On this day, Feb. 20, in 1974, a right-wing terrorist kidnapped the editor of the Atlanta Constitution newspaper. William Williams told the editor, Reg Murphy, that he had 300,000 gallons of heating oil for charity and picked up Murphy at his house. Williams pulled a gun, bound and gagged Murphy and forced the editor into the trunk. Murphy was forced to tape ransom messages, then was driven around for nearly two days.
Williams, who called himself Col. One, claimed to represent a right-wing militia group and demanded $700,000. The paper delivered the money, and Murphy was released. He quickly banged out a 4,000-word story as authorities swiftly captured Williams with the ransom money. Williams spent nine years in prison.
Murphy went on to head the Baltimore Sun, became president of the U.S. Golf Association and then CEO of National Geographic.
Scott McCabe
