This General Johnson/Johnston was the son of Wm H. Johnson and Sarah Bowen of Scott Co., VA. He was a nephew of Francis Marion Johnson who moved to Scott County, MO. Jean Brand Fresno, CA Letter from General << Johnson>> Submitted by member Mabel Harp, Wagoner, OK Douglas County Missoura December 18 1868 Dear mother it is with pleather I seet my Self to let yew now that we are all well hoping thees flew lines may find yew all well. I can inform yew that we had very good luck moveing this cuntry we was on the road 32 days we lay up about 3 days on the road nothing strang to rite to yew I hav bin tradin very larg sence I have bin hear I hav bought me a hundre and sixty acers of land I can plow evry bit of hit both way now improvement on hit a bout half of hit ferrerrey I am a gowing to bild on hitthis winter I ame to put aboud ten acers in corn onn hit next spring Me and Enoc Roler is a carren onn a steam destil I own one thir of the stil and has got her pad for I sold my mule and got one hundred and twenty six dollars for him. I have got my waggon and a good hors and a cow and calf and a too year old stear and a sow and nine pigs one good hod to kill and fifty three bushels of corn and the ballence I have to look out for I have some money and fifty dollars owing to me that I can get any time I call for hit I wod be glad of hearing of yew all getting out when yew could do some god. Mother if yew will com! e out hear i will giv yew a home onn my land as long as yew live and if I hav the luck to out liv yew yew never shal want for nothing as long as yew live yew may think hard of me for moveing off ann leavin yew behind but yew consider that I hav a gang of little chilldern to tak cear of and I think I have got in a cuntery that I can take cear of them and have them all a home besides if I live now mother if I never see yew now more I hope to meet yew onn the banks of sweat delivernce wher greaf and trubel will be now more. Margaret and babey is well sow I remane yours until death direct your letters to Dougles County Mo. Turners Store PO >From General R. << Johnson>> to Sarah << Johnson>> . This letter copied as written by General R. << Johnson>> from Douglas County, Missouri to his mother Sarah Bowen << Johnson>> , Scott Co. Va. Addressed on envelope - To Mrs Sarah << Johnson>> , Scott County Va. Stockcreek PO General got into an argument with his first wife's brother in law, Mr. Vaughn, who shot him in the head Jan, 18, 1890 Douglas Co., MO. Malinda , his wife, and two small sons by Peters husband returned to Robinette Valley. "Douglas County Herald January 23, 1890 SHOT and KILLED A fight with pistols and rocks resulting in the death of General Johnson, of this county, took place at the residence of Wm. Vaughn, about 12 miles southwest of Ava on Friday, the 18th inst. William Vaughn and General Johnson were brother-in-law, and have been in a troublesome dispute about the location of a county road, which runs near their farms, for some six months past. Vaughn had just returned from a mill trip to Rome, when Johnson rode up to him on horseback, and a few words passed between them. Both of the men dismounted, and commenced throwing rocks, which was quickly followed by drawing of pistols by both of them and the firing of three or four shots. Johnson was struck in the head by two balls from Vaughn's pistol, making two wounds, either one of which was fatal, add fell dead on the spot. An inquest was held by the coroner at Vaughn's house, and the jury found that the deceased came to his death from the wounds inflicted by Vaughn. General Johnson's remains were taken by the masons of which order he was a member and the funeral took place on Sunday, 19th inst. The preliminary examination will be held at the court house in Ava in Friday, the 23d, before Squire Matthews." Transcribed October 5, 2001 by Jean Brand (hard copy recd from David and Elizabeth Sprinkle)