Henry (Wm) Johnson arrest in Hawaii, 1895
JOHNSON, SCOTT, HITCHCOCK, KANAE, WYLLIE, RAMSEY
Posted By: Sharyl Ferrall (email)
Date: 9/8/2005 at 04:21:37
Henry Johnson Arrested -- Charged With Having Committed Forgery in Iowa
(From Saturday's Daily) Henry Johnson, proprietor of the Palace candy and book store on Hotel street, was arrested shortly after 1 o'clock yesterday by Captain Scott, marshal Hitchcock and Captain Kanae being present. The crime charged against Johnson is that of having committed forgery at Muscatine, Iowa.
Sheriff Wyllie of that place arrived by the 'Australia' with extradition papers for the arrest of Johnson on the charge named, which was executed without delay. It was believed the accused would make strenuous resistance against arrest, owing to the supposed magnitude of the crime, but such was not the case.
When questioned at police headquarters Johnson admitted he was the party wanted, and would return to the States without contesting the case. From a reliable source it was learned that Johnson was for several years, and up to about a year and a half ago, treasurer of Muscatine County, Iowa, being held in high esteem as a public servant. In his official position Johnson was custodian of immense sums of money. At one time he saw an opportunity to make a fortune by investment of considerable funds. With the supposed consent of one of his bondsmen the treasurer used some $80,000 of money belonging to the county, hoping, as many good men had before and since, to realize profitably thereby and make full restitution. The venture failed and with it was lost the good name of both official and bondsman. Seeing no other alternative, Johnson fled west into Kansas, thence to California and Hawaii. He is said to have carried away none of the money taken from Muscatine County, and landed at San Francisco with but fifty cents in his pocket. Through the sale of his household effects by Mrs. Johnson, $700 being realized, the supposed defaulter was able to reach Honolulu on $200 forwarded by his faithful wife.
The remainder is easily told. After being in the islands but a short time, Johnson secured a position on an afternoon paper as collector and solicitor. Strict attention to business soon brought its reward, and the more lucrative work of bookkeeping in the newspaper office was secured. In the meantime Johnson had associated himself in the stationery business as partner of a blind man named Scharf, afterward succeeding to the sole ownership and purchasing later the Palace candy store, both being now conducted by him.
Mrs. Johnson arrived here a few months ago and, from the exemplary manner in which her husband had conducted himself since coming to Honolulu, was well received in social and religious circles. The supposed defaulter was known here as Henry Johnson, having dropped William from the name he bore while residing in Iowa. He rendered active support to the Government during the late insurrection as a member of the Citizens Guard, besides taking a prominent part in religious work.
Johnson is said to have embezzled over $30,000. He claims the amount to be much less, and that his bondsmen have liquidated the shortage. Political reasons are assigned as the cause for his arrest. A party from Iowa was recently in Honolulu and conversed with Johnson, who, he claims, betrayed his whereabouts for a slight reward. Sheriff Wyllie and his prisoner will leave by the 'Australia' Monday. Mrs. Johnson and son will remain and, assisted by C.H. Ramsey, carry on the business acquired by the husband and father. The arrest was the talk of the town yesterday and created more comment than has been heard in Honolulu for some time.
source: Hawaiian Gazette; Honolulu, Hawaii;
June 25, 1895
_________
transcribed for IAGenWeb by Sharyl Ferrall
Iowa Old Press - IAGenWeb Special Project
Muscatine Documents maintained by Lynn McCleary.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen