The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-10-09
Rev. J. le Baron Johnson Home
From Europe After Two Years.
WERE MARRIED IN ENGLAND
The Secunt Wife Was a Hospital Nuiss
and They Sailed AuaI TogsIhs-, Leaving
First Wife at Hams.

New York. Oct e-After an absence
abroad OF nearly two years, the Rev.
James lie Baron johnson. formerly as
sistant rector of Grace church and chap
lain In the fire department. whose sudden
Disappearance from this city In Decem-
his high position in society. has returned
home.
Miss Mary Hoffman. the pretty and
wealthy Bellevue nurse who disappeared
at the same time returned with the
clergyman as his wife. and the couple.
with their child. are now In the Adiron-
dacks.
Before leaving for the mountains the
Rev. Mr.. Johnson called on his friend.
Chief Croker, at fire headquarters. and
chatted with him for few moments.
Chief Croker was much surprised by the
visit.
We'll, chief. I am glad to get back here
again." was the former chaplain's greet
ing. II am enjoying excellent health at
present. My wife and baby are with me.
and we are going up In the country for a
while. and then we expect TO come back
to town."
NOW IN THE ADIRONDACKS
To an intimate friend Mr. Johnson said
he intended to take his wife and baby to
the Adirondacks for a stay. II haven't
seen him, but I have heard from him"
said this person. He is very well In
deed
Much alarm was caused TO the friends
- - IL III h..
December r. 1900. His father, the vener-
able Archdeacon Johnson. Of Staten ISL
and. and the members OF his family
thought that he was dead and were
mourning fon him .
simultaneously with Mr. Jchnson's de-
parture was the disappearance of Miss
Mary Hoffman. a nurse at Bellevue hos
pital She was pretty and had fortune
In her own right. The minister had be-
come acquainted with her in San Fran
cisco two years before and renewed the
acquaintance when he met her at the hos
pital. where his duties as fire chaplain
frequently called him.
Miss Hoffman, when she left the hospi-
tai with her belongings, said she was go
ing to return TO her home. in San Fran
cisco. Later reports said that she had ac-
companied the Rev. Mr.. Johnson to Hall
fax. and that both had taken passage for
L. V. Montgomery.
STARTLED STEAMSHIP PASSENGERS
The couple occupied the bridal suite on
the deck of the steamer. and Miss Hoff-
man created something of a sensation
among the passengers by the elaboxpte
gowns she wore.
Upon reaching London they leased a
fashionable residence and become promi-
In hA Avna ri
giving most expensive entertainments. In
July OF last year II was learned by their
friends here that they were married.
This is the Rev. Mr.. Johnson's sec
ond venture into matrimony. Soon after
ne was made assistant rector of Grace
church he married Miss Mabel Van
Rensselaer,, daughter of Mrs. Alexander
seventh street Their wedding. which
took place in April. 1892 was a very bril-
liant event that season.
Only a month prior to his marriage 10
Miss Van Rensselaer, Mr.. Johnson secur-
ed the appointment of fire chaplain. He
had been a member OF the volunteer fire
department. In Tacoma In his younger
days, and the fact that he was a clergy
man did not seem to quench his interest
In fire department affairs.
After securing the coveted appointment
from Commissioner Scannell. which gave
him the opportunity Of attending fires. he
kept a horse and buggy I'm stable ad-
jacent 10 his residence. ready for alarms
at any time OF the day or night In HIS
bedroom he had a fire alarm gong install
ed.
After hrs marriage his wife expressed
great disapproval OF his enthusiasm over
his FIRE duties. He refused TO give up the
work and serious differences arose be-
tween the couple. They went TO Europe
in the spring OF 1900. Mrs. Johnson't
mother accompanying them. few
months afterward the clergyman return
ed alone Mrs. Johnson came back with
| her mother, but did not go TO her hus-
| bands home
| MET MISS HOFFMAN AT BELLEVUE
| In the course OF his duties as fre chap
| lain Mr.. Johnson frequently visited the
| Sturgis ward at Bellevue hospital, where
| firemen who are III are cared for. Miss
| Hoffman whom the minister had met In
| San Francisco at the home OF her par
| ents, Mr.. and Mrs Southard HOFFMAN
| was a nurse in this ward. II was a mat
| ter OF some talk among the nurses al
| Bellevue. that the lre chaplain appeared
| TO take great interest I'm Miss Hoffman
1 Her father is one OF the very wealthy
| men OF the California city.
| AS a result OF his sssiduous attention
| to fire duty. Mr.. Johnson became III witt
| nervous prostration, and went TO Gler
| Springs, at watkins, for treatment. HI
left there suddenly early In December
| 1900 and came 20 this city. He disap
| peared two days after his arrival In towr
Miss Herman departed at the same time
With as great secrecy az surrounded
the disappearance OF her husband. Mrs
| Johnson secured an absolute divorce from
| him This fact did not become known un
| tIl last December. year after her hus
| hand had disappeared. The decree wa
granted by Judge Scott upon the repor
| OF Charles w. West. The judge ordered
the papers sealed up. and because on thi
| Fac, the name OF the woman In the cas-,
was not disclosed.
Mrs. Johnson r. now in Maine with ne
| mother.