The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-12-15
CAPTAIN JOHNSON RETURNS
But Prefers Maintaining Silence Con-
corning the Death of His Wife.
EhJSeusatIonal Theory of the Dead Woman's
Father-Statements of DR. Griffith, MIR.
johnson and MsjOr Gordon,


sion since the sad occurrence, has been rekindled
By the return of Captain Johnson, the husband of
the unfortunate lady, he having arrived in the
CITY from Knoxville, Tenn, at noon yesterday.
Speculation has been rife concerning the causes
fmpelling Mrs. johnson to commit suicide, and
without reference to justice, it is stating but the
fact to say that the general comment has
been unfavorable to Captain johnson. Many
questions naturally suggest themselves TO those
giving the case any attention, and these have
been repeated go often without satisfactory re-
sponses being made by those who could explain
all mystery, we're they so inclined, that the case
has enlisted the attention of almost
everyone In fact event Of
the kind in the oity's history has
ever received such widespread attention. The
talk about the matter has increased by the man.
ner In which it has been treated by the relatives
and friends of Mrs. johnson. who unh esitatingly
affirm that Captain Johnson's treatment Of his
wife was such that she sought relief from his
prosecutions in DEATH
DIR. GRIFFITH's STORY.
DR.. Edward Griffith, father of the dead lady,
manifests no hesitation whatever in expressing
his opinion of his son-in-law's conduct and even
goes so far as to say that ne believes his daugh-
ter was murdered, aud that the theory of sui
belief that johnson after leaving his wife at the
close of the interview on the night before her
dead body was discovered left the house, but
subsequently returned and proceeded directly
to his wife's room without apprisng the other
occupants of the house Of his return; that he
then and there forced Mrs. Johnson at his dicta-
ton to write the letter found beside her body
after which he shot her. This, however, is highly
improbable and Dr. Griffith doubtless allows his
grief aud horror at the tragedy to influence his
Judgment. 1t is evident, however, from Dr.
Griffith's statements that the relations
between johnson and himself were
very unpleasant and that there
we're frequent disturbances OF a serious charac-
ter between them. The old gentleman says to a
News renorter that on one occasion he purchased
some lumber aud was building a bin in the coal
house, when johnson called to him and said:
.iWhat are you cutting up my house fore" Dr.
Griffith replied that it was his house, and john
son said: "You are u - - liar, and
have notion to split your head open"-raising
an ak as If TO strike. DR. Griffith told him he
was not afraid of him, but he went into the
house on the advice of his daughter. johnson
followed, cnrsing him terribly and declaring he
would make HIM mind In the same inter
view DR.. Griffith says that one
bot summer day he made two trips
down town for physician, Johnson and his
boy both being sick When he returned he saw
that his niece had not purchased anything nice
for the patients TO eat. and he went up stairs to
SOM room the latter ordered him to leave the
house. DIR. Griffith refused, telling him it was
his house, and this so enraged johnson that he
Jumped out OF bed, seized stick of wood and
struck the old man blow on the head.
physician who was in the house at the time,
having been called to see another member of the
family, corroborates this statement. and says he
was compelled before proceeding with his other
business to attend TO Dr.. Griffith.s injuries.
Or. Griffith says that johnson and his wife
lived In q constant state of turmoil, owing to the
formers disposition, and that he has heard him
% w "a q ia
A SENSATIONAL THEORY.
On the night of the final interview, DIR. Grit
nth says that after it was concluded Johnson
asked him if he had noticed anything strange
about his wife, and he told him she seemed quite
sad. He said that was a sign OF insanity, and
DR.. Griffith replied: 81 know great many per-
sons who sad, but not insane" He says
the report that tine letter his daughter
left Indicated that she had been unfaith-
ful to her husband is untrue; also, that he
believes DR.. Wakefield has been duped by John
son. my opinion regarding my daughters
DEATH" says DIR. Griffith. sis this: johnson left
per and said he was going to the hotel and would
return later in the night; and know that she
was expecting him back. When l awoke next
morning, had no idea but that he up STAIRS
believe that he did return during the night Qor
found the front door unlocked the next morn
iDg), slipped IN to her room, and presented to
her letter which he forced her to cory and
leave where it was found, and that he then shot
andkilled her, and then escaped by the front
door. which he left unlocked"
The Doctor further states that after the funeral
johnson carried away all the solid silverware
and $4,000 worth OF jewelry.
MAJOR GoRDoN's STATEMENT.
Major j. W. Gordon, one of the attorneys for
DR.. Griffith. when called upon at his Office last
evening, said: ''There Is no reason that know
of why should refuse to talk about this case.
1 am determined, as the attorney for Or. Grit
fifth, to recover the value of the property which
has been, to say the least wrongfuy taken
from him, and there are some things connected
with the death of Mrs. johnson which
ought to be investigated Tho atrociUy
OF the deed and the atrocity of the
coroner's examination are matters which feel
like speaking candidly about. There GER
tainiy some motive in the death of Mrs John
son. Why the coroner failed to obtain the re-
yover with which she was killed, why an ex-
amnatio of the wound was not made, the ball
found and compared with the calibre of the re-
volver; why the letter which she is said to have
written giving in 1t cause for suicide
was not obtained-not even read-and
why the written statement OF John
son was accepted withou even asking
any questions, are matters which it would seem
there is some occasion for inquiring into. have
known Johnson well for several years He is an
and have helped him ont of some very bad
cases. He has placed me in a position. however,
which VIII prevent me from making Grimm al
prosecution against him."
"How2" was asked
SHE seut me the poison which he claims was
found in dressing case of Mrs. Johnson's, and
with which, he saws, he thinks she intended to
commit suicide. No, after this I could not pros
ecute him. because the poison would be intro
duced in evidence and would necessarily have
to appear witness."
THAT PACKAGE OF POISON.
Immediately after receiving the poison. Major
Gordon, without opening the package, took 1t to
the drug store OF Ward Brothers, where the
letter of Mrs. Johnson stated that it
had been purchased, and Instructed them to
carefully save it for any use that there might
be for it in the future. The letter OF Mr.. John
son to Major Gordoa stated that the poison had
a horror which ne could longer have about
him. Under date of Dec. IL, Major GOrdan re-
nile Iaaf horr rr,.lli oh Mr. Inhr