James Casbon, Obituary/Death NoticePorter County obituaries and death notices . . . .
James Casbon
MURDER!
This is About what is Made out of the Case of Old Man Casbon.
A mention was made in Monday's Vidette of the peculiar death of James Casbon, who lived at Boone Grove. On Saturday evening, the 16th inst., Casbon was going from Valparaiso to his home. As he was passing Shoemaker's saloon in the southwest part of town parties asked him to take a drink. The old man accepted as he was about to lift the glass to his lips a young German by the name of Johnson took him by the shoulders and threw him to the floor, then picked him up and threw him through the screen door onto the porch. The German was not satisfied with this but followed the old man to the porch and renewed his attack. The old man put his hands to protect himself and Johnson bit his thumb. The old man managed to escape and walk home but was sick for just a week, then died. He was buried on last Sunday. Nothing had been said to the coroner till Tuesday when a brother of the deceased came to town and informed Dr. Letherman of the circumstances. An inquest was held yesterday which resulted in the verdict of death by lock-jaw, caused by a bite on the thumb. The arm and thumb had turned completely black.
On the return of the coroner to town a warrant was issued for the arrest of Henry Johnson and placed in the hands of Marshal Maxwell. At about 9 o'clock in the evening the marshal started for his man and found him some 8 miles south of here, where he had been working at ditching. The arrest was made at about 3 o'clock this morning, and the officer arrived home at about 6 o'clock and placed Johnson in the county jail. He will have a hearing to-day.
James Casbon was an inoffensive man, 71 years of age, while Johnson was very quarrelsome when drunk. All parties were engaged in ditch-digging, and it seems that the old man had at some time or other under-bid Johnson on a piece of work, which is the only cause for trouble that can be found.
Newspaper: Porter County Vidette
Date of Publication: August 28, 1884
Volume Number: 28
Issue Number: 35
Page: 1
Column(s): 2
Key to Newspaper Publication Locations:
Newspapers Published in Chesterton, Porter County, Indiana
Chesterton Tribune
The Tribune
Westchester Tribune
Newspapers Published in Valparaiso, Porter County, Indiana
Porter County Vidette
Practical Observer
Valparaiso Practical Observer
Vidette and Republic
Western Ranger
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Obituary/death notice transcribed by Steven R. Shook