Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1883-02-20

". u. Leach, While Providing Around
in the Hsase Of John Miller. Is shot
hy the Latter.

". ~. Leach, While Providing Around
in the Hsase Of John Miller. Is shot
by the Latter.
From the Oregoaia. of the 18th: Be-
tween the hours of ten and eleven last
night, John Miller, an employee OF the
Oregon Bakery, who lives On the corner
of Twenty-first and l. streets, was
aroused from his slumbers by the
sounds of some one prowling around IN
the house. He listened few moments
until fully satisfied that there was some
one in the house who had no business
there. when he got out of bed and arm
ing himself with revolver proceeded
to investigate. Upon opening the door
of the front room, whence the sounds
proceeded, Miller could distinguish the
form of man standing erect in the
darkness. Thinking perhaps it might
be the Chinaman employed as ser
want, Miller called out the latters
name and was answered by a mumbling,
semblance, however, TO that of the Chi
namau. The figure then threw up his
hands, and Miller, believing his life to
be in danger. raised his revolver and
fired. The figure dropped like a stone,
without a word. Miller alarmed his
neighbors, and told Jack Fuller, who
was the first to arrive, that he had
killed a man. Investigation, however,
showed that the man was not dead, nor
even seriously hurt. He got up on his
feet and called out: II don't want to
get away. Don't take another pop at
mer' His face was covered with blood
from a wound in his scalp, which the
bullet had Just graZed.
In this condition he was taken to the
city Jail by Miller and Fuller, where he
gave his name and attempted to ex-
plain matters. His name Is w. N.
Leach, and he came to this city from
Seattle only short time ago. He said
he was q printer, and for a week past
had been working for the Sunday Wei
come in the capacity of foreman. Upon
being asked to explain his presence IN
the house. he told very strange and
improbable story, which, however, was
given in a straightforward, and SEEM
ingly honest manner. He did not ap-
pear to be intoxicated, and talked cool
~ and sensibly.
He said that yesterday afternoon he
met stranger who claimed to be
real estate dealer, and with him he had
passed the remainder Of the day. They
had taken several drinks together, and,
Leach mentioning that he would like to
buy some lots. or a house and lot, they
had visited several pieces of property.
This man, so Leach says, took him to
the house in which he was shot, in Or
der to show him the rooms. They went
in, and the man left Leach standing in
the front room. telling him he would
return in few minutes with light
Leach waited nearly an hour and then
getting tired, started to tiAd door, in
doing which he fell over a chair. Then
the door opened and man asked, SIS
that your Leach replied, "Yes, I'm
waiting" and the man tired at him.
This is his strange story. He is a
good-looking young fellow, with dark
curly hair and small mOustache. La
ter in the night his identity was con-
frmed Just as he himself had stated.
He has wife and child who came here
with him from Seattle. A gentleman
who knew him at that place states that
he has always borne a good character,
and was at one time one of the proprie-
tors of the Seattle Chronicle. He came
hero with considerable money, and is
well-to-dO. Stearns Bros, cigar deal
eIs, know him well, and in their care
several letters have been addressed to
him since his arrival here. He has let
ters from prominent persons in Seattle,
all of which go to show that his former
character has been good.