The Sunday Oregonian., December 13, 1908, Page 6, Image 6

THE SUNDAY OBEGOXIAX. PORTLAND. DECEMBER 13, 1903.
J
P
steadfastly refused to see the pris
oner or to talk with him. This attitude
she has maintained ever since John
son's arrest. Since that time she has
been llvlnpr rlth her parents, who are
very worthy settlers In the Glenwood
district. The child, which is about two
years old, was taken In to see the
father last evening.
BAD-CHECK MAN IN JAIL
DHN50N
GRAYS
GUILTY OF MURDER
Hillsborri" Jury Takes but Few
Minutes to Find First-'
Degree Verdict.
ELMER-' PERDUE VICTIM
Killed .'After Quarrel Ov Timber
Claim Which Johnson Had Shown
to PerTlne Prisoner Main
tained Self-Defense.
H1LLSBORO. Or.. Dee. II. (Special.)
Guilty of murder In the first degree
the verdict returned early this
evenlns? in the case of "Walter Mont
gomery Johnson, accused of the mur
rier of Elmer Perdue, In a lonely cabin
near Timber, this county, during the
niKht of July 3, this year.
The Jury received its charge from
JikIrp Mi-Brlile at 5:39 tills evening:, re
tiring: then for supper, and at 6:30 bs
pan deliberating on the fate of the
prisoner and at 7:1'S V'.r jury announced
that an aftreemen. had been reached
and court was reconvened. Each of the
12 Jurymen, was polled and each ac
'liilsced in the finding of the verdict
The Jury was back In the court room
1 hour and 56 minutes after' receiving
instructions.
Prisoner Shows No Emotion.
The prisoner received the verdict
with no. display of emotion. Judge Mc-
Brlde set Monday for hearing motions
for appeal and for passing sentence.
Johnson's trial lasted three days. The
session lant evening was devoted to the
interview of Walter Johnson by Deputy
District Attorney Thomas H. Tongue,
which was taken In shorthand the next
?ay after Johnson was arrested for Per-
due's murder, and placed in the Hills-
boro County Jail. But one witness was
sworn today. Brice Wilson, of Timber,
wore that he and two of the Jurors
examined the cabin for bullet holes, but
found none. The argument of counsel
for the defense was the most eloquent
neara m the courtroom since the time
that August Waehline was tried for the
murder of John D. Ledrlrk, a Cornelius
farmer.
. Young Attorney's Plea Eloquent.
"W. G. Hare, a son of Hon. W. D. Hare,
associated with his partner, George R.
Bagley, made his maiden plea In a mur
der case, and he covered the case from
every standpoint of advantage for the
prisoner. He argued that Johnson was
not a quick thinker and that after he
had killed Perdue, as a result of a
quarrel, he in a chaotic state of
mind and that it did not occur to him
to surrender to the authorities; that he
finally concluded to cover the evidence
of the killing and being In hard cir
cumstances, took the money he knew
Perdue had on his person, secreted the
body and left for Portland.
George G. Bagley dwelt upon the
fact that Johnson had located Perdue
on the timber land afterward thrown
up by Perdue, and said that Perdue
doubtless was angry at not finding
what he had gone after. He attributed
Johnson's actions after the killing to
hla confusion after taking- human life,
if even only in self-defense, and con
cluded that hla only thought was to
get away from the scene of the
tragedy.
I Ill-tori of the Crime.
Walter Johnson; 2g years old. and
for many years a resident of 'Washing
ton County, was a son of the late
Charlea Johnson, who at one time
ran a saloon at Cornelius and later
conducted a hopyard at Gaston. He
married a daughter of Riley Thomas,
of near Glenwood, and the two moved
to Portland to reside. At that city
Johnson and his wife led a precarious
existence for a number of years. John
son occasionally tended bar in a Water
Ktreet saloon and did other little jobs
to make a living. He was prodigal with
his money and did not get along very
well. He finally took to locating men
on timber tracts in the Xehalem coun
try. On June 30 he started for North
"Washington County with a party of
eight men. among whom was Klmer
Perdue, of whose antecedents not a
word has been learned, but who la
supposed to ifave come from Xorth
Carolina.
They reached the Buxton section
the next morning. All of the party
but Johnson and Perdue came out on
July 2 and these two remained osten
sibly to look at soma more timber. It
appears that on June 29. before start
ing. Johnson had filed Perdue on an
KO-acre tract which did not prove sat
isfactory npon Inspection to the claim-,
ant. and this was later cancelled. The
dead man and Johnson went to tha
Hurgholxer cabin, which was deserted
and slept there on the night of Julr 3.
