The San Francisco call., 1908-09-07
JOHNSON ATTACKS
FATHER IN LETTER
Young Miner Vino Committed
Suicide Demands Money
of Parent

Statements made by relatives yes
terday and letters found on the per-
son of Rea James Johnson, the young
miner who committed suicide in spec
tacular fashion Saturday night in a
Third street saloon. disclosed that finan-
cial difficulties between himself and
his father led him TO take his life. The
last words uttered by Johnson before
/ the deadly cyanide of potassium ac
complished its end were curses directed
at his father, DR.. J. H. Johnson. well
known physician of Los Angeles. On
an envelope Johnson scribbled a note
addressed Ito whom it may concern
1t was an arraignment of the father,
which concluded by charging DR.. John
young Johnson.
AUNT IDENTIFIES BODY
Mrs. Lou Sutclife, an aunt of the
dead man, hurried to this city yester
day when she learned of the tragic
end of her nephew. Late yesterday
afternoon she called at the morgue
and a dramatic scene followed when
she identified the body of Johnson.
This poor boy has suffered so much
and his little family is still suffering
because DR.. Johnson would not give
him the money ehat he owed Ree,"
said Mrs Sutcliffe between sobs. He
he gave TO his father, and there was
an understanding that ii should be in
vested A few days ago when despond
ency got the better Of him, Rea wrote
to his father, making an urgent re-
quest that he be given some OF the
money. DR.. Johnson refused, and this
caused the Door boy to kill himself"
But a sadder story than all came to
light when the letters of a trusting
wife were found by the morgue Of
ficials Her last letter is replete with
good advice and womanly comfort. Far
off in a little cottage in Kelso, a small
town near Kern City, the wife and
six months old baby are ekeing out
an existence as best they can, mostly
through the aid OF neighbors, hoping
each day that Rea will find a position.
LAST LETTER FROM WIFE
The last letter from the wife is a
sad one in view Of the turn of events
since Johnson received 1t.
Il wish you would come home. for
] am so afraid something will happen
to you Rea, darling, for my sake.
don't ever do what you intended to do
in Los Angeles. Please, please don't.
And don't think of il any more. 1t
would ruin your whole life. Don't
worry about baby and myself, for the
nefghbors are treating us kindly Each
with us and there is really no need for
your worry"
At the morgue, owing to the infer
ences made by relatives. 1T was con-
strued that the admonition. don't ever
do what you intended to do in Los An
geles." referred to a threat made by
young Johnson against his father
Miss Julia Panza, who figures as
Johnsons friend and TO whom photo
postcard was addressed before the sui
eide met Johnson at Santa Barbafa-
The woman wrote several letters to
Johnson, in which she used endearing
terms. She followed Johnson to this
city. Miss Panza invited Johnson to
call on her at Is Peralta street, the
home of A. E. Anderson. workman,
but the Andersons say that Johnson
never made the call.
A telegram from DR.. J. H Johnson,
father of the suicide. was received by
Deputy Coroner Reilly last night He
asked that the remains be held at the
morgue until his arrival