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Page: of 281
GRASS VALLEY UNION JANUARY 26-28, 1872 21
Rough and Ready, 6—L. A. Walling, W. R. Coffey, Wm. Nutter, Ferd. Montgomery, A. L. Slack.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 27, 1872
The Suicide.
A few days ago we mentioned that Wm. A. Johnson had committed suicide, at Hiram Austin’s
ranch in this county. From the Marysville papers we judge that the rash act was committed in Yuba
county, as the Union Mill is in Yuba, though it is close to the line. The Appeal of the 26th has the
following in regard to the sad affair:
Yesterday we met with Mr. Joel Stoddard, of Bear river, who gave us the full particulars
regarding the suicide chronicled in Tuesday’s Appeal. W. A. Johnson, the husband of the
lady who died, and who committed suicide while his wife’s remains were being placed
in the coffin for internment, was a gentleman of high culture and considerable literary
attainments. He was a brother-in-law of H. Austin, at whose place the wife died, on
Saturday last. He has a brother-in-law in San Francisco, and a brother in Minnesota, an
editor of a journal there. The deceased was educated in Pennsylvania, though born, we
believe, in one of the eastern States. He was a spiritualist in belief, and devotedly attached
to his wife. The anxiety expressed by him regarding to her will, referred to the desire he
had to know whether she had willed her property to her children, whom, he said, should of
right, possess it. Before committing the fatal deed, he made arrangements for the selling of
his estate, providing for the payment of his obligations, and leaving the remainder to her
children. He says in a paper left by him “She said she would wait for me and I promised
to go with her.” His conduct throughout was that of the devoted husband or lover. When
his wife was dying he knelt by her bed-side and closed his eyes, ministering to her to the
last with the tenderest solicitude. He left in writing the assurance that he should have
committed the rash act sooner had he had an opportunity to do so. With that peculiar
cunning, characteristic of insane people, for we are charitable enough to believe him insane
from grief at his bereavement, he waited and watched for an opportunity to consummate
his purpose when no one was by to prevent him. . . .His genial spirit and well educated mind
had endeared him to a large circle of friends, by whom he was highly prized and respected.
The funeral was largely attended, and the husband and wife were buried side by side on
Tuesday, at Wheatland.
ROLL OF HONOR.—The following is the roll of honor of the Indian Springs school, for the
month ending January 26th, Miss E. Pearson, teacher: Carrie Vanslyke, Seth Gassaway, Jennie Stull,
Oscar Gassaway, Carrie Church, Rose Farley, Willie Casey, Jennie Cookson, Dean Horton, Mary
Gassaway, Dora Gassaway, Frank Rennler, Cornelius Horton, Thedie Brigham, Sanford Simeral,
William Nutter.
FOUND DEAD.—We learn that on Thursday morning last Patrick Fogarty, an old and well
known resident of Moore’s Flat, and a miner, was found dead in his cabin. He died,
probably, on Wednesday night. Fogarty we understand had been on a spree for a few days
before his death.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 28, 1872
DONNER COUNTY.
The Donner county bill has been introduced at last. . . . It will be observed that Donner county
proposes to take all of Meadow Lake township from Nevada county. That will not do. The heads of
all the important water ditches of this county, would, in the case of the passage of the bill, be thrown
into Donner county. Hence men now in Nevada county would be compelled to cross the mountains