The Washington times., 1906-03-24
JOHNSON AND SMALL
ARE PUT TO DEATH
Hanged at Nit. Holly, N. j.,
for AllinsOn Murder.
JOHNSON ADMITS HIS GUILT
Small to Last Breath Denies He Told
Truth in First Confession of
Killing.

MI HOLLY, N J., March A--Rufns
johnson and George Small, both eolored,
were hanged at the Burlington county
prison at 10 o'clock this morning for the
murder OF Miss Florence ". Alllnson.
The men walked TO the scaffold with
a firm step. The look of resignation on
their faces was the result OF their re-
ligious experience OF the last few weeks.
having, as they said. been fully con-
Verted
There was not a hitch and the two
men were declared dead a minute or
two after the trap was sprung.
The scenes attending the infiiction OF
the death renalty attracted hundreds of
norbIdIy curious people 20 Nj. Holly.
They came from several townships, a
large delegation OF colored persons being
present from MoOrestown, the scene OF
the crime. Fifty special deputies were
at their posts Of duty at S O'Clock and
secured good order during the proceed
ings- People tried In vain to see the
hanging from nearby housetops. and
several persons who had reached the
roof of the barn IN the rear OF the jaE
came down faster than they went up
after being discovered
Statements by Accused.
Johnson made the following statement
in his cell:
II am prepared to meet NV God, and
1 want the whole world to 1neet me IN
HEAVIER. am sorry that the crime has
been committed. L have talked to God /:
He has forgiven
Small said: II want TO meet all my
friends in heaven. God being my help,
and as far IS 1 am concerned, I am not
guilty I n a child OF God, and am
going free. hold no malice against
anyone. 1 did not kill Miss AHinson.
That statement is true, God knows It. ="
Victim Was Philanrhropist.
The crime for which johnson and
Small were put TO death was committed
at a farm house in the Quaker settle
ment of MoorestOwn. January 10. The
murdered woman was thirty-fve years
old. She rented the house and in the
summer took boarders. the majority OF
whom were employees OF a department
store in Philadelphia. Living with Miss
Allinson were some children she had
taken from a home
The mangled BODY was found In the
house by neighbors.
Johnson, who had been seen in the
vicinity of the place. was suspected.
traced to Baltimore. and arrested. He
made a number OF confessions. each
contradictory Of the other. One time
he would state he committed the murder
and day or two later declare that he
was innocent of the crime.
He was brought back here, tried, con-
Victed. and sentenced TO be hanged on
February q
Small Tries Confession.
While Johnson was in prison, George
Small was arrested for a robbery in
which Johnson was implicated. A few
days before the date set for Johnson's
execution. Small made a confession that
he, and not Johnson. had murdered
Miss Allinson. He declared that while
he strangled the woman, johnson ran
sacked the house. Governor Stokes
granted Johnson a reprieve until today
in order that Smalrs story could be in
vestigated.
Later. when Small was placed on
trial for the murder, II developed that
he and Johnson had consrired to rob
the Allinson home and Kill anyone who
might interfere in the carrying out of
their plan Small was convicted and
sentenced to be hanged.