The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-12-10
MYNATT LEACH HANGED
DREW STRAWS 70 DECIDE WHO SHOULD
KILL Mr.. HECK.
The Bride Of the Victim Saw the Murder Done,
But None Saw the Murderer--He
Finally Confessed.


Knoxville, Tenn, Dec 9.--Mynatt
Leach was hanged yesterday at Clinton
Anderson county, Tenn, for numbering
John ID. Heck. The crime and it's sub
sequent developments were remarka-
bic.
The murder was committed February
- lust 1t was near noon, as Mr.. Heck
was making his exit from the mines Of
the Royal Coal and Coke Company, Of
which he was resident superintendent.
lie was approaching his young wife, and
was shot down before her eyes.
There being not single witness to the
deed who could give the slightest evil
dence as to whence the deadly bullet
came. the officers found it difficult to OBJ
ain even II slight clue. 1t was an es-
tablished fact that Mr.. Heck was shot
from ambush, and n search for the place
was begun. Finally a beaten path was
found, and this path led to under
brush. in which was evidence Of occu-
unNcy n short time before.
Bloodhounds were led into this under
'rrSh and readily took up the trail, which
led to the house of Ahaz Johnson. j Ohm
son was arrested, bur he disclaimed all
knowledge of the identity Of the assas-
sin. He was held by the officers.
From tatements made by him and
clues found by the dogs the officers
suspected Mynatt Leach, and his arrest
followed on the third day after the MUIR
der. Leach also denied the shooting. An
old gun was found in his home. and this
gave evidences Of having been recently
Gred Here was another link in the
"ha;n of evidence. George G. Heck. q
'rother OF the murdered man, offered
'ihcral rewards for the capture Of the
murderer. and this money consideration
Sneroed to urge the officers to greater 81
forts.
TIE preliminary trials rcsll;ted in hold
ing Johnson and Leach. both % who'~
were tound over to court When he wa
'riNi a.. Clinton the evidenr" was over
r7helming against 7 each IT WIS, how
2vpr nurely cirC1in'Stantial. johnson re-
-e;vod n sentence Of one year IN the pent'
'oqtiary for being an accomnlicr in the
y,rirrn.a md each was sentenced tw
death. The each verdict was aprpa led
10 the Supreme court, and was sustain-
cd by that tribunal
Ieach recently made a confession OF
tie crime after he learned that it was
impossible to clear himself. In that con-
fession he related the whole story Incl
dent to the murder. He said he was in
duced to kill Heck by an offer of 5000,
which was made by four men, each of
whom was to put up $50
IT was agreed that one of the men
should do the killing, and, in order to de-
eide the question, straws were drawn.
Leach drew the long straw and it fell TO-
- I'm 7 ~.
confession that he had never entertain
ed any ill-feeling against Heck and did
not want to kill him. but was afraid he
himself would be killed if he did not do
the job
The reason assigned for the men want
ing Heck out of the way, and being
willing to pay some one to kill him, was
that it was reported a few DAYS before
the murder that Heck intended TO have
case nolle pressed in the Campbell
county court in which the miners felt
an indirect interest. This case related
to the prosecution of man named Nor.
gan for killing Murray, a miner.
Murray had gone to work in the Roy
al coal mines, and while there tried to
precipitate at strikes among the miners.
Morgan was the "bank boss" and dur
tween the two men as to point relating
to the work in the mines. Murray
is alleged to have attacked Morgan, and
the latter shot him.
The miners entered into a prosecution
of Morgan. and the Royal Coal and
Coke Company put up the money with
which to defend him. as the officials, par
tiGrlarly Mr.. Heck, believed Morgan
to have been right. It was this case
which Mr.. Heck intended to throw ont
OF court, and the miners seriously OBJ
iocted to Morgan going unnunfshed for
the killing Of one Of their number.
At the time of the murder of Mr..
ITeeE he Ind been married but a short
time, and his bride Of a few weeks was
compelled to witness the Staying of her
husband. After his death his wife came.
to this city. Subsequently she return
cd to her former home, in North Caro-
lima, where she now resides.
AT THE yApRODO TONTcrTT