The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1851-06-23

very much excited, on Tuesday morning, by hear
ing that what could only be deemed a horrible and
deliberate murder had been committed upon an ex-
cellent and inoffensive man. 1t was ascertained
that William Johnson, free man Of color, born
and raised in hatcher, and holding respected
position account of his character, intelligence
and department, had been shot, together with
young mulatto boy, about three miles below town,
as they were returning home just before sunset on
Monday evening last, in company with son Of
Johnson and one of his slaves. From the testi-
mony ELECTED before the Coroner's Jury, we learn
the following facts: ri
The party had been down the river few miles,
and in returning had stopped for Johnson to light
a cigar at the house of young man named Wynn,
with whose father Baylor Wynn johnson had
had legal dispute relative to the boundary of
| their plantations, which adjoined each other The
dispute had been decided in favor of Johnson, who
for the sake Of peace had dismissed the suit set
Ting it at less than his legal rights While sitting
upon their horses, near this house, Baylor Wynn
| entered Having lighted his cigar, johnson with
his party rode Oft. About three or four miles from
this place, they were much astonished to see
| Wynn riding near them, and leaving the road to
GO into the bushes. Shortly after Johnson saw
him again, in another direction, going behind some
| bushes short distance from the road. A few
moments after gun was fired from the bushes,
three buckshot therefrom striking Johnson, one
entering his lungs and going through him, one
passing thIov&H nun, along the lower part OF MS
back, and one going through his arm. His horse
was also wounded The muiatto boy with him
was also badly wounded by shot entering his
back, and lodging under the skin Immediately over
the abdomen Johnson fell from his horse within
| a few yards from where he was struck, while the
mulatto boy had strength enough, wounded as he
| was to ride to town after assistance. johnson
died at two o'clock that night His dying decIara-
tons were taken ia FORM charging upon Baylor
Wynn the commission OF the crime. The boy
still lies in great danger, and it il very doubtful
whether he can recover.
Wynn was arrested that same night and com.
mitted to Jail Very strong circumstantal testi-
mony points to him guilty of the deed. The
tracks OF the horse where he went behind the
bushes were all measured and identified beyond
question ss those of Wynn's horse. His negro
slaves declare that shortly after sunset he came in
riding that horse, and ordered it to be rubbed down
and taken care Of. He had previously been repeat
eddy heard to threaten Johnson's life, and to say
that the settlement of the suit was not the end o
their difficulty. The Coroner's Jury which sal
on Tuesday morning, returned a verdict that John
son came to his death by wound wounds in
ficted by Baylor Wynn. Wynn is to be brought
up for examination on Saturday lto-morrow) morn
ing, when the whole case will be thoroughly in
| vestgated. Wynn, we understand claims to be
white man, and has voted and given testimony il
court as such. On this point will depend the ad
instability of much Of the testimony against him
u This murder has created great deal of excite
ment, as well from its atrocty, as from the peace
able character Of johnson and his excellent stand
ing His funeral services conducted by tn,
Rev. Mr.. Watkins, who paid just tribute to hi
memory, holding up his example as one wei
worthy of imitation by all of his class. We OBJ
served very many of our most respected citizens a
his funeral. johnson left wife, nine children, AM
quite handsome property probably twenty +
thirty thousand dollars. [Natchez Courier goth ms