The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-07-19
AT THE PISTOLS POINT.
HOW MRS. JOHNSON WAS FORCED TO
SIGN DIVORCE PAPERS.
The Deluded Woman Persuaded to Be-
iieve that She Was Only Conserving
TO a Brief Separation to Save, Her
Husband from Exposure and Disgrace.

Mrs. C. o. johnson, the only legal wife
OF the now notorious villain c. o. johnson,
late a trusted employe OF the Kansas City,
Memphis 4 Springfield railroad, returned
to the city Monday night and was yester-
day interviewed by an APPEAL reporter at
the residence OF Mr.. Wynne Il. Cannon,
who has generously rendered the unfor-
tunate lady temporary home for herself,
four children and maiden sister. Mrs.
johnson is a slightly built lady OF about
thirty-two years OF age, with settled look
of distress upon her countenance that is
pitiful to behold. She is the victim ofone
OF the most infamous plots ever conceived
by a scoundrel's brain,
Mrs. johnson was ignorant Of the fact
that her husband had obtained divorce
and married again until so informed by
letter sent her by a friend in Memphis,
and received by her last Friday at Mount
Nebo, Tenn, where she had been urged
to 90 by her husband TO spend the heated
spell and to give him an opportunity to
''save his honor" us he called it, Upon
receipt OF tho news OF her husbands mar
rage to Mabel Morrison she was Mortified
with amazement, and even to this hour
seems unable to realize the misfortune
that has befallen her She is absolutely
penniless, with four helpless children and no
place to turn to for relief. The enornity
OF Johnsons crime passeth credibility, and
Mrs. Johson's sulTerings can be better inn
agined than described. Her married lie
has never been entirely happy. She was
married fifteen years ago TO Johnson NJ
hnul.an1 Naa
difficult TO please, exacied the strctest
economy, was niggardly with his money
and made her account for every nickel he
gave her. lie was fretlul, hot-tempercd
and frequently violent, sometimes going
80 far as TO slap her This went on until
Mabel Morrison came into the house,
some time in April, when his manner
changed for the worse.
THE FIRST TINE lie STRUCK HER
with force was one night when she refused
10 20 TO the Gilmore concert IN company
with her husband and Miss Morrison. lie
hit her 80 hard as to iniict cash with hl'
knuckles over one OF her eyes. lie sub
jected her to all sorts OF annoyances be
cause OF Miss Morrison, paid the latlol
marked attention in her presence ant
often made her rise from her chair anc
give il to Miss Morrison.
ONE NIGHT Is JUNE
he came home, apparently in great distress
and told her he was ruined man unles
she would come to his rescue. lie replies
begging her TO consent, IN writing, 10
temporary separation. Ills vile fatly re
fused, and then he went on TO tell her
tissue OF lies about being in danger O
blackmail, exposure and disgrace at tn
hands OF a woman Of the town, an
the only way TO escape her toll
was by means OF a brief separation iron
his wife. lie then presented her Tor 81
nature paper which lac said was mer
formal consent TO q short separation. n.
refused TO sign. lie begged, implofed he
10 sign and save his honor She was oil
durale At last he became desperate an
cruelty beat her. She still refused. The
~ "a last resort
nE DREW REVOLVER
and told her he would murder her an
then kill himself unless she complied wit
his demands. Stunned by his cruelty
and half dead with fear, sl
signed the paper, which aitcrward prove
10 be a bill praying for a divorce froi
him and alleging adultery. Having SUI
cccdcd in getting her signature, he trio
10 make good his previous brutality u
carcssas and promises Of all sorts and u
sisted 30 earnestly that II was necessary
''sayc his honor" and TO prevent his rui
that she ended by believing him.
The next day, June 10, hc took her
Sena,obia and filed the paper. They =
turned 10 Memphis the next DAY. u
then sent her 10 Raycnden Springs, Arb
telling her the newspapers had heard
the affair and would try TO interview lac
-. L. l.. tI.r.t tor lut n
formed her the place was too expensi'
and that she must return With tile CHI
drcn aud 90 with him 10 East Tennessee
On her arrival here, thoroughly cxhaust'
with the fatigue Of q journey, ten miles
which was made by stage, she "
met by her husband and informed III
she must leave the same night for Mou
Nebo She pleaded exhaustion, but
was firm, telling her the sleeper had
ready been secured and paid for, aud III
night she was packed of 10 Mount Mel
Tenn. lie gave her so In money NJ
thai WAS the last she saw Of her husban
Mrs. Myers, a sister Of Mrs. Johnso
remained hereto pack the furniture, viii
was 10 be stored, he pretended, DUR
Mrs. Johnson's absence in the count
ON the Ith Of July johnson went
- Brownsville alone to arrange for his M
rage lilo lac county, Ml,sls-lpplt w
two DAYS before granted Mrs. johnson
decree for the divorce which she had net
knowingly asked for. On the 9TH OF u
co. Johnson and Mabel Morrison w
married Mt Brownsville by the Rev. ].
Raymond.
Mira. johnson has four children, ~
respectively thirteen, ten, eight and q
the latter a boy, the only male child
ever had. She has no money, no me-
Of livelihood, no furniture, her husba
having disposed Of every stick Of u.
has no place TO lay her head except ~
Ms Is provided by Chariiably inclined NJ
like Wynnc q. Cannon and his genera
hearted family.
JonssoS's iSYATuATioS YOR MS ~
WRITER
must have turned his brain. New sio
are coming 10 light every day entirely
conflict with his established character
good business man aud pleasant M
ncrcd gentleman. Anumbcr OF his ifief
nj bis request, went around town, bel
his misdccis became known 10 raia'
purse for him - nn evidence OF the est,
In which he was held by business NJ
The contributions amounted 20 :
When the committee handed him
money they expected 20 sec him give
10 cc.latc manifestations Of delight
gratitude What Was their surprise
disgust 10 soc him pocket tho money