The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-03-15
DID HE KILL HIS BEST FRIEND?
Mysterious Murder of q Politician for Which
the Son of General Heath Is Under Arrest.

SAN FRANCISCO, March 14-Richard
Heath. son of the late General Heath, of
this city. was arrested here last night for
the murder of Louis b. Now lrter. in
Fresno last August. Frederick w. Policy,
now In jail in Fresno for vagrancy. was
also charged with the same crime. Mo.
Whittier was q lawyer and took q proml-
nent part in the politics of that city. He
was violently opposed to certain men in
that town and had many enemies. His
life had been threatened and on that ac-
count he took out life insurance
policies amounting to $50. 900. About
8 o'clock in the morning Of
Aug. 20 last McWhirter was aroused by
noises in tho back yard. He went, partial
ly dressed and revolver in hand. to lnvesti.
gate. Less than q minute from the time
he left the house his wife heard q success
sion OF pistol shots. and rushing out found
her husband dead with q bullet in his
heart. Near him was found g revolver and
two heavy cln be-. indicating that there
were two assassins. McWblrter's friends
believed he was the victim of q political
plot, while others, including the insurance
companies. said he had committed suicide,
pay the insurance on Me- hirter's life.
The murder caused q great sensation
throughout the State. but no progress was
made in discovering the murderers.
Heath was arrested last evening. and
when an officer told him he was wanted on
q charge of murder. he asked: "Fresnop
The officer answered yes" and Heath said:
Il have been expecting this, but l thought
the thing had blown over" Heath then
declared that he could prove an elibi, and
Grand Central Hotel at Fresno that he
was to bed at IL o'clock on the night of
Aug. %. and that he was asleep in his room
at the time McWhirter was killed. Heath
says he was McWhirters friend. and the
theory is that McWhirter was killed by
mistake. Among the murdered lawyers
firm friends was Joseph L. Baker, a WELL
known newspaper writer. who was brought
down to Fresno by MoWhirter to
interests of his fact on of the Demo-
cratic party. Baker made many enemies
by his writing. among them Heath. The
latter resented statements made IN his
presence by Baker concerning State Sena-
tor GOucher. and. in q fight which ensued,
was badly whipped by Baker. Heath
swore he would kill Baker and hun ted for
him the next day with n revolver. but did
not find the newspaper man. Heath swore
vengeance, but got no opportunity to get
even. About this time McWhirter went to
the mountains with his wife and Baker oc.
cupied bis house during his absence. About
n week before the murder McWhirtsr re-
turned and Baker left. Heath was work
ing on the Curtis ranch near Fresno and
did not know McWhirter had returned.
The theory Is that Heath went to McWhlr-
ter's house. thinking Baker was there. and
intended TO kill him. Instead. however,
Nc hirter rushed out. revolver in hand,
and Heath shot the man whom he called
his best friend.
Crittenden Thornton, Mrs. McWhirter's
attorney, said he was not surprised at the
arrest of Heath and Bolley. He said:
These men are but cat's-paws of others
more powerful, and i expect to see some
political and financial reputation in this
State shattered in a very short time"