The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1884-09-13
F0RGAVE THEM ALL.
johnson, the Cincinnati "Burker,"
Crosses the River Styx.
The Sheriff Acts as His CharOn, as L:
Were-Cincinnafi Law A gain Vin-
dIcated-'EEe Usual Plea
OF Innocence.

CINCINNATI, Sept 13-Ben johnson, the
bunker, who murdered the Taylor family,
spent Thursday night, his last night on earth,
singing and praying At O'Clock in the
morning he ate his breakfast and at 9 the
death warrant was read to him, in his cell,
by the sheriff. On leaving the Jail for the
scaffold he was offered stimuiants johnson
came on the platform at 1880, accompanied
by the Rov. Dr. Joyce, the sheriff and his
deputies. He was asked by Sheriff Haw-
kins if he had anything to say. John
son replied: MY friends, though
don't suppose l have many friends
here l want to say to you that | feel
that God has forgiven my sins, and although
am innocent of the charge preferred against
me, die forgiving everybody. | hope to
meet you in heaven Deputy kleeman then
put the black cap over his face, the rope was
adjusted and Sheriff Hawkins pulled the
lever, the drop fell at 1906 He was cut
down at 1922, life being extinct, his neck
broken by the fall johnson was firm
throughout, and astonished everybody by his
bravery. About 800 persons witnessed the
execution.
Thursday Johnson spent the day receiving
visitors, holding III his hand testament
which he was not able toread. Rev. DR., Lang
try, a colorcl minister, and Dr. J. W Joyce.
pastor of Trinity NJ F. church, labored with
him for several hours. He professed con-
version, but his dense ignorance made it i'm
possible for the clergyman to stir up his duh
feelings to any manifestation of remorse
for his horrible crime. Thursday even
ing the two ministers, num-
Der of members of the Y. NJ C. A., among
them several ladies, spent some time with
him in his cell His demearor during this
time was dccorous, and when lie was hap
TIED by the ministers he was really solemn.
He slept several hours during the night, and
arose in the morning apparently composed.
After dressing himself and eating a hearty
breakfast he was again visited by the RevS.
Joyce and Langtry. As the time for his cN
ecution drew near he seemed to realize more
fully the terrible fate which awaited him.
The crime for which johnson was hanged
was rare one, that Of lurking An Old
couple named Taylor lived in a little cabin
near Avondale, a suburb of this city. In
February thoir cabin burned down and it was
supposed that the people had persisted in the
flames. The ruins were searched, but nj
traces of human bones could be found Til:
gave rise to suspicious Of foul play whicl
were confirmed when Il professor in one OF
the medical colleges reported that a colorc,
man had sold two bodies there which Dor,
marks of violence. The bodies We're idcnti
fed as those of the Taylor couple, and BeI
johnson and Allan ingalls,, another colorei
man, were arrested. 1t was shown that they
had murdered the old people by crushing il
their skulls, and placed the bodies in Wagon
and then fired the cabin, after which thcl
drove to the city and sold the corpses. 1t wa
thought that johnson had also murderer
Michael Hopkins, of Avondale, two year
ago. Hopkins mysteriously disappeared, an,
his wife Thursday visited johnson in the .iai
and asked him if he knew anything of tn,
fate of her husband. He protested earnestly
that he did not.