Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1905-07-11
I'LL HEALTH CAUSES SUICIDE
John johnson, An Old Confederate
Soldier, Takes His
Own Life.
SHOOTS HIMsELFIN TIFF HEAD.
Deed Done At An Early Hour This
Morning At Brothers
Residence.

Mr.. John Johnson, q widely known
resident of Anne Arundel county.
committed suicide at O'Clock this
morning at the residence of his broth
er, Mr. James l. johnson, on North
west street. The deed was done with
a 3S-calibre revolver Of the bull dog
type. The deceased Was in the sixty
second year of his age, having been
born in Annapolis in September, ls43.
Mr.. johnson had been in i'll health
for more than year, although no ap.
prehension was felt that he would
end his life by his own hand. For
the last year Mr.. johnson had been
living at bis brothers. residence on
Northwest street, having moved from
his country home at Indian Landing,
on the Severn river, when his first
illness began. His ailment was prin-
cipally nervousness and brain trouble,
due, Ii is said. from a wound which
he received when a soldier of the
Maryland Confederacy. He fought in
the battle of Gettysburg. For the last
twenty five years until he came to
Annapolis, Mr.. johnson had lived at
Indian Landing. where he conducted
small summer resort. He lived
alone there all these years, his wife
having died before that time.
The occupants of the house were
awakened at a few minutes before D
O'Clock his morning by the crack of
revolver shot and it was not known
whence it came. Mrs. Doudy,
who occupies nearby room to that OF
the dead man, was the only person
awake at the time and upon hearing
the shot she aroused bis brother. An
n NoIH 10
and Mr.. Johnson was found lying on
the floor dead, his head being IN pool
of blood The pistol was laying near
by. The bullet had been fred into
the top of the head, just little above
the right temple. The sound of the
pistol shot was so muffled that it is be-
ileved that he tried to smother it so as
not to arouse the occupants of the
house.
Last summer Mr.. Johnson's illness
compelled him to take expert treat
ment and he was therefore sent to the
Maryland University Hospital, Balti-
more. 1t was then thought that Mr..
johnson could not recover. He did,
however, improve to a certain extent
and retti rned to Annapolis, and Ina S
been staying with his brother during
the intervening year. Although it
was known that his mind was some
what affected, there was no occasion
to believe that he would take his life.
His brothers were devoted TO him and
the sudden end has come as a great
shock to them and they did all they
could TO alleviate his troubles, both
mental and physical. OF him 1t can
be said "When this frail bark of
ours is sadly tried. it may wreck itself
without the knowledge of the Captain
or guilt of the Pilot.
Since ill health incapacitated him
for active work it is aisd to have been
q drag to his mind, and yesterday his
actions are said to have been little
out of the ordinary. Knowing the
condition of his health and that he
was dependent upon relatives is said
to have afflicted him greatly. The
pistol which the dead man used pre-
sents the appearance of being brand
new one and it is believed that the
crime was planned and hepurohased the
weapon yesterday, but from where it
is not known. The deceased was not
only we'll known throughout the coun-
ty, but also in Annapolis, where he
resided during his early days. He was
familiarly known as Pap" john
son. Mr.. Johnson is survived by three
brothers, as follows: Mr.. James /.
Johnson. with whom he had been liv-
ing, and. Mr.. Charles Johnson, local
agent for the United States Express,
and Mr.. George Johnson, of Washing
ton. He was a son of the late George
and Henrietta Johnson, of Annapolis.
The funeral will take place tomor.
row morning at 10 O'Clock from the
residence of the deceased's brother.
and the interment will be made in
the City Cemetery Undertaken JAS.
S. Taylor has charge of the funeral ar
engagements.