Pioneer press. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1882-19??, 1916-04-15
CHARGES AGAINST
HON. Y. T. JOHNSON
QUICKLY DROPPED
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF
DELEGATES is COMPLETELY
INDICATED.
EFFORTS OF COUNSEL FOR CON-
TlNUANCE OR DISMISS SUIT
FAILED.
AFFiDAVITS BY YOUNG GIRL
SHOW MR.. JOHNSON AN IN
NOCENT MAN.

gates, was completely eXonerated OF
the charges preferred against him by
John w. Cross Wednesday at Berke-
ley Springs, when Judge Woods dis
missed the case on motion Of District
Attorney Stuart w. Walker, senior
counsel for the defendant
When the case was called for trial
Wednesday Mrs. G. McIntire- Weaver.
counsel for Cross, asked the court
for continuance This was resist
ed by the defendant and an immedi-
ate trial asked. Judge Woods over
ruled the motion, and directed that the
trial proceed. Then the plaintiff ask
ed that the case be dismissed without
prejudice, and the defendant also OBJ
Jected to this, insisting that the az
fair be settled without further delay.
Some aftldavits being submitted
to the court by the defendant,
which showed that the accused was
In no wise connected with the case,
and upon motion Of Mr.. Walker
Judge Woods directed that the pro-
ceedings be dismissed, and an order
10 that effect was directed to be en-
tered
Several months ago John w. Cross
charged that Mr.. Johnson had seduc-
sututed suit for $4,000. Mr.. John
son denied the charges, and immedi-
ately prepared to fight the case to
a finish. He employed District At
torney Stuart w. Walker, of this city,
II. d. Allen and ]. II. Siler, of Berke-
ley Springs. All arrangements were
made for the trial, and when it was
called Wednesday morning the court
house was packed to capacity.
report was current last night that
criminal proceedings would be insti-
tuted against Mr.. Johnson's traducers.
The sudden ending of the case met
with the general approval of Berkeley
Springs and wherever Mr.. Johnson
is known. His friends never enter
tanned the belief that he was guilty
OF the crime with which he was charg
ed, believing that it was a frame-up
10 emDarraSS him or cause him to pay
a large sum Of money. Mr.. Johnson
is prominently mentioned as can
d1date for congress, it being under
stood that his name will go before
the convention at Berkeley Springs
Saturday. The following are the al
fdavits:
State Of West Virginia. County of
| Morgan, tO-wit:
: Ruth Cross, being first duly sworn,
deposes that she is II years Of age
and desires to voluntary state under
oath that part Of the affidavit offered
for filing on the 18th day Of April,
1916, by John w. Cross against Yer
non E.. Johnson, wherein the said
JOHN W. Cross says that Vernon e.
Johnson himself, acting by agents.
messengers, friends and others acting
for him and under and by his in
StructOns have been intimidating. ter
rOriZing and threatening his daughter.
Ruth Cross, is not correct but is
wholly untrue but affiant says that
on the 9Th day Of April 1916, the said
John Cross, this atlantis father. came
TO the home Of Mrs. Ida Stotler, in
Morgan county, w. Va, and where
this aftiant was staying when her
father, the said John w. Cross, in
undated, terrOriZed, frightened and
threatened to do her injury and great
bodily harm unless she would come on
MS side in the case above mentioned
ana used this language to affiant:
YOU VIII never see the court because
VIII put finish to YOU" whereup-
on the affaant became nervous, wor-
r1ed and excited and it became neces-
49, hoi AhlS. lud OlOIleT TO interfere
ana direct the said John w. Cross 20
cease and desist from any further
treatment at his hands and making
further threats. This affiant further
says that she was present in the court
mouse Of Morgan county, w Va. on
the 18th day Of April, 1917, and was
ready and willing to go upon the wit
ness stand and testify that Vernon E.
Johnson had never done her any
wrong. that he had not seduced her
or mad not committed adultery with
her y with her and had
not committed any of the acts
used in the declaration filed in
said case, but that she, this affiant,
would further testify that she had
been forced and compelled by her
rather, John w. Cross, to make GER
tain statements involving the said
vernon E. Johnson upon which the
SUIT was based and this affiant now
says that all communications which
she sent to Vernon E. Johnson rela.
1--WE TO this case as we'll as affidavits
made by this affiant before J. Ham.
mona Siler, notary public of Nor.
gan county, w. Va, we're absolutely
voluntary by the affiant without force
persuasion OF intimidation on the