Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-11-05
Noted Prohibition Leader Muir
dered by a Prisoner at
Newton, I'LL.
HIS SLAYER COMMITS SUICIDE
The Tragedy Was the Result Of Some
Litigation Over an Account Which
Had Been Put Into Judgment-John-
SON Was Vice Presidential Candidate
on Prohibition Ticket in 1896.

Newton, ILL.,, Nov. 5.-Hale Johnson,
prohibition nominee for vice president
in 1896, was shot and instantly killed
yesterday by Harry Harris of Bogota.
The slayer attempted flight, was over
taken, and committed suicide by taking
poison.
The shooting was the result or dls-
pute over claim Johnson, as lawyer,
was endeavoring to collect. How Har-
ris managed to poison himself is mys-
terry. but he died in agony as the ON
GERS were conveying him to the Jali IN
this city.
The murder Of Johnson took place on
the public highway four miles south Oh
Newton. and one and half miles west
Of Boos station, where Harris was
buyer and shipper of poultry
The legal firm Of Gibson q 'oiinsoi
had a collection on Harris. An eAecu-
ton had been issued, and Mr.. Johnsoh'
accompanied by Deputy Sheriff Ritt-z
man. attempted to levy on iot u
no,,Itry Harris was taking to zoos sta-
ton for shipment. The levy was mace,
and the deputy sheriff took charge OF
tbe poultry. driving off towards boos'
leaving Johnson in the buggy talking
to Harris, who was stanolnS M ehe
road. Harris took a shotgun fro1n the
wa gon, and Rittnan, when ne hao gone
fifty yards, heard two shots. lhen
his horse ran away.
After catching the horse the deputy
went back and found the BODY OF JoIin-.
son living in the road, with the top OF
the head blown off and charge Oh shot
in the left breast Harris had gone.
The officer followed him to Bogota, ana
he was placed under arrest at ms
home, 80.
inst before starting for this town
with the officers Harris succeeded In
taking some kind of poison, supposed
10 he strychnine, and died just before
reaching here.
Harris was a respected citizen and
was related to the oldest and best
known families of this section. Inc
only theory advanced for his act is that
he was temporarily crazed by the depts
he had contracted while in business at
Rogota and collections that We're being
pushed.
Hale Johnson was one of the leading
nrohibitionists of the United States. III
1896. after having been nominated Tor
governor Of Illinois, he was placed on
the national ticket at the Plttsours
convention for vice president OF Tue
United states. Joshua Leverlng OF
MARYLAND being the candidate Tor pres
ident.
The candidate was on the stump dur
,ner tba entire campaign, visiting more
than thirty states. He was a Heiipei
of the national comnnitte and for nearly
four wears had served as chairman y.
the Illinois state central commute "
which he had been an iniluential iieiii-
Der for sixteen years.
Mr.. Johnson was prominent Iepeo
lican. conspicuous in southern llinois
nolitics for many years until 1907 wheN
he and others bolted the repupilcah
state convention because the convention
would not pledge the party TO submit
nrobihition constitutional amendment 10
vote of the people.
The prohibitionists of Illinois idolzea
Mr.. Johnson and he was held In high
esteem by the party workers thruout
the nation. Many prominent men IN the
marty. including National Chairman
Stewart. will attend the funeral.
Mr.. Johnson was born near Lafayette.
md. in 1S47. He served thru the civil
war in the One Hundred and Thirty
fifth Indiana volunteers. At the close
of the war he located in Marion county,
Illinois and several years later moved
TO Newton, Jasper county where Tor
many years he was engaged In the
practice of law. His law partner was
Judge Gibson, leading republican OF
southern uLlois. Mr.. Johnson leaves
widow, one son and four daughters.