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A
committee of citizens near Middle Grove was preparing to
hold a picnic on September 18, 1876, and a difficulty
originated over
the letting of a booth or stand for selling refreshments.
Another committee of arrangements met at the drug store of
Nave &, Johnson. Mr. Thomas H. Hooker came into the room
and after conversing upon some other subject relating to the
picnic, said he wished to put in a bid on the booth. Mr. W.
T. Johnson, being, one of the committee, rather objected to
Mr. Hooker putting in a bid on the booth, and remarked he
expected to occupy the booth himself, and was willing to
leave the price of the booth to the committee. Some angry
words passed between the parties, which resulted in
Johnson's ordering Hooker out of the store, and shortly
after caught hold of Hooker to enforce his order, and led or
pushed him out on the platform in front of the store. As
soon as Johnson released Hooker, the latter rushed upon
Johnson and stabbed him near the left of the left lung, it
is supposed with a small pocket knife, severing the sub-clavian
artery. Friends interfered, and Mr. Johnson went back into
his store and in a few moments expired. Mr. Hooker was
promptly arrested. -Shortly after his arrest he expressed a
desire to see his mother. He was accompanied to his
residence by a guard, and it was thought he passed on
immediately through the house and out the back door and made
his escape leaving the guard in front of the house.Mr.
Hooker was raised in this county. Mr. Johnson was from Boone
county. Hooker was tried and acquitted, and now resides in
Texas. |
