County Observer and Monmouthshire Central Advertiser Abergavenny and Raglan Herald Usk and Pontypool Messenger and Chepstow Argus

EE ARE UL STORY OF MURDER AND OUTRAGE. | HANGING A MADMAN. 5 The Inter Ocean reporrs that for the first time in the history of Georgia a white man ha3 been hung for tho murder of a negro, Augubtus Johnson having been executed for tee murder of Daniel Alford. In many respects Johnson was the most remarkable criminal that ever suffered on tbe gallows. He openly con- fessed to having killed eight persons, and his lawyers and relatives, admitting the truth of the charges against him, made the sole defence upon the plea that he was insane upon the subject of killing, and was not responsible for his acts. The most of his victims were negroea. The murder for which he was hung was as causeless a crime as man ever committed. Johnson had just returned from the lower part of the State, having escaped from the lunatic asylum at MilledgeviUe. He had been sent there upon a. verdict of a jury, his relatives having insisted that he was insane. He spent hi& time after his escape in riding about the districts of Chattooga County, his home, armed to the teeth, bullying the citizens, threatening the lives of his relatives, a general object of aversion and terror. On the morning of the murder he was on one of his usual raids, having his gun slung across his back, and the contents of a whiskey flask in his stomach. He committed several minor acts of violence, and at last pulled up at the river, which he was desirous of crossing. The ferryboat happened to be upon the opposite side of the river. He found a white man or two, and a number of negro school children waiting to cross the river. He at onca called to the ferryman (Daniel Alford), who was talking to a friend, to hurry over with the boat. Alford walked leisurely to the boat, when Johnson cried out, "D—n you, hurry up." Alford replied, "If you want this boat brought over any faster you must come and bring it over vourself." At this Johnson lowered his gun and said he would shoot him if he gave him any more jaw. The negro replied, Don't fool me with that gun." At this word Johnson, who had been deliberately aiming, fired. The gun was loaded with buckshot, two or three of which penetrated Alford's breast. He fell dead across the ropes of the boat. Johnson did not leave the country, but for some time defied arrest, saying that it was "certaill death" for any man to touch him. At length he was arrested at a huge camp-meeting, whither, in reckless disregard of the law, he had gone for a frolic. He was tried and con- victed, and closed the trial by cursing the judge and solicitor in a most violent manner. He committed a murder some time before this under the most remarkable circumstances. A Mr. Wheeler, living now where Johnson's mother lived, had a valuable horse stolen. Ha offered for the recovery of the horse, adding that he would give that much additional if the thief could be captured. A day or two after the offer was maSe Gus Johnson c;ime riding up to his house, leading the stolen horse. He demanded the reward of$50. Of course Mr. Wheeler declined to pay it, as Johnson had only returned the horse and not the thief. Having made this known to Johnson, the latter replied, I caught the thief, but he Wus too heavy to bring." Wheeler still refused to pay the additional reward, when Johnson carelessly ran his hand in his pocket and pulled out a human ear. Here is the fellow's ear," he said; "I couldn't bring him after I had killed him, s& I just slit off his ear and brought it; with me as proof." It was just as he had said. He hud kill(id a man named Hunt, who he claimed to have caught with the stolen horse in his possession. The body of the murdered man, mutilated about the head as described, was found shortly afterwards. He had cut it open and eunk it in the river. A witness swore that before he reached Wheeler, Johnson had told him the whole story of the death of Hunt. There is a murder accredited to Johnson almost too fiendish for belief, although he himself confessed to having committed it. At a camp meeting in Chat. tooga County, he says, some young ladies persuaded a little negro baby, twa or three years old, to call him « daddy." This teased Johnson a good deal, who, however, held his rage until about dark. He then "tolled" the baby into the woods, and, once getting it in his grasp, cut its throat. He had some fish-lines set out in the river near by, and, being out of bait, cut the child into pieces and baited his hooks with it. He told his stery to several persons, but denied it to others. It was very currently pub- lished about a year ago, shortly after the sentence of Johnson, and has never met any public denitil that I kno w of certainly, no denial has beea printed. Johnson came of a very prominent family, one of the most distinguished in Upper