The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1910-01-08

for his acquittal
Mrs. Alice Johnson, mother Of the
prisoner, was called and testified that
she now lives near Farrlington, She
had formerly lived on the hons place,
near Rising Sun, which her husbapd's.
James Johnson's, ancestors had occu-
pied for more than 200 years. She
was married at ID years and had hal
eleven children, two OF whom were
Gead, Her husbands mother was Sar-
all HILL, who lived with witness for g.
years prior to her death. She died
at 81 or 62. She had to be watched
constantly, would often strip herself at
home or abroad, anywhere near or
about her home; talked ramblingly at
nights and showed these peculiarues
up 10 her death. Mrs. Hill had eight
children, sons and daughters. Cnel
daughter, who lives at Rowlandville
eats barely enough to keep her alive,
and is practically recluse, fearing an
noyance, unwilling to ride in a vehicle,
averse to work Of any kind and even
needs help at her toilet. Witnesses
mother had eight brothers and sisters.
One brother, Orrick, bachelor, hang
ed himself Another brother who died
near Rock Springs about twelve years
ago would attempt to fell trees with
clubs.t He was also a night wanderer.
DIR. James A. Peoples attended wit
ness iat SCOTS birth He was born
an epilept;c and haddelusions, seeing
visions and fearing dangers and pur-
suers. During the past five years he
had been restless, rowing from place
to place He would be morose at
times and would drink whenever he
could get liquor. Witness has bro
ther, who is wanderer though mar
ried, silly and feeble minded Wit
ness did not think Scott could Judge
between right and wrong even when
sober.
| James, Mahlon and Samuel John
son, and their sisters, Mrs. An
ME Paragina, OF Port Deposit, and
Mrs Sarah Mcconnell, of Pleasant
Hill, were called and confirmed VIII.
their mother had said of Scott's pecu-
| liarities OF conduct, James and Mrs.
! Paragina with whom he had spent
J most of his time since his fathers
| death, giving the fuller testimony. All
spoke OF his habit Of carrying a wea-
pom OF some kind. He would keep
stones within reach when asleep and
at times had them in his bed. Mrs.
Pai agina recalled that he did not
walk till he was about four years old
He would throw away or cut up his
lclothes, and she had often supplied
sshiins9 %apth new outfits She told of his
charging James Neal with giving him
| a wound with a corn-krife that was
self-inficted Her parents and child
rem had lived for years in house with
two rooms below and one large one
above. She had married at Ia, and
her sister at IS, the latter getting a
divorce and marrying again. Scott
could neither read nor write. She
would not say that he was crazy but
he surely did not know right from
wrong He was unlike any of his
brothers or sisters or any other per.
son gifted with common sense Mrs
| Mcconnell and SCOTS brothers agreed
with witness as to SCOTS makeup bu1
her testimony was the most explicit
vlt-43o Court was adjourned unit
'erning at o.I5 o'clock.
{ Court met at o:igAY.
e Johnson was resumea. c..
e Wiley, OF Colora, was called y i I,
e fled as to the peculiarities of Scors,
i paternal grandmother, Mrs. Cunning
IS ham.
e T. Rankin Wiley, OF Fulton tow
y ship, knew James Johnson, the faith,
l. of Scott Lived within a quarter of
e mile OF his house Knew his moth,
l. and her many peculiarities Kne
John Cunningham Talked with hi
at times. He was considered off
his mind.
: Ganor Reynolds. Lives three mill
r. northwest of Rising Sun, about mi
= from Scott's fathers place. Khe
d him and his mother, and testified
,e their strange actions.
is Harvey Tome. Lives near Port D
,e post. Knows Scott Johnson. M
is him first seven years ago. Came pa
in witness place on foot. Hired hii
i, and he worked for witness. He wou
y, quit when he pleased and never ask #
IN a settlement till his return, but kne
E. what was due him. Was not given
ID conversation, but would respond VIII,
Il addressed Witness had little to say
q him. and that mostly as to his wor
s. He would leave work unfinished.
I'd late years witness would not hire hi
lie James Kearney testified to t
a strange actions OF the Cunninghams.
or DR.. James A. Peoples. Was t
lg Iohnson's physician for SO or 81 yeal
K The family seemed to have no sense
e. thrift and were satisfied with wh
Te would keep bodv and soul togethe
at Knew Scott's grandmother She W
rs insane for years and died insane. w
OF ness attended SCOTS mother at Scot
d birth. Scott was troubled with convl
ii sions from the age of two years,
D. short intervals. until he was 7 or mo
a years old, Later they grew less fl
ry quent Since his fathers death W
er ness had seen Scott at intervals.
ne was frail child
IL Epilepsy weakens the mind. Ma
or epileptics become imbeciles. Witne
IF called attention to the bearing of SCI
y in Court, sitting like statue and raj
ic. ly, if ever, moving his head or body;
er fact, never changing his position. S
er mulants would arrest their power
is reasoning Provocation or attack,
IL, assault would have like effect.
i l. T.