On this day, Feb. 20, 1974, Atlanta Constitution Editor Reg Murphy was kidnapped by a man claiming to be a member of the American Revolutionary Army.

William Williams told Murphy that he had 300,000 gallons of heating oil that he wanted to donate to charity. Murphy agreed to be picked up by Williams. Murphy climbed into the car and was greeted with a gun. Murphy was bound, blindfolded and forced into the trunk. He was taken to Williams’ house and forced to tape ransom messages, then driven around the city for nearly two days.