Atlanta tri-weekly journal., 1924-07-19
NAMED
IN CONFESSION IS
SOUGHT IN CAROLINA
Missing Major Murdered and -.
Body Hidden by Men
He Gave Lift

CHERAW, S. c., July II. (By
the Associated Press .)-Mortime III.
King, alleged lf-confessed slayer
Of Major Samuel H. McLeary, coast
artillery officer, today led officers to
a little heap of bones which he said
were he remains of the murdered
army officer.
The site was about II miles south
of Cheraw ,on the Raleigh Columbia
highway. King, after pointing out
the spot to the officers, was taken
to Columbia for incarceration in the
state penitentiary.
He had been brought from Union
by way of Camden, S. c., up to the
point where he said he and his COM
panion forced Major McLeary to
leave his automobile and accompa-
ny them to the woods where they
are alleged to have shot him.
An inquest was held Immediately
after the finding of the remains.
Major f. M. Williams, of the regu.
lar army, was the only witness to
testify. He told of Kings alleged
duplicating another man.
who was not named, in the murder
of Major McLearf on July 2, and
how King led the officers to the
scene.
Miss Bonnie McLeary, a sister Of
the dead officer, came to Cheraw to-
day, but did not see the remains of
her brother.
age %, who, according to
Major Williams, was implicated in
the confession of King. Harrell was
reported to have been at Union, but
in that city it was said he had de-,
parted for Lockhart. No trace OF
him was found in the latter town.
Both Harrell and King are resi-
dents of Union and operatives in lo-
cal mills, although King gave Can
ton as his home. Both men are mar
ried. Recently, the mills closed for
a short period, and it is stated the
men left here afoot with their des-
tination unknown. Harold, however.
has a sister living at Lockhart, as
we'll as relatives in Rockhill, S. c..
and in North Carolina.
DESERTER TELLS HOW
HE KILLED OLEARY
RALEIGH, N. c., July 17-By
the Associated Press) Major
Samuel II. McLeary, coast artillery
corps, whose mysterious disappear
ance on July 2 baffled government
officials of three. states and
members of his family for two
weeks, was slain by two men whom
he picked up while en- route in
his automobile from Norfolk, Va, to
a new post of duty at Fort Moul-
trie, S. C..
This was admitted by one Of the
assassins, Mortimer II. King, de-
serter from both the army and ma
rine corps, who confessed last night
to authorities conducting search
for the missing officer at Canton,
near Asheville, N. c., that he and
companion shot and killed Major
McLeary to rob him and obtain his
automobile.
Capture Imminent
Meanwhile, a drag net has been
spread over the surrounding coun-
tryside for Kings companion in the
Staying, whose name officers de-
clined to ,divulge,S and his capture is
said to be imminent.
Rearrested late yesterday after
one of Major McLeary's shirts had
been found in his home near Can
-on, King broke down after Cruel
ng period of questioning and con.
fessed to officials in the presence OF
1eWspapermen that he and his com.
aanion, hailed Major McLeary not
far from here, and after he had
to give them "a lift," sho.
him down when he obeyed their COM
nand to leave the automobile and
Ira gged the BODY into the bushes
after taking all his valuables and a
sweater which he wore.
King admitted that he fired twice
1T the officer, both shots taking ef-
,ect. After they had disposed of
he body, he asserted, they drove
he automobile some 200 miles to
Canton, and failing in an attempt to
ross the mountains near there,
bandoned the machine when 1t went
nto a ditch.
After deserting the automobile on
he night Of July 3, the day after
hey had slai nthe major, King said
le and his companion rifled the Of
icer's luggage, appropriating sew
raj articles of attire and secreting
he remainder, including clothing,
lrmy orders and various papers, in
he hills near by.
Automobile Found
The machine, which was found on
uly 4, but not identified until July
), furnished the first definite trace
# the officer. Rumors before and
fter the men answering Major Nc
1eary's description had been seen In
'arious parts Of the state were
raced by the score by friends Of the
amily and officials without avail
Discovery, piecemeal, of his bag
age shortly after the officers took
barge Of the automobile, started a.
7idespread search of the mountain
ountry OF western North Carolina.
'osses directed by two army officers
'ho were personal friends Of the ma.
Or, department Of justice operatives
nd various county officials, soon
earned that two strange men had
cen seen in his automobile shortly
efore it was found abandoned.
Efforts to identify them proved
title. but the search was redoubled
18th the arrival in Canton of Aims.
'orth and Miss McLeary, both of
'hom expressed the belief that the
fftcer had suffered a mental lapse
nd would be found wandering some
mere in the woods close by.
The hunt also was spurred by the
-atement Of a woman in Norfolk
uesday that she saw an army Off.
er travelling with two men in an au-