Evening star., 1924-07-17

mature reports friEhtening him into
flight.
missing when, after stopping in Ra-
leigh on July and telegraphing that
money be sent to him at Columbia,
s. c., he failed to arrive at the South
Carolina city and claim his check
An Immediate check up was begun of
the movements Of the major, who ap-
parently dropped out of sight, with
no clue as to his fate. Army omcials
took up the inquiry, the Governors OF
Texas, North and South Carolina and
other high ofIicials instigated search
proceedings and highways through
out both North and South Carolina
were combed.
No trace Of McLeary was found.
however, until July 15. when an auto
mobile ditched near Asheville on the
night of July was positively identi-
fed as belonging to Maj. McLeary.
The car was first found on the
morning of July 4 and reported to
the Asheville Citizen on July IL Tor
longing to the missing officer was
found near the car on July IL. Inn
mediateIy after the discovery of the
baggage, which was the result OF q
small boy finding towel stamped
with Maj McLeary's name, posses
were sent into the mountains to
search for further clues.
Saw Two Men.
Mrs. Luther Hall of Thickety Sec
ton was able to furnish a, meager
description OF the two men who had
driven the car into that section, as
they stopped at her house on the
night of July and asked for water
to wash with. 1t was dusk when they
stopped, however, and she was unable
to get a good look at them
After King was arrested Monday
he was confronted with Mrs Hall
and she said that he was not one of
the two men she saw.
In his confession King told of hav-
ing travelled through Georgia and
later as far north as Raleigh While
walking along the road. his COM
panion, whose name is withheld at
present by the authorities. outlined
a plan for securing an automobile,
the confession states. A car was nag
ged and the driver was asked Tor
ride to Columbia The request was
granted, and the men got in the rear
| of the ear. King declares he pointed
| a gun at the drivers head, ordering
| him to get out Of the car. according
| TO his confession. The driver. then
unknown to the two men, laughed
and showed no inclination to obey.
King was losing confidence, he said,
| but his companion urged MIN on. AS
the driver stepped out OF ns, the car 5ahs ns
| to his hip King fired, according to
| the confession, hitting the man in
| the temple. A second shot killed him.
| The body was then dragged into the
| bushes and relieved of sweater,
some change and a wrist watch. The
men then fled with the car. going to-
| ward Canton. where Kings wife lives,
| and there they disposed of automo-
| bile and baggage.
| King, who admits being hobo and
| soldier OF fortune" appeared uncon-
cerned about his own fate and re-
| lieved on having confessed the CRIME
II feel better now" he declared.
| after signing the confession. He was
| worried greatly about the future OF
his young wife and baby. but seemed
! hardly to realize the consequence to
| When first placed under arrest
| Tuesday evening as a suspect King
was closely questioned and told sew
| eraI conflicting stories about his trips
| to various parts of the South.
Mai. S. NJ. Williams, who was ac-
| tive in the search. late last night
made 4 formal report of his confes-
sion to the War Department He