The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1909-07-09

SAN FRANCISCO. July o.
Twenty-four women are in
yolved today in the strange case
of Christian G. Johnson, alleged
bigamist whom the police believe
is John Madison, with wives in
most of the large cities through
out the country. Ten widows have
been found who believe they have
been married at different times In
the past four years to the man
held in Jail here awaiting trial on
a charge of bigamy. Seven other
women think that he is the man
who swindled them through
promises of marriage, and the po-
lice are seeking the identity Of
seven more who have been con-
nected with the case in various
ways.
Strange Infatuation.
Johnson, or Madison, is a puz-
zle to the police. He is So years
of age, and professed woman
hater. He talks almost irration-
ally at times, and, although to a
certain extent has a distinguished
appearance, the secret of his
strange influence over women has
not been revealed. In almost ev-
cry instance he is supposed to
have secured considerable sums
of money from women who be-
came infatuated with him.
The man is said to have eluded
capture for more than three
years.
Long Line of Widows.
Under the names of John Mad
son, Christian c. Johnson, John
g. Anderson and G. o. Moeller,
the prisoner is accuesd of having
married the following widows:
Mrs. Elizabeth N. Il. jackson,
lola, Kas.. a wealthy widow, to
whom he represented himself as
a California cattleman. Married
her in the fall of 1908, secured
81, 400 and disappeared. She
|swore to a warrant for his arrest.
Mrs. Minnie Allen, I418 Madi-
son street, st. Louis, Mo-, loaned
him $3.50 before marriage. which
occurred before a justice of the
peace Nov. 5, 1907. May have
been fake ceremony. Madison bor-
rowed diamond ring and disap-
peared.
Mrs. Alice Richardson, St.
Louis, Mo-, married in fall of
1908. Obtained 5000 and several
valuable articles of jewelry from
her. Identity of Mrs. Richardson
discovered by Mrs Allen during
her investigation.
Got $1,000 Before Marriage.
Mrs. Katherine Bauman, st.
Louis, Mo, proprietor of the
Newport hotel, Seventh and Chest
nut streets, st. Louis, but now
living in Sacramento. Courted
her for some time and secured
$1,000 Of her money before mar
|riage.
Mrs. Maggie e. Bloom, Hanni-
bal, Mo-, wealthy widow. Married
Madison in 1908. Sold her home
to get money for him. He posed
as a California stock man. Her
identity discovered by Missouri
authorities looking up Madison &
record.
Mrs. A. Farran, Rocheport,
Mo-, Madison married her in June,
1907, under the name OF G. q.
Moeller. Represented himself as
d wealthy placer miner. Got
Isl, 400 In cash, 5000 In drafts and
La $3.50 diamond ring and deserted
her q week after the ceremony
Sold House to Get Cash.
Mrs. Sylvia Pollard de Bonnet,
Stanyan street. San Francisco.
married in August, 1906, in san
Rafael, under the name Of John
son. She sold houye to procure
money for him. Deserted her
about three weeks after marriage.
Mrs. Henrietta Leopold, 2I44
|Sutter street, San Francisco. mar
ried April IS, 1903, under the
name of Johnson. Secured $500
|of her money and deserted her
within two hours on night OF
marriage.
Mrs. Jessie Tretheway. 212
East Vine street. Stockton. mar
ried on May 10, 1909. under the
name Of John G. And ,rson. She
discovered letters written by him
Ito another woman, and threw
him out OF her house. after he had
attempted to borrow money.
Mrs. Mary Virgins Drown.
Springfield. Mass, married I'd
johnson Doc. s. 1904. He took
her to New York, secured $500
Of her money and disappeared,
She returned to Springfield. f.
cured divorce and later died 4