State to Claim William Morris Planned for Several Years to Get Rid of Her
SAYS CHOKED TO DEATH

Tryon Neb, Sept 6 – Trial of William Morris, 50, rancher and father of six children, on a charge of murdering his wife Sunday evening, April 10, was begun before District Judge Powell here this afternoon.
Morris, according to charges made by the state, choked his wife to death and then dragged her body behind a horse across a pasture to conceal the crime. At the time of her death, Morris said her foot became entangled in a rope tied to the saddle of her horse while they were rounding up cattle together, and that she had been accidentally dragged to death.
May Last a Week
The trial it is expected, will last a week. Beller and Crosby, attorneys of North Platte, are defending the accused rancher. George N. Gibb and I.T. Keefe of North Platte are in charge of the prosecution.
“We will attempt to show that the woman was choked to death before her body was ever dragged behind a horse.” said Prosecuting Attorney Gibb. “We will also try to show that for a period of years Morris was possessed with the idea of getting rid of his wife.” Misuse and abuse of her during this time also is charged, according to the prosecution.
Mr. Gibb would not reveal the alleged motive of Morris in disposing of his wife. “That, however, will be developed during the trial,” he said.
Didn't Notify Neighbors
Morris and his family were tenants on a ranch near Flats in McPherson county.
The body of the woman was found the morning after her death. It was located in the pasture by a 12-year old daughter and neighbors who had been sent to hunt for it by the father. Morris claimed he had searched in the darkness for three hours, went home to get a lantern, and continued the search unsuccessfully the night fore. According to the state's charges, however, Morris passed several ranch house on the way to get a lantern and failed to notify them of the alleged accident to his wife.

Omaha World-Herald
Tuesday evening
Sept. 6, 1921