In the morning, Johnson killed Per
due, robbed his body of $140 and hid
th remains In a deep gulch below the
cabin and fled to Portland. He was
apprehended about two weeks later
and made a complete confession, al
leging that ha and Perdue had quar
reled; that Perdue had called him a
vile name and reached for his gun
whereupon lie shot his companion. ' j
Throws Away Victim's Watch.
Johnson went to Portland and later
threw away the watch and purse, but
told the ofTicrrs where they would be
found. In this instance Jnhnmn tntA
the truth and the article's were found
as he directed.
Johnson has always maintained that
they quarreled and that he killed Per
due to save his own life. The medical
evidence does not bear out particularly
strong that Perdue was shot, and the
state has contended all along that the
killing was accomplished by the use of
n iron bar made from a wagon tire.
This Instrument was found by the of
ficials at the rabln. It had been formed
into a support for a Umber faller'a
board and had two short spurs on either
end. This Iron was found encrusted
with hair and blood, but no chemical
analysis was made showing that it was
the blood of a human. The two phy
slcinns for the state positively gave It
as their opinion that a bullet could not
have so extensively crushed the skull,
which was badly smashed in at the
base, and the fact that no hole was
found in the skull except at the base
was considered a strong point by the
state.
Wife Refuses to See Prisoner.
District Attorney E. B. Tongue made
the final plea for the state, and asked
conviction on -the grounds that John
son's motive was robbery, and that his
contention of a quarrel was only a con
ceived defense.
Johnson's mother has been a constant
attendant at the trial, coming from her
home at Lents. His wife and child also
have been In the city during the court's
lirocaadinga. Ihe wlf, however. bM4j
C. B. Meyers Dupes Vancouver Mer
chants and Is Arrested.
VANCOUVER. "Wash., Dec. 12. (Spe
cial.) Charles B. Myers, alias J. Kil
don, was arrested on a forgery charge
this afternoon at 6 o'clock by Officer
McFarlane, Just as he was boarding the
ferry in company with a woman to go
to Portland. Myers pXssed a check for
J76.2S on C. D. Hayes Company, forg
ing the name of A. B. Rector, con
tractor here, for whom he used to drive
team. Myers was taken to Jail.
This afternpon. In company with the
woman. Myers went, to nearly every
largt store in the city and attempted
to cash a check for $40. At Morris
Josefltz's store he bought a bill of
goods and offered the check In pay
ment. Josefits, wishing to be on the
Hafa side, told Myers to wait while he
got the check cashed at the bank.
While the merchant was at the bank
Myers disappeared. Josefltjs telephoned
the police, who set to work at once,
but before Mvers was arrested he had
cashed a check for $76.25 at the Hayes
CAME TO OREGO.V IX 1S30.
V
IV;
Roderick R. Thomas, Deeesjted.
MOLAIX.A. Or.. Dec. 12. (Spe
cial) Roderick R. Thomas, who
died In this city December 10,
was born in Vanceburg, Ky., Jan
uary 26. 1S31. He came to Oregon
in 1S50, and died on he donation
land claim he took up in 1S32.
He married Elizabeth T. Bell,
in September 1S53. who survives
him. Two sons were born to Mr.
and Mrs. Thomas. They are Dr.
J. TV. Thomas, of Molalla, and
C. H. B. Thomas, of Portland.
store. He had. bought hlmseir a 7
pair of patent leather shoes and
wardrobe for the woman. When ar
rested the woman gave back all the
goods she had secured and the patent
leather shoea were taken on aiyers
feet, and he is now In Jail without
shoes. Mvers had enough money to
make- good the amount he got In
chax.pe. He claims to be an ex-soldier,
age SI. His description" taken by the
police Is: Height. 5 feet 11 inches;
weight. 3 80 pounds; large nose, rougn
face, dark brown hair nign on nis
forehead; wears dark suit, light tan
overcoat.
About two months ago Myers hired
a rig frcm Martin Connley and forged
Connley's name to a small check. He
was caught, but sold his watch and
overcoat to pay his debts, and Conn-
ley c'id not prosecute him.
HOFER'S CIGARS COST $2
Saleiu Alderman Treats Ills Friends
After Election.
SALEM. Or., Dec. 12. (Special.) Ex
pense statements filed by candidates at
the recent city election, as required by
he corrupt practices act. show that very
little money was spent in the campaign.
