Wanted: John James

Article taken from The Western Telegraph, Rossville, OH, September 12, 1839

A murder was committed in the upper part of this county on Friday last, by John James, upon the person of Henderson Berry. We have not learned the particulars, but understand that a dispute arose between them at a Camp-meeting, and that James seized a club and struck Berry on the head, which caused his death in few hours. The Mayor of Middletown has issued the following hand bill:

MURDER!
ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS REWARD

I am authorized by the citizens of Middletown to offer the above reward for the recovery of JOHN JAMES, who committed murder on the 6th of September, on the person of Henderson Berry. Said James is about five feet eight inches high, 38 or 40 years of age, blue eyes, brown or sandy hair, medium size face, small short nose, very prominent between the eyes, a small cut under the ear, small feet; when he left his face was bruised-and is somewhat red naturally; high cheek bones, quick walk, a little stoup shouldered; when he left, had on a black coat, white hat, striped cassinett panatloons. When last seen, had changed his clothing. James is well known in the neighborhood of Franklin, Lebanon, Union Village, Portsmouth, having lived at the latter place for sometime, and is generally known on the line of the Miami Canal, having run the canal boat Maryland from Middletown to Cincinnati for the last eighteen months, and is also known in the city of Cincinnati. James occasionally drinks liquor, and is quick tempered.