The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1922-04-09

GERS death at an early hour Tuesday.
Day, in his story of the affair, admit
ted killing the army aviator, declaring
he did so in self-defense after he dis
covered him attempting to assault Mrs.
Day.
Army Officers Present.
group of army officers from Fort
Sill, comrades of the slain aviator, ar.
rived in Oklahoma City about 1 o'clock
after a difficult airplane journty. made
hazardous by the unfavorable weather
conditions prevailing over the state.
They Immediately notified County At
torney Forrest l.. Hughes of their ar
rival.
Mr.. and Mrs. Day arrived ten min.
utes before hearing scheduled to begin
Mrs. Day was pale OF face but entered
the courtroom calmly. Neither exhib.
tied any emotion as they took seats near
their attorney. Mrs. Adal Andrew, Sis
ter of Mrs. Day, accompanied them.
Mr. and Mrs. Day permitted photo
grapher to snap a flashlight picture Of
them. When but two minutes before
the inquiry was to begin. their daugh-
ter, and only child, Doris, university
student, had not Joined them.
Sheriffs Clear Aisle.
Justice A. w. McWil1iams, the coro-
ner, had to call deputy sheriffs to clear
u path thru the crowds filling the door
way of the courtroom. He took a seat
on the bench at 2:05 p. m.
Eleven officers for Fort Sill, some
of whom comprised the army board Of
inquiry into their fellow officers death,
arrived at 2:l0 p. m, and Justice Nc
Williams Immediately raped for order
and asked spectators TO maintain quiet
while examination Of witnesses was in
progress.
dead man, was one of the officers in
attendance.
Lieutenant Haul Ward Beck, son Of
the former assistant commander of the
Post Field flying station, was also
among the Fort Sill party.
a jury Of six men and more than a
dozen witnesses were sworn.
First Witness Called.
Joe Campbell, local police detective
was the first witness called.
a delay Of several minutes was ex.
peCted while court attaches attempted
TO maintain order In the throng of spec.
tators. The crowd in the court room
was estimated at more than 600 was
on its feet, each person standing in their
bench seats so as to be in a position TO
hear the trial.
Campbell, answering questions asked
by County Attorney Forrest Hughes.
testified he answered call when Patrol
man Dickmiller, TO residence OF Day,
which was received at 1853 n. M. Aprl
4, at police headquarters. Then teS
tifeied as to geenral construction of the
house.
Met by Mrs. Day.
They were met at the door by Mrs.
Day. he said. He said he did not
know the nature Of the call before he
reached the residence.
County Attorney Hughes obtained
description from Campbell of positions
of various pieces OF furniture in the
Day drawing room, where Beck's body
was found.
Shades OF drawing room were all
raised at the time the officers arrived.
Capbell said.
Mrs. Day was standing by the divan
and when the officers entered said:
"Why did they leave me?" Campbell
testified. The officers then observed
the body OF Beck about two feet from
the divan with his head facing south or
toward the front OF the house.
Beck Held Handkerchief.
The body was lying flat on its back,
Campbell stated, the head surrounded
by a large pool OF blood. The blood
was In evidence for half the length of
the body.
A handkerchief was found clutched In
Becks hand, the officer testified. bear
ing the initials up. w. b.. Handker.
chief was identified as evidence.
Small brain clots We're found about
four feet south ofthe body. the dctec-
tivas said Small piece OF skull and
brain was. found on the piano, s or 10
feet from the body.
lie said he saw Beck and Mrs. Day
through the window on his drive way
ON the drawing room divan, Campbell
said Day told him.
Day stated. according to Campbell.
that Back was between the drawing
room and dining room when he struck
him down.
Tellss Of Fracas.
Officer said Day told him he did not
have finger on the trigger OF the gun.
Campbell said there was a bottle and
glasses on the drawing room table, One
glass contained sliced orange, he said.
although he did not taste the contents.
Campbell said Day told him he struck
Beck, when the latter drew back as II
to strike him.
Wanted 10 Die.
Mrs. Day was hystorical at this time
The officer said. moaning that "she
wanted to die" and other incohcrcnt
thrascs She mentioned her honor
Campbell said. but he could not recall
exact words.
Day later brought the revolver from
lpstairs and exhibited Il to the off
.ers
Mrs. Day Barcfootcd.
Mrs. Day wore a one-piecc blue dress,
had on brown hose and was barefooted
he witness stated.
Campbell said he did not believe eth
ar of the Days were Intoxicated. Mrs.
Day had blood on her face. dress and
arms. the witness said, which the off.
,ers washed off.
Beck's body was taken TO undertak.
RS an hour or an hour and half after