Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-12-31
JOHNSON'S RASH ACT.
GREAT SORROW HERE OVER THE
CAMDEN TRAGEDY.
FELLOWS FAMILY FROM RICHMOND.
They Had Not Long Ago Moved from
This City, and as Friends Took
With Tbem-Are Doing Well.

AS a result or the dreadful Tragedy en-
acted in Camden, N. j., on Wednesday
night, an account of which was published
in yesterdays Dispatch, two hlghly-re-
spectacle and well-known families of this
city have been plunged into the deepest
gloom. All OF those who were connected
with or interested In the sad affair lived
In Richmond UP to a short while ago,
and their families still reside here.
Elton Johnson, the young man who did
the shooting and then committed suicide,
was q son of Mr.. J. w. X. Johnson, OF
this city, and his victims. who were dis
family related to him, are the sons and
the daughter-in- law OF Mr.. Charles w.
Fellows, a well-known businessman, who
resides at No. LOG north Seventh street
The news Of the terrible occurrence was
communicated to Mr.. Fellows shortly al
ter the shooting in a telegram, giving
only the most meagre details. Mr.. Eel
lows at once visited the house of Mr..
Johnson, however and made him aware
of the great bereavement that had be-
fallen him. Mr.. johnson was greatly cast
down, and at once wired to the authori-
ties at Camden to give his son burial
there and to send the bill to him. Mr..
Fellows took the A. NJ. train yesterday
to be at the bedside OF his children, and
Mrs. Fellows followed him last night.
WAS A MAYNARD YOUNG MAN.
A Dispatch man called upon MIR. john
son yesterday morning at his home, No.
II OF
at length concerning the affair. Mr..
Johnson, who is foreman OF the pattern
shop at the Tredegar Iron-Works, is one
of the leaders in the Pine-Street Baptist
church, and Is a most estimable gentle
man, held in the highest esteem by all
who know aim. He was greatly dis
tressed over the terrible deed of his son
and frequently during the conversation
with the reporter broke down and Wept
He said the young man had been a way
ward child from his early youth, and nae
always chafed under parental restraint
He ran away from home three times, ane
last May left in a fit of anger, declarlnt
that he would never return again H'
went from here TO the Tennessee Exposi
ton. then in progress at NashVllle, an'
from there drifted out West, and hnaliA
going North, located in Camden. wher'
machinist.
His cousin. Mr.. Ernest Fellows. whom
he shot so badly, had been living II
| Camden for several years, and youni
Johnson went to his home to live. I'M
father then got regular reports from M
| son. and was led to believe that he wa
SOLDERING down and making a man Q
| himself; hence the news of his last dec
came as a great shock. Mr.. Johnson SAL
| he did not care TO see the dead body o
his son. nor to have II brought here, AM
| he had therefore telegraphed TO Camdel
| to have Il inferred there.
BOTH WERE FROM RICHMOND.
Leaving the Johnson residence. tn
Dispatch man visited the sweet home
| Mr.. Fellows. on north Seventh street
! Mr.. Fellows had previously left the city
but his distressed wife was at home, ant
| tn her the reporter talked Mrs. Fellow
was so overcome by her grief as to b.
unable TO talk at first, but after littl
| she Gained herself and told the news
| gatherer that her eldest son, Mr.. Ernes
! Fellows had gone from this city TO cam
| den two years ago TO engage In bushes
I'm the ship-yards. Just before his de
parture for that city he married Mis-
| Ida Fulcher. of this city, whose parent
nanied him. 4 few months ago Fran
Fellows. a 13-year-old lad, went fror
here to ioin his brother and atten
school in Philadelphia. They lived hap
pily together there in a nice little nom
on Erie avenue. aAd nothing occurred t
mar their happiness until young Johnso
made his advent on the scene.
A short while ago Mr.. Ernest Fellow
was stricken down with appendicitis
and was operated on in Philadelphia. HI
mother went from this city 10 be wit
him during his Illness, and she the
| warned him against young Johnson, ad
visine him TO get lid of him. Tn
mothers request was not needed, how
ever and the result Is disastrous. Nj
Fellows has never fully recovered troi
his attack of appendicitis. and was in
very weak condition when shot, and TN
fact. which was known to his mothe
caused her to be very uneasy concern
ing him.
NOT SERIOUSLY WOUNDED.
The younger son, Mr.. Frank Fellows
was not very dangerously wounded, az
cording to the advices received frol
Camden. and Mrs. Fellows, who will J
remembered here as Miss Fulcher. e'
caped also with only a slight woun'
though the only thing that saved h'
from instant death was her corset stee
| telegram received from Mr.. Fellow
last night announced his arrival In can
den. and brought the cheering INTEL
gence that none Of his children are 81
riously wounded.