Chambers County AlArchives History .....The MeltonLeak Murders November 2020
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Ronald Williams Hopewellroad@yahoo.com September 27, 2021, 12:28 am

In June of 1915, the Chattahoochee Valley was shocked by the triple murder of 
three  young Riverview men, Max and Epps Melton and John Leak. Their bodies were 
found in the river and it was theorized that they had been killed in Harris 
County and their badly mutilated bodies thrown in the river at Collins Ferry. 
The murders were never solved.
Epps Melton had previously been invovled in an altercation in Harris County, 
where he had killed Manse Teal. Per Epps’ story, the killing was all in self 
defense and Epps did not get prison time. Many felt that the murder of Epps, 
Epps’ brother and their friend was retribution for the killing of Teal.
This article relays the details of the killing of Teal:
“Melton Asserts That the Killing was in Self-Defense as Teal Was in the Act of 
Firing When He Shot to Save His Own Life:
With a shotgun loaded  with buckshot, J. E. Melton, 25 or 30 year of age  shot 
and killed Mans Teal, aged about 35 years and married, in the left breast 
yesterday afternoon about 4 o’clock killing him instantly. The shootong occurred 
at Jackson’s Mill and Ginnery, on Mulberry Creek, in Harris County, a short 
distance from Goat Rock.
Immediately after the killing, Melton accompanied by W.A Cannon, a friend went 
to Goat Rock and telephoned Sheriff Beard, in this city, to go to the scene as 
they feared trouble. Sheriff Beard informed the man that the tragedy had 
occurred in Harris County and that it was a matter for the Sheriff of Harris 
County to look after.
The men notofied Sheriff Beard that they had been unable to establish 
communication with Sheriff M.M. Hadley of Harris County, and insisted that he go 
to Goat Creek at once as they feared trouble fron the dead man’s relatives and 
friends.
Sheriff Beard agreed to go and securing an automobile accompanied by Deputy 
Sheriff Gibson, he left for the scene about 7 o’clock, He received the telephone 
message a little after 6 o’clock.
In route toGoat Rock, Sheriff Beard met Melton and Cannon who were on their way 
to Columbus, and Melton at once placed himself under the protection of the 
Sheriff who brought him to this vity and him in the county jail. Sheriff Beard 
stated last night that he would communicate with Sheriff Hadley this morning and 
inform him that Melton was in jail here subject to hi orders.
According to Sheriff Beard, Melton gave an account of the killing which is 
substantially as follows:
About a year ago, Melton amnd Teal had a difficulty at which tome Teal 
threatened Melton. Melton told the Sheriff that after that he and Teal had 
another difficulty and Teal drew a pistol on him. He took Teal’s pistol from him 
and gave him a whipping with is fists, but did not try to do him any serious 
injury. He also said that at another time when a difficulty was imminent he 
(melton) had avoided Teal.
Yesterday afternoon, according to the account given Sheriff Beard by Melton, 
Teal was Jackson’s Mill and Ginnery (which is being operated by Melton’s father) 
and that Teal and the elder Melton had some difficulty about hogs. They did not 
come to blows and finally agreed  upon a settlement of the controversy between 
them.
After that Melton said Teal called to him and asked him to go to where he (Teal 
) was: “Some of my froends who were there advised me not to go,” according to 
the story told by Melton to Sheriff Beard, “and I did not go at forst, and he 
called to me again to come ther,” saying he wanted to see me. Fnally, I staeted 
to go where he was. Then I thought there might be trouble, and I went into the 
gin house and got my gun and took it along.
“As I came near to where Teal was sitting in his wagon he asked  what I was 
going to to do woth the gun and I told him I was going to protect myself with it 
if I found it nevessary to do so, otherwise I wouldn’t do anything with it.
“He reamrked, ‘Yes, you are, you _____ _______ ________, and I’m going to get 
you now.’
“Wth these words having his hand in his pocket behind him drew his revolver, 
threw it up, and just as he was coming down on me with it, I shot him in the 
breast and fell off the wagon. I don’t think he said anything after after I shot 
him. If I had not shot he would hav ekilled me.”
Sheriff Beard said that immediately after the killing Melton said he asked his 
friend Mr. Cannon what he should do, and that Mr. Cannon advised him to get to 
the a sheriff and surrender as speedily as possible. Mr. Cannon agreed to take 
charge of him until a sheriff could arrive.
The two then went to Goat Rock and after failing to reach Sheriff Hadley at 
Hamilton they telephoned Sheriff Beard. They then set out for Columbus and she 
sheriff met them.
Sheriff Beard said that Melton was greatly relieved to meet him as he feared 
trouble from the friends and relatives of the dead man. They told the sheriff 
that they were followed to Goat Rock by some of the relatives and friends of 
Teal, but they went toward Alabama in the belief that Melton had gone in that 
direction.
The dead man was a member of one of the oldest families in Harris County and 
well known and prosperous farmer. His wife was a Miss Jackson, daughter of the 
owner of the mill where he was killed.
Melton formerly lived in Chambers County, Alabama, and is also a well-to-do 
farmer.”


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