The Union daily times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1918-current, 1922-04-05
GUEST KILLED
AFTER PARTY

separate Investigations OF events sur
rounding the death of Lieut.. Col. Paul
Ward Beck, pioneer army aviator and
assistant commandSnt of post field of
Fort Sill, killed byy Jean P. Day,
wealthy oil operator and prominent
Oklahoma attorney in the latter's
home early yesterday, when, accord
ing to Day Beck was found struggling
with Mrs. Day.
A civilian investigation was begun
today by county authorities to de-
termine the charges to be filed
against Day. A military commits
sion from Post field is expected Fri
day to probe the killing The state
prohibition director began to check
to ascertain whether or not liquor
was involved in the party preceding
the killing. A coroner's inquest is
scheduled for Saturday.
Oklahoma City, April A mid
night party in the fashionable home
here of Jean P. Day, prominent at
torney and oil man, ended early TODAY
in the death of Lieut.. Col. Paul Word
Beck, assistant commandant of Post
field at Fort Sill, Okla, and widely
known in army circles
Beck, one of the pioneer flyers of
the American army, was killed by
LAY, who declared he struck the army
officer over the head with a revolver
when he returned home and found his
guest struggling with Mrs. Day. The
gun was discharged accidentally, Day
as serted. Beck's skull was so badly
torn that officials said they were un-
able to determine whether the bullet
or the blow caused death. Day is
under $4,000 bond to appear at cor
oner's inquest Saturday.
A committee of officers from Post
field will conduct an inquiry, it was
announced late today by County At
tCrney Hughes. He said he would not
consider filing charges until after the
coroner's inquest.
! M. F. Meadows, federal prohibition
director for Oklahoma, also announced
4 he would investigate to. determine
4 he said, what pspt,sif any, liquor may
have played in the tragedy, ,>s.;sss
he hoqtins fell0 0sssd a party a
tEe Day nome, at which Lfeutenahi
Colonel Beck was guest of honor
Beck flew here yesterday from Fort
II. Day had taken the other guests
home in his motor car and when he
returned to his home about 230 a. m
h" declared in a statement to news.
Paper men, noticed through a window
that his wife and Beck were seatec
on a divan. Colonel Beck reached
for her." Day declared. "There was
struggle"
Thereupon, Day said, he rushed into
the house and to an upstairs room
where he got his revolver
Returning to the dining room," he
related, 81 commanded: You get out
of here the army officer drawing back
his hand as if to strike | hit hin
o"er the head the gun went off,
never dreamed of it discharging."
Day said Lieutenant Colonel Bec}
had spent the evening with him anC
Mrs. Day. They dined at hotel. Day
said he had invited Beck to stay at his
home last night.
Earlier in the evening Beck ant
Mrs. Day attended theater together
according to other guests at the party
Day did not accompany them. Becl
had long been a friend of the Day
f. mily. He was As years Of age. Day
is so and his wife several year.
younger. They have a daughter who
is student at the state university.
Mrs. Day was unable to make an!
connected statement during the day
However, she corroborated the story
tcld by her husband
Mrs. Day is a leading society. wo
nan of Oklahoma City She spent las
: winter in Washington, d. c., and en-
tertained at many social functions
Lieutenant Colonel Beck lived at For
Sill with his mother, II years old
His wife died last year in Atanti
=, City. He is survived by son, whC
is first lieutenant in the army ord
nance department, stationed at Water
town, Conn.
Tonight Day amplifed his earle
statement and recounted details of tn
tragedy:
"Could any red blooded American d,
anything else when his confidence il
violated, his home invaded and hi
faithful wife insulted and violently at
tacked?" he demanded.
Clad in house coat and slippers will
burned out cigar between his fin
gers, Day sat on the front porch o
his home and calmly related the de
tails.