Ernest Johnson, 1946 January 25

the proceeds with Jackson's uncle after telling him that they had
killed Walton, As Walton lived alone, he was not missed for sereral
days and Johnson and Brown were taken into custody for questioning

on March 5, 1945. Johnson confessed two hours later and told officer}
where to nee agathe river to recover Walton's body and it was recovered
on the next day. Brown also confessed and dohnson! s Uncle was
arrested. Both Johnson and Brown paeaded not guilty by reason of
insanity but no substantiating testimony was presented on Johnson's
behalf, Both were convicted and sentenced to die while Johnson's
uncle received a 30 year’ prison term, Their appeals to the Alabama
Supreme Court were unsuccessful and Jonson was electrocuted at the

Alabama State Prison on January 25, 1946. Brown followed him to the
electric chair one week later,

vs

See also: BROWN, Richard

2), SOUTHERN REPORTER 2nd SERIES 17 SE a Se eee
The GRYENSBORO WATCHMAN 4 a enepae es Alabama, ak Vf. AS ~—// SS, 4

; a £3 aa SR " ,
j | yore f with Db A f 4
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fey

a proceeds with Jackson's uncle after telling him that they had
killed Walton, As Walton lived alone, he was not. missed for sereral
days and Johnson and Brown were taken into custody for questioning
on March 5, 1945. Johnson confessed two hours later and told officer
where to draggthe river to recover Walton!s body and it was recoyered
on the next day. Brown also confessed and Johnson's Uncle was
arrested. Both Johnson and Brown p@eaded not guilty by reason of
insanity but no substantiating testimony was presented on Johnson's
behalf, Both were convicted and sentenced to die while Johnson!s
uncle received a 30 year’prison term, Their appeals to the Alabama
Supreme Court were unsuccessful and Jonson was electrocuted at the
Alabama State Prison on January 25, 1946, Brown followed him to the
electric chair one week later,

mM

ee also: BROWN, Richard

2h SOUTHERN REPORTER 2nd SERIES 17

The GREENSBORO WATCHMAN, rn eneres Alabama, ae — ie

) i ,
frp fp oy A PY

i:

the proseeas wrt Jackson's uncle after telling him that they had

1 was not missed for ore

nd Johnéon and Brown were taken into custody for questi
on March 5, 19h5, Johnson confessed two hours later and told officer
where to draguthe river to recover Walton's body and it was recogered
on the next day, Brown also confessed and Johnson's Uncle was
arrested, Both Johnson and Brown paaaded not guilty by reason of
insanity but no substantiating testimony was presented on Johnson's
Both were convicted and sentenced to die while Johnson! s

mele received @ 30 year'prison tem, Their appeals to tho Alabana

2 1946. Brown Geimeditin to the
electric chair one week late:

See also: BROWN, Richard

2h SOUTHERN REPORTER 2nd SERIES 1;

REENSBORO WATCHMAN , cena, Alabama, */if¢s [3/43

ee Yili -yfys

JOHNSON, Ernest Ce eee

Johnson, alias irnest MeGruder, a 17-year-old black youth, was em-
ployed by Jack T, Walton, a prominent Hale Coo, Alas, cattleman who
lived alone on his farm about 15 miles from Greensboro, After his
release from the State Reformatory where he served a sentence for
horse theft, Johnson's friend, Richard Brown, also obtained employ=
ment on the Walton farn, They had previously discussed killing their
63-year-old employer and when they went to work on the morning of
Heb. 8, 1945, they had determined to do so. They attended to their
Chores and when Walton left tha farm on his pickup truck, they broke
into the house where they stole a Shotgun, a pistol, some shells and
some cartridges, They hid'at the side of the house and when Walton
returned and started to unlock the door, Brown shot him with the
Shotgun. They walked over, art inspected the body and when they saw
a hand move, Johnson told Brown to shoot him again and Brown fired

a shot into his body with the pistol. They then loaded the body on
a wagon, covered it with a skiff and drove the wagon to the Warrior
River, They tied a tractor wheel and hub to the right side of the

body with a plow rope, punched holes in the skiff and then pushed it,
loaded with the body into the river, In addition to taking $64. in
money, they also stole several sacks of cattle field and they divided

"JOHNSON, Ernest As ie oy, FKL,

Johnson, alias irnest McGruder, a 17-year-old black youth, was em-
ployed by Jack T, Walton, a prominent Hale Cos, Alas, cattleman who
lived alone on his farm about 15 miles fron Greensboro, After his
release from the State Reformatory where he served a sentence for
horse theft, Johnson's friend, Richard Brown, also obtained employ-
ment on the Walton farm, They had previously discussed killing their
63-year-old employer and when they went to work on the morning of
Feb. 8, 1945, they had determined to do so. They attended to their
chores and when Walton left tha farm on his pickup truck, they broke
into the house where they stole a shotgun, a pistol, some shells and
Some cartridges, They hid'at the side of the house and when Walton
returned and started to unlock the door, Brown shot him with the
shotgun, They walked over,ar@ inspected the body and when they saw
a hand move, Johnson told Brown to shoot him again and Brown fired

a shot into his body with the pistol. They then loaded the body on
a wagon, covered it with a skiff and drove the wagon to the Warrior
Hiver, They tied a tractor wheel and hub to the right side of the
body with a plow rope 3 punched holes in the skiff and then pushed it,
loaded with the body into the river, In addition to taking $64, in
money, they also stole several sacks of cattle field and they divided

JOHNSON, Emest J- 25-1? 46

Johnson, alias mest MeGruder, a 17-year-old black youth, was em=
ployed by Jack T. Walton, a prominent Hale Cos, Alas, cattloman who
jived alone on his farm about 15 miles from Greensboro. After hic
release from the State Reformatory where he served a sentence for
horse theft, Johnson's friend, Richard Brown, also obtained employ-
ment on the Walton farm, They had previously discussed killing thei:
63-year-old employer and when they went to work on the morning of
Feb. €, 1945, they had determined to do so, They attended to their
chores and when Walton left the farm on his pickup truck, they

into the house where

They tied
body with a p:
loaded with

SERGCN, ant