Georgia. His uncles are all very highly respected, and are quiet, law- abiding citizens. His father, Colonel Jeff Johnson, while a violent and dangereus man, was esteemed, honour- able, and square. He and his sons were in hot water a great deal. One of the little difficulties they were engaged in may serve as a sample of their lives. During the height of the reconstruction prejudices Judge Kirby, a Republican judge, sentenced a man named Akers for some crime or other. Akers, who was very popular, defied the law, and said that he would not be arrested. Being j owerless, Judge Kirby ap- pealed ti the United States authorities for troops. These were promptly furnished. They at once arrested Akers and put him in gaol. They then established a garrison in the gaol for the purpose of holding him. A night or two afterwards alarge force of armed men, said to be abeut 1000, wearing masks, went to the gaol and besieged it. They sent a detachment after Judge Kirby. This gentleman was aroused from his bed and brought to the camp of the maskad men, in front of the gaol. A demand was then made upon the com- mandant of the troops for the person of Akers. lhe commander refused to surrender him, when the be- siegers told him that unless Akers was given up they would at once kill Judge Kirby, and then carry the gaol by assault and kill the prisoner. The officer in charge thereupon decided to surrender the prisoner over to the shadowy army in front of the gaol. This was done, and the crowd dispersed. It was thought that Colonel Jtff Johnson was in charge of this in- vesting host. Soma time afterwards, as Judge Kirby was coming across the Court House yard, he was attacked by two of the Akers, who were supported by a c'ump of friends. The judge's son, Colonel Jeff Johnson, Gus Johnson, and oae or two others at once rallied to pro- tect the judge. A regular pitched battle ensued. Several persons were wounded, among others Gus Johnson young Kirby killed Akers, the former pri- soner. It was then thought safest for the young Kirby to leave Chattooga and go to Texas. He did so, and Akers' brother followed him, it being thought that he desired to avenge his brother's death. Gas Johnson followed Akers, it being thought that he went for tbe purpose of protecting Kirby. It is now reported, Johnson himself taJing the story, that Akers was killed by Johnson. It was the policy of Johnson's attorneys to admit the truth of all the charges against their client, and to plead emotional insanity in his defence. Johnson's life in gaol was a hard aud unrepentant one. He never softened a moment during his whole carter. He was flippant, careless, and full of bravado. He effected a daring escape at one time, but was so full of desire to kill the gaoler that he hung about the city until he was recaptured. He made no sign of repentance or of regret at what he had done. He was married, and had one child. His wife was atone time forced to get a divorce upon fear cf his taking her life, but upon his being put in gaol, she went back to him and did all that she could do to help him. She belonged to an excellent family, and married him in a runaway match. His father was assassinated, and his brother was killed in Arkansas by a mob after a bloody resistance. He left Georgia because of having killed a man named Collings at Kingston. His father was once tried for murder, and had been engaged in several desperate affrays. He was a brave soldier. Johnson held his nerve to the last. He spent his last evening carousing and joking with a crowd, hav- ing driven bis weeping wife from the cell. When the crowd left for supper he told them to come back and r bring whiskey and have a heap of fun all night. He [ slept well, but not easily. The gaol was heavily guarded. A priest spent the morning praying with him. He demanded morphine before he would leave the cell, and smoked a cigar on the way to the scaffold. His last request was for whiskey, and the priest gave him holy water. He lasted it, cursed the priest, and threw him off the scaffold. He said he thought the holy water was gin. He examined the coffin critically, tied the noose with his own hands, and died with a croes in hand. A street preacher tried to talk, but the priest protested, and the evangelist left. Johnson complained that the drop of five feet wouldn't break his neck, and de- manded more rope. He asked the doctor if it would dislocate, and then, satisfied, made a speech. He con- fessed to four murders, and closed asking if some one would count the crowd for him. He asked that the black cap be left off. He as'sed the sheriff, "Will you hang me?" The sheriff answered, "Yes." "All right," said Johnson, and the drop fell. He died in seventeen minutes, strangled. Thus ended the career of a human monster. In the course of his speech Johnson said he knew of friends in the crowd who could rescue him, but he asked them not to.

