The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1903-12-16
MURDERS WIFE THEN SUICIDES.
Leonard NJ. johnson SHOOTS His Young
Wife, And Then Ends His own
Existence.

ENIStPHCcs
About noon yesterday this community
was shocked and thrown into a state of
excitement by the report that a murder.
cold blooded and deliberate, had been
committed in Green township, this coun-
ty, and thata young wife had fallen victim
to the bullet of an insanely jealous bus
band. Later in the day it developed that
the tragedy proved to be one of those
double terrors so common to this day and
generation.
The story is not a long one
Leonard M. Johnson shot End killed
his wife, and then sent a bullet crashing
through his own brain.
About three years ago johnson met AMI
married Emma Viola Cousins. while the
young lady was visiting relatives in Mer-
Ger county. For a time, it seems, all
went we'll and the couple lived happily
together. A year or more g an es-
arrangement seemed to grow between
them. They separated, the omar com
ing to this section, making her home
with her uncle and aunt Mr.. and Mrs.
Orlando Longstretl, v hose home is l0cat-
ed near the road leading from Nebraska
to GolinZa, about two miles from the lat
ter place. 1t was here the tragedy took
place yesterday. Monday evening John
son came up on the train from New Cas-
tie, where was emplyed, and Liveryman
Garfield took him to Nebraska. From
there he walked 10 the home of his wife's
aunt, Mrs. Elmer Fitzgerald, a short dis
lance beyond where his wife was staying,
where he stayed all night. 1t appears he
talked considerably about his domestic
troubles while there, al d left sometime
in the forenoon. Shortly before eleven
o'clock he appeared at the Longstreth
home and was admitted by Mrs. Long.
streth, shak ing hands with her as he en-
tered the house. His wife was IN the
room engaged in sewing. He approached
aud shook hands with her and passed
some pleasant remarks, and, Mrs. Long
streth says, stepped back, drew a revolt
yer and shot at his wife. The first shot
missed her and she started to run for the
bedroom. The second shot struck the
woman in the shoulder, and the third
crashed through her brain from the back
of the head. She sank to the floor and
died instantly. This was done in an in
slant, and Mrs. Longstreth does not
know whether or not she or Johnson ran
out of the house first.
Neighbors were quickly aroused, but
nothing was done to a%pprehend the man
until Sheriff Noblit was summoned by
telephone. In company with ex-Sheriff
Jameson he arrived on the scene about
3 o'clock, and the tracks of Johnson were
followed toward Golinza by an old road
through the woods. About a half mile
hill, not far from the railroad along Big
Coon creek, the men came upon the life.
less body of Johnson. lie had run all
the way to where he was found. Beside
him lay a 81 calibre revolver with one
chamber empty, also an empty ounce
bottle labeled laudanum, the label bear
ing the name of Grifith's drug store, Oil
City. In the dead mans forehead, just
over the left eye was a bullet hole. This
told the story. There was no evidence of
a struggle, and it is believed death was
instantaneous.
The body was taken to shelter and
Coroner DR.. Morrow was sent for, and
was up last night and looked the situa-
ton over, deeming an inquest unneces-
sary.
Johnson was aged about 30 years, was
reputed to be a man of considerable
Intelligence. 1t is said his parents reside
near Fredonia, Mercer county, and he
bad been employed in the tin mills at
New Castle for some time. Jealousy and
failure to persuade his wife to live with
him is assigned as the motive for this
terrible deed.
The victim was aged about q years, She
was a grand daughter of the late William
Longsti eth, and Ler father died when she
was but a child. Her mother, Mrs. Cous-
ms was aiterward married to our towns.
man, George b. Armstrong, and died in
Tionesta about ID years ago.
1t is evident hat Johnson had planned
the tragedy by providing himself with
sufficient laudanum to end his life in
case the revolver should fail him. He
had also reloaded the weapon after shoot.
ing his wife, for all the chambers were
full except the ore he had emptied into
his own brain. He had probably drunk
the contents of the bottle before he shot
himself.
During last summer. while staying in
this section, the couple had some domes-
tic trouble, the wife having h m arrested
for assault and battery, but the case was
dropped before it. came to an issue in our