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October 21, Charlie Johnson blew out his brains. Last Sunday after
visiting with Benson, he went home. Monday, Frank Smith went up and he
discovered that Charlie had the "snakes" but he was very rational;
John Devine was staying with him but he wanted Frank to send someone else
up. Gus Rhody went up with medicine and stayed with him one night and
coming down, said he was better. Charles Clifford called on him and he
thought he was a good deal better., he showed him through the mine and
premises. The same night Devine came to Willey's house shot through the
side with a government rifle, but not dangerous. Devine said Johnson saw
every imaginable thing, shot some 8 or 10 shots in different parts of the house
and was perfectly crazy. Clifford came down in the morning.
Edwards, Bemis, Smith and Bentz went up finding him dead in his cellar, shot
through the brains, blowing his forehead clean out. It was a deliberate
suicide.
Mr. Johnson was a Swede by birth, a pioneer of the territory, and has been largely
connected with the mining interests of this camp since its discovery He
was known and respected by all and his untimely taking off has cast a gloom over
the entire community.
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