The Press., 1888-12-20
Issued Every Thursday Evening.
LOCAL rOPICs-PENN,D AND sCIssORED.
THE JOHNSON MURDER TRIAL.

LOCAL TOPICs-PENN'D AND sCISSORED
 THE JOHNSON MURDER TRIAL.
 Mir. Johnson's statement, made a few days before his death, read in court at tho trial, was az follows:
 l, George R. Johnson, believing I am about to die, do declare that I married Martha Webster five years ago next May. On the 3d of April, 1888, went to bed about 15. I always retired early, and this was about the usual time. was un. usually sleepy, and must have fallen asleep very quick. My wife lay on the bed with a quilt over her; she had her clothes on. must have slept a few hours when I awoke with terrible pains in my stomach. and there was lifeless feeling in my limbs called for my wife and then for Flora, who occupied the room over the one l was in. Flora came to the door and asked what was wanted. I said wanted help. She went away and soon returned with my wife and Mir. Howard. told Mir. Howard was in terrible pain. I dld not know of the wounds. I did not know what was the matter, Mir. Howard went for Dr. Smith. My wife was in the room when I was telling about the pain, but she said nothing. The doctor made an exam. ination. My wife was in and out of the room during the examination. The doctor did not tell me l was shot until Dr. New ton came. l heard them say a ball had entered my back My wife has never made any mention to me about pistol shot, but she has to others. I never had a pistol. My wife was always opposed to having & gun, and would not touch one that was loaded. Since our marriage my wife has been away from me three times. the longest time fourteen months, three years ago. Last fall she was away three weeks at the home of her sister-in. law. Elizabeth Webster, in Holland Her home was in Holland, and she always complain ed of Stafford. She did not like it. She never threatened me in so many words, but once she raised a chair at me. I have heard her say that if any man touched her she would murder him she would blow his brains out. When told that she could do no harm, she replied: You'll see. I'm small, but I'm mighty" I have three times been sick from food furnished by her. Last March 1 went fishing on the ice. My wife gave me a turnover and some cheese The turnover was bitter. broke it in halves and ate about two o-thirds of one piece. felt a blur coming over my eyes. I thought the blur was caused by looking on the ice. It kept getting worse, and I went toward the other end of the pond. Myalegs trembled and was weak. I told the men, and they said they would carry me home. I fell on the ice, had dizzy turn, and everything seemed whirliDg round. I had pain in the bowels was taken home, and it was four days be- fore I recovered. had no control of my self, and. feltllike falling over. l asked my wife what she had put in it, and she said nothing it was only my taste. Last fall she gave me bowl of milk which she said was sweetened. did not like it, and she said it was my taste. She then took it away and emptied 1t out. It did not taste like sugar..or molasses it was peculiar taste. Three weeks ago had turn of sickness the same as before, and was sick all day. suspected that my wife had ad- ministered some drug. did not say any thing .lforI did not want my children to know 1t. She made my life miserable. I did not suspect she carried firearms, she had such fear of them. think my wife shot me. saw the guilt peculiarly indi- cated in her face. l think she administer ed some drug on the night of the shooting SO could not feel the pain.
 As the defence put in no evidence in the lower courts it's line of testimony is new to the public, and we give a summary below
 Sherman Chapman, of Holland, aged S6, was the first witness for the defense. He had resided in the town nearly all his life, and within fifty rods of Samuel Webster, the father of the accused. Ho was ad- dicted to liquor, and, finally, "he went to sleep and never walked up." Samuels father was named Simeon Webster, and he married Sybil Converse, who, from wit ness's earliest knowledge, was deranged. The last fifteen years of her life she occu- pied little barricaded house near the farmhouse. Witness had seen the de- ranged woman use an ox-goad upon her husband for some imaginary wrong, and heard her make strange predictions about neighbors who would go to heaven or hell. The woman had seasons when she appear. ed in her right mind, but she did not have charge of any business. The witness went into the family history of the Websters and gave long list of good old-fashioned names. Marcia, one of the daughters of Samuel, and sister of accused, married a Kelly, became demented, and died in Tol- land two years ago. She never became violent, but was deranged, and at times would not talk. Emeline, the own cousin of the accused, is in the insane asylum at Middletown. These were all direct de- scendants of Sybil Converse, the grand mother of Mrs. Johnson. Roxana Con- verse, daughter of Sybil's brother Darius, was insane, and Ruth, daughter of Sim con, is broken down, and to his mind par tially deranged.
 On cross-examination by State Attorney Bill the witness said that the eight chil. dren of Simeon Webster were "all right with the exception of Samuel, father of Mrs. Johnson, who used liquor. Witness did not know the cause of SybIls derange- ment, but heard that at the loss of a child she had seen in a looking glass the words, ''Your damnation is sealed" Three chil. dren were born after her first derange- ment, while she was more rational and be- fore her long term of insanity. At no time was she considered dangerous, except that her husband was afraid she would harm him while he was asleep. Marcia's insan- ity began about the time of her troubles with her husband and her sons going to war and being taken prisoners, as he un- derstood it. Never heard the sanity of the other children (including Mrs. John son) questioned by any one. Witness did not know of any trouble with the brothers and sisters of Emeline.
 James Webster, of West Hartford, sou of Milton, who was the son of Simeon and Sybil, testified that his sister Emeline is is 51 years old. She has been deranged and in kho Middloknun hoanital aimee 1263