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About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 16, 1921)
THE 3IORXIXG OREGONIAN. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1G, 1921 WITNESS FDR STATE IF George Stillwell Arrested on Warrant From Bend. PART IN PLOT CHARGED lrlnoner Kccounts Killing of Aged Man as He Told Story at Trial of Another Who Gets Life With a murder charge against him, George Stillwell, star witness for the state in the trial of A. J. Weston In Bend a year age for the slaying of Robert A. Krug, is In the Multno mah county Jail awaiting the arrival of an officer from Bend. Local in formation is to the effect that the arrest of Stillwell is the result of the activity of Weston's attorneys, who have Just won a new trial in spite of the fact that Weston has been in the penitentiary a year on a life sentence. Stillwell is 62 years old, gray haired, and the father of a year-old boy. lie married two years aso, had "been employed since by the Knight racking company and was living at 452 East Taylor street, where he was arrested yesterday morning by Dep uty Sheriffs Kendall and Schirmer. Enemies Are Blamed. In the county jail Stillwell assert ed that he must have been arrested for complicity in the murdcf of Krug. who was slain and his body con sumed In flames which destroyed his home near Bend. Stillwell attributed his arrest to the work of enemies and friends of the convicted man. Krug was murdered March 24, 1919. and Weston was convicted of the crime In November. 192, at which time Stillwell and Joe Wilson, who had been living with Weston at the time of the killing, were principal .witnesses for the state. Stiilwell. who did not appear nerv ous .or much worried over the out come of the serious charne against Mm, retold his version of the killing. He admitted that the reason he had been living with Weston and Wilsop at the time was to assist them In the perfection of a moonshine still. Murder riot Spurned, He Says. "WeBton tried twice to get me to consent to help him In the murder of Krug," said Stillwell, "but I refused. On the night of the murder Weston left the hoime saying that he was colng to get the old man's money. Krug lived about three-quarters of a mile distant. Weston returned some time during the night, but I do not remember Just when. thouish he woke me up, as I went right back to sleep. "In the morning at breakfast I could detect a peculiar odor in the air as of meat burning and remarked about it. Weston said that it must be from the direction of Krug's place anil said he would go over and see, taking a bucket with him with which to bring back some eggs. He re turned and said that Krug's place had burned down and apparently had incinerated- the old man. Weston then went In to Bend to report the case. Detail of Crime Recited. "Though I had my suspicions, it aa not until two days later that Weston told Wilson and I at the breakfast table that he had killed Krug. He went Into much detail, telling how he had tortured him by taking off his shoes and putting his feet In the open fire, In the effort to make him disclose the hiding place of his money, and finally had stran gled him to death. He told the story many times thereafter and'always threatened to do the same thing to Wilson and myself if we ever told anybody about It. "Krug had come In on us one time and knew we were moonshining and Weston said that If he did not get the old man the old man would get us. and further that he thought Krug had a lot of money hidden somewhere about his house. The arrest yesterday was made on a telegraphic warrant from Bena An officer from that city is expected here this morning. WESTON STAHTED FOK BEND Life-Termer to Get Retrial on Charge of Murder. SALEM, Or., Pec. 15. (Special.) A. J. Weston, who arrived at the state penitentiary here from Bend several months mo to serve a life sentence for the murder of Robert Krug. of Sisters, Deschutes county, left here tonight in custody of an officer for 1'ortlSnd. Tomorrow Weston will continue his. trip to Bend where he will bo retried. Following his conviction