The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1906-04-06

Frank Johnson distinctly grinned
yesterday in court, where he is on
trial for his life. 1t was when Mrs
Kentwell testified of his superior jig
dancing. A smile escaped from him
| which crinkled his facial muscles
around to the back of his neck.
After the conclusion of the cross
examination of Henry Wharton, faith
er of the slain child, Mrs. Annie K.
Kentwell was called by the defense
and after she was released two Por-
tuguese. Joe Souza and Manuel Fer
nandez. who knew the defendant gave
their evidence
Wharton's testimony was to the eff
feet that Johnson always knew and
did what he was told, though he en-
tirely lacked education, being unable
even to write his name.
Mrs. Kentwell, when asked direct
ly by Mr.. Harrison if she and her folks
regarded Johnson as a sane man, an
swered that they always considered
, him simple" He was employed at
her mothers place before the marriage
of witness and after that event came
to Mr.. KentWell's. Johnson was kind
to the children. bringing them candy
and flowers. A lack of brightness was
indicated by his inability to pronounce
the names of his employer and others.
as well as his practice of calling wit
ness. her sister and brothers by their
first names.
Once. at her mothers, Johnson act
ed strangely. He made a row with
the cook at refusal of more wine than
the glass allowed him every after
noon. Witness was called and John
. son showed fight. but when she took
i stick and threatened to use it on
him if he didn't go to his room he went
there like a child and gave no trouble
thereafter
Mrs. Kentwell had always been will
ing to trust the children with john
son. but it was show of queerness by
him toward them that caused his loss
of employment at their place. This
was in September last. Her three
children. the eldest under four years
of age, came from the stable and told
her that Johnson had been threaten
ing to beat them with a stick. Mr..
Kentwell, being telephoned for, came
home and ordered Johnson to his room.
A week later he went to Waialua and
got work from Wharton together with
a home
Witness told of SILLY spells John
son at times had, generally when he
had been drinking. He would dance
jig. HE danced it to perfection.
she said later in answer to Attorney
General Peters. AS he saw that the
children We're pleased at his perform
ance he jigged all the more.
Johnson betrayed a clear grin when
Mrs. Kentwell was telling about his
antics.
In the four years he was at their
house Johnson, to Mrs. kentwell's recol-
lection, was intoxicated six or seven
times She said the children liked
him After telling about his gifts of
candy and flowers to them she said:
81 believe if they saw him today they
would run up to him
Johnson used to drive for them. but
she would never let him. drive the
children unless she accompanied them.
Several times there had been narrow
escapes from accidents when he was
driving. The horse was afraid of the
rapid transit cars and Johnson gave
him his head too freely. Sometimes
she took the reins from him.
The evidence of the two Portuguese
was not of great Importance. One of
them had seen Johnson lying all dirty
upon the roadway, as if overcome with
jntOxication