Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1894-11-15
! Did he lie to you that Won know Of

he slandeFed some girl during the time Of his
preaching He was married l think twelve or
fifteen years ago. don't know whether there
was any truth in these things Fifth witness.
known johnson twelve years His reputation
for truth and verscity, bad Under certain cir
cnmstances would, bat under Others / would
not believe his word. Ny relations with hin
are pleasant. think :hsre is general feeling
that his character is yascillatiug / don't know
Of any specific act against his character / de-
pend upon what people cay Of his general repu-
taiion. Sixth witness, ply stefan, known John
son fourteen or fifteen years. He resided part
Of the time with his wife at Gibson.
Q Did you ever know of lis telling a lies
A No sir. / heard him talked Of as uprelia
Die and a bad fellow, during and since living
with his wife. She received her share Of her
grandfathers estate. Court adjourned 80 p. m.
Same witnesses were recalled to confirm or
refute earlier statements, and regarding the en-
ployment by defense Of New York lawyer ana
letters by Hammer to secure testimony against
johnson. After some other exceptions,
objections etc, Wilson presented his
dispositions which We're mol from relatives OF
Us divorced wife. The first was from the post.
rse'er who was alec iee.e = ~ zcec. ga
seventy-hve years old and had known johnson
ever since he was born, until two years ago when
be came west; had personal acquaintance with
him from boynood up, his reputation was goo d,
he certainly would believe him under oath,
never heard anything against him but had heard
good report.
Leslie Wellington. lawyer in Corning, has
known johnson since 1873. / know Of him from
10 -
Henry A. Argue, physician and surgeon. Have
known johnson over twenty years In the
vicinity in which he resided his reputation is
good. / would believe him under OATH / am
alderman in the city Of Corning and physicisr
for - X. r. ! speak from personal know
ledge. he was little fanaticaI on church and
temperance matters; on other things he was
level and square. He has been at nv office a
good deal. His relatives by marriage are the
only ones have heard speak anything again st
him. knew Of his trouble with his wife That
lie the only trouble have known that be has had
Frank G. called. Am sixty.three years old and
have known johnson ever since he was born.
@ Are you acquainted with his reputation
for truth and veracity.
A Why yes, it is gooa. A man who minds
his own business and DON'T drink cell Of good
reputation have heard OF the trouble with his
wife That is about ell.
Robert Rose called. Age Sc years Have
Escwn johnson always and he he has good
reputation. wonld Believe him uuder oath.
He has good reputation lie, he can get any
thing he wants in this part of the country. We
went to school together Knew of his marriage.
he has been at home part Of the time the last
two years. No. I have never heard any one
speak what his trouble was with his wife Never
bad; always good If you had a friend die he
was never too busy TO come. He was sober and
Industrious. Yes, an obliging man. No, am
not related to him. Have worked for his mother.
]. r, called. Have known him sine we were
boys. Yes sir, would believe him il be was not
under oath. His general reputation lie good
Am not any relation to him or any of his family
q Do You know what he was doing when he
was away. Preaching or lecturing
\ 7 bsse ny opinion on what know 0. hira !.
If there was anything Dad of him should
know IT,
TIE Court announced that two hours would be
allowed each side TO argle the case,
Judge Wilson OF Darlington, addressed the
jury stating that from the evidence the first
Point for them to determine is whether there
was assault and battery OF not, and the only
other point is how much damages shall be allow.
ed him The amount of damages depends some.
what upon mans character. The dispositions
were taken in anticipation that the fact of as
ssuit and battery would be established These
are the only questions TO be decided. He made
an able plea for Mr. johnson on the ground that
Hammer himself and the other ministers mad ac-
corded him prominent place in preaching the
word of God to tie people and the public There
was nothing To show that he was bad man or
the "9.si uase t.,ey had ever had at the altar
aud vet they admit that his treatment was dig.
erent from any other they had known Men
were watching for fear harm would be done hum
The people, who had been accustomed to camp.
meeting services, and under the discipline OF
Elder Hammer for years became alarmed for
fear Johnson would be killed, and were driven
out Of the tent when they venturca TO come to
rescue him. Wilson made many strong points
from the evidence before the jury, and reviewed
and summed mp he arguments in most con.
vincng manner, closing with the strong argu.
ment, thar II under the ceremonies of the church
they may treat a subject as they did johnson.
they Lay treat any one in the same manner with
out regard to sex, age or color Our families
wonld not be safe In their services They nigh.
attack the wife and blscken the family and home
Mr. Watkins began the defense stating that he
never heHld of such case as one minister coming
into court bringing suit against the members Of
his own church. Such case s without n paral-
lei. He said johnson had admitted that he was
reared as an actor, and that by his face, by his
manner By his conduct here, he ie the actor still
in Wisconsin, acting what he does not feel Wat
kins dwelt upon some testimony that was sttemp-
ted to be given but which the Court ruled out. II
was regarding some letters b { the witness VINO
mentioned them, Hammer, admitted he had never
seen. He said Judge Wilson seemed to be as
much burdened as Kamn or Webb You nvaI
the testimony; IL is for you to pass upon from
your recollection. You will remember Wilson
does not seem TO recognize anybody as women
except those on his side. johnson consented to
that treatment 1t seems that this man, Of this
appearance and.this build, has led a few women
of Mo tfort, away from the faith in which they
heYe lived for years intoa peoples church. Whea
lis II an vs7 q mourn = bencE & sinnt.
su1 brother Y ebb nsLeYeJ n4m sinner I ie;'eve