The daily morning journal and courier., 1898-08-29
LIKE MURDER IND ROBBERY.
Mystery Surrounding the Death of Joel
 Johnston, the Engraver.


 The friends of Joel Johnston, the Norwegian engraver, whose body was found on the beach in front of Smiths South End hotel last Tuesday morning are daily becoming more confirmed in the opinion that the unfortunate man met his death by foul play. It will be remembered that when Johnston's body was found it was without coat and hat. Both these articles of apparel were found later, lying on the sand near where the body was discovered. John ston always carried valuable watch and this together with a heavy gold ring which he wore were missing when he was recovered and have not since been found. Johnston's wife says also that she is positive that he had be- tween $400 and $500 on his person. She says that he never would trust his money in the bank and always carried it with him. He had short time be- fore his disappearance sold his house. hold furniture with the intention of going back to Norway soon and the money received for this was part of that he had with him. The widow is in delicate health and is grief stricken. Their only child, young boy, is in Norway with his grandmother, and Mrs. Johnston has no relatives in this country. They had given up the inten- tion of returning to Norway at once and had decided to wait until next spring.
 It was said after the finding of the body that Johnston was seen at Light house Point slightly intoxicated about 10 o'clock on the night of Friday, Aug ust 19, the night he disappeared, but this statement cannot be verified. Ed ward Sinister, bartender for Landlord Taylor of Taylor's hotel at Lighthouse Point, who had slight acquaintance with Johnston, says that he did not see him that Friday night A young son of MT. Taylor, however. says that he saw Johnston about 9:30 that night and that the latter was then alone walking to- wards South End and that he did not seem to be intoxicated.
 Among those who last saw Johnston alive is Edward Sigel, a machinist, whose shop is at the corner of State and Wall streets, and who resides at No. ii Hine Place. Mr. Sigel says that early in the evening of August 19, Johnston, whom he knew very well, walked down State street with him as far as Bishop street and there took a car for Lighthouse Point While it is possible that the money, the watch and the ring may have been taken from the body after it was thrown upon the beach by the waves, this is not thought to be probable and until some clue as to whether or not Johnston had dis posed of these articles of his own &C., cord is secured, the circumstances sur rounding the case will remain very sus- picious, pointing to robbery and pos sibly murder. Johnston's close friends say that they do not think he would commit suicide. They say that he was of cheerful disposition, never morose or down spirited and that they know Of no trouble which he had which would lead him to self destruction. When the body was found it was very much bloated from having been in the water and on one side of the trunk was a large bruise and discoloration which might have been caused by a blow or by the body beating against rocks in the water.
 The detectives are now working on the case, but whether or not they have found any clue to the solution of the mystery is secret of the bureau. The fact that Johnston was in the habit of carrying a large sum of money with him could not have been generally known