The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1878-05-08
The Monument to Ex-President
Andrew JohnSOn. ..4n.
GreeneyiIe Tenn } Cor. Brooklyn Eagle.

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years ago, ibis property was esti-
mated to be worth $4,000 to $780,
900, but the estate did not realize
J this amount because Of the hard
times. 1t was equally divided
among the three children. after a
sum was set apart for the purchase
of a monument, and added to what
they possessed previously, has left
them all in entirely comfortable cir
cumstances. Mrs. Andrew Johnson,
whe was for so many long years an
invalid, outlived her husband, and
died in the house Of her daughter,
Mrs. Patterson. She was buried be-
side her husband in the romantic
burying ground he selected for HIM
self, Very soon this graveyard will
be the scene Of touching ceremo-
ny. Over the grave of their illus
trious father and reyered mother the
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monument, and a time has been set
for public ceremony which shall be
in accordance with the deserts of
tue dead. The monument standing
in the center Of the picturesque spot
selected many years ago by Mr.,
johnson. can be seen for 20 miles
all around. Mr.. Johnson admired
greatly the spot he selected, and Of
fered TO buy sufficient land there for
a public cemetery. provided the au-
thoriLies would improve it for this
purpose. But the villagers declined
the liberal offer, and the old ceme-
terry is some distance away. The
grave is on the crest of a hill. and
commands a view Of miles and miles
of the country. To the east of the
grave lie the Allegheny mountains
the State line of Tennessee and
North Carolina--whose SUBMITS can
he seen above the clouds. The mon
ument, the design OF which was Sc
lected out Of many offered and made
In Philadelphia, was ordered by the
three children Of Mr.. johnson, and
paid for by them. 1t stands 26 feet
in hight, and towers high above tie
surrounding foliage. It's broad base
is of granite, with plinth die. The
base is nine feet six inches square
at the ground. Granite piers rest
on each of the graves lying side By
side, over which is sprung a granite
arch. aud upon this the monument
rests, leaving an opening under the
arch in which the graves are visible.
The arch and base are four feet six
inches high TO the bottom of the mar
BILE plinth. The plinth is four feet
six inches high. and at either side
stand pilasters supporting funeral
urns, each three feet three inches |
high. The die is three feet six
inches square at the base. and three
feet two inches high, and upon the
front is carved a scroll representing
the Constitution of the U. States,
and an open book with hand rest
iag upon it, representing the taking
of The oath Of office
The shaft is thirteen feet high, |
and two feet ten inches square at
the base. tapertng to the apex, over
which hangs an American flag in
graceful folds, and surrounding The
whole is an American eagle with
wings.
The inscription on the monument
is simple, containing, with the addi
ton Of the name and age and death
of Mrs. Johnson. the following:
Andrew johnson. Seventeenth Pres
ident U. S. A. Born December 20,
1903. Died July 81, 1879" His
Faith in the People Never Wavered.'
A pleasant fact in connection with
the above incription is that the mot
to was the suggestion of Hon. Thos.
Many months ago, when
.he matter was submitted to his
he said that the chief
of Mr.. johnson was
ais abiding faith in the people and
MS conviction that they would APP
prove his efforts. He gave this line
Is embodying this sentiment. which
he daughters accepted, and it stands
.O-day, and will for all time, on the
omb of Tennessee's loyal and low
ng son. The unwilling will occur
tuesday. the 28th Of May, and ev-
'ry preparation is being made to
ave it an imposing affair. The MAJ
onic fraternity, of which he was for
larger part Of his life member. !
ill take part in the ceremonies. as ,
hey in the burial. and the knights
'emplar will march in the process,
ion from Greenville. 1t was at first
tanned to have the unvaiIing on
ne 3Oth of May, Decoration Day, :
ut the fact that the General Assem- /
ly meets in Nashville on that day :,
ecided the family to change the !;