Linked from A Most Horrible Tragedy! Wichita Businessman Shoots His Wife and Himself
Transcribed from: https://www.newspapers.com/image/366123251/
A WELL KNOWN BUSINESS MAN SHOOTS HIMSELF AND WIFE.
BOTH DIE WITHIN A FEW MINUTES AND THE CITY IS PLUNGED INTO GRIEF AND MOURNING THEREBY.
In a Fit of Aberration, J.E. Johnston Commits One of the Most Fearful Crimes in History.
A Noble Man and Loving Woman Ushered Into Eternity Without a Moments Warning to Prepare For the Final Doom.
One of the most horrible tragedies that was ever enacted in Wichita and for that matter the whole United States, occurred at the corner of Douglas and Hydraulic avenues this morning about 9 o’clock. At 9:30 a startling rumor was on the street that J.E. Johnston, of the firm Blackwelder & Johnston, one of the most prominent real estate firms in the city, had shot and killed his wife and then committed suicide. In a short time the handsome two story brick residence built jointly by R.W. Black, father-in-law of Johnston, was crowded to its utmost capacity by a number of friends of the family but more largely by a crowd of curiosity seekers all intent upon viewing
THE GHASTLY REMAINS
of two persons who have for a long time been universally loved and respected by all the people in Wichita who knew them.
A journal reporter immediately proceeded to the scene of the tragedy and upon entering the house was ushered into the room where the murder and suicide was committed, by Mr. George H. Blackwelder, partner of the deceased J.E. Johnston. In the northeast corner of the second story in the handsomely furnished bed-room, lay the bodies of the man and wife.
A POOL OF BLOOD
that covered the handsome Brussels carpet was settled in spots over the floor and laying on opposite sides of the room where the man and wife, both shot through the temple with a bullet from a .45 caliber revolver. In a back room lay the father, Mr. Black, almost prostrated with grief over the sad event and entirely unable to talk about the affair at all. On being questioned he said between
TEARS AND SOBS
“Oh don’t question me, it has only been a short time since I lost my dear wife, and now to be deprived of my only daughter. Oh it is too much,” and the gray haired old man covered his face with his hands and wept afresh.
THE PARTICULARS
of the sad occurance as near as could be learned, are that Johnston arose about 8 o’clock this morning, walked around the house and grounds until about 9 o’clock, when he entered his wife’s bedroom, and taking an old dragoon revolver, placed the muzzle to her right temple and fired. It is supposed she was instantly killed but during the
DEATH STRUGGLE
fell onto the floor. In a few seconds later a second pistol shot was heard by the servant and upon entering the room she was horrified at what she saw. Johnston was writhing in the last struggle, while the fair haired wife was beyond any suffering. An alarm was sounded immediately and Drs. Ordway and Fabrique were summoned, but too late to be of any avail.
THE CAUSE
of the murder and suicide as stated by Mr. George H. Blackwelder, is that Mr. Johnston was suffering from ill-health and for years has been a chronic sufferer with throat and lung disease, and that at times he was crazy from the effects thereof. In addition to this, Johnston did not harmonize with his father-in-law at all in regard to business transactions and the disputes between the two are said to have been
OFTEN AND NUMEROUS.
When Johnston’s new residence was being built, a wrangle often occurred, in which the wife always took sides with the husband. When the house was completed all the parties moved into the same and all was harmonious for a time, until last summer when Mrs. Black died and the remains were taken back to Illinois for burial by the deceased Mr. J.E. Johnston. This sad event is said to have broken off all amicable relations, and coupled with the fact of Mr. Johnston’s ill health rendered the situation all the more unpleasant to all parties concerned. That the murderer and suicide a few years ago ran away with, and married the other of his choice, did not seem to mitigate against the commission of the crime, but has acted as a reminder on the conscience of the man who opposed the nuptials. In justice, however, Mr. Black, it may be stated that he acted as he supposed in the best interest of his daughter, and if he committed an error, it was one of the head and not of the heart.
JOHNSTON HISTORY
A few years ago Mr. Johnston turned up in Kansas City, as chief clerk for Mr. Bell, the superintendent of the Custom House and postoffice of that city. He resided on Forrest avenue, not far from the writer of this article, who knew him well as an intimate friend and has continued to know him as such ever since his residence in Wichita. About two years ago Mr. Johnston landed in this city with $550 in cash and entered upon the real estate business in the Noble block, corner of Douglas and Topeka avenues. Subsequently he formed a partnership with Mr. Geo. H. Blackwelder, and the result was a success that netted him a large fortune estimated at $200,000.
THE FAMILY
that is left consists of four children, two boys and two girls, whose ages range from two to nine years of age and to whom his fortune will revert. Mr. Johnston was a warm hearted, liberal man, whose generosity to his friends was proverbial, and who was always to the front when the application of a friend was presented. During the time he was in Kansas City, Mr. Johnston made hosts of friends and no enemies. His associates all loved him and would go through
FIRE AND WATER
to assist him in any way. A perfect gentleman in every respect, the only charitable conclusion to be placed upon his sad crime and end is that he was suffering from bad health, superinduced by an aberration of the mind at the time.
JUDICIAL INVESTIGATION
Coroner Wingard went out to the scene of the tragedy as early as possible and decided to hold an inquest at two o’clock this afternoon, which is in progress as we go to press. The result of the same will not materially alter the facts in the case, as the same are well known and will doubtless be substantiated. That Johnston was crazy is evidenced that several times he has attempted suicide, from no cause whatever, as described above.
THE VICTIMS
Mrs. Johnston, nee Miss Black, was a gentle, inoffensive, confiding woman, devotedly attached to her husband, while he was known as the very perfection of and soul honor among all who knew him, by reputation or otherwise. This tragedy is one that will be remembered for years among the residents of Sedgwick county, as the most unparalleled that ever occurred.