The Wilmingtonian., 1824-04-01

Itiy. or il was hnale ~ se''eS "
which he had long toreseen, and to nee'
,hich he had prepared himself. a man
betrayed by avarice or lntemperance ln'o
,be commission OF the crime OF murder,
and under the sentence OF death, would \
while an object of horror, be still able to
command sympathy justice claims ms
life, but a sigh would escape tor ms ms
fortunes, In the case of Johnson, taking
all the circumstances into cons'ue al VI
there is no room for pity. Tie does no
seem to wish it; he feels that he is not en-
titled to it.
During the trial bis wife was present.
regarding every thing that was passing
with interest, but not anxiety. she at one
lime shuHled through the crowd, and got
la seat next to the bar, where he was pla'
Iced. She was a stout, coarse looking "o-
man, with marks ofhaving once been hand
some, and of the ordinary class OF unedu-
|cated persons. A conversation took place
between Johnson and his wife at intervals,
which was overheard by the officers, and
would almost create a doubt as to its truth
lif the facts had not been well established
lit seems that he has a small farm III Or
anee county, on which his family reside.
During the most intensely interesting part
of the trial, wherein the particulars ct this
foul deed were detailing to the Jury, and
when from the chest Of the unforluna'e
Murray the bloody sheets and pillow case,
with his clothes, we're occasionally display
ed Johnson would look on to hear the
most important facts, and then turn to his
wife, and renew a conversation broken by
the proceedings of the trial, on the most
ordinary domestic topics, such as one
would suppose to be most foreign to hls
Iorlornand awful situation. allow old is the
mare 70 said he to his wife. "About thir-
teen" she replied. "fou were toni to
give So much for her," said Johnson. "What
have YOU done with the 500 sent you II
|" laid it out for several things" said the
wife. Johnson would then listen to the ev-
idence, aud shake hs head and mutter al
some part of it; then turning 10 his wife,
land leaning over the bar, he said, Y" What
HAS become Of the old SOW :" She answer
led. And he would occasonally y ask hei
questions about children's shoes, "not to
forget such law suit" to call upon such
IA person" for such thing; in short dia.
llugue, such as would seem natural between
innocent persons at fresde, took place
between Johnson and his wife and, after
he babe her go to the farm and
mot come back here agaln.-Ihese facts
will serve to illustrate the state OF John
sons mind. and prove beyond doubt the
Iapathy anu indifference with which he re.
CARDS his present condition.
| He has, we understand, made some con
fessons of importance, which hereafter wil
be promulgated ne has, however, we be
IIieve, some more yet to make.
During the trial he fell muslng, am
turning to Collins, one Of the marshals
|" Coiiins." SAID lie. "do you remember
some years ago, my getting you to serve ;
Warrant for $50. for the wages ri young
sailor: Do you remember the maa r :"
'Irencuber the circumstance well, said Col
Ilns. DO you mind that-do You mint
that :" said johnson to him with peculia
emphasis and significant look. Nh.
johnson should recal 10 the recollection O
ollins an event SO t.ii.ing in Itself, and a
an awful moment, cannot he explained
'hnIess i, referred to the life of the sailor
'Iwhose wagrs had hrrn thus recovered, ant
Ethe Sudden recurrence Of the fact to tn
Imnd Of Johnson.
Curiosity and inquiry relative to forme
!evcut1 connected with the life Of Johnson
have been ailnat since his conviction, an,
there are some facts deserving particula
inquiry. Behind J0hnson's house. when h
'iIivrd IN Ihtng--trctt, a man WAS pcke'
Iup irom the dock, with his heat, beat in
similar to Murray's. After Johnson NOV
'Icd into front-street, a man was found deaf
in his bed, and a coroner's jury, on whic|
IJnhnson sat, returned verdict of intcm
,Iperance although those who knew him. pro
lnounced him to be sober man, and ha,
Igone to bed so, but where no suspicion
'lcxiste,, inquiry was not awakened.
, 'Ipcdlar with about $500 in goods, &c. lodg
led at J"hnson's about year since, but n
trace ot him has been found. One of tn
; Witnesses subpenaed by Johnson, but no
sworn. says that he boarded there, and i
a furious quarrel between Johnson and hi
wiie, the latter charged him with havin
lglven laudamum to some person, and John
son declared that for what he had done TO
rhe family, he should have been in tn
State Prison years ago. The !ndger tiud
! Ing himself in bad hands, left the house.