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Ruse Unsuccessful
His ploy failed. On the evening of the 11th day of June, 1858, the citizens of the usually quiet town of Washington were thrown into excitement by a rumor that a most inhuman and diabolical miirder had been perpetrated in their midst. Alice Johnson had indeed died suddenly but under circumstances that shifted suspicion on her husband.
He was indicted following a post mortem and inquest, his trial set for the March term of Circuit Court.
Opening day, the courtroom was crowded to suffocation with almost 2,000 people. Every spot within hearing distance where a foothold could be obtained was occupied.
Daniel W. Botts, John G. Parks, P. M. Finks, David Creel, James W. Fletcher, Albert R. Singleton, James A. Ryan, Winterton Murphy, Lewis C. Botts, William W. Brown, Puller A. Hughes and Richard Thornhill were empaneled as jury and the trial began with testimony from an alleged eyewitness to the poisoning.
James Carter told the court that he had been asked to go home with Johnson on June 10, 1858, and look at some sheep he had to sell.
After examining the stock, Johnson asked Carter in foe some lemonade. The young man protested that he couldn't spare the time since he had to return a borrowed horse to Washington but Johnson prevailed upon him to stop for refreshments for just a few minutes.
“There I met Mrs. Johnson, and inquired about her health,” Carter testified. “And she told me she was well, but she believed she was the only one of the family that was well—that the children were all sick.” Johnson came out with two glasses of lemonade, gave one
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