Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-06-28
HORRIBLE.
lOhusOn's BeastIy Outrage.
lie Would Rather Die Than BE
Arrcsted-Is Shot in the OFF
Leg by an AccOmm0da.
ting officer.
Then Changes His Mind and Now
Lies in Jail-His Capture and
Details Of His disgust
ing and Heinous
Crime.

ing and Helnous
Crime.
Sitting on a log, hidden in a cluster
of bushes, on the opposite side of the
river, about 7 O'Clock this morning.
Sergeant Kunholz, of the city police
force, came unawares upon William
johnson, a brutish-looking American
born fisherman, OF twenty-eight years,
a regular tramp in general contour
and %demeanor, and who neal 8 o'clock
last night committed one of the most
heinous crimes on record, by raping
the delicate little girl, Lizzie Sher-
wood.
At the time the officer spied John
son he was peering through the under
growth toward the river, apparently
looking for approaching skifs from
this shore. He evidently did not ex-
pect any one to come on him from the
rear, as it were. The sergeant wore
the garb of a plain farmer, aud he got
within a few PAGES of johnson before
the latter saw him.
What is your name, sir ?" said
the officer.
Jones' was the reply.
What are you doing here p
queried Kunholz,
Resting a spell, again replied the
fellow from his seat on the log.
Get up and let me see you walk"
commanded the officer.
Upon the order being obeyed and
seeing that the man walked lame from
a crippled leg he continued
81 want you just march ahead to
the bank of the river"
The man moved a few PAGES and
stopped, saying he would go no fur
Their. The officer told him to move
on as directed or he would shoot him.
at the same time showing IA revolver.
The maj moved a few more PAGES and
again stopped, saying he would rather
die there and then than 20 over to the
city.
The officer explained to him that
there was no other course. IL have
come to take you to the city" said
Kunholz, land I'll do it or kill you"
johnson hesitated, and hen moved
of in a zig-zag course, saying he
would go his own way and as he liked.
He denied the officers right to arrest
him, and said; 81 am in Arkansas;
you have no right to to take me with
out a requisition or a warrant. Show
me your authority, or I'll not go a
step?"
The click of the pistol, as the officer
raised the hammer and placed his fin
ger on the trigger, caused Johnson to
alter his mind. Kunholz at the same
time remarked, as he held the weapon
toward johnson
This is my warrant. Now you go
on, or | will use it."
Theman moved reluctantly. Finally
he reached a fence, and said I'm
going over here, and my own route,
and I'll not go the way you wish any
farther"
A few more threats and uncertain
movements followed, when johnson
actually climbed the fence. As he
rose to the top rail officer Kunholz
fired, the pistol ball striking Johnson $
leg (not the game one), about half way
between the knee and the thigh joint.
and doubtless lodging against the
bone, as it did not pass through.
johnson came down from the fence
on the same side he went up, and said
| give up. You have the best Of
me, and it's no use to resist any fur
Their. I'll go with you, sir"
Officer Kunholz remained in the
woods with his prisoner an hour or
more. He was unable to get aid from
several passing darkics, and his time
wore On YEARLY as he waited with his
wounded prisoner. Finally he heard
a pistol shot on the river bank some
distance below, and he knew at once
that assistance was at hand. 1t had
been arranged hal a skif should
go FROM this shore to the
opposite side after a proper interval
Of time. The sergeant had crossed
on tho transfer steamer at an
early hour and walked down
to a point opposite Beal street, where
he came up with johnson. 1t was
officer Pante who crossed in a skiff.
Soon after the two officers caused
their prisoner to be placed in the skiff
and it was rowcd to this side, John
son at once being conveyed to the sta
tion-house.
The poor little girl, a frail child Of
not more than ten years, whom the
kaostl, Tobnsoo o.,clly ontrocol