Tales from the Morgue: Murder at the Silver Slipper series

GEORGE ECHOLS KILLS MILLS AT SILVER SLIPPER

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SHOTS HALT MERRY DANCE IN NEW HALL
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Tragedy Follows on Heels of Triangle Says Report
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TWO-FAMILY QUARREL
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Dual Divorce Aired Two Months Ago; Woman Breaks
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While hundreds of merrymakers danced within a (sic) 100 feet of him in the newly opened night club, the Silver Slipper, George B. Echols, building contractor, fired two shots into the body of J. L. Mills, employe of the Bowen-Sims Motor company here, killing him almost instantly.

Sheriff Jim McDonald, who sat just inside the doorway of the resort when the fatal shots were fired, placed Echols under arrest. The shooting occurred just in front of the building. A woman, believed to have been the former wife of Mills, is said to have been the only observer. The woman fainted when Echols opened fire. Persons inside the Silver Slipper hearing the shooting, rushed to the doorway to observe Echols standing over the body of Mills, the smoking gun still in his hand. Sheriff McDonald took Echols to the county jail and locked him in then returned to the scene of the tragedy for further investigation.

Two months ago Echols was divorced from his wife, Mrs. Mills appearing in the case as a witness for him. The following day Mrs. Mills was granted a divorce, Echols appearing as a witness for her. In both cases extreme mental cruelty was charged.

Several days ago, according to the police, Mills and his wife had an argument over the possession of an automobile, the police being called to referee the argument, which culminated in Mills gaining possession of the car upon payment of $106 representing payments Mrs. Mills had made upon the car.

The shooting occurred at 12:25, just as the crowd gathered for the opening night of the Silver Slipper was beginning to leave the dance hall. The tragedy happened about 50 feet from the front door, those who rushed out at the sound of the shots said.

Mills was found lying on the ground, Echols, according the stories, standing near him with a pistol in his hand. Another man, whose name is unknown, stood over Mills accusing Echols of having fired the fatal shots.

Sheriff Jim McDonald was one of the guests of the opening night and rushed from the hall at the sound of the shooting, taking immediate charge of Echols, whom he placed in his car and brought to the city. The body of Mills was taken to the Arizona Mortuary.

It was reported that Mills had a gun in his possession at the time of the fatal shooting.

ECHOLS IN JAIL, REMAINS SILENT ABOUT KILLING

Tells of Blow Struck From Behind as Sheriff Takes Him From Scene

FEARED TROUBLE

Slain Man Had Made Threats Echols Told McDonald on Way to Jail

Echols had been host to about 40 guests for the opening. ... He had been introduced to the crowd of first-nighters along with other men who had a part in the construction and decoration of the new restaurant. On the dance floor and at the tables surrounding it were more than 200 people, prominent in the business and social life of the city.

Mills ... arrived with a man named Johnson and the pair asked admission to the restaurant. The sheriff was told later that this was refused as the men were drinking, so they left the doorway.

At about the same time Echols heard they were there, he later told the sheriff. He excused himself to his guests and said that he was going home. He claims he intended to avoid meeting Mills, wishing to prevent trouble as Mills had threatened him. ...

"I went to the doorway," he told the sheriff, "and then stepped outside. Mills came toward me and struck at me as I turned back to go in. He hit me in the back of the head and I shot without turning around."

Echols explained to the sheriff that he shot "back of him under his arm" while Mills was right behind him and the officer delared the marks of the six bullets which found lodging in Mills' body bore out the statement, all were powder burned, showing the proximity of the gun when it was fired. ...

Echols told the officer that Mills came to his home last Sunday seeking him. His sister met him and said Echols was out. Mills, according to Echols, then threatened, saying, Echols would never "go to that dance Saturday night and to tell him I'll be back after him."

Due to the prominence of Echols among Tucson business circles the shooting has caused widespread interest here.

Testimony Is Dramatic

His testimony, perhaps, was the most dramatic spot of the afternoon, as he portrayed, in graphic fashion, the actions of the two men from the time he saw them in the doorway until Mills staggered across the drive way to drop to the ground, dead.

Standing on the small rostrum in front of the jury, the physician, with one arm upraised as he said he had seen Echols do, related the story of the shooting, bit by bit.

His attention called to the men as Mrs. Littlefield (Morgue Lady's note: Mrs. Littlefield was an earlier witness) turned to watch, Dr. Smith said he saw Echols with his arm raised as to ward off a blow. The men were scuffling at the top of the steps. Then came the shots, the reports following each other in rapid succession. Finally, one man, Mills, staggered clear to take a few steps toward the south, across the drive, where he fell. Echols stepped out into the drive way as the crowd rushed from the door of the club and a small man walked over to him and took him by the arm.

Smith said he saw no blow struck, nor did he hear any words between the men; they were scuffling when he first noticed them.

