Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-04-06
EX-JUDGE CLAIMS
He SHOT COLONEL
IN W|FE'S DEFENSE
Lieutenant Colonel Paul W.
Beck Killed by Wealthy
0kIahoman After Party at
Latter's Home

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla, April
APPROPRIATIONS were made today to-
launch three separate inquiries into
the events surrounding the death OF
Lieutenant Colonel Paul Ward Beck,
pioneer army aviator and assistant
commander of Post Field, Fort Sill,
Okla, who was killed by Jean p.
Day, wealthy oil operator and prom
inent Oklahoma attorney, in the lat
ter's home here early yesterday
morning when, according to Day,
Beck was found struggling with Mrs.
Day.
A civil investigation by county
authorities will determine the
charges to be filed against Day.
A military commission of three
army officers, headed by Major
Thomas B. Lanthier, will come here,
according to an announcement at
Post Field, and investigate the
killing. The commission is expected
to arrive Friday or Saturday.
A third inquiry got under way
when M. F. Meadows, federal pro-
Inhibition director for oklahoma, be-
gan to check up to ascertain wheth-
er liquor might have had part in
the party. which preceded the kill
ing Of Lieutenant Colonel Beck.
County. officials today were rum
ming, down various angles of the
tragedy but until the coroner's i'm
quest is held Saturday afternoon,
County Attorney Forrest Hughes
announced he would not decide the
question of filing charges against
Day.
Judge Days Version
"Inasmuch as I cannot say at this.
time what turn the coroner's inquest
may take, it is possible that either
manslaughter or a murder charge
may be filed against Mr.. Day follow
ing the inquest" said the county at
torney. M
Judge Day, in an interview, de.
clared ne had no thought Of killing
Beck when he returned to his home
and, he alleges, found the army Off
GER struggling with Mrs. Day. His
only intent, Day said, was to drive
Beck from his home. He feared Beck
might be armed, he said, and OBJ
tanned a revolver.
He said the army officer drew back
one hand and then he struck Beck
on the head with the revolver. The
discharge of the weapon was acct
clared it appeared the impact of the
blow was sufficient to cause death.
Declaring he "loved Beck like a
brother" Day asserted he acted as
almost any "red blooded American,
who finds his confidence violated, his
home invaded and his faithful wife
insulted 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 a nurse.
''Beck visited our home on numer.
Gus accasions," Mrs. Day said. Zone
time he called when Mr.. Day was
away. but it was a very brief visit.
However, each time he called, pre-
vious to Monday night, he acted as .
perfect gentleman in every respect,
coming into our home merely as a
friend, and one whom we were glad
to see because of his geniality. We
greatly enjoyed having him, mas.
much as he was brilliant and an ac-
ceptable addition to any company.
Mrs. Days Statement
early Tuesday morning, how.
ever, after Mr.. Day left in the au
tomobile to take the other guests
home; he seized me by the wrists
and threw one arm around me. 1t
was total surprise to me. Moth
ing like that ever occurred before,
and [ was dumbfCunded by his ac-
ton. AS he held me, he made inn
proper proposals to me. [ struggled.
vanly to free myself from his grasp.
at was while I was thus strug-
Cling that Mr.. Day opened he door
and walked in. He Immediately
went upstairs. 1t seems to me that
several minutes must have passed
before 1 heard him coming down
the stairs again. 1 remember very
distinctly that he was standing on
the landing with q pistol in his hand.
When first saw him I was terrified.
[ remember distinctly that scream
ed several times.
cater that l remember nothing
more Weakened by the struggling
to free myself from Beck's grasp,
I felt myself fainting. The whole
room swan before my eyes and
passed away. The next thing / re-
member is indistinct. 1t i" that
someone was undressing me and
telling me TO be quiet; that 1 needed
rest.
What happened after I saw Mr..
Day on the landing there, I am I'M
able to tell l just remember thai
everything seemed to dim before ms
eyes and faded out"
O1dTo1.,n AyL Flood ?