Colonel E. Hofer, who was elected Al
derman and who is talked of as an as
pirant for the Governorship, filed a state
nient saying that Ins only expenditure
was $2 for a box of cigars after election
and that this was not with a view to in
Jluencing the attitude of any person to
ward him as a candidate forAlderman
'or for any other office."
NEW CARS FOR SALEM LINE
second Lot ,of Passenger Equipment
Arrives From Ohio.
SAI.RM. Or.. Dec. 12. (Special.) A
second lot of new passenger equipment
has Just been received by the Oregon
Electric Railway, and will be put into
service between here and Portland im
mediately. The new cars are similar
to those received a weetc or so ago,
and are built In Ohio.
In addition to passenger cars, the new
equipment includes two baggage-ex
press cars, which are the first to be
put Into service on an electric road in
Oregon.
FRUIT MENAFJER WATER
White Sjltiion (.rowers Form Irriga
tion Bonding District.
WHITE SALMON. Wash., Dec. 12.
(Special.) The election to form the
White Salmon irrigation bonding dis
trict was held today in White Salmon
and carried. 60 votes for and 5 against.
The directors elected are: J. P. Humph
rey, R. Datterbach and John G. Wyera.
The district contains about 2500 acres
of the finest fruit and berry land In the
valley.
Muster Artillery Company Dec. H3.
ASTORIA. Or., Dec. 12. (Special.)
Captain Abercrombie received notice
today from Adjutant-General Flnzer
that Colonel Jackson, Inspector-General
of the Oregon National Guard, haa been
detailed to -inspect and muster First
Company, Coast Artillery Corps, of
this city on Wednesday, December 23.
Each Side Takes Game.
SILVERTOX. Or.. Dec. 12. (Special.)
Two exciting games of basketball
were played here last night between Sil
erton and Monmouth teams. In the
girls' contest Monmouth won, 11 to 7,
while the Sllverton boys won over the
Monmouth, lad. iS-to 6.
CHESTERFIELD SUITS
FANCY PATTERNS
$20.00 Suits
$22.50 Suits
$25.00 Suits
$30.00 Suits
$35.00 Suits
$40.00 Suits
$45.00 Suits
$50.00 Suits
269-271
Morrison Street
GOVERNOR GIVES NO OATH
WASHIXGTOX LAWS REQCIRE
XO SUCH FORMALITY".
Jnstii-e Fullerton Throws Some
Light on -Complex Situation Due
. to Cosgrove's Illness.
OLYMPTA. Wash., Dec. 12. (Special.)
Washington laws contain no provision
for a Governor-elect qualifying, accordi
ng to statements made here today by
Mark A. Fullerton, Associate Justice or
the State Supreme Court. Judge Ful
lerton visited the offices of the Secretary
of State .and Governor In a vain effort to
discover if any Governor had filed a writ
ten oath of offlcf or 'bond, ine judge
stated that he had searched the state
laws and had nowhere found any legal
provision requiring & Governor to take
an oath or to do any specific act to
qualify for office.
Pressed for a further expression 01 opin
ion. Judge Fullerton declined to discuss
the matter for the stated reason the ques
tion might probably later come before
the Supreme Court for determination.
The Judge"s statements have occasioned;
a belief here that Mead cannot hold over.
If Cosgrove fails to be here In January
to take office, and in the event of Cos
grove's absence. Hay and not Mead will
perform the executive duties.
QUITS COURTROOM ON RUN
Man Who Refuses to ray Alimony
Xow in Contempt.
PEATTI.E. Wash.. Dec. 12. (Special.)
Judge R. B. Albertson, In the Superior
Court, had just directed that an order
fie prepared committing C. A. Riteii
AUCTION
Our entire stock must be sold without reserve
or limit, consisting of fine Japanese and Chinese
Curios, Cloisonne, Satsuma, Canton and Eirakee
Ware, Bronzes, Brass and Ivory Goods, Hand-Carved
Furniture, Silk-Embroidered Screens, Ladies' Ki
monos, Gentlemen's Smoking Jackets, Silk-Embroidered
Mandarin Coats, Ladies' Silk-Embroidered.
Shirtwaists, Table Covers, Centerpieces, Doilies,
Leather Shopping Bags, Purses, etc.
A Rare Opportunity to Select Your
Christmas Gifts at Your
Own Price
SALE DAILY, COMMENCING SATURDAY,
DECEMBER 12, 1908. at 2 and 7:30 P. M.