"I am looking for George and intend to get him if it takes me to the end of the world" she declared Mills had told her and added that he said "George is supposed to be host at the Silver Slipper on opening night, but he will never attend that dance."

Echols took his partner from the dance floor, back to her place in one of the booths, excused himself and said he was going home, he said. His reason was to avoid trouble with Mills, he declared. He left the party and started from the hall, taking the opposite side of the floor from where he had seen the man whom he wished to avoid, and making his way toward the front entrance of the club.

It was at this point in the story that Tom Richey, attorney for the defense, stepped into the picture, offering homself to his client as a partner to re-enact the remainder of the scene, including the shooting.

With Richey taking the role of Mills, the testimony went on. No sound other than the voice of the defendant was to be heard in the room as the crowd listened intently. On a bench directly facing the accused man sat his two brothers, one a financier, the other an airman, listening with tense faces.

John Mills, brother of the victim of the tragedy, sat directly in front of Echols as he talked, his hands on the arms of his chair as he leaned slightly forward while the story was told. Stripped of its question and answer character, the testimony was as follows:

"I heard a sound behind me," said the witness, "then I was struck from behind, a hard blow on the left side of my head, it nearly knocked me down.

"I thought Mills had attacked me to carry out his threats, threw up my left arm to ward off another blow and entangled it with his arms. I did not know then what he had struck me with. Our arms were all tangled up.

Drew His Gun

"I drew my gun like this, partly turned and fired. I fired several shots rapidly, as rapidly as I could pull the trigger. I ceased firing when he stopped struggling with me. Then I asked some one to call Jim McDonald (the sheriff).

NOT GUILTY VERDICT RETURNED IN ECHOLS CASE

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CONTRACTOR FREE OF CHARGE
     AFTER JURY DELIBERATES FOR
          FIVE HOURS; EX-WIFE HAPPY

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Louise Echols Sobs as She Thanks Men Whose Ballot Set Former Husband Free; Echols Happy

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BRILLIANT LEGAL PLEAS FEATURE CLOSE

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Verdict Unexpected After Jury Delays Return Beyond First Hour; Friends of Defendant Jubilant

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George Echols is free.

After five hours of deliberation, a jury in superior court yesterday returned a verdict of not guilty, clearing the Tucson building contractor of the charge of murdering J. L. (Bud) Mills, Phoenix automobile mechanic, at the Silver Slipper, October 13, last.

The verdict, coming after most all hope of acquittal had been abandoned by friends of the accused, was received by Echols in stony-faced silence for the moment, then with face flushed and smiling, he arose to walk to the jury box to thank the twelve men who restored his liberty.

It was at 7:40 o'clock that the bailiffs were told by the jurors that a verdict had been reached. A slight delay was caused by time taken to notify Judge A. M. Sames of Cochise County, who had gone to his hotel. For the short interval the accused man, with his brother, stood in the ante-room of the judge's chambers, talking with his attorneys and other friends.

As the word of the jury's return was passed about the courthouse, quite a few people, lawyers, friends and spectators gathered in the courtroom, forming a silent audience as Mrs. Lenna Burges, clerk of the superior court, took her place in front of the bench and Judge Sames asked for the verdict.

It was handed the clerk by Ben W. Izzard, Tucson veterinarian, foreman of the jury. No sound but the rustling of the paper broke the stillness as the clerk began to read. First came the formal wording of the verdict form, then the words for which all were waiting:

". . . . find the defendant, George B. Echols, not guilty."

FIRE ENDS STORY OF SILVER SLIPPER
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Bad Luck Which Began in 1928 Follows El Sahuaro
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The Silver Slipper, latterly know as El Saguaro club, burnt to the ground, a complete loss, early yesterday morning, after a five year record as southern Arizona's unluckiest enterprise. Originating from an unknown source, fire left nothing but a few smouldering walls of the well-known dance hall, two miles out on Broadway. Apparently originating about daylight, the caretaker, Ray Orcutt, was chased from the blazing building shortly after 5:30, escaping the flames but leaving his effects behind.

The damage was said yesterday to be complete and assessed at $15,000. As El Saguaro club, the old Silver Slipper had been reopened Dec. 1 by E. A. Jacobs and W. A. "Buster" Robson. The more than four year old jinx on the establishment apparently forgotten, it got off to a flying start as a popular dining and dancing place. The revived club was managed by Dell Crosby, formerly of Los Angeles.

As the Silver Slipper, the East Broadway resort got off to a bad start when, on its opening night, Oct. 13, 1928, George B. Echols shot and killed James Mills. Echols was later acquitted by a Pima county jury of murder charges. The Silver Slipper fell into disrepute and, at one time, was said to be a county gambling resort. Later it was closed. Last year it housed four families, living in it as an apartment house. Then, with repeal, it was refitted and reopened, and its short bid for life was again stilled by yesterday morning's fire.