The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-10
Body of w. 0 Johnson Was Lying Between Logs in Field
 Near His Home
HIS EVIDENCE HELPED
 PUT TWO MEN IN JAIL
Officers of the Law Have to Unravel What They Say Is One of the Most Peculiar Cases in the His
 tory of the City.

W. D. Johnson, one of the most im- portant witnesses before the coroners jury Investigating the death of D. A. West, was found dead yesterday morning at 10 o'clock with a bullet hole in the breast.
 West was found lying almost dead on a lonely road beyond North Birmingham last Monday morning.
 On the strength of Johnson's testimony two men are now held insthe county jail charged with murder.
 The body of Johnson was stiff and cold, Indicating that death had resulted sev eral hours before. The discovery has caused no end of excitement in North Birmingham on account of the mans con- necton with the West murder mystery.
 Willie Nichols. a small white boy, dis covered the body. Together with several companions he was playing in an open lot near the corner of Third avenue and Eleventh street, In North Birmingham, and saw the man lying between two logs. Upon investigation he discovered that 1t was the body of Johnson and that ne was dead The boy immediately went to the Johnson home and notified the Wlle
 
 of North Birmingham, was also notified and hurried to the scene.
 Eyes Wide Open.
 With wide open eyes and his hat pulled we'll down on his forehead, the dead man was lying on his back. Both arms were stretched out by his side, and near the left hand was a 32-calibre Smith & Wes- son revolver. The weapon had one empty chamber and a bullet hole was discov- cred on the right side of his breast, which evidently caused instant death
 Marshal Cole notified Coroner Paris or the discovery, and the dead man was re- moved ir an ambulance to Gaudin's un- dertaking establishment. Coroner Paris summoned jury to investigate the cause of death, but the inquest was postponed until next Thursday, December IA, when 1t will be held at the city hall at North Birmingham In the meantime the body will be buried. It was prepared TOT puriai last night, and the funeral VIII nkey take nIace this afternoon from the family residence.
 Same Pistol Used.
 There is a great difference or opinion concerning the mans death, ana the po- lice authorities think that 1t was murder. The indications pointed to suicide, put d thorough search failed to reveal any note or word left by Johnson why he would take his own life. The pistol used was tbe same weapon exhibited at the inquest over the body of West, and Johnson's statement in his testimony at this inquest was that he loaned it to Harry Scrog- gins the night West was murdered. IL was the property of the dead man, and Tor that reason some think he killed himseil. There were no other bruises or marks on the body and no signs could be found of a scuffle having taken place. some think that the man was murdered wlth ;. his own weapon and his slayer placed the pistol where 1t was found to hlue the crime and leave the impression that ie was suicide. The dead man was round a&- rectlv in front of his home, which is on.y a short distance away, and many per sons had passed near the spot during thc early part of the morning.
 Johnson was last seen alive at O. CLOCK Friday evening when he left his nome and informed his wife that he was going to the store of w. J. Harris where ne had been employed as a clerk. Accord ing to the statements of several persons who reside near the Johnson home, they heard a pistol shot in the old lot about lo o'clock last night, and patroiman or North Birmingham said he was standing in front of the city hall and heard the report of a pistol coming from the v1cin- ity at 3:45 o'clock yesterday morning. Inquiry was made and 1t was found that Johnson did not go to Harris store and had not been seen there after nightfall. He worked as usual Friday and 1t IS said that nothing peculiar was noticeable in his actions, and if he had contemplated suicide he carefully guarded it. He was expected back after supper but never en- tered the store again.
 Mrs. Johnson Painted.
 When the widow was notified of the finding of the body she fainted and has heen in a serious condition since. She said yesterday afternoon that her hus- hand had told her he was going to the store and she begged him not to go out as she feared something awful was going to happen. He told her he was well able to take care of himself. and with that