05/31/2026
In October of 1874 James Johns heard rustling in his orchard after dark and went to investigate. He claimed he attempted to fire a warning shot, but ended up hitting a 15 year old boy who was accompanied by a friend. The two boys were in the process of stealing some of John's grapes.
James John felt horrible for shooting the boy and the boy's father was scathing mad. John decided to turn himself in to the Portland jail. The Police first turned him away, but he insisted that he stay the night.
When the grand jury looked over the evidence they determined there was probably a need for a trial. James John was acquitted of the charges during the trial.
The boy was William Loomis, son of Christopher Loomis and grandson of James L and Sarah Loomis.
From of the notes of Gil Parton. Photo credit: the Oregonian.
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From an article in the Oregonian October 19, 1874 the headline read Boy Shot. It went something like this: Particulars of a shooting affair which occurred at or near St Johns on Saturday evening have just been received. The parties directly concerned in the affair are Jas. John and a son of Chris Loomis, age about 15 years. It seems that Mr John, who is the proprietor of a large orchard and vineyard had been of late missing considerable fruit, particularly grapes. About 8 o'clock on Saturday evening, hearing a noise down by the orchard, Mr John suspected that it might be coming from persons stealing fruit. He had been greatly annoyed by these intruders, and he determined to teach them a salutary lesson, and if possible, scare them off for good. Arming himself with a small revolver, Mr John sallied forth. It was quite dark and he could discern an object but a few yards distant from him. He was correct in his surmises, for it proved to be the thieves. They heard him coming and made off. John heard the bushes rattling and called out to the intruders to stop. No answer was received, and John discharged his revolver in the direction of the noise. The shot was fired at random, more for the purpose of scaring the persons than for any other object. The ball took effect in the right thigh of young Looms who was one of the thieves. No bones were fractured, the ball passing through the fleshy portion of the limb, inflicting an ugly wound. On ascertaining the result of the shot, Mr John felt very sorry and regretted his hasty action in the matter. Great indignation was felt by a number of persons in and about St Johns, when they learned of the affair, and several who were personal enemies of Mr John, made threats of violence. Finding that he was menaced, he obtained a boat on Sunday morning and started for this city with the intention of surrendering himself to the Police authorities. He was followed by several, and perceiving that they were likely to overtake him, he landed and started to walk to the city. Arriving there in the afternoon, Mr John related the circumstances to the officers and surrendered himself into their custody. He was placed in jail and an examination will take place this morning. Mr John has the reputation of being a quiet, peaceable citizen.
In a follow up article, who's date was not documented in our archives we learn this: Not Guilty. Mr James John of St Johns who, it will be remembered, shot a boy in the leg about ten days ago, who in the company of another lad was stealing grapes from his premises, was indicted by the the grand jury, just prior to being discharged last week. Yesterday the case came up for trial in the Circuit Court. After hearing all the testimony, the jury return a verdict of honorable acquittal.
