The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-05-16
EAST TEXAS TRAGEDY
DETAILS OF THE AEFRAY ON THE
JOHNSON FARM.
Efforts Were Made TO Calm the
Negroes. but They Were In
tent ON IA Fight.

san Augustine. Texas, May 12.-Later
details from parties a, the scene OF the
terrible and bloody tragedy enacted twelve
miles east of here in Sabine county last
night made it one OF the most horrible
on record in this section.
1t appears that William and John White,
two well-to-do negroes owning a fine farm
adjoining the farm of George L. and Felix
johnson, had rented part of the Johnson
farm Theodore Noble a young man liv-
ms near by. was working with George
johnson, sr.. Aaron and Jim. Yesterday
some controversy arose In the rented field
between Noble and Aaron aud Jim John
son and the Whites about 4 plow. and
they came near to blows. but finally Aaron
Johnson succeeded in stopping it, but the
two negroes left muttering, and told the
Johnsons that they would come up that
night and complain to George Johnson and
straishten matters up.
The negroes having a bad reputation,
Noble and Aaron johnson went oil to
Mobiles fathers house a mile distant. to
procure arms, and when they returned the
negroes were at Johusons talking to
George Johnson. making a statement
which was at variance with tho facts. and
t1e young men contradiot.i them. This
seemed 10 enrnge the negroes, and Felix
johnson. onc-legged Confederate soldier.
having lost leg at Mansfield interposed
and tried to queil the difficulty and this
seemed TO encourage the negroes who were
well armed. one having Winchester rifle
and the other revolver. ana a geaetal
fight ensued.
Noble WAS shot through the head and
bowels, never shooting al all Aaron
johnson was shot. though not seriously Ia
three places. Felix johnson VAS Shot
dubbed to irsensibility Jim Johnson was
knocked down and badly beaten. George
Johnson was dubbed over tte head and
Ierdered unconscious.
William White was shot through the
body, the ball not entering the cavity, and
was terribly beaten over the head, while
John White WAS badly dubbed over the
head with a Winchester The two negroes
crawled off and went home. distance of
quarter of a mile. and sent for II doctor,
but John White. after rallying, skipped
out
Theodore Noble died in great agony abou,
o'clock this morning, having lived about
twelve hours after the fight. George
johnson. at last accounts. was in a very
precarious condition. never having thor
oughly rallied.
Later news received here tonight is tina,
ABOUT CLOCK crown OF Wtll-ulsSuls''
men went TO Whites house and rushed In
on him and fired forty or fifty shots into
his body in the presence of his family, and
scouting parties are securing the country
in every direction In search OF John White.
who will doubtless 90 TO see his brother
William on q free ticket
From parties who were soon on the
scene, being in hearing distance when
the shooting began. the scenes of distress
at the johnson home must have been pit
liable In the extreme. All four OF the
Jchnsons and Noble are wounded and in
one house. surrounded by their families
and friends not knowing how severely
either of them were wounded and whether
any could recover and the blood bespat-
tered clothing puddles OF blood and seat
tered remnants OF broken guns, sticks and
rails about tho front gate.