Los Angeles herald., 1907-01-09
DOCTOR s MURDER
IS MYSTERIOUS
C0R0NER'S JURY SAYS ROB-
Berry is MOTIVE
Police Have Another Theory and Say
Pockets Were Rlfed to Give
the Authorities a False
Scent
BY Associated Press.

BY Associated Press.
PORTLAND, Jan. S.-Although the
coroner's jury today returned YER
dict of murder with robbery as the
motive, the murder i'm this city last
night Of Or. Phillip Edwards Johnson,
a physician recently arrived from New
York. is one of the most mysterious
tragedies that ever has occurred in
the northwest.
Dr. johnson came to Portland with
his newly welded wife two manths ago
to establish his home here and to praC-
tice his profession. The couple bought
site for beautiful home in a fash
tonable section. Mrs. Johnson before
her marriage last fall was a Mrs
scarborough. She is a daughter of
former Governor Hoadly of Ohio. Dr.
johnson was son of Episcopal Arch
deacon johnson of Staten Island and
a graduate of Columbia university.
Shortly before dining with his wife
last night DR.. Johnson announced his
intention of visiting a Dr. Pdnton. one
of the examining board by which he
was to be examined for admission to
practice in this state. amidst the pro-
testations of his wife. who feared high
waymen.
Visits Cousin
On his way DR.. johnson called upon
his cousin, w. c. Alvord, assistant
cashier in a local bank What hap
pened at Alvord's has not been learned,
Alvord refusing to make any statement
for publication, and if he has told the
police anything that transpired the
department is keeping it secret.
Alvord's parents. however. told the
police that after leaving their home
DR.. Johnson walked toward the Ford
street bridge, two blocks distant. to go
to DR.. Pantons home. short time
after a car conductor found JohnSon'S
mangled body lying in jefferson street,
III feet below the bridge DR.. John
sons pockets had been turned inside
out and his watch removed. His
empty pocketbook and keys were
found on the bridge above. There were
no evidences of a struggle. Cards on
the doctors body was the means of
identity.
Cousin Secretive
Alvord when first approached by the
newspaper men for a statement was
apparently eager to talk, but excused
himself a moment and went to Mrs
Johnson's room, returning soon. on
returning he informed them Mrs John
son was prostrated and all further ef-
forts to get him to make a statement
were unavailing. The police met with
tied the police headquarters and en-
deavored to secure possession of some
articles found on Johnson's body, but
was unsuccessful. A visit to the COR
oner had better results, that official
turning over to Alvord several ar
ticles. Capt Bruin of the police de-
partment inclines to the murder theory;
and yet, according to his statements to
newspaper men, he does not believe
Johnson was robbed, but insinuates
his belief of murder with some mo-
tive more sinister than robbery.
Married Recently
NEW YORK, Jan. S.-Dr P. E. john
son, who was killed in Portland. was
the son of the late Rev. George D.
Johnson, formerly rector of Christ
church at New Brighton, S. 1. He lived
at New Brighton until three or four
years ago, when he removed to the
west, but returned few months ago
to marry Mrs. Scarborough. His
mother still lives in New Brighton.
Samuel Evans formerly an appeal cor
poration counsel, living at New Brigh-
ton, is a brother-in-law of Dr. Johnson.
He said that he had not been informed
of the death of DR. Johnson until
reporter told him, and that he would
make inquiries of the Portland au-