davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1884-05-29

conversation with Il representative of
this paper, stated that after Johnson
returned from the penitentiary he went
to the home of his sister, Mrs. Knight,
who received him with sisterly affection
and told him that if he would stop his
stealing he might come and live with
them. Johnson promised faithfully to
reform, and established his home with
his sister; but he had not been with her
but short time until the dominant
faculty for stealing attested itself, and
he would carry off any article he could
get his hands upon, even stole his sis
ter's wells, and his brother-in-law's
coat. He finally became so intollerant
that his sister was compelled to drive
him from her roof.
The same gentleman, in speaking of
Johnson's revengeful disposition, stated
that only short time before the mur-
der of Williams he got into little dis
pute with his brother Ed, who was at
that time building a new house and
barn, and threatened to burn both the
house and barn as soon as they were
completed. This threat SO terrified Ed.
Johnson that he dared not go on with
the completion of his buildings, through
Concluded on Fourth Pagel
Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1884-05-29
3 The time of the killing.

3 The time Of the killing.
4 The absence of Johnson from his
place of employment.
5 The arrest of Johnson and his
Identification.
8 The missing wares.
7 The Identification of the breastpin.
8 The finding of the watch, pocket
book and fountain pen.
9 Identification of the watch, pocket
book and fountain pen.
10 Expert testimony.
ii The amount of money johnson
had in his possession at the time he
left his employer.
u The amount of money spent at
Wauseon after Oct. %, 1888.
This outline was followed step by
step and, after establishing the killing
and venue, or place or county in which
the act was committed, according to the
prescribed forms of law, the name of
johnson was hardly mentioned without
carrying with it some chain or link of
evidence duplicating him more deeply
in this the blackest of crimes. The ex-
animation of witnesses, of which there
were some sixty, was concluded on Sat-
urday morning, Feb. 9th, and court was
adjourned until Monday morning the
11th when the arguments of counsel
were commenced, Prosecuting Attorney
Cahill opening on the part of the State
with an exhaustive and convincing re-
view of the evidence. In this almost
Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1884-05-29
RI
l.. l.. OR w IG.

~ Address alletters to DEMOCRATIC NoRTHwEsTi
Napoleon, Ohio.
Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1884-05-29
THE FIRST HANGING.

In the latter part Of July, 1864, the at
tention of Squire Bolan, who lived in
Freedom township, near the scene of
the Williams butchery, was attracted
by large number of buzzards continu-
ally lowering over small patch of
woods near his house. Finally, to graf
ify his curiosity, the Squire repaired to
the spot, expecting to find there the car
cass of a COW or horse that had been at
tracting the attention of the buzzards
and on which they were feeding. I'M
agine his horror on arriving at the spot
and finding there the body man, the
clothes torn and flesh decayed and eaten
from the bone2
About two weeks before the finding
of this body two strangers called at the
house of James Crawford in Liberty
township and asked for something to
eat. One of the strangers carried in his
hand an ugly looking stick that was
neither cane nor club, but which he
swung along as an odd sort of ornament.
The request for food was supplemented
with the explanation that they did not
have time to eat it there, but would
take it with them and eat it on the way;
they were buying cattle, were very
busy and could not stop, etc. Mrs.
Crawford kindly did up some eatables
in copy of the Napoleon NORTHWEST,
which had pasted upon one side SUBJ
scription label bearing the name of Jas.
Crawford, and the men departed.
When the strangers had gone out of
sight, the circumstance of their call and
their actions, which would seem to have
been very usual and commonplace,
worked upon the mind of Mr.. Crawford,
and the more he thought of it the more
suspicious he became. At that time
Crawford was the civil engineer of the
county, and an artist in the way port
rait drawing. So strangely did his
thoughts revert to the two travellers that
he made a pencil sketch ofthem, even to
the curiousstick one of them had carried,
and so perfect to life was the sketch that
it afterward served as the principle fac
tor of Identification in very singular
case.
Now it so happened that two men,
Job Cowell and William Treadwell, had
escaped ashort time before from Mich
igan prison. Treadwell had robbed a
bank in Adrian, of which he was cash
ier, and after arrest, trial, and convic-
ton, was incarcerated in prison. Cow
ell was fellow prisoner, and the two
concocted a plan to escape, which they
successfully executed, and friends of
Treadwell furnished him with large
sum of money to aid him when once he
was far away. They were known to
have started for this part of Ohio.
A copy ofthe NORTHWEST containing
the description of the body found on
Bolan's place found its way into the
hands of Treadwell's friends, who i'm
mediately took steps to determine
whether the body was not that of
Treadwell. The body was exhumed
and an investigation instituted which
resulted in establishing beyond doubt
the identity of the corpse as that of
Treadwell. Further search of the prem
ises revealed the copy of the NORTH
WEST with James Crawford's name
labeled thereon. The peculiar shaped
club noticed in the hands of one of the
men who had called at the house of Mr..
Crawford was also found. The pencil !
Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1884-05-29

