Waterbury Democrat., 1901-01-21
A MYSTERIOUS DEATH
Bernard Johnson Held for Result of
 Coroner's Investigation.


 A death which is at present envel- oped in some mystery took place yes terday morning at the hospital, and a Swede named Bernard Johnson, 2S years of age, is in custody of the po lice. The deceaSed's name is Charles Parsons, fellow countryman of the accused
 Saturday evening Johnson and Par sons and a few of their countrymen weer drinking in Swan Oleson's saloon on Grand street. Johnson and Par sons had falling out over q throw of dice. Johnson withdrew from the bar where they had been throwing the dice, but Parsons remained there and was evidently in an ugly mood. He claimed to have won a game from Johnson and defied him to throw again. Johnson was sitting down. let ting Parsons speak as much as he cared to.
 At length Parsons, believing that Johnson was afraid of him because he did not reply to his talk. a mistake made frequently by drunken men. dared him to go out on the street and fight it out. Still Johnson did not re ply to Parsons. though the latter's re marks We're becoming quite offensive Parsons was becoming q nuisance in the place. annoying the other custom CTS, and he was told to cease his noise or leave the place. He then turned toward the door and cast final slur at Johnson. Everybody was looking at Johnson. He felt that lie would be looked upon as afraid of Parsons if he refused to accept his last invitation to fight. So up he got and met Parsons at the door. They had some further talk outside of the saloon and they walked toward the corner of South Main street. They were still talking and at length Johnson struck Parsons q blow on the mouth, ii is said and Parsons dropped to the sidewalk Johnson walked away and in q few minutes the greatest excitement pre- vailed on the corner. Parsons was taken into CoOney's saloon and q doc tor sent for. The doctor applied Il re- storative to the unconscious man nose and in a minute he was on his feet apparently none the worse for his spell of insensibility. It is said that he ordered q drink and was re- fused. and when it was ascertained that he had been drinking ;t Oleson' $ saloon he was invited to leave Coo ney'S. However. he did not remaln long there. Leaving COOncy's place. Parsons. apparently as well as ever, again showed up at Oleson's and or dered q drink and was refused. He demanded the drink and was told to leave the place. which he did after a good deal of oral objection.
 The only evidence of his being in q TOW was the presence of blood on his face 1 is claimed that tliS blood came from his ears and mouth. It IS also said that he insisted on walking home. but his friends in the saloon sent for hack and lie was taken to his boarding place in Grove court, which is off West Grove street. Ii is supposed that he immediately became unconscious. for it was deemed pru- dent to send for q physician. who failed to arouse him. His condition at this time was such that he was taken to the hospital still unconscious, and in this condition he remained up the hour of his death at 6:4o yester- day. At the hospital it was found he had fractured his skull. Meanwhile the police were notified and Detective Cahey and Special Officer Hickey were detailed to arrest Johnson. and he Was found at his boarding house, oo2 East Main street, at i 30 o'clock.
 Johnson was not made aware of Parsons's death until this morning and then he said he was sorry for IL He did not deny striking the alleged fatal blow He claims that he has been in the city about nine months and about as many years in the country He came here from Bridgeport and iS q carpenter by trade. In the city court this morning he was charged with as sault. but the case was adjourned tc tomorrow morning to await the re suit of the coroner's examination.