The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-04-05
Army, County and Government
Into Beck's Staying.
Mrs. Day, Wife of Admitted
Killer, Gives Version.
WAS LIQUOR ATTACK CAUSE?
Director Into Case
at COrOner'S Direction.
Judge Who Killed Post Field
Aviator Won't Testify.

Oklahoma City, April 5.-A tripls
Investigation into the age-old story OF
platonic friendship, built about the
glauor of an army uniform. beauty
and sudden wealth, which served as
the death trap for Lieut.. Col. Paul
Ward Beck, "A years old. premier
army airman, and commandant at
Post Field. Fort Sill, Okla, was
launched today
The army and the federal govern
ment united to sift the ashes of the
story of fierce burning rage told by
Jean p. Day, 55 years old. former su-
preme court judge, and millionaire oil
man, self admitted slayer of Beck.
Three Into Death Cause.
A civil investigation by county au-
thorities will determine the charges
to be filed against Day in connection
with the killing.
military commission OF three
army officers, headed by Mai. Thomas
B. Lanthier, will come here, accord
ing to an announcement at Post Field.
and investigate the killing. The COM
mission is expected to arrive Friday
or Saturday.
A third inquiry got under way when
NJ. F. Meadows. federal prohibition
director for Oklahoma. began 70
check up to ascertain whether liquor
might have had a part IN the party
which preceded the killing OF Lieuten-
ant Colonel Beck.
statement came from Mrs. Day
early today giving for the first time
her version of the killing. She was
under the care of a nurse.
Never Intimhted His Feeling.
Beck visited our house o. numerous
occasions" Mrs. Day said. zone time
he called when Mr.. Day was away but
it was a very brief visit. However
each time he called, previous to Mon
day night, he acted a perfect gem
tleman in every respect, coming into
fnFTN hftr cr-alwr nc Fvfr
whom we were always glad to see be-
cause of his geniality. We greatly en-
Joyed having him, inasmuch as he was
brilliant and an acceptable addition to
any company.
Early Tuesday morning, however.
after Mr.. Day left in the automobile to
take the other guests home, he seized
me by the wrists and threw one arm
around. me. 1t was a total surprise
to me. Nothing like that ever oc-
CURED before and I was dumbfounded
by his action As ne held me, he made
improper proposals to me. 1 strug-
gled vainly to free myself. from his
grasp.
Remembers Her Screaming.
TT was while I was thus struggling
that Mr.. Day opened the door and
walked in. He Immediately went up
stairs 1t seems to me that several
must have passed before
heard him coming down the stairs
again. I remember very distinctly that
he was standing on the landing with a
pistol in his hand.
When 1 first saw him. I was terri
fled. L remember distinctly that T
screamed severa. times
After that I remember nothing
more. Weakened by the struggle. to
free myself, from Beck's grasp. 1 felt
myself fainting. The whole room
swan before my eyes and passed
away. The ext thing ] remember is
is that some one was nm
dressing me and telling me to be otIfet
that L needed rest.
What happened after I saw Mr.
Day on the landing there? am un-
ible to tell 1 just remember that
everything seemed to dim before nv
Eyes and faded out"
Days VIII Not Testify.
County officials today were run
ling down various angles of the trag-
sdy but until the coroners inquest is
orney Forest Hughes announced. he
you'd not decide the question Of I'll
ng charges against Day.
Inasmuch as / cannot say at thfg
ime what turn the coroner's INQUEST
nay take. it is possible that either
or q murder charge may
re filed against Mr.. Day following the
inquest" said the county attorney.
In the event that Day and his wife
Iecline to take the stand at the in
uest, Hughes pointed out he could
hen file a charge Of murder
Friends Of Day declared neither hs
or his wife would testify at the in
nest