The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-03-28
ANNOYS PUBLIC OFFICIALS.
A Young Negro Writes Letters to
Prominent Men.

George w Johnson, colored. twenty
seven years old, and son of Rev. Rob
ert johnson, pastor of the Metropolitan
Colored Baptist Church on r Street, be-
tween Twelfth and Thirteenth Streets
northwest. was arrested yesterday after
noon because of numerous annoying let
te-s that he is said to have sent
to Secretary Hay, Senators Cockrell.
Platt and Gallinger, and others, and he
will be held at tine 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, 1895, on the finding of 4
marshaTs jury on the complaint of his
mother Mrs. Martha Johnson. He was
discharged from the asylum March II,
1909. as having improved sufficiently to
allow him TO be at large. He remained
quiet for a 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
number of letters to Sanitary Officer
Frank for action. Among them was
one to Senator Gallinger, on which was
endorsed. rs L safe for this man to be
at large" An effort was made to reach
the man. but ~ Kept to the house, into
which, under sting 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 were equally unintelligible
missives that had been sent to Secretary
Hay, Mr.. Mckinney, the Clerk OF the Su-
preme Court of the United States, the
Chairman of the Judiciary Committee
Of the Senate Senator James McMil-
Ian, Chairman of the District Committee
aud he liEfT ffst coil
Mr.. Frank communicated with Mrs
johnson and asked her to either prevent
her son from writing these letters or to
see 10 il that they were not mailed. Mrs
Johnson promised that she would do as
she had been requested. Evidently the
matter WAS beyond her control Tor the
letters continued to be sent. ThereuDon
Mr. Frank petitioned the Supreme Court
to direct an enquiry into the sanity of
the man and was directed to have him
examined by Drs. Mayfield 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
init the entrance of the officers into the
house. although. it 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
20l5 Vermont Avenue, shortly before ,
o'clock yesterday afternoon and were adj
mitted TO the house by Mr. johnson.
When they attempted to ascend the
stairs to the second floor OF the house,
where young Johnson was, they were
met by a shower of water pitchers
glasses, chairs and other household ar
tcles. Policeman Hixson was hit In the
head and almost knocked from his feet.
but he was only step behind Policeman
Bremmerman i'm reaching the top of the
stairway and johnson was quickly pin
Toned and taken in the patrol wagon to
No. station house. Here Drs MayneId
and Burch examined the prisoner and on
their certificate a temporary commitment
was issued and he was taken to the Gov
eminent Hospital for the Insane last ey-
ening.