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. [1845]
Testimony of David Wedge
David Wedge sworn, testified that he knew James Bolt, had heard him relate the circumstance of his wife's disappearance, that Bolt told him the last time he saw his wife was, she sat smoking by the fire, that the next he heard was the falling of the latch, and said that he believed he had a glimpse of his wife as she passed off of the stoop to the left hand. That very early in the morning, he had done some little job of work, I think it was cross dragging, supposed it was a short job, said he had some hopes that she would come in when it was light.
Cross Examination: Bolt did not show me the spot where he dragged, I am sure he said he had some small job of work, but am not positive what it was, he said he did some small job.
Testimony of John Baxter
John Baxter, sworn, testified that he was 14 years of age last Dec., live with John johnson, that Augusta had fits at Smithville.
Cross Examination: Nothing of importance was elicited.
Testimony of Elijah Ketchum
Elijah Ketchum, sworn, testified that he resided in Smithville. Mrs. Baxter lived in a house of mine there in 1844, was called there when Ann Augusta was sick, between 12 and 2 o'clock at night. This was in the month of June, found her in a fit, did not have her senses, appeared to be cramped. Set down on the side of her bed and took hold of her hand, she began to talk some soon, she inquired where her brother Augustus was, wanted to see him, they brought him up there, she then put her arm around him and kissed him, she then had a good deal to say about her Saviour.
Cross Examination: She told him how happy she was and felt. I think she said she had seen him and had a conversation with him. She wanted the Bible, and it was brought to her, she clasped and kissed it, and told how happy she was, she said that her Saviour told her she must warn her friends to follow him. After this she fainted away, and when she came to she had cramped spells.
Testimony of Niram Johnson
Niram Johnson, sworn, testified that he is the son of John Johnson, is 45 years of age. I live half a mile north of Hammon's up the Oxford road, my father was around home on the Monday before this girl was carried off--Mrs. Baxter was at my house on Tuesday the 30th of September, she came there to cut a pair of pantaloons for me, it was not far from 4 o'clock when she came, perhaps a little before.
I was there when she left my house, went away with my father. Further testified to going down to Hammond's, and then around the swamp, and after Mrs. Burdick was found to having notified the neighbors to keep watch, also set persons to watch the bridge across the river at Hayne's Mill, and all the canal bridges but one, went up on the east side of the river to Hayne's mill and came down on the west side, told the story where I went, notified a boat to keep watch for any suspicious persons, the boat was going up the canal. Went after Chas. Baxter in company with the Deputy Sheriff, took him in the town of Oxford, he had two young women with him returning from a ball. Was one of the teamsters that took Bolt's goods over to Triangle, should not think it was far from two miles this side of the Triangle house that my father and Mrs. Bolt passed us, we met him some 80 rods in the road before we got to the house, said he had been looking for cattle. Saw Mrs. Bolt when we drove up, thought afterwards she felt unusually cheerful and funny. After father passed us we made no halts except to rest our teams.
Cross Examination: On Tuesday the 30th, in the afternoon, not much after 12 o'clock, he testified that he left his house with his hired man and little boy to draw stones with a pair of horses and two yoke of cattle; drew stone within 12 rods of the house; were at work within two or three hundred rods of the swamp; the road was in plain sight; did not at any time go down to the house, till I went to see what the fuss was.
I was there when she left my house, went away with my father. Further testified to going down to Hammond's, and then around the swamp, and after Mrs. Burdick was found to having notified the neighbors to keep watch, also set persons to watch the bridge across the river at Hayne's Mill, and all the canal bridges but one, went up on the east side of the river to Hayne's mill and came down on the west side, told the story where I went, notified a boat to keep watch for any suspicious persons, the boat was going up the canal. Went after Chas. Baxter in company with the Deputy Sheriff, took him in the town of Oxford, he had two young women with him returning from a ball. Was one of the teamsters that took Bolt's goods over to Triangle, should not think it was far from two miles this side of the Triangle house that my father and Mrs. Bolt passed us, we met him some 80 rods in the road before we got to the house, said he had been looking for cattle. Saw Mrs. Bolt when we drove up, thought afterwards she felt unusually cheerful and funny. After father passed us we made no halts except to rest our teams.
Cross Examination: On Tuesday the 30th, in the afternoon, not much after 12 o'clock, he testified that he left his house with his hired man and little boy to draw stones with a pair of horses and two yoke of cattle; drew stone within 12 rods of the house; were at work within two or three hundred rods of the swamp; the road was in plain sight; did not at any time go down to the house, till I went to see what the fuss was.
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