Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-12-28
DRAW TIGHT WEB
AROUND DENTIST
Druggist Says DR.. Johnson Pur-
chased Poison From
HE IDENTIFIES PRISONER
Police Stand by Promise Not TO
Attempt TO Extort a
Confession.

Detective Sergeant John l.. Willy,
who with Sergeant Gordon smith. has
been investigating tho alleged poison
ing Of Mrs. Alice Johnson by her hus-
band. Dr. Lcmucl j. johnson, stated
last night that when counsel for Dr.
Johnson and The young mans father
agreed TO waive cXtraditIou in North
Carolina and allow him 10 be brought
here as prisoner, /; was expressly
promised hy the police officer shat no
eifor; would bc made TO draw from the
accused a confession OF guilt; Willy
stated last night that he would stand
by this promise.
George Euigh, and his wife. the par
cnts Of tho dcai bride, with Miss Mary
Jordan. OF 1905 North rwcnty.sccond
street. were at rolicc Headquarters
last night and spent upwards OF two
hours in conference with willy and
Smith. AT the conclusion Of this inter
view the detectives stated that no cir
cumstanccs hitherto uncovered had
been brought out. Miss Jordan is the
friend Of Mrs. Johnson in whom she
confdcd that her husband had pre-
scribcd for her. She will be an i'm
portant witness for the state.
DRUGGIST TELLS OF
SALE OF CYANIDE
When a druggist from a Broad Street
pharmacy yesterday afternoon called
upon DR.. Johnson. he identified the
prisoner as the young man TO
whom he had sold twenty grains
OF cyanide Of potassium. Dctcc-
tive Scrgcan;s Willy and Smith, who
have been cndcavorinS 10 ascertain
just where the poison which killed tho
young bride was secured accompanied
tho pharmacist 10 the jail. Making tho
identification OF the accused more Ger
tain was tho circumstance that the
druggist recalled that Or. johnson
asked for an ounce OF cyanide. and
when told that ii would be necessary
TO break a now package TO supply that
amount, took twenty grains.
The detectives. who have been closely
engaged in their invcstiEat tion for the
past few days claim to have brought
TO light an array of circumstances
which will point out the duplicity of
the young doctor toward his bride. One
Of these is the taking of a Christmas
gift, watch fob, which she had bought
with her earnings At the Medical Col
lcGc of Virginia, where she was en-
ploycd as stcnoEraphcr. and carrying
i; With him TO Wilson. The fob was
found in tho hotel room where tho
doctor took dose OF aconitc, and Was
marked TO father giving rise to tho
theory that he intended upon his ar
rival in MiddlcscX TO give the present
which his wife had made him to his
father.
HAD NO BUNGALOW IN
MIDDLESEN COUNTY
Another Is that investigation has
brought out that pr. Johnson hal no
bungalow in MiddlcscN, where. as he
continually told his wife and her father
and mother, he intended to take his
bride after the holidays.
Girl friends OF the dead wife of tho
doctor viii lend a material assistance
to tho detectives in closing the cvi-
dcncc which they believe will point TO
Or johnson as the murderer of hi.
wife. Tina; she contdcd in two such
friends and told them that her hus-
band had prescribed or her, and told
Them that tho pill which she was about
to take was big one, and had cost
$3.50. Will add TO the circumstances
which may connect the young dentist
with tho poisoning of his wife.
The attitude OF tho accused has not
changed materially. lie is still nervous
and broken in health, lie sits in his
cell which is in the front tier, and
does considerable reading. Visitors arc
not allowed TO see him without a per-
NIT from Judge Richardson. OF the
Hustinss Court. No privileges be-
youd that OF tsher prisoners are al
lowed to him. Having some money, he
is allowed TO purchase for himself any
dclicaces in the way Of food which
he desires outside the regular prison
fare. When his meals are served he
is given no knife or fork. but tho
meats arc cut for him. and he is given
spoon with which to cat. This is
one OF tho precautions taken to pre-
vent the prisoner from attempting to
take his life. He still maintains his
innocence, saying that he would give
his own life TO know how his wife
came to her death.
LETTER TO MISS WHITE:
IS GIVEN TO PUBLIC
Tho detectives yesterday made pub
lie the letter which was found in the
room of the young doctor. written on
tho night his wife died. II is dated
Saturday. 1880 j. NJ" Tho envelope
is addressed TO Miss Ollie White,
Iebulon. y. c., and reads:
Dearest Swcctheart.--To-n night finds
me all worried. and only wish could
see one more happy. for then life
would once more he worth while
Sweetheart, if you only undcrSt God me
] would be the happcst boy living.
Sweetheart. hear you are tired OF
me and would like to find another
sweetheart truer than Lcmucl. Your
happiness is all am considering Just
now. want YOU to be happy regard
less OF what my condition may be or
what might have TO sacrifice in order
TO cause you 10 be happy:
II know my faults arc many, but
iheh cannot help ii. and If you would
only help me | am sure we would he
far happier. Tonight is too miserable
ior me to endure. and would you blame
me TO take something TO give me
good. long sleep? Sweetheart, Just
~. t.,..