Beck, Arthur C. 1882-1932

BECK, DUBRA, KELLMER

Posted By: Paul Van Dyke-volunteer
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:32

Source: Hawarden Independent (09-29-1932)

Born: June 10, 1882
Died: September 13, 1932

DAKOTA MURDERER GETS LIFE SENTENCE

A life sentence in the state penitentiary was meted out to Caswell Durham, aged 19, of Wolsey, South Dakota, who confessed last Friday in participating in the murder of Arthur Christian Beck, 65, night watchman of DeSmet on the night of September 13th. Durham plead guilty to the charge before Judge Alva E. Taylor. Henry Durham, brother of Caswell, was sentenced to five years when he plead guilty in helping his two brothers who had shot the officer, in making their getaway. Virgil Durham, the third brother, died last Friday in a Sioux City Hospital from shotgun wounds received in the holdup in which Beck was killed. Virgil Durham confessed to Sioux City detectives to the shooting when he was dying in a Sioux City Hospital, implicating his brothers.

Arthur Beck, was born June 10, 1882 to Arthur and Lena (Kellmer) Beck. He was married to Augusta (Dubra) Beck. He was a brother of Mrs. Arthur Younie and Mrs. Elmer Van Zante, former residents of Hawarden.