Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1918-03-07
WITNESSES SAY
HE WAS NOT IN
CITY AUGUST II
TESTIMONY TO PROVE WARREN
JOHNSON WAS NOT IN AMERICUS
AT TINE WALTER WADE WAS
KILLED is PRESENTED

The alibi of Warren I. Johnson, Of
fered to prove his whereabouts on
August II and 18, 1916, and to impeach
the Testimony of Mrs. Yeartie Howell,
who places him in Americus on both
days, was PRESENTED at this mornings S
session of the Sumter county superior
court, in his trial on the charge Of
completely in the murder of Walter
Wade
The evidence adduced in Johnson's
behalf locates him in Albany on the
18th until that night, then in Smithville
for time, then on the train to Macon,
then back to Montezuma for the morn
ing of the 18th, and then back to Ma
con again.
1t is claimed that Johnson left Al
bany on the night train, and went to
Smithville, where he registered His
trainmaster asked him there to go on
t5 Macon, so he took the 10:30 train
and went to Macon, arriving about
one. He then took the three o'clock
train and rode back to Smithvil1e so
as to get some sleep, and there board
ed the early morning train, doubling
back to Montezuma, where he stayed
during the morning and had dinner
The hotel register at Montezuma shows
him registered there. Then he went
to Macon for the afternoon, and from
these sent in his official report.
This alibi is supported by more than
a score of witnesses, and by official
records and letters.
The state was unable to break down
any of the testimony.
Another striking feature of the
morning session was the appearance
on the stand of Miss Willie Bridges.
who absolutely contradicted the testi'
mony of Mrs. Howell regarding the
latter's story of the ride on the nigh.
of the 18th.
The testimony of Holli sHurley and
Claude Mauk, substantiating Miss
Bridges, also conflicts with Mrs. How
ellis story.
1t is the claim of the defense that
the alibi of Johnson is perfect, locat-
ing him almost every half hour from
early in the day of the 18th to the
night of the 18th, and never having
him in Americus.
The testimony of Mr.. Sam Brown.
Of Albany, given at the trial Of DR..
Chapman, was read to the jury, be-
cause Mr.. Brown is unable to be
present at this term of court. He
tells about having had official busi-
ness with Johnson in Albnay on the
afternoon of August 18th, and fixes
the time as late in the AFTERNOON, be-
cause he had attended to a funeral
earlier.
Conductor Johnson and Engineer
Stewart testified to having ridden
from Albany to Smithville with John
son on the night of the 18th, regis,
tering at the hotel at Smithville.
The hotel register was introduced
and it shows Johnson did register
there.
Trainmaster Frierson's testimony IS
that he asked Johnson to go on to
Macon as he wanted to talk to him
about railroad business, and that
Johnson did not stay at the Smith
Vile hotel, but took the 10:30 train
that night.
The testimony of Corr .ctor Kim
brough was read. This is to the effect
that Johnson rode to Macon on his
train that night, and that he walked
him Up in the station, and that John
son had his hat off and his shoes off
asleep in the smoker, and was the
last man to leave the train. Mr.. Kim
brcugh's official report, made the next
day. shows that Johnson was pas
senger. and Mr. Kimbrough's note
book also shows Johnson's name as
being a passenger.
Gatekeeper Lavender testified THAI
Johnson stopped and talked to him
and tied his shoes while there, later
sitting in the chair and doing.
Street Car Conductors Rogers and
Hall testified that they were handling