Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1885-12-24
THE SHARPLESS MURDER
ARREsT OF THE SUPPOSED as
SASSIN,
He Wanted 10 Raise n Stake ON
which 10 SEQ the sights of she
Metropolis, Bsns Got Only s6 and n
Penitnife.


1
| Phil ,drlphia Record o. Friday, Dec. 49,
The murderer OF Farmer Sharpless, nsar
Chester, on Sunday night, November 10th, Ia
believed to be In custody at last. The arrest
was made by Lieutenant David B. Roche
and Special Officer Thomas Alexander OF
the Third district, and the man has been
| imprisoned in the Third district station
house since Saturday last. He is a colored
man, and has gone under the names Of
| Alexander Cuff and Samuel johnson, but OF
late he has been known principally by the
| latter name.
johnson Is five feet ten inches In hight,
weighs ls0 pounds, has teeth In his upper
| jaw that stick out, and In every way an
swers the description given by Mrs. sharp
less Of the murderer.
In addition TO this statement, Lieutenant
Roche and Special Officer Alexander have
the story Of eolored man, who Is now In
custody, TO whom johnson confessed the
deed. All that is wanting Is the identIfica-
ton by Mrs. sharpless.
In November 1884, johnson was employed
by farmer Lindsay, aneighbor OF the Sharp
less family, whose barn was burned the
night Of the murder. In the early part OF
autumn Mr.. Lindsay lost sow, which WIS
about to give birth TO a litter Of pigs. John
son was suspected, but not accused OF the
robbery until singular event was brought
to light by Mr.. sharpless. In plowing his
field one day Mr.. Sharpless unearthed
number of little pigs which had been taken
from the SOW. A search was tiien made OF
Johnson's house, and johnson was bold
enough to aid in the search. When the cell
lar was reached johnson held light, and
Mr.. Lindsay found sow in a barrel Of
pickle. johnson strenuously denied stealing
the animal but warrant was sworn out,
a copy OF which is given below, but the
local constable was afraid to execute it.
a III -13 n...A
long before he was arrested for stealing
chickens In West Philadelphia. He was
sentenced to eight months in nMoyamenslng.
While In jail johnson had as his compan-
ion young colored man who was doing six
months for anzassault and battery case. His
companion was smart chap, and he fllled
Johnson's head with all kinds Of stories OF
the fun and pleasure to be found In New
York. johnson had his cupidity aroused,
and one day he said to his companion: su
raise stake when get out, will you
take me to New York2' Eyes but you must
get couple Of hundred or Iwon't leaveyou
go with me-" His companion was liberated
28 days before johnson. The latter was re-
leased on Friday. November Goth. On the
following night Saturday. johnson hunted
up his companion and said to him: II am
going away to get that stake" How far
do you have to go2" was asked. Only two
miles away from Chester; but don't want
am going to walk the distance. johnson
did not reappear in his old haunts untfl
the Thursday following the murder. On
that day he entered Deery's saloon, Sixth
and St. Mary streets, and there met his
prison companion. ut must be explained
here that the prisoner can neither read nor
write, and did not therefore learn anything
through the newspapers Of the excitement
occasioned by the murder.1 Approaching
his friend, johnson said: 81 lift the old
- in the head, but only got Sc and q
penknive." .'Do you know you killed that
is that so p said johnson. Eyes; you hit
him over the head with brick, after telling
him that you wanted piece of rope 70
mend a wagon" "How do you know2"
asked Johnson, In alarm. 81 read all about
1t In the newspapers" i" was the reply. "Was
white handkerchief2" Eyes; you had Il
tied around your neck" 81 lost that hand
kerchief and penknife," said johnson.
The other people in the bar-room had by
this time got to edging up to where the two
men were talking, and then johnson was
counseled by his friend not to say anything
about the murder to any OF the others,
because they will give you away for a
drink of rum"
POLICEMEN WORKING ON TIE CASE.
Lieutenant Roche and Special Offieer
Alexander began investigating the case as
soon as 1t became public. They worked
day and night on all kinds Of clews, and
spent considerable of their private funds In
doing SO. At length Mr.. Alexander, through
a clew found In Delaware county, asoer-
tained about johnson and the story Of the
stolen SOW. johnson was then located In
Philadelphia by Mr.. Alexander, who took
him into custody on Saturday last. John
sons crony was then worked upon, and
after much persuasion he told what had
been related to him, which is reprinted
above.
Yesterday johnson admitted that he was
the man who had been employed at Lind
says, and said that he knew old man
Sharpless, but denied having killed him.
Last night Lieutenant Roche and Special
Officer Alexander arrested Johnson's mis-
tress, and secured some valuable evidence,
including coat which johnson Is sup
posed to have worn on the night OF the
murder, and q handkerchief. The woman,
Carrie Lane, begged for the handkerchief.
A spirit-level, with a piece of string
wrapped around 1t, which Is thought to
have been stolen from the Sharpless home
stead, was also secured.
At o'clock this morning Johnson's wife,
Mollie johnson, was arrested In West Phila-
delphia and locked up.
Evidence has been secured TO show that
he admitted to both women the murder OF
Mr.. Sharpless.