Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-05-06
SHOT THE MARSHAL.
JOHNSON suRReNDeRs HIMSELF AS
FUGITIVE FROM RALEIGH.
After Tramping for Five Weeks He Grows
Weary and Gives Up-His Story
of the shooting.

of tho Shooting.
A weary-looking. sun-burned little mon.
with every appearance OF dilapidGtion ard
an air Of misery depicted on his features
walked into the Office of Chief Police
Poe yesterday afternoon OF 1915 o'clock.
and calling Clerk Wallace Washington into
the hall informed him that he was fugi-
tive from justice aud that he wanted to
deliver himself up to the authorities.
The self-sccusing stranger said his name
was John A. johnson. and that ne Was
wanted in Raleigh for shooting q United
States Marshal named John Upchurch.
The wretchcd man told Dir. Washington
that he had been fleeing from the officers
for weeks, and that he could stand II no
longer. a. he had suffered terrible prlva-
lions while attempting 70 eiude tho grasp
of the law. He maze another statement
while telling his sad story which Inte-
rested the genial clerk moro than any
thing else. aud this was 70 the effect that
reward Of $500 had been offered for his
apprehension.
Mr. Washington lost no time in going 10
his desk and charging Johnson with being
a fugitive from justice. after which the
willing prisoner was sent 20 the Second
Police Station.
TO Bz SENT FoR TO-DAY.
Meanwhile telegram informing the
authorities of JOhnsOn's apprehension was
sent TO Raleigh and by o'clock the fol-
lowing answer was received here:
Hold johnson. Officer will leave here
tomorrow. G. ID. HRARrT,
Chief Of Police"
Later on the Raleigh police telegraphed
for full description of Johnson, as they
4 - no llxr
the right man.
The prisoner seemed thoroughly broken
down when taken TO the statlon-house.
He had nothing TO keep from the officers
and appeared 10 be greatly relieved that
be had at 81 found shelter and food. lie
talked quite freely to the representative OF
the DISPATCH. but when the reporter first
approached him he SAID 10 Captain Angle,
who accompanied thescrlbe, Am bound
TO talk with himY"
Upon being assured that he would not
be required 20 answer any questions about
which be desired TO be Teticent, John
son said: For five weeks have
been hunted by the officers, and day
and night have been forced 10 fee. |
have had fearful time and would rather
90 TO prison than submit TO such hard
ships again. During ali the time | have
been away from Raleigh ! have only slept
IN a bed Two nights and some days near
~ starved. ! Just felt that couldn't
stand such life
now liz CAME TO SHOOT.
What il the exact charge against you
and why did YOU shoot the man, asked
the reporter.
" | was charged with passing counterfeit
money replied the prisoner and one
night while was walking along with q
companion on the suburbs OF the city-in
what they call East Baleign-the officers
jumped upon me without moments
warning, and one Of them, without eX-
planning what be wanted, grappled with
me. struggle ensued, ana / Jerkcd out
nv pistol and shot HIM in the side below
the heart. If the bail had gone an inch
higher / would have killed HIN. l did not
know who the marshals were, but after
wounding the man fed, anu took to the
woods. As | ran away shot was fired at
me.
WANDERED ABOUT FOR WEBS.
After hiding for several davs | went
20 South Carolina and was IN Charleston
for some time While there ] saw from
the papers that the marshal had gotten
better aud that reward OF $500 was
offered for my arrest. From South
Caroline / came 70 Virginia. aud
first | went to Norfolk. Sometimes l
walked and sometimes | stood III with
the rallroad-men and got them 30 let me
ride. The police Of Raleigh sent descrp-
tions Of me everywhere, and some OF their
circulars were even IN NOrfolk. In .act
the authorities seemed to think that l
would come TO Virginia. as ! saw from the
papers that they suspected would come
10 tins State / reached here this morning
but il was several hours before | went 70
the Chiefs Office
" Why did you not give yourself 10 po-
licemau z" Queued the reporter.
Il didn't want 70 be regularly arrested
on the street." said Johnson"
EIT1cESr ABOUT THE MONEY.
The prisoner was asked totell something
about the charge against him for passing
counterfeit money, but he did not seem
anxious to discuss this subject.
" Did you really pass worthless money Z "
was the question asked him.
mo. not exactly; simply gave some TO
a man. but he did not take it,"
Did you know 1t was counterfeit "
Johnson made no reply TO this question.
and he kept silent when asked TO tell
where he got the money from.
The accused. though very shabby IN APP
pearance, had rather an hOnest-looklng
face. but he admitted to the reporter that
he had been III prison before. ln fact. he
confessed to Dir. Washington that he had
done time" in the Albany prison for
counterfeiting. He seems to be about 30
wear, Of age, and wears q small beard. He
- unmarried. and one can see by his hands,
winch are rather small but quite brown,
That he has done little hard work.
WANTS TO BIZ SURF.
Late last night Mr.. Washington received
a telegram from John II. Upchurch. the
marshal who was shot, which read as fol-
lows:
" How DO YOU know that you have John
r. Johnson Are you sure!"
Mr. Washington. after reading the mes
sage had another talk with the prisoner,
who told every detail of the affair. He
SAID he thought the shooting occurred
April Cd, but could not remember 'he eX-
act date
just before midnight Mr.. Washington.
IN response 10 a telegram asking about the
reward for Johnson, received the follow
ing message from friend whom he asked
10 inquire INTO the matter Three hun
dred dollars reward when delivered IN
Raleigh
1t Is needless to say that the popular
clerk dreamed sweet dreams last night.
ELECT plMMoCK AS THEIR CAPTAIN.