The White Pine news. [volume] (Treasure City, Nev.) 1868-1906, 1888-02-11

Not the bad Man He is Painted.
The following appeared in the vir-
ginia Enterprise of late date, under
the item announcing divorce being
granted to Mrs. Marian Lidd.e in San
Francisco
James Liddle Is the sweet scented pill that
all the edte Of White Pine and Eureka conn
ties combined to cave from the gallows for the
murder OF old man Norton, not far from Ham,
iltcn in 1879.
The circumstances of the case, in short. are
these: Norton took up piece of land about 30
miles from Hamilton Liddle was promi ne nj
and lnfuen tal citizen of White Pine. and he
claimed the land Hpon which Norton settled :.
Finding Norton working on the ranch proper
y, building upon 1t ano improving IL by fenc.
ing and everything that was necessary for Its
cultivation, he went TO Hamilton, bought q
rife, returned to the ranch. and while the old
man was swinging pick hundreds Of yards
away he shot him down like dog and killed
him. The case never came to trial. The
trouble was with the Judge and the poverty OF
the county, but II Is never too late to mend,
and cold-blooded murder 10 too hideous to be
long CLOSED over By "pfomincnce" or "inhu-
encs."
We have known James Liddle for some 10
years, and he has always borne the repv tation
ola good citizen. We have had business deal.
iDgs with him time and again, and always
found him squire han. In regard to his late
late domestic troubles, we prefer not to enter.
They concern no one but the parties interest.
ed. In regard to the killing Of Norton at
ThIrty-Mie Springs In 1879 IL was very pro-
voking affair. We believe it could have been
avoided. bnt when a man IL greatly wronged-
as the Liddle brothers were in that case-rea.
son and sound judgment are not always at
command The Liddles owned the Springs.
Once before that they bad been jumped and the
Lidcles bought the parties of. They believed
that Norton was trying TO levy more black
mali upon them. The balance OF the Enter.
prises unjust charges on Mr.. Liddle, the Judge
and ''the elite Of White Pine and Eureka coun.
ties" IL fairly refuted In the following from
the Sentinel OF last Saturday:
"Prlor to the dificuliy which eliminate in
the death Of Norton. Liddle had, owned and
claimed what is known a. "30-Mil Springs
for several years. Some improvements had
been made from time 10 time on the go Mile
Springs" ranch by Liddle. Norton assuming
that he could jump 1t, went on the ranch and
OOhAmSnSSo W ptoU AhH AOuNoAbs AAa4lOI VIM
then resided In Hamilton or Ward. was in
formed of II, and went to the ranch and de.
manded of Norton 10 quill This was refused
and Liddle got together three friends, who,
with himself. went to the ranch. and difficulty
ensued. In which Norton raised shovel and
rushed At Liddle who shot one single shst, al
very close quarters. and killed Norton. The
case was Investigated by one Grand Jury, which
brought In report generating Liddle. and
Immediately on filinz of said report Judge
Riyes, who then presided in White Pins
county. ordered that the case be again sub
mittet to another Grand Jury. Another Grand
Jury, composed, as Grand Juries usually are
of he best men in the county, again ignored a
bill of any kind against Liddle. This second
submission exhausted the power ofthe Judge
and II having been twice submitted. and Mr.
Liddle having been twice exhonersted from
blame in the killing of Norton, II behooves al
| good citizens to acqniese In the course the Law
has taken, and especially should people, who
live in glass houses. be cautious, IL they ar
devoid of modesty. before they insnuate
murder" against men who have never been
indicted, much less. not only mt indicted
but tried. found guilty and sentenced, for kill
| ing fellow-man."