Guard James Walter Johnson

James Walter Johnson

Guard James Johnson was accidentally shot and killed when his double-barreled shotgun discharged as he climbed into a wagon.

Guard Johnson was supervising the county chaingang that was working on the Houston Road, approximately 13 miles from the city, when the accident occurred. He was climbing into the wagon when the shotgun's trigger got caught in the spokes of the wagon's front wheel. The shotgun discharged and stuck him in the shoulder.

He succumbed to wound approximately one hour later shortly after a doctor arrived at the scene.

Guard Johnson was survived by his wife and one child.