The morning news., 1899-01-17
DIED WITH HER BEFORE HIM.
TOOK POISON LOOKING At HIS
sWEETHEART's PORTRAIT.

Papers Found in His Room show
That Mai. Bulls Messenger Was
Charles II. johnson. of WaItham,
Mass. who Had Left Home with
out Any known Cause Five Months
Ago-The Secret of His Life May BE
Pound From Soldier Now in
Cuba, Whom He Made His Conf
dant.
The mystery surrounding the suicide of
Clerk Herman E. Black as he was known
here but whose real name is found TO be
Charles H. Johnson. bids fair to be cleared
up at an early date. Coroner Goette got
in communication with the parents Of the
dead man yesterday, and has also opened
correspondence with a soldier friend, now
in Cuba, who is believed to have been the
conhdant of johnson and who may be in
position to let the light in on the motives
that prompted him to leave home and
finally TO take his life here. The secret
is not believed to have died with the young
man. Whatever il was. it was of a pri-
Vate nature and not such would render
him liable to fear of the law.
For nearly FIVE months the father and
friends of johnson have been endeavoring
10 locate him. Not until yesterday did
they get word as to his whereabouts, aud
then it was in the shape of a telegram
announcing his death. Yesterday morning,
in going over a book belonging to johnson,
which had been found in his room, Coroner
Goette came across some newspaper clip
pings and other matter which removed the
last vestige of doubt as TO the identity of
the man. one clipping was from the Bos-
ton Globe. 1t stated that Charles H
johnson, a well known Waltham young
man, had been missing from his home
since Aug. 25 since which time no word
had been heard from him. Young John
son." the Globe article went on, was
South several years ago, but then went
there for his health. After returning he
was stricken with typhoid fever, but never
fully recovered his former physical con-
dition. He was % years old, feet inches
high, weighed about 40 pounds, was of
dark complexion, had dark, curly hair and
a black moustache. Upon leaving home
he wore a dark checkered suit and straw
hat. His business was left in perfect con-
dition, he owed no money, and absolutely
no reason has come to light TO cause him
10 90 away. ANY lllofHldllOh THtdiiNe u
the young man or his movements since
Aug % would be gratefully received by
his family, at 27s Crescent street. Walt
ham"
In the article was a portrait of john
son, which those who knew the dead man
identified as his, the only difference be-
ing that he had shaved off his mustache.
Otherwise the description also fitted the
man who had borne the name OF Black.
l. Lii. Co. Il
than paper, stated that no word had yet
been received from johnson. A member
ship card in some secret society was found
bearing the name of c. II. Johnson. The
card read:
"Abisidi Siesta, Boston, Mass. This GER
titles that Prince c. H. johnson is a mem
Der in good standing in this Siesta until
July 7, 1899. Yrewal T. Se.rach,
Scratcher This card must be shown at
the door for admittance to all Siestas."
Il is presumed that the order, whatever
it may be, is something on the order of
the Hoo Hoos
Further examination of the room brought
TO light a bottle which had a first been
supposed to hold mucilage but which
upon examination, was found to contain
strong solution of iodide of potassium
About one-half of the contents of the bot
tie was gone The poison is a deadly one
reason for its presence in the room, and
no use to which it could have been put
except for that of self-destruction. This
lind removed any last lingering doubts
as to the part the man had taken in his
own death.
Coroner Goette at once telegraphed to
the father of the missing man at Wai-
than and in the afternoon received the
following dispatch:
'tEtnbalD1 bn1u and v,ra,,oro -. iii.
ment. My wife and son-in-law, A. P
Williams, leave tonight for Savannah to
positively identify and take the body"
coroner Goette wired back that in his
opinion 1t was an unnecessary expense
Tor them to come TO Savannah. as ne
was positive that the body was that of
their missing son.
II Is probable that despite the coroner's
advice, the relatives of johnson win come
TO Savannah TO investigate further as TO
ms death and take the body back with
them. II they left Boston last night they
khould be here Tomorrow. The body has
peen embalmed. and there will be no trou-
bic in identifying it,
IL mas been intimated that johnson com
mitted suicide after milf with the actress
with whom he was in love He had he
come desperately attached to her. il is
SAID, and kept her pictures in his room
so that whichever way he turned her
conhtance met his eyes. Two of her por-
traits stood on the table and near by was
the bottle containing the poison of which
she had drunk. The last thing that met
ms eyes as he held the bottle to his lips
was the likeness of her whom fate had
but recently thrown in his way. AS has
been stated the actress told the coroner
that she and the young man were TO have
been married johnson had no money
had pawned his watch and some other
articles, and several times had said to
those in the house, 90 what good time [
could have If / had but the money" The
day on which he Is believed to have com
matted suicide he spoke of the fine time
he had had the night before. 1--WE had a
champagne supper" said he, land it was
delightful. 1t was Mumm's extra dry. but
fellow can't keep up that unless he has
money"
If there was any falling out between
the young man and the actress there was
nothing left by him TO tell the story. The
fact that he had made an engagement
with her for the afternoon of The day on
which his body was found would soon, 70