William Johnson Hanged for the Murder of Farmer Boyd
Covington, Tenn., December 17-William Johnson died on the scaffold at 12:10 o'clock this afternoon, Sheriff Lauderdale officiating.
The condemned man walked quietly from his cell to the scene of the hanging, made a full confession and died with a smile on his lips.
Company R. National Guard state of Tennessee, was present to protect the prisoner had there been signs of lynching, but the soldier boys were not needed.
The crime for which William Johnson was hanged was the cold blooded murder of Farmer Walter Boyd, of Idaville, Tipton county, Tennessee, August 5th, last.
The only justification the negro offered was that he heard Boyd had threatened him.
The prisoner has been confined in the Memphis jail, because lynching was feared had he been permitted to remain in Tipton county's prison.
Contributed by, Shauna Williams (The Atlanta Constitution, Atlanta, GA, December 18, 1897)
Taken up by Jonathan Falk, living 10 mi. south of Covington, bay horse, 6 years old. L. Mathews, Rang'r.
The Jackson Gazette, Vol. 7, No. 6, July 31, 1830