Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1907-03-28
The Trial of Johnson.

until 10 o'clock this morning.
Immediately after the adjournment Of
coutt .Johnson, under the escort OF The
Frsdsricksbutg military company, was
placed 90 . special Car on the McuSI
Vernon Electric Railway ard conveyed
50 the Alexandra county jail, on Fort
Meyer Heights, for the night.
It was yearly nine O'Clock this morn
ing when the special electric car with
the soldiers and prisoner resahed King
and Fairfax streets. Many people were
on King street anxious 10 get glimpse
of johnson as the car passed alony.
DOosteps we're occupied, and 10 most
homes people we're looking up and down
the streets from windows, awaiting the
appearance of the car in the distance.
When the car finally came to @ stop
at King and Fairfax streets several
hundred people had gathered At and near
that intersection. Johnson, handcuiied
| to one the soldiers, VAS placed 10 the
centre of the command aud marched TO
the station house. The prisoner kept
step with the same precision OF the SOL
diers accompanying him. He was soon
behind the bars in the station house
with two soldiers with crossed bayonels
guarding the door leading to the corridor,
two Others at the front door and the re-
msinder of the command deployed in
front of the building.
The court was called 10 order shortly
after ten o'clock, aud few minutes
later the prisoner was brought in by a
squad of soldiers and placed in the dock.
johnson appears to be the most calm
and collected man In the court room, and
is O very attentive listener.
Judge Barley granted the motion OF
Mr.. Brumback, counsel for the prisoner,
made yesterday, that the testimony OF
Policeman Roberts concerning q con-
versstioa be had had with c. T. Smith
on the night previous to tho killing OF
the latter be stricken ont.
Policeman Beach was the first witness
plscsd on the stand. He recognized q
coat he found in Capt. Kings yard on
PAYNE street on the Tuesday morning
following the murder OF the previous
Saturday night. Two IA calibre car
tridges were found in one of the pockets.
Wash. Jackson, colored, was again
called. He said Robinson WAS not
boarding with him at the time Of the
shooting. After the shooting lie had a
conversation with Policeman knight:
he did not remember the details OF that
conversation. lie might have told the
policeman that johnson shot Smith.
Robinson had boarded with witness
about two weeks previous to the killing.
johnson and Robinson we're often to-
gether, and met at hls (witness's) house
at different times. He had been told
that johnson had killed Smith, aod
based his statement TO Policeman knight
on what he bad heard.
Jsmes j. Kelly was the next witness.
| He saw Smith on the corner OF West
and King streets about $3.50 O'Clock on
the night the latter was killed. Smith
wanted TO borrow pistol from witness.
| Oaryey and Smith went on the sonti
side oil the street together
Cora Commons, colOred, followed. She
told OF The disorder which caused Police
man Nicholson 10 attempt TO arrest
johnson and Robinson. She recognized
hat and coat shown her ss having he
longed to Flank Robinson; also an over
coat as having belonged to Johnson.
Arthur Meeks WAS the next witness.
He saw Policemen Gsrvey and Smith
previous TO the killing; heard Garvey
say al sm after dangerous negro"
cav Officer Gsrvey wheu he placed bi:
hand upon the negro's right arm; saw
Smith run up and take hold of the ne
gro's LETT ariu; saw the negro draw hi'
pistol and Gre over bis left shoulder; san
| the fash and Smith started to fall; Gar
vey caught hold of Smith; the negro haC
whirled around quickly and 10 doing &c
had caused Gsrvey to reel which knocket
| the .Istter's pistol from bis hand; saH
Carney strike several times at the negro
Carey cried, "For Gods sske shoo
him" the negro ran and witness raI
after him: witness discharged his pistol
at the fugitivej was sure be shot hin 10
| the leg, as the negro suddenly began Il
| limp; the negro fred again as he ran
| An hour later, when the search was be
Ing made for the negro who had sho
smith, the witness saw the prisoner IL
the box whom he positively identified
standing ir the corner Of a fence
west Of the old fair grounds ant
opposite Wash. Jackson boarding
house; the negro who was on the inside
of the fence, spoke to witness; the negr'
spoke as though nearly out of breath; b
wore neither bat nor coat; witness VS.
within six feet of the man and observed
him closely; was afraid to attempt to ar
! rest him, knowing the negro was armed.
When asked concerning his subsequen
procedure, witness said he reported wha
he hsd seen to the police; he WAS sfrai
10 return by himself as the negro hs'
already killed one man. The witness va
> sui lected to rigid cIO!s.s examination
Meeks was followed by Benjamin
l Waters. He recognized the prisoner a
l William johnson; saw him 10 bar o.
the Saturday nigh, On which Smith va
killed. Witness described the clOthin
81 worn By Johnson that night.
Chief Goods then took the stand. n
recognized the cartridges taken from III
: coat found 10 Captain Kings yard.
Counsel for the defepss at this juno
ture denied that Policeman Beach hs
: sisted that he took the cartridges fror
. the coat, end he was recalled. He state