The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1897-03-25
Tom Johnson.s Trial for Murder.

So we'll is Thomas johnson known in
Yakima that the following account of his
trial for the killing OF VIM. Donohue at
Peshastln, as told by Attorney Thomas
c. Gritiitts of Spokane, is reproduced
Thomas Johnson had been resident
| of kitttas county - years, and WAS the
| first treasurer of the county at its organ
ization. He had previously lived for 10
or 10 years in klickitat county, where he
had been probate Judge, having been
elected to that office over Hon. J. b.
Reavis and Hon. o. Il. Dunbar, both
cow members of the supreme court of
the state. He had formerly been a mer.
chant in Ellensburg, proprietor of the
Johnson house, the leading hotel before
the fire; an extensive cattle dealer, mine
owner and Spectator and was in conse
quence we'll known over the greater
portion of the state, as well as in Oregon.
At the time of the shooting, June ), 1896,
he was engaged in mining at Blewett, in
the Peshastin mining district.
William Donohue, the deceased, was
also an old resident of kittitas county,
prominent and we'll known. Some 10 or
II years ago he and Johnson fell out over
some property interests and had several
bitterly contested lawsuits. Donohue
seemed never to get over the i'll feeling
engendered by these controversies, but
nourished an undyng hatred for John.
son. frequently threatening to kill him,
as some of the witnesses testified.
In the spring OF 1896, the Shafer Gold
and Silver Mining Company, of which
johnson WAS president, purchased the
Pole Pick mine and l0-stamp mill at
Blewett and placer claim in the town
Of Blewett, which latter Donohue claimed
encroached upon millsite owned by
his wife. On the morning OF June s.,
1896, Johnson put some men to work on
the placer claim, and Donohue drove
them off with revolver. Johnson then
went to see Donohue, and he claimed that
that in the course of conversation he
came near being shot with Winchester
rifle in Eonohue's hands.
A few hours later the two men met at
| the junction Of two roads in Blewett and
| each went for his revolver. Johnson was
the quickest and the result was that
Donohue was killed.
The prosecution claimed that Johnson
had come upon Donohue unawares from
behind some brush and shot HIM, while
Donohue was holding one line in each
hand, backing his team. Three witness.
es testified in support of his theory.
Johnson denied this and claimed that
Donohue WAS drawing his revolver to
| shoot him when he fired the fatal shot.
The trial commenced March . and a
verdict of not guilty was rendered about
8 O'Clock on the morning of the 18th.
The prosecution was represented by the
prosecuting attorney Of kittitas county,
Mr.. Kaufman of EIensburg, Hon. IL. J.
Snively OF Yakima and Dore 4 Cross of
Seattle. The defense was conducted by
Thomas G. Grftitts of Spokane, Carroll
b. lGraves and Judge Pruyn of Ellens,
burg.
Mr.. Johnson, the defendant, immedi-
ateIy upon his discharge departed for
Tacoma to look after his business inter.
ests and as he has extensive mining in
terests near Ainsworth, b. c., and in the
SLOGAN district, he will probably in a
short time make his home in Spokane.