Pioche daily record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1872-1876, 1876-02-12
REvERDY JOHNSON.

REvERDY JOHNSON.
The telegraph brings rs the mournful
intelligence Of the death OF the illustri-
ous man whose name appears at the
head Of this article. The tidings are not
only mournful In themselves, but become
peculiarly 90. from the terrible suspi-
cion that presents itself from the siugu-
lar condition and position in which the
remains Of the unfortunate gentleman
were found. The narration Of the cir
cumstances OF Mr.. Johnson's decease,
seem more like the over wrought imagin.
ipgs OF some opium. eating purveyor Of
yellow covered literature. then state
ment OF the facts OF actual every day life.
Probably Mr.. johnson was one OF the
last people in the world whom We would
have expected to have met his death In
any manner but in the ordinary course
Of nature surrounded by attached and
devoted friends. His age. bis talents,
his attainments. unblemished purity Of
character. bis high professional position,
his services 10 his country, will cause
all who hear Of the sad and singular cir.
cumstances of his death to feel shock.
jar. . nameless nervous horror. The
suspicious condition in which the body
Was found. tho wounds. the cuts and
bruises, oil point to the conclusion that
murderous hands were the cause OF
death. Yet It seems that such
an act is most unlikely. and
at present is perfectly inexplicable.
Mr.. johnson had long past the period,
to which II is said the ordinary lives Of
mankind are limited. During his long
and eventful life he had filled many posi-.
tions Of honor and profit. while his
career in his honorable profession had
placed him at its head. But whether in
official, professional or social life. Mr..
Johnson had so ordered his conduct that
he was remarkably free from giving
oiiense to any. A natural courtesy and
unaffected kindness Of feeling shown
through and characterized all his trans.
actions with his fellow citizens and
whether in court, in the legislature
or in official position, he made few if
any enemies. Even his adversaries,
could not help feeling a warm regard for
the courteous generous gentleman, the
honorable lawyer and patriotic legislator.
These considerations then. render inex-
plicable the superstition that he meet
his end by violence, yet the wounds on
his body, would seem to infallibly declare
that such was the case. However for
the credit Of the country and its citizens.
we trust, that these terrible suspicious
will be satisfactorily explained and the
fact demonstrated, that Reverdy John
son. after living nearly eighty years. a
large portion Of which was spent in the
service Of his fellow citizens, was not
foully done to death by vile assassin,
II his gray hairs, blamelsss lie. oom.
mandins character and public services
could not protect him from violence, II
scenes hopeless to expect that any claims
or merits will preserve their possessor
from becoming the victim Of some brutal
attack.
Mr.. johnson was born May &c. 1896,
In the city whore he met his fate, An
napolis, Maryland. After leaving st.
Johns College. where he graduated. he
adopted his fathers profession. who was
an eminent lawyer. His success was
great. By dint Of laborious study. aided
by great natural talents. he rose to the
highest position in bis profession, as bs
confessedly stood foremost among the
lawyers Of his country. In public life
Mr.. johnson held several public and
important positions. He served In the
Senate Of his native State and Of the
United States. He was Attorney General
under President Taylor and Minister to
the Court Of st. James. In oil these and
every other office. post and capacity in
which Mr.. johnson was ever engaged he
was distinguished for his learning. abil.
ity. unstained honesty and exalted patri-
otism. He was the worthy friend and
contemporary OF the intellectual giants Of
former day, when patriotism. ability
and moral worth were alone the pass.
ports to social aud political distinction.