The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1911-09-14
Feeling Against Murderer of Lem
berger Girl So Great That He Is
Given Immediate Trial to Avoid
Possible Lynching.
RUSHED IN AUTO TO PEN
''Dockskin' Johnson at First Pleads
Insanity but Later Made Confes-
sion--Has Dispute with Father Of
Child--Was Arrested Twice.

Child--Was Arrested Twice.
Madison, Wis. Sept l3,--John +.
johnson. otherwise known az Doc
skin Johnson, this evening confess
ed to the abduction and murder of
Annie Lemberger, seven years old,
Whose body was found in Lake Mo-
mona last Saturday He was imme-
diately sentenced by Judge Anthony
Donavan to life Imprisonment.
A few minutes after his confess
sion and sentence Johnson was TAX
en- IN an automobile by Sheriff
Brown and deputy through side
streets and across the country at
rapid clip to the state prison at
Waupum
The greatest secrecy was main
tained because of fears that johnson
might be lynched. He was taken in
TO custody Saturday morning an sus-
piclon but after he had been ques-
toned he was released.
Officers kept him under surveil-
ance all day and In the evening
brought him in again and held him
under suspicion
Could Not Prove Crime.
Although officers suspected John
con Of knowing something about the
| crime they could not faten guilt on
him. On the strength Of suspicion
he was taken into court today He
pleaded not guilty and was placed
under a $4,000 bond
The preliminary examination was
Iset for Sept 25
The prisoner was then sent to his
cell hurrying in frightened man
ner ahead Of the officers. Towards
evening Deputy Sheriff Henry Cate
was called by Johnson, who said he
wished to make a confession.
Chief OF Police Shaugenessy was
informed Of the prisoners desire and
sent word to District Attorney Mel
son
The county executive. the chief of
police and other officials soon ghth-
cred at the courthouse and in q few
minutes the prisoner was before
Judge Donavan
Johnson then confessed the brutal
crane.
Trial Is Called
Attorney Emerson Ella was ap-
pointed by the court to defend the
prisoner but in view of the confess
sion 1t was only few minutes be-
fore prisoner heard his sentence
which was that he spend the re-
maindr of his life at the state penI-
tentiary.
Johnson brooded in his cell at po-
lice station all day following his ar
raignment in the morning. Aban-
donning his sham of insanity he pac-
ed his cell restlessly asking anxiously
If there was danger Of a mob. Then
he read his Bible while walking
Finally, apparently overcome by
emotion he threw his Bible in
corner of the cell and called the
turnkey declaring he was willing 10
tell all When all officers concerned
assembled Johnson related how he
had taken the child from the bed in
winch she slept beside an older sig
ter.
Pulled Girl Through Window.
He raised the sash, he said, and
grasping the little girl through thu
window without awakening the sis
ter, he took her to the railroad
bridge and then threw her into the
lake
Examination of the body showed
that the child was slain before
thrown into the water but Johnson
said he did not want 10 make de-
tailed confession now as he feared
unless he soon got TO prison q mob
would kill him.
He said he would make full con-
fession after being safely lodged in
prison.
Johnson once served term In the
penitentiary and several years ago
he was put in hospital for the In
sane after he had assaulted little
girl at Brownsville, wis
Johnson lived but few doors
from the Lemberger home. The faith
er OF the murdered girl told the po-
lice that he and johnson had had
quarrel once but hesitated TO charge
the crime to him. II was largely be-
cause no other solution was offered
that the police held Johnson.