Policeman Joseph E Johnson is buried in Denison's, Oakwood Cemetery

Denison Daily News Friday Oct 31, 1879
Policeman Johnson shot down by a Negro.
Murdered Escapes Under Cover of Darkness

About 8 o'clock last night (Thursday) a negro many called on Police Officer Johnson and requested him to arrest a negro man named Frank Porter who lives in a log cabin on West Main Street, for theft of a coat from Bennett & Co. Johnson was in company with Constable Spence, started to make the arrest. Arrive at the house occupied by Porter the officers procured a lamp from the negro who had come with them, and Johnson proceeded to enter the cabin by the back door. As he opened the door the lamp blew out, and at the same instant Porter fired two shots at Johnson. One shot grazed his face and the other passed through his heart. Johnson fell and expired almost instantly.
Spence who was standing near the door, fired one shot at the negro, as he escaped through the door but it is supposed, without effect, as the negro eluded his pursuit in the darkness. A  large crowd soon collected and volunteers started out in search of the murderer, but up to the time of going to press no trace of his as been obtained. It was raining and the night quite dark. His capture is, however only a question of time, and it is our opinion if he falls into the hand of our people the county will not be put to any expense in meeting out justice.
Mr Joseph Johnson was one of the bravest and most energetic officers Denison ever had. He was a young many, strictly temperate in his habits and sustained an excellent moral character. Only a few weeks ago he was married to an estimable young lady from Corsicana. It was only yesterday morning that she went down to Coriscana to visit her parents. Mr Nelms telegraphed the sad news to Corsicana last night.
The widow of Constable Nelms who was killed on somewhat similar circumstances a few months ago, is the sister to Mr Johnson.

Denison Daily News. (Denison, Tex.), Vol. 7, No. 208, Ed. 1 Saturday, November 1, 1879

Funeral of Fallen Officer Joseph E Johnson

The funeral of the murdered officer, Joseph E Johnson, took place Friday afternoon at 4 o'clock, from the residence of deceased on Crawford Street, and notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather, was largely attended. The procession left the residence in the following order;
First, Denison Artillery Company, followed by the Gate City Guards, the hearse, carriages containing relatives of deceased, carriages with the Mayor, members of the city council, city and county officials, citizens in carriages and a large number on horseback and on foot.
An impressive funeral sermon was delivered by Rev Mr Kone. Three rounds were fired over the grave of the departed officer by the Gate City Guards, when the earth was heaped over his last remains.
Officer Joseph E Johnson was a native Texan. He was born in Harrison County on the 18ty day of Sept , 1853. He came to this city about sixteen months ago and by his gentlemanly deportment and temperate habits soon gained the esteem and confidence of the community.
On June 11th last when the present city administration came into office, Johnson was elected Police Officer, a position which he has since held and the duties of which he has discharged to the perfect satisfaction of his superiors and in a manner which elicited the respect and admiration of all. By his untimely end the city as lost an able and efficient officer, society a useful member and the writer of this , who by reason of his position was thrown in daily contact with him, and how ,during these few months that they were connected, had leaved to love and esteem him for his many noble qualities, has lost a true and highly valued friend, whose memory will remain dear to him through life.
A few weeks ago, September 18th deceased was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Bailey, an estimable young lady of Corsicana. With what anxiety he awaited the day which was to united him to the being he so fervently love; how he saved to provide a comfortable home for her; and now when he had at last reached the goal of his ambition, when he was united to her who was so dear to him, in possession of an honored position, enjoyed the esteem of his superiors, his associates and of the community in which he lived, surrounded by all which makes life desirable, and in early bloom of his manhood, to be cut down by the hand of a miserable negro thief is indeed sad.
To the sorrowing young wife to the distressed sister, who in a few brief months has lost a darling husband and a dear brother, both by negro desperadoes, under similar circumstances, to this young brother and to the other relatives, the News extends it most heartfelt sympathies. 

