National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-01-25
BELOW THEIR MARKET VALUE.
ALL Wool French SergeS,
rs Cents.
TYLER & CHEWING,
JOHN JOHNSON'S CRIME.
Opening the Trial in the Criminal Court
Mr.. Perry Corners a Witness.

Opening the Trial in the Criminal Court
MT. Perry Corners a Witness.
The trial of John s. NJ. Johnson, charged with
the murder of James Z. Johnson on Fourteenth
street on the 29th of last March. was resumed in
Che Criminal Court, before Justice James, yester-
day morning Assistant District Attorney Perry
made the opening for the Government, and
Travelled over the path pursued by the young man
ON the day that ended with the tragedy.
EXAMINATION OF WITNESSES.
The first witness was Dr. Horatio A. Bigalow, who
testified to seeing the deceased the night of the
10Th of March last, between halfpast eight and
nine o'clock as he was being carried by Heffner's
confectionery store, and followed the body to the
house IN Samson street, where he made an exam
ination. He then described the nature of the
wound inflicted. DR.. J. F. Hartigan, who per-
formed the autopsy, testified TO the result of the
examination. Mary Ann johnson, mother of the
deceased, testified TO her sons age and TO having
seen him few minutes before the shooting
Preston NJ Pierce who was with the defendant
on the afternoon of the shooting. after detailing
their travels finally reached the scene of the trag
ely, and testified that Carkson, Finn Cook, John
son. and witness went out Fourteenth street together
on the west side. They went past Beck grocery
store, just above street, stopped and called Mr..
Hackmam ami Norris ont of the store, and all went
up the street together, ClQTson and Finn being in
front far as Samson street, and stopped on the
north side. johnson called ClarkSon and Finn
back and said, 20 Jimmie, come on back" He did
not remember anything being said to him Ghe wit
ness by Johnson or he saying anything TO Johnson
before he called Clsrkson back.
Mr.. Perry said that he surprised nj the answer
Of the witness for he held in bis hand the testi-
mony of the witness taken before the coroner's
Jury where the testimony tine witness entirely
different Under the ruling of the court he could
not crosse Xamine his own witness, but he could
read the testimony and ask the witness
at such time and place he did not testify and
He then proceeded as follows: Were you not
sworn as witness before the coroners jury in this
case?"
Witness answered 81 Yes, sir"
"Did you not state on the 30th of March, 1856, at
the inquisition held at No. 1924 Samson street, as
follows (Mr. Perry here read from the testimony
before the cOronerS jury: Walked TO Samson
street and stopped in front of Mains store, John
son turned around and said: -" Who are those mig
gers following? let's go back; and | said: No,
don't go back; there is no good markings fuss with
anybody; said did not think they were follow
ing us; then he said: You afraid TO go back"
and called Clarkson and Finn back
Il ask YOU, continued Mr. Perry, if you did
not swear TO that
Mr.. Williams objected, and the court overruled
if Exception noted.
"Ifyou have got it there suppose swore to it,
replied the witness.
"Is that your only answer to the question:
- don't remember whether swore to il or not
Did You not" asked Mr. Perry, " on the I4th of
Bay, 1880, at the Office of United States District
Attorney, in the west wing of this building state
rs follows Ireadingl: We then went on ND to
Fourteenth snd Samson street. Finn and Clarkson
were about sixty yards ahead; Johnson stopped
there and turned and said Who are those negroes
followng?" he halOoed or whistled for them TO
come back What is your answer 10 that Ques-
tiOn?"
YES, sir" replied Pierce; a remember making
that statement"
81 ask you now" persisted the Attorney
whether or not Johnson, before he called Clark
son and Finn back, said anything TO You or you TO
him ?"
lie might have said something" answered
Pierce, "Or might have said something TO him.
He baliCoed, Jimmie, come on back He then
said, Who are these nisgeTS following? Come on
back ] said, Don't go back. That is all either
OF US said, near as can remember, at that time
were few feet or few yards behinduS Johnson
started back, and | and Hickman were about
seven or eight feet behind him. Norris was next
and close to us, and ClarkSOn and Finn next about
twenty feet behind. We went back in that order
When Johnson said who are these niggers follow
ing? saw the persons 10 whom he referred. There
We're only two that / could see. They were col
cred men, standing i'll front of Millers near
the curb. Johnson was walking past these
psrteS standing there. johnson, the man that
was shot, said 10 johnson, the defendant, Who
the hell are you looking at?' johnson said: I
am looking at YOU The colored man squared
fendSut kicked at him. The coloTed man ran his
hand behind him. As he did that the defendant
drew the pistol and shot him. He had the pistol
in his right hand. Johnson was about FIVE feet
away from the deceased when he fired the pistol.
Ailcr lie did il he up Fourteenth street"
The croSseSamlnatlon was then taken up and
not completed al the hour of adjournment.