Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1889-07-13
Tie Pal84s2 Cl!. r.4s &.

On last Monday morning at about s
o'clock Henry Cochrane, who lives
about 81 miles north of Palouse City,
went over to his neighbours, R. d. John
son, and on knocking at TIE door two or
three times the only response he received
was the cry of child calling for its
mother. He then went to the window
and called the name OF Mrs. johnson,
but received no reply except the cry of
the child. On forcing open the door
and ascending the stairs he was met by
CHASTITY sight. Lying at the head OF
the stairs was Mr.. johnson with
bullet hole in the forehead; revolver
was lying partly under the body. On
the bed lay the body of the little boy,
Willie, and that of Mrs. johnson with
two wounds in the head, and the little
girl, who was still alive with bullet
hole through the temples. Mr.. Cochrane
at once gave the alarm and messenger
was dispatched for the coroner. An in
vestigation Of the premises disclosed
note pinned to the front door, as fol-
lows: Come in, open, we are all up
stairs dead.
The little girl when asked who hurt
her said her brother stuck stick into
her eye. She also stated that her father
gave them all lemonade, and that her
mother screamed. The little one was
tenderly cared for and Drs. Magee and
Williams did all in their power to relieve
her suffering. Scattered about the
house were found the following notes:
CEDAR CREEK, July 6th.-This deed
may seem strange to some that 1 do it,
for (it) is nothing more than this world
is two wicked to live in. I don't want
to live any longer in it. l can't bar to
leave my family in it. They will bee
with Jesus before you see this. hope
that Good will forgive me. 1 give my
all to him. 1 want everybody to prey
for me. want to go to heaven. This
world is too full of sin. want P. A.
Mcconnell to settle up my business.
What is left, for him to divide equal be-
tween himself, Ellen Boon & VIM. Nc
Connell Good by. ROLAND JOHNSON.
Everybody forgive me, and if P. A.
Mcconnell can't no more settle my
business I want Evan Peddicord or VIM.
Mcclure to do it.
II o'clock.-I give stricnene. It
Thread Willie and Onnie in such fits
that they wanted to bee shot. I have a
dose for myself but will shoot. 1 can't
stand to see them have fits any longer.
This is all done through love for my
family. I know they will go to heaven
and not be off in sin as here. can't
live any longer and can't leave my fam
lily in so wicked world. May millions
come to Gesus through this.
Later-6 :4O.-This is not through envy
for love. I can't leave my family in SO
wicked world. They will all go to
Gesus now. I hope to go with them.
hope that Good will forgive me.
have been great sinner. I give my
life, my all for it. hope we will all
bee in glory son. Trouble and sorrow
are no more. l want to go. j. X.
johnson had been in this county for
ten or twelve years and was one Of the
wealthiest farmers in the Palouse coun-
try. His neighbors have always regard
ed him as being eccentric. On Satur-
day he was in Palouse and bought
new moving machine of J. Olsen. At
that time he seemed perfectly rational.
The prosecuting attorney and sheriff,
after viewing the remains and consider
ing the circumstances, decided that it
was not necessary to hold an inquest.
There is but little hope of the girls
recovery, and even if she does she will
be blind. Mrs. johnson was the sister of
Perry Mcconnell, and is spoken of in
the highest terms by all who knew her.
The boy, Willie, was bright lad of
fourteen years of age, great favorite
among his playmates. The little girl,
Onnie, is only seven years old. The
tragedy is one of the most horrible on
record and has greatly shocked the en-
tire community.
.