Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1885-07-30
The Rand Murder Case.

mention OF tho murder OF Miss Grace
Rand, near Alden, Ia. by her brother
in-law. George johnson, and the suicide
of the murderer. As Miss Rand was
born in Grant county and has relatives
here, some of our readers will be inter-
ested in learning more of the particu-
lars. Miss Rand was the daughter of
A. L. Rand, formerly of the town OF
Lima, this county. Her mother Is the
daughter of the late w. ID. Hurst, a
man OF considerable prominence in the
town of Lima, and is sister of Mr.. r.
A. watkins mother. Mr.. Rand moved
to Buckeye, Ia, when Grace was lit
tie girl. At the time of her death she
was nineteen years of age, of unusually
fine personal appearance, and girl
whose character and attainments made
her beloved and respected by all who
knew her. She was engaged to be
married soon TO an excellent young man
named Elliott Edwards, but johnson
for some reason opposed the match.
This circumstance Is thought by some
to be the cause of his committing the
deed, as the inquest developed the testi-
mony that he had said he would rather
see Grace dead and buried than see her
the wife of Elliott Edwards. Miss
Rand's home had always been at her
fathers house, and she had spent but
few days visiting her sister, Mrs. John
son, and those only at long intervals.
She did not like johnson very well,
probably on account of his interference
in her love affairs. Still, they were on
good terms. Thursday afternoon, July
l6, Miss Rand came to Johnson's to
accompany him and her sister on a
visit to a relative in Franklin county.
During the evening Grace had gone
with johnson, at his wifes request, to
the house of neighbor to do an errand.
On her return she had written letter
to her sister May, who was attending
school at Columbus Junction. John
son was to occupy bed with the hired
man and the sisters were to sleep to-
gether.
AT quarter past 10 the two women
took the baby and went up stairs to bed
without any light, asking johnson to
put the lamp in their room when he was
done with it. He remained sitting by
the table on which was Grace's letter,
completed but not folded. In this letter
she had spoken in confidence to her sis
ter of her approaching marriage. 1t is
probable that johnson read the letter.
In the course of half an hour he went
up stairs and took the lamp to their
room. Miss Rand was on the front side
of the bed. johnson leaned over and
kissed his wife, and soon after hurriedly
left the room. A sound from her sister
showed Mrs. johnson that something
had happened. She called to her hus-
band, but, receiving no reply, called the
hired man, and then taking her baby
ran with all speed to near neighbours.
When they went to the room Miss Rand
was dead, with her throat cut from ear
to ear. johnson was found about 2
O'Clock in the yard near the front door,
with cash in his throat. He died
about half-past seven the next morning.
He was conscious for time and tried to
convey the intelligence that he had been
cut by some one else, and knew nothing
of Miss Rand's murder. The coroner's
jury, however, found that Grace Rand
came to her death by wound made by
a razor in the hands of George John
son, and that he came to his death by
wound inflicted upon himself by his own
hand. If this be the case his motives
are something of mystery. The
young lady was wholly blameless. Her
family, who are people of excellent
standing, are quite Frustrated by the
blow, especially hel mother who is
something of an invalid, being troubled
with heart disease. She leaves four sis
tiers and two brothers.
GRAND CONCERT CONCLUDING