Col. William A. Johnson kills African-American John Caruthers [sic] of Tuscumbia, in Colbert Co., AL.

Title

Subject

The killing of John Caruthers by Col. William A. Johnson.

Description

A report of the June, 1871 killing of African-American John Caruthers of Tuscumbia by Col. William A. Johnson, a Tuscumbia businessman, allegedly in self-defense.

One of five children of Richard and Katherine Johnson born in Lauderdale County, Tuscumbian Col. William A. Johnson (1827-1891) was a member of Roddey's 4th AL Cav, CSA during the Civil War, and was wounded in the leg and knee, walking with a limp for the rest of his life. Recommended for promotion to brigadier-general, the war ended before the promotion was made official. A steamboat captain and slaveowner before the war, Johnson was married to Kate Barton of Tuscumbia and the couple had several children. In 1870 Col. Johnson was one of the trustees and stockholders who incorporated the Deschler Female Academy in Tuscumbia. Sons of Confederate Veterans (SCV) Col. William A. Johnson Camp 898 of Tuscumbia is named after him. His descendants still live in Tuscumbia.

No further information on this case has been located. Apparently Johnson was acquitted or found innocent. Nothing further is known of the victim, John Caruthers.

Source

*Lauderdale Times* (Florence, AL), Tuesday, June 27, 1871, p. 2.

Publisher

Newspapers.com

Contributor

Lee Freeman

Rights

Images are available for educational and research purposes. This image may not be reproduced for commercial purposes without the express written consent of the copyright holder. It is the responsibility of the interested party to identify the copyright holder and receive permission.

Files

Wm A Johnson Kills Carruthers LT Tues June 27 1871 p 2.jpg

Collection

The Law, Crime and Punishment

Citation

“Col. William A. Johnson kills African-American John Caruthers [sic] of Tuscumbia, in Colbert Co., AL.,” Shoals Black History, accessed April 23, 2024, https://shoalsblackhistory.omeka.net/items/show/829.

Col. William A. Johnson kills African-American John Caruthers [sic] of Tuscumbia, in Colbert Co., AL.

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