Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1885-12-24
TINE snznr1sss mUnDEssa.



PH1IADELpH1A. Dec. 20.--Mollie Johnson,
the reputod wife OF Samuel Johnson, the
negro who is under arrest charged with the
murder OF John Bharpless last month, near
Chester, Pa, last night made an affidavit
before magistrate charging Johnson with
killing Mr.. Sharpless. She says that John
son told her he had killed old Mr.. sharpless
and threatened to kill her IL she told any one
OF what he said. The Philadelphia police
officials who arrested johnson are now POSI-
tive that they have In custody the man who
committed the deed. Considerable weight
is given to the woman's confession In con-
sequence OF her connection Of the move
nents Of johnson with statements obtaine
from other colored persons In reference TO
his whereabouts at the time OF the murder.
lie WAS BORN IN NEWARK.
ELKToN, MD., Dec. 20.-The negro Sam
johnson, held In Jail in Philadelphia,
charged with being the murderer OF John
Shurpless, formerly lived in Elkton, and
was generally known as Alexander Cum.
He was born and raised In Newark, DEL,
and when about 10 years old ran away and
came here, claiming as n reason that he
had been numerically thrashed by his
grandfather. About 1870 he turned up on
the farm of tho late James Frazer, y miles
south OF Elkton, where he worked as II farm
hand for two seasons.
ttd dlttTWtIu CulI6 u ElktOuy WH'to uo
worked at odd Jobs, but was generally very
idle and led absolute life and followed a
course OF thievery. While he lived here he
bore rather u vicious character and would
steal whatever he could lay his hands on. q,
AT one time he was strongly suspected OF
causing the death of tramp, but no evil
dence could be obtained against him.
There were no new developments Mon
day in the case of Samuel johnson the
colored man held on suspicion of being
the murderer Of John Sharpless, near
Chester, about month ago. Lieutenant
Roche and Special ONCE Alexander were
engaged In running out supposed clues, but
without material result. man residing in
the vicinity Of Chester called at Magistrate
Lemons Office Monday and stated that a
spirit level had been missed from his
premises about the time of the murder, but,
until he saw one In possession of the
officers, he could not say whether II was
his property or not.
A black Chesterfield coat belonging to
johnson was also found In Carrie Lanes
room. It buttons high up on the breast,
and is believed to be the dark ccat, buttoned
up to the throat described by Miss Pratt as
worn by the murderer when he entered the
parlor where the ladies were sitting ON that
fatal Sunday evening.
johnson denied asking Molly johnson to
WASH u Wliltb sllirb lOT Hlul, us IeStllleu 10
by her. He says he had no white shirt with
him when at her house, having left It ut a
house in Pine alley the Saturday night
before the murder, and, therefore, had none
to burn, rs she testified he did. He ad-
| mitted, however, being at her house, and
| giving SO to u colored woman called Sadie
to go out and buy beer, which she did with
part of the money and kept the change
He denied having taken anything to her
house, and said that when he entered 1t he
had no bundle, us testified to by her. The
| police are trying to obtain possession OF the
SLOUGH hat which he is believed to have
worn on the night Of the murdet. John.
sons answers were given to all the ques.
tons, some Of which had no direct bearing
OH the case, in II cautious and sullen man
ner, and apparently with reluctance.
PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 22.-Samuul johnson
who is accused of numbering John Sharp
less, near Chester was given q hearing a
the Central Station this afternoon and WA
committed to prison to await the action o
the Delaware county authorities. Carrie
Lane and Mollie Stevens, the two principa
witnesses examined, were also committee
to await similar action.