Daily Republican., 1883-11-05
A BLOODY TRAGEDY.
A New York Politician . Friend
Of COnkllng Commits Suicide.

UTICA, N Y, November 3.-Arthur
B. johnson, a lawyer and well-known
politician, was found dead in his Office
this forenoon with a pistol ball in his
breast. He was an uncle Of johnson L.
Lynch, who was shot, by E. N. Rowell
In Batavia on Tuesday night, and they
occupied the same Office. johnson pro.
badly committed suicide while suffer-
ing from depression caused by the shoot
ing of Lynch. The suicide has set the
community in wilder oommotion than
did the shooting of his nephew, Lynch.
The deed was done In his private Office
in the Tibbitts Block, at what hour can
only he conjectured. Mr.. johnson was
seen on the streets last night at II o.
clock. He was not at his home during
the night.
This morning, at 9.45 o'clock, Miss
Lena Bender, woman with whom his
intimacy has been notorious for years
entered his private room by means OF a
duplicate key which she carried. She
saw the dead man, and ran into the hall
shreking: "Oh, he's dead My
darling's dead !" Gentlemen having
offices on the floor hurried in, and the
news flew over the city like wildtire.
The office and street in front were quick
ly filled with men. The woman in the
present case is not more than 20. Her
relations with A. B. johnson have been
notorious for years, and her home just
across the Mohawk, in Deerheld, has
been his retreat during debauches in
which he not infrequently INDUCED. He
had wife and four interesting children
th- oldest under 20 years.
Mr.. johnson was about 50 years old,
and in recent years has been conspicu.
GUS as Stalwart Republican and
close friend Of Roscoe Conkling. Presi-
dent Arthur appointed him a Commits
sioner to examine section of the
Northern Pacific Railway. His death
isa a shock to this community, but is
not entirely a surprise. He was b
brother of the late Judge Alexander s.
johnson
johnson was friend Of Mr.. Roscoe
Conkling and President Arthur, and
has always been prominent at political
convention He never held any
political office from the people, but his
influence has always been great through
this section.
The johnson family is one of the old
est and best In the community. Arthur
B. Johns0n's wife, who survives bin, is
the only daughter of Justice Ward
Hunt. 1t is claimed that the johnson
family comes from the Adamses of
Massachusetts.
1t is scarcely two months since that
the youngest sister Of Arthur B. John
son was followed 10 the grave. The
sudden death of George B. Alley, who
married Mr.. Johnson's sister, made
another rent in the family's ranks.
Then came the startling news Of the
tragic death Of young Lynch; and, last
Of all, the shocking end Of johnson.
The most painful feature connected
with the tragedy is anguish of the
mother, who has gone through the sue
cessive ber r-avements. johnson was de-
voted to Mr.. Conkling, and while in &C
tive politics each relied upon the judg-
ment of the other. Mr.. Conkling's re-
tirement was followed by Mr.. Johnson's
withdrawal from active politics, and
the party lost not only an influential
friend but liberal and constant con-
tributor.
Mr.. johnson was one of the richest
men in this city, and held more and in
Utica than any other citizen. The effect
of his death upon Judge Hunt, whose
condition is such that he removes to
Wash ngton every winter, is regarded
as dubious. Judge Hunt only left on
Thursday for Washington.
Atnoon to-day Corn0r Alb. impaneled
a jury composed of prominent citizens.
The following is list ofthe jury: Hon.
p. +. Bulger, City Judge, foreman L.
W. Rogers, A. H. Sheldon, Colonel j.
s. Lowery, j. G. ?. Kincaid, j. W.
Berry, f. X. Baxter, G. H. Thorn, j. S.
Capron, w. Blaikee.
Mr.. johnson was a son in.law of Mr..
Justice Ward Hunt, lately retired from
the Bench of the United States Su.
preme Court.