Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1869-04-02
From the Evening Post.
Andrew JOhnson's Family
SKETCHES OF ITS VARIOUS MEMBERS.

SKETCHES OF ITS VARIOUS MEMBERS.
The family of Andrew johnson was the least
ostentatious Of any that has yet inhabited the
! White House, and its members preserved at the
capital the simple manners Of their former state
Mrs. Andrew johnson, whose maiden name
was Eliza McCardel, was born III 1911, and will
/ be ffty-eight years of age on her next birthday.
/ She is two years younger than her husband and
not older, as the newspapers are in the habit Of
telling the story. She was married in Greenville
Tennessee, when she was in the eighteenth year
of her age. Her young husband at the time was
not twenty The honeymoon was spent in tesch-
ing the future President the rudiments of educa-
ton. Mrs. johnson says she ''taught him the
letters, but he was an apt scholar, and acquired
all the rest himself With the exception of
few months in the early part of Mrs Johnson's
life, her home has always been in Greenville,
Tennessee. 1t was here that her five children
were born-three sons and two daughters-of
whom Mrs Patterson is the eldest. This daugh-
ter's name was Martha, and she was married to
Judge Patterson in December, 1865. Soon after
their marriage, Mr. Patterson-who was prac-
tcing law at the time-was appointed Judge of
the First Judicial district of East Tennessee.
During most Of the time of President Johnson's
administration he has occupied seat in the
Senate.
Mrs. johnson second daughter Nary mar
ried Mr. StOyer in April, 1852 Col. Slower was
one of the m st gallant Of those officers who laid
down their lives in the defence of the Union.
Though he had not the soldiers honor to perish
the battlefield, his slow, painful death was in
his country's cause. Col. Slower was one of the
leaders who headed the Union men of East Ten
nessee. He was one Of the first to enroll himself
hn rrho
known as the - Bridge-buruers' His patriotic
course attracted the attention of the rebels at
once, and without moments preparation he
was driven to the mountains Of East Tennessee.
During the inclement months Of November, De
cember and January, 1861 he was a hunted fug-
tive, hiding in the holes and cayerns Of the rocks
II was during this awful winter that Mrs. John
son filed the basket with meat and bread, when
her daughter, the sorrowful wife, was so smitten
with anguish that she had not the strength to
perform the task. Every man who tapped at
the door Of the lonely farm house was supposed
to be coming to bring the news that the son and
husband was hanging to a forest tree.
Some Of their neighbors had been afflicted in
this way, and this dread was the penalty paid
for Unionism in East Tennessee. During this
fearful period, in which Col Slower suffered from
cold and starvation, the seeds Of consumption
were planted in his constitution. At last,
through the efforts of some old personal friends
who were strong rebels, he was allowed to 20
home; but he brought with him a sharp, rasping
cough. Soon after he WAS allowed to pass
through the rebel lines, in company with his
family and Mrs. johnson. He proceeded at
once to Kentucky, where he raised a regiment
which was afterwards known as the Fourth Ten
nessee infantry. No braver regiment served
during the war, and but very few did the coun-
try more effective service; but before this gallant
band had time to distinguish itself in any great
battle, its brave, energetic Colonel had passed
away at the early age Of thirty-hye.
At the beginning Of the rebellion Col. Slower
was living the independent life of a farmer in
afiiuent circumstances. His large farm was well
stocked with cattle and his barns were filed.
His house soon became known as a kind Of rest
ing and breathing place for the fleeing Union
fugitives. After the departure Of the family the
buildings were destroyed. At his death his Wild
ow ws left with three small children and a
scanty subsistence. Mrs Stoyer has never asked
Congress toindemnify her for any losses.
Visitors at the White House during the past
two0r three years may retain the memory Of
dgnifed, gr0tesque blonde, with a few very fine
points, which a fashionable butterfly once said
would make any woman a belle if she only knew
how 10 make the most Of them. Mrs St0yer new
er became a star in fashionable circles, and now
that she has left the gay capital, perhaps for a
lifetime, she is remembered by those who knew
her best as the charming companion Of the do
mestic ireside. a true daughter and judicious
mother.
The eldest son Of Mrs johnson was killed. Not
long after his receiving his diploma as physician
he was appointed as surgeon in the First Iennes-
see infantry. One bright spring morning he
started on his rounds Of professional duty. In
the exuberance Of health, youth and spirits, he
sprang upon the horse Of brother officer He
had gone but a short distance when the high
mettled creature reared upou his hind feet sud-
denly; the young man was thrown backwards,
and falling upon the frozen earth, was instantly
killed The conclusion fractured his skull
Mrs. johnson has greivel for this son, as did
Jacob for his beloved Joseph. and not only the
mother. but the whole family have mourned
with unusual p0ignancy his untimely death.
Robert johnson, the eldest living son. entered
the army as a volunteer while still a young boy !,
and was given position among older men, on
account Of his father. 1t was at this time that
he formed the fearful habit Of iutemperance As
soon as Mrs. johnson was settled at the White
House, she sent for this son, hoping that his re-
sponsible position as private secretary to the
President, and the personal influence Of his sis
tiers and herself, would reclaim him; but alas
she found his new position, in its surroundings,
a still heavier dead weight to her hopes. Clever
genial "Bob, the young man who had the ear
of the President at any time, was everybody s
friend. crowd followed him wherever he went
The choicest viands Of Willard and Welcker' 5
were set before him, miniature rivers we're made,to
float with vine, Robert Johnson is now in an asy-
lum hoping and trying to overcome this vice. Dur
ing the few months Of his sQjourn in Washington
he provoked no enmity, and left many true per-
s0nal friends
Andrew johnson, jr., the youngest child, who
makes the fourth and last of Mrs johnson child
ren, is a boy Of fifteen, attending the college fr
young boys in Georgetown, D. C. He is slen-
der, finely formed youth, characterised by the
same modest department usual to the family.
His face bears q striking resemblance to Mrs.
Patterson's, but at present he is only noticeable
on account Of his family relations, and because
he is the last child Of his mother.
Mrs johnson is unusually feeble at this time;
but, weather permitting, she will soon leave with
Mrs Patterson for her distant home in Tennes-
see.