Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1883-11-01

the skull, at either end of the clean
cut from one-half inch TO an inch, and
breaking out piece of bone about two
inches broad from the back of the head.
The instrument penetrated the brain to
the depth of two inches. Besides this,
there were two cuts upon the neck.
They had evidently been made by a
man who was skilful with the ak, for
they were so nearly identical as to make
it very difficult to distinguish them
apart. The first blow cut through the
soft part of the neck, just grazing the
thyroid cartilage and reaching to the
fifth cervicle vertebre. The second
blow entirely severed the spinal column
at the fourth cervical vertebra, leaving
the head connected to the body by a
strip of flesh and skin on either side.
These cuts were 81 inches long, and had
been inflicted by the same instrument
as was used on the head. The woman
was struck twice or three times upon
the top of the head. These cuts were
in the same line, and extended six
inches along the upper and back part
of the head, and very near the center of
the posteriOr portion of the parietal
bone. The cut was a inches deep and
penetrated to the base of the brain.
The funeral of the victims took place
on Sabbath from the M. E. Church in
Napoleon, Rev. John Zook preaching
the sermon. The double burial was
sad sight, the like of which Napoleon
had never seen before, and it is hoped
may never see again. The caskets were
opened and hundreds looked upon the
faces of the murdered couple.
johnson claims to be % years of age,
married, his wife being at Delta, and
says he has always lived in Fulton
county.
The father of Mrs. Williams, the
murdered woman, enlisted in the Tooth
Regiment, 0. V. vi, and was reported
among the missing after the battle of
Jonesboro. Nothing has since been
heard from him.
Coroner Cloud has rendered the fol-
lowing verdict:
I, the undersigned Coroner of Henry
county, Ohio, having duly inquired
into as to whom and by what means
George Williams and Bell Williams,
whose dead bodies was found in Free
dom township, Henry county, Ohio, on
the 25th day of October, A. D. 1883,
came to their deaths. After having ex-
amined said bodies and heard the evil
dence I do find the deceased came to
their deaths by blows on the head with
the edge of an ak in the hands of some
unknown person.
r. M. CLOUD, Coroner.
The people of Wauseon and Fulton
county were very much excited over
the horrible murder, and had they been
sure that johnson was the guilty one
his life would have paid the penalty.
Johnson waived preliminary exam
ination and his case went directly be-
fore the Grand Jury.
The Henry county officials will leave
no stone unturned to bring the guilty
party or parties who committed the
murder to speedy justice. 1t is one of
the most barbarous crimes ever COM
mitted in this part of the State.
The report on Saturday that the babe
was dead is erroneous, as the little
thing is reported to be getting along
finely, Notwithstanding its pitiable con-
dition when found.
If johnson is innocent he certainly
conducts himself in very strange man.
ner. An innocent man seldom acts as
he does, being wholly unconcerned as
to his position.
1t is claimed in Wauseon that new
and very positive evidence had been Sc
cured against Johnson, by the finding
of coat, identified as his property
which was stained with blood, but thu
officers were very reticent, claiming
that they had secured very strong evi
dence against johnson, but in order t.
t protect the prosecution, it would not b.
made public at present. The officer
t also claim to have good grounds for be
e lieving that johnson had an accom-
plice, whom they are looking for.
!, If Johnson is indicted by the Crane
: Jury his trial cannot come off until tn
January term, as a jury in such cas-
d must be drawn forty days before tn
J, term.
e To an interviewer Johnson relate,
: the following:
"My name is Wesley johnson.
d was born in Fulton county and am 2
years of age. 1 was married about tw
, months ago in Fulton county. NJ
Z wife still lives with her parents. hav
|, not lived with her, but worked aroun
k on farms by the day. I have been EN-
: ployed most of the time by John Wi
liams who owned the farm on whic
n George Williams lived. I worked o
that farm and took dinner at Georg
\ Williams house several times. Away
:, had kind feelings for George and hi
Il wife; never knew anything against hin
IS John Williams barn was burned las
Sunday night and quit work on Wee
n nesday and went to Kendalville to sc
my wife, who was visiting friends ther,
~ She passed me on the road going [
e Delta. l went to Toledo and came bac
r as far as Wauseon Thursday. When
l.. got off the train the Sheriff arrested m
as witness in the barn-burning'affai
and about noon told him there was n
use holding me on that, as | had alread