The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1889-01-05
WRECKED BY GRIEF.
Judge Robert A. Johnston Com.
mits Suicide.
Sorrow Ovor tito Death OF His Wifc, for
Whom lie Had am Almost Limit.
loss Love, the Cause.

Robert A. Johnston, ex-Judge of the Uamil'
ton County Court OF Common Plens, shortly
after arising from his bed, at his home, at Linz
den and Main ave-, Avondnle, o., on the morn'
ing of December &c. at o'clock. fired bullet
into his brain aud died instantly.
Judge Johnston was man OF strong pny'
siquc, and possessed n keen, clear, judicial
mind. A long experience at the bar and an en-
viablc reputation rs n jurist were his. He was
ffty-three years OF ngc, and looked forty. HIS
home was happy one. His family was loved
and lovablc. He was not wealthy but his in
come was comfortable.
All his surroundings were congenial. Hi,
home was richly furnished. 1t was located In
q pretty suburb, with beautiful surroundings
and kindly, friendly neighbors, friends for yenrs
His family connections were ull excellent. His
children were bright, and two OF them were
married well and happily, and exccllcntly situ'
atcd In life. Judge Johnston, despite his sur
roundings, premeditatedly killed himself
startling his friends and acquaintances and
shocking his family.
"Why did he do ity' was the query which tho
startled public asked, after the first shoch
which the information of Judge Johnston's s
death created, had been in measure dissipat.
ed. There was only one answer and that was
that the death of Judge Johnston's wife, which
occurred October %. under peculiarly distress
ing circumstances, had so prcyed upon his mind
that it resulted In acute melancholia, u severe
attack Of which eliminated in suicide.
A few minutes before seven O'Clock that
morning Mary Fox. an old and faithful servant
of the family heard the judge leave his cham
Der on the second floor and go to the bath
room rs was his custom. He returned very
shortly and took glass of water from pitcher
standing in the hallway. Then he retired to
his own apartment. A moment later Miss Fox
heard the mut1ied shot of q revolver. She went
to the Judges door and knocked, but there
was no answer.
She repeated the knock, but still no response
With many misgivings the door was pushed
open. There, partly concealed b the curtains
over his bed, lying on the floor, was the body OF
Judge Johnston. The woman rushed forward.
He was still alive and in the agonies OF death.
With great haste the other members OF tho
household was awakened, and Sherock John
ston, n son, ran across the street and sum
moned Judge Buchwaltcr, while Miss Foa
went for Dr. Mitchell, who NJ
tended Mt once But the sufferer was be.
yond tho reach of ply scian's skill. He
lay upon the floor. his face upturncd and re
volver lying in his rigid ha nd. From hole ir
the right temple ooZcd life's liquid wine, but
there was nothing about the calm features
which indicated suffering. The dead man was
in his night clothes. He had gone to the bath.
room, and on his return knelt down by the bed,
placed the weapon at his right temple and sent
the ball crashing through his brain. The bul.
let passed entirely through his head.
Judge Johnston has been distraught for two
months past. His mclancholia was observed
by his friends and family. The attack of de-
mentin, during which Judge Johnston shot
himself, was precipitntcd by the melancholy
incidents surrounding n visit to the grave OF his
wife Mt Spring Grove Cemetery Christmas day.
Tine Judge had been very gloomy in IN nd early
Christmas day, and the gloom was increased by
the happiness which surrounded him on all
sides, and which he could see in the faces OF his
neighbors hear in the merry GARLIC of Christ
mas bells, and in all the innumerable things
that on Christmas day OF all the days In the
year, give external evidence OF Joy and merri
ment. Mental contrasts OF his sad Christmas
with tho holidays of years past, when his be
loved and beautiful wife was with him, were
made, and the contrast but increased the keen
ness of his melancholy.
Christmas morning Judge Johnston was un.
usually depressed. His children tried to cheer
him up. II was in VAN. All about him were
the recollections OF hs wife. Every thing in
the pretty home recalled her to him. Her por.
trait, standing on an easel In the drawing-room.
was wreathed with waxen-lcaved smilax His
pretty daughter, his brght-eyed young boy,
more than every one else, more than every
thing else, sharpened his memory, and made
more poignant his grief. He tried to brighten
up, but failed signally, and when the carriage
came TO the door before noon to take him. his
uoDgDter, MISS hoDcrtl ana nlS sou, iNODert a.,
jr., to the Clifton home OF John C. Sherlock the
son OF his sister, Mrs. Thomas Sherlock, he
was very despondcnt.
Christmas dinner at Mr.. Sherlocli's hand.
some home in Clifton with its brightness and
gaety, did not dissipate the dependency of
the Judge. After dinner he went out on tho
porch and into the bright rare Christmas sun.
shine. There he sat for some time and when
he came into the house again, traces of tears
were on his face, and there were tears in his
voice. After dinner the carriage came and
Judge Johnston, his sister, Miss Johnston,
and Miss Roberta and her brother Robert were
driven TO Spring Grove Cemetery, where,
in the family lot, lay the body OF the
beloved wife and mother. The scene in the
cemetery was affecting and after the visit the
Judge sat silent and sad in the carriage with
his sister and his children. Christmas supper
was had at the home OF Mrs Thomas Sherlock
Judge Johnson's sister, in Clifton where the
carriage was driven after the visit to Spring
Grove.
Christmas night, about eight O'Clock. the
family returned TO the home in Avondale, and
Judge johnson retired before midnight.
Robert A. Johnston was born November II.
1888 on a farm near Mt. Carmel, Clermont
County, o. His father was Campbell Johnston,
who for years was prominent and successful
Cincinnati merchant. Robert received an acad
emc education, and entered Hanover College,
Indiana, graduating from there with high hon.
ors in 1851. He then taught school for while,
and afterwards read law with his brother John
at Batavia. Graduating from the Cincinnati
Law School in 1851 he began the practice OF the
law. In 1851 he was a volunteer for the one
hundred-days call, and enlisted and served
under Colonel S. S. Fisher.
One term was served by him in council. A
large practice kept him busy until 1870, when he
was elected 10 the bench OF the court of com
mon pleas. In 1881 he was reelected, and
served until 1886, when he retired and took up
the practice o; the law with his brother john
His practice was II large one, for he was an
able lawyer. and his service on the bench gave
him great distinction in his profession. He has
lived In Avondale for twenty years, at Main
and Linden avenue. The people OF Avondale
irrespective of politics, elected him mayor, and
he served with satisfaction u all. Judge John
ston was % prominent Demoofat
Mr.. Mudd Will Contest.
BALTIMORE, Dec. 26-Mr. Sydney e.
u IN o.,