The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-05-26
YoUNo JOHNSON DECLARED INSANE
His Wire Describing his Strange Actions and
how he Attempted TO KIN Her.

Charles f. johnson (son Of Charles
Johnson, Of tho Ninth Avenue sago
Linc). who visited his young wifc at her
fathers house in Brooklyn on tho 2Gth Of last
December, and there shot her without provo
cation and who has been in tho Bloom
tngdnlo Asylum was taken before sherif's
jury yesterday, in ono OF the Supreme Court
rooms in this city. He owns about $4,000 In
ronl estate and bonds and the object was to as
certain whether he was mentally capable OF
taking charge OF It. Tho Commissioners in
Lunacy, Mr.. Isaac Dayton, DR.. William G. Hun
ter, and Mr.. Bernard Smyth. who were appointed
by Judge Donohue May %, presided. The fret
witness WIS Mr.. Charles Johnson. tho father
who testified In answer to questions put by Gen.
d. f. Tracy OF Brooklyn that his son was 90
years old last October From the ago Of four
until few ycnrs ago no had been accustomed
to get out OF his bed nights and walk about in
his room. In the morning he would have no
memory Of what he had done. The witness had
been importuncd by him into conscnting to
his marriage with Miss Florence Benedict Of
Brooklyn year ago last December. contrary
to the advice OF the family physician. His son
had never been known to use profnnc cx-
preston, and was so strongly opposed to the
use OF sprituous liquors that he had oven re-
monstratd with his father against having wine
on the dinner table. He was worry wakoful at
night. and his mother was often Obliged to
bandage his head with cloths which had bccn
dipped In hot water. m tho only method Of in
ducinR sleep. His teacher had reported that no
had poor capacity to acquire learning on
nc'ount OF lnck Of memory. When his wife
ilndilv let him on the, 18th Of lust December.
his father was OBLIGED to 90 with him 10 his
house and sleep in the same bed with him be-
cause he could not bear to- he alone At this
time he did not sleep ut all. md ate very little
ln all tN
II" ALWAYS spoke Rfr ctionatnly Of his wife. His
father frequently said TO him:
You hnyce nice little wife. viii you treat
H. always answered that he would. when
told OF his actions toward his wife he said;
.Did Flo tell You that2 It's probably true"
lic seemed to have no memory of the occur
Mrs. Charles f. Johnson. who appears a,nrcc-
ly ~ years old. was next called TO testify. She
WIS dressed in black with high crowned bla *
very very, pale shn sad al" hid been aca%oin W'1
with hcr husband five ycar~S~fo fore she married
him. They hnve ono child. eight months old.
fond Of fancy household articles, she began a
pirrc of worstcd work which she kept from his
day he came suddenly into tho room and
| discovered IT, He snatchcd II from her
| hands witha profnne expression and struck
| her on the head. Then he kicked her work
| basket across the floor. saying he was sick and
! tired OF seeing worstcd work about tho house.
| He had. in fact. never seen any worstod work in
| the house before. Once he packed his satchel,
! and when he was asked whore he vns going h"
| told his wife la, did not know uut was going to
| take the first train. She urged Elm to wait 'Or
supper He did So. hut cried while ut the table.
! After supper be- asked her II she would not .go
! 70 theatre. They went together. and he he
! haved rs usual. His next attack did not occur
| until the lapse 81 three weeks, during which he
| was cheerful and afrectionatc. Mrs. Johnson
told several other instances oi similar conduct.
| During such times his face which usually con-
| his eyes would look wild, and the whites Of his
| eyes would acquire yellow tinge. Mrs. john
son testified that his hair would seem to change
! To lighter color. would shake his head
and look down at his hands when he was not
| on Dec o." continued Mrs Johnson.
| seven days after had felt compelled 10 leave
| him with my child. he came 10 my father =
house. The servant told me- il was his fathcr
my child with mo. He was pacing the floor
with his head bent down. his eye looking wild
e, l want to see my wife and child alone. he
said;
j thought he wanted to nsk forsiyenoss for
when II she bad bad turned /? SO said to HIM
AT that he caught me Ivy the throat and
pointed a pistol at mo, NV mother made a
movement which attracted his attention and /
The basement. but when / was about Iaf way
| down the stairs he fired. The bail entered nv
right breast. Then he went out of thu hous..
around TO the rear Of the house BY this tim, he
ike himself again H. Ecrkomrd M M" 10 cone
! out in u kind and nfrectionate WAY. | don't b.
lew, he knew what he was doing when he shot
S veral physicians were called including DR..
aud DR.. Charles IL Nichols. re- lent phys "ian
! OF opmingdalo Asylum. All agreed that b"
VAS suffering from masked opilepsy.a form OF
! disons" which affects the brain without mani
! fa-ting itself IN commissions
Ihen yoGng johnson WINS l"l into The room
| f =