The times., 1897-08-31
Observation-Disclosures
Coroner's Jury Charges Him
With Killing Marshall.
TESTIMONY OF WITNESSES
The p risoner Says That He Expects
to Hang or Get Life Sentence
for His Crime, But Is Not Sorry
for Having Made Confession
Story of the Crime.

Frank Johnson, the young negro tramp
who was arrested for the shooting OF John
d. Marshall, a Maryland farmer, near the
Pennsylv ania avenue bridge, one week
ago, and who confessed twod lays later. was
found guilty by the coroner's jury yester-
day afternoon. The inquest was adjourned
last Tuesday in order TO enahie the police
to make more thorough investigation OF
the affair. 1t was resumed at l o clock
yesterday afternoon in tile Sixth precinct
station.
Policeman William E. Vermillion, who
arrested johnson, was the first witness
called. He described the capture of the
prisoner, who, lie said, was acting III 50
suspicious a manner as to attract atten-
ton. He identified the revolver found on
johnson, which was minus one charge.
Detective w eedon gave the principal tes
timony of the inquest. He said he visited
Marshall at Providence Hospital and got
from him the best possible description OF
the man who had shot him. He also
described the manner of questioning the
prisoner, johnson, and described his nerv-
ousness uuder close examination, after
by Judge Kimball.
Mr.. weldon here produced the pistol
bullet taken from Alarshalrs body, sho "
ing that il fitted the shell OF the cartridge
in Johnson's pistol. He then described the
prisoners actions at the morgue. where
he was taken TO view the body of his
victim.
He said the man trembled and clutched
ln hnu, a Of he. ftxTa JIa f.1l-.
back to the station-house, and after q
short time he sent word To the detectives
that he was ready to tell all he knew cf
the matter. Detective Lacey went TO hiTn
first and the prisoner told him that he had
shot Mafshall. This confession he repeated,
With all the particulars, to Inspector Mat
tingly.
Detective Lacey was the next witness.
HistcstInony was substantially the same as
taht of Weldon. He said Johnson told hiIn
he had purchased the pistol from man
near Cincinnati for so cents.
Mrs. Sophia Sclide, who lives at No
1910 Pennsylvania avenue southeast, said
she was awakened by pistol shot, and
then she heard some one scream, "Murder!'
and ''Helpl' She looked out OF the win
dow and saw Marshall overtake mis- wagon
and get into it. This was at 2:45 a. III.
Miss Hattie Davis testimony was SUBJ
stantially the same as that OF the pre-
Ceding Witness.
Lemuel Beall, a resident of Forestvillc
Md, the home OF Marshall, told the jury
that, as he was approaching the bridge,
he heard a scream, and moment later
he net a colored man on the bridge.
rs this the man you metz asked the
coroner.
Yes; be is the man." answered the
witness II could not be mistaken about
that"
Anderson Klock, storekeeper, OF South.
east Washington, and a friend of Mar
shalls said that Marshall had come TO
| his house and told him he had been shot
10y colored nan near the bridge Wit
ness sent for policeman, after making
the wounded man comfortable: Marshall
was removed to the hospital later.
Detective Weldon was recalled for the
purpose of describing the grease on the
trousers of the dead man, about the spot
where the bullet entered. This was caused
by the yaseline with which the pistol had
been creased a short time before the shoot
ing.
johnson was then asked If he desired
to make a statement. He looked around
in shifty, nervous manner, and finally
said, in low voice, that he had no state.
ment to make
After half an hours deliberation the
jury returned a verdict holding johnson
| responsible for the killing. Before being
| taken back 70 jail johnson said to a
Times reporter that he expected to hang
| for his crime or e ct a life sentence.
But / feel better now that I've told
about it, he said. 'and I'm ready for
| anything that comes. / shot the mar be
| cause he struck me with whip and
| cursed me. l never intended to kill hira
| when ] shot"