THE FARNIIAM MURDER. A respite during her Majesty's pleasure has been granted to Obed Usher, who was convicted at the recent Surrey Assizes, at Guildford, before Mr. Justice Mtllor, of the murder of his daughter, a child 11 years of age, by smashing her skull with a heavy coal hammer. The offence was committed under rather extraordinary circumstances, as the pri- soner appeared to have suddenly made an attack on his child with the hammer without any provocation, and having killed her by these means he immediately went to a policeman and stated what he had done. The defence was insanity, and strong evidence was adduced in support of that defence. The prisoner bad formerly been in the army, and Dr. Blatberwick, a retired army surgeon, who had seen a good deal of him, and who voluntarily came forward to give evi- dence on his behalf, stated that he had conducted himself on several occasions in such an extraordinary manner that he bad no doubt that he was subject to periodical fits of insanity, and that he committed the act while suffering under one of these paroxysms. It also appeared that on one occasion he absconded from his regiment, and was dis- covered two or three days afterwards on his wife's grave with his throat cut in a frightful manner. It also appeared that he was under the delusion that his wife was alive, and that she was constantly ap- pealing to him for food. The jury, although they convicted the prisoner of muraer, strongly recom- mended him to mercy, and it appears that medical men have been sent to see the prisoner since his con- viction by direction of the Secretary of State. In con- sequence of the report made by them as to the condi- tion of the prisoner, it gppears that the Home Secretary considered it was a case in which her Majesty's clemency might be extended to the prisoner. He will not, however, be sent to a lunatic asylum, but the capital punishment will probably be commuted to one of penal servitude for life.

lifE. SPURGEON ON FISHING. Recently speaking at the Metropolitan Tabernacle to a crowded congregation, Mr Spurgeon said he had been lately in many lone places in Scotland far re- moved from the haunts of men. He bad gone there to seek a restoration of health. He had obtained in a measure what be sought, but owing to the number of persons who visited him out of a kindly feeling even in these remote parts, he had scarcely known what solitude was, and had consequently not derived that amount of benefit in a bodily sense which he otherwise would have done. He had been on many fishing excursions, and from them had learnt many lessons. In that college--the one attached to the Tabernacle—they were all fishermen, but he could wish that many of the fishermen there had a little more catching bait about them than they seemed to possess. They must get the fish around them by some means or another before they were caught, and to that end a harmless pleasantry was a capital bait. Sometimes he had been blamed for giving vent to witticisms, but in his own mind he had done well by so doing, because people came to hear him, and when they did so many were caught. The fact was it was a good catching bait. Mr. Spurgeon then proceeded to say that if persons went to angle either for fish or for human sculs they must not be fools, for, if they were, thfy would be like him when a few days ago, near Rothsay, he threw his lines into the water, and instead of watching them, turned away and allowed the fish to take off the ba:t without so much as being pricked by the hook. The Sunday-school was a grand place to use catching bait, but they must not allow the young fry to suck it off unless they bolted the book of the Gospel. If the teachers of religion never got a bite they should not go to sleep, but should bait their hooks afresh and try different waters. CO> RAIDS ACROSS THE RIO GBANDE.—In Tues- day's Cabinet meeting at Washington, the Secretary of War stated that news had been received from the Mexican border of the organisation of Mexican bands to repeal raids made across t:-e Rio Grande by United States troops. The Cabinet decided not to modify the orders theretofore issued, directing the commanders of United States troops to pursue robbers on Mexican soil when necessary. Collisions between the Mexicans and the American troops are anticipated. SAD TRAM-CAR ACCIDENT.—Mr. Humphreys held an inquiry at the German Hospital into the cause of the death of Joseph Williams, aged 38, barman at the White Hart tavern, Lea Bridge-road, Clapton. The evidence of witnesses showed that the deceased was about to be married on Bank holi- day, and, whilst walking through Hackney to see his intended wife, saw a friend on the roof of a passing tram. The friend beckoned him to come up and receive his congratulations, and the deceased, in attempting to mount the car whilst it was in motion, missed his footing, fell upon the rails and was run over, being so dreadfully injured that he died the next morning. A verdict of "Accidental death" was returned. DOG-STEALERS AT WOES.