The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-02-06
UnderWood Wins Senate Fight for Wilson Dam
 When 70 Million DoI>ar Amendment Is Adopted
ssssfIllY REDUCTION BILL IS PASSED
 BY HOUSE OVER PRESIDENTS VETO
Alleged Master Mind tn Plot To Kill Officers Is GiUen Life
Will Holmes Receives Verdict Without Showing Least Sign of Interest-Baby Daughter Plays On
 Knee During Trial for Murder

'ruscumbia. February 5.--( Especially Win H. Holmes, alleged master mind of the Colbert county moonshin- CTS murder ring. was found guilty by q jury here at 9:30 tonight for the murder of Don Stephenson, prohibition ment. The jury was out about enc hour.
 Holmes. former deputy sheriff, and wealthy landowner. received the yer dict as calmly as he had listened to the charges of witnesses from the stand that he had plotted the murder of enforcement officers and as calmly as he had taken the stand during the af- ternoon and denied any part in the conspiracy. He did not "bat an eye" Or indicate any interest whatever in the jury's report.
 Holmes is the fourth to be convicted. Thirteen others are awaiting trial
 HOLMES TESTIFIES
 The most important witness of the day in the celebrated trial was the defendant himself, who denied every allegation made against him by the state Holmes testified that he was married at 90 years of age; that he did not send into town for shells with which to slay officers of the law. He said he did not send the negro, Louis Kirby, who was a witness yesterday. and said he bought shells at the request of Holmes, for three sacks of sugar but that he knew nothing of the shells.
 He also said he never made :he state- frfh fod tr 1,t,. hx- -t,.l>,, that lie (Holines) had any trade with Sheriff Miller of this county and Fed eral Officer Ronine; that he had no part whatever in any plot or conspiracy to kiii Don Stephenson or anyone else.
 On crcss-examination by the state, the witness (Holmes) acknowledged to own ing still or stills and to the purchase at one time of 20 sacks, or ton, of sugar for the purpose of making liquor. He also denied that he told N, L. Fierce state federal prohibition officer, that, in his opinion, Hamp Kirby and his father Sid Kirby. did not do the shooting and that he thought it was Jake smith anu his son Levi, alias Dirty Smith. How ever. he said some pArts of the state mcnt as made to Pierce were true and others were untrue.
 Pierce was placed on the stand and testified that Holmes did make the state meHt tnat ne peIleVe1 idmp and Sid Kirby were not the guilty parties and thst Jake Smith and his son were the ones who did the shooting.
 SENSATION CREATED
 At this juncture quite a sensation was injected into the trial when State So- licitor Henry Jones arose to his feet and said he had positive and reliable infor- nation that the defendant while the tes- timony was being taken in his trial yes- tertiay and today had made signs or given signals to his witnesses by wink ing his eye. raising his hand and mak- ing demonstrations with his face. While this discussion was going on Judge All mon ordered the jury to retire. Two witnesses were placed upon the stand and swore to having seen Holmes nod his head and otherwise send signals to ft$ witnesses. Those who claimed to have seen him makes sigils were Jack Horton,