The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-05-25

The points here mentioned were
the salient features OF the story told
on the stand yesterday by Or. L"mueI
J. Johnson, the young North Carolina
dentist, now on trial for the murder
Of his wife.
The young dentist took the stand n
short while after the opening Of court.
and held II until adjournment last
night Throughout the long recital
he bore himself with the utmost COM
posure. and never once faltered al a
question or stumbled over an inter
roEatcry. His voice was clear and
but for the slight ir9pedlment in his
speech. he told clearly and distinctly
the story OF his career from the time
he entered the Medical college 10 the
present
He was piloted by Lawyer Wood
ard. hts senior counsel who carefully
and gracefully stcered HIM along over
the breakers and out into the clear
smooth waters which, however. are
likely TO break into stormy waves
when the prosecution gets hold Of the
craft
Previous to Johnson's taking the
stand. r. III Lilies, manager of the
Middlesex telephone exchange. was
sworn. He said that on the night of
the death Of Mrs. Johnson. Decem-
her is, Or. Johnson entered the ex-
change. and told him he had a very
sick friend in Richmond. and expected
a message from her bedside This.
said the wtnteSs, was some time he
actually received the message an
nounoing the death OF his wife
Significant Statement.
This point was considered significant
by counsel for the prosecution
When the message was received. "
drposed Mr.. Lilies Or Johnson dis
played indications OF great distress
He wept. and stated that he had re
ceived sad piece OF news. and an
nounoed that he felt too unweu to go
to Richmond that night"
DIR. Johnson gave every sign ~ deem
sorrow. said the witness. and he ap-
peared sincere In his grief.
MIR, fifes satG ne had known John
son for number of years. and that
his reputation was good. He did not
know OF his marriage until the death
OF his wife had been announced Wit
ness said that Miss Holland, a wit
ness for the prosecution. who had
stated she was attached to the tele-
phone exchange on the night the mes
rage was received was not en-
ployed by him at that time Miss Hol-
land had identified letters supposed
When Johnson took the stand the
courtroom was crowded to tho doors,
and at the few open doors crowds
gathered three or four deep. extend
Ing out into the corridors.
He told of his matriculation at the
Medical college In 1914, and how hard
he had studied, so that he could pass
the examining board in North Car
DINA, considered the most difficult
examination In the entire South. The
meeting of Miss knight was referred
to In touching tones, He said he first
saw her In the Office of the secretary
at the college, and was later intro
duced by his roommate. who was a
friend of Miss Mildred Taylor 1t
was through the latter that he secured
an introduction to Miss Knight From
casual acquaintance to close friend
ship and finally 10 devoted love, the
two drifted closer together. They went
10 dinners together. and attended the
theaters frequently, and finally one
day he asked her TO marry him. She
did not decline, and he went to her
mother and father and obtained their
consent.
!. why He Wanted Secrecy.
y He did not want. his marriage gem
N0raily known. for at that time. he