The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-01-18
ANDREW JoHNs0S,s WIRE.
The Career Of n Faithful and Devoted VITO
who Hopored her Hasba nd.


who Honored her Hasban nd.
WAHIINeroN, Jan l7.--The widow OF ex-
President Andrew johnson has survived her
husband but q few months. We nave NOT living
ex President at this time, but there arc even vet
three surviving widows OF ex-Presdents -Mrs.
Abraham Lincoln, Mrs. John Tyler, and Mrs.
James X. Polk, whose husband was President
thirty years ago. hts. johnson, who died at
Greenville, Tenn, had been a patient auferer
for many long years, including those years when
she was the occupant OF the White House; and
since the death Of her husband, In August last,
she had been Rradusl ny sinking TIL herhfe closed
on Saturday night she was four years Younger
than her husband, and had, therefore, justreach-
ed tho age Of sixty-six years.
Her maiden name was Mise Eliza mcC'ardle,
and she wes en- attractive damsel, whom, In her
seventeenth year, she was wooed and won In
her mountain home by the poor but ambitious
young tailor OF Greenville, who was not yet
twenty-One. She was bright young woman,
who bad obtained such education rs was afford
cd by the schools OF the day In that part Of the
country; and there Is no doubt that Andrew
johnson, who felt the superiority Of her acquire
ments, was largely Indebted to her for that mem
tai stimulus which led him into those studies
which he pursued with such assiduity from
the period Of their marriage. IL IL stated
that the youthful couple used to study
together far into tho niRnt, when all
the rest OF the villagers asleep; that
she was In the haoit OF reading aloud To
aim while he worked away At his trade Of tailor
ing; that she aided HIM to learn to read huentlv,
and that she guided his hand while he struggled
TO acquire the art of writing. 10 10 often SAID
that she taught him the alphabet; but this Is
mistake Tor though he was never at school, no
had pushed beyond that stage OF learning before
no LETT North Carolina for Tennessee. she was
to him n most excellent and gentle housewife,
as well ~ teacher OF interchangeable real, while
at the same time she DISPLAYED the best prac-
tical capacity In her ways OF life and in tho
ordering of their humble household. In still
other ways she assisted him. and his carry pOpt-
larity IN Greenvlle was largelY owing To the
frankncss and amiablty OF her intercourse with
the people Of the VILLAGE. We have heard Of her
modest pride when Mr.. johnson, few years
after their marriage, received that hrst puohc
honor upon which he himself was ALWAYS SO fond
Of dlating. IN hts election To the office Of Alder
man. ineir home WIS gladdened by little chill
dreu, and her husbands fame Increased until he
wore the laurels OF the Mayoralty, to which
ONCE he elected for three terms. Daring
these wears. through all the subsequent years
of her life, she herself was Of the most retiring
dispOsition. and always avoided anything that
might bring her into any sort Of quo,
that her enjoyment was In her home,
with her children. practising the economy rem
means. When Mr. johnson went to Nashville
"a MEMBER Of the Tennessee LEGISLATURE. size
remained al Greenvllle In charge Of their house
mold and even when he became Governor OF
tue State. she continued to maintain that de-
gree of domestic privtcy when was most con
genial 10 her nature. In tho spring Of 1851
wnen Mr. Johnson was n Federal senator. Just
before the outbreak Of the W.T.. she removed to
Washington but after short residence there
with ner husband, she had TO return 20 Tennes-
see on account OF her health. She was there,
and he wa In Washington, wnen the war began;
and. As he could not enter Tennessee, which was
then member OF the Confederary; and sbe could
not leave the state Uy reason OF III health, they
were separated from each Qther Tor nearly Two
years. Her experiences duriug this periOd were
OF a trying KIND. In lst3 tne Confederate au-
thorities required her to leave the COnfederacy
but they did not enforce the order upon lea IL
ing her condition. some months aiterward she
WAS disturbed over the reports about her hu--
band that she asked permission To leave, which
was granted; out II WAS only after many set
backs. many troubles. and much hard Journey
ing. that the feeble woman at last reached Nash
vine, where her husband was Installed ~ mill
tary Governor ~ Tennessee. Ills emotion
meeting his suffering wife, after their long
separation, amid the stormy scenes of war, over
c me him and were relieved by profuse tears
In short time, her mothers heart was pierced
by the Ceatb OF her eldest SON. who had juat
been appointed an army surgeon. and was In
stanuy killed nv being thrown from MS horse.
When Mr.. Johnson went on iron NASHVILLE TO
washinaton. IN 1865, to enter tue Office OF
Vice President. he made preparations for the
removal of his wife and family to GreeDvins
hut before he mad been able 10 accompany her
there. the assassination OF Mr.. Lincoln Induced
him to cnange his plans and take ber TO the new
residence IN the White House, To which he had
been so unexpeetedly called. There she re-
manned with him during the four stormy years of
hs Presidency NJ confirmed invalid. She never
appeared In Washington society, was known to
but small circle OF acquaintances- and was only
on rare OCCASIONS met by lew OF the friends
VINO made visits to the White House. she WIS
last seen, during her abode there, at party given
to her grandc ildren, when sne was unable To
rise from her cnair 10 greet the guests VINO
prosente to her. Her daughter, MR.. Patterson,
happily aole to relieve her from the duties
Of the household and OF society. We are plain
people" said sue " IRON the mountains OF Ten
ncssee, and trust too much will not oe expected
OF us Lerc.'
When President Johnson's Presidential term
expired, his wife gladly returned with MIN To
their home 10 t,reeuvle, and tneTe she live Til
his death last August, after which she took up
her residence WITH the daughter, at whose house
she die1.
When the ex-Presiden', after four years OF
r tirement from polite a iifc, returned To wash
iugton, in March 81 last year, "a Seuator from
ennessee, his wife WAS unable To accompany
hlui. and had NJ hope Of ever more leaving her
secluded home.
IL Mrs. Johnson had been az well able to set
as the adviser and guide OF her husband during
the last part OF her life as she was during the
first part of II, he might have been saved from
some Of the errors into which he tell. Hut, from
nrst To last, she was 10 him wife whom he al
ways loved, VINO possessed the most amiabe
tIaits Of character, who exemplltied all the do
nestle virtues. wno assisted INN In entering and
aided him In pursuing tbe paths inst led 10 eiui-
nence, who bOro her sunerngs IN patience and
resignation, and who lived life that VIII make
her honoraoly remembered among American
women.