his maiden effort before jury he occu-
pied their attention for nearly three
hours. He was followed by Messrs.
Knupp and Hubbard, counsel for the
defense, who made eloquent appeals for
justice and mercy, but it seems that
the minds of the jury were already con-
WINGED, and the appeals Of the oauaegl
while eloquent and worthy of note, had
little or no effect. The closing argu-
ment was made by Judge Hagg for the
State. Of him the reader needs but the
name of the speaker to know that
it was one fraught with logical reason
ing. After the closing of the argu-
ments Judge Moore charged the jury,
giving them o fair and impartial outline
of their duty, and the points to be con-
sidered by them. They retired at 20
minutes offs o'clock on the evening of
Feb. II, and at $50 reported to the
Court that they had reached verdict.
Shortly after they were returned to
the court room and the verdict was
read:
GUILTY AS CHARGED IN THE INDICT-
MENT.
During the rendition of the verdict
the stiffness of death pervaded the court
room. The six days of breathless sus-
pense was now ended and the vast aud
ience repaired to their homes to await
the day of
THE SENTENCE,
which was pronounced OH Saturday
Feb. 49,, and which is embodied in the
Court records of Feb. 18th and 10Th,
and which are as follows:
This day came the jury heretofore
empaneled and sworn, and said defend
ant, Wesley johnson, being brought
into open court in custody of the sheriff
his counsel coming and the prosecuting
attorney being present on behalf of the
State of Ohio, and the trial thereof pro-
ceeded. The defendant, by his counsel,
concluded his argument, and the final
argument of the State was concluded,
and the said jury was then charged by
the Court and retired in custody of the
sheriff, to deliberate. And the said de-
fendant, Wesley Johnson, being present
in open Court, and his counsel also be-
ing present, as well as the prosecuting
attorney in behalf of the State of Ohio,
and thereupon came the said jury here
tofore empaneled, sworn and charged
as aforesaid, and on their oaths do say
that they do find the said defendant,
Wesley johnson, "guilty of murder in
the first degree as charged in the in
dictment, and said verdict is in the
words and figures following, to-wit:
The State of Ohio, Henry County, S.: State of
Ohio VS.. Wesley johnson. No. 95, in the Court of
Common Pleas of said County, January Term, A .
d. 1884, to-wit February 12, 1881, criminal action.
ave, the jury, find the defendant, Wesley john
son. guilty of murder In the First Degree as charged
in the Indictment.
ABRAHAM NJ. WILLARD, Foreman
Thereupon, at the request of counsel
for the defendant, Wesley johnson, the
Court ordered that the jury be polled,
and upon each juror being called by
name and inquired of if the verdict just
read was his verdict, each for himself
answered, 'tIt is."
And thereupon the said Wesley john
son was, by order of the Court, remand
Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1884-05-29

To ApyERrIsERs.-All advertisements must De
handed in Dy Wednesday morning to insure inser-
tion the same week.
Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1884-05-29
THE CURTAIN FALLS ON THE
LAST ACT.
The Murderer of George and Isabella
Williams Meets His Doom on the
ScaffOld To-Day.
The Trap Sprung at 1000 and in IL
Minutes johnson is Pronounced
Dead.
He Confesses His Crimes to His Broth
er and Spiritual Advisor.
Napoleon a Mass of Living Humanity
To-day-No Violence Attempted.

He Meets Grim Death without a Tre-
NOR.
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-12-04
Discusslng the Cattle Trail.