In the Deschutes county circuit court Wes ton appealed the case to the supreme court. In an opinion handed down two weeks ago Justice Brown re versed the verdict of the lower court and remanded the action for retrial. Mrs. Weston, who has been here for several weeks, also left for Port land tonight. She will accompany her husba-nd to Bend. An effort may be made, she said, to have the court release her husband on bail pending a new hearing. Weston was highly elated tonight when informed that George Stillwell had been arrested in Portland in con noction with Krug's death. Stillwell was a witness against Weston at the time of the latter's trial. Since coming to Salem Weston has been In charge of the prison baths Penitentiary officials said he had been a model prisoner. Weston maintains that he had noth ing to do with Mr. Krug's death Krux was a recluse and lived in a cabin some distance from Sisters. His home burned In March, 1919, and on the following morning his charred body was found in the ruins. Weston later was arrested and upon being tried was convicted of second degree murder. I SEND OFFICERS ARE ON WAY Millvtell and Weston May Be Tried at Same Term of Court. BEND Or.. Dec. 15. (Special.) To take custody of George Stillwell, charged with second-degree murder of Robert H. Krug. a?ed recluse of the Sisters country. Sheriff . Roberts and W. P. Myers, special state prose cutor, left here tonight for Portland. The crime is alleged to have taken place on the night of March 24. 1919, and is coupled with the charge hang ing over A. J. Weston convicted here a year ago of Krug's murder. Wes ton'e appeal recently resulted In the case being remanded for retrial after the appellant had served a year of his life sentence at Salem, and his oecond trial is to be held at the April Icrm of the Deschutes circuit court. !-erhaps jointly with the hearing for stillwell. should the latter be In i Icted. Stillwell's arrest was prompted by .'.-u'orraaticn gained by Mr. Myers and ACCUSED OF MURDER Sheriff Roberts during the past week, coming in the form of Information said to have been given by friends of Weston and in admissions said to have been made by Stillwell follow ing the Weston trial. Details are as yet being closely kept under cover, b- . In general the information at the disposal of the authorities is to the effect that Kiillwell accompanied Weston to Krug's bachelor cabin on the night of March 24 and assisted Westoi. in the torture of the aged man, whose bare feet, it Is alleged, were roasted over glowing coals In the fireplace in a vain endeavor to make him tell the hiding place of money, Mr. Myers said. That Still well was an eyewitness to Krug's u t George stlllvrell, arrested on murder eharare on telegraphic warrant from Bend, murder Is indicated from the same source, he stated. Stillwell's testimony at the trial In 121 was largely responsible for Wes ton's conviction. At that time. St'll weil related that he. with Weston and Joe Wilson, for whom they were working at the Wilson sawmill near Sisters, had been engaged In the man ufacture of moonshine whisky, and that they had been discovered by Kru while engaged in this occupation. He quoted Weston as saying: "We've got work some way to keep him from catching us moon shining. If we don't get nira, he'li get us" Stillwelf also testified regarding a note made payable to Krug by W. S. Fullerton. said to have been found In Weston's vest pocket after Krug's death. He said In addition that Wes ton had told him on the morning of March 25 that he had visited the Kru cabin, stunned Krug, f ed him. choked him. removed his victim's shoes anS thrust his bared Jeet over the coals. Stillwell had been previously invited by Weston to aid him in obtaining money from Krug. but had been re fused, he said. GETS S7SM0I FEDERAL MONEY STIMULATES STOCKRAISIXG INDUSTRY. Wur Finance Corporation Expected to Loan Two or Three Million More. BOISE, Idaho Dec, J5. (Special.) Loans aggregating 1750,000 have been approved by the war finance board committee for Idaho with the result that relief was given where It was badly