The Abbeville bulletin. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1865-1865, 1865-08-17
THE HOME OF PRESIDENT JOHNSON

+ THE HOME OF PRESIDENT JOHNSON.
Raw. Randall Ross, chaplain of the 18th
Ohio regiment, writes al interesting letter
to the United Presbyterian, descriptive of
Greenville, East Tennossee, the homo of
President johnson. The place contains
only about one thousand inhabitants, aud
consists of four squares, with streets run.
ming through Mt right angles The writer
mentions the principle buildings-church-
es, taverns, the "old MILL" etc:, and also
notes the spot in tho garden of Mrs. Will
liams, where John Morgan was shot and
mortahy wounded by Union soldier.
He was shot while crouching under n
grapevine, and the vine has since been cut
: away by soldiers who have taken the s'cut~
tings" to plant. Mr.. Ross then continues:
But Greenville is especially noted and
honored as being the homo of Andrew
Johnson, present President of the United
States. This renders this village interest
ing TO all, and everything connected with
deepest interest to tho American people.
Many years ago, on n certain evening,
rude, black-headed, black eyed, good look
ing boy, said my informant, drove into
town with poor old horse in a little one
horse vehicle, in which he had bis mother
and a few household things. They suc.
ceeded in securing an humble habitation
by rent. This secured, the next object was
TO secure labor by which to live. He be-
gan to inquire for tailoring to do. His
youthful appearance made it seem to be
somewhat of risk 10 put cloth into his
hands. His honest appearance, together
with his anxiety 10 obtain work, however,
induced an Influential citizen to give him q
coat to make for himself with the advice
TO do his hest on it, and if he made good
job Of it he then would have no difficulty
in getting work. He did his best, he sue,
ceeded with the job, and he began imme-
diately to gain the confidence Of the public
and to gel plenty to DO.
This WAS tho first appearance Of Andrew
johnson i'll Greenville, Tennessee, and this
was the first job Of work he did on bis
own responsibility. The first house lie liy.
ed in l am told is not now standing. He
was Industrious and attentive 10 business,
and he succeeded well. In process of time
he was married. The marriage ceremony
was performed by Mordecai Lincoln, ESQ,
said to be distant relative of the late
President Lincoln. The house in which
| At
this time my informant told me Andrew
Johnson could not read, and was taught to
read by his wife after their Marriage
Things prospered With him, anti in due
time he became able to own his own house
and lot.
just down there at the base of the hill
stands small brink building, with back
porch, and around it Tie necessary fixtures.
1t stands on the corner Of the square, near
where the mill race passes under the stree,
on its way down to the little mill.
That is the frs, house ever Andrew
johnson owned. 1t now. belongs to anoh.
err person. But down there about due
West from where sit, and almost directly
opposite the mill, whose large wheel is still
moving, but whose motion is scarcely per
ceptible,' you will see rather humble, old
fashioned looking, two-story brick house,
standing near the South END OF Main
street. Il has but one entrance from the
street. In front o. it stand three or four
small! shade trees. Tho fences of the lot
and windows -of the huuse show evident
signs of dilspi'Iaton, the consequence of
rebellion. Like inaDy other windows in
the South, numhcfof pancs Of glass are
broken out and their places suprlel Will,
paper. Glass tould no: he obtained in tie
Confederacy. As you pass along the pave
ment on Main street, by looking into the
lot you see several young apple trees, and
in the spaces between two Of them are po--
tatoes growing, In the rear Of tic kitch
en- stands small aspen shade tree, and
down there in the lower end Of the lut is
grapevine, trained upon trellis, forming
n pleasant bower.
Scattered over the lot are number of
rose, currant and goosebcrry bushes. At
the lower end of the lot ant just outside.
stand two large weeping willows, and under
! their shade is a very beautiful spring. This
ia the residence of1Andrew johnson, Pres.
dent Of the United States. Up the street
stands his former tailor shop, with the old
sign still on It. And in an old store room
:. up. street is the remaias Of his library. AT
present il consists principally of law books
Il nd.pnbiic documents, most of his most
valuable books having been destroyed by
the rebel soldiery. 80,
The Love. OF FIowERs.-No. man
can. clltiyate too earnestly a hearty lovo
for'aowers. We may not measure the
value of them as we measure merchandise;
for the influence flowing from. them is
ethereal and intangible; yet not more
necessary. Is pure air to healthy. growth
4 and broad development Of body, than isa
I iioying copmunion with these sweet
!. thoughts Of God ;needful for all true up;
building and ezpausia ailpl The mind. The
notion thatit is a weak and feminine thing,
!, thing for women and children Ito inter.
est one 8 sdf: II flowers, IS Utterly false.
One Of the moat hpmaniainag saa ttere>
fore noblest shiass in the yqrla, i :; ;de