WASHINGTON, Dec. S.-Representative
Lewis hanback,, of western Kansas, arrived
to-day, accompanied by his daughter, Miss
Matte Hanback,, who win spend the winter
here. Mr.. Hanback, says that the agitation
Of the national cattle trail seems not 10 have
spread much beyond the ST. Louis conven-
ton. He doubts whether anything more
nan the resolutions adopted will come Of the
movement
Delegate Post, of Wyoming, largely inter
ested in cattle, and Cheyenne banker, says:
1t is matter OF absolute necessity for the
southwestern csttlemen 10 have trail over
which the cattle can be driven north, in or
der that they may be delivered to the mar
kets in a healthy condition. This
thing Of shipping cattle from the extreme
southwest has been tried enough to
show that II viii never do. 1t is not only
disastrous 10 caitlemen. but il is attended
with danger along the route to native cattle
and the fact has been proven beyond all
question that stock so forwarded from the ex-
treme southwest does not reach the market
in hit condition for food. All interests, there
fore, demand that something be done for this
trade in the way of perfecting aud main
tanning permanently the trail system for get
ting southwestern cattle north"
There will probably be raised, he SAYS, the
hue and cry that this is legislation in the in
terest of wealthy cattle men and corporations,
but 1t is imperative, not only for the trade,
but in the interest of the beef consuming
communities.
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-12-04

Watson and W. z. Perkins. the paving con-
tractors who we're responsible for the pile Of
rubbish ia question. The amount Of dam
ages asked was $500 and the jury brought in
q verdict for $500.
The following divorce suits were yesterday
commenced. Rella Dale, aged thirty-two
years asks for divorce from Joseph j. Dale,
aged forty years, to whom she was married
June l, 1869, and who deserted her in
August, 1881. Carrie B. Gellatly,
twenty-seven years Did wants
divorce from Jas. Gellatly, aged twenty
nine years, TO whom she was married July
3, 1875, at St. Paul. Wilful desertion, in
December, 1880, is the cause for com plant.
Matte Bergerson, aged twenty-six years,
asks for eternal divorce from Modiste Ber-
gerson, aged forty years, with whom she was
united in marriage at Williamsport, Pa,
March 90, 1872. Specific acts ofcruelty and
abuse, threats, etc, are alleged, as well as
desertion and failure to provide. She also
asks the privilege Of resuming her maiden
name Of Matte Lamoreaux, and wants the
custody of her two chidren.e
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-12-04
ANOTHER EIEorRrcAI. HARNESS.

TIE Telegraph 10 be Node to Print the Mes
SdOes 1t Transmits at she Rate of 6,O0O
Words Per Minute.
Evening Journal
a gentleman in this city prom Uses a revo-
luton in telegraphy, so far as he transmits
sion OF messages, but more espe rially Asso-
ciated Press dispatches, is con cerned. He
is now at work upon device WI dch, if sue
cessful, will receive and print IL e dispatches
on slips OF paper, just as they a ppear in the
newspaper after being placed in type by the
printer. The chief benefit of Il us arrange
ment viii not consist mer' ay in the
advantages which printer matter
possesses over Written, but N the in
creased rapidly with which the re ports can he
transmitted. AT present fifty words per
minute is considered an avera &c rate, but
this new invention promises til print it out
by electricity as it is flashed fro, the wire at
the astonishing speed of 600 VIZ Irds per min
ute. The gentleman who is It work upon
this marvellous invention has fC ,und II neces-
sary to order intricate machin, cry, which is
now being manufactured by 4 well KIN own
eastern firm. He does not expect to COM
plete his machine before late in the winter.
as he has professional duties Whit n occup,r a
portion OF his time; but from what he as
already accomplished he is comic lent of su. .
cess.
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-12-04
FORTy-EIGHTH CONGRESS
Senator Vests Bill for an Investiga-
ton Of the Leases of Indian
Lands Again Dis
eussed.
A BIN Authorizing the Building OF Bridge
Over the St Croix River Passed
by Both Houses.
A BIZ to suspend the Coinage of Silver
Dollars-A General Discussion
or the Interstate Com
merce Bill.
The Senate.

