In the early hours of Christmas morning in 1944, a tragic event unfolded at the Owl Buffet in Globe, Arizona, culminating in the death of its proprietor, 50-year-old Morgan Nielson. The incident began a few hours earlier when U.L. Holley and his neighbor, Orville Black, entered the establishment. Nielson informed them that he did not serve 'colored trade,' and the two men left, only to return a short time later.
Upon their return around 12:40 a.m., Holley approached the bar and asked for
the bartender. When Nielson identified himself as the owner, Holley reportedly said, 'You will do,' drew a gun, and shot him. Nielson died on the way to Gila General Hospital. The ensuing chaos saw Holley turn the gun on Nielson's wife, Lillian, but the bartender, William E. Bell, pushed her out of the way, taking a bullet to the shoulder himself. Two other patrons, Kenneth Gibbons and Ed Williams, were also shot. Williams, a World War I veteran, succumbed to his injuries four days later.
After the shooting, Holley attempted to flee but was apprehended by a crowd across the street and was severely beaten before officers arrived. He was taken to the hospital for his injuries and then transferred to the Arizona State Prison in Florence for his safety due to the threat of mob violence in Globe. Holley, age 35, was charged with first-degree murder. A Coroner's Jury concluded that Nielson's death was a result of gunshot wounds inflicted by Holley after being refused service.
U.L. Holley's trial for the murder of Morgan Nielson was held on January 23, 1945. The trial lasted only one day, and after a mere 28 minutes of deliberation, the jury returned with a guilty verdict and a recommendation for the death penalty. Holley refused to appeal his conviction. On February 1, 1945, the judge sentenced him to death in the gas chamber. The execution was carried out on April 13, 1945.
