revolver and fred at
Wharton as the latter was sitting at his
desk. He sprang up, and the first bullet
entered his chest Just under the heart.
He staggered across the room and fell
near the window. Beckwith stood over
him and pumped four more bullets into
his body, one going through his head.
another his chest and two through his
legs Breaking the revolver, he elected
the shells, reloaded and shot himself
twice.
Miss Lillian Lang, Dean Wharton's
secretary, and Prof. Charles L. Raper
heard the shots and. running In. found
the bodies. Chancellor Day was notified
and called the police. Both bodies were
removed TO the morgue.
Under Beckwith's coat was found q
leather belt, such as Is worn by hunters,
with a revolver holster and sheath
for n knife. In the latter was long
bladed hunting knife. sharpened to q
razor's edge. This was drawn partially
out.
In the muri erer's pocket we're found
directions written on cards to notify
his uncle, George Holmes of Montclair.
N. j., and not to notify his aunt, who
is Ill. There were also directions con-
cerning the opening OF ais desk at his
rooming house at zoos East Adams
street. where history or his earlier ex-
perience was found.
Left History of Troubles.
Prof. John o. Simms CT the School
OF Journalism, to whom Beckwith re-
ferred as friend" In q letter Friday
to Dean Wharton. protesting at his
dismissal, was asked to make such dis
position OF this history as he thought
best Chancellor Day asked him to turn
Il over to the authorities In addition
to the letter and the history there 10
another letter to woman who cared
for his apartments. and finally there is
a will disposlng OF his effects.
Another note found In his room was
addressed 20 Dear Aunt Hattie. Mary
and Martha the latter believed to be
DR.. Martha Beckwith of Poughkeepsie
". Y. The missive was spotted az
though with tears and showed clearly
he intended 70 kill himself
In another note addressed to Prof.
Simmons he gave directions for the
disposition OF his estate and expressed
the desire that his body be cremated
and not buried. All Of his property he
beuueathed to his aunt, Mrs. Mary J.
Holmes and at the same time expressed
regret for the trouble he was about to
cause.
Beckwith's troubles at the university
started at the beginning OF the term.
when he instituted the most rigid dig
cipline In his classes of finance and
banking. After the midyear exaxnina-
lions. when he refused to pass thirty.
three out OF fifty students in ono class,
petitions were circulated among the
student body asking for his dismissal
The result was that Prof. Wharton a
week ago notified him that his services
would not be needed another year
since that time he has been moody.
MS associates declare. and has been
WORKING on mysterious document.
which to-day proved TO be his life his
tory, giving In great detail the wrongs
and inJustices done him throughout his
life.
"Corncred Rat VIII Fisht.-
1eckwith failed TO attend a meeting
OF the college faculty yesterday and
instead sent letter TO Dean wharton
intended to be read at the meeting.
From this letter II is believed he in
tended TO time his suicide with the fac
ulty meeting. The letter was found on
Prof Wharton's desk to-day after the
murder. II reviews the trouble Beck
. with had had with his students and
: Continued on Scyeufeenfh Poos