The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1851-06-07
Tragedy at Milwaukee.

Most Of our citizens recollect the individual:
I mentioned in the article below. A year and .
half ago they opened store at this place, which
after doing very light business took fire one
night in March, 1850, and burnt up. As The
goods had been insured to nearly their full value
there were many suspicious a, the time that there
was foul play; bu, after the most dligent nves
tigaton on tho part Of the agent Of the insurance
company, without being able to fasten upon any
thing, the insurance money was paid over Since
| tina, time we have heard OF Mr. King aud Mr.
Johnston in various peculation>-sometime, sep
crate and sometimes in company until finally in
the capacity of spiritual rappers,' dc, at Nil,
waukee, We hear Of their planning the robbery
( Of Mr. Cook, u broker To succeed in this enter.
prise, they had taken in as an accompice negro,
who turned traitor. Pretending to aid them, he
kept Mr.. Cook constantly advised Of their move
mcn,s, until finally, when Mr. King was in tie
very act Of rhns Mr.. Cooks safe and Johuston
had Cook out of the way PLAYING cards with HIM,
the police, who had been duly advised Of all that
was going on, and were on the ground ready quI-
city nabbed Mr. King. Mr. Johnston was next
taken and both teing safely lodged in jail, the
occurrences mentioned below followed
TRAGic,L OccURRENCE-SUICIDu IN Jut--Ne
mentioned ON Saturday last that a man named
james T. Johnston, has been arrested aud com
uIttcd To jail Is sn accomphce "f Paul King who
was detected in the act vfbreakn5 into Nj CUUk ;
Brokers utiicc.
On Sunday morning as usual, a razor hal been
furnished to the prisoners in order that they might
shave themselves johnson, who was confined
in a rom with seven others. WAS the la.t who
used the razor, aud had Just shaved himself, when
he suddenly drew the weapon across his throat
severng his wind pipe completely through, and
cutting through other important blood vessels.
The cries of the other prisoners aroused David
Bonham, who had charge of the rooms. lie in.
stantlv rushed to the scene Of the tragedy, aud
found the wretched msu standing erect, with the
blood all streaming in torrents from the wound
Bonhsm went TO him, and enleayored to place his
hands upon his neck so a. to stop the flow Of
blood, but johnson kept him Off TIL he fell exhaus.
ted. Physicians were Immediately sent for, but
/. was too late, and the wretched man died in one
hour after committing the act. Before his death
he arose two or three times and walked about
the room.
His accompco King, who soon heard Of he &C
currence expressed desire to see johnson, but
the latter refused
johnson left letter addressed to his wife. who
resided at Ottawa, ILL.,. and who was expected
to arrive in the city that evening She did arrive
accordingly, only in time to see the dead body Of
her husband In the letter to his wife he left
some directions concerning his affairs and desired
her to consult the Spiritual Rappings. We have
already mentioned that King passed himself off
~ a professor Of the various humbugs Of the sort.
Johnson was native of Delaware county. n. Y,
lbout % years old standing some 5 feet q inch
IS high, with red hair and freckled complexion.
He is be! leyod to have been two or three years
with King engaged in the commission Of various
utfrnces against the law.
It is known that he expressed the determine.
ton TO commit suicide il arrested and committed
10 jail. He kept his word and his ,nangled body
was committed 10 the grave Yesterday morning
i Nilrdukee Sentinel, Jrne Sd.