The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1877-05-10
1lisrellaneuns.
DEAD ALIVE.
Swearing Nan Into Watery Grare,--
Who afterwards Is Found Under An
Assumed Name.

Assumed Name.
On the 18th oflast October the Enquirer
contained the following account OF a my
sterious affair which occurred on the
Ohio River;
Another mysterious affair occurred on
the Ohio River, near the Newport Rail.
road Bridge, Tuesday evening, resulting
in the death of John Smart, of Columbi-
ana County, Ohio In company with a
friend from Augusta, Kyp-one Collins,
steward in a hotel at that place--Smart
came to Cincinnati during the early part
of the week. Thursday morning about
eight o'clock the two went to the boat
house of Oscar Bayless, at the foot of
Eggleston avenue, and hired a boat for
the evening, declaring it their purpose to
visit some relative of Smart, who lived
up the Licking River two or three miles,
They got into the boat, Collins taking the
oars and Smart seating himself in the
stern. In this manner thoy rowed of
and disappeared in the darkness, head
ing for the Kentucky shore. In about
five minutes cries for help came back
across the water, and shortly afterward
Collins returned with the boat alone. He
reported his companion drowned. He
said they were just opposite the third pier
when Smart, with gurgling sound in his
throat, threw up one hand, ran his fingers
into his mouth, and pitched headlong in
to the river, and sinking before he could
render him any aid. Some men who
were on barge near by came to the boat
in response to Collins cry for aid, but could
give no assistance. Collins returned yes
terday to Augusta on the Fleetwood, but
the body of his unfortunate friend has
not been found. Smart was about thirty
years old, five feet eight inches high, and
weighed 150 pounds, and had on dark
suit of clothes. We have given the
strange story of this tragedy as it was told
TO us by the owner of the boat. Why it
has been so long kept silent is one of the
mysteries that surround the sad affair.
A few days after this publication was
made, the wife and friends of Smart, in
Columbiana County, received mailed
copy of the Enquirer containing it, and
also the following affidavit made by Col
Inns:
[Copy.]
STATE OF KENTUKY, BRAoKEN Co.
The affiant, James Collins, states that
he first became acquainted with John
Smart in March or April last, at Cincin-
natl, Ohio. l think said Smart was about
five feet ten inches nigh, and weighed
about 145 or 15O pounds-light complex
ion. met Smart in Cincinnati on the
10th of October, 1875; he at that time
was intoxicated. We had drink or two
together, and he said he wanted to go
and see some friends up Licking River
after the election was over, and asked
me to 20 with him. We got skif from
a man named Bayless, and started acrose
the river; this was after p. M; l was
rowing and Smart was sittingin the stern
of the skiff; he was very much intoxicat-
ed then, and took drink from bottle
he had in his pocket after we started 1t
was now dark, and we had gone nearly
across to the mouth of Licking River
where Smart appeared to be sick and
commenced to vomit, first in the skiff,
and then turned to the side, with one
hand on the skif, and, in the act ofvomit-
ing, he fell over in the water head fore
most, and sank. If he came up at all,
did not see him. I rowed around and
looked, but saw nothing more Of him.
JAMES COLLINS.
l, j. H. Bowde, Notary Public in and
for Bracken County, Kentucky, do certi-
fy that James Collins signed the foIego-
ing affidavit in my presence, and made
oath that the statements therein are true,
Given under my hand and official seal
this 18th day of October, 1875.
]. II. BowDE,
[Seall Notary Public
Smart was originally from Beaver Co.
Penn, Just across the State line, where
he was considerable of politician, hav-
ing been for some. years Justice OF the
Peace. and at one time Assistant Clerk oi
the Legislature, He then went to Co
lumbiana County, Ohio, where he got
into a criminal difficulty, and was indict-
ed by the Grand Jury-we believe on 9
charge of assaulting with intent to Kill
his wife. He was released to await trial
after having given 81, 800 bail-his broth
er, who lives in Pennsylvania, indemni'
fying his Columbiana County bondsmen
The trial of the cause was set for hearing
at the October term of the Court. Mean
while Smart left to visit Cincinnati, and
what Immediately followed is already
known.
All smart's friends but his wife believe
him to be drowned. But Mrs. Smart
would uot listen to the story as it ap
peared in the Enquirer nor to the affirna-
ton of it by the affidavit sworn out by
Collins. She gave her attorney, Mr.. ]
H. Wallace, few pointers" and he
came to Cincinnati few days ago anc
began to investigate the affair. He visit
ed. Bayless, the boat-keeper, who re-
counted to him the story as he told it las
October to an Enquirer reporter. Follow
ins up a clue the wife had placed in hi
hands he went to some relative of Smart
who live in Clermont County just oppo
sit Augusta, KY, and there he found alive
and we'll the redoubtable Johnny Smart
who is living under the assumed name o
Morgan. It is believed that the whole
affair was we'll carried out plot to aVoiC
trial in Columbiana County, and at thu
same time make safe the brother who in
Identified his bondsmen. 1t has not ye
been decided whether or not his wife will
prosecute him under the Indictment.