The San Francisco call., 1898-06-10
STORY TOLD IN A SUIT
ANNA JOHNSON FIGURES IN A
 DIVORCE CASE.
Mrs. Gertrude Jones Will Soon Be Given a Decree, but There Will Not Be
 Trial.
Oakland Office San Francisco Call.
 90S Broadway Jupa O

9OS Broadway, June g.
 Ernest N. Jones is hardly likely to come back to Oakland to clear up many or the mysteries surrounding his life during the past four years. Although the answer to the complaint of Attorney Francour was withdrawn yesterday, it has not assisted in any way to prevent the facts of this romantic tragedy from being made public On March 23 last Mrs. Gertrude Jones filed her complaint for divorce and the chief allegation consisted of the fact that her husband had been keeping separate establishment in San Francisco and other places and passing off the girl Anna Johnson since mur- dered, as his wife.
 Much surprise was shown during the trial of the case that Hulda Johnson, the sister of the murdered girl, should show so much affection for Jack Howard, who was on trial for being concerned in Anna's death. Still more surprise was shown when Hulda and Howard were married, and it is still more surprising that they kept their secret of the real identity of the girls betrayer for whole year.
 Investigations made into the career of Ernest Jones show that at various times and In various places he and the young girl now dead figured as husband and wife, or as relatives. He was frequently asked how he dare run the risk of call ing Anna Johnson his wife when she was in appearance mere school girl. about 15 years of age. Yet under different names they have registered at the Grand Hotel in San Francisco and at the Vic toria in Oakland as man and wife;
 Nor was Anna Johnson the only girl with whom Jones was friendly while try ing to persuade his wife that he vas still faithful to her. He ,corresponded with marriage bureaus. and reports show that after Anna's death he had an acquaint- ance with a young lady from Southern California, who answered one of his let ters.
 About a year ago young lady who was the bosom friend of the Johnson girls told to The Call the story of Anna s secret and as much of 1t as could be sub stantiated was published at that time, but it was reserved for Jones' wife to completely reveal in her complaint for divorce and in her answer to Francour's s band.
 When the story was published Jones was so overcome with fear that the "Er- nest" of the dying girl would be revealed that he called consultation of his at- torneys and said he was willing to pay newspapers. He was advised that 1t would be better to try no such thing, as such an offer their part would un thing that he wished to keep secret. Yet Mrs. Jones declares in her statement filed band told her he needed her money to suppress blackmailers and purchase si- lence. On this showing Mrs. Jones ob- tained some money from her wealthy relatives in San Francisco, which Jones used to suppress facts in the possession of the Johnson family and girl named Nerny. Miss Nerny would have been one Of the leading witnesses for the prosecu- tion had her story been told, but Jones succeeded in inducing her to leave Oak land until the trial was over.
 It is now stated that Jones exercised a strong influence over the young girl with whom he consorted. Before she was taken to the house where the operation was performed which resulted in her death, Jones exacted from her a solemn promise that she would never mention his name. Even on her death bed she would never repeat more than the word Ernest, and so loyal was she to Jones that she made a dying statement charging Jack Howard and pr. Sharp with being responsible for Howard, said yesterday that she knew at the time of her sisters death who was responsible for it. At that time Howard dal, and he and his wife were induced for money consideration not to make public the facts.
 Not long after the trial Hulda John son went to Stockton and was there mar ried to Jack Howard. Some months later they came to Oakland to reside, and Hull da professed to be converted at reli- gious meeting and gave her auditors to Understand that there was a heavy secret on her mind. She has not revealed what have been living very quiet life in this city, but Howard, although a hard working; a respectable man. has been un- advanced as the excuse for taking money for continued silence.
 About two months ago Jones left his haunts around the bay and has not been seen. since. The records show that his wife's divorce suit went by default, but submitted on Propositions. No decree has has yet been granted.