The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-11-26
The Latter, While Working in a Gel
lar, Was Provoked by johnson to
Commit the Assault.
DEED WITNESSED BY SEVERAL
JOHNSON APPARENTLY WAS ANXIOUS
TO PICK A QUARREL.
Murray Walked Away Before the Ar
rival of the Police-Both Men
Are Colored.

James Johnson, a negro who recently
came from Louisville, walked up Indiana
avenue yesterday afternoon about $40
o'clock intent on picking a quarrel. He
met his wish when he accosted Thomas
Murray. another negro working on an ex-
cavation at 327 Indiana avenue. Johnson,
in order to arouse the anger of Murray
assailed him with vile epithets. In re-
taliation Murray grabbed pick and struck
Johnson on the forehead, crushing his
skull Johnson was taken in a dying con-
dition to the City Hospital. where it was
said that he could not live many hours.
Murray. after striking johnson. left his
work and has not been captured
All the stories told by witnesses TO the
act was provoked by Johnson. The latter
began his insulting remarks at Senate and
Indiana avenues. At this point he met
George Wenzler. pipeman at No. engine
house. Wenzler was riding a team of
horses. AT the corner the horses began
prancing if feeling good johnson start
ed across the street, walking south to Sem
ate avenue. He saw the actions of the
horses, and in maudlin tone told wenz-
Ter that the horses were full of ginger"
Wenzler. seeing that the man was intoxi-
Gated, paid no attention. Johnson, because
he was not recognized. turned and started
to follow Wenzler. The latter continued
up Indiana avenue to New York street
when he turned his horses and started TO
the engine house. When he arrived in the
middle OF the square he saw Johnson tall
ing to number of workmen employed in
excaVatlng cellar for James L. Keach AT
321 Indiana avenue. WenZler said he heard
loud talk. johnson was leaning over the
cement walk and talking to Murray.
USED PICK AS WEAPON.
While Wenzler was watching the men
Murray jumped from the cellar to the sida-
walk and ran toward johnson with nick
in his hand. Before any words could be
spoken. he said, Murray raised the weanon
and struck Johnson in the middle of the
forehead, crushing the skull. Murray did
not use the point of the pick, but struck
Johnson with the middle, or blunt side
Johnson fell bleeding to the sidewalk II
was said by witnesses that Murray landed
another blow on Johnson's head after he
had fallen. Murray, after realizing what
he had done, threw the pick back in tho
cellar and walked to the rear of a bousa
about twenty feet away. He then turned
ana $1,000 Watchlng his victim for two or
founded by the crime and stood motion
less. Murray later walked from the niace
and disappeared through an alley
The foreman in charge of the mon d;,
ging the cellar at once telephoned the no
lice, and the City Hospital was also nati-
fed. The ambulance took the Injured man
to the hospital. The other workmen -
turned to their labors and seemed NOT In
clined to discuss the affair. One of tber,
James Pittman, old colored man SAID
that Johnson had first approached him bv
saying. What in the - are you IoolinS
for down in that hole?' Pittman renIiaS
that he was not looking for johnson and
that the latter had better go AWAY Jobn-
son was obdurate, and then turned his a.,
tention TO Murray, who was working near r
the sidewalk Johnson approached Nurra,,
and asked him what he was doing yVi,h
out looking up Murray answered that ba
was digging out the cellar, and anv nigyar
with sense could see it," This rensrL
nettled johnson. who retorted with a 49,
OF profanity. Pittmsn said Murray dronnad
his shovel and walked toward the ia
walk where he found a pick and strnck
Johnson on the head.
None of the workmen knew ANYTHING re-
garding Johnson 1t was said thar he
recently came to this city from I,oIisviiie
and has been working in one of the hotels
as a waiter. Captain Kruger and Bicvcie
Policemen Losh and Askins. who say John-
son before he was taken away. said he
Tailed with the description given OF the