The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1903-12-23
The Green Township Tragedy.

There is nothing especially new 10 be
reported in connection with The terrible
tragedy enacted at the Longstreth home
in Green township, on Tuesday morning
of last week, in which Leonard Johnson,
OF Mercer county, shot and instantly
killed his wife and then committed sui
eide by shooting himself through the
head with the same revolver, in both in
stances death being instantaneous. The
account of the affair as portrayed in the
REPUBLICAN, next day after it happened
was practically correct in all particulars.
On Thursday last the body of Johnson
was taken through here to the home of
his mother, Mrs. James Eastlick, near
Fredonis, Mercer county, where the flu
neral services were held on Friday. Ac-
c~ompanying the body were William and
Sandy Eastlick, step-brothers of the de-
ceased. Until they arrived in Oil City On
their way to Nebraska, they were I'M
aware that johnson had killed his wife
before taking his own life. The Eastlick
brothers are intelligent young men, and,
while grieving over the untimely and
tragic end of their step. brother, talked
unreservedly about the character and
habits of the suicide. He was 81 years of
age and had been reared in Mercer coun-
ty. His wife, who was Viola Cousins,
was 81 years of age, and an orphan.
About -four years ago, while johnson was
A~N 80 nc IN 1IAar ~ Il, tho NAuy
Castle tin plate mills, he became ac-
quainted with his future wife, who was
employed as a domestic with a New Cas-
tie family, Later, Leonard returned to
Mercer and in a short time Miss Cousins
came there and was employed at the
home of Rev. Mr.. McKelvy at the time
of her marriage with Leonard johnson.
After a short residence at Mercer follow
ing the marriage they removed to Green
Vile, where Johnson bought a property
and had a C comfortably furnished home,
and, according to the story told by his
relatives, his wife wanted for nothing.
Johnson was not drinking man, neither
was he qnarrelsome. Later Orlando
Longstreth, uncle of Johnson's wife, Sc
cured employment for him in the lumber
woods, and they removed to Forest coun-
ty, where the final separation took place.
OF late johnson had been employed as
assistant baggagemaster at McKeesport,
where he made his home with a married
sister. His father died when he was in
his infancy and his mother married Jas.
Eastlick, of Mercer. On Saturday prior
to the tragedy James Eastlick had a
birthday celebration and family reunion
and johnson and his married sister came
up from McKeesport to attend it. john
son seemed in high spirits and unusually
jovial.
On Saturday morning he went to see
II. w. Grigsby, Esq, at New Castle,
guardian for his wife. He asked him to
make an allowance for some money he
had paid out for medical attendance for
his wife. He came direct to Oil City
Monday and during the short wait be-
tween trains he purchased the ounce of
laudanum, which lie drank before firing
the bullet into his brain. He made no
secret of his intentions of going to Ne
! braska, explaining the object of his visit
ras to collect $40 that was due him for
,ot or. He also said that he had been
narr ed that it would not he safe for him
- ro,u II to Forest county, but did not
intimate that he had armed himself.
IN, al services of Mrs, johnson
,,oro hold a, he residence of her uncle,
Orlando Longs, 'reth, the scene of the sad
affair a, | o'clock on Thursday afternoon,
Rev. O. H. Nickle, of this place, officiat-
ing. The attendance was large anu 'ne
services were impressi> % and appropriate
to the occasion.