The Coroners Inquest

The following is the testimony given by Constable Spence before the coroners' jury Friday. Mr Spence accompanied Policeman Johnson to the house to arrest the negro Porter and was present when he was killed.
At about 9 o'clock PM Oct 30th, 1879, deceased and myself when to the house of Mr John Hayes to arrest a party accused of stealing a coat of W M Bennett. We went into the house; I lit the lamp; I found a party in bed and asked his name; he told me his name; he told me his name was Chas. Henry; I then asked the deceased and a negro who went with us to identify the party, to come around and see if this is was the party; the negro identified him (Henry) as the party who had stolen the coat; I then told Henry to get up and put on his clothes, and whilst dressing, deceased asked Henry what his name was; he then stated his name was Charles Johnson; deceased then wrote it down on a piece of paper, which is here produced; Johnson then got out of bed and was looking around for his shoes, and while looking the light went out; Chas. Johnson then walked toward the door, as I thought , to push the door to; I pushed him back and told him to dress and get ready to go down to town; the then stepped back; I then told deceased to strike a light, and befre he did a shot was fired; I then drew my pistol and fired in direction of the flash; two shots were fired by Chas, Johnson and two by me; at this time the back door fell down and the front door opened, and two persons ran out of the back door and one at the front door. At this time I heard a woman groaning; did not know it she had been hurt; I ran out the front door; heard something in the weeds; moving in a southern direction; gave chase in that direction; did not see anything and returned to the house met the negro at the corner of the house and said that a man was dead; I asked him what man; he said that [it was] policeman.
I went into the yard and found Joseph E Johnson lying dead. Heard no other shooting than the four shots, fired in the house, two by myself and two by Chas. Johnson, after sending some one to care for the decease.
The jury brought in a verdict in accordance with the above facts, which was confirmed in all essential particulars by the evidence of John Hayes and Julia Wilson--both colored--who were in the house when the tragedy was enacted.
It is now pretty certain that Porter remained in town until towards daylight. A negro reports having spoken with him not long after the murder was committed, in the alley in the read of Libbe's Saloon, on Main Street, and he says that Porter told him he had killed a policeman, but he supposed he was joking. Porter secreted himself on one of the freight trains which went north during the night. He was discovered at Caddo and recognized by Mr George Cornelius, the brakeman on No. 8.
Cornelius fired two shots at him as he was entering a store, and Porter shot twice at Cornelius in return. Pursuit was immediately given, but the negro escaped to the brush. Several Parties immediately started out in pursuit of him, and it was reported here about noon that he had been surround in a thicket.
City Marshal Hardwick, Deputy U S Marshal Stephenson, Constable Spence, US Deputy Marshal Tom Wright, W H Winn and several others left for Caddo on the noon train to join in the search for the murderer.

The Daily News
Denison, TX
Nov 2, 1879

"Pursuit of Porter" A dispatch was received from Constable Spence from Caddo about 3 pm Saturday, re-questioned Mr Kemp and a certain negro who is acquainted with Porter's former places of residence in the Territory, to come to the river. From this dispatch it would appear that the track had been lost, or that the party had divided.

Same Addition-
The following dispatch from Marshall Hardwick, was received by Mayor Peck Saturday evening;

Atoka, 5:40  Hon W M Peck , DenisonFrank Porter was seen here at 3 o'clock. He is sore-footed he can't travel; I think we will get him tonight. Hardwick

same addition;
Captured!

We learn from a reliable source that the posse which left this city Friday noon in pursuit of Frank Porter, the murderer of Policeman Joseph E Johnson, succeeded in capturing their man in the woods about a quarter of a mile South of Atoka at six o'clock yesterday evening. He was running upon the prairie at the time. He was traced form Caddo on the wagon road, his footsteps being plainly visible in the sand. Porter made full confession of his guilt. He was placed in a room in Brown's Hotel for safe keeping, and will probably be brought to this city before this paper is in the hands of our readers.

Same addition;
"Frank Porters Career"

Frank Porter the murderer of Policeman Johnson, is said to be a native of Kentucky. He was a private in the 10th US Cavalry, Colored at Fort Sill, when he deserted and came to this city about three years ago. He was employed as dishwasher at Tobin's Restaurant for a while, and afterwards at various times with the construction train of the M K & T.
His name appears on the Mayors docket in Aug 1878 and he served out his fine in the jail. I appears also about the same time on Justice Kirk's docket, the charge being theft of a guitar. He was acquitted of this charge for want of evidence. Next he was implicated in Jail delivery here, since which time he has given this city a wide berth until recently.
H next appeared in Bonham and was sentenced to a term in the county jail of that place for some misdemeanor. He escaped from Jail and came over here nearly four weeks ago. That he was an escaped convict was communicate to our offices by Deputy Sheriff Ragsdale, of that county a week ago or so, yet it seems no efforts were made to capture him and rid out city of the presence of such an undesirable person.

The Daily News:(missed date)

An indictment charging Frank Porter with the murder of police officer Joseph E Johnson, was returned by grand jury of Grayson County, Tuesday, and the following attorneys, Viz; Judge Silas Hare and Messrs. W E Cook, E C McLean and J R Cox appointed by Judge Bledsoe to defend him. In view of this formidable array of legal talent for the defense, some steps should be taken by our citizens to secure the services of an able lawyer to assist the district attorney in the prosecution. It would be too bad if Porter should escape the death penalty, which his awful crime demands. The case will be called Tuesday, Nov 18th.

The Daily News Thursday Nov 20, 1879

The case of the State vs Frank Porter, charged with the murder of Policeman Johnson, in Denison, was taken up in the District court yesterday. There are twenty-two witnesses present. A jury was em-paneled and three witnesses examined last night. The case will occupy the attention of the court, no doubt for several days.
The testimony for the prosecution closed about three o'clock  and it was thought the case would go to the jury las night. The testimony against Porter was very strong, and it is the general opinion of those that heard it  that he will hang. 

The Daily News Thursday Nov 20, 1879
Testimony Closed in the Murder Trail.
Special to the Daily News,
Sherman, Nov 19, 8pm-