Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1851-10-29
THE STEAMER Joe JOHNSON"

The Democratic candidate for Governor
is man of very small stature, and proper
tionably diminutive intellectual capacities.
These are confessedly facts. His own
party friends claim nothing more for him
than respectable talents" His political
epistles do not establish his title clear to any
very enviable rank in the field ofliterature.
The fact is we do ample justice to "Old
JOE" when we award to him the possession
of mediocre smartness. Whilst member
of Congress the Colonel made very little
noise. We desire, however, to do him JUS
tice, and frankly admit that he was distin-
gaished member of that body. The follow
;;::iir anecdote will show that he was the re-
cipient of marked and memorable compli-
ment, which we doubt not has "engraped a
sensation of gratitude upon his heart which
will cease only with the last recollections of
the past" The Co.'s. extreme modestywould
doubtless have buried the handsome tribute
to his dimensions Ill profound oblivion but
the commendable charity of political op-
ponent published it to the world. We give
it as we heard it, without vouching for its
authenticity. The story which we have
heard frequently, was first related as we are
credibly informed, by MIR. JOHN DUNCAN,
of Harrison County, during the progress of a
heated canvass, in which he and Col. JOHN
SON were opposing candidates tol the Legis-
lsture. Whether this was the occasion upon
which "Old JoE' declining to return the
COMPLIMENT was elected by the vote OF his
competitor, this same Mr.. DUNCAN, we are
not able to say. Judging from attendant
circumstances, however, we are inclined to
think that our story dates that particular one
of the Co.'s boosted twenty-five pitched
battles" But to proceed
One balmy summer evening single trav-
eller might have been deserted vending his
way slowly down the avenues OF Washing
ton City. He was man of decidedly scan
ty proportions, and in no respect OF more
than ordinary appearance. No one would
have imagined him an honorable M. G., and
vet such was the fact. Tired of doing moth
ing (for the pedestrian was not an active
member) he sought recreation, and strolllng
down to the wharf he stopped and gazed
upon the majestic waters of the Potomac
While wrapt in dreamy contemplation
of the scenery around, little insignificant,
risky looking steamer came putting & snort
inc I'D the stream. As she came gliding
along the eyes of our Congressman took her
in at glance, and discovered on her sides
the name-sJoE JOHNSON" Stranger"
SAID he, to boatman standing near, "what
boat is that"
1.-The Joe Johnson sir"
sWho is she named after :"
GA member of Congress- from one OF the
Western Counties of Virginia.
'And why did they name her alter nm
inquired the member with evidently in
creasing interest
"Bccau,e" replied the boatman, che is
the smallest man in Congre", and this here
boat, n, smallest boat on the Potomac"
"Old JoE" (or he it was) is said to have
vamosed without further inquiries Wheth-
er he ever visited his name-sake aga r.
our deponent saith not.
"The steamer "JoE JOHNSON is still a
float, and is entered for race with the
GEORGE w. SUMMERS, on the 9Th day oil
December next. She's as small as ever,
and what is more there's Leake in the
vessel. Ifshe hopes to win she must pile
the steam on thick, which will probably re-
suit in bursted boiler.