The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1923-03-22
FREE. DILLAGE
IN CANADA IN
MURDER CASE
North Dakota Farmer in Al.
legged Whisky Deal Found
Not Guilty by Jury
RE ARRESTED AGAIN
Will Face Robbery Charge
Growing Out of Transaction
in Which Man Was Killed


Estcvan, Sask., Mar. 22.-Lee Dill
age of Lignite, N. D., acquitted of a
murder charge late yesterday in con-
ncction with the death Of Paul Ma
tott, Regina liquor dealer, on Octo-
bcr 4, 1929, today faced trial on a
charge of robbery. The additional
charge was preferred by the Crown
and is also the outgrowth Of q Ii
Quor transaction, it is alleged.
The jury which acquitted the man
of the murder charge was out two
hours.
Testimony at the murder trial was
to the effect that Motoss was shot
and killed shortly after he had con-
cludcd $4,000 liquor transaction
with Dillagc at Bcinfait, Sask. The
, money which Dillagc paid Matoff
was stolen.
The prosecution held that Dillage
was member of the gang which,
after purchasing the liquor from
relieve him 0f the purchase price.
William Rhodes, prosecutor, said
that it had been shown that some
members of the gang came on but
there were indications that the plot
had not intended the serious conse-
qucnccs which resulted. The date Of
the robbery trial has not been set.
HOW CASE BROKE DOWN.
Refusal of Mr.. Justice Bigclow to
admit evidence from E. w. Dickin-
son, star witness for the crown IN
the Matoff murder case. deprived
those attending the trial of Lee Dill
lage, charged with being an acces-
sorry to the crime.
Dickinson, warden at the pr0vin-
cal Jail. had been called and was
about to relate statements Dillagc is
alleged to have made to him at the
conclusion of the preliminary hear
ing in November last, when N. r.
Craig. counsel for the accused, OBJ
jected Mr.. Craig's objection was
that the statements, if any, made by
Dillage on the occasion in question,
could not have been voluntary, as
the witness was then andHis now
wearing "a uniform.
The objection was sustained and
Justice Bigelow refused to permit
the crown counsel to question the
man further The evidence for the
prosecution was then finished. No
witnesses were called for the defense.
Dillages Story
Dillage had been in Jail at Regina
since being committed for the alleg-
ed killing of Matoff in October. Ac-
cording to Dillage's story, as told to
authorities, Matoff was shot by an
unidentified man, armed with a saw
ed off shotgun, and who was the
member of gang that fled after
robbing Matoff of $4,000 and dia-
mond stick pin valued at about the
same amount.
A quantity Of the liquor which Dill
, lage is alleged to have been bar
gaining for was later found on the
Dillagc farm near Ignite, N. D.,
where it had been cleverly hidden.
Dillage when in the court room
was ctt .n:.tive tu :he dcvelop'ao rts
ot the developments Of the case. Oc-
casonally he leaned over ana con-
fers with his counsel. He shows the
results of the six months confne-
ment in Jail at Regina, his complex
ion being whitcned and lacking the
ruddy hue which appeared when he
was taken into custody by the sheriff
Of Burke county, N. D., and turned
over to Canadian authorities.
Climax Of Rum Running
The killing of Matof was the SEN
sation of the liquor running era, the
victim hninO hnp 1os of
Brons, man, the supposed head of
the liquor supply house, syndicate
and the chief source of the border
traffic which it supplied.
Murder, robbery and fraud result
ing from bootlegging and whiskey
running more than half fill the GRIM
inal docket at this term of kings
court bench, and promise thrills for
spectators for many days. Out Of
the 13 cases set down for hearing
at the session six have their origin
somewhere along the blood and tear
soaked whiskey trail. The Dillage i
case, however, is the outstanding
event of the session.
In somewhat less degree Of inter- !
est, but each rich in possibilities of |
thrills are the four other criminal |!
cases. Thomas Jordan will answer to |,
negotiating a worthless bank check !
given in a hootch deal. A gang of !
amateur raiders from Grainsboro
will answer to charge Of breaking
into the express office and stealing
quantities of liquor.