The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-10-05
NOTED CRIMINAL
STRICKEN IN JAIL
Johnson. Former Convict, Who
Made Counterfeit Money,
Victim of Apoplexy.
CASE ON DOCKET NEXT WEEK
Prisoner Expected to Plead
Guilty in View of Recent
Confession.

John Allen johnson, Federal prison.
err four times convicted OF counter
feitinS and by his own confession gull
ty Of fifth offense. died last night
at $3.50 o'clock In Henrico County Jail
Death was the result Of q stroke OF
apoplexy, which he suffered yesterday
morning. while apparently in the best
Of health and spirits. His case was
scheduled to come before the Federal
grand jury which begins its sessions in
this city on Tuesday.
Johnson had been confined in Henrico
Jail since September 8. when United
States Commissioner Melvin Flegen-
heimer. after a preliminary hearing,
remanded him there in default OF s2.-
500 bond. During his Imprisonment he
had developed a reputation as a good
fellow among the other prisoners. and
seemed to be unanecxed by his loss of
liberty.
Made Full Confession.
The Prisoners own confession. and
the evidence given at his preliminary
examination brought out a long his
tory Of crime and Imprisonment. little
suspected by the local police authori-
ties when he was arrested on August
81 for attempting to pass spurious
coin in a Broad Street store. Captain
of Detectives Mcmahon. who happened
to be passing along Broad Street at
the time, was notified and approached
Johnson to place him under arrest
When addressed by Captain Mcmahon,
Johnson pulled a counterfeit dollar
from his pocket and asked the detec-
tive to change 1t for him The sus-
pected man burst into tears when toio
he was under arrest.
Subsequent Investigations and con-
ferences with United States Secret
Service Agent Henry ". Thomas. re-
vealed the fact that Johnson had been
released from the Federal prison IN
Atlanta in March. and that he han
served three terms there previous TO
the one then terminated. 1t was sup
posed that Johnson was connected
with the notorious Allen gang In Car
roll County. He gave his name as
John B. Allen. when taken into Gus
tody. Sidna Allen was under indict-
nent for counterfeiting at the time
Of the Hillsville murder
Eaxer to ..Make'' Money.
After his release from the Atlanta
prison. johnson said he went to
Raleigh, n. c., and worked there in
different cotton mills until the long
ing to make money in the htera1
sense again took possession OF him.
ana he picked Richmond as field OF
operations. The dies which he used
in making the coins were character
lied as crude implements by Secret
Service Agent Thomas. johnson had
led the officers to the spot where they
were concealed and permitted them TO
be entered as evidence in the preiimi-
nary hearing They consisted simply
of two plaster Of Paris slabs with the
impression Of opposite sides Of silver
dollar in the centre OF each small
opening at one side provided place
for mourning the moulten metal into
the mould. The apparatus was sood
for about fifteen impressions. and the
dollars which 1t turned out, while hav-
ing most Of the earmarks OF the real ar
ticle. were somewhat greasy in ap-
pearance and failed to ring true.
After his first attack yesterday
morning. johnson was unconscious
most Of the time. Acting Coroner J.
Felmer Bright was called, and wouio
have removed him to the City Hosp'-
tai. but It was felt that his case was
hopeless. No information about any
relatives johnson may have had 70 In
The hands Of the county officiaIs. ana
no arrangements have been made LOT
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