—We (Live Stock Journal) beg to warn our readers to be careful of their pets. Two men named Fox and Brunker were re- manded at Marlborough-street for endeavouring to entrap dogs. The usual plan is to drop prepared pieces of liver in front of dogs, and on their following, to pick them up on the first opportunity. A constable said he saw the prisoners loitering in Cornwall- terrace-mews, and having kept observation on them, saw Fox hide behind a cab, and Brunker drop some- thing in front of a terrier dog. Fox then joined Brunker, and they tried to entica the dog towards them, but not being successful, they went away. In the Euston-road Fox dropped something, and tried to put a collar on one of two dogs. He also dropped something on the pavement near a dog in charge of a lady who was looking in a shop window. The can- stable went after the prisoners, and they were taken into custody. FATAL GUN ACCIDENT.—Mr. 0. J. Carfctar held an inquiry at the British Oak, Shooters-bill, as to the death of George Richardson, 14, who was shot by Alfred Biggs, 16, on the previous Sunday. The evidence given at Woolwich Police-court when Biggs was charged was reported, and some additional cir- cumstances were elicited. It transpired that a man named Smith, residing at Arnold's Farm, Shooter's- hill, had an old double-barrelled gun, which was used for scaring birds. For this he had manufactured a ramrod out of a stick, fixing the iron head of an old ramrod at the end of it. Smith's son took the gun on Sunday afternoon and went into a field with his play- mates, among whom were Biggs and Richardson. Biggs borrowed the gun and loaded it, unconsciously leaving in the barrel the iron ferrule of the ramrod. While looking about for a bird and holding the gun at his hip it accidentally went off, and Richardson fell mortally wounded. The ferrule, which had passed completely through his body, was afterwards Found in his clothing. The jury returned a verdict of Death from misadventure." RESULT OF THE GERMAN ELECTIONS.-The great importance which has been attached to the general elections for the German Reichstag, held on July 30, will make the following synopsis of the re- sults, according to provinces and parties, generally interesting. The Conservatives are, strictly speaking, divided into two sections—the Conservatives (proper) and the Free- Oonservative a or Imperialists. But as it is likely that in all critical matters they will act together as one party, giving a general support to Prince Bismarck's administration, thev are reckoned in the following synopsis as belonging to one political or- ganisation. On July 30 there were 333 completed elec- tiona at which deputies were definitively elected in the remaining 64 cases, supplementary elections must be held. These supplementary elections will be held on Tuesday, August 13, and immediately following days. The 333 deputies definitively elected are distributed as follows, according to parties: Conservatives, 105; Centre, 91; National Liberals, 84; Progressists, 17 Polish Party, 12; Particularism, 8 Alsatian Protest Party, 10; Alsatian Autonomist?, 4; Social Demo- crats, 2 total yet electcd, 333.

TRIAL TRIP OF THE INFLEXIBLE. The Inflexible is a twin screw turret-ship, with"& central armoured citadel, and will have, when com- pletely equipped, a total displacement of 1149 tons. The cost of the hull up to the present time is estimated at £450,000; the total cost, including armament, is placed at £600,000, to which has to be added £100,000 for engines manufactured by Messrs. John Elder an I Son, of Glasgow. Steam was got up by nine o'clock in the morning, and she was under easy steam, and moving towards the east end of the Isle of Wight by ten o'clock, the weath. r being all that could be desired. While the boilers gave ample steam, the adequate number of revolutions could not be obtained from the engines, on account of I the four-bladed twin fcrew having either too large a I' surface, or not being sufficiently true at the points. Under these circumstances an approximate idea of what can be done by her powerful engines was not ¡ obtained. The speed of the vessel by log was 11'25- knots, but at full power it had cot up to 13 3 knots. I The vessel is expected to attain a speed of at least 14 knots, and nothing occurred to cause the officials anv I apprehension of a falling off in this particular. Great attention has been paid to the ventilation, and the trial demonstrated the complete success of the ar- rangements—so far, at least, as the stokeholes are I concerned the temperature being re&.&rkably low and the men working with much greater oomfort than is ordinarily obtained in these iower depths, The vessel can be steered from each of the pilot towers. The ship went through the water very steadily, with Jess vibration than was expected, and she steered easily and accurately. Her draught of water was for- ward eighteen feet nine iuches, aft twenty-tluee feet, being nearly four feet less than it will be wben she in- completed and has all her weights on toard, which will make an addition of 2500 tons, and immerse her I screw at least another foot. The Inflexible returned to Portsmouth Harbour the following day for the purpose of being docked and fitted with the two-bladed screw, and some weeks must elapse before another trial can be made. TRIAL OF NIHILISTS AT ODESSA.