The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-05-01
ANDY JOaNsoN,s FUN.
How He PardoDed Bob johnson OF ar
kansas.
Zen Psrley PoO.e in Boston Budgetl

How He PardoDsd Bob johnson OF ar
kansas.
Ben: Psrey PoO-e in Boston Budget
Andrew Johnson was strange being, IN
deIstood by few and incOm preheusible 10
the greater number Of those in public aud
private life when he Unexpectedly became
President of the United States. The war
had hardly been closed, telegTaphic and
postal communication had not been
re established between the two Sec
tioDs, and the leaders of the great
rebellion were in g state Of great anxiety
as to what would be done with them
by the Federal authority for their participa-
ton il the rebellion. The widest rumors
were circulated OF Federal vengence to be
wrecked at short notice upon all who had
been prominent in the Confederate cause,
and aturally there was not little trepida-
ton among them as rumor followed rumor
OF dIHmheads, hanginge, bsnishments and
implis0nments to be melted out to the main
offenders without mercy. This feeling was
enhanced in the contemplation OF the fact
that Andrew Johnson had succeeded to the
Presidency. His well known Implacability,
especially toward those Southern men who
had, by resignipg their seats in Congress
made the rebellion possible was remembered
with augmented terrors, and a great cry went
up from the scores of quakiDg throats of
What shall save Us from the dire Meme
sis?n
Prominent among those who appreheuded
they knew not what, was the late Colonel
Robert w. Johnson, of Arkansas. 1t had
fallen out that in the spring OF 1861, On the
very day Colonel Johnson resigned his seat
in the Senate of the United States, that he
aud Andrew Johnson who was then very
bitter In his speeches against the Session
isis), had had a personal alteration on the
docr few minutes before the Senate ives
calico TO order, which was only prevented
hep ~1oe-0
by the interference Ct the bystancers,
and the two JohnsoDs had parted,
| exchanging mutual eplthets of hoslil-
| ity. Remembering this. among other
| causes OF disquiet Colonel Johnson, who
| st the Lee surrender. found himself IN an
unenviable situation, stripped OF all his
| worldly possessions and practically without
| where 10 lay his head. bethought himself
| that the only way 10 begin TO rehabilitate
| himself so as to be able To resume his former
| profession Of a lawyer was through Presl.
| Dental pardon. Coupling in his mind the
| old personal quarrel.with the wild stories be
heard on all sides that the President of the
| United States had been empowered by Con-
| gress to hang or shoot the leading men who
| had surrendered, he reflected that mis- chances
| with his old fee were slim indeed But see
ing C other course open he made up his
mind to Try the venture and take whss fate
| should accord him.
4 OO4Cuet JOuBcOL oDPlAcN AOA
| and Obtained a pass from the comnandsnt
| OF Federal military post and journeyed to
| Washington. Arriving there in the early
| evening, be proceeded to the metropolitan
| Hotel, where he locked himself n his room,
| fearing 10 show his head to a chance OF recog-
| milton either by az accidental old scqnaint-
| aDce. Or, worse yet, provost marshal. Oar
| ing the night he tried 70 consider what
would be tue outcome OF bis expedition, and
the conclusion was anything bat hopeful.
| Arising from his tlsepless bed in the morn
| ing, ne thought over the situation again, and
| finally determined that he would 'face the
music" without further delay and end the
| suspense. So at Is early an hour as he could
| gain sdmittance TO the White House he
| cornered himself out of the hotel and into q
hack and proceeded To make his venture.
Arriving at the Executive Mansion be
wrote his name on a card and sent il TO the
| President IN avery few moments the usher