The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-04-21
ANOTHER SWAMP ANGEL.
JOHNSON OF RICEVILLE, ANOTED
HORSE.THIEF,
Killed by His Pursuers-His Partner,
Bell, Released by Negro
Magistrate.


hero, or rather a pair OF them, but UNI
fortunately for one Of the pair he went
out in a blszs of glory and was not
permitted to bloom upon the stem
long enough after his discovery in the
woodland to enjoy the adulstion which
would have been bestowed upon him
had he escaped, or had he been trans
ferred to legal dollhouse, otherwise
a sweat-box. Those who have been
in the habit, in days gone by, Of going
over on the Memphis and Little Rock
road to hunt and fish will doubtless
remember a pair of worthless who
lived in the neighborhood Of Rice
vile, G. q. johnson and Bill Bell.
Both were dark, tangle-haired, and
fair types
OF THE ARKANSAS RUFFIAN,
but Johrson's character was set of by
a gushing hospitality which quite cap
tuIed Memphis sportsmen. His door
was always open, and visitors were
welcome until every bed end chair in
the house was filed. Still his hospi-
tally remained uDexhsusted until
every inch Of space in the cotton-seed
pen and the stable loft WAS occupied.
He always had big brown Jug be-
hind the door, and was lavish with its
contents. He and his guests were
never dry. His fondRess TOR the festive
jackpot Yves another admirable point
IN his character, and he had won
derful face
FOR DRAW POKER.
About eighteen months ego John
son decided to provide hostess to as
sist him 10 en- eriaining his guests,
and at Gaston's Hotel in this city,
married Miss Bond, a buxom Missis-
sippi Lass, the clerk OF leading Main
street grocery house being his best
man. But Johnson's marriage did
not effect his predatory habits. Dur
ing the four years he has resided about
RiCeville, he mad been making
monthly excursions into the country,
nearly always returning with horse
or two, for which he found ready
sale or exchange. He was good
jadge of horsehesh and never brought
back an animal which could not bG
easily traded. He had secured nine
teen in all when the little scciden
happened which brought his agile
CAREER AS A HORSE TRADER
to a close. The greatest sufferers b!
Johnson's meanderipgs were the farm
ers in the neighborhood Of Yves
Plains, Mo. They we're unable t,
trace their stock more than few mile
in any one instance until recently
/ The Tair knew every inch OF tn
woods, cauied their provisions wit
them and travelled almost exclusivel
under cover of darkness They neve
pursued a given line, but doubled lik
, foxes, in such manner as to con
pletely mystify their pursuers. On tn
| 5th of March last two horses whic
were stolen were traced for the fir
time, one to Bells and the other
: Johnson's house. Both were abseI
from home, however, oblivious OF I'll
fact that they had been traced, on al
! other expedition. On the last raj
about April 10th, they were carele
0 enough to show themselves at far
. house, where they took supper. Johl
son, who had
PRETENDED TO BE A DOCTOR,
on some of his trips, was recognized b
young man at the house, and as II
host had heard of the last theft h
had been engaged in, was sure he ha
entertained o desperate and success
full horsethief. The pair had take
their departure Immediately after SUI
per, however, and he returned to res
= but kept one eye on his stable Il
!. during the night. Early next NOR
/ i two valuable horses belonging to
J. neighbor we're missing, and it wi
g easy to guess the thieves. This tim
having q complete description OF ther
= dress and all, they were easily trace
q A party of five men, all armed, startt
!, in pursuit and rode up on them
J: they were resting at deserted cab
/; in the woods. The horses, tethert
q close by, were grazing and
THE TWO THIEVES
n sitting on the ground, were dozir
with their backs propped up again
= the side of the house. Their pu
n suers were upon them before thu
- were aware Of their presence and thu
=, were taken completely by surpris
They eprane TO their feet, and we
= ordered to throw up their hands. Tn,
ID made no show of resistance and Il
,S party began dismounting Seeing
y. favorable moment Bell sprang in
l. the front door Of the cabin and out
at the back and started at a bresk-net
= pace for the woods. johnson r.
y, Ground the house, drawing his pist
or and firing back as he ran. A voll
IS, was sent after him, one of the bullC
ente ring Johnson's back and passi
M entirely through his body. He r
III about forty yards and fell dead. B
managed to escape. A telegram "
- sent the Sheriff OF Crittenden coun
{. who found Bell at home a few da
aiterwaTd and
- LODGED HIM IN JAIL.
Mr.. Somers, one OF the party wbi
discovered Johnson and Bell at {
cabin, arrived in the city yesterdi
and tells a story which reflects
4 credit upon the people Of Orittend
4 county. He says he went to Mari
Monday morning to take charge
Bell, who was to be tried in the cot
~ where the larceny was commits
The Sheriff was out Of town, a
while Mr.. Somers was eating dim
Il. Bell was taken before a negro mag
trate. Mr.. Crittenden appeared
we his attorney, and he was given
- freedom, no notice being given \
'SssS Somers or the Sheriff. That Bell i