The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-02-25
MISS JOHNSON TESTIFlES
IN THE MIrCHELL MURDER TRIAL.
She Denies Completely in the Awful Crime.
Number of Other witnesses on the
stand-Cass Continued.

MEMPHIS. Tenn, Feb. H.-The criminal
court was jammed by half-past o'clock this
morning to hear the continuation Of tes.:-
mony in the Mitchell-Johnson-W Ward murder
case.
Miss Johnson was quite i'll on yesterday
when taken back to jail. This morning how
ever. she had recovered, and during the ses-
sion assumed her usual manner.
Mr.. G. w. Lyles being called testified that
he saw Miss Mitchell jump in the buggy after
the killing and grab the reins, and then heard
some one in tho buggy say. drive fast
could not tell which one OF the girls used tho
language. ~.
was with the Misses Ward at the time OF the
killing and cried out: Don't let her Kill my
friend"
TREDA TO ALLIE.
She also identified and read letter from
Miss Freda Ward TO Miss Allie Mitchell AS fol-
lows: an.
MEMPHIS. Tenn, Jan. Is, 1882. Allie
/ love you now. and always will; but ! have
been forbidden to speak to you. and l love
you too much - obey. You say am as much
to blame as you are. If have done you any
harm or caused you any trouble / humbly
be- your forgiveness. Please don't let any
one know | wrote this. No one knows about
that last summer business except our family:
that is. unless you have told some one. We
90 back TO Gold Dust this evening.
lSignedl tREDA.
The escapade referred to was the intended
elopement of the deceased and Allie Mitchell
last summer go,
j. w. Williams testified that he saw Allie
Mitchell get out of the buggy and run down
the hill. lie heard the settle and ran down.
oyertaking Miss Mitchell as she came back
up the hill He saw her jump back into the
buggy and drive of rapidly. Heard Allie
Mitchell say 1 have done It.
MISS JoHNsON's STORY.
Miss Johnson was then introduced in her
own behalf. and said that being friendly to
all parties it had been her custom for a
long time 20 90 driving with Allie Mitchell
that on the day Of the homicide Allie came
by and called to her 20 go driving; that she
went with her: that when they 90,
served the Ward girls on the street
Allie drove after them that she said 70
Allie Let's not follow them, as they Will
think we want TO speak to them" Allie SAID:
"l will follow them 10 the pOstotiice We
were getting out of the buggy at the custom
house when the Ward girls passed us going
down 20 the boat Allie said she must see
Freda once more and followed them,
thought, 10 kiss her good-by
DID not SEE THE MURDER.
followed after her then with my little six
year old nephew. 1 did not see the cutting;
and when she came running back up the hill
| saw blood on her and said What has hap
pened 10 YOU ] thought she was cut. She
Jumped in the buggy before did and said
T. her: q" Drive straight home and tell your
mother what YOU have DONE She asked me
ii there WIS blood on her face. / said yes
wipe it OIL She said: No. 1t is treda's
blood let it alone: love her 80"
Mr. Lyles was put on the stand. lie saw
the first part of the tragedy. lie heard some
one shout murder, then he saw Miss Mitch
oil come up the Eill and heard woman
Miss Johnson) in the buggy shout hurry
up" lie saw Alice Mitchell loose the reins
and dash away. Jack Williams was firt-
ing with. or trying % iilrt with
some Of the young ladies lust before the
killing. He heard Misses Mitchell and Johnson
whispering in front of the custOm-hOuse and
saw Alice follow the Ward girls saw Lille
johnson follow her and then return and drive
the buggy close to the incline and wait for
Miss Mitchell.
SAW THE MURDER.
He heard n scream. looked down the in
cline and saw Alice sashing about her with a
knife. She grasped Freda Ward and draw
ing her back pulled the razor across her
throat After cutting her IN the face the blood
spurted on Miss Mitchels 3 face hair and hands
and she rushed up the hnl |ringing the
blood from the right glove. AS soon rs Miss
Mitchell reached the top she cried LII, j
have done her.
The court then adjourned for the day.
Tonight Miss Johnson IS IN the jail and IS
said 20 be suffering from nervous prOstratOn.
IF she remains in jail another month" said
her physicians tonight, she Will die.