Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-11-08
MERITED HONORS
BY a Valiant Howard and Respected Cit
lzeH, Hon. lohn lohnson---Pre-
scented with a handsome
Gold Watch.

Last night a large number Of prominent
citizens assembled at the residence of ex-
Mayor John johnson, No. 279 Shell
by street. The visitors were gracefully
received and pleasantly entertained by
Mr.. johnson, who thought that the visit
was intended as somewhat of a social
reunion Of those who, with him, had
braved the dangers of the yellow fever
epidemic. His surprise was indeed great
when j. NJ. Heating, the heroic editor of
the Appeal. who stood undismayed at his
post during the yellow f~ever'scourge, arose
and presenting MI. johnson with a hand
some gold watch, said;
Mr.. JoHNsoN-Your friends have de-
volved upon me the pleasant and agree
able duty OF representing to you a testimonial
of their high esteem and their high appre-
citation Of your labors among the sick and
suffering during the recent epidemic.
Many of them were soldiers in the same
company with you, shsring the dangers
and fatigues Of a campaign almost without
a parallel. They therefore know the value
of your services, and willingly bear tcsti-
mony to your courage. your devotion, and
the sngleness Of purpose that animated
you throughout that trying time. They
also bear witness to your tender solicitudc
for the stricken people, your promptncss
in succoring and caring for your friends,
the GOODNESS and discretion with which
you administered the affairs of the office
committed to you by your fellow owards,
and TO your consideration for the nurses,
TO whose labors we owe, under God, the
preservation of SO many lives. Let me
add my own humble testimony to theirs;
let me also bear witness 10 your humanity,
self-sacriice and devotion at a time OF
great peril; under circumstances involving
the risk of life every hour, nay, every
moment. My words are but weak express
sions Of the esteem in which you are held,
not only by those present, but by the pub
lie whom you have served SO well in peace
and war. They but serve the purpose of
this hour, and make, at best, but a passing
impression. But this watch, which marks
the flight OF time, and t%estiiies to you the
warmthof our feelings for you, will re-
mind you Of this moment, recall the living
who stand by you to-day, and revive the
solemn thoughts, the hopes and fears Of
the dreadful plague whose horrors you
helped to mitigate, whose sorrows you
helped 70 assuage, and whose trials you
bravely shared with 50 many who have
passed away. Your example is precious
to this community. 1t is one Of duty well
and faithfully performed, while surround
ed by death in its most appalling form. 1t
Il a rich legacy for your children, to be
handed down for years to come, long after
time shall have ceased for you and for us,
testifying that while the world advances
in art in science, in mechanics, and in all
that makes up our complex and many
sided civilization, human love and sym
patty remain to light the darkness OF
death and save sorrow-laden people from
despair.
In reply to this speech Mr.. johnson
said;
Mr., Heating, Fellow-Howsrds and Friends:
/ thank you for this testimonial of your
friendship and esteem, and | feel myself
unequal to the task Of responding as /
would like to. Surprised beyond the
power of expression. | can only saw that
l esteem so warm a recognition of the
~ lplhiohN' VI NY uubltr Dl you more
highly than any honor you could have
conferred upon me. l thank you from
the bottom Of my heart, and to YOU. Mr..
Heating, | return my warmest thanks for
the beautiful, affecting and very compli.
mentary terms in which you are pleased
to give expression to your own estimate of
my efforts to do my duty by my people in
a trying emergency. Gentlemen, / thank
you. My heart is too full for u~tterance.
Again l thank you.
The company was then invited into the
dining hall and partook of a sumptuous
collation., which had been hastily pre-
pared by Mrs. johnson and her dauQh-
tiers. The entire occasion was one of the
most agreeable ever known within a hos
pitable home Of Memphis, and pleasant
will be the memories of that evening of
good cheer, social fellowship and worthy
testimonial to one of our best and most
respected citizens.
The watch cost about $500, and il truly
a specimen Of elegance and artistic de-
vice. The watch bears the following in
scription: Presented to John johnson.
superintendent of the nurse department Of
the Howard Association, by his friends
after the epidemic of 1873" Accompany
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