The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-12-12
WOULDN'T LISTEN
sSFire-Bug. Johnson Complains
of Parsons People.
Notorious Missouri Ex-ConEict
Tried to Lecture.
ENTERS A COMPLAINT.
He Begs Governor Stanley to
Do Something.
ENTERS A COMPLAINT.
Convict Who Burned the His
souri, Penitentiary.

J. p or -Fire-Bug'' Johnson, one of
the most noted ex-criminals IN the
United States, has written a letter to
Governor Stanley. complaining against
the citizens Of Parsons, because they
refused to give him fair consideration
and an opportunity to lecture in that
town johnson wanted to talk about
penitentiaries. but nothing except asy-
lum talk goes at Parsons, SO johnson
was suppressed
johnson wants the governor to sup
press Parsons now and compel the city
authorities to permit him to make 3 nv-
ing by lecturing.
johnson was pardoned from the Mis-
souri, penitentiary Thanksgiving day
with the understanding that he should
leave Missouri at once He left the state
and landed at Parsons prepared to de-
liver his lecture Parsons has had some
experience with Kansas ex-cOnv1cts as
lecturers, and johnson did not nave q
-'standIng-room' house, so he complains
against the treatment which Parsons &C
corded him.
IN criminal annals johnson is the only
man who has the record of serving
twelve years in a penitentiary without
turning his hand to work HIS sentence
was originally light, having been sent
up for short term from St Louis,
but johnson wanted the Missouri penl-
Tertiary rebuilt, and in order to avoid
the necessity of obtaining a new site
set fire to the cell block in the division
Of the prison where he was confined
When the fire swept through the cell
block the officers ordered the cells
opened, and the prisoners swarrned into
the yard. Here Johnson mounted upon
q box. urged the men to join him in a
general revolt and break for liberty
III the meantime the flames had COM
municated TO another cell block, ana the
prisoners therein were released me To-
1000. In the midst OF them was john
son, urging all OF the convicts to follow
him ito liberty
The fire department had made con-
nection with the hydrants, and the fire
was being controlled, but the flames
poured into every nook and corner OF
the cell blocks, when the water ceased to
flow through the MOBILES Johnson had
cut every section of hose laid to reach
the fire
The fire was fast consuming the cell
blocks and promised to reach the prlnci-
pal buildings of the prison
The warden of the prison who lived
down town arrived at this juncture-
With a club in one hand and a Win
chester repeating rifle in the other, fc1-
lowed by the deputy and assistant dep
uty warden, the warden rushed into the
crowd Of cIamorfng convicts
Johnson was IN the midst or them urg-
ing revolt and executing his final orders
in the plan to make an effort to escape
during the confusion.
The warden Of the prison crowded
through the lines until he reached John
son Without a word Capt Bradbury,
who is now dead, feIIed Johnson with
the club. Bradbury then stood upon
the PROSTATE and unconscious Johnson
Beginning at the left Of the mob Of pris-
oners the warden moved his rifle and re-
volver slowly, in a circular manner,
along to the right of the line He warn
ed every man against another move
Then the deputy and assistant and dep
uty warden rushed to the Warden's as
Sistance and with the six guns in the
hands Of the three men, compelled every
prisoner to get into orderly lines
This ended the revolt which had
caused damage to the amount Of nearly
$500, 600. This incident gave johnson the
name Of "Firebug''
johnson was incorrigible as prisoner
He spent nearly all OF his time in soli-
tary confinement in a dark cell because
he refused to work The whipping post
was then and is now said to be a part
Of the discipline of the Missouri peai-
Tertiary and 1t is said johnson was
whipped until the blood streamed from
the wounds Yet, he would not work