The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-08-20
Great Bend Officials Maintain
Silence in Banta Case.
Both Men Arrested on Murder
Charge Declare Innocence.
many RUMORS ARE AFLOAT
Statement by Man Held on Per-
jury Charge Chief Clue.
New Developments Strengthen
Chain of Evidence.

Great Bend, Kan, Aug. 20.-An al
legged statement saidto contain intimate
information as to the murder of Ar
thur c. Banta, lawyer and son of Judge
7 d. A. Banta of the Barton county dis
trict court, is credited with being re-
: sponsible in big degree for the arrest
! Thursday of DR.. w. A. Nixon, physi-
clan, and Roy Hayes.
The unofficial report is that A. L.
. Curly Wallace, held in jail here,
made the statement. Officials last
night refused to affirm or deny the
report concerning the purported state
ment said to be in their possession.
: This purported statement attributed
Z to Wallace also is credited with being
Z responsible for the arrest at the same
time near Twin Falls, Idaho, of A. NJ.
Parkinson. Parkinson, according to
r. T. Myers, private detective, who
made the arrest, is charged with COM
plicity in the murder of Banta.
Get Direct Evidence Now.
Wallace is held on a perjury charge
: in connection with the Banta case. He
has been in the county Jail six weeks.
or virtually since Banta was found
murdered the morning of July Z.
While refusing to admit or deny
that they are in possession of the
statement credited with containing
valuable information, county officials
said they felt that they had ample
justification for the filing of murder
charges against Doctor Nixon and
Hayes.
Developments in the last five days,
it is said, have greatly strengthened
what heretofore has been evidence
! only % a circunstantial character
Many direct facts of an alleged dam
aging character are said now to be in
the hands of the county officials.
Officials, however, refuse to give the
slightest details concerning whatever
the state may have as evidence, against
the two accused men.
Many Rumors Are Afloat.
AS a result of their campaign of
secrecy. many rumors are being
passed around on the streets concern
ing developments. Banta apparently
went to his death in answer to a tele-
phone call received by him while at
the Elks' club. The report is that Of
ficials here have information that he
stopped on a downtown street, where
he was Joined by others. The trip to
the country then started which later
ended in the Staying of the young
lawyer.
The belief is that Banta was 1ured
to his death on the preteXt that
whisky was 30 be delivered to him.
Another report is that he was re-
minded of certain business dealings
sthat he had had and the shooting fol-
Flowed
! Friends Of Doctor Nixon and Hayes
I strongly maintain their innocence.
Many frankly contend that the two
. men are the victims of persons seek
ling to clear themselves of suspicion.
f. r. Fitzpatrick. of Wichita, deputy
state fire marshal, is working with the
. local authorities on the case. He is
Z credited with having given valuable
aid to the officials.
To Bring Prisoners Back.
Doctor Nixon is in the Rice county
! Jail at Lyons and Hayes is in Jail at
Hutchinson. County Attorney Weber
says the two men will not be returned
to Great Bend until some time next
week.
Mrs. Nixon. wife of the accused
physician, said today that she had no
Idea why her husband should be sus-
pected in connection with the murder
! of Banta. ain fact" Mrs. Nixon said
THE doctor and Mr. Banta were good
. friends. Doctor Nixon attended Mr.
Banta's family 1 am certain every