The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-07-06
MTIIDERER RUNDOWN
Mattel Leon Captured in Brit
iSh Columbia.
The MERCER ISLAND CRIME.
Leon, Richards Slayer, Confessss M
Crime-The Clever Detective
work of Sheriff woolery.

Mattel Leon, the Italian fisherman who killed
feou Richards on Mercer island April d, has
been captured aud is now safe In the county
fail He has confessed, but claims that no
killed the woodsman in selt-deiense- tie de-
fends Joe Puccso, who has been in jail since
June 6, and says that he was no; present when
the killing OF Richards took place, although ne
afterwards sided in coneesiing the body. Leon
was captured on the Fraser river, 200 miles from
Vancouver. B. c. 81 o'clock Monday morning
By Deputy Sheriff Jack Mcdonald. The deputy
arrived in this city with his prisoner last even
Ing at o'clock.
The killing of Richards occurred Tuesday
morning. April &c, at 10 O'Clock, s1d his BODY
was found in the lake on the morning OF June
4, Just forty days sftervsrd. Prom the first
Sheriff woolery believed that murder mad
been committed. but for obvious reasons gave
out the impression that such did not seem to De
the case.
Mattel Leon is very glad to get back aad says
he Is anxious to have his tfiaL He tells
straight story, which taiies N almost eTerv par
tiealar with that of Puceio, and mus therefore 20
true. Leon says that for several years be aad
been engaged at fishing on Lake Washington,
near the city pumping station. One day not
many months ago ne met Leon Richards. or
ANDY" as he was called. and ANDY" proposed
that they go in partnership and cstch logs The
proposition wa accepted. and the men made a
boom, and In time coTralsed 9a.eoo logs Finally
the men fell out, and quarre.s were frequent
On the morning Of April . the partners were
late in ieaving their cahiu on the east side OF
Mercer island ANDY" vas We abusive, but
finally went out with his gun on his shoulder.
While he was cut Leon decided TO leave the
cabin aud 60 back at fishing, and was In the act
of rolling up his blankets when ANDY re-
turned. He left his sua leaning outside the
cabin against the door. and seeing Leon In the
act Of leaving tho place. said:
.what in h-l are you doiu.2"
ANDY" being very large and powerful. Leon
was frightened and said:
al will stay II you want me-"
IL don't want yoa to stay. Yen cowardly
Dago / am sorry I ever mixed up with you.
Then. following his words. he rushed st Leon.
seized him by the throat and tor,ed him 20 the
hoor. In falling Leon s hand graspet butcher
knife. which he iced and stabbed his assaiisnt
time and again. When "Ands" let go OF I4eoa's
throat the latter Tau outside, and seeing a gun
grabbed IL ANDY" had AK snc started to
pursue Leon. when the latter fired. Andy"
dropped dead, with the entire right side OF his
face b.own away.
Leon came 10 town immediately, leaving
HIS gun aud boat az a chicken ranch on Lake
Washington, owned by German known as
"laSe. lie was met by Edward Nolan,
for whom he at one time worked Nolan
noticed that Icons neck was raw and
bruised but the Italian refused to tell him how
he was hurt Later Leon called on
"German Jake" and borrowed g after which he
told Jake thst he had killed man and was
going away. The following night at 10 O'Clock
Leon, with his bosom fri nj. Joe Puceio, re-
turned n the cabin on the island. and. dragging
"Andy's" body to the lake, tied rope around
fts head and getting IL into a boa. they lowed
the corpse into deep water. where they cut the
rope and let tho body 90. The heavy boots
sunk the remains. Then the two Italians
came back TO Seattle, Puccio remaining
in town and Leon going to British
Columbia Before going away Leon again met
Jake" aud told him what disposition be aud
Pucelo had made of the body. few hours be-
fore leaving town Leon called at the o.fico of f.
Crivelii, at Go second street. aud after telling
him that he had killed = man. asked to borrow
some money. CEiyeln refused 10 lend him any
money and neglected telling the authorities OF
the circumstance
About June Edward Nolan, who lives at
1,tls Jackson street, received a letter from,
Puceio under date Of Everett. requesting hin
10 60 QUIT &c lake Washington and tell Jake to
send him assignment of eggs. Nolan wen, out
70 see Jake but the latter said:
Nc, he can't have any eggs. He helred TO
kill Andy, Then followed the whole story.
The same day Sheriff wooery learned that
Nolan was acquainted with Riehards' tsr,ner
ti-ecnl anu called on him. Nolan told the whole
story and then began 8 search for Pncc.o II
was learned that he had left Everett ans. come
10 Seattle At O'Clock in the morning OF 1uue
tsheEln wooleTy, accompanied by Nolan. found
him in ;he Mug saloon, On Main street. and ar
rested him and placed him In Jail Four DAYS I'm
the dark cell had the desired eject and pnecio
confessed.
All trace OF Leon had been lost A man was
sent 70 feEtaad aud all Of the canneFies between
Astoria aud Portland weFo visited. Then
another man went 30 all al the British Columbia
caaneries without accomplishing anything. II,
was thea limited that Leon had shipped from
Tort ksakeley on the ship Mount Carmit. for
Callao. Peru. The vessel is due at its ,iss,,r..
uen IN August, and Immediately the American
eoensai az Csilao was advised 10 srrest man
supposed TO Re Leon. hut who sh;npel pnaer
che name OF {. Nelson
On June y Sheriff woalery received ,nt,-,,.
ton that led him II believe Leon was in Rritssh
toiambls. and Deputy Jack Mcdonald was .ent
- Victoria; nom there To Nansinnn thence e.,
neuminEton,t thence 10 NewN es;mlnster. thence
- fase anditheaes 10 suxEeua The ieputy WAS
accompanied from Vancouver hv a ,istss.fv,
shd Leon vas arrested While in he'd at Sys..,,,,
Az o'clock Monday morning The Italian
onefed 10 resistance, waived the right Of extra
ssuoo pSi'ers ami was brought 60 this eSty
TIE tScing aud capture vi leon hiss COS. ,hgs
soanN aoout SI1o Better detective work s,ni.a
Net nave been accomplished snvwhere xn,s
ShSriG "colery and bergty Mcdonald nax,
covered Themselves With glory.
frosec1'sng Attorney Miller swers oata
tah1 1asa evening charging leon with inu-,ss- in
t"v htSs deEFSs ami he wtll BE given a hearisy
soNas isooSoly SetoFc Justice Ven T,,hsl