National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-01-26
ON TRIAL FOR MURDER,
Hearing Evidence Against John Silas
JOhnson-Three Witnesses Examined.


Yesterday the Criminal Court, Justice James pre-
siding, spent the entire day examining three wit
| nesses in the case of John S. NJ. johnson for the
murder of James F. Johnson in the month of March
last
The cross-examination of Pierce was brought
over from the day before, and the court adjourned
on the cross-examination of Finn the second new
| witness introduced for the day. The testimony of
the latter was most important to the Government
as it directly showed that the defendant fred upon
the deceased without provocation. Colonel Cook
appeared for the first time in the case He showed
the effects of his serious Illness and is still quite
| feeble.
linn ediately after the court convened the cross
examination of Preston NJ. Pierce was taken up
and continued at some length.
ANOTHER ONE OF JoHNsoNS PARTY.
Truman K. Hackman, another of the parties in
company with the defendant at the time of the
homicide, testified that he met the defendant Oh
the day of the shooting at Becks store, and was
asked to go home with him The defendant turned
round on Fourteenth street and said Who are
those niggers following" The witness saw the
deceased and some one else talking in front of Dr.
Bgelows Office, near the curb; the defendant
called to Finn and Clarkson to come back and see
who these men were following; they went back,
and the accused asked the witness to treat and he
| replied that he had no money; they then went Oh
down the street; the deceased advanced and said
to the accused who in hell are you looking at?"
The defendant answered, WHO are you looking
at?" The colorcd man johnson squared off as if he
wanted to fight; the defendant then kicked at
! him: the deceased then made a motion as if 10
draw weapon and said, you s. of b." wit
started to away; he heard the report ofa pistol
and that was all that ne knew about it.
THAT is not all you know" said Mr.. Perry.
$50 on with your story put in Colonel Cork
hill.
Il object" interiected Colonel Cook
a will go with the examination" replied
Mr. Perry, at the same time holding paper in his
hand, from which he was about to read
Z" object to any questiontha requires q reading
of of do To AZ
PENDANT ii die Oh the spot, ratified back Colonel
Cook.
We'll ake care of you, Colonel" smilingly spoke
| the District Attorney.
"Idon't ask any care from YOU" snubbingl y re-
| taliated Colonel Cook.
Gentlemen, must insist that this quarrelng
cease, as it is contrary to the rules of the court
must insist on counsel directing their conversation
the court said the judge in that persuasive way
| Il wish it distinctly understood that l always
| address myself to the court" answered Colonel
! Cook.
Did you not on the 18th of May, 1880, at the
Office of the United States Attorney for the District
| of Columbia, i'll the west wing of this building
make statement with respect to your knowledge
OF the facts OF this caSe? propounded Mr. Perry TO
Il remember of making the statement, but
don't remember the day. 1t in the office of
| the District Attorney" responded the witness.
| Mr. Perry then started 20 read a portion of the
| argument ensued on the admisSablity of such ties
| timOny.
The court decided 10 allow the question 10 be
| put and an exception was noted.
The witness was then recalled.
q ask you now" said Mr.. Perry, whether Won
then stated Il thought there going to be some
! shooting. Alter had gone few steps l turned
around and saw defendant with his pistol out in
his hand. Then started to run and heard the re-
| port
II might have made the statement about seeing
the pistol out in the defendants hands, but do
not recollect it now, answered the witness.
He then proceeded with the testimony but
nothing new elected. The usual cross-eXanl-
ination followed.
WHAT JOHN FINN SAW.
John Finn was next called, and testified that it
after six O'Clock that day when he met the de-
PENDANT. The witness then went over the route
previously travelled by the ether witnesses, and
finally brought up on Fourteenth street, near the
scene of the tragedy. when they reached
Q street." he said, Clarkson asked the witness if
he would not go back, and he turned around
and went with him toward Samson street.
He saw ahead of them Johnson, Pierce, Hickman,
and Harris When the witness got nearer he saw
Johnson walk up to two eolored men standing near
the edge of the curb with their backs to the street
He asked one of the coored men who he was look
ing at. The man replied that he was looking at
him (Johnsonl. The defendant kicked the man,
and as he went to dc it he put his hand behind
him and drew pistol The deceased threw up
shoot me-" The defendant shot, and the man
fell. The witness then went up Fourteenth street
home.
The cross-examination was then taken mp, and
not concluded at the time of the adjournment of
fho