Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-07-02
IT WAS NOT JAMES SHARP.
fenry johnson Admits that He Shot
Enoch Turner.

IT WAS NOT JAMES SHARP.
Henry johnson Admits that He Shot
Enoch Turner.
THE MYSTERY or SATURDAY xIcHT's HOMICIDE
CLEARED uP-A YOUNG coLoRxp NAN ARRESTED
WHO SAYS HI RENENBERs THE SHOOTING, But
NOTHING ELSE.
II the coroner's jury had rendered verdict
yesterday in the case Of Enoch Turner, who
was shot Saturday night at the door Of "Aunt''
Hetty Green's house, at 18th and streets
northeast, it is probable James Sharp, the
young negro arrested Saturday night, and
against whom Rose Wingfeld gave such damag-
ing testimony, would have been held accounta-
BILE for the murder. The events of few hours,
however. served to clear away the mystery that
the case was involved in, and as the cloud Of
doubts were cleared away Sharp began to shine
In the light Of innocence. The police received
information that led them to believe that the
three men who came to Aunt Hetty's house
Henry johnson and John johnson, three young
colored men who live on the commons. Off,
Ger Schulz last night arrested Henry johnson.
johnson admitted having been at "Aunt"
Hetty's Saturday night.
CONFESSION OF HENRY JOHNSON.
This morning he settled all doubts by frankly
admitting that he did the shooting He claimed
to STAR reporter that he could not recollect
any of the circumstances; that he did not see
Turner or have any quarrel or reason for
shooting at him. All he could remember he
said, was that he fred the pistol. He was
drunk and completely out Of his head. 81
want to tell the truth about it," he said, land
abide the consequences"
johnson is twenty-one years old and works
YNln III 80 1,x-l.x 80
rather intelligent in appearance and does not
look like the negro "toughs" of the kind that
hang around Hetty Green's. He seemed quite
composed after telling his story this morning
and freeing his mind.
HIS STATEMENT TO THE coRoNER's JURY.
When the coroner's jury reassembled at the
sixth precinct station-house at II o'clock
this morning johnson, who was con-
fined in a cell there, was brought before
the jury, but not sworn. Coroner Patterson
asked him II he desired to make q statement.
johnson said he was willing to tell all he could
remember.
Il live on 18th street, between D and
northeast" he said. Saturday night Williams
and started from Myers stable, where Will
Jams works, and went to Murdock's, ON Mary
land avenue, between 18th and 18th, and got q
glass of beer. Then we went to my home,
then to McCormick's, at 7th and South B, and
then up to Mr.. Wagner's on, Pennsylvania ave-
nue., between I'd and Sd southeast. Williams
had taken his pistol there to get it fixed and
cartridges there. Then we went back to Nc
Cormick's and got something to drink. We
drank what they call Gilmore II looks like
cider, but know it goes to your head. Then
we went down North Carolina avenue to Skel-
ley's, 14th and streets southeast. I do not
remember getting drink there. think we
treated John Lewis Johnson there. We stayed
there right smart while. / got to feeling ont
of my head and pretty sick ali over. Then we
s na, oct to t e. home knew could
that is, George Williams and John Lewis John
son. started to 60 home, but Williams wanted
me to go over the commons. / did not want to
go because my head was turning around 30.
When we came out of Skelly's Williams handed
me something-I suppose it was the pistol-and
said: Here, put this pistol in your pocket
took it and put it in my pocket I suppose it
was the pistol. 1t could not have been any
thing else."
"Did you go then to Hetty Green's?" asked
II do not remember anything about being
there"
REMEMBERS FIRING THE PISTOL.
"Do you remember firing the pistol2"
eyes, I remember firing the pistol and that
is ALL"
sWh i3Ss said to you after the firing that you
II do not remember which one," said John
son. ut seems to me that both of them told
me. and I said I didn't do ANYTHING Of the
kind 1 do not remember seeing the man at
all during the whole night. do not remember
what occurred at ALL
"What became of the pistol?"
II do not know" said johnson. 81 don't
know whether Williams took it from me or
do you remember what kind Of pistol it
WASP"
Eyes, sir. remember the one Williams got
from Wagner was a British bull dog"
DO you remember seeing any one run out Of
the house after the shooting?"
mo. I do not remember seeing any one at
all, )" said johnson.
"Do you remember going homer" asked the
coroner.
mo. do not recollect anything until Sun
day morning, when found myself in Burdens
court. between New York avenue and Pierce
street and LIST and New Jersey avenue. I used
to go to see young girl there and Williams
used to go with me; Williams was with me when
l came to myself"
johnson was further questioned, but all the
occurrences OF Saturday night, beyond the
mere fact of firing the pistol, seemed to be
sunk deep in oblivion SO far as he was con-
cerned. He said he never was in the habit of
going to Hetty Green's because his mother
old him to keep away from such places
ANOTHER WITNESS.
John Lewis johnson, who was with Williams
and Henry Johnson when they left Skelly's,
was examined by the coroner. He said that he
met Williams and Henry Johnson there. Will
liams, he thought. was more under the influence
of liquor than johnson. Williams had fuss
there with man named James Lewis. When
Williams and johnson went away witness
walked with them across the commons They
stopped at Hetty Green's, and witness went on
to his home about a square and half away.
Just after he reached the house he heard the
pistol shot.
Williams. who was with the prisoner John
son. has not been found by the police yet. He
is supposed to be keeping out Of the way.
THE VERDICT.
The jury took the case under consideration
after hearing the statements Of Henry and
John Johnson and rendered verdict that
Enoch Turner was killed by a pistol-shot wound
of the head, and that 1--WE believe from the
evidence that the ball was fred from pistol
held in the hands of Henry Johnson
The coroner committed Johnson for the ac-
ton of the grand jury. 1t was decided to hold
John Lewis, johnson Sharp and others as wit
nesses.
This afternoon Williams surrendered to the
police at police headquarters and he was sent
to the sixth precinct station.
Williams was taken to the Criminal Court
and committed to Jail as witness