The Washington times., 1922-04-04
TOR =,
SLAIN BY
EXiJUOGE
Found Beck Embracing Wife,
Says Financier-Denies
intent to Kill.
By international News Service.

By international News Service.
OKLAHOMA CITY, April A.
A struggle, which ended with the
binding flash Of revolver and o
choking cry of pain, brought death
here today to Lieut.. Col. Paul
Ward Beck, commandant Of Post
Field, Fort Sill, nationally known
in army circles and prominent in
Washington society.
He was slain at the home Of
Jean P. Day, former State supreme
court Judge, and prominent Okla
homa financier.
Intent to XIII Denied.
1t was Judge Days hand which
held the weapon. but the shooting,
according to a statement being in
vestigated by police, was accidental.
The weapon was discharged, II is
said, as Day attempted to strike the
army officer over the head, after he
had found Mrs. Day struggling in
Beck's embrace.
According to police, Beck's death
was caused by the shot, which Judge
Day asserts was accidentally fired.
upon his head.
Beck, according to the story given
the police, launched a blow first at
Day. The two men then closed.
Judge Day clubbed the officer over
the head with the revolver.
Judge Day had returned to his
home after taking a party of guests
to their homes following a card
party.
Powder Burns on Head.
Powder burns showed that the
weapon had been discharged close
to the head. There was also a
wound back of the head, and a mark
on the left cheek.
The body was found in the living
room Of the home. A great pool OF
blood was on the floor where the
army officer fell and where he died
almost instantly.
Judge Day was taken into custody
after police had been called to the
house following the shooting. No
charge has been filed against him.
He was allowed to remain in his
home under guard of deputy sheriffs.
His case will come under Federal
Jurisdiction, II was stated.
The statement of just what oc-
CURED came from r. w. Dick,
former warden OF the State pen
Iitentiary, and a close friend of the
Day family. 1t was authorized by
Judge Day.
According to Dick, Judge Day
found his wife struggling in the
| arms Of the army officer He did
not attempt to shoot him but struck
at him with the revolver, which ex-
| ploded.
Tragedy Followed Party.
The tragedy came as the after.
math of a card party held last night
| at the Day home. There were sew
eral guests, all close friends of the
family. Lieutenant Colonel Beck
was among the party and was a
guest at the Day home, having come
, from the flying field at Fort Sill.
The party broke up about 8 o'clock
and Judge Day offered to take the
guests to their homes In a motor
car.
He left Mrs. Day and Beck alone
In the house, according to the state.
ment.
When he returned. Judge Day
| stepped upon the porch, and look
ing through the curtains, saw his
wife struggling In the embrace Of
Beck. He at once burst into the
house, rushed up stairs, and secured
his revolver.
He confronted Beck in the living
room, where he was still struggling
with Mrs. Day, and striking Beck
| with the revolver, held in his hand,
according to Dicks statement, saw
Beck fall as the revolver exploded.
An Accident, Says Day.
IT didn't mean to shoot him." was
Days statement. HE was attack.
ing my wife, and struck him over
the head with the gun. The shot
was accidental"
Lieutnant Colonel Beck's wife died
] Continued on Page 2. Column 81