The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1881-08-11

scribed: The said jurors, upon their
oaths, do say that James Spillman came
TO his death on the evening of August 1,
A. d. 1881, In Kellogg's addition to the
city of EmpoFia, Lyon county, Kansas,
by stab wound in front part of chest,
by large butcher knife in the hands OF
one Edward johnson, and that the kill
ing was felonious.
In testimony whereof the said Jurors
aforesaid have hereunto set their hands,
the day and year aforesaid
/. d. Fox,
j. d. DAVIDSON,
j. G. BURNETT,
CHAs. 8. WHEELING,
ID. HAMMOND,
T.. FLEMING.
JOHNSON, THE MURDERER.
Edward johnson, the perpetrator OF
the horrible crime, is light colored
negro, about forty-five years of age and
of a grizzled appearance. He came to
Emporia from Indiana, his native state
about seven years ago, and for the last
two years had been boarding with the
family of Gilbert Love, at whose house
the horrible tragedy occurred. He has
never been married. In consequence
of a wound received in the wal
of the rebellion, he lost a leg, for which
he draws pension. The peg
leg which he wears has made
him familiar character to every
body in Emporia, and until his az
rest last spring for the deadly assault on
Constable johnson, he had not been CON
sidered a "crank" or in any way un
usually void of mental or moral account
ability. In fact great many negroes
who are well acquainted with him, in
sist that he is sane man, and this class
of our citizens are loud in their protes
tatlons that the law ought to be taken
into the hands of the people and the
murderer be
sUMNARILY HUNG
10 the nearest tree. As a competent
jury adiudged him insane. no longer
ago than July ~, however, this senti-
ment is frowned down by the law.
abiding citizens. and there seems little
danger of mob law at present.
A reporter of THE NEWS visited John.
son at the Jail under the court house, this
morning, to see what he had to say con.
corning the preparation of his horrible
crime. He lay on the floor of his solita.
ry cell, his remaining leg loaded with
chains. At sight of the sheriff and par.
ty he reused up with half averted look
of stupid Indifference. In answer to in.
quiries addressed to him he said he felt
very bad and had been spending his
time praying, as he expected every min.
ute that he would be taken out and hung.
Reporter What made you commit
the murders
Johnson-"I believed Spillman was a
member of the Masonic Order, which is
prosecuting me, and I wanted to make
him confess it."
Did you think he could confess it af
ter you had killed him? ?"
81 did not intend to kill him. only
wanted TO wound him."
did you not have murderous designs
on Spillman when you induced him to
take you out to Loves? ."
"No, had no thought of killing him
until saw my revolvers and the
knives"
Then why were you SO anxious to
have HIM take you out there2'
81 believed some of my things had
been stolen, and I wanted to look
through my trunk and see if everything
was there.
Sheriff Moon, who was very much at.
tached to Mr.. Spillman, could not re.
strain his feelings, and with maledic.
tons on the murderous demon he closed
the Jail and the visitors withdrew.
SKETCH OF MIR. sPILLMAN.
James a. Spillman was born in Ohio
in 1886, and was, therefore, forty-fiv
years old at the time of his death. While
he was quite young he removed with his
Jather's family to Van Buren, county,
Iowa, where his youth was spent until
about 1860, when he removed to Oregon,
remaining there until 1869, when he
spent four more years in Iowa, and
came to Kansas in 1878. For some time
he lived with Mr.. Moon, who
was then running farm few miles
west of Emporia. Not long after his ar
rival here Mr.. Spiliman purchased a
farm on the head of Phenis Creek, about
ten miles southwest of Emporia, and
shortly after he went to Iowa and mar
ried Mrs. MA. Young, and with her set
tied on his farm. When Mr. Moon was
elected sheriff in 1878. Mr.. SpilIman,
not being very strong then, and wishing
some employment less arduous than farm
ing, received the appointment of Under
Sheriff, which position he held up to
the time of his death. He had made q
very popular deputy, and was announced
as candidate for the Office of Sheriff
before the county convention this fall.
There was not better citizen in the
county than Jim Spillman, and no one
speaks of his sad taking off with any.
thing but the profoundest sorrow. His
wife, who arrived in town last night
about midnight, sls almost dis
tracted with grief, and his chill
dren are heart-broken by the awful
calamity which has befallen them.
His family consisted of his wife and q
son by her first marriage and three
children of his own.
----------------------
Edward johnson was not lynched at
Cottorw wood Falls on Saturday night, the