Imperial Valley press., 1921-10-15
BOOKS
Of SUICIDE
I D FIN D
CAUSE
Cashier of Irrigation Dis
trict at CalexicO Kills Self
Without Any Known
Cause for Deed.

Auditors of the Imperial Irrigation
District are busy checking the ac-
counts and going over the books of
Jack Beat, cashier of the Calexico of
flee, of the district, who committed sui
eide by shooting at his home in that
city yesterday morning.
While up to the time Of the tragedy
which came as distinct shock and
surprise to his employers and friends
there had been no suspicion that there
was anything wrong with his accounts
and so far as has been stated nothing
has developed to show any irregulari-
ties in his cash. the district officers
naturally took steps to protect them
selves.
Beat was the sole custodian of The
revolving fund of approximately $4,000
which was turned over and over every
day, with perhaps not more than ore
half of the fund on hand at any time
in cash. The balance being accounted
for by vouchers of payments and ad-
vances on account of labor and mater
ials. The district can suffer little, if
any loss, however, even iD the event
that the entire fund had been dissipat-
ed for the reason that Beat was under
ample bond.
The coroner held an inquest at the
Lemons undertaking parlors this morn
ing and verdict of suicide was re-
turned. Funeral arrangements have
not been completed, pending word
from Beats relatives who are said to
live in Toledo. Ohio. $50 ~r,
Beat had been employed by the Ir-
rigation. District for about two and
half years.. He entered the sery .ce
of the district in 1919, shortly after
his discharge from the u. s. military
service, he being lieutenant in : the
329th infantry during the war. : :. ).
Beat lived alone in nicely furnish
ed cottage at -106 Fifth street, Calexi-
p co. A woman living in an adjoining
house heard a short about 9 O'Clock
but attached no importance to it. Later
when the dead man failed to be IN his
accustomed place at the district of
fees, Superintendent Piatt investigat-
ed. and made the discovery. ts'
1t is evident that Beat, who was clad
only in dressing gown, had stood be-
side his bed, placed the muzzle of the
pistol against his forehead and fired
The bullet entered above the right eye
made it's exit behind the left ear. and
with a small piece of the skull was
found lying on the floor. A small
quantity of blood was found on the
wall, and in the mattress across which
TIE body had fallen. The dead mans
head lay in a pool of blood.
Beats right hand retained grip
upon the pistol with which he had shot
himself. From the position of the bo ly
and condition of evrything in the
room, there could be no doubt as tc
the act being premeditated and car.
ried out in the usual methodical ant
carefully planned manner in which his
whole life was directed, according tc
those who have investigated the ira
gedy. ~. .a
Friends of. the dead man said that
they saw and talked with him abou
9 o'clock the, night before and that he
seemed In unusually, good health ane
spirits WITH G. Gu Cockley, an ac
quaintance onblast evening he dis
cussed bis business plans for the neal
futurea and spoke Of several things ht
had in mind q. to be. accomplished soon
Morbid thoughts and intentions to do {
deed such as ihea did "a few hours later
seemed to be farthesb from his min(
of eyeDythirlg in the world.