The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-04-25
WALTON INDICTED BY GRAND JURY
 ON THREE COUNTS
Charged With Murder of M. o. Barton on Mulga Road. Mason Released-Plan
 Habeas Corpus

That Louis Walton killed Nose Bar ton by striking him with an iron bar and shooting him with a pistol. was the finding of the grand jury for the April term in the report submitted yes- terday to w. E. Fort. senior judge of the criminal court. E. E. Mason, who was held on the same charge, was re- leased yesterday, the grand jury fail ing to find evidence to hold him.
 Walton and his attorneys, Mcqueen & Ellis were in court when the grand 5ury made the report and when his name appeared among those indicted he was taken back to jail. He de- c1ined to make any statement as to t.ss findings of the grand jury but his attorneys state that habeas corpus proceedings will be commenced tomor- row in the city court in the effort to secure his release.
 The assassination of M O. Barton occurred on the night of April 10 on the Mulga road His body was found by searching party lying about 10O yards from the main road with a bull let hole in the head and the skull frac- tured. A couplin pin was found close by that had bloodstains on it. The pockets of the deceased were turned inside out and his watch missing.
 It was learned that Barton, accom- panied by Walton and Mason, hired 6 buggy in Ensley on the night of the killing for the purpose of riding to Mulga. Walton once ran a chicken farm a few miles from Ensley and left the buggy at this point and ask ed Barton to call for him as he was re- turning from Mulga. Barton agreed to this and drove on to Mulga with Ma son, leaving him at the hotel, he gc- ing to call on young lady to whom he was engaged. Walton, tired of wait ing for Barton, hired a taxicab and returned to Ensley and on the fcl- lowing morning went to Mulga, where it was learned that Barton had not been seen since late the previous night and searching party was organized and the dead body found as stated a'ove.
 Detectives Eubanks and Crenshaw were detailed on the case and about midnight. April II. placed Louis Wal lon and E. D. Mason under arrest
 
 der. Evidence developed that Barton and Walton had insured each others lives for policies amounting to over $4o,000 made out in favor of the Wal ton Trading company. concern con eisting of Walton, Barton and Wal tons wife.
 Investigation was commenced ly Coroner Spain, who organized a jury to look into the case. Monday the grand jury of the April term recon vened and took up the assassination of Mir. Barton with the result that Wal ton was indicted as above and Mason released. Walton has at all times stout protested his innocence and has many friends who do not believe him guilty of the heinous crime
 The indictment returned yesterday contains three counts. as follows:
 "The grand jury of said county charges that before the finding of this indictment Louis Walton uniawfully and with malice aforethought, killed Nose Barton, by striking him with ar iron bar and shooting him with a pis- tol.
 "The grand jury of said county fur ther charge that before the finding of thi sindictment Louis Walton urlaw- fully and with malice aforethought killed Nose Barton by shooting hini with a pistol
 "The grand jury of said county fur ther charges that before the finding of this indictment Louis Walton unlaw- fully and with malice aforethought killed Nose Barton by striking him with an iron bar.
 Against the peace and dignity of the state of Alabama
 HUGO l.. BLACK. Solicitor"