The times., 1901-03-28
ANNOYS PUBLIC OFFICIALS.
A Young Negro Writes Letters to
Prominent Men.

George W. Johnson, colored, twenty
seven years old and q son Of Rev. Rob
ert Johnson, pastor of the Metropolitan
Coiored Baptist Church on r Street be
tween Twelfth and Thirteenth Streets
northwest, was arrested yesterday after
noon because of numerous annoying let
ters that he is said to have sent
to Secretary Hay. Senators Cockrell,
Platt. and Gallinger, and others, and he
will be held at the Eighth precinct sta
tion house pending an examination into
his sanity by Police Surgeons Mayiield
and Burch.
Johnson was once before the inmate
Of an insane asylum, where he was sent
December 3, 1898, on the finding of
marshars jury on the complaint of his
mother, Mrs. Martha Johnson. He was
discharged from the asylum March L.
1900, as having improved sufficiently to
allow him TO be at large. He remained
quiet for time, but about the first OF
the present year he secured "A typewriter
and commenced sending unintelligible
communications to various prominent
persons
On January % Major Sylvester referred
a number of letters 10 Sanitary Officer
Frank for action. Among them was
one TO Senator Gallinger, on which was
endorsed Is il safe for this man to be
at large" An effort was made to reach
TIE man. DuI he kept 10 the mouse, INTO
which, under existing law, the police
could not go without the consent OF his
family. On March - a second batch of
letters was referred to Mr.. Frank.
Among them We're equally unintclliRible
missives that had been sent to Secretary
Hay. Mr.. McKenney. the Clerk OF the Su-
pTeme Court Of the United States, the
Chairman of the Judiciary Committee
Of the Senate" Senator James McNiI-
Ian, Chairman Of the District Committee,
and the District Commissioners.
Mr.. Frank communicated with Mrs
johnson and asked her TO either prevent
her son from writing these letters or to
see 10 it that they were not mailed. Mrs
johnson promised that she would do as
she had been requested. Evidently the
matter was beyond her control, for the
letters continued TO be sent. ThereuDon
Mir. Frank petitioned the Supreme Court
to direct An enquiry into the sanity of
the man and was directed to have him
examined by DTs. Mayfeld and Burch
who had been the examining physicians
when johnson had been previously COM
mitted.
Rev. Mr. Johnson was Informed Of the
condition of affairs and arranged to per
NIT the entrance Of the officers into the
house, although, 1t is said. his wife had
been opposed To this course. Armed with
the order of the court, Policemen Brem-
norman, Kennedy, HiXson, O'Brien, and
Tribby went TO the family residence,
2Ol5 Vermont Avenue, shortly before ,
o'clock yesterday afternoon and We're ad-
mltted TO the house by Mr. johnson
When they attempted to ascend the
stairs 10 the second floor of the house
where young Johnson was, they were
met by shower of water pitchers
glasses, chairs, and other household ar
ucles. Policeman HiXson was hit in the
head and almost knocked from his feet
but he was only step behind Policeman
Bremmefman M reaching the top Of the
stairway and Johnson was quickly min
Toned and taken in the patrol wagon to
No. station house. Here Drs MayfeId
and Burch examined the prisoner and on
their certificate a temporary commitment
was issued and he was taken TO the. Gov
ernment Hospital for the Insane last ev-
ening.