Year: 1876

INVESTIGATION By THE CORONER fESIEhDAh-


THE EVIDENCE AGAINST THE POLICE THEORY


OF SUICIDE.


Yesterday an investigation commenced in the
Kings County Court House. before Coroner Simms and
jury touching the circumstances attending the death
OF Mr.. John Johnson, who was shot by two highway
men on the morning OF January 8, at the corner of
Lafayette and Throop avenues Assistant District
Attorney Smell appeared for the people during the ex
animation.


John b Whitaker artist, of No. 745 Lafayette ave-
nue. was the first witness examined He testified thai
on Monday morning January g. he was awakened about
hsfpast five O'Clock by the report OF q pistol shot
and Immediately alter heard the cry OF 'Murder' he
got up and proceeding TO dress walked toward the win
dow; that IL was very dark, and again heard the
cries OF "Murderl' and 'Helpln rushed down stairs
followed by his wife; opening the door found that II
dark he could not see twenty feet frcm his own
stoop waited for the thinking IL was In the oppo
site direction from where he found the deceased; he
was followed by his wife with light, and found Mr.
Johnson the centre Of the walk on his knees the
deceased stated he had been assaulted by two persons
and seeing the dangerous position OF his wound wit
ness asked him Il he could give any clew 10
tho Identification OF the parties; Mr. Johnson said
nothing more than that one tall and the other
short man, ono OF them wearing souched hat; with
tho assistance Of q ncighbor Mr. johnson picked
up and carried to the house; previous TO lifting HIM up
he stated that his assaants had climbed the fence
where he lay; he then doubted the fact and
asked II he really shot, he further stated that
he sorry he hadn't gone round by Tompkns ave-
j
said he expected TO meet friend whose name he men
toned at the time, but witness could not remember;
he very anxods not 10 be taken 10 his house fear
ing the trouble would aet his wife; witness took him
into the house and sent for physician; when found
his panaloons pockets were turned inside out and his
vest was open witness said Mr. johnson decidedly
frightened probably It was more OF worry than
fright his socitude was for the position In which his
family were placed; when taken into his house he re-
peated the statement OF the and
again TO his wife and others he always adhered
TO the statement that he had been assaulted from the
ho ha1r Ia hiu fnfnAt hat hQ Unn tn
die; from the first he said that he could not identify
tho assaants ho said of the placed his hands
his eyes and tho other placed his hands on his
mouth; did not notice any impression OF finger prints
on his face; never had any previous acquaint-
anee with him; witness house IS distant about sixty
feet from where deceased stated the hghwaynen
jumped the fence; did not hear any noise OF
getting the fence witness was the first per-
son that reached him after hearing the shot not more
than from three ve elapsed before witness
and Mrs Whitaker reached the scene; the shirt was
black with powder; no allusion made by Mr. John
son to the pistol which subsequently, found; could
identify persons the other side o the street that
morning It was SO dark the cries Of MT JosnsS1 .n,1
witness that the assailants the fence
as the shot fired; did not hear the bark OF dog


MrS Whitaker wife OF the artist was also examined
and corroborated In substance the evidence OF her
husband.


Annie NJ johnson widow of the deceased, testified
that her husband lett home about twenty minutes TO
six O'Clock the morning of the Sd inst he was in
his usual spirits the time; about five minutes aftcr
ward he was brought in by Mr. and Mrs. Whitaker and
Mr. Manning; witness husband said, al am shot in
the heart" on being brought into tho room be said,
! 'Oh look / dying-run quicxly for Father
Maloney all through his sickness he said that he had
not shot himself he said tall man had placed his hand
over his face and when he into tho house
there were marks his forohead witness called the
attention of Or. Bowron TO the finger prints; they
| were visible ABOUT week; on the morning OF his
death he told witness to send for Dir. Bowron and 60
up and call the children; he said, 81 feel that am
| dying; l going fast;' witness then said, John,
| speak candidly for you think that you going TO
die and that you about 10 meet your God witness
said further TO her dying husband, "John, want TO
ask you question. Did you do this yourself ~ the
! dying man looked at the witness and replied, ''0h,
! Annie, how could do such thingY why should do
such thing oh, no, no, no. did not do IL" at
the time MI johnson was hardly able TO
speak, and these were the last words
| he ever uttered: on New Years Day while
in church deceased seemed much affected by the
sermon and wopt; when he returned from church he
told the witness that he dreamed three nights that he
was be assassnatcd; deceased did not seem 10 be
despondent before his assassination, and never
had pistol his possession In his life; when he was
brought the house his unbuttoned his pam


falcons pockets turned inside out and fastened In
his watch pocket SIC %, which was pinned into
the pocket; he told witness that small man had un-
buitoned his vest while 10 tall man held him, the small
saying 'thc pocketbook Is in here and thrust


ing his hand into the inside OF the vest witness thought
deceased had said that II the small that shot
| him.


Owing TO the absence OF important witnesses the n-
quest was this point postponed until next Tuesday