The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-07-16
0ENTTCW DIR. A. E. BUCHANAN
OAN AAO4 a2-s3 When Building.
E. j. PENNINGTON AGAIN
HE NOW POSES AS "E. JOHNSON. AND
HAS PLENTY OF DIAMONDS.
He Has Been Abroad, and Claims to
Have Sold Valuable Patents-HOrse-
less Motors His Latest.
New York World.

<ab liS IiOlldllo I1OuSey Oh j iIIn avenue.
Is prematurely gray young man, tall,
handsome and broad-shouldered. He
dresses in rather loud but well-ftting ap-
parel and sports enormous diamonds and a
bejeweled watch and chain of great value
that can be seen long way off.
He has an elaborate suite of rooms. an
English valet and two private secretaries
He is just over from London and is known
TO be interested in the manufacture of
horseless carriages and other up-to-date
vehicles propelled by motors
E. Johnson" is the name under which
this young man, who is looked upon as a
Croesus, is travelling. AS johnson no one
is likely to recognize him for the note
worthy character that he is
AS e. j. Pennington, which is his real
name, many newspaper readers, especially
business men, will recall him with keen in
terest
For as Pennington he attracted wide
spread attention East and West a few
years ago as the promoter of marvellous
business enterprises and the organizer of
companies with millions of capital-in the
prospectus. AS Pennington he disappeared
after certain newspaper articles were pub
hshed about him in 1892 He had very little
money then, he says.
$40 SOilHSoi no comes Ddck DOdSting
that he has made million and a half.
He hoped, as Johnson" to avoid notice
and bother, but he says that as Pennington
he never did anything wrong, and that with
the past.
One Of the great enterprises in connection
with winch RenningtonS name was last
published was a scheme for a great electric
railroad to run from Chicago to Indian
apollS. This scheme collapsed and about
hHan Of
ing sought IN vain for their pay. That was
in August, 1898.
GREAT PENNINGTON AIRSHIP.
But still more picturesque thing which
helped to make him famous, was the mar
velous Pennington airship which was to
soar from Mount Carmel. ILL.,, to New York
city on New Years day. 1891. The airship
never made the journey. but it was on ex-
hibition for several weeks in the old Elk
position building in Chicago.
After it had failed to soar the charge was
made in the Chicago newspapers that the
airship was nothing more than common
yellow balloon; that whirring pinwheel
arrangement, fastened to the end of the
car, which was said by the inventor to be
tne means OF propulsion, was not the mo-
tive power, but that man behind a screen
operated the affair with wires and ropes
Mr.. remington says now that this charge
He is interested at present in a new
scheme. de has invented motor car and
has organized several companies in various
parts or the world for the purpose of manu-
featuring these motors. He has lust re-
turned from London where he asserts he
has associated eil with him in his. schemes
some OF the most prominent capitalists in
England and France, including several of
the nobility.
For one of his motor patents Penn;neton
says he recently received $500 600 from the
Humber Bicycle Company of London He
denies that he is looking for American dol
lars to further his schemes.
A World reporter called at the Holland
House yesterday afternoon and sent his
card to Mr.. Johnson The man with the
diamonds responded. When asked whether
he knew T.. j. Pennington he replied that
he did. and that there was a gentleman
of that name associated with him in the
Il have known him for several years"
said the man of diamonds, and I never
heard anything against his character. He
other Western cities"
rs he a promoter" was asked.
Hardly that" was the reply HE is an
inventor, Els inventions have been pushed
by others, as a rule
How old man is hep asked the re-
81 should say he was about thirtv-seven
replied the man of diamonds.
Mr. Johnson was quite anxious to find
friend Pennington. He finally nronised 10
produce the gentleman in person within
twenty-four hours.
ADMITS HIS IDENTITY
About an hour later the man of diamonds
called at the World office and admitted
that he and his friend Pennington, whom
ne had known so long and so favorably.
were one and the same person
Il have taken the name Johnson temnor-
army he exclaimed. Ito avoid notorietv
and to prevent my being annoyed by callers
when do not care to see When any one
calls to see me | refer them to one of nv
secretaries.
Il have two secretaries and n valet trav-
cling with me. / am not here on business
and should have started back for EngIaud
before now, except that / wish 10 Meet
man here who is nov on his way from Eng
Iand. nave been abroad for the last two
my business ventures. "
II SOLO one or my patents recently to Mr
Martin Rucker, OF the Humber ConnaST
for SlJO0OD cash. | am associated with Sir
Theodore Frye, of Darlington and Sir rsd
ward sullivan, OF Dublin, in the Penning-
is the chairman of the directors
Il am also director OF the Great Horse
less Carriage Company of which Lord
Winchelsea and Count Dedion Of Paris ara
also directors With a distinguished parry
Of ladies and gentlemen as my guests I
wes the first person who ever obtained per-
mission 10 run q, motor car through HYDE
Park. The affair was commented upon i'm
the society columns of the papers and one
81 thfr reproduced photograph of the car
ia the park.
In this country l am associated with