Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1882-06-24
Serious Charge Against n Physi.
cian.
The ALLEGED ATTEMPTED OUTRAGE UPON
Young LADY IN FREDERICK COUNTY.

A preliminary hearing in the case of the
Statate vs.. DIR. James Il. Johnson, charged
with feloniously assaulting Miss Ella u.
Wolf on the eth instant, took place before
Justice Smith at New Market, Frederick
county, Md, on the 10th instant. y large
crowd of deeply interested persons were
in attendance, including seven or eight
physicians. Although the intense eX-
element at first aroused i'll the immediate
vicinity and for miles around upon the
dissemination of the reports of the alleged
ATTEMPTED outrage, and which threatened
TO eliminate in lynch law, has somewhat
subsidized, a smothered feeling of indigna-
ton still exists. Both parties are very re-
spectably connected. johnson is prac-
ticing physician, and is aged about sixty
wears lie was, it is stated, president OF
bank at Culpeper, Va, some years ago,
and was unfortunate in his financial eX-
pericuces.
Miss Wolf is an intelligent young lady,
aged about % years. She is of slight build
and in appearance rather prepossessing.
By general consent her character is with
blemsh. In her testimony she stated that
she was undergoing fifth examination
at the HANDS of DR.. johnson on the 9TH
inst. for the cure of private trouble.
She had entertained slight suspicion Of
an undue license in the manner of his
treatment on previous occasion, but in
her belief that she was dealing with gen.
tleman, an old grayhaired physician,
whom she thought she could trust as she
would her father, she had banished the
fear of intended wrong from her mind.
On that day, however, he required her
to take an extraordinary position over his
knees, with her hands resting againsthlS
shoulders for support, when an unusual
movement on his part caused her TO look
down, and she was horrifisd at his indie
cency. Drawing herself away, she de-
manded to know what he meant, and be-
coming greatly excited, began crying and
screaming: "Oh, my God, he was trying
TO ruin me. l have always tried to live
yirtnous life." To her mother, who quick
ly came into the room, she narrated the
occurrence, and begged that he be driven
from the house. DR.. johnson disclaimed
Intentional wrong, and entreated that the
accusation should not be made public, as
it would ruin both him and her in the
children grown, and that the charge was
absurd, &c.
The excitement and agony of the young
lady, as we'll as other circumstances, were
corroborated by Mrs. Wolf.
DR.. johnson, after describing his man
ner Of treatment of Miss Wolf for uterine
trouble, denied emphatically having had
her OH his knees, or that he intended the
preparation of any wrong. He acknowl-
edged however, that she did accuse him
ofimproper exposure, but that 1t was I'M
just. The physicians present, Messrs.
Baltzell, Smith, Bromwell. Pratt, and
others, sustained his treatment OF the
case, as described by him, but concurred
in the opinion that the position Of the pa
tent was not proper one, if it was such
as stated by her.
AT the conclusion of lengthy arguments
BY States Attorney Motter and j. L. K:
Wood for the State and complainant, and
Hon. Frederick j. Nelson for the defend-
ant, the magistrate held the accused to
Gal! in the sum of $500 for appearance
before the grand jury in September.