The San Francisco call., 1898-06-09
JONES TOLD
 FALSE TALES His Wife Files a Paper Full of Sensation. LIGHT ON A MYSTERY
HOW MONEY WAS OBTAINED TO
 DEFEND OTHERS.
Another Chapter of the Story of the Death of Young Annie Johnson Last
 Year.
Oakland Office San Francisco Call,
 QO0 Rr0aduau Tuna S

yOS Broadway, June $.
 George H. Francour of San Francisco is suing Ernest N. Jones and Gertrude K Jones to recover payment of a prom issory note signed by Mrs. Jones.
 To-day Mrs. Jones filed her answer and reveals story full of sensation. She says that prior to 1897 she and Jones lived together as husband and wife, and she had perfect confidence in him. In November, 1896, Annie Johnson entered their service as maid. In the early part of last year this Annie Johnson died un- der suspicious circumstances. and Dr. C. J. Sharp and John Howard. who has since married Annie Johnsons sister, were tried for being responsible for the death of Annie, but were acquitted.
 At the time of the trial 1t was freely asserted that John Howard was not the guilty party, but that he was being used to protect a married man. whose name was not divulged. Certain it is that money was forthcoming to defend Howard from outside sources. According to Mrs Jones answer she says that two months ago she discovered that Jones was not worthy of her confidence, and she brought suit for a divorce which is still pending. She denies that she ever delivered the note 10 Francour upon which he Is now suing. And she says that her husband entered Into conspiracy with others to obtain money from her. They represented to her,
 
 exposure from blackmailers and from newspaper reporters, who were threaten ing to give them unwelcome publicity in connection with Annie Johnson's death.
 She says that on these representations she was induced to furnish them with money, and also while she was Ill signed a note for $500 While believing these stories told by her husband, Mrs. Jones authorized them to employ a good law yer to defend them, and says they con spired to suppress testimony and keep 1t from the District Attorney who conducted the prosecution. Mrs. Jones further al- leges that altogether they secured from her S250O between January 1, 1897, and May l, 1898. Her attorneys are Messrs. Knight & Heggerty.
 The facts contained in Mrs. Jones' an- swer substantiate a story told by one of the attorneys in the case but never be- fore made public When Annie Johnson was dying she frequently called for a man friends named Esther Nerney she con fided the fact that Howard was not the party responsible for her death Some of these facts were told in whispers, but could not be substantiated at the time Since then 1t has often been stated that Jones obtained money from his wife upon the plea that his reputation was in dan- ger, and that 1t was necessary to use hush money. One of those men tioned whom 1t was considered neces- he heard the story that he went to one of the attorneys interested in the case and advised with him as to running the mat ter down for the purpose of guarding his reputation.
 The answer of Mrs. Jones has reopened the case and will no doubt lead to many exposures.
 Late this afternoon the answer of Mrs stipulation entered into between coun- Sel on both sides.