Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1876-02-17
Helena, Montana, Thursday, February II, 1876
Death Of Hon. Reverdy Johnson.

Death Of Hon. Revefdy johnson.
AxSAroL1s, (Md.,) February 10.-The Hon.
Reverdy johnson came here last night to
argue the case Of Baker vs.. Frick, and argued
in the Court of Appeals to-day. By invita-
ton of Governor Carroll he became his guest
at the executive mansion today. The Gov
crnor invited Chief Justice Barton, of Mary
land, and several other gentlemen, to meet
Mr.. johnson at dinner at the mansion. They
dined about p. III. At dinner Dir. Johnson
appeared in excellent spirits and his usual
health, and entertained the company by his
conversation and relating anecdotes At din
ner he drank one glass of Madeira and re-
fused to take any more. After dinner he
suddenly asked the Governor to take him in
the parlor. He took the Governors arm,
and walking in there he sat down on sofa.
AT the request Of 1Ir. johnson, the Governor
returned to the guests at the table. Shortly
after servant appeared at the door, and
beckoning the Governor out told him that
Mr.. johnson was lying III the yard on the
stones. Governor Carroll went Immediately
to the place and found Mr.. Johnson lying on
the cobble-stonc carriageway that passes under
the porch of the mansion, close up to the
wall and close 70 the door leading into the
basement. Tlc had evidently gone down the
front steps and around to the side of the house
and fell where found, about g.: p. N. The
impression is that he had been there at least
half an hour. He was then dead and bleed
inc profusely from wounds On the right side of
his head and face His body was at once re-
moved into the basement room, and physi-
clans summoned. DR.. w. G. Tuck was the
first to arrive, and after examining the body
pronounced life extinct. Drs. Ridout and
Cloud arrived afterwards. There are large
wounds on the right side of the forehead, two
fractures Of the skull from the upper portion
of the forehead to the eyebrow, dislocation
Of finger on the left hand, and cuts and
bruises on the hands and legs. The physi-
clans ore examining the body, to determine
the cause of his death. Dir. johnson would
have been 50 years old next May.
ANNAPOLIS, February 1l.-Dr. Steener,
who examined the body of Reyerdy Johnson,
shortly after ii was found, gives the follow
ing as his theory Of the cause of death f: Mr.
johnson either stumbled over z piece OF coal,
or being seized with vertigo or incipicnt symp-
toms CT appoplexy, and striving to save him.
self, moved towards the west, staggering
along by the northcrly side Of the executive
mansion, at each step his body gaining addi-
tional momentum, so that having reached the
door into the basement, he swayed around to
the south and fell, his head striking against
the sharp corner Of the granite base Of the
house, which gave the FIRST wound in the head,
and reaching :ha pavement Of rough cobble
stones, second wound was receive! in the
front OF the first " this instant probably
The bones Of the nose were fractured. Owe
Joint Of the second finger Of the right hand
was dislccatcd. Whether the subsequent
struggles may account for the abrasions on
the knees and fingers Of the left hand can
not positively be asserted. The wounds in
the scalp were accompanied With the external
fractures Of the cranium and skull, also with,
probably, a rupture Of some OF the arteries
of the base. Death must have resulted H.
stantly.
Mr.. GWinne, Attorney General Of The
State, and son-in-law Of Mr.. Johnson, is Of
the opinion that he was seized with vertigo
and fell, as lie had similar attack, lasting
three hours, while attending trial in South
Carolina several years ago.
When the General Assembly met to-day,
it was Immediately informed by & communi-
cation from Governor Carroll, of the death
of Mr.. johnson. Both houses at once adj
iourned, to assemble in the hall Of the EXec-
utive Mansion and escort the remains to the
depot where they will be taken to Baltimore
in special car The Governor said, in his
communication, that Mr. johnson died from
unaccountable and unwi,nessed accident.
BALTIMORE, February l1.-Nsyor Latrobe
this morning issued an order convcning the
City Council in extra session this evening,
that the municipal authorities may give ex-
preston to the great loss sustained in the
death Of Reyerly Johnson. The flags Of al!
the public buildings are at ha)f-mast. In the
United States District Court this morning,
the death OF Mr.. Johnson WIS announced,
and the court shortly after adjourned. The
Baltimore Lar and bench meet tomorrow.
:. 
%
The iavorile son Of Georgia is fast passing
nway-no@ from any particular disease, but
81, 2nvur IT