—The trial of Nihilists at Odessa for armed resistance to the police has concluded with one condemnation to death and four to hard labour for four or eight years, while three women were sentenced to banishment or im- prisonment. Shots were fired by the crowd collected outside on the result being announced, and the soldiers ordered to difperso the mob were fired on, four of them being wcunded, while two of the mob were killed. CHERTSEY CATTLE FAIR.—This Surrey fair was held iu the old village of Ohertsey, for the sale of stock and horse?. There was a good show of healthy cattle on sale, which met a brisk demand, and the general selling prices were as follows Store steers and heifers, S15 to £17 a head, ar.d well grazed ditto in condition S21 to £24, and yearlings and lean stock .£7 to £11. Dairying cows in full milk, £15 to £ 2J each, and Alderney and well-bred cowst-26, and heifers and cows to calve down S13 to £18 per ditto. Tha horse show was limited sound carb horses fetched 2') to 30 guineas, and horses and ponies for light harness purposes 18 to 25 guineas. iSbeep Stock ewes, 42s. to 483., and store lambs 30s. to 33s. a head. There was a small pleasure fair held in the town. LmEL.- Thomas Herbert Noyes, an elderly man, who, it was stated, was formerly possessed of considerable property in the county of Sussex, and is a magistrate for tha", county, surrendered at the Central Criminal Court to take his trial for writing and publishing certain defamatory libels. The pro- secutors were Messrs. Randall and Angiers, solicitors, who had acted professionally for a gentleman named Crawley, with whom the defendant had business trans- actions. In the course of these operations disputes arose, and the offence imputed to the defendant was that he had for a long time carried on a system of sending post-cards to the prosecutors containing the most offensive statements. The jury found the defen- dant guilty, and the learned Commissioner post- paned passing sentence, in order that some inauiriea might be instituted as to the mental condition of the defendant. CONSERVATIVE DEPUTATION TO THE PLENIPO- TENTIARIES.—Lord Beaconsfield and the Marquis of Salisbury received at the Foreign Office a large number of gentlemen who were sent as deputations from Conservative Associations throughout the king- dom to present addresses congratulating the two noble lords on the result of the Berlin Congress and thanking them for their services. The Premier, in reply, made some remarks on the organisation of political opinion, and urged upon those present the importance of having such a command over the popu- lation of this country that they could return a majority to Parliament. Lord Salisbury remarked that amidst the constant calumny to which they had had to submit the plenipotentiaries felt sure the time would come when they would obtain an equitable and an intelligent recognition from the country they had served. CORRUPT PRACTICES AT ELECTIONS.—The Bill introduced by the Attorney-General and the Solicitor General to "amend and continue the Acts relating to Election Petitions, and to the prevention of corrupt practices at parliamentary elections," has been printed. It is provided by the bill that an elec- tion judge may report to the Speaker that ho has been- prevented from reporting respecting corrupt practices by concealment of material facts or other acts by the parties to the petition. Tne effect of this report is to be that for all the purposes of the Electisn Commis- sioners Act, 1852, it shall have the same effect and may be dealt with in the same manner as if it were a report of a Committee of the House of Commons appointed to inquire into the existence of corrupt practices, and upon a joint address of both Houses of Parliament to her Majesty's Commissioners may be appointed accordingly under the last mentioned Act. The bill also provides that the Court may, with the consent of all parties to an election petition, direct the trial of that petition to take place, if it relates to an election in England, at London or Westminster, and if it relates to an election in Scotland at Edinburgh, and if it relates to an election in Ireland at Dublin, or to take place in any other place which appears to the judge to be convenient. A vote given to a person disqualified for corrupt practices is not to be thrown away until the candidate has been reported guilty by the election tribunal. A candidate reported guilty of personal bribery may appeal to her Majesty's Court of Appeal in England and Ireland, or in Seotland to either division of the Inner House of the Court of Session.