New-York tribune., 1883-11-04

Johnson has startled Utica more than any other
tragedy within its borders in many years. Fol-
lowing 80 closely on the shooting OF his nephew,
johnson L. Lynch in Batavia, it sets
the community aghast. Lynch's funeral was held
yesterday from the home of his mother, the sister
of Mr. johnson, whose absence therefrom attracted
attention, as he was known to be much attached to
his nephew. 1t was learned that he was, most of
the day and until midnight, at the house of his
! private secretary, Hiss Lena Bender.
DISCOVERY OF DEAD BODY.
Miss Bender is the daughter of Valentine Bender,
of Deerfed. She did her copying and writing in
the private office. She usually went to the office,
about $3.50 a. m. A short time before 10 o'clock
Miss Bender appeared in the lobby Of the building
and cried out, q" He's dead He's deadp
w. L. Lewis, of Everett & Lewis, and Mr.. Love-
lace, who have offices in the building, heard the
cries and went ont into the hall. They accom-
panied Miss Bender into the private office, and ON
approaching the sleeping-room, which is enclosed
by glass PARTITION saw Mr.. johnson lying nat
upon his back, cold and dead.
The clothing aud shoes OF the deceased man
were all on, and he appeared to be sleeping The
vest was open and pushed back evenly on each side
Immediately back of the left nipple aud over tho
heart the shirt and undershirt perforated and
blackened within circle having diameter of four
inches. There was no blood on the shirt, couch or
carpet. The right hand laid by the side naturally
and the left hung over the couch and carpet. The
fve-chambcred sel(-cOcking revolver laid under the
left hand II contained four lfty-cabre cartridges,
and the hammer rested upon empty shell. The
revolver is of the heaviest of the bulldog"
style Of weapons. II is known that Mr.. johnson
had several weapons of this character. The thumb
aud first fingers of the left hand were
blackened with smoke az if from the smoke of the
discharge. From all the surroundings it appears
as if Mr. johnson had lain down upon his back, de-
liberatey opened his vest, taking the revolver IN
his left hand and placing the muzzle against his
breast fired The ball passed into the heart and he
died instantly. The body was near the outer
edge of the couch that when tie muscles of the arm
relaxed the hand fell over the floor and the re-
voyer dropped upon the carpet
40 SOUND OF SHOT HEARD.
No one has been found who heard the report of
pistol at any time last night this morning. Tile
sound woud have been mulled 80 that it could
hardly have been heard in the street unless some
one near by was listening for such a report. Miss
Bishop, the janitress of the building went to the
room az usual TO put it in order before O'Clock
She, found the ice out in the hall, and told
her uncle she could get into the office. She had
a pass-key like the one that admitted Miss Bender
Her uncle who formerly lived in the block and had
charge of the offices, thinks that the girl saw that
Mr.. Johnson was on his cOuch, and, suppOsing that
he was asleep, did not wish to disturb him.
The private office is sixteen feet square, wtha
bedroom seven fect square III one corner. Valuable
papers aud checks lay upon tho desk. single
shelf above the writing-desk was filled with books
TALK WIN MISS DER.
A correspondent OF THE TRIBUNE talked with
Miss Bender. whose statement is that she
was late in going TO the office this morning, owing
TO late brea lfast aud it was not until about 045
that she reached the room. Upon opening the
door the first thing that met her gaze
waa the form Of Mr. johnson lying
on the bed. She saw a revolver lying on the floor
by the side of the bed, and Mr.. Johnsons CHASTITY
white face and motonleSs body told her the story.
EVIDENCES OF PREMEDITATIoN.
On Wednesday Mr.. johnson was much de-
pressed by the killing of his nephew. Yesterday
he said to Miss Boulder: Do you want another
John Lynch case herefn She replied what do
you mean are you threatening to kill yourself r
! lie said " No. Circumstances are such that they
will not allow of such a case here Miss Bender
says she then hid his revolver.
In conversation afterward Mr.. johnson said:
81 have handled firearms for years and would know
how to kill myself. The cleanest way Is to stick
| "A penknife into the mock and pierce the artery and
let the blood into the throat" At another time
yesterday he quoted the words of Shakespeare:
w
II were done quickly
Miss Bender stated that in looking over, the
! papers in the office Wednesday she found one
written by Mr. Johnson, which read: 81 have myself
done this thing, please ask questions about It,;
| Yesterday she said to him " You are going to do
something TO wound somebody lie replied
Well" very slowly and added, after some hesl-
| tatiOn i guess not"
In another conversation, Miss Bender, in speaking
| of Mr. JOhnsOn's condition for the past few days
said: When | reached the Once nee
| Wednesday morning / took in the papers and
Mr.Johnson asked me to read to him. Inc ] arst
| thing | the account Of the shooting
of johnson l.. Lynch by r. Newton
| ROwell at Batavia. Mr. johnson was terribly at
tected by the news and had not appeared at
| all like himself since. He nt our house yeSter-
day and wept for hOnTs, calculating Poor boy,
poor boy {; how loved that boy"
ms CoRnITIoN AT MIDNIGHT.
Mr. johnson was probably last seen alive by John
Bender, who says he went with him from the hotel
| up the wesb side of Genesee-st about II o'clock
last night. When opposite the office Mr.. johnson
| told Mr.. Bender to stay where he was that he
wanted to 20 to his office and get something before
| he went home. Mr.. johnson III q very
! dictatoria mood, and rather inclined to he
violent, aud Mr. Bender did requested.
after waiting about thTee-quarters of an hour aud
Nil. johnson not appearing Mr. bender spoke 10 tne
night watchman John OBren, and asked hnu to
keep looH out when MIR. johnson came down
stairs and that he went home. Mr.
| Bender states that MT. johnson acted
aneerly, and he feared he might re-
turn to the hotel instead of going home.
THE INQUEST AND AUTOPSY.
At IL O'Clock Coroner Spencer empanelled the
following jury: r. 4. Bulger, foreman; DR.. l.. w.
| Rogers, William Baikie, Arthur Ii. Sheldon, }.
Stuart Lowery j. G. =. Kncaid, James W. Berry
| Frank X. Baxter, Charles II. Thorn, and John 81
Capron. After viewing the body proceedings were
postponed until 10 a. III. Monday
Dr. Wilbur Ii. Booth begun making an oxamina-
tion Of the wound at l1:45 a. m, Judge Bulger
d. c. Whitten aud others were present The ex-
animation continued about half an hour. The
| bullet was not found but 1t lS supposed
to have lodged III the spinal column.
This would account for the fact that hr. Johnson
evidently did not move from the position " WhiGh