Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1883-11-05
JOHNSON'S SUICIDE.
A Prominent Politician Takes His
Own Life.
WINE AND WOMEN THE CHIEF CAUSE,
But Grief at the Killing of His Nephew,
Lynch, Speeds the Work Of Self
Destruction Scene Which
Beggars Description.

UTICA, n. Y, November 4.-This city
was startled yesterday with the announce.
ment that the Hon. Arthur Is. johnson,
the well-known Republican politician and
lawyer, had committed suicide. Mr.. John.
son was the uncle of Johnson L. Lynch,
who was killed the other day by Ar. Row
ell, in Batavia. Lynch was until recently
his law partner, and he had a desk in his
uncles office. Every ones first thought
to-day was that the tragic death OF his
nephew had unsettled reason and led
10 his own violent death:
Yesterday morning at half-past o'clock
Mr.. Johnson's secretary, Miss Bender, went
to the Office and found il locked.
BY Means OF Key
she gained admittance to Johnson's pri.
lis back as if asleep. lie was lying on
folding bed. His head rested on the pill.
low, and, carefully folded under his left
leg, was a comforter and a counterpane.
He was dressed as was his wont, very care
fully and tsstily. His vest was open and
pushed back evenly, and directly over his
heart was a bullet wound. The shirt and
wrapper were perforated 10y the bullet. No
bloc d was anywhere visible. Evidently
Death Had Resulted Instantly.
1t was a Scott tive.chamber seli.cocEiug re
volver of the Bulldog pattern. The weapon
had four chambers loaded.
For week past Mr.. Johnson
had been drinking heavily, and
had been unable TO attend TO any OF
his business. Last evening he was at an
eating house in this city, where he re-
manned until 10 O'Clock. Later he went
across the Mohawk river into Dearlield.
where his private secretary, Miss Lena
Bender resides. He remained there until
midnight, and was accompanied over to the
city hy the girls father.
Mr.. johnson was inclined to be violent
while walking with Bender, who says that
he acted strangely, and
Ordered Him 10 Leave.
saying: 81 want to so to the office to get
something before 60 home.'
johnson then went upstairs TO his Once,
and presumably remained there all night
At least Bender and the night waIchinah
watched for him for some time, and saw
nothing OF him. This was the last time
Johnson was seen alive.
Miss Bender took in the situation at
glance, and shrieks that startled u in the
building rang out. She rushed into the
hall, wringng her hands and calling for
help. w. +. Lewis and Mr.. Lovelace, both
lawyers, and the Hon. Charles Everett, were
the first upon the scene. Their offices ad'
Joined Mr.. Johnson's rooms. A doctor was
soon at hand and an examination Was
made. !
The Body Was Cold.
indicating that the deed was done some
hours before The thumb and fingers were
blackeued by the smoke from the dis
charge. Ii was evident that the suicide was
II: Tho N which
Mr.. johnson reposed, the place where he
was shot, the care with which the vest was
throw open, left no room for doubt that ne
| had calmly ended his own life.
The news spread like wild'iire. Ia an
incredibly short time a great crowd filled
the street in front Of the building, the
stairway and the lobbies. Old friends aad
Old citizens
Came RHnniDg Down the street.
anxious to receive denial or Coniirma'
ton. 1t was such scene as | uca has not
witnessed in years. Coroner Spencer lm-
mediately impanelled a Jury, aud after
viewing the body the inquest was al,
iourned until Monday morning.
The news was conveyed to his wife and
children by friend, causing agony beyond
description. Soon after the body was taken
from the dead mans private office 10 hts
residence, where he now lies. During the
dsy a constant stream OF people has Wis
tied
The Scene OF the Tragedy
and the house has also been besieged by
friends and acquaintances Offering their
coincidence and sympathy. TeIegrsms have
been received from many prominent people
throughout the country.
When the reporter saw Miss Bender she
was calm and talked freely OF the matter.
o. TOD fraolu Mr. johnson z
dissipated condition during the past few
days, and told how he first heard OF the
killing of his nephew. when ! reached
the Office" she said, ION Wednesday morn
ing, took the papers, and Mr. johnson
asked me TO read to him.
The First Thing I Saw
W. Z, count of the shooting OF John
.. lynch by f. Newton Rowell, al
,.a. MIR. Johnson was terribly at
.ect, d by the news, and has not appeGrri
| like himself since. He was at our house
| Yesterday, and wept for hours, CALCULATING:
Poor boy! poor boy! how | loved that
boy" At another time yesterday he
| quoted the words OF Shakespeare: III IT
were done, when tbs done then tSere
| we'll it were done quickly.
Since the tragedy he has evidently been
out of his mind, crying sometimes by the
| hour like a child.
The Suicide Had Undoubtedly
been premedi,ated since Wednesday, for on
| that dsy he asked Miss Bender: DO you
| want another John Lynch case here She
| replied: What do you mean? Are you
| thr, atening 10 kill YOURSELF His reply
| was: NO; circumstances are suCh thst
they will not allow Of such case here;
| The private Office was used only by him
| and his amanuensis, Lena Bender. II was
| richly furnished, and Iss, in fact,
Luxurious Bedroom
| of s'most Oriental magnifCeDce. The walls
\ of the rooms are covered with painting,
| two q which are pictures OF females OF
Que stinnAble Dat1re. Gossip has always
| placed Miss Bender in close relations with
| Johnson, end it is well known that en-
1 trance to his house was refused her 70
i night.
| old. Her relstions with Johnson have
| hptn notorious !or Year,, and her home,
| lust across he Mohawk, in DeeTAe.d, mas
| been his retreat
| During the Debauches
| in which be rot infrequently indulfed.
| He had wife aud four interesting child
| rtr. The Oldest under twenty years. john
| son was about City five years old, and IN
| recent wears had been conspicuous a, a
| stalwaft Republican and close friend OF
| Rr scoe Conkling. President Arthur ap-
| pointed him Commissioner TO examine q
| section OK the Northern Pacific Railroad.
| HIS d.sth is q sho,k this community
| but is not entirely surprise.
He Was for Many Years
| a mem Der OF the State Centrzl Committee
and voted for undertaking allegiance TO the
S,alyart cause. He was the recognized eK'
moment of this fsciIon in Central New YORK.
de was a son of the late 4. Johnson,
| the celebrated banker OF NIFTY Yeas ago
srd a brother Of the late Judge a. s. John,
son. of the New York Court Of Appeals and
he United States District Court Johnson
us a cor. in law OF Justice Ward Hunt,