needed. The committee issued a statement today saying in part: "The Idaho committee of the war finance corporation has already been the means of stimulating the sheep and cattle industry, making it pos sible to hold in the state of Idaho many thousands of head of breeding stock which otherwise would have been shipped to the packers. Exten sive arrangements have been made for financing a programme contem plating an orderly and conservative importation of high-grade dairy cows. "The Idaho committee has passed loans aggregating almost three-quarters of a million, dollars during the first month of its operations some $300,000 of which has been received by borrowers during the past week During the next 60 to 90 days the war finance corporation will be the means of bringing to Idaho some $2. 000,000 or $3,000,000 of additional money. This will be by loans to live stock companies and to banks. BRIDEGROOM TO BE TRIED Soldier Who Wed Woman Slayer to Face Court-Martial. SEATTLE, Wash.. Dec. 15. Private Pat Richard, stationed at Fort Law ton here, will be court-martialed on a charge of having married without permission Madge Anna Sawyer, ac quitted of murdering her husband. Colonel O.J.Charles, post commander, announced today. Colonel Charles said the army regulations provided that enlisted men must obtain author ity from their commanding officers to wed. Mrs. Sawyer was tried twice. Her first trial resulted In a verdict of guilty of second-degree murder in connection With the death of Howard I. Sawyer. At the second trial she was exonerated. She pleaded self defense. NON-PARTISANS IN FIELD Leaguers of Washington State Pre serve Party ' Entity. SPOKANE. Wash., Dec. 15. Deter mination not to affiliate with any other organization, but to Indorse or nominate candidates for state, legisla tive and county office in, the 1922 elections, was reached by the state executive committee of the national r.on-partisan league meeting here to day, it was announced by A. D. Zander. the chairman. A message of felicitation was sent to A. C. Townley, national president, who is serving a Jail sentence in Minnesota, following his conviction of obstructing the draft, and Gover nor Hart was asked to assist the farmers in obtaining financial assist ance from the war finance corpora tion, which, it was charged, the banks were withholding. Paciric Recital Success. PACIFIC UNIVERSITY, Forest Grove Or.. Dec. 15. (Special.) Students of three departments of the university conservatory appeared last night in the pre-holiday recital given- under the direction of Professor C. W. Law rence, new director of the conserva tory and instructor In voice. Profes sor Lawrence's students In voice and Miss Irma A. Taylor's, Miss Margaret Keep's and Miss Nena M. Walker's students in piano and Professor Wil liam Wallace Graham's violin students appeared on a programme of 18 num bers. The recital was well attended. 43 GET OF 62 WHO APPLIED, FIVE ARE DEXIED PAPERS. Cases of 12 Continued for Three Montlia -But One Contest of Loyalty Comes Cp. Final citizenship papers were grant ed to 43 applicants yesterday, after examination by Federal Judge Wol verton. In a list of 62 persons who applied for naturalization only Ave were denied citizenship and 12 were continued for three months. None of the five was denied for reasons of doubtful loyalty, but because of In sufficient education, unsatisfactory witnesses or. defective papers, or failed to appear. The only contest regarding dis loyalty during the entire examin ation was the case of William Will lams, who two years ago was impli cated with a body of radicals, and the court examined the subject care fully to discover any I. W. W. or bolshevist tendencies.