Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-01-22

THE TRIAL OF JOHNSON BEGUN
INTHE UNITED STATES COURT.

CONT WeutY- TWO W ithethtN III '-@
Case-Revenue Collector Clements
Rehesrses the Story OF WalIs Raid
snd Ideneihes johnson As one OF the
Party at 1HcBrides store-The Case to
he Resumed To-Day.
one of the largest crowds that has been
5n attendance at the United States Courts
this term was present yesterday morning
when the case Of Thomas johnson was
called.
During the reading Of the long iudct-
ment. with its multiplicity of "saids'
aud "alousaids," the prisoner stood up
ip The court room and looked about as
much interested as if he was listening TO
the reading, i'm the old Egyptian tongue,
ofHe hierOglyphics on CleOpatr8's needle.
Hour different counts IN the Indictment
charged Thomas johnson, Thomas Mozo,
and one Carmichael, whose first name
was TO the jury unknown, with forming a
conspiracy to interfere with officers OF the
United States and to harm their property.
The following l. jurors were accepted
aad sworn: N. n. DeLetre, foreman;
Woodward Barnwell. William W. Corn
well. John q. DeMartin, f. NJ. Farley,
Andrew Mccormack, Robert II. Foot
man, A. NJ FISHER, W. t. Thompson,
Samuel y, Baker, Joseph Fernandez, Les
HeT Hub1eI.
THE pRIsONER's PLEA.
Joansou's plea Of mot guilty" was
scarcely audible. Auer the pris-
.ouer had been arraIgned his coun-
sci, =. u. Adams, Esq, remarked
1aat the defense desired to file a plea SINH
lar to one tied IL the II. G. Layton case.
ghe counsel observed that he would not
argue the point, as il was argued at
Length 10y Dir. Abrams, counsel for Lay
ton. The plea set forth that the indlct-
1uelt should be quashed on the ground
that the grand jury which returned the
Indictment was not body selected in
stucJ accordance vita the law. From
1ae regular panel II grand jurors were
found qualified and TO these the court
ordered TWO talesmen 20 De added.
The defense IN this case held, as did the
defense iu tine Layton case, that the addl-
zion of the talesmen was not authorized
by statute. and is not authorized unless
the regular panel is exhausted before the
minimum number OF to jurors is obtained.
Judge opeer Oyerruled The plea, and tue
defense noted an exception.
OUTLINING THE DEFENSE.
Dir. Adams stated to the jury that the
defense expects TO snow that johnson
did not take "a gun into McBude's store,
or take one out; that he went there TO pre-
vent trouble, and that he did not shoot of |
. gun.
District Attorney Darnell announced |
that Solicitor General duBgnOn will con- |
duct the examination and make the con- |
GLIDING argument, which is customary IN /
cases Iu which the government employs
assistant counsel. Eight witnesses an I
EWered for the prosecution and fourteen
5OT the defendant. The government called
for its first witness, Mr. w. Ii. Clements,
"a deputy collector OF internal revenue.
Get. -, 1850, be was a Deputy Collector,
pud on the night Of That day went to
Montgomery county for tie purpose Of
SEEING AN ILLICIT STILL.
Aboutdatk the witness. with W.T.. wall
aid - Rose, crossed the Oconee river ON
his way TO Long Pond, Montgomery
county. Tie first place the party went 20
after crossing the ferry Was to a store,
where they met cOlOTeC man " no stated
that he could take the party to within 300
yards OF the place where the Sill was To-
Gated. The negro was taken in W alfs
buggy. On the way they stopped at Tom
MuZO's house and made some inquiry Of
hlm as 20 the location Of toe distiilery.
Ih9 negro said that the still was in
JOblisons cay. MozO said it was some
where else. Clements decided TO go ac-
EOrding to the negroes directions, and they
went to the bay and searched for two
hours. The bay field is half a mile from
Uohnson's house. From the bay the party
started TO 20 TO Ar. Pritchards house,
or 8 miles away. On their way they
passed McBride's store. The moon was
Shining brightly, and as soon as they
came up near the store the witness saw
That the door was open and he saw
LIGHT SHINING INSIDE.
One man came out and asked, "Who is
1hatp Another man came out right be-
Bind him. The second man that came out
was the first TO fire, the witness thought.
The witness positively identified Johnson
as the first man who came out.
and he knew that johnson fired.
seven or eight shots were fired. The wit
ness said that he knew johnson perfectly
well, and be added that the defendant had
1is gun pointed at the party when be
came out Of the store door.
The shooting broke up the party, and no
further attempt was made that night 10
find the suu. Wallis mule was struck BY
about twelve bUckshOt.
ON cross-eNalu nation Mr. Clements
testified that be lad heard that Dir.
Pritchard mad offered a reward Of 500 to
have
THE STILL BROKEN UP.
Mr.. Pntchard's objection to the still
was that 10 0emOralLed his hands. The
defense questioned the witness closely in
regard % statements made on the Mozo
trial, and in conversation with different
parties.
Mr.. Adams attempted 20 show the de-
1en4anUs character by the witness, and
obtained an admission from Clements
that be did not believe the mo0nshlners
wanted to XIII him. The Witness had
beard that johnson was accustomed to
get drunk and associated Witl worthless
people who would get him into trouble.
Deputy Marshal Wall corr0Dlratyd the
evidence OF Clements in Iela.d t3 the
shooting, and stated That the first man
who came out be recOguiz- "a as Tom John.
son. The witness has known Johnson for
long time.
SAW THE SHOOTING.