Captain Johnson (Otter Johnson), Grant County shooting defendant
Captain Johnson, also known as Otter Johnson, owned Johnson's store in Lordsburg [3]. In June 1888, after a dispute over a drunken man named Philpin, Buck struck at Johnson with a 2x4 scantling in front of the store [2][3]. Johnson then pulled a six-shooter and, as Buck ran, took deliberate aim and fired, the ball entering Buck's head at the base of the brain and lodging above the left eye [2][3]. Small arrested Johnson, who was turned over to the constable [4]. A coroner's jury returned a verdict of "unjustifiable homicide" [1]. Johnson was taken to visit his wife and little girl, who lived on Yankie Street, before being locked in the county jail [4].
Sources
- The coroner’s jury returned a verdict of… (1888)The coroner’s jury returned a verdict of “unjustifiable homicide,” and that the “de- ceased came to his death from a gun shot wound, from the hands of Otter Johnson.”
- Silver City Enterprise — 1888-1890 (full OCR, Internet Archive) — 1888-06-22 (1888)sobered up, and after the family breach was somewhat healed, both husband wife naturally turned on Johnson for his interference in matters that did not concern him. Mrs. Philpin wanted her husband to go and…
- day night and the matter was dropped until the… (1888)day night and the matter was dropped until the two men met in front of Johnson’s store Satur- day night, when Johnson brought the subject up. One word brought on another until Buck secured a piece of 2x4 scan…
- Dr. Simpson and W. H. Small immediately (1888)Dr. Simpson and W. H. Small immediately arrested Johnson, after which he was turned over to the constable. The feeling in Lordsburg at the time was very strong, and is still bitter against Johnson, and, for …