Omaha daily bee., 1899-01-30
MURDER MYSTERY UNSOLVED
Careful Work for Over Year Fails to
Reveal the Criminal.
SAD FATE OF cIGARMAKeR JOHN JOHNSON
Found Dead with n Bullet Hole In His
Head In Gage Countrywide
tailed History of the
Case.

BEATRICE, Neb., Jan. 29.-(speciai.)-
Among the mysterious murders which have
occurred in this country in past years that
OF John Johnson. who was murdered In the
northeast part OF this county some time In
the early part OF the year 1897 or the latter
part Of 1896, bids fair to remain forever as
complete a mystery as any ever recorded.
Owing TO a desire on the part Of friends
who have all these months been diligently
engaged in an effort to clear UP the mys-
terry, no report Of their findings made thus
far has before this been given to the pub
lie. and beyond routine report OF the f1nd-
ing Of the remains and the result Of the
coroner's Investigations made at that time
the public has never been taken into the
confidence OF the oficialsa Now however,
when they are completely baffled and hoping
that perhaps complete review Of the case
might possibly lead to some clew, 1t Is given
out for publication.
On the evening OF November Q. 1897, Louis
f. Miller, then coroner Of this county, re-
ceived a telegram from Mr.. Burcham Of
Firth. notifying him that the remains Of
man had been found near there. Two boys
while out hunting had suddenly come upon
the feshless bones as they lay on the side
OF a ravine running through patch Of dense
When the coroner and deputy sheriff ar
rived at the place the remains were taken
in charge, and as 1t was seen that the man
had been shot through the head a close
search was made OF the ground for several
rods around for q weapon. but none was
found.
The evidence Of a competent physician who
was present was that the man had been
dead long time. The flesh had all disap-
peared and only bit Of hair remained on
the head and upper lip. showing he had had
a mustache.
Bullet Hole in the Head.
A bullet hole extending entirely through
the skull the shot entering slightly above
the right ear. bore grim evidence OF the
manner OF his death. The failure to find
a revolver and the further fact that not
thing was found upon his clothing to lead
to his identity led at once to the conclusion
that he had been murdered. Although the
clothing worn. which included an overcoat,
were OF the finest texture, all the marks
usually found upon mems garments had been
carefully removed.
The coroner was nonplussed and apparently
at sea regarding clew to the mans identity.
Finally R. B. Appleget. former merchant
tailor Of this city. was called In to examine
the clothing. He at once said the entire suit
and overcOat were tailor made and all cut
from the same piece OF cloth. In searching
for a Chew as to the makers name one of
the buttons. all Of which had become heavily
coated with rust. was taken off and after
being thoroughly cleaned with oil revealed
the much desired information and furnished
the nrst clew in the case. The name which
the buttons all bore was that OF j. J. NC
oil rhonk <ot1 ~
N. d.
Immediately communication was opened
with him by Coroner Miller by wire and
McCallum wired for samples Of the goods
An order Of the court was secured and a
small piece was cut from each garment,
which. together with one Of the buttons, was
sent to Grand Forks by express Immedi-
ately on their receipt by McCallum he tele-
graphed that he identified the clothing per-
fectly and that 1t had been made in his es-
tablshment for man named John Johnson.
BY mail he also sent a complete description
OF the man. johnson was a union cigar
maker and was well known all over the
northwest and In Chicago and st. Louis.
Further Proof.
Under date of November 23. 1897,
q George Il. Dobell Of Fargo, who had been
apprised by McCallum OF Johnson's death,
wrote the coroner. adding further proof of
the mans identity He also told about
Johnson having been partner OF his in
the cigar business how he had sold out
and had started presumably for Chicago
When he left Fargo Dobell says he had
$500 In cash. an open-fa gold watch, q
diamond shirt stud and other jewelry
Dobell and his friends were much alarmed
at the receipt Of news Of Johnson's death
and wree anxious to assist in clearing UP
the mystery surrounding 1t.
H. p. Ryan. chief Of police at Grand
Forks. George A. Bangs, city attorney also
OF that city and police officers and detectives
In half dozen other cities at once inter-
ested themselves In the AFFAIR
As means Of further Identification. one
OF the man's shoes and a small pocket knife
FOUND In his clothing were sent to Grand
Forks and were Immediately and positively
identihed by D. Sulzbach. who had at vari-
ous times been intimately associated with
johnson. 1t was from him that the first
positive Information was received regard
Ing the date Of Johnson's departure from
there. which was December 8. 1896.
In one letter from George Dobell he said
that Johnson's father formerly lived at Ack-
ley. la. Coroner Miller at once telegraphed
there. but the manager OF the local Office
person. Several weeks later A. c. Stock
wrote from Ackley. asking for particulars
OF the case and about the same date which
was In January. a letter was received by
tha coroner from l.. J. Peterson OF Bel
mont, Ia. whose wife proved to be q sister
OF the dead Johnson. They were unable
to throw any light on the matter. however
and although since then assisting in the
search. have been unable to offer anything
In the way Of . clue.
Undoubtedly Murder.
Johnson was undoubtedly murdered some
time during the winter OF 1896. Whether
he was lured to the spot and then murdered
or the body brought to the lonely out of the
way place from some other point is a part
OF the mystery which surrounds the case
Among those who have interested them
selves In the search for Johnson's mur,
derer are Max Conrad. financial seeretar,
Of Cigar Makers union No. II of Mime.
apolis and Henry Fader, financial secretar,
OF Cigar Makers union No. 9y OF st. Paul
Both OF them were we'll acquainted will
johnson. They say he was a man Of nm,
appearance and excellent address and o
good habits. II he was murdered, which
appears certain. they say It was undoubt
edly for his money, with which he wa
alWaya thankfully aunpltad