The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1923-07-05
MURDERS SLEEPING
WIFE; STAYS SELF
CHARLES o. JOHNSON CON-
MITS TERRIBLE TRAGEDY
AT HOME OF RELATIVES
FORMERLY OF OSAKIS
HAD BEEN DESPONDENT OVER
DEATH OF SMALL SON
LAST CHRISTMAS

The following story of terrible
tragedy which occurred in Mime
apolis last Thursday evening, appear
ing in the Minneapolis Journal of
Friday, will be of interest as the
principals were formerly residents of
Osakis:
CHARLES o. Johnson, age 43 of
Grand Forks, N. D., shot and killed
his wife, Jennie, age 3S, while she
was asleep early today, at the home
of her sister, Mrs. C. C. Miller, $3.50
Emerson avenue N, and then lay on
the bed and shot himself twice, once.
In the head, then through the heart.
Both were dead when police reached
the house.
johnson was arrested in St. Paul
late yesterday on a charge of driving
his automobile past open streetcar
gates, and his wife had scolded him
for his carlessness.
+ johnson was custodian of the
science building at the University of
North Dakota, Grand Forks, and was;
on an automobile trip with his wife
and daughter, Fern, age 6, visiting
relatives in Minnesota.
Fern, the daughter, was asleep in
downstairs room with her cousin,
Gladys Miller, age IL, and was
awakened by the shots, but has not
been told that her mother and father
are dead.
"Mr. Johnson had been respondent
Mrs. Miller said. "He had brooded
over the loss of his son, Everett, aged
2, who died of scarlet fever at Chris
mas time.
Yesterday Mr.. and Mrs. johnson.
Fern and / drove to st. Paul and at
one corner Mr.. Johnson drove past
open streetcar gates and narrowly
missed running down a man in the
street. Police arrested him and he had
to put up $40 bail to insure his ap-
pearance in court today.
"Mrs. johnson reproved him for
not being more careful, and when
they retired for the night, about 10
p. M, he was in bad humor. Shortly
before 3 a. m. noise awakened me.
was in the downstairs bedroom and
the Johnsons were upstairs.
Il heard door slam, them l saw
light. just a moment later a pistol
shot rang out. I was frightened, but
jumped up and started for the door.
Two more shots were fired before 7
reached the upstairs bedroom.
sHThau Waro both Io,I Me- I'll
son had not moved, and apparently
had been sound asleep when she was;
killed."
"Mr. Miller was absent at the time.
He is a railroad brakeman and arriv-
ed home from a trip at 1880 a. m.
today. The only other person in the.
house was LIE Roy Miller, aged 13.
"The Johnsons left their home in.
Grand Forks week ago and arrived
in Minneapolis Tuesday, after
short visit with Mr.. Johnson's rela-
tives at Osakis, MINI.
"Cornor Gilbert Seashore took
charge of the case and the bodies
were removed to an undertaker's
chapel at 513 Plymouth avenue N.
"Johnson's name was the first one
called in St. Paul police court today.
Patroleman E. Crayne, who arrest
ed him at Prior and University ave-
nues, appeared as witness.
When the court was informed that
the defendant was dead, the bail was
declared forfeited.
"The Johnsons had lived in Grand
Forks IA years, prior to that time
making their home at Osakis. Mr..
Johnson is survived by two brothers.,
John and Ole of Osakis, and two sis
tiers, Mrs. John Danielson and Mrs.
Hans Larson, both of Grand Forks.
Mrs. johnson leaves two brothers,
Martin Bake of Mallard, Mimi, and
Christ Bake of Fergus Falls, and.
two sisters, Mrs. Ole Jergens of Grand
Forks and Mrs. Miller of Minne--
apolis.