Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-11-26
ANOTHER MURDER.
Joseph johnson Shot and Killed by
John WiIIiams-Jo Wife Al
- a no.ty fo ff,e Crime.

Joseph johnson Shot ana hiiieo ps
John WiIIiams-John WIFE Al
legged TO be Party to the Crime
Alexandria negroes figured in another
murder case about 10 o'clock last night
the third since last June-Joseph john
son having been shot and killed snort
distance north of the old canal basin
columbus street extended). Jonn WI
liams and Martha johnson, wife OF the
murdered man, were subsequently arrest
ed bv Officers Belts and Knight of this
civ and Officer Grady Of the county,
charged with having committed the crime
Johnson had been jealous of Williams,
the latter having been paying attention
TO the formers wife. Johnson, it is al
legged, had threatened to edo up" Will
liams, and the latter and Johnson's wlie'
it is believed, determined to edo up the
husband,frst. About l / o. clock last night
a colored man found Johnson dead body
lying in the locality described above anc
police headquarters was notified. Inc
arrest Of Williams and the johnson wo-
man followed.
Williams when seen in his cell this
morning maintained that he acted IN sell
defense. He said he was on the Wash
ington road, short distance north OF the
canal basin getting coal from cars when
he heard cries of distress uttered by a
woman. The latter, Williams says, ex-
claimed, "Lord have mercy upon me
Don't kill me W The prisoner says at
this juncture heappeared in the road and
recognized johnson and his wife, and
when he attempted to demonstrate with
Johnson the latter said eyes, you I'll
kill you, too" Williams claims johnson
was fourishing razor and N order to
save his own life he shot him. He dwelt
considerably upon Johnson's previous
history, and seemed especially DESTROYS
to impress it upon his interviewer. lie
said the dead man was liberated from
the county Jail about three months ago
after serving term for shooting a colored
man; that he shot a colored woman
named Maria johnson in Alexandra
about three years ago, and had repeatedly
threatened to kill him (Williams).
Johnson's wife's version Of the affair
varied materially. She said she had not
lived with her husband for about nine
months. and that he had repeatedly I'M
portuned her TO return with him to Alex
andria county. Last night he sent for
her and when she came out OF the house
he pulled her some distance up the Wash
ington road in his endeavors to force
her to return to his home. When she
resisted he drew razor and threatened
TO kill her when she uttered out cries OF
distress. At this juncture she heard
pistol shot and johnson fell in the road.
She said she had no idea who fired the
pistol. The woman was in separate
room and she had not heard Williams S
story. When asked if Williams appear
ed in the road and demonstrated with her
husband tor his conduct toward her, she
said she witnessed no such procedure.
The woman admitted that Williams had
been visiting her at least once a week.
There are circumstances in connection
with the killing which the prisoners fail
to explain satisfactorily. The woman's
house is some distance from the place
where the shooting occurred, and why she
allowed herselfto be dragged over much
ground without making previous outcrles
is strange. There are grounds for sus-
pecting that johnson was decoyed to the
spot where he was killed.
One version of the affair is that the
woman and Williams were out on the
road and we're surprised By johnson.
An alteration ensued and the shooting
followed.
The body was removed to Mr.. b.
Wheatley's undertaking establishedment.
The ball from Williams pistol had enter
ed Johnson's forehead, killing him almost
instantly.
Williams and the johnson woman were
turned over to Constable Grady this
morning, who conducted them to the
county. Williams's hands were shackled
behind him and the woman was made to
take hold of his arm.
A coroner's jury was empanelled by
Justice Birrell later, and an inquest was
| subsequently held.