National Republican., 1878-11-26
An Interesting Contempt Case.

| An Interesting Contempt Case.
Some time during week before last, when the
District sppesl cases occupied the time and
attention Of the Criminal Court, the case Of
John J. White was called The defendant Is
a grocer, and has his place of business at No.
1901 Ninth street northwest, aud was charged
with selling liquor In less quantities than
pint without first obtaining the necessary
Ccnse
| Assistant District Attorney Francis Miller
| placed the cause on the assignment, and on the
18th inst. It was reached and called but the
prosecuting officer found himself minus his
principal witness. Tho latter failing to appear,
although present In the courtroom that morn
ing. the case was continued, and an attachment
issued for Edward johnson, the much desired
man.
It may be appropriate to state here that this
individual has testified for the District in
many liquor cases. and outsiders regarded him
| as professional In the business. IL was re.
peatcdly asserted that he was the tool Of the
police, furnished with money to do the dirty
work Of an informer, and the charge was as
| often denied.
While the court was engaged Yesterday In
| the murder trial OF Samuel A. Clark, Bailif
| Taylor brought into the chamber q dark.
skinned. dirty.looking youth. placed him in
| the prisoners dock. aud handcutfed him to the
| rails Of the ssat. He had the appearance Of
| being a cross between au Indian and white. or
| what is known rs = half.brecd. lie was any
thing but preposscssing in countenance, and
showed himself to be rough aud ill.natured
and Of q vindictiye temper.
At four o'clock, when the proceedings In the
murder trial terminated for the day, Mr.. Mil
| Ter announced TO the court that Edward John.
SON. tho Ascending witness, had been brought
in on an attachment. and asked that His Hon.
or take the proper action requisite In tho case.
Mr. I at ha rnt
for the boy, and believed that II tho court were
acquainted with all the circumstances con.
nected with Johnsons sudden disappearance
he would not only 10 astonished, but believe
the boy more sinned against than SHINING. lie
asked that the prisoner be permitted to relate
the experience he had gone through with in his
own way.
JOHNsoS's STORY
Johnson was called to the witness stand,
sworn. aud then said that he was at the court.
house on the morning OF the day the case was
set for trial but before II was called Mr..
Reed CAME to him. aud at his invitation they
went across the street to lIagerty's restaurant
and took drink. Upon coming out Reed per
suaded him 10 go to Willismsons saloon. on
Pennsylvania avenue, where he treated TO
oysters Thence they went TO a restaurant
near the Baltimore and Ohio depot, where
game Of bluf or draw poker was going, on aud
remained some time. Reed seemed to have u
good deal OF money and took part in the game.
Leaving that place. they proceeded to New
haus brewery, on Capitol Hill. While there
Reed gave him 81 or s''. which he stated
that Mr.. White had told him to pay to john
sou for remaining away from court.
He left Reed aud went TO Mrs. Hardins on
| Sinth street. where he remained until last
| Friday. Nj. White came 10 the house and
raid 1frs. Hardin for his board. for he saw II
done and in addition gave Johnson quantity
Of cigars.
II. II. Wells, jr., who represented Mr.. White
at the limC Of the trial, srd that he was con-
PEELED to doubt J0hnsOn's statement yer,
much, and would like to have Mr.. White in
court to confront him In justice TO his client
he wished TO say that some time previous to
tho triul in tho Police Court Mr.. White came
to him and said that the boy johnson had been
/ to his store aud stated that II he (White)
4. would pay him SIS lie would go away aud not
d lie Ou hand at the trial in the Criminal Court.
. Mr.. Wells told him not to pny single cent
: but IL he did, then lie must find some other
Q attorney to defend him, for he Wells would
T. have nothing to do with the case.
j.. Mrs johnson, the mother OF the accused
t was anxious to tell what she knew: SO the oath
Is was administered and chance given. She
o stated that heI boy had been away for week
Is and when he came fOmc she told him that the
:. officers had been there with bench warrant
after him, and wanted to know what he hat
Il been doing. He then told her. She further sait
/. Mr. Whites store Tor groceries, and he cam,
= home beastly drunk. He told her at the tint
d that 1t was not her money he had spent fol
e whisky. but some given him by Police Office
}. Rearney.
e THE POLICEMAN
e WAS standing In front OF the witness. and wa
n considerably taken back by this disclosure
d lie insisted that the boy be recalled and sec !
/. he would say so.
Ie Mr.. Wel,s--"I do not think be will. d,
t. not believe that Mr.. Kearney gave him none,
it for such = purpose.
) johnson returned 10 the stand aud said tha
Police Oficer krsrncy gave him money for tn
10 purpose Of going TO the store uud seeing IL H.
II could obtain whisky In less quantity than
in pint, but that he did not spend the money; h
III kept IL and used hi, mothers II will he nc
le tced that his story TO his mother Is directly I
IS the contrary.
10 Police Officer Kearney was then sworn, an
ct admitted that he did give the boy money Ia x
le into the store aud buy the liquor. He the
IN tried to back the boy up by saying that he ha
~ good character, and been in only few din
~ Cultcs.
IN Mir. Mcconnell again intercoded with th
er court to be lenient.
ar His Honor replied that he should punis
X Johnson Tor not obeying the subpoena Of tn
At court and permitting himself to be inveigle
In away frOln the trial. He sentenced him to ia
re for thirty days. lie further said that he shoul
X lay rulo on Mr.. White and Mr. Reed to sho'
III cause why they too. should not be punishc
70 for contempt. The rule was ordered to issu,
4. and made leturnable next Friday, at tw
o'clock.
Il, CLOTHING. EIsEMAN BROS, COR. I'll
AND t.
J., FoR guld.Glled and plated Jewclry call At
Harris x COS, iJJ seventh street.