The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1875-08-05
Death Of Ez-Presidient johnson.

Ex-Presilent Andrew johnson died at the
residence of his daughter, in Carter County,
Tennessee, on last Saturday, OF paralysis. He
was attacked Wednesday afternoon on his az
rival at his daughters on visit. The follow
ing sketch of the ex-President's life we take
from the Richmond ''Whig:''
Andrew johnson, seventeenth President Of
| the United States, was born in Raleigh, N. c.,
December 10Th, 1905 His father, Jacob JOHN
son, was City Constable. At the age of ten
Andrew was apprenticed to Mr.. Selby, tailor,
and during his term of service learned to read.
In September, 1926, he went to Tennessee, ta-
king with him his mother, who was dependent
upon him for support. He settled at Green
vile, where lie worked at his trade, and in the
course of year married. Under his wife's in
struction he learned to write and cipher. In
1928 he was elected an alderman of Greenville,
and in 1880 was chosen mayor which Office he
held three years. In 1885 he offered himself as
( a Democratic candidate for seat in the lower
house of the Legislature, and was elected. AT
| the next election he was defeated, but was re-
(! turned again in 1889. In 1S4l he was elected
| to the State Senate, and in 1913 to Congress
| from the First district of Tennessee, holding
his seat by successive reflections for ten years.
He supported most Of the Democratic measures
brought forward at that period. In 1858 he
vus A. Henry, the Wing candidate, and in 1855
was reelected over Meredith T. Gen.ry,
candidate Of the Wings and ''Know Moth
ings.''
1t was during the latter contest that Mr..
johnson appeared at one OF the meetings. with
a pistol, which he laid upon the desk. and de-
sired the unknown party who it was said had
/ threatened to assassinate him to proceed. AT
ter pausing moment with his hand upon his
pistol, he said:
''Gentemen, it appears that [ have been
misinformed. VIII now proceed to address
you.''
| Mr.. johnson was elected to the United States
Senate in 1857 for the full term. He supported
Brcckinridge for President in 1860, but after
wards arraycd himself against the secession
doctrines of his party, and thereby made him.
self very obnoxious to the extremist in Ten
nessee and throughout the South. In passing
| through Lynchburg, on his way home, he was
subjected to insults. 1t would take more space
than We can spare to summarize the eventful
career of Mr.. johnson during the war. He
was for some time military Governor Of Ten
nessee.
In June. 1864, the Republican convention at
Baltimore, having nominated Mr.. Lincoln Tor
the presidency, nominated Andrew johnson
for the Vice. Presidency. They were duly cleo
ted. President Lincoln was assassinated April
l4th, 1865, and on the following day Mr.. john
son qualified as President.
| 1t was expected that he would pursue rigid
course in his treatment of the Southern people;
but he developed policy SO different that he
alienated from him the body Of TIE party that
had elected him. In 1868 Pre-. ident johnson
was tried before the Senate on articl. Of in-
parchment, charging him with 'shigh crimes
and msdemeanors." He was acquitted by the
following vote: guilty, IS not guilty, 19-net
| two-thifds III the affirmative.
| At the close Of his presidential term he reti-
red to his home in Greenvle, Tenn. In 1870
he was a candidate before the legislature for Il
seat in the United States Senate, but was de-
feated by two votes. In 1872 he was an indie
pendent candidate for Congressman at large,
and divided the Democratic vote with the Con-
fedcrate General Cheatain, which resulted in
the election of Horace Maynard.
| At the last session of the Legislature Mr..
johnson was again candidate for the United
States Semitic, and was elected by one or two
votes; bnt it has been decreed by higher pow
er that Re should not occupy the seat to which
he was elected.