The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1922-04-06
Staying HAS
TRAGIC ANGLE
Wife of J. P. Day, the Stay
er, Sobs Out First Story
of Killing Today.
HAD BEEN ATTACKED
Claims She Tainted and Was
Unconscious When Shot
Brought Officers Death.
(By Associated Press Leased Wire

Oklahoma City, Okla. - Preparations
were made today to launch three sep
arate inquiries into the events sur
rounding The death of Lieutenant Col
onel Paul Ward Beck, pioneer army
aviator and assistant ccmmandant of
Post Field, Fort sill, Okla, who was
killed by Jean P. Day, wealthy oil OPP
orator and prominent Oklahoma at
torney in the latter's home here early
yesterday morning, when, according to
Day, Beck was found attacking Mrs.
Day.
A civil investigation by county au-
thorities will determine the charges
to be filed against Day in connection
with the killing.
/ A military commission of three army
officers will come here from Post
Field and investigate the killing.
A third inquiry got under way when
M. F. Meadows, federal prohibition d.
rector for Oklahoma began to check
up to ascertain whether liquor might
have had part in the party which
preceded the killing of Lieutenant
Colonel Beck. In event that Day and
his wife decline to take the stand at
the inquest, County Attorney Hughes
pointed out, he could then file charge
of murder.
County officials today were running
down various angles of the tragedy in
preparation for the inquest on Satur-
day. It has not yet been determined
whether Day or his wife will take the
stand at the inquest.
Day Deeply Penitent.
Day, in an interview, declared he
had no thought of killing Beck, when
he returned to his home and, he al
leges, found the army officer attempt
ing to assault Mrs. Day. His only in
tent. Day said, was to drive Beck
from his home.
Day declared when he encountered
Beck, the army officer drew back one
hand. 1t was then, Day said, that he
struck Beck on the head with the re-
volver. The discharge of the weapon
was accidental, he asserted.
Declaring he "loved Beck like a
brother" Day asserted he acted as
most any "red-blooded American, who
finds his confidence violated, his home
invaded and his faithful wife insult
ed and violently attacked"
A statement came from Mrs, Day
early today giving for the first time
her version of the killing. She was
under the care of nurse.
Mrs. Day Makes Statement.
Beck visited our home on numer-
Gus occasions" Mrs. Day said. Zone
time he called when Mr.. Day was
away but it was very brief visit. How
ever, each time he called, previous to
Monday night, he acted as a perfect
gentleman in every respect, coming
into our home merely as friend and
one whom we were Glad to see because
of his geniality."
early Tuesday morning, however,
after Mr.. Day left in the automobile
to take the guests home, he seized me
by the wrists and threw one arm
around me. 1t was total surprise to
me. Nothing like that ever occurred
before and / was dumbfounded by his
action. AS he held me he made i'm
vainly to free myself from his grasp.
1T 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
minutes must have passed before !
heard him coming down the stairs
again. | remember very distinctly
that he was standing on the landing
with pistol in his hands. When /
first saw him, was terrified. remem-
Der distinctly that screamed several
times.
"After that l remember nothing
more. Weakened by the struggle to
free myself from Beck's grasp. I felt
myself fainting.
what happened after I saw Mr..
Day on the landing there, I am un-
able to tell. just remember that
everything seemed to dim before my
eyes and faded out"