New Orleans Republican., 1873-01-12
A Mississipp. Planter Murdered and His
Remains Robbed of $110O.

Remains hODDSo Oh S1aVVs
The Memphis Register reports the follow,
ng:
One of the most frightful and cold
blooded murders which we have had to
record for many years was perpetrated on
Thursday night, near Coldwater depot, De
Soto county, Mississippi, in which we'll
Co-do planter and worthy citizen lost his
life. The circumstances OF the case, as near
as we could learn them, are as follows:
The victim, Mr.. johnson, resided three
miles east Of C0ldwater. and was the owIfer
of a plantation, which he had for some
wears back worked very successfully. Some
three weeks ago man named Simpson L.
Caldwell was passing through that section
of the country on his road to Texas, IN cOm-
pany with some emigrants. Arriving at
Coldwater, he determined to bring his
Journey to an end-at least for time-and
hired out to Mr.. johnson in the capacity
of farm hand or labOrer.
Some few days ago Mr.. johnson disposed
of a portion of his land for the sum of $ll00,
which fact was well known to Simpson,
as be was witness to the transaction. and
saw the money paid over, as well as being
present when Mrs. johnson placed the
money in a trunk in his house.
On last Tuesday johnson and Simpson
were engaged in building an clubhouse to his
premises, and the boards giving out they
went to the woods, distant about half II
mile, to cut tree which they could convert
into boards, and proceed with their work.
Some time after dark, Caldwell returned
with an AK over his shoulder, and was
alone. He walked into the house where
Mrs. Johnson was, deliberately locked the
door and ordered her to give him the
money, threatening, at the same time, in
case of a noncompliance, to kill her, The
woman at first refused to comply, but told
him it was in the trunk, and to take it
if he wanted to. Taking the key from his
pocket, which Mr.. johnson always carried
with him, he gave it to the woman and or
dered her to open the trunk and get it, at
the same time raising the sx over her assif
about to strike her. The frightened woman,
fearing for her life, complied with the viii
lain's request, expecting every moment to
receive her death blow.
Caldwell took the money, and turned Co
ward the door to leave the house, but
found, in his excitement and hurry, he had
taken the key from the lock and misplaced
it. Here he became much excited, and,
walking toward the window, he broke
through it and disappeared.
Mrs. johnson Immediately gave the
alarm; and her frantic screams for help
attracted the attraction of Mr.. Black, q
neighbOr, whs Immediately came to the as
sistance of the distracted woman. In
short space Of time q number of the neigh
bOrs had gathered together, and a search
was Immediately instituted for the muir
dered man.
After wandering over the premises for
some time, the party came upon the body
of Mr.. johnson, with the skull literally
broken in, from which he undoubtedly re-
ceived instan taneous death. At the time
that he received the fatal blow, it is sup
posed that he was walking in advance of
his murderer, and was eating some lunch,
portion of which was found in his hand.
The party then commenced the search for
the murderer, but all traces of the villain
were lost.
Sheriff Daily, of DeSeto county, was in
this city, and offered reward of 5000 for
the capture of Caldwell, and states that
the Governor of Mississippi will offer an
additional reward as soon as possible.
The murderer is about thirty five or forty
years old, five feet ten inches in height, red
complexion; has a few dark spots or marks
on his face one front upper tooth out, dark
brown eyes. sandy colored hair. worn long,
and smooth shaven face. At the time of
committing the murder, he wore a dark
brown, coarse coat, snuff colored pants,
with black stripe down the legs, and wore
his stockings down up over his pants.