The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-05-26
JOHNSON TALKS WITH VAN WORST.
Has Him Send a Telegram Contrasting
Judgment on q Note.

Judgment ON q note.
Mr.. Van Worst accompanied by a Journal
reporter, visited Johnson at the jail yes
terday morning. 1t was necessary for Mr..
Van Worst to get an order from Johnson
to his attorney to confess judgment upon
the demand note by means of which John
son relieved the Monticello bank of 1000
few days before the failure. The turnkey
turned the visitors into the general corri-
dor and indicated with his finger the row
of cells in which Johnson might be found,
and one of the prisoners who was talking
with a couple of friends at the wire graf
ing called out that Mr.. Johnson was
wanted
a minute or two later the ex-banler
emerged from one of the cells. He was
cleanlv shaven and well but modestly
dressed. He showed no agitation upon
meeting the man he had wronged, but
greeted him with Good morning, Mr. Van
Worst" spoken in the subdued voice one
uses at a funeral when he meets some one
he has not seen for years, There is no sur
prise in such meeting, entirely unex-
pected though it may be. There is a
mutual feeling that no expectations are
needed and all ordinary emotions are
drowned in the one great grief
Il came down., said Mr.. Van Worst, ito
have you write a telegram to Attorney
Spencer instructing him to confess judg-
ment on that note"
Certainly" said Mr.. Johnson with
serious graciousness, and he wrote the re-
quired telegram. Howe do the people take
ii at Monticello?' he asked. win it be
possible for you to reorganize?"
4 think 50, replied Mr.. Van Worst. "One
of the obstacles is the stock hypothecated
in ST. Louis
-,
said the prisoner and told them of the
state of affairs. / had hoped that they
would take up the stock and go into a
reorganization. / wish [ could do more for
YOU" he remarked as he handed out the
telegram, written in bold and steady
hand.
THE money on this note did you no good
and hurt u.s.
1T did not do me a particle of good, -
said Johnson earnestly, and might as well
not have been borrowed. 1t went with the
rest They have told me that it was stated
that l got it for my own benefit, but that
penny of it,
WAS that stated here or at Logans-
port?" asked Mr.. Van Worst.
have not read the papers. They simply
told me that that statement had been made
and | wanted you to know that it was not
As Van Worst turned to go Johnson re-
marked: Remember me kindly TO my
TRENDS there until can come 10 them
again in a different light"
Il suppose they will send you to Column
bus?" suggested Mr.. Van Worst. Il wish
they could take you up north"
so do l." assented johnson, but have
no idea where they will send me-
Again goodbye was said and the meeting
was over.
JohnSon's manner was quiet and seriously
affable. Much as Van Worst had suffered
at his hands he treated the banker with
the utmost respect and sympathy. Johnson
has the faculty of winning the respect and
sympathy of everybody he comes in CON
tact with The government officials felt it,
and even the hardened criminals in the Jail
have Succumbed to it. When Johnson was
first brought among them Sunday night
they broke into riotous song at his expense,
singing the music hall air Mr.. Johnson,
Turn me Loose" Now they treat him with
the utmost respect.
Mrs. Johnson is remaining in the city
until her husbands case is settled. She
paid him visit at the jail yesterday.