Rensselaer Republican, Volume 27, Number 5, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 September 1894 — STRANGE EXPERIENCE. [ARTICLE]

STRANGE EXPERIENCE.

Story of Paul Johnson's Kidnaping —His Home in Evansville. New Orleans Special, Sept. 13. A very remarkable story of kidnaping and murder came to light in this city, to-day. Yesterday three gentlemen arrived from Sabine Pass,Tex., two of whom were Messrs. C. and H. House, the other being Paul Johnson. Mr. Johnson was very weak, and was under the care of physicians while here. He left, this afternoon, for Evansville, Ind., his home. Messrs. House tell the following story of Mr. Johnson: About the middle of July they were fishing when a small schooner came near the shore, and while they watched a man was seen to spring overboard. Instantly several men on board the (Schooner began shooting at the man. Not only was he shot at as he swam toward the shore, but a large harpoon, used-for gigging fish, was thrown at him, crushing in his chest. The man sank, and the schooner hastily sailed away, evidently giving up the man for drowned. The House boys, however, saw the man rise from the water, and going to his rescue, succeeded in bringing him to shore. The man was Paul Johnson. For three or four months, the House boys say, he lay as dead, unable to tell his story. Finally, however, he recovered his speech and told his rescuers his history. He said that early in February he was kidnaped in Louisville, placed in the hold of a flat-bottom boat, taken to New Orleans,..where he was placed on a schooner. Then the vessel finally visited the Texas coast, and he was res cued as stated above.