Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-05-24
TWO HANGED IN GEORGIA
LEONIDAS JOHNSON AND JOHN
McKEITHEN BOTH SWUNG.

Large Crowds Present at Both Execu-
tiOns-Both Men Die HOptf full and
without FIinching-StOries of Their
Crimes-The Gibbet's Crop in Other
States.
MCDONOUGH, GA, May 23.-Leonidas
johnson was hanged here to-day for the
rape of Mrs. Cook, February ,, 1888.
johnson ate a hearty breakfast this morn
ing and smoked cigar. He seemed per-
fectly Indifferent to his fate and never
lost his nerve for moment on the gal
lows. He said: 81 want you all to take
warning this day, May %, 1884 Look at
this work and see how it is done. Take
warning, the littler ones and the big ones.
L brought all this on myself.
but am prepared to die. l haven't
got thing against ANYBODY.
God bless you ALI Those who have cot
children start on them in time. NV moth
er did not start ON me in time. / never
thought l would be brought to.death, butI
am. The Sheriff will put me to death,
but he has treated me right.
am not mad with those
who sWOre against me, nor with the Jury,
nor with the Judge. L want all who have
sympathy with me to raise their hand
A few did So Joy be with you all.
confess the crime for which, am to be hung
to-day, but God has forgiven me. / want
you all to meet me in Heaven
johnson here drank glass
oflemonade. He then called for a colored
preacher named Davis, who went to the
scatfold. The prisoner was perfectly calm,
and in clear voice, said: Gam a soldier
of the CROSSE" Rev. r. w. Davis then
prayed: At u 2o'clock the black gown was
put on him and in two minutes the moose
was around his neck. While the black
cap was over his head he said: EFare-
well, gentlemen" At 12:3I O'Clock Sheriff
Goodwin pulled the trigger, the rope
stretched and his toes touched the ground
but, with scarcely a struggle, he died in
fourteen minutes of strangulation.
Ten thousand people witnessed the exc
cutiOn.
THE DEsPERADO's LIFE AND CRIMES.
LeOnidas johnson was born near Double
Cabins, in Spalding county, Georgia,
in 1863, and when thirteen years of age
ran away from home. Three years later,
when but sixteen years old, johnson
gained his first criminal nOtoriety by en-
tering the sleeping apartment of the
daughter of a prominent citizen Of Fay
cite county at midnight, and attempting
to outrage her person. The household
being awakened by the young girl's cries,
johnson leaped from a second story win
dow, and, though close pressed for sew
eral days by lynchers, finally sue
ceeded in making his wav out of
the county. Three weeks later he
made similar daring attempt in Spald-
ing county, but was again thwarted and
compelled to flee for his life. He took up
his abode in Jefferson county, and had
been there but month and a half when
he made murderous assault on promi-
nent white gentleman, and was only pre-
vented from taking his life by timely in-
reference on the part of friends of his
victim, who dlsarmed johnson after a
desperate struggle and lodged him in
jail. JOhnsOn's trial resulted in his con-
viction and sentencing to the chain gang
for five years. In January, 1888,
he effected his escape, and
had not gained a safe distance
from the convict camp when he
criminally assaulted Mrs. Smith, wor-
thy white lady living near MOore's mill,
Clayton county. JOhnsOn's next crime
was the one for which he was hung to-
day. February 2, 1888, he suddenly
sprang upon Mrs. Cook, a highly respected
white lady, living three miles from Nc
DOnOugh, While she was sitting in the
door OF her home rocking her baby. A
blow from a club with which johnson was
armed felled her senseless to the floor,
and while she was in that condition
he accomplished his lecherous
purpose. She had been mar
ried but three years. The crime
was committed shortly after noon time,
while Mrs. Cooks husband was at work
in one of the neighboring fields of his
plantation. When she regained con-
seriousness she went to her husband and
informed him of the terrible calamity
which had befalIen her. johnson made
good his escape, but with IneNplicable
audacity obtained employment on a plan
tatiOn only eight miles from the residence
of the Cooks. About the middle of April
johnson burglarlzed the residence of his
employer, was suspected, but escaped be-
fore his capture was effected. Later on
the same afternoon of his flight Johnson.
assuring himself that the pursuit had
been abandoned, entered the residence Of
Mr.. Harkness and made an assault
upon his daughter, aged IA years, who
was alone in the house at the time.
Aid came to the young girls rescue be-
fore johnson accomplished his purpose,
and after chase, which continued
through greater part of the night, he
was captured and lodged in
jail. Mrs. Cooks identifica-
cation OF him as the negro who had out
ragged her person nearly eliminated in
lynching, but the law was eventually al
lowed to take its tardy course, and John
sons execution, as already described,
was the ultimate outcome of the pro-
ceedings. 1t is doubtful whether another
man who has ever been hung in this
country had perpetrated as many crimes
as johnson. He was a heaVy-built man.
weighing 175 pounds, had a repulsive cast
Of countenance, full sensuOus lips. cream
colored eyes, and aneck like Jersey bull.