Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1886-04-14
BLOOD ON THE PEAIRIES.
Fearful Execution Of q Desperate
With u Revolver and u Rifle.

| Win u heVOtver ana Itifte.
II. A. Steadman who lives three miles
northwest of Oakland, Nebraska, was
shot and mortally wounded on March
10th. 1856. There was some alteration
between him and his hired man, named
Ed. johnson. The man was discharged
and was paid the money due him, when
without warning, or any provOcation,
he pulled out q revolver and shot Sted-
man through the stomach, from the
effects OF which he is now dead. The
assassin then jumped upon horse be-
longing to his late employer and fled.
Without delay intelligence Of the
shooting was carried to the authorities,
who organized a mounted posse and
started in pursuit of johnson who then
command Of Constable Parker chased
the fleeing murderer to point about
twelve miles south, which is about nine
miles southwest of Oakland in Cum
mings county, on the farm of Charles
johnson. He ran into barn and lock-
ed himself in, the chinks between the
boards afording loop-holes for the use
of his revolver, as well as rife with
which he had provided himself. He
was close pressed when he took refuge
there, and the barn was at once sur
rounded by the constable and his plucky
men.
The pursuers were armed only with
revolvers when they Gagged their man,
but they at once commenced fusilade.
They found their shots returned with
aim and considerable accuracy as to
aim. johnson, in a rash moment, ey-
posed himself and was shot through
the leg. The next moment Constable
Parker's horse was killed from under
him. The firing then became furious,
but there were no serious results, the
murderer all the time keeping his pur-
suers at bay.
Finding their weapons of too light
calibre, the officers went for Wnches-
tiers, with which they will arm them
selves. In the meantime the sheriff at
Tekamah was telegraphed, and he sent
back word ''to take the man dead or
alive" There is no doubt that this will
be done. Ten men have started from
Oakland fully equipped for a man-hunt,
with rifles and matches. They propose
to surround the barn on every side and
prevent Johnson from making his escape |
in the darkness.
There IS no doubt but that Johnson |
will be summarily dealt with if captured |
alive. AT O'Clock In the evening he |
showed no signs of Surrendering and, |
from the manner in which he handled |
his weapons, had no fear of his running |
out of ammunition. In the barn with |
him were ten horses, which were madly |
screaming and plunging, terrified by
the rattling of the shots. 1t was thought !
some Of the horses had been wounded. |
4 few moments after O'Clock |
Charles johnson, the owner of the farm,
came in line with his desperate name
sake's rifle, and he was shot down. He |
was badly wounded, but may recover.
This served to exasperate the constable
and his men, and they redoubled their
efforts to effect the capture Of the
assassin. who remained cool and as de-
termined to fight for his life as ever.
a carrier who has just arrived, and
is reliable says that at S O'Clock firing
had ceased, except for few desultory
shots from the guns of the attacking
party. Soon, however, this was changed
and the ground became veritable bat
The shooting was thick and
fast, horses plunged and ran, men
shouted and wanted to make a charge,
and in the midst of It all Peter johnson,
a brother of Charles johnson, already
badly hurt, fell to the ground mortslly
wounded by a ball from the desperado's
revolver. Angered and forgetful of
everything but their comrades fate,
they rushed toward the barn. The
smoke was thick and the men rushed on
like phantoms in the night, but john
son dropped his revolver and picked up
his rifle, and by IFS rapid use, checked
the men who were closing in around
him. Two horses were wounded in
this charge. The two wounded brothers,
were taken into house and cared for.
Il physician was at once sent for. At
10 o'clock Sheriff Skinner of Burt
county arrived at Oakland EN- route to
the scene Of the excitement. He will
be accompanied, probably, by few
men of undoubted bravery, and will go
determined to take the murderer and
tesperado at all hazards. AT midnight
the desperate was safe in his retreat,
and it appeared that he could not be
All hopes of capturing him be-
fore daylight have been abandoned, and
the men are only watching to see that
Johnson does not escape. In Oakland
is excitement, and tidings
from the scene are anXiOusly awaited.