The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-23
THE Cabin JOHN TRAGEDY
Two Arrests in Connection WITTY
Albert JOhnsOn's Death.
Edward L. Griffin and Robert Il. Dem
nison Surrender TO the Police
Fight which They Say Was
Forced Upon Them-Claim F"thi
wound Was Caused by Fail

Edward f. Griffin, twenty-one years OF
age, a clerk in a pension agency on Ne"
York Avenue northwest, and Robert h
Dennison. aged twenty years, who RESIDES
at 1877 R Street northwest were taken
into custody last night about 10 oc oih
charged with the killing Of Albert A. John-
son a week ago last night at CABIN 10
Bridge Both have made statements Of the
affair and claim that the trouble resulted
from drunken buster on the part OF 10 n
son. They also claim that johnson met ms
death as the result of a fall upon the paw
ing of the Bridge. and not from blow, as
alleged.
The accused surrendered to Major Syl-
vester and Inspector Boardman, who called
at the Dennison home in compliance with
the request of one of his relatives. TINS
morning it is Likely the prisoners Will be
removed to Rockville for trial.
Immediately upon the release from Gus
tody yesterday morning of William T.
King. the tugboat engineer, who was held
several hours on suspicion by the police Of
the First precinct station. Detectives fecN
and Herndon started upon new line oil IN
yestigation. Information had been I'M
parted 10 them which led to the belief that
Griffin and Dennison were connected Win
the killing Of johnson. The detectives
sought out the two young men. An agree
ment was reached that they should sur
render to the authorities.
Placed Under Arrest.
About noon conference was held at
Police Headquarters. TO which Major syi-
vester. Inspector Boardman, Detectives
Herndon and Peck. and William Greer,
| friend of the dead man, we're parties. The
4 trouble at the Bridge was gone over.
I Major Sylvester and Inspector Boardman
went to the Dennison home last night
! There they found Griffin also. and with
the two young men they proceeded 10
Police Headquarters, where they were
/ briefly examined. Later they we're taken
! to the First precinct station, accompanied
| bv Major Sylvester and Inspector Board
| man, and locked up.
/ while at headquarters the young men
told their story to the oiiiclals. lhey a.
rnitted that they were at Cabin 5ohn
bridge 4 week ago last night. They told
in STRAIGHTFORWARD manner of trouble
which they had encountered at the Bridge
/ and replied to all questions regarding lhe
| affair without reserve. Major sylvester
| produced q typewriter statement cover
| ing several pages made recently by capt
W. H. T King, of the National Guard VINO
| witnessed a portion of the Johnson DIM
Guilty. and it was reviewed with the pris-
oners. They we're then placed at the First
precinct station for the night.
The Prisoners story.
About midnight reporter for The Timei
saw Griffin and Dennison at the police sta
ton. They consented to give their version
Of the unfortunate trouble. Griffin tolo
| the story, as follows: We met Sunday
| afrernoon a week ago. in Fourteenth
! Street. near H. and made partial en-
gagement to go to Cabin John Bridge that
| evening. After a brief talk we parted
each going on a separate errand. with th'
/ understanding that the Bridge should D.
our point of meeting. ! left home, 100.
| Sixteenth Street northwest, about o'eloci
! in the afternoon, going direct to the
Bridge. We met just east Of the hote
at the Bridge shortly before o'clock.
There was a large crowd, and Denniso'
met three friends almost Immediately al
ter reaching the hotel. Together we wake
about the grounds, mingling win u
people. Shortly before o'clock the tire
friends with whom Dennison was &C
I
( and toward a car. Immediately after ttl'
and while near the rear OF the hoteI, "
heard a dispute but RETAINED from ming
ling with the rabble which surrounded IN
combatants.
Becoming weary Of the hotel we agreed
about 6 o'clock. TO start for the cars W
crossed the Bridge, and descended tn
steps at the peanut stand We stopped sew
eral minutes 20 purchase some cigar
Hardly had we left the stand going toNar
e the cars when we encountered drunEe
man and we're stopped and abused by hin
I The drunken man appeared ndignar
= about something and he showed Demise
with considerable force.
p "Dennison. whom ! call 'Denney, Pre-
e tested with the man. but with no appareI
a effect The man noticed me standing nea
D and exclaimed that he could lick any tW
] men at the Bridge | assured the ma
] that we did not wish trouble, but he cor
' | tinued his ugly conduct until IL was agree
t that I alone should accommodate him wit
( 4 a fight Accompanied by the man l wei
I up a slight hill near the Bridge. II wi
| quite dark. and when some distance FRO
2 the peanut stand. TO the north OF the ca
h and away from the crowd, the man pr