New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-05-14
UNTIMELY DEATHS.


The Ner- York Ledger contains the following
pournful vet tender "reminiscences of the White
House and its inmates during a very few years past
IL, embodIes lessons which we may all prohtaby
read:
rho telooranh announced a few days ago. that while
Andrew Johnson late President OF the United States,
was at Athens Alabama, on his way 10 fulask where
he was 70 make a speech he received Intelligence Of
the death of his son, Col Robert Johnson -. r.
Andrew johnson always exhlblted the tehuees. hhee
on for this sOp on whom he had bestowed an excellent
education He was young man OF suPglor . ,ie,n
Der OF The Legislature of Tennessee and the upward pain
TO usefulness and distinction lay open anu eaS I ia
him One only besettiug forever blighed an ms
bright prospects he had an uncomfortable thirst Tor
strong drink. The last we heard OF him previous 70
news Of his death, he somewhere III an iheDEl"'o
asylum. 1900
The announcement of Col. Robert Johnsons decease
carries ms back 10 the White House i'm the first days OF An
drew Johnsons Administration. Robert then one OF
his fathers Private Secretaries Col W Browning was
another. Browning one Of the handsOmest men III
the wOrld-tall, muscular, finely formed with an OPEN
pleasing cOuntenance. and complexion as clear, ana
skin as fine ireland or Nantucket gives to the farest OF
women. ae had graduated at Yale College, and was
bellies ieres scholar and man OF many accomplish
ments He had been with Mr. johnson IN tennessee Tor
several years. and went with him 20 the hite House
Bnt his stay OF short Duration lie received tue APP
ponment Of Secretary OF Legation TO Mexico lie never
left the country however. The same haOit winch has
carried of young johnson dd It's iaial work MIN
him more speedily lie extremely popular ana the
idol of women Yet We have seen him turn lron rue rove
Hest OF smiles, and from the gayest scenes Oh Iesuy5,
ana quietly remark; My heart Is broAeh-l nave ho
wish 10 live"
Browning married when quite young 10 "A ocdu-
tfu girl, who lived but short time aisr hcr
lie never seemed to recover, IN any degree rom e
shock Of herdeath On the contrary, Ihe pam :"
tOn seemed constantly tOdeepth au grow lVlo
in his heart The last time We met MN Was ID nasnlue
ton, only short time before his death IN Tue coTSo
a brief conversation lie sald nav JSt pa 5,rj 80
the most beautiful woman I'm America OH my heWt %
buried u. my 0ie's crane and RAM 70 a.c and deIb.
erately drank whisky until II Killed NM -,
AT the beginning of the time Of which we speak an0tn-
or Inmate Of the White House Preston King. How
Jolly lac looked and felt-and how his hearty auEh slOo
his great heavy sides King though mildIIanherei
man. and lawyer by educalOn hhu Deel an a'If L. 90 a
fighter In his young days. ana was always plt W =
dandy, weighing should say, upward ut an elghln VI
tuG. He used 10 receive az me Nno NUS, az y
In white pants aud vest ana wearing something An tlo
oldfashOued pump shoes, highly pOsed-such as IIOs'
per NJ Wemore used 10 wear wheh lac called Oh 9eoTe
A. we have said Mr King felt very jolly now. He was
tie President other SELF aud had Things his own way
he considered that he had been sndbDed ana Dddy treat
ed by the seward men, IN the election OF Morgan 70
uer.gde him. when he had served only one term IN the
Senate: but lao was greater tHaA seward lOi was ~
almost good as President "hile seward WAC ohy
ASsi mat very elevation power was the cause Of
Mr. Kings awful aud uutimely death. lis influence
h, ascendcucyat the Wme House was felt to be alto
gether great by tbe Jealous ana snvlOus ponoaS
rived Ia baush him To honorable exile, By making him
Collector o the Port OF NcwlOIk, al Office Tor when he
had neither taste nor adaptation It's perpeAIuSl com
uiclted and harassiug duucs-and, We have Away
thought the discovery Of tie trek winch bhd bee pIHc-
ticed upon hiu-preyed upon Ills mln uhtH ms reason
tnftrr.d and Welded With the cunning Of determined
uadmau. he stole away from the iuently KEEPER VINO
undertook WaCH hltui utd having ~
bag OF shot he tied securely 10 hiH neck then look
passage ferry -Dout, ana epIahS from ne I'm ~
tle North River. Several months MicIwafu, NE Duu9
rose To the surface, ana aOated ashore, Where was as
covered and rrcugized uud II taken 20 his home ut
Ogdrusburg, ANA buried. $3.50, ~, 49,. ~.
mo ,od odd man who steward at the White House
then and "A hose fnce familiar 10 50 many tOu
I. dead lie was followed To Eis grave by siuctle mourn
ere among whom were the President ana Iis fanny
When We recall all these, aud think 81 Ola AOe ana
Of Inn, darling little sou IuIc Who yielded up Ills YOUNG
spirit that housc-tnd "r see the great GRO suiSt
i and out Of tc grand receptions of tie new powers
iha pause Tor moment Ia wonder whether the
living Who are there to-day ever think Ot those VINO were
tbrc In All the power and pride OF state 80 shu time
1rn aud Who may now be fitting as uusu0slaht.a
shadows among thcml