Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1891-06-10
BRUTAL MURDER
OF the Gay Head Indian Hsro,
Peter B. johnson,
Who SaIsd Many Lives It City Of
Columbus Disaster.


NEW BEDFORD, Mass, June 9-Petef
e. Johnson, the Gay Head Indian Who
fg ared 90 conspicuously in the saving OF
lives at the City of Columbus disaster, was
most foully murdered today on Egg island,
in the Acushnet river, about Q mile south
OF Fort Phillips. Fairhaven. Joseph Hamel,
fisherman, was out in the river with
George Frates, About 9 O'Clock he was
near the island, when be was hailed BY .
man who wanted to be taken to the main
land. HAmel said he hadn't time and the
man offered 81 so for . passage. Hamel
accepted the offer and the man got aboard.
Just - the bost reached the Faifhsven
shore, the stranger jumped into the water
and waded to dry land. Then he said that
he had no money, but that he had an uncle
and brother in the city who would pay.
He disappeared behind the Petticost beacon,
adding: "Now you 60 back and look after
my boat; I'll be back and pay you"
Hsmel and Frates went to the island and
on going ashore found on the side opposite
to where they took the stranger OF, the
body of q man lying near . boat, face
down. Blood besmeared the boat from
end to end. A felt hat in the boat was cut
and had hair adhering to the edges. A pile
of rope was covered with blood. Hamel
left for the main land at once. The mat
ter was reported to the Fairhaven author
tiles and Selectman John l. Bryant sent =
constable to the island to look out for the
body pending the arrival of medical ex-
aminer. 1t has been learned that johnson,
. man named Geo. Fletcher and q white
man left this city at p. M. last night in
Johnson's boat. All three had been drink
ing and there was quart bottle Of liquor
in the boat.
This afternoon, after the description of
the man supposed to have committed the
murder was given out. several of the liquor
dealers claim to have seen him in their
saloons. That the murderer came to this
city there can be no doubt. W. B. Wood,
Il pawn broker, says that about hslf-past
O'clock . man came into his shop and
wanted to trade coat and hat for an old
one, to get little money, he said, to get q
meal, Wood noticed the man had some
dirt, as he supposed, on the clothes, and
told the man that the clothing looked % il
he had slept in sewer. The man said he
guessed it was only dirt thst would brush
off, and asked Wood for another coat and
hat and so cents to boot Wood gave the
man the money, the man giving the name
of Charles Mxrston.
After news Of the murder reached this
city Wood noticed the description Of the
man from whom he purchased the coat and
hat exactly Tailed with the description of
the man who is supposed to have committed
the murder and remembered remark made
by Marston that he had been down river on
bit Of time.
On the sleeves Of the coat were found
dark stains and On the inside lining Of the
sleeves were large quantities Of blood stains
that had not been washed out in the hasty
soaking they received. The hat was found
to be spotted with blood. The man left
the shop at l.30 and was not seen again %
far as heard from. George Fletcher, who
went in the boat with johnson and the sup.
posed murderer, has not been seen today,
and in all probabilities he was killed also
and thrown overheard as there is no way of
reaching the land from Egg Island without
boat.
Johnson's body was brought to his city
this afternoon. The head HAD II cuts, the
little finger Of the left hand was completely
severed and the back OF the right hand cut,
as if the man threw up his hands as pro-
lection from the blows