L. MILLESS
Arizona Republican Newspaper
October 2, 1903

Two men are under arrest, charged with the murder of L. 
Milless, a roulette dealer who was killed in a beer hall 
in Bisbee on the night of August 19.  A woman of the town 
by the name of Mabel Carlisle is also accused of helping 
the men to get away after the deed was done, and no doubt 
had knowledge of the conspiracy.  Bert Noftz was arrested 
in Cananea Tuesday night and an effort is being made to 
arrange his expedition.  Johnnie James was arrested about 
the same time.

Noftz was at one time left in charge of the Bisbee opera 
house for a season and when his employer returned he found 
him short in his accounts.  It is known that he promised to 
make up the shortage at once and it is believed he chose the 
hold-up method of raising money.  When arrested he accused 
James of "giving him away" and said he had some time before 
quit his companionship.

Before James was arrested a trap was laid for him.  A woman 
of the Red-light district was induced to send for him and 
engage him in conversation while Officer Jennings was 
secreted behind a screen.  During the conversation he 
mentioned the name of Noftz and said he had "cut him out" 
and that if he were to  tell al he knew about him the 
officers would "soon have him behind bars."

Mabel Carlisle, Noftz and James held a consultation in a 
private room of a candy store the night of the murder and 
it is believed it was she who secured a hack and assisted 
the men to escape.  Since the absence of Noftz from Bisbee 
she has been living wit him at Cananea under the name of 
Mabel Pearson.  An effort will also be made to arrest her 
if she is not already in jail.

The Milless Killing
October 5, 1903

Respecting Noftz, one of the men accused of killing L.O. 
Milless at Bisbee in August and Mabel Pearson, who has 
been living with Noftz at Cananea, the Bisbee papers 
says the former has not yet been extradited, but the 
woman has arrived in Bisbee coming of her own accord 
in company with a son of Noftz.  She is not under 
arrest, has been given quarters at a hotel and promises 
to stay there pending any information she can give the 
officers in relation to the crime.  She says, though, 
that neither Noftz nor James had anything to do with 
the killing of Milless.  The officers think the evidence 
against the men is being daily strengthened.  James is a 
young man and was born and raised in Tombstone.