The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-10-19
THE JOHNSON DIVORCE SUIT.
Testimony Elected at the First Days Hear
ing of the Case
New York Special.


New York Special.
The suit of Mrs. Mary c. Johnson against
Eli Johnson, TIE temperance lecturer, for abb
solute divorce, on the ground of adultery,
was begun in the city court of Brooklyn, this
afternoon, before Justice Alexander McCue.
The scandal first came to the knowledge of
the public in the suit of Mr.. Johnson against
Henry Higley, member of the Produce Ex-
change, for alleged alienation of his wife's
affections, damages being laid at $4,000.
Mrs. Johnson sat in row of elderly, but
fashionably dressed ladies. Snowy white hair
peeped out from her velvet hat which was
ornamented in front with purple plume.
She wore rich satin dress, trimmed with
wide thread lace and velvet, and an easy
fitting silk sacque trimmed with the same
material Mr.. johnson, apparently undis-
turbed in mind, sat behind his lawyer.
United States District Attorney Tenney
said the couple were married in Richmond,
Cured, he said at Conasus Lake, in Livings-
ton county. New York, in August and Sep
TENDER, 1881. There were a series of
temperance meetings there at that time, and
Mr.. Johnson was one of the prominent
speakers. He stopped at the Long Point Ho-
tel, and there became acquainted with Mrs
ElYina Annis the chambermaid who is at
present Mrs. Cohart 1t would be shown
that Mr.. Johnson and Mrs. Annis wandered
together in the groves reclined against rustic
trees and rowed alone in a boat on the lake.
They were so intimate and their conduct so
coarse that it became the talk of the neigh
borhood. The trustees of the camp-meetinS
called Eli Johnson to account and he had
never been invited to lecture there since
George Westlake, telegraph operator, said
that he was at the Conasus camp-meeting in
the fall of 1881. He saw Johnson at the
Long Point House during the camp-meeting
in company with Mrs. Annis, and at Tenn
hot 90
night, after the close of the meeting. They
were walking arm in arm under the trees.
He saw them walking together about the
same hour on another occasion and under
similar circumstances. He understood that
Mrs. Annis was divorced woman, He also
saw them leave Temperance Beach in a row
boat He had known Mr.. Johnson and Mrs.
Annis to come into the house as late as u
O clock and l o'clock in the morning When
Mr.. Johnson was sick Mrs. Annis carried
meals to his room. This duty generally de-
volved on the walters. Mr.. Johnson did
not have a physician in attendance. Mr..
johnson and Mrs. Annis frequently sat on
the piazza together. The witness also saw
them drink lemonade together in the bar
room. Mrs. Annis mixed the lemonade for
Mr.. Johnson.
Johnson Williams, of Genesee, testified
that in 1881, while he was working in the
Long Point House, he saw Mr., Johnson
and Mrs. Annis number of times to-
gether in the grove in the hall, and on
the stoop. 1t was between IL and - o'clock
at night that they were together in the
grove, They came to the house by different
routes.
William NJ Baker of Genesee, said he
was visitor at the Lake camp-neet-
ing in 1881 He once had a con-
versation with Mr. Johnson on the
stoop Of the hotel Mr.. johnson asked him
to have a glass of lemonade. When they
were standing together Mrs Annis came
up, and Mr.. Johnson said: 'You must ex-
cuse me; here comes my wife" Mrs. Annis
had an oyercoat over her arm, and assisted
Mr. Johnson to put it on Johnson and Mrs.
Annis then walked off toward Temperance
Beach. When Mr.. Johnson left with Mrs.
Anpis witness asked the bartender if that
woman was Mr. Johnson's wife, and he said:
'Only short time at time"
Charles A. Graham attended the camp
meeting three or four times. He noticed
Mr.. Johnson and Mrs. Annis together, and
they appeared to be very loving. They were
walking around the borders of the lake after
the meeting. On another evening he saw
Mr., Johnson and Mrs. Annis on a seat be-
tween two oaks, near the Long Point Hotel.
They seemed to be kissing and hugging. On
another occasion he saw them on the grass
together. This was at the close of the camp
meeting service.