Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-05-12
ANDREW JOHNSON AT HOME
From the Knoxville Chronicle.


Ex-President Andrew johnson is at last
quietly ensconced in his home in Greene
vile, Tenn. We have no desire to invade
the privacy of the home circle to crafty
the curiosity of the public, but there has
been so much connected with the remark
able career of Mr.. Johnson-who has
been, perhaps, more prominently before
the American people for the past twenty
years than any other man-that is calcu-
lated to keep active the interests of the
masses, that we publish very willingly
few facts connected with his retirement,
which we gather from q conversation with
friend and neighbor.
1t is, perhaps, no secret to most we'll
informed persons that Mr.. johnson, dur
ing his long service in public life, sue
ceeded in saving q fair share from his
salaries. He is now In very easy circum-
stances-and, in fact, in his section,
might well be called wealthy man. His
business capacity seems to be above the
average of men, for in his investments
and business relations he manifests con-
siderable shrewdness and tact. Some time
before his retirement from the White
House he purchased q very desirable
farm of some three hundred and fifty
acres, on which is built very fine flour
ing mill with splendid water power. The
farm lies adjacent to Henderson-nOw
called Home Station-some six miles east
of Greeneville, Cd the East Tennessee,
Virginia and Georgia Railroad-and is
considered good upland farm. 1t has
been much improved by Mr.. Johnson,
with the aid of fertilizers and a modern
system of farming. The care of this
place is under the more immediate super
vision of cx Senator David T. Patterson,
Mr.. Johnson's son,in-law, who lives on
the farm.
The ex-President and lady live in the
old residence at Greeneville, near the
former tailor-shop where, many years ago,
the good people of Greene county went to
have their homespun fitted and made to
| order. The then plain village tailor had
not yet even aspired to the position of
Alderman of his viIlage-the first round
of the ladder upon which he climbed to
the White House. His old patrons and
neighbors are now his frequent visitors,
and recount to him the little incidents and
experiences of their early lives.
The ex-President has recently purchas-
ed the large brick block known in Greene
vile as the Lowery Block. The purchase
was made for cash, at very low terms
probably not more than half of its real
value. 1t is generally believed in Greene
vile that he will soon establish q bank.
He has the means, and has been frequent
ly urged to do so for the convenience of
the business men of that and adjoining
towns. As it is now, they have no bank
nearer than Knoxville, and they find it
now almost impossible to do longer with
| out one.
The ex-President spends most of his
time in study. He writes great deal,
and il is generally supposed that he con-
templates soon publishing a book which
shall be q defense of ''my policy" and
| his administration. He has some visitors
from distance, and during court ses-
sions bis house is daily filed from early
in the morning till night, by his friends
from the country, who think him the
greatest man of the age.
l. Inc people VI lDe WHOlc CouHiy WIZ
be interested in hearing something of the
very estimable and pleasant ladies who
| did the honors of the White House with
SO much credit during Mr.. Johnson's adj
ministration. Mrs. Stoyer, who made
many friends during her residence in
Washinc'nH, married a worthy merchant
of GrecLLv..ic some months ago. She is
now plain Mrs. Brown, wife of the vii
lage merchant, but carries to her new
quiet home all the mOdesty and dignity
that graced the Executive Mansion. Mrs
Patterson is with her husband on the farm
at Homo Station.