The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-12-09
VOODOO JOHNSON GOES Up.
The "Yarb" Medicine Man Sent to the
Cha.n-Gang for Three Months.

Cha.n-Gang FOR Three Months.
DR. johnson, the "yarb" medicine
man, whose practices were written up in
the MORNING NEWS several days ago, was
tried yesterday III the city court on a charge
Of IracTicing medicine without a license.
He was found guilty and sentenced to nav a
fine OF 500 or serve three months on tae
chau-gang. As johnson has no money he
will have 10 assist in tue work Of improving
the county's drainage for the next ninety
DAYS
The prosecutor was q colored man, Robert
Fletcher, who was humbugged out Of IS by
the quack. Fletcher's daughter is subject
to fits, and johnson went To the fat her of
the girl and offered to make q complete cure
in twenty days for the modest sum Of S.
Fletcher was SO delighted at the prospect OF
relieving his child tnat he told johnson if
the cure was effected be would give him SO
The self-appointed physician made up a
bottle of some kind of liquid, which he
ordered to be given to the patient three
times day, and especially between l and
o'clock. For this he charged IS. The
medicine was given according to directions,
but no good resulted. On going to bis
house one day Fletcher discovered johnson
digging up the earth in front of hts dor.
lie asked what it meant, and
johnson said that Fletcher's neighbors
were the cause of all the
trouble and that he was burying something
that would take off the spell. Fletcher
ordered johnson away. calling him
fool, and CAME into the city and had war
rant issued, charging him with cneatin &
and swindling.s
johnson, to get even, swore out a war
rant against Fletcher on charge of point
ing pistol at him.
Solicitor General Fraser tried the charge
against Fletcher first, and johnson was
placed on the witness stand to give his
testimony.
He said that Fletcher had induced him
to to go to mis- house, and after getting him
there locked the door and "piu,ed" pistol
at him, and attempted to raise a riot"
johnson said that Fletcher claimed that he
had Rugged his wife, and parenthetically
added that he had never done anything to
the lady,
Solicitor General Fraser asked him to
SHOW the court how Fletcher had pointed
the pistol at him. and Johnson said he was
swinging 1t around and threatening to take
his life. Mr.. Fraser asked him if the pistol
had been pointed directly at him, and
Johnson replied that it had not.
The solicitor then produced the warrant
and demanded of Johnson why he had
sworn to such a statement before the magis-
trate. After hearing the document read the
witness remarked: "Well, that true"
Judge Harden interrupted John on at this
point and asked bin to explain the discrep-
ancy In his evidence. The only explanation
given was 81 forgot"
Judge Harden then asked him il he knew
what prevented Fletcher from shooting
him when he was at his mercy. johnson
replied that he supposed it was God
Almighty.
Fletcher was placed on the stand, and was
allowed to make stateme t. lie denied
ever locking johnson in his house. and said
he never had pistol in his life,
and testified that instead of his in
ducing johnson to go TO his
house, the ALLEGED physician came to him,
Offering his services, a d said he was the
best doctor in the Unitei States. He had
to leave Savannah. he told Fletcher, be-
cause the city physicians were jealous OF
HIM and would have killed him had he not
moved away.
He said further that Parsons and
Solomons' drug stores belonge to him and
that he was paying these managers $50 per
month to carry on his business.
AT the conclusion Of Fletcher's testimony
Judge Harden ordered his discharge, and
the case against johnson was taken up.
A colored man named Tim Williams tes-
tilted that johnson had treated him for
what he called brain fever, and be thought
NAO'~eOt
q colOred woman named Hey ward said that
DR.. Johnson treated her for palpitation OF
the heart with Ike effect.
johnson made a rambling statement in
his own behalf, claiming that while he was
not a licensed doctor he was "yarb"
doctor and made up his medicines from
roots which he dug in the woods, and that
he never solicited any one to purchase
the stuff, although he kept it on
hand for sale at stipulated
price of So per bottle. He said that be Was
a poor man. and his home was IN Brooklyn,
N. Y. He knew no other way Of making
money whea he came to Savannah, and I'd
to make living. He asked the court to let
! him of, promising to leave the city and the
state.
Judge Harden lecturad the prisoner
briefly on the seriousness of his offense and
said that he could not overlook it, and
passed sentence upon him.
Johnson is anything but q progressing
man. He is about 5 feet inches in hight,
with receding forehead and blue eyes set
far back. His HAIR is brick color, cut
pompadour and he sports a reddish mus
tache. While his speech denotes a sad lack
OF education, he has the general appearance
of being a crafty schemer