Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1875-08-07

4
and TIE retirement to his home at
Greenville, Tenn, his name has had
no publicity save a short time ago,
that he expected soon to visit WASH
ington on personal business. His
health, usually vigorous, seemed to
be fully sustained up to Wednesday,
when he went to visit his daughter,
in Carter county, and while there
was taken down by paralysis in the
left side, but his reported improved
condition Friday night banished all
apprehensions of dangerous It,.
Comments of New York Pa
pers on His Demise.
New York, July 31.-The news
of the death of ex-President Johnson
was received with surprise here and
for the subject of comment in the
newspapers to-day.
The Post says his death ten years
ago would have agitated the country
to its depths; to-day it makes scarce
" ripple ON the surface of public
affairs. He was sturdy demagogue
who had run his race. 1t eulogizes
his noble course through the dark.
dreary winter preceding the rebellion.
The Commercial Advertiser says !:
The country has ALWAYS been willing
to pardon his errors for the great love
he bore the Union. In his death the
country loses one of it's most loyal
sons. His patriotism was often tested,
and always found true.
The Express also credits him with
true patriotism and craftsmanship,
and says his death is an irreparable
loss to the country.
The Sad Intelligence i'm
Washington.
WASHINGTON, July 31.-The un-
expected news Of the death of ex-
President and Senator Andrew john
son, which reached this city by tele-
graph to-day, created profound sen-
sation, SO large a part Of his active
life having been spent here, and most
of it i'll trying periods of our politi-
cal history. He was in apparently
good health just before his death and
it was only on Wednesday last, Mr..
j. l.. Stewart, of Baltimore, received
letter from him, manifesting the
liveliest interest in public AFFAIRS
He expected to have been in Wash
ington next week. In appearance
Mr.. Johnson was dignified and intel
lectual; in demeanor, courteous and
kindly, and he will long be remem-
bered by the citizens of Washington
as one who, from 1913 up to 1S75-a
period of 30 years has been friend
among them in the service of his
country.
Grief i'm Masonic
Obsequies.
NASHVILLE, July 31.-The an
nouncement of Andrew Johnson IS
Death produced most profound SEN
sation. The deepest gloom peryades
the city, and the bells are tolling.
The MaSons, in whose order he had
attained the highest degree, will
probably hold lodge Of sorrow to-
morrow.
Among those most mentioned as
his successor in the Senate are ex-
Governor John G. Brown and Cen
eral w. b. Bate, his opponents in the
recent contest. The vacancy will be
filled by appointment. Governor
Porter believes there will be q great
scramble for the office, as he thinks it
will give the appointee better oppor-
tunity of securing the election before
the next session of the Legislature.
Biographical Sketch of an Hlustrious
Career--From Obscurity to the Pre-
sidcncy--The Reward of Toll and
CONGRATULATIONS and Jio-
nesiy His Chief Characteristics.
Andrew Johnson was born in Ra.
leigh, On. Gu December 20, 1885,
When he was years of age he lost
his father, who died from the effects
of exertions to save a fl end from
drowning. AT the age of 10 he was
apprenticed to tailor in his native
city, with whom he served years.
Hisinother was unable to afford him
any educational advantages, and he
never attended school q day in his
life. While learning his trade, how
eyer,he resolved to make an effort to
educate himself. His anxiety to be
able to read was particularly excited
by an incident which is worthy of
mention A gentleman of Raleigh
was in the habit of going into the
tailor's shop and reading while the
apprentice and journeymen were at
work. He was an excellent reader:
his fayorite book was a volume Of
speeches principally of British states
men. Johnson became interested.
and his first ambition was to equal
him as a reader and become familiar
with those speeches. He took up the
alphabet without an instructor; but
by applying to the journeymen with
whom he worked, he obtained lit
tie assistance. Having acquired a
knowledge of the letters, he applied |
for the loan of the book which he had