Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-01-03
FRIGHrPuL MURDER.
A DeSsto Coasfy MISSY Planter
Murdered Last hight-The mur-
derer Compeia the wire OF she
MuFdered man 90 give Him
Eleven Hundred Dollars.

A DeNof0 Counfy MISSY PLANTER
Murdered Last hight.The mar
MuFdered man 90 give Hin
Eleven Hundred Dollars.
Sheriff Josiah Daily, Of DeSoto county
arrived in the city this morning in pur
suit of Simpson 7. Caldwell, who last
night murdered Mr.. Robert II. johnson
near Coldwaior depot. From the Sheriff
we CLEANED the following particulars
Mr.. johnson resided on a plantation
three miles east Of ColdwAter depot
and had hired Simpson 7. Caldwell
about week ago as a laborer. A few
days since Mr.. johnson sold tract Of
land and received from the purchaser
in the presence Of Caldwell, the SUN oil
eleven hundred dollars. The money
was locked up in a trunk, Mr.. johnson
keeping the key in his pants pocket.
Yesterday afternoon Mr.. johnson and
Caldwell were engaged in covering a
house. Getting out Of boards they went
TO the woods half mile from the house
aud cut board tree. Shortly after
dark Simpson T. Caldwell returned
alone to the house, walked in with an
AK on his shoulder, locked the door,
and holding the key Of the trunk in his
hand, said to Mrs. Johnson
"GET NE THAT MONEY OR WILL KILL
you"
Mrs. Johnson in fear aud trembling,
refused, saying: 81 will not give it to
you; if you want the money, there it IS in
the trunk, go and take il" Caldwell
approached her, raised the ak over her
head, and ordered her to unlock the
trunk and get the money. She took the
key from the murderer's hand aud I'M
locked the trunk, the villain standing
over her with the ak raised as if revolv
ing in his mind whether or not 20 kill
her. Mrs. Johnson, as she stopped
down in search Of the money expected
every instant to receive the fatal blow.
Caldwell took the money,
GAZED AT HER FOR A MOMENT,
turned around and walked toward the
door. In his hurry and excitement,
when he entered the house and locked
the door, he took the key out, and when
he reached the door to go out
he searched eagerly for the key, and
seemed to be very much excited. he
turned and walked rapidly to the fire
place, looked at Mrs. johnson and
placed the ak against the wall. He
then rushed to the window, broke the
sash, tumbled out into the darkness and
disappeared. Immediately Mrs. John
son rushed to the window and screamed
for help. Mr.. Black, who lived near by
heard the alarm and came to her assist
ance. A number Of the neighbors
gathered Immediately and commenced
a search for the murdered man.
THE DEAD BODY DISCOVERED.
About three hundred yards from the
house the body of Mr.. johnson was
found. His skull was broken in by Q
blow, and death must have ensued i'm
mediateiy. At the time of his death he
was eating some bread and meat, which
he held in his hand as he walked home
ward, totally unconscious of the fact
that his would-be murderer walked be
hind him, and was preparing to give the
fatal blow. Simpson came from Georgia
about three weeks since with some par
ties who we're moving to Texas. dc
stopped at Coldwater depot, and re-
ceived employment from Mr.. johnson.
Sheriff Daily has offered reward oil
two hundred dollars for his arrest, and
the Governor of Mississippi will as soon
as possible offer an additional reward.