WASHINGTON. Dec. SIN the senate to-
day Senator Vests resolution OF yesterday
calling for an investigation into the leases
msGe by the Indians in the Indian territory,
was taken up and an amendment agreed To
including within its scope the investigation
of leases Of lands in Indian reservations.
Senator Plumb defended the secretary of
the interior against the criticisms made by
Senator Vest yesterday, ana hoped The in
vestigstion now contemplated would result
in suggesting plau which would reconcile
the needs OF settlers and Indians The reso-
luton was then agreed to.
Senator Henderson. at his own request,
was relieved from service on the committee
Of claims. On similar requests Senator
Slater was relieved from service on the com
mittee OF fish and fisheries. Senator Morgan
from the committee on Indian affairs and
Senator Dawes from the committee on ex-
aiming several branches Of the civil
service.
Proceeding to the calendar the senate,
after an amendment, passed a bill authoriz-
ing the construction Of 4 railroad bridge
across the ST. Croix, between Saltwater aud
TayIors Falls, MINI. The senate
also passed bill authorizing
the secretary Of war to adjust and settle all
account Of the war department for arms, etc.
between the territory Of Montana and the
United States.
Senator Slater gave notice that on Monday
next ne would move 70 take up, and would
press to passage the bill declaring forfeited
unearned lands granted in and of the con-
struction Of the Oregon Central railroad
The select committees OF the senate were
continued and the presiding officer given
power to Gil existing vacancies or such as
may occur this week.
The message being received from the pres
ideut the senate went into executive session
and soon adjourned.
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-12-04
cAScELLING,
The committee on cancellation reported
that they had examined warrants sggregating

And that the same has been destroyed
Adopted.
The committee 10 whom had been referred
the claim of John Lally for damages in the
sum Of $500 for loss suffered from by reason
OF an overflow OF water into his basement.
reported that they had given the matter q
careful consideration and believed the claim
Just, aud further recommended that the same
be referred TO The city attorney.
warrant was ordered drawn in favor OF
F. H. Maquohan for services at the quaran-
tine hospital in the sum of slSs.
Commissioners were appointed in the
matter of laying out and extending Three
and One-haif avenue south from Tweutv-
fourth to Twenty-ffth street. Also in LAYING
out and extending Blaisdeil avenue from
Lake to Thirty-fourth street.
An ordinance to .change the grade OF GER
tain streets crossing Nieollet avenue was
taken from the table and given its final
reading, when IT was read by title and
passed.
THE PEST HOUSE TMBRoeIdo.
The matter of the report of the committee
recommending that the pest house be located
near the lakes, was taken from the tabe.
A motion to lay on the table failed to car
~. Ali. Hushow then advocated the loca-
ton Of the same upon the property purchased
for the purpose when a motion 70 adjourn
was made aud lost.
ak. Eichhorn alleged that the location
chosen for the pest house was not in the vi
cinity OF any lake. Aid. Walsh stated
that some immediate provision should be
made for pest house in some place, and in
order to bring the matter to a practical re-
suit be moved that all matters pertaining to
pest house be referred back TO the com
mittees on health and hospitals and public
grounds and buildings, and the motion pre-
vailed.
Aid. Hashow moved that the city engineer
be directed 10 measure the amount of water
power used at the city pump house, and t
employ competent engineer for the pur-
pose.
Referred to the committee on water works.
The committee on pablo grounds and
buildings was instructed to place the proper
amount Of insurance recently purchased and
upon the city hall.
Adjourned.
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-12-04

No business OF Importance tran sacted yes
terday in the probate court
.. c. Hughes got verdict for 500 dam
ages in his suit against f. Fl. Smith before
Judge Koon yesterday.
Michael Kearan, one of the ten men in
jured by the falling OF the sto ne sidewalk in
front of the West hotel last June. sues Inc
T. Westfor 81, 900 damages. The testimony
was taken yesterday and he trial viii be re-
sumed to-day,
In the mater OF the as Segment of Bliss 81
Elliott TO F. W. Lyman an order was yester-
day made by The court allowing the transfer
of the property to TN stee.
CT the night of une "a alaroe milo ~
art lying on The ives side of Sixth street
south caused carr lage driven by II. w
Harrington 10 upset Mrs. HARRINGTON and
s4ss brown We re thrown out, the
horses ran ava and general smash
Up followed lr Harrington brought
suit aecesdinety' against the city and W. Il.
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-12-04

