Weekly journal-miner., 1918-07-24
THREATENED TO KILL MILLER NIGHT BEFORE
 TRAGEDY TOOK PLACE
(From Fridays Dailyl

(FrOm FrlQay Daliyl The case of Harry Earl Stephens, which has occupied the attention of the Superior court since one week ago last Monday, is slated to go to the jury at an hour not later than six o'clock this evening according to the belief of counsel representing i both the State and the defense, yes tcrday's session having seen the end of the submission of testimony. The day was spent in clearing up odds and ends in the way of tcstl- mony. both sides having placed wit nesscs on the stand to clear up some minor points which had been omitted during the original examination Of the witnesses. Because of the fact that small bit of new evidence had been uncarthed since the session ot the preceding day, 1t was necessary to recall to the stand both Mir. and | Ms. ]. II. Stephens as well as the de- ! fcndant. The State had learned that | Bud had made threats against the 1 life of Miller, the man for whose killing he is on trial. on the Monday evening preceding the homicide, the threats having been made at the Pal ace cafe in the presence of EX-Sher- Tiff George Rufincr and the defend ants father and sister and the lat tcr's husband.
 Ruffner Tells of Threat. Mir. Ruffncr was among the tirst witnesses examined during the morn ing session, being called to the stand ! by Assistant Prosecutor Clark. MT. 1 Ruffncr said that during Monday at tcrnoon. he had visited with Mrs. i Stephens while she was at the home of Mrs. Anderson in the west side of town. He had discussed events with the lady. and had later been asked to accompany Bud and his ! father and Mir. and Mrs. Kountz to supper at the PaliCe. He agreed to ! ioiu the party and later in the even i ing had gone to the cafe, where the others had gathered. The events ot i the preceding days had been discus scd by the party and 1t was during this talk that Bud threatened to take i Niller's life.
 T am going to kill Miller" said ! Bud to me after we were seated at the table," said Mir. Ruffncr.
 "I told the boy that he would have i 10 cut out such rough talk while he was around me-" said the witness, and upon his refusal to cease making i such remarks, I got up and left the place. as l did not want to listen 10 any more such talk.
 Mir. Ruffncr also told the the court and fury that during the talk which | he had had with Mrs. Stephens on Monday afternoon she had told him that she was ready to go back to the ranch and that she proposed to go , there the following day.
 Bud Can't Remember.
 The defendant was then placed lf the chair and questioned as to the conversation at the Palace to which Mir. Ruffncr had testified. He re- mcmbercd of seeing Ruifner at the
 Palace at the time mentioned, but could not remember if he had threat cned to take Millcr's life. He said ! that he might have said 1t. however as he was very much excited at that time.
 Mrs. Stephens was recalled and sad that Slc Hdt HOt tOiu that she was willing to go home, although she did ask him if 1t would be possible for the latter to find Miller for her as she wanted to talk to him
 Says Miller Wanted Only Money. Toe Stephens was called to the
 stand and was closely examined by
 NIr. Clark regarding a conversation which he had had with Mir. Ruitncr on the day before the killing.
 "Is ii not fact. Mir Stephens.
 asked Clark. that vou remarked to
 George Ruffncr on the day before the
 homicide that you believed that there wa, nothing wrong between your wife and Miller because Mrs. Miller had been without passion of any sort
 since the birth of her son ? years ago. and that Miller couldn't love her
 and that he merely wanted to gel
 some of your wealth."
 "NcS sir" thundcrcd the witness
 "I said so al that time and l still
 believe it. so help me God. <"
 Ruffncr was recalled and said that
 Joe had made such a remark to him at the Ruffucr stables.
 Miller Didn't Stay Here"
 Fred lessen. one of the deputy
 sheriffs. took the stand and told of
 his visit to Mrs. Stephens at the
 Golden Eagle hotel early Monday
 morning. lessen said that he had r gone 10 call on the lady at the in
 stance of Sheriff Young, who had