The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-07-13
Police Still Hold TO Original
Theory That Hs Killed Himself.
PUBL &c IS tOT sAT!SFlE
Many Circumstances Go 10 Sh,w the Young
Man Was Slila Shortly kitI Entering
Ills 0Wa hlmc

Baltimare, July l3-Uuder virtually
peremptory orders the detectives who
have been probing the Johnson mystery
have almost abandoned their quest Some
show OF activity is still maintained, but
the high police officials are determined
that the suicide theory shall prevail un-
less overwhelming evidence from sources
beyond their control confronts them.
Assistant States Attorney O'Dunne.
Who wants TO be elected states attorney
IN the fall, announces that he is not
through with the case, and that he may
resort To the extraordinary measure or
carrying the case directly to the grand
jury. In Baltimore this course is but sell
dom taken, and II is most unusual for
the public prosecutor TO inquire into any
crime independently OF the police.
]. Mortimer Johnson, son OF a wealthy
sx-councilman and one OF the popular
young men of this city. was killed on the
night OF June % He was last seen alive
at IL 80 that night. He was killed with his
clothing on, and there were bullet holes
In his hat. showing that the fatal shots
must have been fired shortly after he en-
tered the house and before he retired
The only other persons in the house at
the time were Joseph G.. Johnson, father
OF the decreased, and Charles sheeler.
man OF all work Both declare they heard
no shots during the night
AT ODDS WITH SON OVER WOMAN.
For ten years old man johnson had
been very attentive 10 Mrs. William
Suter She and he had exchanged visits
several times every week She had a
latch key 70 the Johnson home. Mortimer
Johnson had often demonstrated with his
father about this attachment, but to no
avail
There were many lively diSagreements
between father and son on the subject
Mrs. Suter wanted 10 be installed as
bousekeeper in the johnson home. but
Mortimer was a continual living bar TO
such an Arrangement.
When Mortimer Johnsons body was
discovered on the morning Of June "A, the
father seemed Indifferent about Il. He
at once sent for Mrs. Suter, and gave her
q gold watch and chain. He bitterly
objected TO having a coroners inquest and
be threatened 10 brain" detective who
examined the house.
From the first the old man and Mrs
suter insisted that Mortimer committed
suicide. But Mrs Lady Durre;te and
Walter Johnson sister and brother of the
dead man, maintained that II was muir
der. They found many evidences of foul
play In the house. they said and re-
with their father after the funeral.
The marshal OF police, chief OF detec-
tives and precinct captain after cur
cory examination announced that the
death was a case Of suicide Having de
clared themselves. all damaging evidence
obtained later was belttled. No thor
ough investigation has yet been made Of
the case by the detectives and they have
been hampered In numerous ways by
high police officials in their efforts 10
learn facts.
JOHNSON HOUSEHOLD ASLEEP"
An effort made today 10 see ex-Coun-
Gilman Johnson resulted I'm failure, as all
previous efforts have done Charles Shee-
Ter said his employer was asleep and
could not be disturbed II the state
ments OF Sheeer be correct, Mr. John
son is awake only few hours every day.
Whenever visitors call he Is almost al
ways asleep and cannot be disturbed"
"Sheeler said this morning that Mr..
johnson had been out OF the huose only
once since the inquest. When asked why
the house had been closed for the last
three days and visitors were not admit
ted Sheeler replied: IF anybody came
] didn't hear them. I've been asleep and
% has Mr.. Johnson"
Have you been asleep for three days."
mot quite all the time. but you see
we've been so tired out after all this In
vestigation that we needed rest"
Detective Atkinson said today that he
would not drop the case. but intended
90 push the investigation. He said that
% far he had no evidence 10 warrant
the arrest OF any one in connection with
young Johnson's death. Atkinson said
that 80 far as he knew there was no in
tentfon OF exhuming the body of John
son TO make another autopsy.