The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1908-08-31
NOME MINER ARRESTED
I'm SEATTLE IS CHARGED
WITH ATROCIOUS CRIME
Admits Burning the
Body, but Denies
the Killing.
Says Wife Committed Suicide
and That He Tried to
Hide Her Crime.

The details Of one Of the most
atroeious crimes In the history Of
eriminaiity in the far north we're
/ brought to light in this city today
ston, a miner, who 10 accused Of
Z having murdered his wife and
buried her body near his cabin
In Nome. Alaska, after having cut
Il 10 pieces and burned as much of
II as possible.
Johnston was run 10 earth by
Joseph Warren, special agent Of the
department Of justice for the sec
ond district OF Alaska, George @.
Griesby, district attorney at Nome,
and Detectives Kennedy and Barbee
OF the Seattle police department,
after a chase extending over a pc,
Rod Of several months.
Arrested This Morning.
He was arrested az 7 O'Clock this
morning as he was emerging from
his residence. al 1909 Fourth av.,
and taken to the police station.
There he was closeted with the OF.
ficers for more than an hour. and
I the net Of Justice has now been 20
closely woven about him that the
authorities believe that II will be
impossible for him 20 escape the
hanFman's moose Johnston will be
taken TO Nome as soon as requisi-
ton papers are approved by Gov.
I Mead
I Johnston admits that he made an
attempt 10 dispose Of his wife'e
body. but declares that she took her
own life and asked him 10 conceal
her crime
Sought Wfe's Money.
The officers have evidence 10
show. however. that following the
woman's death Johnston forged her
name to letters written 10 her sis
ter. Mrs NJ. l. Hedge OF Port Blake
ley. and others, and that he attempt
ed BY fraudulent means TO secure
4 possession OF more than $4,000
which was owing 10 his wife for
I property In Butte Mont
Z Johnston was married In June,
Z 1908. 10 Belle Gilchrist. OF Butte.
whom he met in Seattle. and who
was at that time the owner OF con-
siderable real estate The couple
went to Nome to live. and on Oc-
I tober 81 OF the same year Mrs.
Johnston disappeared.
Explained Her Absence.
When friends inquired as 10 her
Whereabouts he informed them that
she had gone to California to visit
with friends. He continued 90 live
In his cabin during the winter. and
his explanation was given credence.
II WAS not until last May that
there was a suspicion Of crime.
Then IL was learned through the
dead woman's sister and friends in
this state that Mrs. Johnston had
never left Nome An investigation
was started. and officers were de-
tailed on the case.
In his confession this morning
the accused man. in explaining his
wife's death. said that he left the
cabin one morning while she was
cooking breakfast. and that when
he returned a few minutes later
she was dying from the effects of
| poison
She said that she was diseour-
aged and had committed suicide
said Johnston she left a note Of
explanation in which she told me
how to dispose OF her property"
From memory. Johnston dictated
the note 10 the officers as follows:
"Nome, Alaska, Oct, 1905.
Darling Leei I realize that am
no companion for you and can never
l be. Nothing but death will relieve
my suffering. want you to have
all my real and personal property,
and no one else. The power OF at.
torney will be all you need.
dispose OF my remains secretly
and let no one know that | have
sought self destruction.
Forgive me and God will bless
YOU"
Buried Under Floor.
Johnston dug n hole under the
floor. where he placed the corpse,
and there Il remained all winter,
while he continued 10 live in the
house. In the spring he sold the
house for s450 and moved 90 an.
other one which he had constructed.
The body was unearthed. cut In
three parts and taken away In
crates. Il was then put In a deep
hole back OF the new cabin. five
gallons OF kerosene were poured on
Il and it was burned The chhTed
bones We're then covered un with
earth.
Johnston has given the officers
a description of the place where
the homes may be found. and this
has been telographed TO Nome.
FORCES wlfes Signature.
The men who were detailed 10
investigate the case have learned
that after the womans death John
ston made q strenuous attempt to
secure a large sum of money which
L.. smith. OF Butte. owed his wife.