The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-23
THE CABIN JOHN TRAGEDY
Two Arrests in Connection WITH
Albert JOhns0n's Death.
Edward Z. Griffin and Robert Il. Dem
nisOn Surrender to the Police
A Fight Which They Say Was
Forced Upon Them-CIaim Fatal
Wound Was Caused by Fall.

Edward E. Griffin, twenty-one years of
age, clerk in pension agency on New
York Avenue northwest. and Robert E.
Dennson, aged twenty years who resides
at 1917 Street northwest, were taken
into custody last night about 10 o'c'ock
charged with the killing of Albert 4. John
son a week ago last night at Cabin 20 n
Bridge. Both have made statements Gf he
affair and claim that the trouble result ed
from drunken buster on the part of john
SON They also claim that johnson met his
death as the result of a fall upon the paw
ing of the Bridge. and not from a 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. This
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 l3lice of
the First precinct station, Detectives Peck
and Herndon started upon a new line of in
NeslISdlicu lHlOIHdllOH Ddu betH I'LL
parted to them which led to the belief that
Griffin and Dennison were connected with
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-
Herndon and Peck, and William Greer,
friend of the dead man, were parties. The
trouble at the Bridge was gone over.
Major Sylvester and Inspector Bosrdman
went to the Dennison home last night.
There they found Griffin also. and with
the two young men they proceeded to
Police Headquarters, where they were
briefly examined Later they were taken
to the First precinct station, accom-. lIli"i
by Major Sylvester and Inspector Board
man, and locked up.
While at headquarters the young men
told their story to the officials. They ad-
mitted that they were at Cabin John
Bridge a week ago last night. They told
in a straightforward manner of trouble
which they had encountered at the Bridge
and replied TO all questions regarding the
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 who |
a portion of the Johnson diff |
Guilty, and it was reviewed with the pris- |
oners. They were then placed at the First |!
precinct station for the night.
The Prisoners story.
About midnight reporter for The Times !
saw Griffin and Dennison at the police sta
ton. They consented to give their version /
Of the unfortunate trouble. Griffin told |
the story, as follows: we met Sunday |
afternoon a week ago, in Fourteenth |
Street. near H. and made a partial en-
yagement to go TO Cabin John Bridge that |
evening. After a brief talk We parted,
each going on a separate errand, with the
that the Bridge should be
our point of meeting. / left home, 1882
Sixteenth Street northwest, about o'clock
n the afternoon, going direct to the
Bridge. We met just east Of the hotel
It the Bridge shortly before o'clock
There was a large crowd, and Dennison
net three friends almost Immediately af-
er reaching the hotel. Together we walked
lbout the grounds, mingling with the
,eople. Shortly before 6 O'Clock the three
friends with whom Dennison was &C
Iuainted, left U.S. starting across the Bridge
md toward car. Immediately alter ttis.
md while near the rear OF the hotel we
leard a dispute but refrained from ming
ing with the rabble which surrounded the
.ombatants.
Becoming weary OF the hotel we agreed
lbout o'clock, TO start for the cars. We
crossed the Bridge, and descended the
teps at the peanut stand We stopped sew
aral minutes 20 purchase some cigars
Hardly had we left the stand, going toward
he cars when we encountered a drunken
nan and were stopped and abused by him.
The drunken man appeared indignant
lbout something and he showed Dennison
With considerable force.
'Dennison, whom I call 'Denney,' pro-
ested with the man, but with no apparent
fleet. The man noticed me standing near
md exclaimed that he could lick any two
men at the Bridge l assured the man
hat we did not wish trouble but he con-
inued his ugly conduct until il was agreed
hat I alone should accommodate him with
fight Accompanied by the man | went
Up a slight hill near the Bridge. II was
quite dark, and when some distance from
he peanut stand, to the Forth of the cars
md away from the crowd, the man pro-