William Oliver Johnson, brother of Essie Jane Johnson, was sheriff of Twiggs County and Robert Madison Johnson, his brother, was his deputy.  They were also farmers.  On April 15, 1914, the sheriff and his deputy went to the home of a negro suspected of robbery.  When they knocked on the door, the negro came out.  The negro asked if he could get a coat and went back into the house.  When he returned he had a shotgun and blew the sheriff's head off.  Robert Madison Johnson, his deputy and brother, carried the sheriff's head home in his coat.  Newspaper reports indicate the negro left town heading north towards North Carolina.  This is an obvious cover up, for it is well known that the negro was caught that day and hung.  The negro's wife was imprisoned for life for being an accomplice. William Oliver Johnson died on April 15, 1914.  His wife Dollie died on July 7, 1938.