National Republican., 1880-03-31
THE JOHNSON HOMICIDE.
Evidence Taken Before the Cor.
Oner's Jury Yesterday,
Inquest over the BODY OF James johnson
story OF the Murder Told by Eyo-wit-
nesses 60 Positive Proof OF "Big-
Foop Johnson's Guilt-Tho
Prisoner Photographed
aud Sent 60 Jail.
Tho Murder of Jnmes johnson.

The murder OF James Edward johnson b.
John II. johnson, on Monday night, caused
considerable excitement yesterday, especially
among the colored people and the citizens of
the northern section of tho city. Coroner
Patterson held an inquest at the residence Of
deceased, 1924 Samson street, at l o'clock yes.
tcrday afternoon. The prisoner was brought
down from the Second precinct station at
tended by Lieutenant johnson and strong
guard of police. A crowd began to assemble
long before tho timo set for the inquest, and
when the prisoner was conducted to the house,
the crowd had become so dense as to com.
potely block up Samson street. Although so
large, the crowd was quito orderly during tn
inquest, and only broke forth at tho sight of
johnson, the prisoner, after the verdict had
been announced The proper prelimnaries
having been arranged n jury was empaneled
consisting of seven white and FIVE colored men.
THE TESTIMONY.
| The first witness called was John Clarkson,
who testified that he resided at No. 202O
Eighth street; he and John Finn were COM
ing UP Fourteenth street together, and John
johnson and Preston NJ. Pierce were about
sixty feet behind them; they continued to
Fourteenth and Q streets, johnson and Pierce
having stopped at the coruor Of Fourteenth
and Samson streets; johnson called for them
to como back; they started back, and johnson
and Pierce turned and walked down Four
teenth street with two other young men; they
had got within about ten feet of thcm-about
in front of Hcbners storc-whon johnson and
the others met deceased johnson ran up and
kicked at the cOlored man, who said, What
in the h are you kicking nt2" johnson re-
piled, What do you think ~ The colored
man ran his hand behind him aud said. "You
- -, you'rc.going to shoot, amt you ?"
| i frp1 n lrnuupd. lAy
then ran; did not hear James johnson toll
John Johnson not to shoot him: could not say
why johnson kicked at deceased; did not see
the pistol, it was drawn so quickly; ii was
near o'clock; did not know of any unkind
feeling existing between the two men.
The next witness called WAS p. Maurice
Pierce Ho lived on Caroline street, between
Fourteenth and Fifteenth streets; met John
son in Mr.. Clark's store, 1906 Fourteenth
street. about 2:3O o'clock Monday afternoon,
and was with him up to the time Of tho
tragedy; about 6 o'clock that evening he
went down town with johnson, Frederick
Cook, Mr.. Finn and Mr.. Clarkson; went to
Mr. Millcr's law Office; then up the Avenue to
Fifteenth street and took the Fourteenth
street cars and rode to L street; Finn, Clark
son and witness waited at the corner of
Fifteenth street and Vermont avenue
while johnson and Cook went to
see young lady; waited half an hour and
turned and went back: johnson again Joined
them, leaving Cook with the young lady; they
proceeded up Fourteenth street to the Circle,
johnson and witness being in the rear; after
passing stroct they stopped at Beck's store
where Mr.. Hirth formerly kept; called Turner
Hackman aud Richard Norris out, and asked
them for cigars; they then all four went up
Fourteenth to the north sido Of Samson and
Z stopped In front of Names store; Johnson
turned round and said, "Whoa are those negroes
following Us; let's 60 back" Witness told him
not TO go back, there was no use to
have fuss with any body; did not
think tho negroes were following them;
called Carkson and Hackman and started
down Fourteenth street, Johnson being in
front; the colored men were standing near the
curbstone in front of Mr.. Bigelow's fence;
= johnson looked at the colored men right hard
Jim Johnson said, "What in h are you Look
ing at? 2" John Johnson replied, who in Ii
! do you think?" and then walked back faced
the colorcd man and said, "Who in h are you
p talking to?" Tho colored man jumped back
and squared himself as if about to strike
johnson then kicked at the colored man, who
made motion az If to draw something out Of
his back pocket; Johnson, without hesitation
= drew pistol, and the colored man said, "Don'
shoot me, you white ----i johnson ther
leveled his weapon, and witness saw it shining
and started to Jun; saw Il flash aud saw
the colorcd man drop; Johnson ran through
the alley at tho side Of Mr.. Hebnor's house
witness stood about eight feet from where thu
shot was fired
y John Finn was the next witness. Helivet
= on the Seventh.street road, near the Schuet
zen park came over at 2:30 o'clock to see tn
game of baseball; got lunch at Fincy's, an,
there met johnson, Pierce and Clarkson abOu
$50 o'clock; they asked him if be was goin
down town, as they would like to go with him
intended to 20 to the theatre; got to the A yo
I'D oil fS t,ts
started back up Fourteenth to the Circle
Clarkson and self walked ahead; got to Q stree
lea rd some one call and at The request of Ciarl.
sen ept back three doors north of p street
saw six men standing near the gutter john
>. son kicked the colorod man, who throw u
= his hands aud said, Don't shoot me-; john
son drew pistol and frod; the man
fell, aud he turned aud ran; did not hea
Il the first part Of the quarrel; did no
hear the COlOred man say, You white -
30 -" did not sec him make any motion OK
e cept to throw up his hand; did not know o
s any uukind feeling between the parties
o. The next witness was William Z. Ellis, VIII
= testified that he lived at No. 1856 Q street; wa
50 putting away coal for DR.. Bigclow about
p o'clock on Monday evening; his uncle
30 james Waters, came after him, an,
IS while waiting James johnson came dow
~ the street and stopped and began to talk with
them; witness was about to carry the last loat
waited for them to pass: ono of them (recOg
nzng Johuson) went by aud butted agans
90 Jim johnson, aud turned around and asked
90 "What in the IL was the matter with him;
% Jim Johnson replied, Nothing is tho matte
!" with me; what is the matter with your" an
knock your id head Off" replied the whit
man; Jim Johnson said, mo you won't knocl
D5 my head Off" the man then drew pistol
81 aud Jim johnson said, Don't you shoe
N me-" the man Immediately fired ant
IS jim johnson fell; Jim Waters ran ou
% into tho street aud haloed 'police;" the polio
~ came aud conveyed johnson home was abou
r three feet away from Jim Johnson, and "B
~ Foot" stood right in front Of Jim johnson
they had been standing near the corner abOu
eight minutes; Jim Johnson attempted to &C
out of the way Of big Foot" and did not at
tempt to strike big F6ot;" witness did no
see the white men como up the street; Obi
G, Foot walked out Of his way to butt agains
- Jim johnson, who was standing ON the curt
- James Waters, tho next witness, testino
that ho lived Mt No. 1856 Q street that be
tween 8 and 8 o'clock Monday nigh
no went out 10 look br his nephew
William Ellis; found him on Fourtecnt
street putting some wood and coal ava
with two other boys told him lie wanted hin
whom he got through; whilo standing ther
waiting james johnson came down Fourtcent
street aud stopped and began talking wit
ID witness; while thus engaged four white me
do IN tttn ,ap nj "a