Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1914-02-01
JOHNSON PAID
$4,000 FOR
HIS FREEDOM
Negro PugiIist Declares He Pur-
chased His Way Out of U. S.;
Grand Jury investigating.
INVOLVE WIFE OF BoNDSMAN
Cancelled Checks Produced; At
torneys Deny They Acted Un-
lawfully in Any Case,
INVOLVE WIFE OF BONDSMAN

NHlCAGO,, Jan. 31--A Congress
sional investigation of the
Federal service in Chicago is
to be sought as a result of charges
that Jack Johnson, the negro heavy
weight pugilist, spent $4,000 in the
Federal building before he escaped to
Paris; that the famous Kid Nellie
bucket-shopping case was compro-
missed with a fine after Nellie had
divided $4,000 among Federal Off
Gals, and that petty cases were
fixed" for proportionate amounts.
Mrs Sol Lewinsohn, wife of a fugi-
tive bondsman. banker and loan
shark, Is the subject of Grand Jury
investigation because of threats she
has made to send to jail Federal Of
ficials who had fieeced her husbar.s
and johnson.
1t is conceded generally and admit
ted by District Attorney WilkersoR
and his aids that the Grand Jury in
CURRY. is intended to close Mrs. Lew
1nsohn's mouth rather than to prove
or disprove the charges.
Cancelled Checks Produced.
Checks have been produced and
since seized by Wilkerson, which
show that Lewinsohn paid thousands
of dollars to Federal officials These
include Assistant District Attorneys
L. B. Jacobs, Harry A Parkin, Ben
Davis and United States Commits
sioner Mark A. Foote, before whom
all defendants who obtained bond
from Lewinsohn had to appear
The checks were explained in every
instance as personal loans. Mrs.
Lewinsohn says they were dividends
on the bond business done by her
husband.
From Paris Jack Johnson breaks
his silence to say that he gave $40, 900.
to South Side resort keeper to be
divided between two Federal officials
just before he fed to Europe
He named the two men, an assist
ant district attorney and a secret
service agent, who were to have re-
ceived the money. He threatens to
return to Chicago. face his accusers
and take his chances with the courts.
Attorneys Deny Charges.
Charles F. Dewoody and Assistant
District Attorney Harry A. Parkin
to-day issued a joint statement I'M
eqItivocally denying the charge that
they were In any way responsible for
JohnSon's escape, or the compromis-
ing Ae smuggling case against him
previous to his indictment and con-
viction under the white slave law.
The statement says:
Neither of us ever received a dol
lar from anybody except the United
States Government in regard to the
investigation and prosecution of
Johnson"
The Federal crowd is in a panic
r hA- Ax.I
from his hiding place that he will re-
turn to Chicago if johnson does and
aid him in prosecuting Federal off,
cials.
Through his wife Lewinsohn boasts
possession of proof that he has bribed
a dozen Federal officials and that he
regularly fixed" big cases in which
Immunity could be secured. for the
payment of from $4,000 to $4,000.
Neither Mrs. Lewinsohn, her attor-
ney, the secretary of her husband,
nor any of the persons who knew of
Lewinsohn's business affairs and who
with the Federal officials have been
called before the Grand Jury
johnson Feasted Agents.
A new sensation was added to the
situation when it was learned that
Johnson. the negro pugilist, while UNI
der indictment, wiped and dined
Lewinsohn, his bondsman; Assistant
District Attorney Parkin, Charles De-
woody. head of the secret service,
and other Federal officials.
One entertainment in particular
chicken dinner-was given by
Johnson with these guests presenS
shortly after he was indicted for
smuggling Jewels into the country
and just before he was indicted for
violating the Mann white slave act.
The men who were then gathering
evidence against johnson made him
their unwilling host that night, and
Lucille Cameron, the white woman
who brought the storm of public pro-
test and prosecution upon johnson.
attended the party.
Mrs. Lewinsohn has charged that
her husband was given $4,000 by Sid
Nellie with which to make arrange
ments for fine instead of a Jail sem
tence for bucket shopping. She said
that Sol gave $4,000 of the money to
a Federal official and kept $4,000. In
every instance she named the officials
70 whom she referred.
It has been learned that Lewinsohn
and Dewoody, with their wives, took
a two weeks automobile trip to New
York and Atlantic City shortly after
the McHie case was settled. The case
was settled on order Of the Depart
ment OF Justice at Washington. be-
cause the Government had INSULT
Client evidence
Shortly after the case was to have
come 10 trial many important pieces
OF documentary evidence disappeared
from the desk OF a secret service man
and It was given out that they mad
been stolen.
Coincident with the publication OF
the first news Of the situation It was
announced that Dewoody had been
relieved OF his post as chief Of the
Chicago bureau. although he is said
stilI 70 be in the employment Of the
. Department OF Justice