The New York herald., 1872-12-11
THE STORY OF A ANEGR0S NlUMAN CRIME
A Colored Citizen Improving on
White Example.
An EXTRAORDINARY STATEMENT BY A JUDGE
The Murdefer's Invitation to the llnbleSStd
10 Meet Him in Paradise.
"AHD MUST ] LAY THIS BODY DCWs.9"

WASHINGTON Dec. 10, 1872.
Charles Johnson, cOl0rcd, who was convicted on
the 25th OF October last Tor the murder of his wife,
Jane Johnson, on the night OF the 2sth Of Septen-
Der. In Georgetown, expiated his offence on the
gallows to-day in the presence OF four or five hun
dred spectators Johnson was born IN slavery, and
while slave married the deceased. Upon being
freed during the late war. he entered the army,
and during his absence he says she became
enceinte by another man. He, however, took
her again to his bosom upon promise to do better.
Again he enlisted in the cavalry, and according to
his statement, made provision for her support.
She was unfaithful second time, yet, returning to
Georgetown last Spring, he again provided her
with home On the night OF the 2Sth OF Septem
Der, returning home he found the house deserted
and the ROOFS impoverished. II was u Saturday
night, ana he began making preparation for sun
day.
TOOK OUT HIS RAZOR,
and, while getting ready to shave, she came on the
premises. Johnson went out to meet her. They
had some Words a quarrel followed and in his sud-
den frenzy he inflicted five wounds with the deadly
weapon. The case was tried before Judge Hum
pbreys, OF the Criminal Court, beginning on Octo-
Der %, and the evidence for the prosecution
showed that Johnson who is about thlrty-dve or
thIrty-six years OF age, had threatened his wife
early In September, was arrested ON q peace war
rant and gave bonds for his good behavior. On the
night OF the MURDER about six O'Clock. Mrs. John
son went home, and shortly after he took her TO
the back Of the yard, and, holding her head across
the palings, cut her throat from ear to ear. The
principal wound was from side TO side, the knife
reaching to the spine, nearly severing the head
lrom the body. There were wounds on the right
hand, back OF the neck and on the cheek. Aided Co
THE HORRIBLE MuTILATIoN
was the evidence that she was eacei}ate about six
or seven months During the ARRAY she cried for
help, ana resisted with all her might, but in the
hands OF the enraged husband, who claimed that
he was blinded by jealousy, she was helpless az
a child. The shrleks Of the d, ing attracted
the neighbors, and the police were informed Of
the deed. Officer TMpDe followed him up, and
arrested bim Johnson made no resistance, con
fessed the murder, and said he had thrown away
the razor. The prisoner was locked up a. the
Georgetown station house, ana the following day
search was made about the yard Tor the mu, derous
weapon and it was found in the locality indicated
by the prisoner. The home OF Johnson was destl-
tute OF furniture. There was nothing in the
premis es but stove and trunk For the Coro.
ners use a table and chairs Were borrowed The
evidence both before the Coroner and at the trial,
was such as to leave no doubt in the minds OF
the jurors lie had admitted that he did the
deed nstigated by
THE GIEEN-EYED MONSTER;
tiat in spite OF all lnildeiy he could not fo rsake
her; that had spent 81, 900 in providing for her
yet, with all his Kindness, she would not be con-
stant.
The trial tasted but one day and on the 18th OF
October, the case was given to the jury. The num-
ber ol trials lor murder which preceded this
had wrought morbid desire in the minds of the
iliterate spectators to see how the accused would
take. the verdict. The crowd fingered about the
court room, and the usual chatter (Which is barely
suspended during the session OF the Criminal CourU
set in with unusual voubility and made the court
not long to wait, however The Judge had charged
! the Jury that the malice OF the deed was
implied, from The weapon used and the facts
connected with the case; so alter short absence
the jury appeared, and the verdict Of 'Guty as in
dicted" announced. An effort was made to secure
second trial, but Judge Humphreys promptly
oyerruled the motion, whereupon the counsel
then tried to obtain postponemeDt of the judg
show Johnson's mental im6ecilily, Which they
thought was well exhibited by the fact that he had
taken care OF her as his vile when he knew her to
be encei1tte by another man. THIS did not strike
the Court as reason for postponement OF SEN
tence While admitting that there were strange
circumstances in the case, yet they were not dis
similar to circumstances in other cases which had
been decided upon. in this case the evidence
showed that
JOHNSON HAD AN ORDINARY CARE OF HIMSELF
and family, going regularly about his business and
making arrangements for his family. Judge
Humphreys here took occasion to say that had
! every woman been slain who. during the war, had
yed oa Ta hn oaner men tnan tnep husbands @ az there
He regretted that 1t was his duty to pass sentence;
but ne could % not set aside the verdict, and duty
the sentence was accordingly pronounced, Judge
humphreys addressing tue culprjt IN lew
marks, In which he dwelt on the enormity of his
offence.
The Attorney General yesterday decided not
and warden Tan crocker se commence th 'ae w
ments for the execution to-day. Since Johnson
had learned that there was but little hope OF having
TIE sentence stayed he has endeavored to profit
! by the religious visits OF several OF the col
ored cergymen OF the District; his time has
stated that he had made his peace with God and
was anxious to be freed from earthly care.
The scaffO,d Is the same on which George w.
jenkins was hung, on the 3ist OF October, Tor the
murder OF mis- wife, and on which Barney Woods
suffered death on Friday last for the murder OF
Mr. :. NJ Cheeseman. The prisoner has tor the
past week occupied the cell in which jenkins spent
Dis last hours upon earth, and irom which he was
today led otth for execution.
THE EXECUTION THE MURDERER.
johnson was comparatively quiet during last
night and arose this morning in cheerful mood
about eight O'Clock. The IRONS were removed and
a substantial breakfast furnished him. lie said he
wanted 10 Tx up ana oe ali Iight that ne was
OF his wife in Mount Zion Ground, near George
town. where he had child and friends inferred.
shortly afterwards the Rev. Dr. Draper, 0f Bethel,
and subsequently Rev. Messrs. Gibbons and Pinck-
ney, arrived and engaged with The prisoner in
spiritual exercises, He attired himself for de-
parture from the jail and was removed to the
Warden's room, wnere devotional exercises
were continued. During all this lie appeared
more cheerful than any OF the others present.
AT ha-past eleven the undertaken arrived
with hearse and plain conn, the latter being
bitter cold yet around the Jail yard were
crowds OF people, while rom every ROOT top and
were hundreds OF anxious eyes peeling upon the
instrument OF death.
WITHIN THE JAIL YARD,
sur rounding the gallows and building, was a detail
OF sbivcriDg policemen, more anxious to be re-
evcd from this duty than 70 witness the execu-
tion The morbid sghtseers were on hand, and
those who had been present on many such Occa-
si0ns compared notes, one or two asserting that
this would be the twenty hanging match wit
messed by them. Ten minutes before one O'Clock
the solemn procession was marshaled by warden
Cr0cker, assisted by his guards, and approached
the doomed man. The Warden announced that IL
was his painful duty to carry into execution the
sentence OF the law.
THE DEATH WARRANT
was read, after which the clergy asked the prisoner
If he was prepared TO die, to which Johnson re-
sponded with erv0r that he was prepared to 20
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