Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1856-06-11
Murder in Hollidaysburg.


of another atrocious murder committed in that
place on Monday last. We copy the following
from tho Hollidaysburg Standard" and hope
that ere this the murderer has been arrested
The victim Mr.. Jas. B. Johnston was brother
of Robert l.. Johnston, Esq, of this place, and
was well known to many of the citizens of this
county.
ATRocIoUs MURDER,-One of the most cruel
and cold blooded murders ON record was perpe-
trated at the canal Basin, in this place, on Mon
day evening At the time we go to press no in
quest has been held, and many rumors are in cir
culatlon III regard to the affair. As far we
could gather particulars that could be relied upon
give them.
On the evening in question, dance was held
at the house of JAS. B. Johnston. on the south
side of the Canal Basin, at which there was some
eight or ten young personS-among others the
daughter of James Davis. Davis is boatman
in the employ of Patrick Walls, and the boat on
which he is employed was lying opposite John
ston's. Davis had been drinking some through
the evening, and seeing his daughter there, swore
early in the evening that he would shoot some
person-which threat he made good a little
efore 10 O'Clock
Mr.. and Mrs. Johnston came down stairs and
whilst Johnston stood under his door Davis dis
charged pistol loaded with BIB shot at him
johnston staggered Dack q lew steps, Sald
80 Mother, / shot," and fell down and ex xpired
in few seconds. Nine of the shot had entered
various parts of his body, two of which went
through bis heart and killed him as soon as inter
nal hemorrhge could produce death. Mrs.
Johnston saw the flash of the pistol aud distinctly
saw and recognized Davis as he ran away. A
number of persons were standing upon the canal
bridge at the time, but firing pistols about the
Basin is common occurrence, attention was
paid to it. At the very time Johnston shot
Rebecca, his eldest daughter, had told Davis
daughter of the threats her father had made, and
was advising her to leave.
Immediately after committing the murder,
Davis made his escape. A posse started after
him. but, up to the time we 90 to press, he has
not been arrested and, knowing the character of
the man as we do, we fear he will make good his
escape and justice be cheated.
Johnston was about 46 years of age and leaves
a wife and three children. Although somewhat
given to the use Of intoxicating liquors when he
could procure them, he mild inoffensve
man, and never, that we heard Of, quarreled with
any person.
Davis has family residing about two miles
west of this place, at the Dutch Bottom, near tie
old Dunkard Meeting House.
1t may as well here be stated that some per
sons alledge that Davis shot Johnston from the
boat with musket This is hardly probable
de was seen with pistol early in the evening,
and Mrs. Johnston is positive that he stood upon
the tow path when he fired.
After the deed was committed, hundreds of
our citizens repaired TO the scene of the murder,
and the excitement ran very high. Well it might
A more deliberate, malicious, and cold -blooded
murder of an inoffensive man never took place
IN our usually peaceable village. May we never
be called upon to chronicle similar outrage 1t
is to be hoped that exereions will be spared to
bring the guilty wretch to condgn punishment
If he is suffered to escape through anv lack of
vigilance on the part of the officers of the law.
life will become insecure. for there are others like
him, who are ever ready to play the assassin, if
there is an opening to evade Justice.