550
The Green Bag
in a Greene county justice court, by When he was indicted Mr. Johnson replevin proceedings, recovered their filed a motion to quash because of a possession. To reimburse Mr. Potter defect. The prosecution of Johnson was for the value of the calves Mr. Johnson prompted by an organization of those gave him his note. He explained that early days known as the "Horse Thief he had bought the animals from a Association," perfected as a protection stranger who gave the name of Smith. against the prevailing wholesale stealing In a country of stock. A few store at Olive days before the court gave con the proprietor and several loung sideration to this ers heard the bar motion Johnson found on his gain made b e horse block near tween Johnson his home a note, and the stranger. accompanying a Shortly after this piece of rope tied proceeding an in in a hangman's dictment was re knot. It read: turned in Jones county against "In view of the Johnson, charging present indict him with having ment we under stolen the four stand that you calves. Johnson are under, we and a brother understand that then went to you calculate to Greene county have the indict and had Potter ment set aside. point out the four We advise you to claimed by Foreappear and be m a n . They ROBERT E. JOHNSON tried under the proved to be highWho only after twenty years of tedious and costly litigation fully vindicated his innocence indictment with g rad e calves, of having stolen the four calves the defect, if any whereas Johnson exists, or take had bought scrubs of Smith, Then Johnson dis- the lamented Greeley's advice and go covered for the first time that he had West, or take this—" not handled the Foreman calves at all We, the Committee. and began to believe he was the scape Johnson was a fearless man. He goat for another's crime. He refused to pay the note he had given Potter, on the pursued his motion. The indictment ground there was no consideration. was quashed. Another was returned. Suit was commenced against him in A change of venue was taken to Cedar county. He was tried, and the jury justice court, and after a long and expen sive litigation Johnson was defeated and disagreed by a vote of eleven for acquit had to pay the note, on the ground it was tal and one for conviction. Then one night his house and barn were myste in the hands of an innocent purchaser.
