The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-04-04
Lieut.. Col. Paul w. Beck Shot
at Oklahoma City.
Former Oklahoma Supreme
Court Justice Kills Him.
WAS FRIEND OF THE FAMILY
Judge Day Says Post Field
COmmandant to Blame.
Fatal Shot Fired as Struggle
Was at Height.

Oklahoma City, April 4.-Jean p.
Day. former state supreme court jus
tice and prominent in financial cir
cles of the state. today was held un-
der $1,000 appearance bond pending
an investigation by a coroner's jury
into the death of Lieut.. Col. Paul W
Beck, commandant of Post field avia-
tion station at Fort sill, Okla. who
was killed early today at Days home
here.
Death Was Accident?
Day is a former state supreme court
judge and prominent Oklahoma fl
nancier.
1t was Judge Days hand which held
the weapon, but the shooting, accord
ing to a statement being investigated
by police, was accidental. The weapon
was discharged, it is said, as Day at
tempted to strike the army officer
over the head, after he had found Mrs
Day struggling in Becks embrace
According to a statement issued by
r. W. Dick, also a guest Day returned
to his house after escorting home a
number of guests whom his wife
earlier had entertained at cards and
found Mrs Day struggling in the arms
of the army officer. Dick. who is an
intimate acquaintance of the family,
said Day authorized the statement
Lieut.. Col Beck had long been a
close friend of the Days, and came
here yesterday by airplane from Fort
Sill. he was one Oh lIle guests at iflE
card party last night, Dick said. and
was left alone with Mrs. Day when her
husband saw their friends home in his
automobile.
Upon his return home. Dick said,
Day peered thru a porch window and
saw his wife fighting to release the
aviator's hold on her. He rushed up
stairs and obtained his revolver. Dick
asserted. and returned to the room
where the couple were still struggling.
Beck made a motion as il TO strike
Day, continued Dick, and Day struck
him over the head with the revolver,
the gun exploding. Beck fell to the
floor and was dead before police ar
rived.
The commanding officer at Fort
Sill has been notified.
Mrs. Day Has Collapsed.
Mrs. Day this morning was in
state bordering on nervous collapse
and would make no statement
Day has been prominent in political
and financial circles of the state since
Oklahoma was admitted to the Union
He was a member of the supreme
court commission and one of the two
men who framed Oklahoma's first
code of statutes. He was active In
the political campaign of former
United States Senator Thomas 2.
Gore.
Day is SO years old and president
of the Foursome Producing & Refiu-
ing company and vice president OF
the Continental Asphalt & Petroleum
company. His wife is several years
younger.
Beck in Service Since 1899.
They have one child. a daughter
studying at the University of okla
homa. The family has resided in
Oklahoma City seven years.
Lieutenant Colonel Beck was COM
mandant of Post field and was one Of
the first four aviators in the United
States army.
He had been in the service since
1899. according to the post adjutant
at Fort Sill. Beck went to Fort Sili
from Arcadia. Fla, in July. 1921. lie
is said to have been a widower-
The coroners jury has been called
to meet Saturday and pending a fun
County Attorney Hughes
no charges will be filed.
In instructing the sheriff to accept a
cash appearance bond from Day, the
attorney said the fact that the
army officer was formerly a good
friend Of the Days. and was their
guest, together with the fact that Day
had killed him in his home, con-
tributed to his decision TO refrain
from filing charges Immediately.