The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1911-09-14
*. Mystery Cleared up by confes-
.lon Of Man Who Had Served
In the Asylum and
Prison.
SENTENCED FOR LIFE
oulek Trial and Sentence In Order to
Guard Against Prisoner Be-
Ing Lynched by
Mob.

MADISON, Wis, Sept. 14.-John,
otherwise known as "Dogskin' John
son, last evening confessed to the
abduction and murder of little An
pie Lemberger, the 7-year-old child
whose body was found in Lake Mo-
mona on Saturday morning last, and
was Immediately sentenced by Judge
Anthony Donovan to life imprison-
ment.
A few minutes after the confession
anu sentence Johnson was taken in an
automobile by Sheriff Andrew Brown
and deputy and was whisked away
through side streets and across the
country at rapid clip to the state
prison at Waupun.
The greatest secrecy was main
tanned for fear that Johnson might
be lynched. Johnson was taken into
custody Saturday morning on sus-
picion, but after being questioned he
was released about noon. The Off
GERS had him under surveillance all
day and in the evening brought him
In again and held him under suspic-
ion.
On the strength of the suspicion
against him, he was taken into court
under $4,000 bond. the preliminary
examination being set for September
rs. The prisoner was then taken
back to his cell. He hurried on ahead
Of the officers in frightened man
ner
In the presence Of Chief of Police
Shaughnessy, District Attorney Mel
son and Turnkey Foye, who listened
boTifed, he related that the deed
was the result Of sudden Impulse
He had watched through the bedroom
window, the little girl and her sister
undress at bedtime on different oc
casions and on the fateful might
about ten o'clock, shortly after the
children had closed their eyes II
sleep. he raised the sash and snatch
ed little Annie from the bed, dragged
her through the window, knocked he
on the head with his fist, renderins
her unconscious so there would b.
no outcry. He then took her to thu
railroad bridge and after beating he
on the head until life was extinct
threw the body into Lake Monona.
At the inquest one physician wa
OF the opinion that the child ha'
been criminally assaulted before be
Ing thrown into the lake, while ar
other expressed an opposite view
Life Imprisonment in the state Q
wisconsin is the maximum punish
ment meted out to murderers.
Toward evening Turnkey job
foye was called by Johnson, who sal
that he wished to make confession
Chief of Police Shaughnessy was a
once informed of the prisoners az
sire and sent word to District A
torney R. N. Nelson. The count
prosecutor, chief of police and othe
olnclals soon gathered at the coul
mouse and in few moments the pri'
oner, before Judge Anthony Donovan
made confession of the brut;
crime. Attorney Emerson Ella wa
appointed by the court to defend tn
prisoner, but there was no defens
10 stand upon the face of confessio
and 1t was but q matter of fe
minutes when the prisoner heard n
doom from the lips of Judge Donovan
winch was that he spend the remain
er OF bis life at the state penitentiai
at Waupun
haunted by the terrible crime
hao committed against the chill
Johnson brooded in his cell at Il
ponce station all day, following h
arraignment in the morning.
abandoning his sham OF insani
ne paced restlessly back and forth
MS cell, waiting anxiously for the fir
sounds of an angry mob The Bib
which he had been perusing since
was placed in Jail was thrown cal
iessly in the corner. Finally the 81
pense became too great. Calling Tur
Key Foye to the cell he declared tn
ne was willing to tell all.
Johnson said he did not want
make detailed confession, becau
ne wanted to be safe in Waupun
,ore the mob could get him. He sa
ne would make a written confessi
alter he had been lodged in prison.
Johnson has already served tel
~ the penitentiary and several yea
aso he was taken to the Mendoza h'
pital for the insane. after he had
saulted a little girl at Brownvil