Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-01-24
T,.E EARLY LIFE OF THE PRESENT
PRESIDENT.


JoHx SAVAGE, sprightly writer, has fur
nishcd tine country with what purPorts TO
be a truthful narrative Of the life and seryi-
ces of LEdrew johnson. Not having seen
the book, we are unable TO pass upon its
merits. The following extract we find go
ing the rounds Of the press:
ANDREW JOHNSON AS AN APPRENTICE.
Mr.. Iitchford, an old journeyman tailor
Of Raleigh, thinks it was in 1918 that
aAndy.D as he called him, was bound APP
prentice to ]. J. Shelby. He is described
as wild, Aharum-scarum boy" But had
no annhonorakEe traits about him. lie
was exceedingly restless and his activity IN
climbing fences, trees, etc, with the natural
sequence thereof of tearing his clothes,
was a great source Of trouble 10 his mistress.
On account Of his propensities in this direc-
ton she once made him coarse heavy
SHIRT Of homespun goods, and the young
gentleman for short time was Obliged TO
wear whole undergarment. In 1924 he
acut.p not because he was sent TO a corn-field
10 work. A some one has said, but on ac-f
count OF escrape with lady by the name
Of Wells. who had two right smart daugh-
ters." With another boy, named Grayson,
an apprentice in a rival shop, Andy
chunked the old lady's house, one Saturday
night Next day she heard who II was, and
threatened to s'perxecute them on Monday"
They heard OF Il and "cut." Mr.. Litch-
ford believes Ahe knew his A j Cs- when
he came 70 the shop, but / think
/ taught him 10 read" Mr.. Litch-
ford continued, "and he deserves UNI
bounded credit, for some people say as
how they had a grand start, and i
reckon he started underground lie went
10 South Carolina, and returned after year
and half, during which time he had earned
his living with his needle. On his arrival
he applied 20 Mr.. Litchford, then keeping
an establishment of his own, for work, but
he didn't get il because he had been ''adyer-
tised" as runaway, and the law prevented
any one from harboring him. Mr.. Shelby
had, during Andy's absence, sold cut and
moved into the country but, with desire
TO make due amends for his misdemeanor,
the runaway walked twenty miles to see
him, and tried 10 make arrangements TO pay
him for his time. Mr.. Shelby required Sc
curity, and Andy could not get it. He told
Mr.. Litchford that he wouldn't let him be
security IL he would, and 50 he departed
again, this time going 10 Tennessee. Mr..
l1llEHlDI0 NtAt litOfA VI nun ar ~ htNihDSA W
Congress from that State, brs didn't believe
il was shis boy Andy" unit. he saw il "ad-
yertised in he papers about the mechanics
in Congress, and saw TIE word tailor after
his name.v A pamphlet copy of isspeech-
es, seat TO Mr.. Litchford under his Congrcs-
sional frank, is yet in the possession of the
latter.
After his first session he returned 10 RAJ
leigh and made speech, pitching into Par
son Brownlow and Gales, the editor of the
Register" II seems that Brownlow, a polit-
ical opponent Of johnson at that time, had
sent 70 Gales for family items" Gales fur
nished them, and hence Jofnson's attack
on him and Brownlow. The citizens at Ra-
leigh at that time thought Il something re-
markable that the sailors apprentice" OF
their recollection should be able TO make
such n speech, but johnson told Mr.. Litch-
ford show Il was" His wife had Learned
him" while he was on the tailor's board
working for his bread in Tennessee. During
this visit Mr.. johnson asked Litchford 10
show him his fathers grave, and he did so.
II has but plain gray slab at the head, and
simply marked -. J. ;" and Is nearly hidden
from view by the oyergrowth Of weeds and
bramblcs.
The house in which President johnson
was born is stia standing, and is an object Of
no little curiosity 10 the many strangers who
visit Raleigh. Il is a small frame building,
story and a half high, containing two or
three rooms. Reliehunters have already
commenced tearing off the weather beaten
sideboards.
In 1928 Mr.. johnson was elected alder
man Of Grecnville, in Tennessee, where he
had settled himself; in 1880 he became may
or, and IN 1884 he was sent TO the Legisla-
ture.