The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-06-07
NOT JOHN KRAUSE,
BUT w. r. JOHNSON, WHO WAS
FOUND DEAD WEDNESDAY.
His Identity Proven by q White Han
died Knife and Certain Articles OF
Wearing Apparel-Story OF the Book
Keepers Disappearance Recalled.

When the Coroners jury returned its
verdict Wednesday night on the remains
OF dead man found in pasture near the
terminus Of the dummy line 1t was be-
lieved pretty generally that the body was
that Of gardener named John Krause.
One negro testified that it was him;
others said that the old man had been
seen in the vicinity some weeks ago and
had not been seen since. The supern-
tcndent OF the dummy line said that
Krause had obtained a bottle OF water
from dummy line engineer about three
weeks ago, and the bottle, or n bottle con-
tanning a fluid resembling water, was
found near the corpse.
No one thought anything else until dur.
ing the night, when over the telephone
wires inquiries were made about the find
and one in particular asked II there was
found a white handled knife. These in
quiries attracted some attention, and
caused people TO surmise, and more than
one expressed the opinion that perhaps
the body was that OF a missing book
keeper named w. K. Johnson, who has
not been heard OF since he left his home
on May 10.
| At the instance OF relatives the body
was disinterred, aud, though dccomposcd
and disligured beyond recognition, II was
viewed by number Of Mr.. Johnson's
relatives, including his brother.in.law,
| Mr.. Galloway, and twelvc-ycar-old son
OF Johnson's, who claimed TO identify the
body by the clothing.
Upon being questioned the County I'm
dertaker explained that he had found a
| knife and necktic under the body where II
was found. The Coroner had noticed that
there was no collar on the remains. When
the knife was exhibited IL was mt once
identified as the property OF Mr.. Johnson;
so also was the necktic. The knife was
badly rustod, but was still recognizable.
| The body was rcinierred.
II Is thought that this clears up the mys-
terry. The history Of Mr. Johnsons disap-
pearancc was given in TnE APPEAL on the
18th OF May, when the absence OF that
gentleman first caused alarm. In connec-
ZION with his Identification IL will do 10 re-
peat On Wednesday. May 10, Mr.. w. X.
johnson returned TO his home on Pontotoc
street, near Main, feeling very much de-
pressed in spirits lie broodcd while in
silence, and his wife, noticing his dcspond-
cncy, tried 10 chcerh up. lie had been
out OF work for long time and, though hc
had held many responsible positions in
mercantile houses, all doors seemed closed
against him and he could not obtain sit.
ualion. His wife underworld TO keep up
the family by taking few boarders, but
he was not content and worried much that
he could not assist her. Ms. Johnson en-
dcayorcd to dispel the gloom that sur
rounded her husband 10y CHEEKY words aud
light talk, and so far succeeded MS TO in.
duce him TO 20 into the kitchen with her.
"Lct me make the fire for your he said.
His wife acquicsccd. lie made the fire
and then seemed TO relapse into his previ-
Gus state of dependency. lie was dis
couragcd lac said and wanted 10 give up
and quit. lie fummagcd his pockets aud
locb thorcirOm number OF Odds and
ends, uiulets and what not, and handed
them around among his children. lie
had two pocket knives aud he ldlt enc Of
them. lie embraced his wife and his
children ailcctionatcly several times, then
picking up his hat lac started out.
His wife hailed him aud asked him II
lac had not better wait Tor lunch.
81 will be back directly" hc replied
and kept on.
Since that date he has not been seen.
Ills family las been exercised about him
ever since, fearing that tie had given up
the ghost.
IL isnoi thought that he met with any
violence save from his own hands lie
was high spirited man who. becoming
dsheancncd aud disgusicd with ihe world,
aud feeling that be- WAS overwhelmed by
ihe buieiiugs 81 fate. preferred death,
rather than o. I've a useless burden upon
BE- good u.ie's labor. FO1lsh2 Perhaps
80 lsig1b;eiiy - And yet. there is a
slu d ogufsgeyus royalty 10 the act that
rai-s Ii abgte the chafgC 81 cOwardice.
Nlfl animal etticn0e j. not life 20 men'
u sp.fiL They prefer oblivion.
OgE bottle u PATS Chiordcs contains
more dlslnicciing power than ten pounds