The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-11-08
WHERE is ELI JOHNSON?
The Divorced Temperance Lecturer Disap-
pears from Brooklyn.

The Divorced Temperance Lecturer Disap-
pears from Brooklyn.
New York World.
Eli Johnson, the temperance advocate,
whose wife was granted an absolute divorce
on Oct. 18, by a Brooklyn jury has suddenly
disappeared from the Remsen House, in
Brooklyn, where he lived leaving his board
bill unpaid. The general impression is that
he has left the city in order to avoid settling
the alimony awarded his former spouse. A
call at the Remsen House elected the lnfor-
nation that Johnson had not been seen there
for two weeks when he left the house and
walked toward Court street. He did not re-
turn to dinner in the evening, but nothing
was thought of his absence until the next
day. Then the chambermaid found the key
of his room in the door and the bed undis-
turbed. His trunk remained, as do also sew
eral suits of clothes and other apparel.
The landlady when asked if she knew any
thing as to the whereabouts of Johnson, re-
piled: mo more than you do" The first
l knew of his absence was when the cham
bermaid informed me that he had not occu-
pied the room on Monday night"
docs he owe you anytLingY
'Only for two weeks board, think. He
has always been prompt before, and l had
always considered him an honorable gentle
man. l must say it is very strange that he
should remain away for SO long time. L
think he must have gone to his friends"
Said gentleman employed in the office of
Mr.. George +. Elliott, Johnson's counsel in
the divorce suit brought by his wife: so
you are looking for Eli, are you? Well, L
would not mind knowing his whereabouts
myself"
He does not owe you or the firm, does
he?' asked the reporter.
THAT l am not saying" was the answer.
1--WE last saw Johnson just two weeks ago
this afternoon, think. He came to the
office and asked MIR. Elliott if he would need
him for week. On being told that he
would not be wanted during that time, he
left. He said nothing, believe, as to where
he was going"
"Do you think johnson is endeavoring to
avoid the payment of alimony to his wife?'
II don't know that he is. He is to pay
her yearly, believe, Any time of the year
would, in my opinion, fulfill the obligation.
He may have gone to his friends, as some
say. l don't know who they are however.
We would like to see Mr.. johnson for GER
tain reasons best known to ourselves"
you do lot anticipate that he has taken
his life, do your
''Oh, no. think Mr. Johnson is too sens
ible man for that, 1 have no doubt he
feels little nettled at the publicity which
has been given to his personal affairs, but
do not see what possible pretext he would
have for putting an end to himself. If he
this | should think"
Mrs. johnson is still living with her sister,
Mrs Laid, at No 1872 Macon street. Brook
Ign. She was not at home when a reporter
called. Her nephew, Mr.. Conkling, however,
was seen.
80 Johnson has skipped has he?' was the
exclamation he uttered when he was told
what had happened ''Well that is the first
we have heard of it. Do l think he is trying
to evade the payment of the aimOny? Why,
l never expected nor do l believe that Mrs.
johnson dreamed that she would receive a
cent from him. She knew that he had little
or no money when she began the suit for
divorce. All she desired was legal separa-
ton. Has Mr., Elliott received his fees.
doubt very much if he has. If he hasn't them
now, mark my words, he will never get
them. Indeed, | cannot understand how
Johnson could even pay his board-bill, to
say nothing of counsel fees. He made a lit
tie money in Australia, believe, but that l
am quite sure, has long since been spent
During the trial he hired detectives to watch
my house. When found this out [ ordered
them away, threatened them with arrest if
they did not comply with my demands. l
wonder if they received any remuneration
for their services? When the detectives dis
appeared he took their place. Several times
| have caught him dodging behind trees in
the vicinity of the house. He is man with
whom it is no honor to associate. [ would
not have him in my house. [ have not seen
him since the last day of the trial, nor do l
think has Mrs. Johnson. We care nothing
whether he has disappeared or not. We
only pity his creditors"