The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1909-05-09
SHERIFF PONEROY RE-
TURNS TO THE CITY
AND TELLS THE UNHAPPY
STORY OF YOUNG JOHN.
SONS TRAGIC DEATH,

Sheriff NJ, r, Pomeroy OF this city
and county, returned TO the city last
night on the $50 express from Port
land, bringing with him, the remains
OF the unfortunate lad, Joseph John
son, who was killed in an attempt to
escape from Sheriff Pomeroy on the
train hence to Portland Friday night
Sheriff Pomeroy turned the body over
to Coroner ], A, Gilbaugh, as was his
duty, the hey being in his official
custody dead, as we'll as alive, and
the matter being as yet within the
purview OF the county authorities,
TO reporter for the Morning AS
torian Sheriff Pomeroy told the fol-
lowing facts in relation to the un-
happy incident OF the lads attempted
escape and consequent death, and it
was evident in the telling OF it, that
the officer felt deeply the sad out
come OF his official errand. He said:
We were approaching the station
of Holbrook and were about three
miles this side of that place. All the
way up l had occupied double seat
with Johnson and had not left him
for single moment during the time
we were on the train, even going to
the toilet and the water cooler with
him as often as he desired TO go 20
either. Just before we reached the
point alluded TO, ! had : ascertained
from the train.boy who sells papers
and books, etc. that Johnson had
whispered an inquiry to him as to
what chance he had to evade me and
make a getaway, TO which the sales
man, made no definite reply, but told
me OF il from a sense OF duty. On
hearing this | watched the lad closer
than ever, but reirained from putting
hand cuffs on him out OF considera-
ton for his youth and the fact that
he was not a criminal in any sense OF
the word and | did not care TO burden
him with anything he did not de-
serve.
"At the time and place spoken of
we occupied the double seat, on the
right hand side Of the aisle, Johnson
sitting next to the window with his
back to the engine, while I sat direct
ly opposite to him. next my window,
A friend OF mine, by the name of
Montgomery, had boarded the train
at Mayger, and when he found | was
not in the smoker, dropped into the
seat, at my left, and we soon became
engrossed in conversation. Johnson
was sitting quiet, and was reading a
copy of the Astoria Budget, and was
in my eye all the time. He gradual
ly worked his way along the seat
until he was practically at the outer
end OF it and next to the aisle, which
movement | thought was for the bet
ter light from the lamps hanging over
the aisle. Suddenly, without a sound
OF any sort, he made a twisting mo-
ton out of the seat into the aisle and
literally flew for the forward end Of
the car, and l sprang after him, call
ing upon him to stop and come back,
to which he replied by yelling at
me: You go to hell; he reached the
door about one long jump ahead Of
me and was out of it like fash,
slamming it squarely in my face. l
opened it almost before the lock bolt
had settled into place and was on the
platform reaching desperately for the
boys clothing, but l missed him and
he sprang from the train straight into
the face of a towering wall OF rock
and was flung back against and under
| the flying train.