National Affairs: The Geiger-Counter Murder

In the West’s 20th century uranium rush, only one prospector thus far has been dry-gulched in 19th century fashion. He was Leroy Albert Wilson, a brawling, bullying Utah claim-jumper, whose body was found near the Kanab uranium strike with six .45 bullet holes in the head and back and a Geiger counter still clicking in his hand (TIME, May 31). The sheriff promptly arrested Wilson’s prospecting partner: Tom Holland, 49, a jovial, six-foot settler, who had driven off with Wilson the day of the murder, but came back alone. He claimed that he had dropped Wilson, returned early to carouse with friends. “You’ve got a fast horse and a long loop, sheriff,” said Tom Holland, “but you’ve got the wrong man this time.” There were no other suspects in sight, but several trial witnesses supported Holland’s alibi. Last week came the jury’s verdict: not guilty.