- Wiliiams was admitted when it was shown that his radical belief was limited. The five who were denied citizen ship were Edward A. Bolton. Den mark: Joseph Auer, Galacia, Austria; Ldward B. Retvold. Norway; Mario Boltano, Italy, and George Mann, Aus tria. Those admitted were three ex-service men, Gejrge Hendley, Canada; Max A. Nayberger, Poland, and Ru dolph Mench, Canada, and the others were William Williams. Russia; Lud wlck Krelger. Russia; Karl Hellsten. Finland; Ernest W. Anderson. Sweden; Peter J. Karlstrom, Sweden; Max Verbovsky, Russia; Meische Chess. Russia; Johan M. Karlstrom, Sweden; Edward Flood, Scotland; Henry Stia velli, Italy; Joseph S. Singleton, Ire land: Ellsa Etchelle, England: John A. Wlckman. Sweden: Lufgi Di Gre rorla. Italy ; Joseph Reese, Austria Hungary; Erik A. Strom. Sweden; Eiliff Wenses. Norway; John A. Vida hof, Russia: William Keller, Ger many; John R. Rankin. Canada: Will iam A. Huget Jr.. Russia; Friedrlch Reich. Russia; Bert C. Thompson. Norway; Mordk J. Tushinsky, Russia; Adolph F. Suter. Switzerland; Anna N. Melln, Sweden; John O. Forsgren. Sweden; Olaf J. Forspren. Sweden: John P. Schaffer, Roumanla: Gideon J. Gustaffsen, Norway; Charles V. Olsen. Denmark: David Oliver, Can ada; Christian Knutsei.. Norway; Pat rick Cunningham. Scotland: George P. Schafer. Austria: Felix M. Ker ston. Germany: Dirk Visser. Nether lands; Ole Nickelson, Jugo-Slavla; John Test. Russia, and Leonid Finkel steln, Russia. Leonid Flnkelsteln changed his name to Fink. He is proprietor of the Fink photographic studio In Port land. When he became naturalized yesterday he said: "Citizenship to you Americans seems very natural, but such a privilege fills the hearts of us foreigners with Joy and appre ciation. I personally feel like a little child, weary and abused by eruel par ents, who has suddenly been adopted by a kind and rich uncle. I feel as though, at last, I have found a home, where the strong walls of peace and happiness are joined together around me and the strong arm of the most Just and the best government of the world Is around me. Mere words of gratitude cannot express the honor 1 feel and my thanks for the privilege given me to become a citizen of the United States." Smallpox Patient Captured. WALLA WALLA. Wash., Dec. 15. (Special.) Gerald Rummell, ex-service man who escaped from the county isolation ward Tuesday night with a well-developed case of smallpox, was arrested today at Pasco. He was reen yesterday in Wallula, where it was charged that he passed a no-fund check for $3 on the proprietor of a hotel and also took a revolver and pair of shoes. Officers say that Rum mell's penchant Is passing checks for $3. They believe injuries suffered in the war are the cause of his mental condition. He will be returned here and after his recovery taken to Stella, coom hospital. Rich Sllve'r Ledge Discovered. COLVILLE, Wash., Dec. 15. Silver ore said to run $800 to the ton has been discovered on the C. N. Smith homestead, four miles north of the Old Dominion mine, between the middle and south forks of Mill creek. The ore was found at a depth of 30 feet. The ledge is said to be 8 feet wide. Don't Buy Seconds! Buy Firsts! Our stock of PY-RA-LIN IVORY is all first quality.. No sec onds here' Moreover, we are selling this first quality mer chandise at Half -Price ! including the beautiful Du Barry pattern. Stout-Lyons Drug Co. Northern Pacific Pharmacy, Third and Morrison. Perkins Hotel Pharmacy, Washington Near 5th jaaEEBBEBBE XMAS Piano Sale EVERY PIANO REDUCED laed Pianos 1125 fa New Pianos $325 Ip EASY TERMS "'SKiS $395 w Seiberling-Lucas Music Go. 123 4th S(. Near Waahlnartom St. Sirs Laura M. Hoyt Recommends Chamberlain's Tablets. "I have frequently used Chamber lain's Tablets, during the past three years, and have found them splendid for headache and bilious attacks, I am only too pleased, at any time, to apeak a word la praise of them," writes Mrs. Laura M. Hoyt, Rockport, M. Y. Adv. MEIER & FRANK COMPANY H or Hickok Buckles 50c to $7.50 (5 Tax) Many Metals and Designs. Just Inside Morrison Street L iLkw I- .. : L k u Belts &BuckIes- TO BE CHOSEN NOW AT MEIER & FRANK'S Special Assistance Given to Women Entrance. MEIER The Store for Men Has Hundreds of Gifts Col lected by Men for Men to Be Selected Either by Women or Men Who Wont Select Gifts Suggested : i " Christmas Engraving Free & FRANK'S: MAIN FLOOR. MEIER & FRANK COMPANY Hickok Belts 50c to $2.50 (No Tax) Genuine Leather Without Buckle. Mail Orders Promptly Filled. SSsi