The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-08-15
THE SUSANNA CASE
INVITATIONS AGAINST MIND-READER
JOHNSTON FROM ST. LOUIS.
ON Anonymous Cards-His ExpIa-
nation of Matters.

The st. Louis papers have in the last few
days given considerable attention to the
part which Paul Alexander Johnston. the
mind reader. has taken in the Susanka
disappearance case. Johnston came to this
city few days ago announcing that he
had discovered clew to the whereabouts
of the lad and that the clew led to this
city. Young Susanka mysteriously disap-
peared from Lafayette square,, ST. Louis.
Sept. Is, while playing in the park with
some companions. 4 reward of 500 has
been offered for his recovery. Johnston
alleged that through his occult power he
had been able to follow the movements
of the boy. Two postal cards were re-
ceived by Susanka's father These cards
were presumably written by men who had
had a hand in making away with the boy
and suggested that the father could be
made happy by offering a reward and conn.,
municating with the anonymous sender Oh
the cards. 1t is claimed that comparison
of the handwriting of these cards and that
of affidavits written by Johnston showed a
similarity. Johnston, in reply TO these IN
timations, said last night:
I'm talking of the case | am using my
own money and methods. When 1 TOOK the
case every one said that the boy was ias s.,
the park. Everybody, including the family,
believed it i went out, and oy no, notn an
not last seen by his playmates nor on the
stone steps. but three-quarters OF pio y. \
distant. This was afterward proved by the
playmate who lived in the susanna house aSs Sc
and by others. The boy was then picked
up, and, originally, ! believe there were
three men interested in carrying away the
boy, but / will not say even now that ne
was kidnapped.
After having been on the case two or
three days became satisfied that the OF.
Louis police had not worked the case very
there was no reward behind the boy TO
speak of. / then began the agitation OF a
5000 reward, l did this with the &c, consent
house and in the presence of st. Louis
press Representatives. My reason for DONG
so was merely TO publish the matter, get
more people interested, and lay the facts
about Mr.. Susanka's financial condition be-
fore the public. do not believe Mr.. SUI
sanka could raise $5,oOo and did not at that
time. AS to the aff1davirs. | drd not want
their existence to become known, but few
of my friends knew of them and they, or
probably the attorney, told the story:
ing, and ST. Louis reporter even accused
me of abducting the boy. which conclusion
is not, after all, so strange. If You look at
it from a certain standpoint. From the
park corner l traced the boy through some
country towns, and the moment L got
clew had printed and sent TO the country
press throughout Missouri and Illinois re-
ward notices, and with several exceptions
they were printed in the country papers:
| then knew that the boy was not held
for ransom. and told Mr.. Susanka, his
elder son, and some friends. Every state
ment / have made has been verified by
physical demonstrations OF facts How /
intend to carry out the case is my own
affair and if I do not desert the case l
will give all the facts in my possession and
all assistance within my power. have
not deserted the case. and do not intend
TO. believe the boy is or has been ip the
vicinity Of Indianapolis. or ! have had one
of the most inexplicable experiences man
ever had.
"At the. proper time there will be- de-.
veiopments which will be more sensational
than anything that has been sprung The
Susanka case is not the only case | have
on hand There others just as vital,
among them the Wade murder case, about
which have produced many new develop
ments unknown to either the press or po-
lice. L can say about this that there is
enough evidence in st. Louis TO send sew
eral people to the penitentiary. / have
been importune6 TO take the Gerhard case.
but have not promised to do so, inasmuch
as l have so much work on hand. Ny
| theory now is that the Susanka boy is
| perfectly contented where he is, and would
not return to his home il he could, and
| that he could only be secured at the point
| OF a gun. Solving the problem and getting
| the boy are different things"