Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1907-03-11
Johnson in Virginia.

JOuuSOu la ~ bs
William johnson, alias George Midget,
colored. charged with shooting and kill
ing Charles T. Smith In this city on the
Goth of last October, who Was arrested
in Harrisburg, Pa, few days sgo, IL
now in prison in Fredericksburg.
Policemen Ferguson and Roberts, OF
this cItv. who were detailed BY Mayor
Psff ~ carry the requisitiou papers TO
Harrisburg, left that city with the pris-
n about O'Clock yesterday afternoon
were met upon their arrival in Wash.
ton by Mayor PAT, Chief Goods and
' Serg, ant r. a. Cox.
ohnson was placed on south bound
slington. Southern train, aud as soon
he train reached the Virginia side OF
Potomac the policemen delivered the
oner, who has already been indicted,
hty Sergeant Cox, who at once ap-
tied the two policemen deputy SER
lie to assist him in guarding John
10 his temporary place of confne-
/. =.
While the destination Of the officers
and their prisoner was not announced,
1t Is known that Johnson was carried
to Fredericksburg where he was placed
In Jail to await his trial 10 this city.
Mayor Paf had talk with the pris-
oner in the course OF which the mayor
ascertained that johnson had received
a bullet wound 10 the leg on the even
Ing of the shooting Of Smith. the ball
never having been extracted. After
Smith had been shot johnson fed and
was fred upon by policemen as ne ran.
1t is stated that be admitted being the
man whose arrest was being attempted
when smith was killed, but he asserted
that the fatal shot was fred at random
by some one in the crowd.
johnson told the officers that after he
left Alexandria on the night of October
20 he proceeded to 6t. AsaPh and slept
in a building at the old race track, and
that on The following Sunday night be
returned to this city and secretly entered
the home OF a colored man named Bell,
on north West street, where he and
Robinson had boarded, and look two
pistols from the lstters trunk. 1t will
be remembered that the policemen took
possession of Robinson's trunk on the
same night on which the shooting 90
CURED. The prisoner said he later went
10 Philadelphis, from which place he
subsequently proceeded to the neighbor'
hood OF Harrisburg. johnson said he
has not seen Robinson since the night
Of the trouble on the old fair grounds,
and further, that should he be hanged
Robinson should suffer similar fate as
he charges him with killing Smith. The
prisoner gave q clear account OF the first
fight which occurred on the old fair
ground when be struck Officer Nicholson
on the head with tae butt Of pistol be
had taken from Robinson. BE slso says
hs discharged the weapon into the
ground The prisoner, however, pretend
ed ignorance of the facts concerning the
second disturbance during which Smith
was KILLED Asstated above, johnson has
q bullet in his rightleg The ball passed
almost through the limb and DOW forms 9
small wound under the skin. He says he
received the wound while running from
the officers. johnson further Gays that
some time ago he and Robinson entered
house In Phoenixville, Pa, In the night
for the purpose of robbery, and that
bosrder In the house having been awsk-
eped was shot and killed by Robinson.
GBuch a murder occurred, but 1t Is sup
posed that johnson told this story 10
order to avoid being taken to Virginia.
johnson recognized Officer Ferguson,
calling the latter by name when he
entered the Harrisburg jail. He was 10
a room With a colored woman when
taken in custody by the Harrisburg
policemen. johnson carries Bible with
him, and says he has had enough Of
sporting life. he Is warning all young
psoole to beware of the consequences OF
taking the wrong path In life.
Officers Ferguson and Roberts say
they we're shown many courtesies by the
Harrisburg authorities during their stay
In that city.
The March term of the Corporation
Court began today. 1t is q chancery
term, but it Is understood that whe {
the docket shall have been cleared 1t vii
hs msde a criminal case term by Judge
Barley, when johnson will be placed OF
trial. The latter has not ~ yet securet
q lawyer, and should be fail to do 20
Judge Barley will appoint counsel to do