New Britain herald., 1922-04-05
MRS DAY GIVES
 STORY 0F SHOOTING
Wife Who Was Found Struggling
 With Beck, Tells Of Affair

ations were made today to launch threo separate inquiries Into tht events surrounding the death of Lieut. Col, Paul Ward Beck, pioneer army aviation officer and assistant com mandant of Post field, Fort sill, Okla who was killed by Jean P. Day, oil operator and Oklahoma attorney In the latter's home here early yesterday morning when, according to Day, Beck was found struggling with Mrs Day.
 A civil investigation by county au- thorities will determine charges to he filed against Day.
 A military commission of three army officers headed by Major Thom- as B. Lanthier, will come here, &C., cording to an announcement at Post field and investigate the killing. The commission is expected to arrive Fri day or Saturday.
 Liquor Suspected.
 A third inquiry got under way when w. F, Meadows. federal prohibition director for Oklahoma began to check up to ascertain whether liquor had a part in the party which preceded the killing of Lieut.. Col. Beck.
 County officials were running down various angles of the tragedy but until the coroner's inquest is held Sat urday afternoon County Attorney For. rest Hughes announced he would not not decide the question of filing charges against Day.
 "Inasmuch as l cannot say at this time what turn the coroners inquest may take, it is possible that either manslaughter or murder charge may be filed against Mr. Day follow- ing the inquest" said the county at torney.
 No Intent to Kill.
 Day declared he had no thought of killing Beck when he returned to his home and, he asserted, found the army officer struggling with Mrs. Day. His only intent, he said, was to drive Beck from his home. He thought Beck might be armed, he said, and obtained 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 acci- dental he avowed. Officials said it ap- peared the impact of the blow was sufficient to cause death.
 Declaring he loved Beck like a brother Day asserted he acted as would almost any red blooded Amer ican, who finds his confidence siolat- ed his home invaded and his faith tul wife insuted and violently attacked"
 A statement came from Mrs. Day early today giving for the first time her version of the killing. She vas under the care of nurse.
 Mrs. Days Statement
 Beck visited our home on numer- ous occasions she said. "One time he called when MT. Day was saway, but it was very brief visit. However each time he called previous to Mon- day night, he acted as a perfect gen. tleman in every respect, coming into our home merely as friend and one whom we were glad to see because of his geniality. We greatly enjoyed having him, inasmuch as he was bril- liant and an acceptable addition to any company
 Early Tuesday morning however, after MT. Day left in the automobile to take the other guests home he seized mo by the wrists and threw one arm around me. It was a terrible to me. Nothing like that ever occurred before and was dumb founded by his action. As he held me- 1e made improper proposals to me. I struggled vainly to free myself from his grasp.
 Husband Appears
 "It was while I was thus struggling hat MT. Day opened the door and walked in. He immediately went up- stairs. It seems to me that several minutes must have passed before ,eard him coming down the stairs lgain. l remember very distinctly hat he was standing on the landing with a pistol in his hand. When T irst saw him, l was terrified. l re- member distinctly that screamed everal times.
 After that I remember nothing | nore. Weakened by the struggle to | rec myself from Bcck's grasp I felt 1 myself fainting. The whole room wam before my eyes and passed | way The next thing I remember is ndstinct. It is that someone was un- rcssing mo and telling me to be quiet that I needed rest"
 What happened after I saw Mr. Day on the landing there I am unable o tell. ] just remember that every hing seemed to dim before my eyes