The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-07-14
HE WAS BENT ON MURDER
BUT BEN c. JOHNSON CONCLUDED TO
DIE WITHOUT HIS ADORED ONE.
Chased Her for Awhile and Then
Shot HimSeIf-A Railroad Clerks
Deed While Drunk.

As the result of a drunken spree and a
jealous fit. Benjamin c. Johnson, twenty
three years old attempted TO kill himself
last evening by shooting himself through
the body He is now at the City Hospital
with the bullet still in his body. but there
is strong hope for his recovery. The bullet
entered the left side just below the ribs. 1t
could not be located in probing, and will
probably be allowed TO stay in his body.
There is a peculiar story of insane jeal-
ousy back Of the attempt at suicide. John
son is night clerk at the Panhandle freight
house. He lives with his parents, at No
1853 West Francis street, North indianapolis
He has been calling on Miss Katherine
Maurney, of No. 315 (old) North Senate ave-
nue., for some time, but on account of his
drinking habit the young ladys parents
forbade him to call. He was at the house
Sunday evening and Mrs. Maurney ordered
him to leave.
Yesterday he drew $S5, his months salary
and the first account of his doing is that
given by John M. Williams, a young man
from Cincinnati who struck up an ac-
quaintance with Johnson a week or so ago
Williams was walking along Washington
street at about o'clock when he saw a
a. a
his attention was attracted to the man and
he saw him stagger and lose his hat He
picked up the mans hat and when he
handed IL to him recognized him as Ben
Johnson a man whom he had met a few
days before. johnson recognized him and
invited him to take drink. They went to
Harry Walkers saloon, near the corner OF
illinois and Washington streets, and from
there drifted around on the ''IeVee' In the
course OF their walk they met two women
who seemed to be known to Johnson, and
Kingston
restaurant and mad supper.
A SUPPER THAT COST $3.50.
Johnson had been drinking before Will
liams met him, and by the time they met
the women he was drunk. He was in a
maudlin condition by the time they arrived
up stairs, and he ordered wine and drinks
like prince. He gave the waiter $1.75 in
tips and paid bill of $3.50 for the supper
AS soon as the women had eaten their sup
per and filled themselves with extra dry"
they left the estaurant, and Johnson and
Williams again went out into the street
But johnson insisted upon having another
drink, and they went into Trons saloon.
There Johnson made a big flourish of his
money and ordered drinks for everybody
in the place. Several responded to the invi-
tatlon. Two young men declined, and he
drew pistol from his pocket and placed
it at the breast of one of them. He laughed
and said he did not intend TO shoot but had
the gun Tor another purpose.
There are five shots in it, he said: ;
three or them for her and two for me will
end the whole thing"
The drinks were paid for and Johnson and
Williams went out into the street again.
previously the two men had conyersed with
Miss Maurney by telephone. Williams
called up John B. Owens's drug store, on
Senate avenue, opposite the Maurney home,
and had message sent across the street
requesting Miss Maurney to come to the
telephone. She responded and Williams at
n 10 IL inc 10 frlA Nj
that he and Johnson would call at o'clock.
She insisted upon talking to Johnson, and
asked him not to call. He insisted and
even when she told him she would not be at
home, he said he would call anyhow.
When the two men left Irons saloon it
was to take North Indianapolis car to
the two young men who had met Johnson
in the saloon They were going to North
indianapolis. on the car Johnsons behav-
Tor was such that the conductor came near
ejecting him. The conductor seemed to
know him. He called him by his first name
and finally succeeded in getting him to quit
cursing and using the language which had
shocked the passengers. The conductor was
glad enough to let him off at Senate ave-
nue. and North street.
On the way out Johnson told Williams
that he was going to kill my girl and
then end his own life. She has been going
with another man." Johnson told Williams
land | think it is about time to settle the
whole business. Three bullets for her and
two for myself will end it all
SHE ELUDED HIM
When the two men reached the Maurney
home Miss Maurney and her mother and
brother were sitting on the porch. 1t was
not yet o'clock and was still daylight.
Miss Maurney had seen Johnson approach
ing and she ran into the house to avoid
him. Williams did not stop. He walked past
the house, crossed the street and stopped
at the drug store opposite. He saw Johnson
raise his hat to Mrs. Maurney and then
saw him enter the house In moment he
saw Johnson running after Miss Maurney
and the latter lodging him in and out of
the house. He became frightened lest John
son would carry out what he supposed was
q drunken jest, and ran across the street.
Johnson was by this time out of the house
and in the yard at the side of the house.
Just Williams reached the lattice gate
his coat and vest, tore off his collar and
tie and shot himself in the abdomen. When
Williams reached him he was lying on
the ground pulling up grass by the roots
and moaning that he wanted to die.
The police and City Dispensary were hoti-
fed by telephone. DR.. Rhodes hurried to
Hospital He will probably recover. The
young lady in the case became hysterical
as soon as Johnson had shot himself and
when the police and reporters arrived she
was being held upon a sofa by several
women. After awhile her uncle took her
away from the house in a carriage. She is
said to be greatly affected over the shoot
ing of the young man.
Johnson is employed as night clerk at the
Pennsylvania freight house in this city. He
seems to have a large circle of acquaint-
ances and to be popular He told a num-
Der of people whom he met yesterday aft
ernoon that they would not see him again
and shook hands with them. He fourished
his piston on several occasions and spoke
about putting bullets in his girl and him
self but his friends saw that he was drink
ing and paid no attention to him. One man
tried TO get the pistol away from him, but
became convinced that it would be a dan
Johnson got off the street car he said to
the conductor
well, goodbye. old man, this is the last
time you will ever see me. I'm going over
here now to kill my girl and myself
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