Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1894-03-17
WON A PASTORS WIFE,
| An Escapade in Which a Former Mercer
County Man Figures.

County Man Figures.
A few years ago Frank johnson or
Frank canadian" johnson, as he
was Familiarity called, was one of the
best known citizens of Mercer coun-
ty, his postofiice being at Preemp-
ton. Equally well known in Rock
Island as well as Mercer county is
the Armstrong family, of which SUI
pervisor Foster Armstrong is a rep
resentative. Frank canadian
johnson married a sister of Supervi-
SCR Armstrong, and a few years ago
the family moved west, settling in
Iowa. Concerning Mr.. johnson
the following sensational story now
comes from Omaha:
The papers in the damage suit
of Rev. Larrabee against Banker
Frank G. johnson, of Omaha, were
filed in the district court TODAY.
Rev. Mr.. Larrabee is prominent di-
vine of the Methodist church and re-
sides at Lincoln. He asks for the
sum of $4,000, alleging that john
son. who was formerly president of
the Midland State bank, has ruined
and broken up his home by having
estranged his wife, to whom he was
married some thirteen years ago.
| He first met Johnson when he was
pastor of the Methodist church at
Randolph, Iowa. six years ago. John
son was one of the wealthy men Of
the town and one of the trustees of
the church, being held in high es-
TEEN by the people of the community
in which he moved. After having
met the defendant, the plaintiff al
leges, he was frequently consulted
upon church matters, and as he was
instrumental in the support of the
church he was frequently invited to
the house of the plaintiff, where he
had great influence over the plaintiff,
his wife and two children. johnson,
knowing that he possessed this intlu-
ence, so the plaintiff AYERS, took ad-
vantage of the circumstances and
soon wrought the ruin of the family.
Not only did he do this, but, accord
ing to the petition of the plaintiff, he
gave Mrs. Larrabce costly presents,
took her on tri ps and made her life
one continual round of pleasure I'M
til some six months ago. when the
plaintiff found that his wife was I'M
true, and that while he was trusting
implicitly in Mr.. johnson, he was
harboring a serpent.
Wanted Her Near Him.
Some three years ago the plaintiff
alleges that the defendant moved to
Omaha, and that for the purpose of
continuing the wrongs he induced
the plaintiff to remove with his fami-
ly to Council Bluffs. where his init
macy with the wife of the plaintiff
continued without his knowledge or
consent. This continued until last
May, when the plaintiff made the
horrible discovery, after which sepa
ration followed, he going one way
and his wife the other. With the
petition there are a number of depo.
sitions. among which are those of
Mrs. Larrabee. hotel keepers. servant
girls, chamber-maids and livery sta.
bic keepers, all telling of the esca-
pades of the defendant and the WON.
an in the case. Mrs. Larrabee swear:
that soon after she moved to Ran.
dolph the defendant took the witnes.
out riding. put his arm about hel
waist and told her that she was 3
darling. Mrs. Larrabee states thai
she told johnson that he was doing
wrong. as she was the pastors wife
but that he replied that what he did
was in the interest of the church, o.
which they were both members
Upon another occasion and few
days later, the witness testities tha
while she and johnson were out rid
; ing during the evening johnson
kissed her and told her that she was
the only woman he ever loved. She
protested that her husband would
object if he knew that she was being
kissed. To this johnson replied
that if anything happened he would
take care of her.
Travelled as Man and Wife.
Finally the little town of Randolph
became too slow for their rapid pace
and they made trips to Omaha
spending the night at cheap hotels
nearly always registering as Mr.. anC
Mrs. Brown. At other times the,
would spend the night at Council
Bluffs. stopping at the Kiel house
where they took room and regis
tered as man and wife. At othe
times when they came to Oman;
they would stop at furnished rooms
spending the night together. Thi
continued until last May, when TIL
: wife AYERS that her husband discov
cred the fact that she was criminal,
intimate with johnson, after whicl
the separation occurred. To repa.
her for all these little acts of kind
ness. Mrs. Larrabee testiiies tina
: johnson bought gold watches, sill
= dresses and helped to pay for plan
: bought in Omaha, which afterwar'
!, found its way into her house. A
f one of the interesting features in tn
: case, the plaintiff has filed as eXhib
, its lumber of very affectionate an
: compromising letters which passe'