The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-05-04
THE JOHNSON SCANDAL.
The Unhappy Domestic Relations of
the Husband and Wife.
The Letters on Which the Damage Suit Is
Based-Hints that Blackmail Is
the Object.
New York Times.

New York Times.
During Mr. Johnson's absence in Australia
his wife boarded at the Remsen House,
fashionable private hotel, at Clinton and
Remsen streets. Brooklyn. Mr. Johnson had
been but a short time at home when he heard
unpleasant rumors about his wife and Mr..
Higley. The latter had been intimate with
the Johnsons for about nine years. While
Johnson was in Australia Higley was fire.
quent visitor at the Remsen House, and paid
Mrs. johnson great deal of attention.
Scandal, gossip, and some facts of positive
character which he claimed to possess in re-
lation to the intimacy between Mrs. Johnson
to employ the services of two
private detectives. He had, before an
open rupture occurred, accused his wife of
disregard for him, and their constant quar-
rels became subject of talk among the 9th
er boarders. Johnson's detectives in order
the better to observe Mrs. Johnson engaged
board at the Remsen House On the 10th of
April Johnson represented to his wife that
he was going to Saratoga for few days. She
accompanied him to the Grand Central sta
ton. He bid her goodbye in the waiting
room, and then went to take the train but
managed to leave the station by another en-
trance Two detectives watched Mrs. John
sons movements. She went, it is said di-
rectly to the telegraph Office and sent the
following dispatch:
To H. A. Higley, Produce Exchange.
Left on O'Clock train-Grand Central. re-
main up town. j.
Mrs. johnson next went to hair-dressers,
and after having her hair dressed went to
the Grand Central Hotel where she waited
an hour. She then returned to Brooklyn
alone. Two DAYS later johnson suddenly re-
cd WITH ri 10
He found his wife in bed, and She it is said,
attempted to hastily conceal letter of which
the following is according to johnson, a
copy:
APRIL 10.
Mr.. Conkln can tell you all know what the
detectives are working. The only time have
seen the man; to-day he was here There is
nothing new from him. 1t is not my opinion he
has let go of the case. Thought afterward last
evening that had talked to You as though had
obtained vast amount of Information from him.
got more than half from Mrs. Gloucester 1.-THE
oolored landlady of the Remsen House, who is
confined to her bed with cOngested lungs but
VINO Keeps up with most that goes on in the
house and tells me everything. 1t will be a great
trial to me TO break mp my little home before my
summer walks or recreations. 1 don't think 1t
prudent to leave now or change. 1t would do
me great injury, and be made great handle by
the Union. This unpleasant duty will be over in
week or two; l have gone through them be-
f0re on other lines, and understand pretty well
what Mr.. j. will do. They cannot make out
case. The detective showed me a note in Mr..
COukllu presence, WnlCn MT. j. wrote Monday,
saying: "Should they go to a house of assigna-
ton keep close watch, but don't speak to them"
Ithlnk have found out from time to time all
they do know and think they know, and have
advised you. To-day had the other bed taken
from my room. and inclose copy of letter send
tomorrow to Mr. J. in reply to telegram received
last night. received "sweet" letter from him
this morning. Yes, he is caving in. would
e give AWNING to Just have talk with you
notionf We will In day or two have him
where we can do almost as we please with him.
no NhaN
other is wound up If we do not 90. You say
nothing Of 1t in your note received by Mr..
Con 3Si a TINS evening, 1 cannot express the
only see one of two steps for to take-for
us to go abroad as talked OF and tide the matter
over, or me to proceed to separation and be
logged and harassed the rest of existence. 1
am firm that nothing short of an entire separa-
ton or full, square unders landing in the pres
ence of both OF us, ana that our friendship is
not to be molested with, will make me on terms
with him. TO remain here with you out of the
country and to have to meet all shall have to
ts simply dreadful. The difficulties of the past
week have been no more trying to me than what
went through at Ocean Grove. That was quite
as bad wonder that 1 have as yet kept as
well In health under it as have. Must come
TO CHURCH Sunday? Mr.. j. is to return to Brook
lyn on MONDAY or Tuesday, so the detective says
After receiving this letter from him of course
cannot tell whether he will come here or not
Don't think he will at first. If you do think
you can swallow going to Europe, better tele-
graph him that "cannOt manage before seeing
him." SO that he can have opportunity for re-
traction before committing ourselves to friend
Illness again. am pretty sure he will want to
make up.
The letter had no address or signature but
Johnson alleges that it was written to Hig-
ley. In securing the letter the husband used
violence. At least his wife asserts that he
did, and she visited Superintendent of Po-
lice Campbell to ascertain what redress she
could obtain. She said she was in danger of
her life. The troubles of the Johnsons first
obtained publicity through the visit of Mrs.
lnla 10
directed her to go before police magistrate
If she had any complaint to make This
course, however, she declined to adopt al
though she declared that her husband had
several times made very exciting scenes in
the Remsen House. On one occasion he
quarreled in the parlors of the hotel with one
of the private detectives he had hired to
watch Mrs. Johnson, and the officer had
drawn his pistol to defend himself. Mrs.
Johnson's friends say that the detective de-
nounced johnson and used the words you
brought me here to forward your blackmal-
ing schemes, but will be no party to them"
Mrs. johnson left her husband a week ago.
The following letters we're sent by Mrs. John
son to her husband:
REMsEN HOUSE, BROOKLYN April 90.
send by express your box as you telegraphed
Tor, also the charts, canes, rugs, etc, which are
ms far as known, all the articles of property be.
longing to you in my possession. 1 may well
now say That have been entirely conscious of
all your proceedings since you fegned such an
affectionate parting from me on Monday last;
that you were in the Remsen House that night
before came back until late, and did not leave
Brooklyn until Wednesday; also, of the other
things you are having done.
MARY C. JOHNSON.
No. 1872 MACON STREET, April %, 1888.
Carrie has reluctantly consented for you to
come into this house tomorrow (Thursdayl
morning, at o'clock, for one time. / will see
you at that hour in the presence OF others
MARY c. JOHNSON.
To Eli johnson, Remsen House
Mrs. johnson went to the house of a friend
in Macon street after she left her husband,
and before she took up her residence with her
sister in New York. That friendly feelings
existed between Higley and the Johnsons as
late as March 30 is evidenced by the follow