The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1917-04-12
|BEACH POLICE
| OFFICER CALLED
| BY PROSECUT ION
Testifies to Time of Explosion in
Murder Dynamiting Case on
Trial in Mandan
DEFENDANT SEEN SHORTLY
| AFTER THE EXPLOSION
Another George Smith Brought
Into Limelight Through
Letter Found Near Scene
(Speclal to Trlbune)


Mandan, N. d., April 12.-On the
night of the Horace Ball murder at
Beach, George Smith, being tried for
the murder Of Ball. was met near the
State bank few minutes after the
explosion, by Chief Of Police NJ. J.
Moran. r. s
This was about 1915 o'clock on
the morning of July IS, five or ten
minutes after the explosion which is
alleged to have resulted III Balls
death.
Another Angle in Case.
Another angle to complicate mat
ters was introduced by the state
when it presented an exhibit in the
form of letter in court addressed
to George Smith, Beach. N. D., which
was found on the morning following
the murder at the scene Of the trag-
edy.
The letter was written by Sullivan
& Sullivan, local law firm, to anoth-
er Smith at Beach. J. F. Sullivan is
assisting the defense and says the
George Smith to which the letter was
directed is another party. The ques-
tion has arisen whether or not it was
that George Smith who committed
the murder.
Police Tells Story.
M. ]. Moran was the last witness
examined by the prosecution last
evening, court adjourning at $50
O'Clock, his testimony being perhaps
the most important Of any witness
thus far. His story will form an i'm
portant part in summing up the evil
dence in the prosecutions plea.
He testified that on the night Of
July II he and Judge Halliday en-
tered the Wall Fasting house at
1850 o'clock and sat at the lunch
counter. A they entered the res
taurant, they passed George Smith
sitting on the steps of the eating
house. While he and Judge Halliday
were eating at the counter, Smith
entered the restaurant and sat near
them and ordered cup Of coffee,
some cakes and doughnuts. 1t took
Smith about five minutes to eat his
lunch. He then left the restaurant.
Just as Smith left, the waiter
brought Judge Halliday his lunch
and it took them probably 10 or Is
minutes to finish.
A short time after the report Of
the dynamite explosion was heard,
Moran and Judge Halliday stepped
out of the restaurant and Mr.. Nor
ran, believing that one of the banks
had been broken into, went down the
street. At the Golden Valley State
bank, Judge Halliday left Mr.. Nor
ran and went home.
Moran Meets Smith.
There was no one in sight on the
Main street of Beach. Mr.. Moran
continued his investigation of all the
banks and after inspecting the First
National bank some distance away
from the State bank he noticed an
object move. He then turned and
hurriedly walked to the man and be-
fore Smith realized it, Mr.. Moran
was by him. Mr.. Moran recognized
Smith and Immediately asked him:
''Did~ you hear that explosion?"
Eyes, heard the shot few min
utes ago. said Smith.
(Which way did it sound" quer-
led Moran.
ut sounded as If it came from the
direction of the Northern Pacific
yards replied Smith.
Where have you been? I thought
you we're going to bed?"
II went over to the livery barn to
see if my horses were all right"
Where are you stopping?'
II have a room at the Lewis ho-
tel"
MOrr1n Leaves Smith.
Witness Moran then testifes that
he left Smith and continued his
Continued On Page Three)