The times., 1900-04-16
SHROUDED IN MYSTERY
Albert Johnson Fatally Assaulted
at Cabin John Bridge.
Leaves Friend for n Moment and
Is Carried BACK in Dying Condi-
Have Been Deult with Black
jack-NO CIew to the Guilty Party.

Albert johnson. twenty-nine years of
age, a plumber, in the employ OF the Dis
trict government, is dying at the George
town University Hospital as the result
Of an assault committed at Cabin John
Bridge last night about Q o'clock. Mys-
terry surrounds the probable murder. and
details Of the crime are missing. johnson
assailant is unknown, and made good his
escape. The dying man was struck with
a blackjack, or similar weapon.
Accompanied by James Z. Greer. life
long friend, johnson went to the bridge
shortly after O'Clock yesterday after
noon. He met number of friends on the
way and. after a chat with several parties,
entered the hotel at the bridge, with
Greer More than an hour was spent by
the two men about the building. as was
considerable time out on the grounds.
For a brief period Johnson and Greer
were separated. but shortly before 3
clock they met near the hotel and agreed
to return to the city The men walked
across the bridge and started to meet
car. which was about to leave for the city.
As Johnson boarded the car he said he
wanted some peanuts, and shouting to
Greer to remain on the car he retraced
his steps some distance toward stand
at the end Of the bridge. Near the stand
a crowd was gathered and in some unex-
planned manner trouble arose between
johnson and several young men, none Of
whom is known. Accounts Of a scuhle
which followed differ widely. but John
son received a blow at the base OF the
skull, which was fractured for some dis
tance toward the vault OF the head. He
was picked up unconscious by bystauders
and placed upon the car on which Greer
was a passenger. Greer saw johnson be-
ing put aboard the car. but SAYS that his
friends face had undergone such a change
that he did not recognize him.
As the car on the Great Falls Railway
reached Georgetown. the police patrol drew
I'd at the platform and the injured man
was hurried TO the Georgetown University
Hospital Greer. in leaving the car. says
he recognized his friends clothing and he
went to the hospital with the patrol wagon
II was seen that Johnson had received
a fatal blow and he was placed In a ward
to await the inevitable. Dr. Vaughn, Chief
Of STAFF Of the hospital and Dr.. McNamee,
the resident physician examined the pa
tinet but little could be done for him
News of the affair was taken by the police
to the family Of the dying man al ll2
street northwest and Sergeant Sullivan,
Of the Third precinct station, a brother-in-
law Of johnson, went to the hospital TO
remain llIOuEibut tllN AlEhtH
prominent officer OF the District Ma
tional Guard who witnessed part Of the
I trouble, was seen by a reporter for The
Times In a statement he said / was
| at Cabin John Bridge last evening with
several ladies. including my wife. 1t was
| about O'Clock when We started home,
! and shortly before that hour we reached
! the east end Of the bridge. 4 crowd OF
| dozen young men had collected near the
! bridge, and l noticed a comm0tiOu among
| them. It appeared that several OF the men
were attacking a young man rather un-
dersized. and | demonstrated with one of
| them. Scarcely had | finished speaking
when blows passed freely between two OF
| the men. and Johnson turned. ran several
Yards toward the bridge, and fell appar-
| emily unconscious. In the commotIOn 10
/ was impossible TO locate the assailaat.
| who. / think. boarded a car and came
! TO the city ] am convinced the man Te-
! sponsible for the blow was rather short,
/ but cannot give a satisfactory des1rip-
| ton"
! A reporter saw James L. Greer at the
| Georgetown Hospital. He said. Il did
not see the blow struck and did not lrow
johnson was injured until reaching George
| town. Then ] accompanied him 70 the hos
! pi,al. We went to the bridge together.
! Mr.. Greer lives at 1909 L Street northwest.
| Another friend Of the injured man Wit
| messed the hght johnson. he said. was
| struck by large man,
| The utmost efforts OF the police last
night to identity Johnson's assailsnT. CT
! secure a satisfactory description Of him.
| resulted in failure. II 4 expected the
Montgomery County authorities will today
| take up the matter with the local po'ics.