Furniture and Fixtures' for Sale
Western Importing Company
' CHAS. B. YOUNG, President.
No. 462 Washington St., Between 13th and 14th Sts
EAT
Is now on full blast. The gentlemen of Portland appreciate and
are .responding to this rare opportunity to secure the famous
Chesterfield clothes at such small cost. Work begins Monday
morning on our new home of Chesterfield clothes, corner Fourth
and Morrison Streets, and we shall have but a short time in
which to close out the $40,000 stock of fine clothing which we
now have on hand. It is our desire to open the new store, which
will be the handsomest exclusive clothes store in America,
with an entire new stock. To do this it is necessary for us to
make the following great price reductions:
$14.25
$15.50
$18.50
$22.50
$25.50
$29.50
$34.50
39.50
Sale includes Trousers, Smoking Jackets, Bath
and Tuxedo Suits. Take advantage of this
to the County Jafl for contempt, when
Russell broke from the courtroom
and ran from the courthouse, hotly
pursued by P. W. Willett, attor
ney : for Russell's wife. He escaped,
however, and has not been recaptured.
Russell was brought into court on
the contempt charge because he failed
to pay alimony to his wife, as the court
ordered, while divorce proceedings were
pending.
CITY PLANS NEW SCHOOL
La Grande Taxpayers Vrge District
Directors to Issue Bonds.
LiA GRANDE. Or., Dec. 12. (Special.)
La Grande is to have a splendid mod
ern central school building which will
substitute for the present cramped and
inadequate quarters. At the school
meeting today, .when the tax levy was
fixed at eight mills for the next year,
provisions were made for securing tax
money to pay Interest on the necessary
bonus should the issue be made before
next year.
The taxpayers asked for a school
INSTRUCTION
enables each student to advance In
dependently of all others, and avoids
the embarrassment of class work and
recitations. Our' large teaching force
makes this plan possible. Let us tell
you all about our school the most
complete and best equipped in the
Northwest Call, telephone or write
for catalogue free for the asking.
PORTLAND BUSINESS COLLEGE
"The School of Quality,"
Tenth and Morrison, Portland. Oregon.
A. P. Armstrong. LL..B.. Principal.
1
AUCTION
EM OVA
CHESTERF1
ELD
O'COATS, CRAVENETTES
$20 Values $15.00
$25 Values $ 1 9.00
$30 Values $23.50
$35 Values $26.SO
$40 Values $29.SO
$50 Values $39.50
$60 Values $45.00
wL
GRAY
building and a petition Is about to be
sent to the Board.
Contest Promised in Astoria.
ASTORIA. Or., Dec. 12. (Special.)
The official canvass of the vote cast
at the city election on Wednesday was
Is Pleased to Meet the Prices of Competitors
And in doing; so offers better goods at the
same price or priced lower than similar
goods purchased elsewhere.
Entire stock of the celebrated Stein Bloch
Co.'s Smart Suits, Overcoats and Rain
coats, including blacks and blues, is divided
into three lots and prices, viz:
Lot
Lot
Lot
Fancy Vests, Smoking Jackets and Robes Vi Off
Full Dress and Tuxedo Suits 13 Off
Discriminating buyers know there is more
merit in Stein Bloch clothes than in any
other make produced.
Call, and let us show
DHIISOU
Washington and Fifth Streets
Perkins Hotel Building
CHESTERFIEL
BLACK AND
$22.50 Values
$25.00 Values
$30.00 Values
$35.00 Values
$40.00 Values
$45.00 Values
Robes, Full Dress
great opportunity.
made today and the only change was
that the majority of F. J. Carney In
the contest for Councilman from the
First Ward against Fred Karlnen was
reduced from four votes to one. While
no action has yet been taken the an
nouncement was made this afternoon
that Karlnen will contest Carney's
1 All Suits, Overcoats and Raincoats
that sold at $20.00 and $25.00 for . . .
2 All Suits, Overcoats and Raincoats
that sold at $30.00 and $35.00 for . . .
3 All Suits, Overcoats and Raincoats
that sold at $40.00 .and $45.00 for
you the finest and lowest priced
t3
D SUITS
BLUE
$16.50
$ 1 9.00
$23.50
$26.50
$29.50
$34.50
269-271
Morrison Street
election on the ground that three bal
lots, which were rejected by the judges
of ejection on account of -being im
properly marked, should have been
counted.
Tnderwear sale. McAllen McDonnell.
ON
clothing in the city
Oo
$15.00
$20.00
c