A Hanging Across the Border in Henry County

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Here's your ticket to view the hanging.  Two hundred of them were issued - far too many, the local press felt. The people were packed in "like sardines." I wonder if my ancestor had a ticket or if he just went up to view the body in the casket after the deed was done.  It was a hanging in front of the jail in Napoleon and this is what led to the demise of Wesley Johnson.


 

In late October, 1883, a horrible murder took place in Henry County.  Adison Crow, a neighbor, went to visit George W. Williams to conduct some business, but didn't find him at home.  The next day, Crow came back and discovered Williams' body in the barn, horribly mangled by an ax.  He summoned some help and while deciding what to do next, they heard the cry of a baby coming from the house.  Breaking open the door, they were once again stunned to find the body of Mrs. Belle (nee Atkinson) Williams, again chopped by an ax.  Luckily, the tiny baby was spared, although hungry.

The Defiance County Express reported: 
"The house where the Williams family lived is an old frame dwelling, it being one of the first built in Freedom Township, Henry County, and stands back from the road some fifteen rods."

It was an horrific murder as described in the Express on November 1, 1883.  Who could have done such a thing?  The suspicions gathered on Wesley Johnson, a farm hand of the deceased man's uncle.  Johnson was acting suspiciously the day after the murder and then abruptly quit his job, saying he was going to Toledo.  He was also arrested for setting fire to his employer's barn, but released on that charge.  Authorities caught up with him at the train in Kendallville, Indiana where he was arrested again, this time for murder.

 
Johnson sat in jail from October until February 22, 1889, when his trial was held in Napoleon in front of Judge Moore.  The courtroom was packed.  Johnson had filed a confession, noting that his motive was money.  His girlfriend, Lou Myers, had pressured him for money and, knowing that the victim, Mr. Williams, had just come home with money from selling clover seed and a fine horse, Johnson thought it was a good place to strike.  In truth, Johnson came away with $26 and a watch...and a death sentence.  


Tensions were high in the county and the rumor was that some citizens planned a lynching for Johnson, but that didn't happen.

The Defiance County Express reported on the preparations for the hanging on May 29, 1884, the actual date of the event as set by the judge.

"Preparations now being made for Johnson's execution give warning that his days are numbered.  Amos Mattice of Cleveland, Ohio has been employed to erect the scaffold for which he will receive $75, and probably is here and at his dreadful work now, which will take him about a week.  He will use the 'drop' which has several times seen service, but the rest of the scaffold will be put up here.  Mattice, however, will have nothing to do with the hanging; Sheriff Aller will have the nerve to do his duty.

There is ample room in the jail for the scaffold, which is the place designated by law when there is ample space...  The tickets of admission for those who will assist the Sheriff are printed and partially distributed...   The Sheriff had made a requisition for Col. Norton for militia for guard duty.  Company F is ordered out.  The Council have ordered Mayor Tressler to appoint ten special policemen, with power to increase to any extent necessary.

The jail was built in 1882 and sat right beside the courthouse.  Wikipedia photo.

One hundred and three days passed from sentencing to execution - plenty of time to think about things.  Johnson appeared, according to one reporter, to be "healthy, hearty, and happy."  The sentenced had given his confession to Rev. Brake of South Toledo, and now read nothing but the Bible, and kept count on the days left of his life on an almanac.  Rev. Edward Johnson, Wesley's brother, would take care of the body which was to be interred in Fulton County, and Johnson's sister, Mrs. Maria Knight came to say farewell to him.

The prisoner arose early on May 29th, ate a hearty breakfast, and said goodbye to every prisoner then in the jail.  The previous Saturday, he had made another full confession to his brother, Rev. Edward Johnson, of Delta, Ohio.  That confession was published after the execution.  Johnson stated that he was ready to meet his fate like a man and wanted the execution done at precisely 10 a.m., the earliest hour prescribed.

Johnson's death was also horrific in that it took twelve minutes for him to die once the rope was dropped.  Then his body was placed in a pine coffin and placed in the yard in front of the jail so all who wanted could walk past.  A guard of soldiers was placed there, as well, to prevent any misdeeds. 
 (Logansport Journal, May 30, 1884)

So, now I wonder if either of my great-grandparents or other ancestors were there.  I'm sure they talked about it.  How many of your ancestors were curiosity seekers and might have attended that day?