The herald., 1897-04-10
WHY He SIGNED THAT CARD
PROGRESS IN THE FRESNO o LIBEL
SUIT
Rev. johnson Does Not Know Who
Told Him About Fresno's Girls.
Interesting Testimony

as damages for certain statements pub
lished in that paper regarding himself,
was resumed in the United States dis
trict court yesterday morning. Judge
Wellborn denied the motion submitted
Thursday evening asking for nom
suit on the ground that no libel had
been committed.
The attorneys for the defense then
stated that they should place Mr.. John
son upon the stand for the purpose of
proving that he had said from the pull
pit on Sunday, the 22d of March of last
year, that two-thirds of the girls of
Fresno were ruined before they reached
the age of II years, and that he had re-
iterated the statement at a special meet
ing the following Tuesday night. Also,
that the paper, before taking the mat
ter up, had investigated to the furthest
extent, and that committee had been
formed. to which body Johnson did not
deny having used the language attrib-
uted to him, and that he was advised
by this committee to leave the city, and
that he did leave, the whole matter be-
ing conducted in a quiet and orderly
manner.
Rev. Johnson was then placed upon
the stand for cross-examination. A
card was handed to him, and he was
asked to identify the signature as his
own, and did so. The card was then
read, as follows: "Do you believe that
the statements made by you concerning
the chastity of the girls of this city
which you claim were told you by a
friend, were untrue, and do you admit
that you made a mistake when you re-
peated that statement?" "I do. and I
will apologize to the community for
having made the same l. T. Johnson"
The card was placed in evidence, the
plaintiff remarking that he would have
an explanation to make concerning 1t
when the proper time came. Mr.. Short
then asked:
"Who was the gentleman referred to
by you who made the statement con-
corning the Fresno girls, Mr.. Johnson"
II decline to answer that" he replied.
A squabble between the attorneys fol-
lowed, and at it's close Judge Wellborn
ruled that the witness must answer the
question. Johnson then replied:
ION Monday. after I had made my
attack upon Chinatown, 1 was on the
street with Mr.. Gillian of Fresno. He
introduced me to newspaper man, and
he made the remark. do not remember
his name. He said: The statement
which you made about Chinatown will
apply to this community, for a large
number of the girls of this city are ru-
ined before they reach the ege of IA
years This man said that he was a
Yankee. but I cannot recall his name"
Mr. Short then asked: did you not
state at the meeting in the First Ma
tional bank that prominent business
"I do not remember" replied Rev.
Johnson. 1T am not sure about that.
A prominent business man did speak to
me on the subject"
"And you do not remember his name?"
continued Mr.. Short.
mo; never saw him again until five
weeks ago, when was in Fresno. I
saw him then on the street, and he
walked away from me-
Mr.. Tupp then took up the card and
asked Mr.. Johnson for an explanation
CT how he came to sign it. He stated
that he had prepared an article giving
his side of the case. which he had taken
to the editor of the Fresno Expositor.
and asked him to publish it. Some one
came into the office while he was there
and told the editor who Johnson was,
who then threatened to kick him down
the stairs If he did. not get out at once.
He protested, but left. He was then
talking to Mr.. Gillian about the matter
when a committee from the indignation
meeting being held at the First Ma
tional bank called upon him and de-
manded his presence. He was asked to
retract the statements he had made, but
refused. Later, however, at the ear
nest persuasion Of his friends, he had.
under solemn protest and great fear for
the consequences, affixed his name to
the document. There were about thirty
persons in the room at the time. and
the street was full Of people.
Smith Olney Of Fresno was a witness
called by the defense. He had been
present at church the day the remark
concerning the virtue of the Fresno
girls had been made. 1t had created
such an impression 1pon him that he
had noted the sentence down upon
the statement Just as published In the
HepuDllCdu. 1ulS NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. was
then offered in evidence.
At the afternoon session johnson was
recalled and questioned as to his rea-
sons for leaving Fresno so suddenly.
He stated that he had left the place for
his personal safety the next day after
the meeting at the First National bank.
Dispositions were read from number
of Fresno citizens who had heard the
sermon on the Sunday when the Rev.
johnson had made his attack on the
virtue of the Fresno maidens.
A deposition was also read from H.
W. Maxwell. city editor of the Republi-
can, who wrote the article complained
Of as libelous. He said that he had
gone. in company with w. r. Mcintosh,
correspondent for the San Francisco
Call. to interview johnson on March 26
regarding the reports he had heard con-
cerning the Fresno girls. and had asked
the evangelist on what grounds he based
his conclusions.
johnson had then said that he did
not give the statement as fact. but as
what he had heard He had then re-
fused to give the name of his inform
ant. He left the room and soon re-
turned with another man and his wife.
and said that he wanted witnesses to
the interview. He then said: "Why
don't you newapaper men attack the
social evil tnptead ef attackng me?