Monday, June 15, 2020

Greene, NY Affair - 1845, Part 12

The Greene Affair
In Justices' Court, Before E.C. Kattle, Esq.
Binghamton Courier, December 17, 1845

The People vs. John Johnson, Examination of Witnesses, Nov. 27, [1845]
The sticks spoken of in evidence being produced and shown in court and weighed, one of them weighed 20 lbs., the other 21.2 lbs.

Testimony of Lyman D. Lewis
Lyman D. Lewis:  testified that he was a Justice of the peace in Greene.  The paper now produced is the statement Mrs. Burdick made to me under oath. She made it some days after her abduction.
Cross Examination:  testified that he thought the button holes in the wrist and collar were made by a person who sews with the left hand.  Also testified to the good character of Bolt for truth and veracity.

People's Witnesses
Frederick Burger, testified that Johnson was at his house about 12 o'clock on Tuesday the 30th of September, left there about 2 o'clock with the pigs.

William Hatch testified to Bolt's good character for truth and veracity, and to Mrs. Baxter's bad character for truth and veracity, would not believe her under oath.

Robert B. Monell, testifed to Bolt's good character and to Mrs. Baxter's bad character, also to hearing a conversation from the door step of Mrs. Baxter's house carried on by those within, also to Bolt's having consulted him as to his wife's having been raped by Johnson in the spring of 1844; that witness gave him a letter to District Attorney of Broome county.  Measured the distance from the back kitchen door of Hammon's around to the outside door of the milk room, it was 11 paces from one door to the other.  Measured the distance from the milk room door to the brow of the hill, it was 50 paces. By stepping 12 paces down the hill, could only see the top of the milk room door, by going 24 paces down the hill I think I could not see the house.

Hendrick Handford, testified to Mrs. Baxter's bad character; would not believe her under oath.

Daniel P. Fitch,  testified to seeing John Johnson the Sunday night that Mrs. Bolt disappeared cross the river bridge at Greene, and go west as far as the canal bridge at Cushman's, was going over the birdge when witness last saw him, some man was with him; were in a covered crriage with cloaks on.

Gould Stratton testified as to bad character of Mrs. Baxter.

Andrew Vosburg sworn, testified to going from Greene up the river, on the east side by Niram Johnson's to Mr. Graves', on the 30th of September, between 12 and 1 o'clock, and returning between 2 and 3 o'clock the same afternoon; did not see but one man at work when passing Niram Johnson's; in going up saw only two yoke of cattle and no horse team.  

Jeremiah Vosburg, testified to going with his brother to Mr. Graves'. Saw the two yoke of cattle at Niram Johnson's yoked up when going up; no horses and only one man at work; coming back, saw the two yoke of cattle unyoked and turned out; noticed the cattle particularly.  Saw John Johnson in the morning between 10 and 11 o'clock, near the wall by the turnpike, looking over towards Hammond's house; did not look at witness and those with him, who were passing in a waggon.

Philo Webb testified to Bolt's good character, and Mrs. Baxter's bad character.

The counsel, A. Birdsall, District Att'y and A. Cook, in behalf of the People, and D.S. Dickinson and J.A. Collier on the side of the defense, occupied three days in summing up.  Mr. Johnson was then bound over for trial, and bailed, giving his own recognisance in the sum of $10,000 and four sureties becoming bound in the additional sum of $10,000  

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