Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-05-21

asylum. Willy testified that three times
while on the train coming from Wilson
70 Richmond. when under arrest. Dr.
Johnson asked him: DO YOU think I
am crave" To this the detective said
20 replied: 81 do not know" and the
additional remark was made by the
prisoner that he did not think he was.
Here counsel commented: You never
heard a crazy man admit he was crazy.
did you?"
1t was learned yesterday that the
defense will recall Or. ]. NJ Whitfield
as an expert. 10 testify as to the mental
condition of DIR. Johnson When for
mcrly on tho stand. Or. Whitfield tes-
tilted that Or. johnson came to his
Office each day for three days fol-
lowing tho death Of his wife and in
CURED about tho case. One time he in
CURED the name OF tho poison. cyanide
" potassium. which tho chemist testi-
fed had caused her death and the
dentist said. Let me get that" there
Wpon taking from his pocket pencil
and paper as if 10 make note.
Detective Sergeant Gordon =. Smith
who assisted Sergeant Willy in investi.
eating the case, was on the stand for
Il few minutes only. lie corroborated
his associate. Both testified to visit
I" tho city jail in company with Cor
don Blair. n Richmond druggist and
stated that on this occasion the dem
iist recognized the druggist. Both
detectives said that Mr.. Blair had been
taken to the jail for the express pur-
pose o: observing how the prisoner
acted when confronted by him. II WAS
believed that Or. Johnson purchasc d
cyanide OF potassium al his drug store.
In Police Court. Mr.. Blair could no.
Identify DIR. Johnson. Detective Willy
said on tho stand yesterday that the
color OF the prisoner changed whom he
met Mr. Blair in the coll. and that he
was apnarcntly nervous.
Dir. WILLIAMS IDENTIFIES
THE "S;ICIDE LETTERS"
Dr. =. + Williams had the stand
from 80 o'clock until adjournment
~ o'clock He identified the suicide
/ letters" as the ones he and the pro
/ rrictor ~ the hotel had found i'm Dr.
/ Johmson's room. These letters were
addressed to Miss Ollie White. To Or
/ Lewis TO Or. Powell. to DR.. Trcvayt
and 10 Mrs. T.. y Johnson. mother
, "f tho accused The witness when
! arrnirncd by Attorney Smith for open
inG the letters which Dr johnson had
scaled. explained that he had done so
at The instance OF Or Jordan. n Wilson
/ health official, and because he though.
they might contain Information as to
/ "ha, poison the young dentist had
used in the attempt on his own life.
The symptoms he found when he en-
( tered tho room, he said indicated the
use Of cyanide OF potassium. the odor
OF pruSsic acid being detected. Wit
ness was unable TO state when asked
by Attorney Smith whether both aeon
tie and cyanide might not have been
used. small brown glass vial, which
/ was labeled $50 rr. Aconiin." was
/ found in the room Of the hotel hidden
( In the shelving OF closet The State
. and defense have different theories az
/" the poison used. but the attorneys
for tho prisoner have not denied that
he attempted TO take his life In the
Wilson Hotel
During the proceedings yesterday
afternoon. Judge X. o. purdy. OF sum
ter :. g. sat within the bar railing
and listened with interest Durint; =
recess he was introduced by Mr.. Smith
10 Judge Richardson. Judge Purdy IL
Judge or the Circuit Court in sumter
spectators were few during the after
noon. but at the morning session -
ihrg" crowd eagerly sought to hear
the letters written BY The pr!goucr