The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-11-23
A HORRIBLE AFFAIR.
Enoch Arden with n VariatiOn--AS SWoman's
Second Husband stabs her Child and Atteppts


Suicide.
From the Sacramento tCal) Union, NoU. 10.
A shocking affair occurred on L street, between
Twentieth and Twenty-frst streets, last evening.
Some three or four years since q man named Mitch
ont with his Wife which resnIted in their separaton,
Mrs. Mitchell going TO Austin, Nevada
While there she made the acquaintance OF q man
named B. j. Johnston, and, having received tnfor-
nation leading her to believe that Mitchell was dead
she married him. After several months had passed,
however, she found that her former husband was
not dead The parties meeting, she concluded to
leave Johnston, and carrying out her intention,
came to this city with Mitchell.
About three months ago her second husband came
TO Sacramento and made such threats and acted In
such manner that she had him arrested fearing ,rI
custody, Johnston returned 10 Austin.
On Thursday last he came back to the city, and
dence on L street, near Twenty-1rst, where he met
his wife, and after slight conversation with her,
begged that she would let him see his child "a daugh
ter about six months old, which was born shortly
after her mother came back from Austn) saying
that he intended to leave for Scotland to-day and
would like to look upon the babe before his depar-
ture. Mrs. Mitchell brought him the child, which he
received and held moment and then suddenly
drawing small bowie knife inflicted terrible cut
on its abdomen, made a lunge at Mitchell, which the
latter parried and fed. The child died short time
afterwards in its mothers arms.
People in the vicinity raised the shout OF "Mur-
dern and the perpetrator of the deed was quickly
pursued by three citizens, who followed him up one
street and down another six or seven blocks, at the
top of their speed, and finally caught him in e.
Gruhlers yard, Sixteenth and L streets, where he
happened to be there, apparently innocent or any
crime. Upon finding himself discovered, however,
he said, "Well, you've got me, boys; you can do
what you want to with me-"
About this time 1t was discovered that he had
stabbed himself twice in the neghborhood OF the
heart. He also informed his captors that he had
taken large dose Of muratic acid (probably having
intended to take prussic acid) and would be dead
before they could get him to the station-house.
They, nevertheless, after awhile, started for that
place with him, when they met Chief MartZ and
Deputy Constable Faylor, who had been notified
and, together with other officers had Just started
out to hunt for Johnston
The latter conveyed to DR.. Simmons ONCE
where his wounds were examined, and found to
consist Of two CUTS one about three inches Deep
slanting downward, and the other less than inch
in depth. He also complained OF burning sensa-
tiOn in the throat and stomach. After his wounds
had been dressed he was taken to the County Hos
plal to await the result of his INJURIES which are
not necessarily fatal, officer having been detailed
to watch him meanwhile.
While being conveyed to the physicians ONCE
Johnston gave Chief Martz the following document
which shows his feelings and intentions prior to the
killing
SACRAMENTO, Nov. Ia take my child with me
in order that shame and disgrace may not fall on
her. She Sarah Johnston, now Sarah Mitchell, ran
away with my child. l married her in Austin,
Nevada State, and she took everything from me and
left me in debt. Please bury my child with me.
They We're all Mormons. So good-by to my friends,
and God bless them. b. G. JOHNSTON.
~ am from Nevada City, California, aged 86 years
on the 2Sth day OF December next"