25th and ending January 5th, are said to be
the keys Of the weather of the year.
green Christmas makes full graveyards,
A white Christmas lean graveyard
A green Christmas indicates white Eas-
ter
Much sleet in winter win be followed by
good fruit year.
Aurora borealis denotes cold.
Thunder during Christmas week indicates
that there win be much snow during the win
ter.
When thunder is heard in winter it ipdi-
Gates cold weather.
who dots his coat on winters day
VIII gladly put il on in May
If New Years eve night wind blow from
south
Il betOkeneth, warmth and drouthi
II west much milk. aud fish in sea;
II north much cold aud storm there'n be;
II east the trees viii Gear much fruit;
II north flee il man and brute.
One fair day in winter does not make the
birds merry.
After rainy winter follows astruitful
spring
windy winter a rainy spring.
In winter expect not fair weather from one
nights ice.
When winter is not early it VII not be
late.
December ehangeable and mild,
The whole winter viii remain child.
Winter thunder poor mans death, rich
mems hunger.
If Christmas finds bridge he'll break it;
h. IL b..fI
A warm Christmas, white Easter.
II windy on Xmas day trees viii bring
much 1ruit.
If wind blows much on st. Stephens day
(26th) the grape crop will be bad in next
year.
lit SHOWS on Xmas night We expect a
good hop crop next year.
Christmas wet gives. empty granary and
barrel
At Christmas meadows green at Easter
covered with frost.
December cold with snow brings rye eve
~ where.
Tie general character Of the weather dur
ing the last twenty days OF December rules
the following season.
When there are three days cold expect three
days colder,
The first Thursday in December is the gov
erniug day for the season. WHATEVER poini
of the compass the wind is on that day thai
will be the prevailing direction of the vino
for the season.
light Christmas a heavy sheaf.
If the sun shines through the apple tree
on Christmas day there viii be an abundant
crop the following year.
If on Christmas night the wine ferment,
heavily in the barrels good wine year il
to follow.
The shepherd would rather see his wife en-
ter the stable on Christmas day than tn,
sun.
II the ice will bear a man before Christ
mau 1t will not bear a mouse afterward
If Christmas day on Thursday be
windy winter you shall see.
Windy weather in each week
And hard tempests strong and thick.
The summer shall he good and dry,
Corn end beast shall multiply.
II the FIRE burns unusually fierce an,
bright in winter there will be frost and clea
weather; il the fire burns dull expect dam
and rain
When the fire crackles and crackles bright
ly tits SAID to be treading snow.
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-12-04
The COURTS.
DiSfrirf Court.
NEW CASES.

NEW CASES.
Matte Bergerscn VS.. Modesto Bergerson :;
action for divorce and custody of children.
North Chicago Rolling Mill company VS..
The j. l. G. Piow company. action to recover
50, 100 on promissory note.
Carrie B. Gellatiy VS.. JAS. Gellatly; action
for divorce.
Dale, Barnes. Moss g. Co., VS.. Peter
Twaldick ct al; action to recover $26 for
goods.
Ellen Eagan, respondent, VS.. G. w. Arm
strong, appellant; returns TO appeal filed.
Rilla Date VS.. Joseph j. Date; action for
divorce
Stephen D. Moor VS.. Jennie R. F. Blais-
del; action to receiver $S5 for services.
JUDGMENT ROLL.
M Engelman q Co. VS.. John J. Culley;
amount, IS, 1890.
John Thielen VS.. NJ. Otter ct al; dismissed
on plaintiffs motion.
H. G. Harrison & Co. VS.. NJ. n. Mills;
amount, $121.22.
John Grimes VS.. the Minneapolis Wagon
company; amount, $500.
The Eau Claire Lumber company VS.. New
It'll 81 Clendenin; amount, 500 go.
Frances d Clark as administrator VS.. G.
II. Tenant; dismissed.
Lucy Baxter IS. n. a. BoWdict: amount
S11787.
Henry w. Huntington VS.. the City Of Min
neapolis; amount, $S29.50.
JURY CASES.
Before Judge Lochren.
Theo. c. Winger VS.. G. T. Bowers: con
tinued.
N P. Peterson VS.. r. w. Jordon; dis
missed without costs.
j. w. Bradley VS.. Farnham & Loveioy;
dismissed as per stipulation.
A G. Rand VS.. The Omaha, Minneapolis
& st. Paul Railway company.
Before Judge Koon.
Burdett, Young g. ingalls, VS.. British Amer
lea Insurance company; verdict for plaintiff
for 500.
Fred A. Bryant VS.. A. NJ. Samson; taken
from the jury; decision to be made by the
court.
Brainerd Dearborn VS.. elias. Dexter; or
dered stay of proceedings for thirty days
COURT CASES.
Before Judge Young
Chas. Russell VS.. JAS. j. Snow; tried and
submitted.