Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-08-30
Coroner's Jury Accuses johnson Of
Killing Marshall.
THE PRISONER FULLY IDENTIFIED
Testimony Given by the Main Wit
nesses in the Case.
THE PISTOL a ND SHE'LL

" -htISHdll VI OieStNllt. lhu-, heoei thC
Pennsylvania avenue bridge, week ago
this morning. was resumed this afternoon
by Coroner Carr at the sixth precinct sta
ton. At the first session of the jury, held
last Wednesday, witnesses described the
nature of the fatal wound and others told
of the exciting scene on the street on the
morning ef the killing. 1t was expected
then that todays session would be one of
interest, for the reason that the alleged
murderer, Frank johnson. had left no clue
behind him and the case would be one for
good detective work. But the work was
done in short time, and the confess
sion came SO soon, that today there was
not much interest shown in the case. ex-
cept by those who were actually engaged
in it.
The prisoner. who was sent to Jail from
the Police Court last week on a charge of
murder. was brought up from jail and per-
mitted to hear the evidence given against
him. He seemed a little uneasy, and the
sight of the pistol he had used seemed to
BE- almost more than he could stand. There
was no attorney present to look after his
interests.
The Evidence Adduced.
Policeman William E. Vernillion of the
fourth precinct station toll the jury of the
arrest of johnson about twenty -four hours
after the fatal shot was fired. He was
bridge, and when witness noticed his sus-
picious conduct he concluded to arrest Kim
W hen taken i'll custody, the prisoner, he
said, had a revolver on him. Four of the
chambers We're loaded. one empty.
The shell was still in the empty chamber.
Witness said he arrested Johnson on sus-
picion, but after having conversation
with him he concluded that he was the
murderer of Farmer Marshall. He identi-
hed the revolver exhibited
Detective Weldon testified that as soon
as he was detailed on the case he went to
providence Hospital and interviewed the
dying man. The latter, he said described
MS aSsaiiant as a tall, slim coIored man
about twenty-one or twenty-five years old
Marshall said he Thought the man wore
uafk ciothes The farmer said to him that
ne uroVe across the bri1ge, and near this
side OF II he saw a colored NAN standing
beneath a tree. At first he thought he
knew the man, and he pulled his horse to-
ward him. When within abo1t fiftaen feet
OF him he discovered that ne wos mis-
taken. and he stopped. He called to the
colored man. asking him for a match The
reply he received. he said was:
ycu. L ii give you a MATCH
The colored man then advanced Marshall
said. and grabbing him by the leg, he fired
the shot. 80
Screamed for Help.
Mr. Marshall said ne got out of the
wagon and screamed for help and the
horse went on up the hill. He soon over
TOOK the horse and then drove to M
kloch's store. near Pennsylvania avenue
and 18th street, and from there he was
assisted to the hospital
Witness then described how ne and bjs
partner. Detective Lacy, had made an in
Nestlgation of the case which resulted in
the confession. He was present at the
autopsy and was given the bullet taken
from the dead man.
The detective here produced the bullet
and empty shell. and showed how the one
III ted in
ored part of the bullet next TO the dis
colored part of the she'll This was ex-
hlbiied by the witness TO the members Of
the jury.
Resuming. witness told of the case hav-
ing been tried in the Police Court. and of
the sentence of the prisoner on a charge
OF carrying concealed weapons. Realizing
the Importance of the arrest he had Judae
hlmbal turn the accused over TO his mart
ner and himself. end they continued their
investigation of the case. They talked to
Ihe prisoner. tut he denied any connec-
ton with the shooting. He was rot talk
ative and what he said had to be drawn
cur OF him. He learned that johnson had
told man called Yellow that he had
shot a countryman. but this man YELLOW
could not be found.
Incident at the Morgue
Witness said he finally concluded to take
Him to the morgue to see the CORPSE When
the morgue was reached witness stood
holding the prisoner, and when the sheet
was lifted from the dead mans face John
sons hands closed tightly on his and he
soon noticed his Adams apple swelling.
Just then. he said, some policeman spoke
Up and asked Johnson question and then
he smiled. =
This over, the prisoner was returned To
the station, and later he sent word that he
wanted TO see the officers Then il was
that he made confession. He said that
when Marshall asked him for a match and
I. he h46 Sh,.l
and struck him with whip For this he
said he used the pistol.
Did Marshall have whip" asked the
coroner
My impression is that he had small
SWITCH, responded tho witness.
Lacy ON the stand.
Detective Lacy. who was next called. told
an interesting story of the investigation
and the prisoners admission to him that
the confession witness asked him where he
got the pistol, and he said he bought il on
the road for 80 cents.
Mrs. Sophia Schide, who lives at LILO
Pennsylvania avenue, said il was 2:45
o'clock Monday morning when she heard
cries of help She paid no particular at
tention TO the cries at first. because it is
common occurrence in that netghbor-
hood But she finally went to the window
and saw Mr.. Marshall getting up from the
street He was then calling to ais horse
TO stop.
DID you ever see this man before?" ask
cd the coroner, pointing to the prisoner
Il think i have was her response ~
saw man who looked like him the da "
before the shooting. He was walking along
the railroad track going in the direction al
the Congressional cemetery"
Miss Hattie Dan told the Jury that she
he ard the shot fired. and when she went 10
the WINDOW Marshall was on the ground
crying for some one to help him.
Prisoner Identified.
Lemuel Beall, a resident of prirce
Georges coanty. testified that he heard the
pistol shot fired. and about fifty yards be-
hind where 1t was fired he met a colored
man
do you see that man here? the coroner
inquired.
Yes. sir" he answered, looking at the
defendant.
rs he the man?'
Yes, sir"
Witness was positive Johnson was the
man. He saw him on the bridge.
Anderson Kloch, storekeeper in South