The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-04-14
DIX. EDWARD GRIFFITH.
Death That Recalls Gloomy Series Of Trag-
edies- Once Prominent and Wealthy.

The funeral of DR.. Edward Griffith will
take place this forenoon, at 10 O'Clock. from
his late residence. No. go Alvord street.
The funeral sermon will be preached by
Rev. DR.. Joseph S. Jenckes, and the inter-
ment will be made in Crown Hill Gene
terry, where DR.. Griffith has long owned
lot. For many years. upon the streets of
this city, the bent but active figure of this
ola man, who died on Tuesday afternoon
at the age of ninety years and one month,
has been noted by those who knew Of the
tragedy that darkened the last years of his
life. but never clouded his mind or
permanently embittered him. He was
a man of wonderful strength of character
and frmness of will, and, at the same time
of strong religious convictions. He was a
member of St. PauPs Episcopal Church.
and Sunday after Sunday for several years
may have been seen at service occupying q
seat well TO the front and near TO the pull
pit, as his hearing was ckening with adj
vanclnR years.
His death was the result of an accident.
About two weeks ago. while crossing Mas
sachusetts avenue, he was nearly run down
by young man who was driving reck-
lessly. The Doctor fell. il IL said. tripped
by his own cane. and was carried to his
home. though insisting that he was not
greatly hurt. The next day, however,
traumatic pneumonia began, and death
was the result.
Dr.. Griffith was born in Maryland. and
came to this city from Louisville. KY.
where he had lived for several years. At
one time In his life he practiced medicine.
and following that was for thIrty-tve
years or more. until compelled to give up
the profession by reason of advanced age,
o practical dentist.
0rb. xxys& "a
ter and son-In-law, the late Edward Il.
Johnson. n lawyer. ut No. Ara North Penn
sylvanIa street. In that year Johnson's
wife. DR.. Griffith's only daughter. was. one
one morning. found dead in her bed. with
q revolver. one barrel of which was dis
charged. Johnson claimed that his wife
had. in letters, confessed to relations with
Tennessecan named Henry. man twenty
Johnson. she said had obtained O singular
control over her by rnesmeric influence.
Johnson afterwards went to Tennessee and
killed Henry ut Knoxville In that State.
shooting him down without mercy. He
was defended by Senator Voorhees, and ac-
Quilted. johnson. who was q consumptive.
died few months later.
DR.. Griffith always maintained that his
daughter had been killed oy Johnson.
whom he did not hesitate to denounce as q
scoundrel and cold blooded murderer. The
late Mai. j. w. Gordon. whom DR.. Griffith
employed as his attorney in rcal-estate
complications that ensued believed, as did
the Doctor. that Mrs. johnson had not died
by her own hand. and made much of the
relation that carriage had been driven to
Johnson's house late upon the night of the
tragedy.
The hatred that johnson bore to his
father-ln-law was In some measure trans
mItted to Griffith johnson, his grandson,
the issue of this unhappy marriage. The
latter, now In the government service at
Washington. boy In his teens when his
father killed the Tennesseean. telegraphed
to his grandfather. Rejoice with me that
my mothers memory has been indicated"
The sturdy old Doctor. who firmly be-
lIeved in his daughters innocence of
wrongdOing. refused to take this view. and
replied: "Pll not. Your father has COM
united murder" Young johnson resented
this, and from that time forward refused
all association with his grandfather. and
declined assistance from him.
At one time DR.. Griffith was possessed of
considerable means. and claimed that he
had lost nearly everything through his
son-in-iaw. The Johnson homestead, No.
gagged for about $1,000. and Mrs. John
son. short time before her death.
father and ner son. go that
the Doctor had life interest IN it. He
claimed that he had given money to John
son to pay oil the mortgage. but that the
latter had not paid il. The property was
purchaser being William Dickson, who en-
tered into contract to pay tn Q Doctor o
dollar day during his life and to pay 500
at his death for funeral expenses. Mr..
Dickson has made the last pa yment. A
few days ago he paid DR.. Jenokes $50 for
the last quarter and yesterday he paid 800
for funeral expenses. thus terminating the