, 1867-08-09
nl1n 1EEsRuRG TRAGEDY.

THH MuRDER OF A. D. 1ohNsoN'- Nv
c,, Nom, of July 18th, has the following details
~ the murder OLA J. johnson, to when reier-
.ncs was made in our issue of last week;
an ,ha arrival of gentleman from the Basin
aIaced in possession of facts concerning
i. horrible murder in the city OF LeesOurg, on
Tnssday afternoon. The particulars as 'ney
came to us are as follows a. . 'ouusou a"o
w McMauus, well known citizens, got into
s;,n,te shout a settlement, which resulted In
bntb narties drawing pistols, but the interference
S r;aends mt A stop to the affair. Soon after
n, Johnson was passing down the Sidewalk In
font of McManus' saloon, when he was assauiteu
Nv McMauus, receiving blow on the head WIN
= donhIe barre,ed gun, which felled him to the
S uO ord while LAYING insensible from the eff
.esao,s of the blow McManus deliberately fired the
contents of both barrels into his body, killing
hi, INSTANTLY Mr.. Johnson was lately from
WaIIa Walla. aged about thirty five years, and
was much respected gentleman. de was the
nroprietor of Keg saloon in Leesburg, and owns
a large saloon in Walla Walla. McManus es
caned. although parties are out now In seArcn
81 him He was a member of the Legislature OF
Montana last winter, and heretofore had oorne
ood reDutatiou Great excitement was created
in Leesburg in consequence OF this cold oloodeu
murder, and strong talk, such MS 'nang nim,
was going the rounds. 1t was feared II wouIu
rive rise to The formation of vigilance committee
about eleven O'Clock at right, and there were no
being held yesterday, when the full particulars
will be ascertained,"
STILL LATER.-The Mining NeloS of the
25th, has the following in relation to this
terrible tragedy:
Editor Me,cs The undersigned deem it
duty they owe to the living and the dead
to correct the reports published In the last
two issues of your paper, concerning the
fatal affray, which saddened the hearts OF a
whole community, and resulted in the death
of well known and respected citizen, A. j
johnson. The particulars, as detailed be-
fore the Coroner's inquest and committing
magistrate. are as follows:
About o'clock, p. NJ, 2. McManus and
deceased had some words about the purchase
of lot Of liquors, which resulted in both
parties drawing pistols deceased first draw
lug and using some very harsh epithets, such
as, You are damned Irish son ota bitch. -
The night watchman, the justice OF the peace
and friends inteTfered, when McMauus went
home Deceased left his place aud went
around town to the saloons and several stores
at nearly every one of which he uttered lan>
guage and threats against McManus which
should not be repeated except in court Of
Justice lie repeatedly declared that he
would "kill the rel-mouthed Irish son Of d
bitch on sight, before he would 60 to bed
before be slept" &C., declaring that he wa:
prepared and intended to do it. Deceased
friends did all in their power to pacIIy him
to get him to go home, to defer the difficulty
till morning; but deceased seemed SO deter
mined that his friends left him. He theI
started in the direction oil his saloon, whIci
almost joins MeManus' place Of business
Deceased took his position about thirty feet
from the front Of Nc AIanus' place, beng dt
recty in the position to intercept Mclanut
as he might 20 t. his sleeping room. De
/ ceased remained there somo bali VI three
quarters of AN hour, when McMauus cams
out on the side walk in front Of his door
Deceased advanced three or four steps, whci
McAlauus also advanced; they clcUcbed,
shot was fred they fought down by Nc
Manus' place, when they became separated
Deceased ran down tie street some tWelv
or fourteen yards, falling upon some project
ing rocks, leaving blood upon them-Mc
Manus after and running owe. hm and
little beyond, shot, missing him, and the
/ ran away. Deceased did not speak aite
5 falling died instantly. The Coroner's Jur
/ found that the deceased came to his deaf
/ from blow or blows of club or some wea
e pom in the hands of 7. McManus. The fol
' lowing is taken from tie Justices docket
u. NJ. Thurmcnd aud l.. e. Reyburn, on III
pat of Z. McManus, state to the court tha
the sal AlcAlanus has been informed tina
the verdict of the Coyoners Jury charge
him with the kli..lius Of a. j.. Johnson, dc
ceased, and that he delivers himself to th
proper authorities, and clal'us an lmp4rtia
examination Whercupon the court pro
, ceeded to the examination, appoiatlng A. |
lsaacs on the part of the prosecution. Cpo
application, twenty-five witnesses weresealle
: for the prosecution, and fifteen for the dc
fense. The examination lasted two days
The prisoner was discharged.
l a. q. IsAACs, Prosecuting Attorney.
, L. q. REYBURN,
j. NJ. THURMoND,
$ Attorneys for Defense.
r