Weekly journal-miner., 1919-04-02
NORTON- WILSON CONVICTION IS
 SPEEDY ONE
(From Thursdays Daily0

or of transporting liquor within the state of Arizona The jury retired with the case at 9 o'clock last night after an all day hearing of the case of the rancher, his fair partner, theil Jordan Sport Marine and the IS eases of Cedar Brook.
 The evidence was all in before p. III. and so were the defendants, They had had a hard day Judge Sweeney was very anxious to finish the case before another day, and or dered a night session.
 Argument of counsel occupied bur little time Ross H. Blakely of King man, who defended the case declared that the state hadn't proven the whis- key on the defendants. Neil Clark, who prosecuted, wondered why if the pair were merely legal co-partners in a ranch business, their memories and actions were so odd. He wondered why, if Norton owned an expensive automobile, it was necessary for him to sleep in a garage.
 Officers Testify.
 Sheriff Warren C. Davis was the first witness. He told of an expedi. ton into the Williamson valley coun- try Saturday, March 8, and Of the re turn in the early morning hours oI the Sunday following. On the road about half way between the Burnt ranch and the American ranch, he and Sgt Pat Collins of the Military Police, caught up with Norton and his companion, who were stopped by the side of the road. They all passed the time of day and the officers got out. They saw a pile of stuff under a tarpaulin, and when Pat kicked it. the contents gave forth a suspicious clink. In fact, that clink could hard. ly be mistaken Pat said ne guessed they would take the stuff into town
 After some deliberation, the sheriff and the sergeant loaded the liquor into their car. Collins and Bailiff Poulson rode in with Norton and May Wilson. In the ditch near the car were 4 cases of whiskey. Five more were about Is feet away. There were 8 cases ill the brush off the road and single solitary case remained in some bushes. This made IS cases. in all
 Collins followed the sheriff on the stand and testified to the same things
 Some Mute Evidence.
 The state then introduced as evi, dence, the bond of Norton, bearing his signature Came then two pages from the register of the Vendome hotel, purporting to show that Nor ton had registered there. The hand writing was compared with that Oh the bond
 If the signatures on the register were those of Norton, then he had fondness for registering. Under date of January 28 was the signature ap. bearing to read Laura" A Norton wife. In the proper column it was noted that room had been assignee to the couple.
 Another page showed entries ap prOXimately as follows:
 c, V. Norton, Huron, Room g F. 16.
 J. w. (Bid) Norton, Room 5, 12-16.
 Bid Norton, Room 3, 12-17.
 Mrs. B. H. Castle, City, Room B.
 In the case of the second entry, the name had been written in indeli> blc pencil and the word "BidY was written in ink over the initials, 'J. l w..
 The names of Bid Norton and Mrs. ! B. II. Castle were bracketcd after the notations regarding the rooms, 1 and the date l2-l7 evidently written 10 cover both entries.
 The last entry was Kid Norton Room g. l2-lS".
 Norton took the stand and said he had rented a room at the hotel. but had slept at Ruffncr's garage. They . left about a. m. 10 go back to theil ranch on the Colorado river, about 30 miles south of the Topock bridge on the California side. and as they were nearing the American ranch, i ran by package on the road. After talking t over, they decided to go back and sec what it was They i turned around and went back. AsI they stood surveying the package. l which was not apparently on the road, and which had meantime grown . into d sizeable bundle. covered by canvas. the officers came along and arrested them. On his direct exam iuation Norton admitted he knew the . package contained glass. but that he was unaware that the glass contain, ed whiskey
 On croSs-eXamnation, Norton memory proved extremely faulty. He did not know what May Wilson's right name was, had never seen he, signature though they had been equal owners of a large ranch and a lot of cattle. He did not know what or ac had registered at the Ven dome He did know that he had left the lady there and had slept at thu garage. On leaving the city that fatal morning, he had forgotten to pay the rent ior Mays room. |!