The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1903-10-16
WOMAN EMBEzzLER
LED A DUAL LIFE
New Sensations in the Story
Of Mrs. Marie Layton
Johnston.
SHE MAKES a CONFESSION
Protects the Man With Whom She Has
Been Living, Who, She Says, Has
Another Wife From Whom
He Has Separated.

New York, Oct. 14.-Mrs. Layton
Johnston, in the Tombs under the dou-
BILE charge Of embezzlement and forgery
preferred by the United States Playing
Card company, gave out the following
signed statement yesterday from her
cell after she had received a visit from
her husband, DR.. Albert M. Johnston:
In reply to your many requests for
further knowledge regarding the report
that DIR. Johnston has q wife (Mrs.
Helen Pulls Johnston by name) and a
little daughter, 1t is true. am not
! DR.. Johnston's lawful wife, although
none Of my associates except my
mother know Of 1t. While never met
his wife, still, understood from people
! who knew her that she was a woman
mother, but that she and her husband
did not live happily together and by
mutual agreement separated within a
short time after their marriage.
so far as DR.. Johnston deserting his
wife for me, it is not true, as they
had been living apart for a couple Of
years before 1 met the doctor. In
many instances 1 have asked DR..
Johnston why he did not contribute
toward their support, and he always
replied: Helen is too proud to accept
anything from me-
Mrs. Johnston's Story.
Mrs. Helen Johnston is clever mu-
sician, and believe this talent per-
mits her to earn sufficient money for
the support of herself and daughter. The
numerous papers have spoken very
harshly Of DR.. Johnston, but it is
wrong, absolutely so-we did not live
as extravagantly as reported, and en-
tertatned but a few. The doctors
mother has been placed in some very
unpleasant situations at times in this
marriage complication, but in all in
a G t,ia tn of hor
,daIghter-in-law ana myself. She has
tried to be mother at heart to both
Of us. I regret that this public stigma
shoul be placed upon a woman OF her
years.
Il understand that Mrs. Helen John
ston has begun divorce proceedings
against her husband, naming me az the
correspondent. At such time as this
l am not in a position to say whether
or not Dr. Johnston and myself will be
married if divorce be granted, but
would like the public to know that DIR.
Johnston has done all that is within
his power for me.
MARIE LAYTON JOHNSTON"
Her Devotion to Him.
In order to clear the man she loves
from suspicion Of bigamy and set him
right in the eyes of the public Mrs.
Johnston has placed herself in the most
compromising position. Making her
act all the more remarkable, too, is the
fact that it follows the long-delayed
visits Of DR.. Johnston. Until the fact
was made public that he had a first
wife he did not visit her. He absented
himself from the hearings and conduct
ed himself so coldly toward her that
her mother could not find words strong
enough to express her opinion Of the
man she believed to be her son-in-law
because of his neglect Of her daughter.
% WnfnaC1av hnuyavnr q Gr> 1,a
story of Helen Pulls Johnston became
known, DR.. Johnston called at the
Tombs, and there was a most affecting
meeting between himself and Marie
Layton Johnston. She flung herself in
his arms sobbing bitterly. 1t was the
first time she has shown emotion of any
sort, but his coming completely un-
nerved her. He came again yesterday
In the worst Of the storm, bringing her
clothing from her home. Again she
broke down completely, and he left her
with tender words. Then she went to :,
her cell and wrote the letter, declaring
herself not his wife, and protecting him
as much as was in her power.
Were Not Married.
The belief of Mrs. Layton, the mother
OF the prisoner, that her daughter was
married on Lincoln's birthday, Febru-
ary II, 1900, by DIR. John Peters, rector
Of st. Michaeps church, seems to have
Deen a mistaken one. Dr. PeterS re-
fused to permit any one to see the
church records Of marriages and said
he had no recollection Of weddings so
long past. But there is no record Of
such marriage at the bureau of vital
statistics. Facts corroEorate Mrs. John
stons letter. Her lawyers will move
today before Judge Foster for an in
spection of all the testimony taken be-
fore the grand jury on which the in
dictments We're found. They have no
Immediate prospect Of securing the
$500 bail necessary to secure her re-
lease.