The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-05-01
FRANK JOHNSON.
THE HERO OF SAN ANTONIO FINDS
A GRAVE IN THE LAND
OF SANTA ANNA.
End of a Grand and Glorious
Career of Another of Texas
Tried and True.

Col. Frank w. johnson Is dead
The announcement which reached
this city but yesterday will to-nor-
row be published throughout the
length and breadth of the land. 1t Will
astonish many, and there are many
that it will not astonish. He had
lived fourteen years beyond the three
score years and ten allotted to man.
The announcement comes in the form
of a letter to Mr.. Joe ii. Stewart, OF
Austin, from the proprietor OF the
"Hotel de Ia Plaza" at Agnascalientes.
Mexico, whittier Col. johnson had
gone in one last, vain Ell
/, fort to regain his broken
health. The grand old soldier, the
letter says, was given decent inter
ment in what is known as a "three
years grave"-land, given by the gov
eminent with the understanding
that the bodies buried there Will
he disinterred at the expiration OF
that time. Strange happening! IL
think that he who almost
half century since had led Spartan
band upon the field of war, and over
whelmed old San Antonio swarming
with its Mexic hordes, should come to
ult III blldO oe1lllO AdA10 e5eNAAAoS HNSN
o'erbearing tyrany, his arm was raised
But they forgot 'Decembtr 10" when
his bent form lay pale in death, and
for humanity's sake gave him an
honest burial. Three years were full
enough, for well they knew
that Texans will not long allow
his dust to rest In foreign
soil, but Texas, glorious undivided
state, will stretch forth loving arms ano
clasp her dead defender to her breast
The deaths of grand old men do not
send anguish to the soul like the cut,
ting down of one who's in the prime oil
noble manhood. When the aged and
iofirm are called upon to lay down the
burdens of this life, we receive the
long expected summons with feel
Jugs of resignation, and fold
the withered hands upon the
shrunken breast, and murmur: "GoC
has willed it So"
Col. johnson was born in Virginia
in October, 1899, and came to Texas IL
1926, He was engaged in the business
of surveying land until 1881, when he
was elected alcalde of Austin. In 1885,
he led an expedition against Anahauc
and was, the same year, appointed
suryeyor-general of Austin'S colony
In 1885, having entered the army as q
volunteer, he was appointed by GenS
Austin and Burleson as adjutant and
inspector-general. In December 1885
he led one of the columns that stOrmed
San Antonio, and the subsequently
Inflated Alamo, in which engagement
brave Milan, who commanded the
other column, fell, mortally wounded
BY this desperate charge of less than
four hundred men the city and fort
were taken, despite General Cos and
his fourteen hundred Mexicans. In
1886 Johnson's command made raid
through the country lying between
the Rio Grande and Nueces rivers, but
were surprised and most of the men
killed. After the war Col. johnson
devoted great deal of his time tc
land matters, but during the last
twelve or fifteen years of his life bent
all his efforts to collecting and com
piling most elaborate history of this
state. 1t was in this work that he left
his home in Round Rock some
months, ago and went to Mexico
and doubtless did, find statistics Of
importance. 1t was while in thai
country that his feeble health prompt
ed him to seek relief at Agnascalientes
where he died on the 9Th instant. Hi.
work will no doubt be published. A
the reunion of the Texas Veteran as
ISOLATION, of which he was president
his old associates, ignorant of hi
death, reelected him to preside owe
them. Many a sincere and homes
tear will dim the eye of his old com
rades when they read the announce
ment of his death in the land O
strangers.