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

for his acquittal
Mrs Alice Johnson, mother OF the
prisoner, was called and testi!ied that
,shcG now lives near. Farrlington. She
had formerly lived on the hopn. place,
near Rising SUM-. which her hasbands.
James Johnson's, ancestors had occu-
pied for more than 200 years She
was married at IA years and had had
eleven children, two OF whom were
Gead. Her husbands mother was Sar-
ah Hill, who lived with witness for 8
years prior to her death. She died
at Oh or 62. She had to etwatched
constantly, would often strip herself at
home or abroad, anywhere near or
about her home; talked ramblingly at
nights and showed these peculiarities
up to her death. Mrs. Hill had eight
children, sons and daughters. One
daughter, who lives at Rowlandville.
eats barely enough to keep her alive,
and is practically a rccluse, fearing an
noyance, unwilling to ride in 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. He was also night wanderer
DR.. James A. Peoples attended wit
ness sat SCOTS birth. He was born
an xpilept:c and haddelusions, seeing
visions and fearing dangers aud 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
theF. who is a 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
tlteirs mother had said OF SCOTS pecu-
liarlt:es OF conduct, James and Mrs.
Paragina with whom he had spent
most OF his time since his fathers
death, giving the fuller testimony. All
spoke OF his habit OF carrying a wea-
pon OF some kind. He would keep
stones within reach when asleep and
at times had them in his led Mrs.
Pai agina recalled that he did not
walk till he wGS about iour years old
He would throw away or cut up his
clothes. and she had often supplied
him with new outfits. She told of his
charging James Neal with giving him
a wound with corn-krife that was
self-irflicted Her parents and child
rem had lived ior years in house with
two rooms below and one 1arge one
above. She had married at IA, and
her sister at IS, the latter gstting a
divorce and marrying again - Scott
could neither read nor lie , She
would not say that he was crazy but
hx x$ircly did not know. right sise,u
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 but
her testimony was the most explicit.
At 4.3o Court was adjourned until
Friday morning at 0I5 o'clock.
FRIDAY.
Court met at o,I5. and State VS.. Scott
Johnson was resumed. Samuel L.
Wiley, OF Colora, was called and testi-
fred as to the peculiarities OF Scott S
p&tcrnal grandmother. Mrs. Cunning
ham.
I. Rankin Wiley, of Fulton town
ship, knew James Johnson. the father
OF Scott Lived within a quarter OF a
mile oi his house, Knew his mother
and her many pecularitics. Knew
John Cunningham. Talked with him
at times. lie was considered off in
his mind
Ga:nor Reynolds. Lives three mics
northwest oi Rising Sun. about mile
from SCOTS fathers place. Knew
him and his mother, and testified to
their strange actions
Harvey Tome. Lives near Port De.
post. Knows Scott Johnson. Met
him first seven years ago. Came past
witness place on foot Hired him,
and he worked for witness. He would
quit when he pleased and never ask for
a settlement till his return. but knew
what was due him Was not given to
conversation, but would respond when
addressed. Witness had little to say to
llm. and that mostly as to his work
lie would leave work unfinished. OF
late years witness would not hire him.
James kearncy testified to the
strange actions Of the Cunninghams.
DR.. James \. Peoples. Was the
IohnSon's physician for 80 or 81 years.
The family seemed to have no sense Of
thrift. and were satisfied with what
would keep BODY and soul together.
Knew SCOTS grandmother She was
insane for years and died insane Wit
ness attended SCOTS mother at SCOTS
birth Scott was troubled with convu-
sions from the age OF two years, at
short intervals, until he was 7 or more
years old. Later they grew less fire.
quent. Since his fathers death wit
ness had seen Scott at intervals He
was a frail child.
Epilepsy weakenS the mind. Many