The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-07-31
JOHNSON CONVICTED OF POISONING
HIS WIFE WITH LEMON
AIDE.
.CUBBAGE STRANGLED HIS
SUSPICION AROUSED IN EACH CASE
LONG AFTER DEATH, EVIDENCE
SECURED BY EXui MING
BODIES.


cussion OF the Beattie murder case
on Midlothian turnpike. near Rich
mond. on July Il 5. which has been the
principal theme among newspaper
readers throughout the Valley of vir-
sinia since the crime was committed,
NiNsdly recalls two other similar cases
which stirred all of Northern Virginia
in the Years of 1858 and 1872.
In the year 1858 there lived in Rap
nAhahN"tA county. near the town OF
washington, twenty-one miles from
t.NFaN' James johnson. a very veal
thF ana popular farmer. johnson was
an extensive dealer in sheep, and his
Rome was the stopping place each
Year Tor many stockmen, who in
those days travelled extensively over
the state on the lookout for cattle
and sheep Large herds of cattle Of
Yen stopped at Johnsen's place at
ntght while being driven to the Bal
ti1nore markets from Russell. Taza-
Wen and Floyd counties, Va. John.
son family consisted of his wife and
Two children. His wife was a deli
cate woman and was often under the
care of physicians
In the early part of 1858 johnson
was at home, experimenting farm
ing operations. 4 stranger put in
an appearance at the Johnson nome
| and asked Johnson If he had any
sheep for sale. Johnson informed the
stranger that he had a large drove
out that it was in a field some dis
lance from the house. Before star
ing TO look at the sheep johnson re-
marked 10 the stranger that the dav
was awful hot and wound up by
SAVING: suppose We have some lem
ohaae' VI course the suggestion was
agreeable TO the stranger, and John
son set about making the cooling
beverage.
Gives Wife Lemonade.
AFTER the lemonade had been pre-
pa eo' Johnson turned his back on
'he stranger and his wife, who were
present while the lemonade was be
ing prepared. Turning to Mrs. John-
son; the husband handed her a glass.
SAYING: Here's nice giassful; drink
II, itll 90 you good" The woman
efnptied the contents. though remark
eo That's awful bitter
10 allay the womans protest john
son remarked That's alloes: they'll
DO You good He and the stranger a +
once mounted their horses and rode
away to look at the drove of sheen
/
had only gone a short distance when
they Were overtaken by a negro ser
want on horseback, who MORN al
Johnson that his wife was Terribly
Sick
Finds Wife Dead.
Johnson at once turned bark
though on the way called at a nhv.
STEFAN home and took the doctor
1 oaek with him When the doctor and
1 Il
MIS- Johnson was dead
For a time nothing unusual wac
thought OF the woman $ death. every
poas believing it to have been due
10 natural weakening of her condj
lion' 1T was not long however he
J lore suspicion was aroused on ar
count OF the inordinate attention tho
/ wealthy johnson was paying a niece
1 VINO for some time had been living
IA the nome. Suspicion grew and
/ laih accumulated, and soon there was
pronounced public belief that .Tonn-
son was instrumental In the death OF
/ his wife.
/ Body Exhumed
1 Public opinion became so elsnor-
Gus that Rappahannock officials wer.
| forced to have Mrs Jehnson's body
eXhumed. This was done. and ~
/ stomach of the dead woman was sent
TO Philadelphia for ANALYSIS DR.
Roosers, In his day distinguished
/ physician OF Philadelphia, reported
tue innings oi the examination, and
on TINS Johnson arrest was ordered
! w men the case came up for trial John
son was defended by one of the most
brilliant array of lawyers ever before
assembled in this part of Virginia.
! His ehiet attorney was Robert Scott
/ one OF the most brilliant lawyers who
ever practiced in the Virginia courts.
Iohnson's lawyers appeared to have
almost won the case, and their CON
tentlon was there was no poison I'm
the womans stomach. that her death
was que to natural causes. Johnson
anu ms lawyers We're very much
clated and hooted the idea of the
| possibilities of conviction. They
almost ridiculed the Idea of poison.
| here the Commonwealth sprung
evidence that fairly riddled what ha 4
so far been regarded as impregna hi
! for the defense. DIR. Rodgers was
placed on the stand and rave testi-
mony OF the amount OF strychnfne
ne had found In the stomach OF the
I dead woman This even did not APP
I pear to have any effect on the Jurors
The Philadelphia physician. in an.
swer to an inquiry from one of tho
attorneys as to whether he had anv
OF the poison with him, replied. II
| have"
| Test Effect on Frogs.
| To test the effect of the drug Soma
one suggested that a portion be given
frog. Then began search for
a frog In the rear OF the courthouse.
Finally two frogs were secured and
brought in. This was the first tim
johnson began to exhibit any ner
vousness. Those who were sitting
nearby the prisoner declare this was
his first reeitZa ton ef the CONSEQUENCES
of the storm that was fast catherine
about him. His whole demeanor
changed and in an instant his anna
rent defiance changed to detection.
A portion Of the deadly drug which
had been taken from the woman's
stomach was administered to the
frogs. and its effect was watched with
bated breath. Those near where tho
frogs could be seen remained In their
seats; others farther back in tho
building stood on benches The mo-
ment OF tense excitement was telling
on everybody. In n moment the frogs
We're in commissions. In another both
We're dead
Attorney Gives Up.
FROM that moment ATTORNEY Scott
who was near relative Of r. Tay.
Tor Scott, late attorney general Of Vfr-
ginia. lost all interest In the case
and though still loyal to the unfor.
tunate Johnson, his abandonment or
a hope OF acauittal was visible. When
the dinner hour arrived Scott went
to his hotel and attem ut eli tho for