Imperial Valley press., 1927-09-24
ENPL0YEE:
MURDERS
RANCHER
Find Body of c. E. Gibson
In Ditch in Calipatria
District.
HELPER ARRESTED
Seek Body of Easscn as
Double Murder Theory
Is Advanced.

Cecil E. Gibson, 40, rancher Of
the Calipatria district, was found
dead in an irrigation ditch about
two miles from his home late yes
terday afternoon. Two bullet had
passed through his body, entering at
the right side and piercing his
heart. X. J. Morrison, n ranch hand
who has worked for Gibson for the
last 10 years was locked up early
this morning, while state wide
search for George Easscn, another
ranchhand at the Gibson ranch, was
begun by police.
No charge has been placed against
Morrison as yet and III a statement
he has charged Easson with the
crime. The police, however. are
searching for Easson's body as well
as closing all avenues of escape,
theory having been advanced that
Morrison might have first shot
Gibson to death and later disposed
of Easson.
First intimation of the tragedy
was uncovered shortly before 6
o'clock last night when q Hindu
reported to Chief Holmes ut Cali
patria that he had found the body
of Gibson il the ditch. lie said
that he hG! seen two men driving
up in car and throw something into
the ditch. Believing that the men
had catched some liquor the Hindu
went to the place to investigate and
found the body of Gibson. He des-
cribed the machine as being clos
ell car but was unc ble TO say whom
the occupants Were.
Th. police went to the ditch and
iI0lEles investigatin, the trucks
loft bv the machine later identified
the car as belonging to Morrison. y
Sc Arel was then begun for Morrisos
and he "as located in the snail ten,
house OH the Gibson ranch whaI. he
uses as sleeping 'arters. =.
The police, however. had been
warned that MorrIs'1 was heavily
armed and in order to prevent any
unnecessary shooting merely sur
rounded the house. The sheriffs
office was then notified and I'm
dersheriff Underwood accompanied
by Deputy Sheriffs Sharp and Me-
Clelland hurried to the scene. With
Chief Holmes they kept an all
night vigil over the ten5 house and
at 5 clock this morning, rs day
light broke, they started action,
At command from Underwood
vollcy of shots was fired into the
tent house and Morrison was order-
ed to come out. He did, with hands
held high. The police searched ~
house but none of the reported wea-
pons could he found.
EasscE Is Blamed
Questioned relative to his aheg-
ed part in tie murder Morrison is
saiu to have declared.
"I didn't shoot him, Easson
done it.
Morrison is then alleged to have
told the authorities that he ana
Easson had be-, Al drinking yesterday
afternoon AMI that when they re-
turned to tho ranch Gibson started
berating Easson. The argument
grew warmer, he said, and finally
George pulled his gun and shot Glib
son.
Morrison then is said to have ad
mittei helping Easson put the body
of Gibson in his ,-achinc and the
two then took it to the ditch ana
threw Il in the wate-. .iorrison is
then alleged to "a, declared sat
he took Easson to h'aE nrio in his
ear TO help him make his escape.
Hr u so said to have given Eass0n
$:i5 TO ttlp him ge. away.
Asked why he helped Easson in
stead of reporting to the police
Morrison is said to have declared
that he liked George and that he
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