New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-04-23
JOHNSON'S INSANE DEEDS.
A LETTER EXPLAINING HIS CONDUCT.
He STORY OE Tile

coRoNER-No INSANITY IN THE FAMILY.
There was something uncanny in the air of
Greenwich Conn, yesterday. The shadow Of Barclay
Johnsons insane deeds seemed every one and
no pne doubted that the young must have been in
sane. letter found on him fully sustained this view,
and proved that he had suffered torturcs OF remorse,
while nevertheless he felt himself urged by ress
lDle power. There Grape Mr.. Jobnson's door,
but otherwise there sign that three corpses
awaited burial within. The sunlight in unhn-
dered through tue open windows, and could be
moving about the grounds. The Rev. Mr.. Porter was
early at the house. To those who called said that Mr.
johnson showing remarkable forttude and bearing
up wonderfully, although he was, Of course, greatly
prostrated.
Various rumors current in the village concerning
the circumstances OF the tragedy and the past history OF
the chief actor in it. It asserted that young Johnson
had taken early westward bound train on Tuesday
morning. and had returned to Greenwich about two
hours later As had known of his carrying
pistol 1t supposed that this journey to Port
chester and its object the purchase OF revolver II
also related that Tuesday Mr. johnson, had talk
on the train with OF his friends about Barclay and
had related conversation which had pass ed between
himself and his the previous evening. Barclay
1t said. told his father that he felt that his calling
not the law. lie felt that he had higher vocation
aud tn at he lmperatIvely called to souls or
couse father" he continued, my education has been
m expensive FOR you and is right that I'm this mat
ter should be guided by your Judgment will dO
you think best, but feel that have a calling to the
ministry The father 10 definite answer.
At half past 10 yesterday morning the COroners in
quest began. II held in the meeting OF the
Greenwich selectmen. As Coroner Holt took his
of the tables all the ders and curiosyseekers Of
the town crowded around him Sheriff Dayton brought
IN one 10y the witnesses who had the shooting
any part OF 1t. All agreed that young johnson first
shot his mother his sister rose, utterng shrek ana
attempted to escape. He fired at her and missed
her. Another shot fired at once,
which killed the young woman instantly.
The young then bent over her, and assuring him
self that the ball had done placed the muzze OF
the pistol in front OF his open mouth and fired He was
still alive when the first arrived, but died in
about five minutes. The revolver used was sefcockng
Johnson left handed and fired with that hand which
hand was found unglOyed.
The Rev James c. Johnson of Rutland. VT, brother
Off Augustus Johnson the request Of the Coroner
produced q letter which had been found IN OF the
pockets OF Barclay Johnson The letter was
written In pencil smallsized note
paper stamped with embossed 81" at
the top each sheet covered pages and half
Mr. johnson read the following extracts ,o, ,e.-
GRELNMIen. Conn, April p, lss5;
be done word or two OF explanation viii probably be
received Win Interest think am saving my mother
ana sister iToi1 an unhappy rate; II tuete Is JuSt
and generous God, these VIII 10 TO the happiness
which they deserve. II there Is no God they viii simply
enormty OF what l have done and intend to
have become insane. Why did not some one recognize
my weakness, my great need Of help and help me while
Why did help my self r. The rest OF the letter
tans ncohcrsnt expressions Of affection for his father
mother and sister and 0f his determination 10 accom-
pl-h his purpose At one point he says: Il love my
father with Infinite tenderness, although II seems mon
for -ay AT this moment Again he says:
us.t f,fH,ri TINS lst srntcsc wIsspccinly puuted
out ny Nr. johnson proof that his nephews mind
was unsettled wnon ne wrote II. i" for.' said
RsrrIar wns one of the Indost and most generous
young men that ever lived Aier the letter hid bsfh
Johnson.
"Was there any hereditary taint Of insanity in the
There was no such faint or tendency the fathers
side, and hereditary insanity on the mother sde:
some niiGch ears ago ON tno occasion oa e 9"r @ ~
two children, the mother seemed 10 nr ancctcd WIN
excessive grief, and Il was f,ared that her mind might
bc nat unsettled. This event. however took
place subsequently 10 the birth OF the son, 80 That lac
could have Inherited mental weakness from his
mother"
mau- demcauOr during q few weeks past r.
&" lie has within -iN week, shown marked difference
of manner. The supposed To he an unusual
devotion to his Office dutirs-in fact, oycrwork lie
talked somewhat unuaturaly on religious subjects But
ItLuk that mi, ahnornnl interest I'm religion was
-ut and not the cause OF his mental trouble. This
trouble probably dated from the time when he was at
cocge and oycr,tudied. Since hc has been in u law
Office he ha. done "A great deal VI outside work He
wrote much at home IN the evenings
Dr. Marshall. the medical examiner of Greenwich les
titled the wounds the bodies. The ball which
killed Barclay entered by the roof Of the mouth and
passed upward and outward, coming out back OF the
right ON the head Of Eleanor Johnson the doctor
"a wound 'd by pistol ball "hich entered
Just above the r-ht and penetrated tho BRAIN Iho
mothers wound the left side OF the head above
the
The revolver used by young johnson was put I'm eyi
dcncc. II carries a 32caibre bulL worn brown SIX
umbrella "A dugskn glove for the left hand and
walking stick all picked up near the scene OF the
tragedy were produced. Coroner IIOlts finding Will
probably be hcd to-day with the County Clerk at Bridge
port. ~ ,
The funeral OF the three victims will take place at the
congregational Church OF Grc. wlch this afternoon at
o'cluCk
The statement made by Colonel McCook I'm au interview
published ycsterays TRIBr ~, that Mrs johnson was
q sister Of William Walter Phelps, Is Incorrect 40 |
member OF the Johnson family Is IN any way related TO
Mr.. Phelps 80
Young johnson was a member OF the Junior class OF
l--:-t in the Columbia College Law school Professor
Dwight said OF him Yesterday lie told me wheh ho
Withdrew that ne anxious TO begin practice III MS
profession aud would take another year course as
he did wish To have his father expcnd any more
money his account. lie Impressed INC !
~ being a young man with a very clear |
mind. llo applied himself closely to MS !
great promise. lie eager to learn, ana MS record
was very good except that he was frequently absent
was due undoubtedly to the fact that ms w9ih
the law Office where he had desk interIered WIN MS
studies lie frequently consulted me on questions Oh W
and asked hiH questions ana III all t'se lhtci
views he was clear and concise In his reasoning, never
exhibiting { any trace OF mental disturbance.