GUS JOHNSON.
The Doings of a Desperado who Ought to be Suppressed in Some Way.

Some months ago it will be remembered that a desperate young man, from Chattooga county, was arrested near this town and was pronounced a lunatic and sent to the State asylum, where we thought he still remained until we read the following from the Rome Courier of last week:

“We regret to have to record another brutal murder, committed by that madman, Gus Johnson, whose deeds of violence render him the terror of all who come in his way.  His victim this time was a negro named ALFRED McCARVER, and the deed was done in cold blood, without provocation or premeditation.  The circumstances as reported to us upon reliable authority, are as follows: Johnson was in the city day before yesterday and in the afternoon left for some point below.  At King’s ferry on the Coosa, he hailed the ferryman, Alfred McCarver, and ordered him to bring over the boat.  The negro started to do so, when Johnson called him to hurry up.  The negro replied that he was hurrying all that he could.  This answer enraged Johnson, and with an oath, raised his shot gun and fired on the unfortunate negro killing him almost instantly.  At the time he shot, Miss Morton, daughter of C. P. Morton, was riding by on a high-mettled horse, which became frightened and ran away dashing her to the ground and severely injuring her.  After this inhuman murder Johnson coolly rode off and is still at large.  He should be hunted down like a wild beast and no effort or expense spared to find him and bring him to the justice he has so often and so foully outraged.”

From the Courier of Tuesday last we extract the following paragraphs:

“If there is any cause in the history of crime that would justify the payment of a liberal reward for the capture of a murderer, the case of this man Johnson is one.  No reasonable expense of the State should be spared in hunting him down and bringing him to judgment.”

“James M. Jenkins, Sheriff, and his Deputy, Jos. H. Sharpe, have rode two days and nights after Gus Johnson—rode themselves and horses down—but were unable to overtake him.  Jenkins had three or four other men with him, which cost him about $30.  The sheriff and Deputy deserve much credit for the effort they made as much as if they had captured him, for they did all men could do to capture him.”