The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-03-15

Sen Of the Late Gen. Heath 81 Oon
Francisco, Arrested fer the Csims.
SAN FRANcIsco, March 14.-Richard 8
Heath, SON of the late Gen. Heath, Of this
city, was arrested here last nighs for the
murder Of Louis b. McWhirter in Fresno
last August. Fred w. Policy, now in Jail
in Fresno for vagrancy. IL also charged
with the same crime. McWhirter was .
lawyer, and took prominent part In poli-
tics in that town. He was violently op.
posed to certain men there. and had many
enemies His life had been threatened
and on that account he took out life insurs
ance policies amounting to $50, 900.
Heath says he can prove an alibi. and
that he was McWhirter's friend. The tho.
ory Is that McWhirter was killed by mise
take for Joseph +. Baker. who had been
conducting the Exposition for McWhirter.
Baker had been occupying the latter's
house while the owner was out in the
mountains. Heath had threatened to kill
Baker for an attack made on him through
the paper, and having been out in the
country when McWhirter returned, the
theory is that he thought Baker was still
living in the house aud killed the wrong
man.
fresno, March 14-This city Is greatly
excited at the news of the arrest OF Nc
Whirter's murderers. At first the arrest
of Heath in San Francisco was great sur
prise. although he had long been sus-
pected. The grand jury Is now in sessi on
here. and it is understood will return In
dictments against Heath and Policy. it
is believed that Heath will plead insanity
az q defense. The name Of the third man
to oe arrested has not been made public.
but it is stated that he will be caught be.
fore night.
Crittenden Thornton, Mrs. McWhirter's
attorney. said he was not surprised at the
arrest of Heath and Policy, but that these
men were but cat's-paws Of others more
powerful, and he expected to see political
and financial regulations in this state
shattered in a short time.
The grand jury, now in session herss
found three indictments this afternoon.
They are against Richard Heath, w. +.
Policy and John Doe, all charged with the
murder Of McWhirter. Heath and Policy
were already in custody and the mysteri.
Gus John Doe may be arrested In . few
hours or few days. No information as To
his proper name could be obtained. Policy
was before the grand jury this afternoon
nearly two hours, and it is the impression
that he mas made confession. 1t II stated
By certain authorities that the evidences
against these men, though entirely cir.
cumstantiai. Is Of such . character a. 70
leave no doubt Of their guilt.
O'Clock on the morning Of August ~. laoo.
Louis B. McWhiytes was aroused By noises In
the back yard. He went out partly dressed, with
revolver in his hand, TO investigate. Less than
q minute from the time he left the house bic
wife heard q succession OF pistol shoes. and
rushing out found her husband dssd, with .
bullet in his hsart. Near him was found . re-
yoiyer and two heavy clubs, indicating that
there were two assAsaInA Mcwhirtsrs friends
believed that he was the victim Of political
BOT, while others, including the insurance con.
panles, eaid he had committed suicide. and the
latter refused TO pay the Insurance. on his life
The murder created great ssnsaticn through
out this ssate. but no progress had besn made II
discovering the murdcrerA