The copper era and Morenci leader., 1919-08-29
THEATRE-C0URT 4 DOUGLAS FOR : PRELIMINARY
 HEARING

The biggest preliminary hearing ever held in the southwest started at Douglas before Jutice w. c. Jack Monday afternoon when the state be- gan to present it's evidence against more than 200 Douglas and Warren district citizens charged with kidnap- ping as the result of their alleged par ticipation in the deportations of July 12, 1917, that followed the I. w. W. trouble in the Warren Mining district. AS the majority of the defendants are business and professional men nd miners of Bisbee, Warren and Lo- well. arrangements have been made
 o have special train leave Bisbee at oon each day to take them to Douglas and take them back each evening. In order to interfere no more than nec- essary with business in the Warren district sessions of court will be held only during the afternoon. One of the biggest theatres in Douglas will be used as courtroom during the big joint hearing, Justice Jacks court be- ing far to small to accommodate the hundreds of defendants, witnesses, attorneys and spectators who will at- tend.
 The hearing will include the cases Of all the men who were arrested sev- eral weeks ago on the blanket war ant sworn to by Fred w. Brown: one of the men, deported who is now serv- ing as deputy sheriff for the county attorneys office; excepting those of some of the defendants who are out of the state and will be unable to at. tend These few cases will be given servance from the blanket warrant and hearing set for September 15, when the cases Ex-Sheriff Harry C. Wheel CT, John c. Geenway, and several oth- CTS will be heard.
 It is expected that the big hearing starting Monday will continue for five or six weeks at the most conserva- tive estimate. Under the law it will be necessary for each defendant to ate tend every session of court during this time. This is resulting in al- most a complete encouragement Of the business conditions in the Warren district, which will cause the majority 'of the business to be transacted in the mornings, in order that it's citizens may attend the court sessions each af ternoon. i Miners, muckers, bankers, physi- clans city officials, merchants, peace officers and score of other trades, professions and occupations will be reresented when the 200 defendants take their seats in the theatre-court room Monday. Half a dozen of the leading attorneys of the southwest, headed by w. H. Burges of Fl Paso, are representing the defendants. It is intimated that, as in the cases of the 49 defendants who were last week bound over to the superior court on charges of Kidnapping upon their own request, not a single witness will be introduced during the big hearing by the defense.
 Harry c. Wheeler, who as sheriff of Cochise county deputized the citizens of the Warren district and personally
 conducted the deportations, will be ! unable to attend the joint hearing. Wheeler is at present representing Co.,
 chise county at the national marks manship contests at Seagirt. N. J., and l not expected to return until his in- ldividual hearing is called here next
 month
 The action of the 49 defendants who last week waived final argument in
 heir hearings and requested that they
 be bound over to the superior court,
 has upset local opinion as to the prob-
 able outcome of the big joint hearing. Doubt is expressed by many persons
 who have attended hearings held thus far as to whether the big hearing will
 yer be completed. One prediction is that the 200 cases to be tried jointly will be dismissed before the hearing Is completed; and another theory is hat. when the testimony of the state lis all in all of the cases will be dis missed unless the defendants fellow the action of the 49 who were last week bound over
 But one fact is certain: should the entire 900 cases be bound over. under any circumstances. the superior court
 will have the largest criminal docket
 in, fho histo1.,- of Ariz fn