The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-07-18
M. N. KING LEADS SEARCHING PARTY TO MAJORS BODY
Confessed Slayer's Com panion Reported Still
 At Large
(By the Associated Press)

COLUMBIA, S. C., July 17.-A formless heap of bones, with bullet l'unctured skull standing out in high re- lief today marked the end of the two- week-old trail of official and private in vestigation that started when Major Samuel H. McLeary, United States army. disappeared while en route from Raleigh to Columbia.
 They were pointed out and identi- fled not 150 feet from the Raleigh Columbia highway in densely wooded region, dozen miles south of Cheraw by Mortimer N. King, who, according to officers, confessed yesterday that he aud a companion, whose name was withheld by officials because he has not been arrested, killed McLeary on the afternoon of July ?, after they had accepted the officers offer to give them a lift in his automobile.
 - Dispatches received from Union, s. C., today said that Frank Harrell, 22 years old, construction worker of Lock hart, near Union, was being sought by officers in competitor with the case. Early tonight, there was no report as to whether or not he had been arrested.
 King, immediately after he pointed out the scene of the tragedy, and led the officers to what remained of the officers body, was brought to Columbia and lodged in the Richland county jail. A coroner's, jury, empanelled shortly after the discovery of Major McLeary's remains, returned a verdict that the army officer came to his death of gun shot wounds inflicted by King and other parties unknown to the jury" l AlfhOIOh Onpp Or fTviRn KinO annoa ed on the verge of pointing out other places as the location of the body, ac- cording to officers who brought him from Canton, N. C., where he was ar- rested yesterday, when the right spot was reached, he recognized it immedi- ately, and led the way to where he said i he and his companion had dragged 1 Major McLeary's body after they had | forced the officer at the point of pis- tol to leave his automobile and accom- pany them into the woods, where he was shot, and relieved of his valuables.
 Story COrrObOrated
 Two bullet holes were found in the skull, one on each side, near the tenn pies. Capt. $. NJ. Williams, United | States army, who testified at the in- quest, said Kings confession declared the officer was shot twice, the second shot ending his life.
 No clothing, save a few scraps, so stained and soiled as to be unrecogni-- gable, was found with the officers re- mains. His shoes, however, were in- | tact.
 Miss Bonnie McLeary, sister of the dead officer, was reported to have gone to Chersaw today, but it was said she did not visit the scene of the tragedy. The remains will probably be sealed in a casket, pending instructions from the adjutant general of the army as to their final disposition, it was indicated.
 The official searching party, consist ing of Major Williams, inspector for the North Carolina Guard; A. J. Sumner, Canton, chief of police! Charles H. Powers of the department of justice, and an Asheville newspaperman, and the prisoner, pursued roundabout course in reaching the spot they sought. Leaving Asheville late yesterday, they came to Spartanburg, and early this morning, proceeded to Union, Lockhart, Great Falls, Chester and Camden, in the hope, Major Williams said, of find ing Kings companion.
 At Camden they entered the Raleigh Columbia highway, upon which Major McLeary was supposed to have disap- peared, and proceeded northward, until King announced they had arrived at the scene of the officers death.
 Meantime correspondents and inter ested citizens gathered in Cheraw, awaiting the searching party, as the re- suit of published reports of the pend ing hunt.
 It was developed at the inquest, held l Al. l. oE AL1 he tragedy was enacted, that the crime committed in Chesterfield county, just a few miles south of the North Caro- lima line, and by consequence, the trial of King, and any others who may be implicated will be held in the county seat of that county, which likewise bears the name Chesterfield.
 Short Inquest
 Major Williams was the only witness at the inquest and his testimony con- stunned scarcely more than five minutes. King, he said, had made a sworn con- fessiOn to the crime, saying that it was inspired by a desire to steal Major Me Leary's automobile and his personal be- longings, and naming an accomplice, who the witness asked to be excused from identifying because he had not been apprehended. Major Williams re- lated how King had led the searching party to the scene, indicated the skele- ton lying in the bushes and said it was the remains of Major McLeary.
 The automobile, according to King 8 confession, as recounted by the officer, was driven by the two slayers of Major McLeary to the mountains of North Carolina, near Canton, Kings home, where it was abandoned following an accident.
 Discovery and Identification of his automobile. touring car, led to the ar rest of King several days ago as a suspect. but he was released. Further investigation according to reports re- ceived here, resulted in the finding of a shirt of the missing officer on Kings premises, which led to his reported