Evening star., 1902-08-21


him and Major .Armes. Since the transfer
was made several of the boarders have left
the house, one of them, Mrs F. J. Payne.
leaving this morning. While men were en-
gagged moving cut Mrs. Payne's effects
johnson, it is stated, called and conversed
with her for more than ten minutes
Shot Without Warning.
While, this conversation was going on,
1t is stated, Major Armes was in the office
on the first floor of the big building Leay-
ing the office he went to the broad porch
in front of the house and occupied a rock
ing chair He was sitting there watching
a number of colored men working on the
road when the former manager of the
place, Mr.. Johnson, appeared, and used his
revolver
He shot me without a word of warn
ing Major Armes. remarked to Police
man McGregor afterwards
Mr.. Johnson will not discuss the affair
He left Fairfield soon after firing a Sec
ond shot, which did not take effect. 1t
was about o'clock when the shooting
occurred, and three hours later johnson
was found in the office of Mr. Fulton by
Detective Horne.
who is Johnson's attorney?' Detective
Horne inquired, when Capt. Boardman in
formed him Of the shooting. He will go
right to the lawyers Office" he added.
Ascertaining that Mr.. Fulton was john
sons legal adviser, Detective Horne went
to the attorneys office in the Fendall build
ing and found Mr.. Johnson there. John
sons wife also called there to be with her
husband.
While this was going on Detectives Tyser
and Trumbo and the seventh precinct DO
lice were making a search of the county
for the man who had done the shooting.
1t was nearly two hours after the affair
occurred that Capt. Boardman learned of
it. He was unable to get any satisfactory
information about the shooting. One state
ment was that Maj. Armes had been shot
in the breast and would probably die, while
another report had it that his injury was
not serious.
When Detectives Tyser and Trumbo
started for Fairfield they were under the
impression that the shot would prove to be
fatal and the department would have an
other murder case on it's hands. Much to
their surprise they saw the wounded man
seated in car coming toward the city be-
fore they reached the Zoo" but the car
was going at such rapid rate of speed
that they were unable to stop it. Upon
reaching Fairfield" they learned that two
colored men had witnessed part of the af-
fair and had gone to the assistance of
Maj. Armes, but too late to render any
material aid.
Benjamin spates' Story.
Benjamin F. Spates, who has been man.
aging affairs about the hotel since Mr. John
sons departure, was seen by the detectives
and Star reporter. He stated that he
knew nothing concerning the cause of the
trouble and was surprised when he heard
the report of the pistol
MIR. johnson, he stated, had been about
Fairfield about thirty minutes talking to
Mrs. Payne, and after the conversation
Johnson walked to the front porch and
shots Major Armes while the latter was
seated on a rocking chair.
when heard the report of the pistol"
he stated. Il ran out the door to see what
was the matter
Upon his arrival there. he stated, he saw
Johnson with the smoking revolver in his
hand. The weapon was still held close to
Major Armes chest. According to his state
ment Major Armes said Keep him away,
for Gods sake; I'm shot,
Major Armes. he said, then got up and
started into the house. johnson following.
II kept Johnson back little" Spates
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