Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-04-09

room without a word between
II saw Colonel Beck holding Mrs.
Day on the divan,' testified Day.
she was fighting him. He had his
right arm around her HIS other
hand was about her knees"
Tried to Shame Advances
You don't know what you are say
ing: | couldn't do that" Mrs. Day
testified she replied to Beck, when he
urged her to come to his room.
Mrs. Day said she did not hear her
husband enter the house when he went
to get his revolver.
II don't know whether I beat his
face" she said. declaring she used
both hands to fight off Beck's left
arm.
her husband as he descended the stairs
with the revolver in one hand.
"My God, Daddy. don't do that she
said she cried.
Beck had jumped up from the divan
meanwhile and had retreated to another
room. she said.
The next thing she said she saw was
the body of Beck lying on the floor
Lifted Head; Got Gush Of Blood
II did not see the shot fired. I did
not hear the report Mrs. Day testi-
fled
Il looked down and saw his lips
move she continued. Il lifted his
head. then / put his head back down
and the blood surged out: Then my
hands we're covered with blood"
Later, she testified she wiped the
hor "
an officer brought wet towel.
Greatly Agitated BY Scandal
There will be people who won't be-
lieve." she said brokenly.
After the tragedy she said she
moaned:
Il pray that my little girl won't
live: that she won't come home
What is there for her to live for?'
she asked with Il gesture of hopeless
ness.
Dorothy. the 21-year- old daughter
Of Mr.. and Mrs Day, student, was
at the University of Oklahoma the
night of the tragedy.
when he was struggling with you
and asked you to come to his room.
you didn't think he was trying to do
anything wrong them" asked County
Attorney Hughes. explaining that he
wanted to bring out the intent in Beck's
mind.
Court damned to Bursting
II didn't think; / didn't know" Mrs.
Day replied. what would you think ?"
she questioned.
An hour before the time set for the
inquest. every available seat in the dis
trict court room was taken by spec
tators and the corridors were filled
with jostling crowds unable to obtain
standing room in the court chamber.
Three bailiffs attempted to preserve
order in the crowded corridors.
Like Brother to Daughter
Mrs Day testified Beck had been
trusted friend. He was the idol Of her
daughter, who regarded him as big
brother. she said.
She declared Beck was not under the
influence of liquor the night of the
tragedy. Never before. she said, had
the army man given any indication that
he was other than perfect gentle
man.
Day sat slumped in his chair during
the hearing chewing cigar. When he
took the stand he spoke in clear tones,
but showed the strain he was under.
LIE soitC 3iSW stIdAHCu "ACA liz Plo
tested:
Il didn't intend to kill him. That is
the truth. He jumped back and put
his hand back as if to fight" the wit
ness said, "and | struck him with all
my might
''One time / caught the gun and put
it to my head, but / didn't shoot. I
thought of my wife and child said
Day, relating how he surprised Beck,
entered the house and went upstairs
where he obtained the revolver.
Leaning over and pointing his finger
at County Attorney Hughes, he said at
one point, in a pleading voice:
Il want to say to you boys you can
prosecute me to the limit, but don't,
don't make such statements as you
have made to the newspapers DETECTING
on the purest. sweetest woman in the
world"
Wife Tells of Social Evening
Mrs Day walked to the stand, and
after slipping some water began her
story.
She told how Lieutenant Colonel
Beck flew from Post field in com
pany with Major r. B. Haddock and
came to her home late Monday. She
and her husband dined with Beck at
a hotel, and Day left them while she
and Beck attended theater in COM