The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1902-11-28

WILD CAREER
ENDS IN PEN
Forger Johnson Begins a Two
Years Sentence.
MUST FACE OTHER CHARGES
CRUELTY DESERTS GIRL WHO
ELOPED WITH HIM.
MUST FACE OTHER CHARGES

T ALDEN with bleak antlcipations is
the Thanksgiving for Edward p
Johnson, 20 years of age, who was
taken to the state prison yesterday to
begin term of two years at hard la
Dor for grand larceny. In addition 10
that term, he viii be taken to Farm
ington Saturday to stand trial in the
Davis county court on the charge of
forgery, and when that is completed he
viii appear in the local court to plead
to the same charge.
Replete with romance and crime are
the past few years of the life of the
young man who Low wears the stripes,
and who still holds, it is said, the af-
fectiOns OF a Davis county damsel The
girl, II years of age. was lured from her
home by the Establishments OF the
young man and shared with him the
ride of many dreary miles through the
state of Utah Nevada and Idaho, in his
desperate attempt to escape the law
and the parents of the girl whom he
induced to follow his wild career.
Early last August johnson was ar
rested by local deputy sheriff on the
charge of having forged the name of
Joseph McRae, prominent sheepman,
to check for $3.50. The check was
cashed by Commercial street clothing
man, who was informed on presenting
il to the bank that it was worthless,
being a forgery. A complaint was is
sued and the young man was arrested
in the city at the home of his parents.
At the same time the sheriff of Davis
county began search for the youth
on similar charge.
While in Bountiful, it is claimed.
Johnson devoted his attentions to the
entertainment of a young girl of that
place and had cashed a check with
the same signature on a barkeeper
there. That also was returned by the
bank, and officers were put on his
track.
Eloped With His Sweetheart.
When arrested Johnson was taken be-
Iore Judge Diehl and placed under
ponds of $500 to apepar before the dis
trlct court. Bond was procured and he
was set at liberty pending the trial. A
Few days later he again went to Boun-
IiIui, and in the dead of night assisted
the girl in escaping from her home. and
beth returned 10 Salt Lake The par
ents of the girl discovered the eloDe-
ment early next morning and officers
again began search for the young
man. He was not located, although he
IlYed with the girl in this city for sew
eral days before going to Brigham City.
where he is said to have stolen a horse
and buggy and to have driven with The
girl to ElkO, New.
Leaving his stolen rig at that place.
the couple secured another and drove
10 Rock Creek, Ida. where Johnson de-
serted the girl and went to Shoshone
alone. The girl was left penniless. The
sheriff at Shoshone recognized the man
from the description he had received.
and Johnson was returned to Brigham
city to answer the charge of grand lar
ceny in stealing the rig. In the trial
which followed he was convicted and
sentenced to two years in the state
prison.
The parents of the girl have been no.
uhed OF her location in Idaho, and she
VIII be taken to her home in RountifriI
this week. johnson is said to be one Of
the smoothest criminals at the prison.