The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-08-05
WOMAN PLANS
FAKE INJURIES
FOR A LIVING
Has MuIcted Streetcar Com
panies in Many Cities by
Being Injured"
Several municipalities Also De-
frauded by Her False Claims
Cor Damages
Husband and Another Man,
Who Posed as Witnesses, Are
Also Under Arrest
s. Diseeleh o The Canl

Especial Dispatch 70 The Call
NAKLAND. Aug. Mrs. Maud
Johnson. declared 10 be noted
I professional victim Of streetcar
saocidents throughout the United States
and a queen of swindlers, has been
captured by the local police. aided by
employees OF the Oakland traction com
pany and Manager T. F. Phillips and
Operative ". R. Crippin OF the Thiel
detective service. She lies on a sick
bed Al the Merritt hospital. where yes
terdsy she was plotting another OF her
nationally famous frauds, with her s
month old son near her side and a pri-
vate detective guarding her room
Her husband, Frank Johnson. and
his brother. Luther Johnson. are in
cells in the city Jail. They were ar
rested this morning in room at the
Palmer house. 1871 Broadway. where
they had taken quarters after being
ousted from the Hotel Metropole.
Three Claims in a Year
These men were in the retinue that
followed Mrs. johnson across the con-
tinent several times, working as her
accomplices in cities where she mulcted
the streetcar companies or even the
municipalities OF neat sums Of money
by contriving TO be injured.
Fer most famous exploits were those
by which she lured claims agents of
streetcsr companies into settling with
her for accidents rather than enter
lawsuits. Less than year ago she
obtained $4,000 from ne seattle street
railway as damages for an accident
which was planned and executed by
her. A few months later she settled
with the claims agent of the Portland,
ore. streetcsr company for Sl,5OO. The
interval she employed by falling clev-
erly on a defective sidewalk at Wood
burn. ore, where she sued, the town
for $4,000. Her professional witnesses
the two Johnsons. were not in the
place. and Mrs. Johnson accepted $3.50
in payment for her sprained ankle.
She was known there as Mrs. S. l.
Graham.
Three Ways of Getting Hurt
These three exploits were only the
last in a long career. Maud Johnson.
alias Mrs. Edith strong, alias Mrs
Grace Payton, alias Mrs. Maria john
son. alias Mrs. W. L. Hsrelson, alias
Mrs. May Thomas, alias Mrs. F. B.
Raster. and with other aliases to con-
ceaI her identity. has been hurt on
streetcsrs and obtained money in Los
Angeles. Sacramento. St. Louis, Boise.
Eureka Springs. Arkansas. Harwood,
No, Kansas City, New York. Boston,
and Glenwood. Ark.
she had three ways Of getting hurt
The imperfect sidewalks in various
towns gave her an opportunity to fall
and be injured at the expense of the
municipality. Sometimes she was flung
on streetcars which swerved around
corners; and on rare occasions she was
struck by cars and deftly pitched aside.
with hospital bills and internal hemor-
rhages resulting.
Woman Causes Hemorrhages
Her hemorrhages were one of her
accomplishments. BY striking herself
on the chest she can cause blood to
how from her nostrils and mouth Yes
terdsy she displayed this accomplish
ment in the presence Of Attorney ciar-
ence Reed. exalted ruler Of the Oakland
lodge Of EIks. and the exhibition cost
Reed SIS.
Even then the woman was being
shsdowed by the private detectives of
the Oakland traction company, and was
preparing to close with Claims Agent
John Ferrin IN negotiations for dam
ages for an injury which is said to be
fictitious.
Mrs. johnson. patient at the Mer-
ritt hospital sent for Reed as counsel.
She asked him TO draw UP her viii.
saying she had. been hurt on local
streetcar and expected 10 die.
Obtained Money From EIks
She bequeathed $4,000 to relatives in
various cities. seeking thus to impress
the lawyer with her wealth. She then
sought for his sympathy. Beating her
. self convulsively on the chest she
ooughed blood. In few moments she
had persuaded Reed that she was the
: relative Of Eiks and was in need Of
money Reed drew SO from the lodge
treasurer and gave it to Mrs. Johnson.
Now he viii have TO reimburse the
order.
Reed is not the only attorney in the
state who has been the woman's vic
tim. The police have obtained letters
that passed between her and Eugene
Arsm. wen known Sacramento attor-
ney. which showed that Mrs. Johnson
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