Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-02-28
HON. J. W JOHNSTON.
pTArR Yesterday or THIS DIsTfN.
eUIsHED GENTLEMAN.
ststeh Of His Lifs-cireuit Court Judge and
United states senator-The
Funeral.

hls home, No. i0T First street, at 40 O'Clock
Yesterday morning.
A. Commonwealth attorney, State sen.
story circuit Judge. and a senator In the
Consress Of toe United states he had served
Vi. country with ability and fidelity. Far
and vide he was known aud everywhe
q recognized - pure and upright gentleman.
V,ryinia neVer bad son more devoted TO
her Interests. or one whose heart was more
firmly welded to her history and traditions.
THE soHSsTOSs.
Tho founder Of this family In Virginia was
Peter Johnston, ScOichman. who lived In
Prince Edward. and who gave 10 Himpden-
sidney lbe land upon which the college was
buili.
peter Johnston, a son Of this settler, be.
cane member OF the Rouse OF Delegates,
and was Speaker Of the body az the time the
famous resolutions OF 17DS and 1893 were
passed. Ills service in tnat body made q
great name for hlm, aud he and Judge
Rrockenbrougb were elected judges at the
same iine-tbe former for The Prince Ed
ward circuit. or district, and the latter for
tie Abingdon district.
An EXCHANGE.
Ia those days Southwestern Virginia was
slmost wilderness aud Judge Broken
hrough did not fancy frontier life, while
Jndge Johnston did. So they exchanged
paces snd Judge Johnston went 10 the
Southwest. Une OF his sons wss Dr. John
W. Johnston, father OF the deceased.
COLLEGE LFE.
The subject OF this sketch received bis early
education at the Abingdon Academy. an in-
stitulion OF more thqu local celebrity. and
having been prepared for college at the age
Of fifteen, mounted his horse, aloDe and al
together unattended, and set OF for the
University Of South Carolina. His course
was along the French Broad.
Coming OF family distinguished in atb-
letic games and Geld sports, himself the best
rifIe.shot in all his country, his lonely ride
through the lnyeheSt land on tins continent
made an ineffacable impression and planted
in his breast a remarkable love OF nature.
Graduating 10 south aroino, ne returned
20 Virginia, entered the law school at The
University, and in due time had It's d.
ploma aud with It went back to Southwest
Virginia, there TO practice bis profession.
POLITICAL.
Young Johnston settled at Jacksonville,
the couuty-seat OF TAzcWell, and succeeded
IN life well.
Al TWENTY-FIVE he married Miss Floyd
sister Of Jobu Is. and u. Rush Floyd-who
survives bin. He served the county As
Commonwealth attorney and the Senate
rial district az a member Of the senate, and
was one OF the nineiceu Democrats who pre-
ferred r. M. 4. Hunter 10 Extra Billy "
Smith for United StStcs senator, aud who
succeeded in electing blr. Hunter
TIE WAR.
During the war Mr.. Johnston served the
Confederacv rs receiver under the acts OF
Congress cOnfscatiDg ne property OF aliens,
and In his administration showed such good
sense, tempered with such discretion aud
mercy, tnat he made friends where many
oihe's would have created only enemies.
There were two good reasons Tor his not
entering the ormy. lie hadn't the health and
strength fox soldier life, and he had family
OF twelve children dependent upon him Tor
support.
HOW M CANE 10 DE JUDGE
In 1867 or 1865 MIR. Johuston, then being q
resident Of Abingdon, was made circuit
Judge by order Of General Candy.
The way he became eligible was curious.
In charge Of the Freedmen's Bureau at
Abingdon was Captain O'NelL
one day n pcgro WAS taken sick upon one
~ the streets Of the town. MIR. Johnston
had him carried TO his (Johnston's) premises
and there tended. The sick man grew worse.
Johnston bad physician Tor him and nurses
to take care OF him. When the negro died
MIR. Johnston had him buried.
This tenderness to one who hadn't the
slightest eiaim upon the kindness Of MI.
Johnston excited the astOnshment and
aroused tn. admiration Of the warm-hearled
Irish captlin who was cOgniZant OF all the
facts. and who at once wrote a letter to his
own Representative. tho Hon. w. ID. Kelly.
and MIR. Kelly moved for the removal OF Mr.
.IohnstOn's disabilities.
The reading OF the Captains letter caused
the motion 10 be carried, and 1t followed
that Mr. Johnston became one OF the lew
men In the State who, being unable to take
the lron-clad oath, yet could hold Office
JUDGE.
Soon Afterwards General Candy, casting
h,s ewes shout for a suitable man for Judge,
selected MIR. Johnston.
The people knew Mr.. Johnston; knew
that be was able. upright, kiud-hearted, aod
loval 10 the old state, and they begged him
10 accent. Under these circumstances he
did accept ana be WAS on the bench admin
isterlng eyen.hanGed justice when, in 1869,
Virginia was readmit;ed to the Union.
SENATOR.
When tho General Assembly met in Rich
mond after the election OF Gilbert {. Walker
n had TWO senators to elcct-on for the full
term OF six years; one for the short term,
less than two years.
After great csnvsssing Of names John +.
Lewis, of Rockingham. and John w. Jotn-
sion, Of Washington county, were chosen,
and II was arranged that tue former should
have the full term and the latter The snert
term.
Twice Senator johnson was reelected.
al haI IN
control of the Legislature IN 1879 and again
in 1881. he was succeeded by Ii. H. Riddle
berger.
In the senate Judge Johnston bad the re-
spect of both sides. lie rarely claimed the
floor TO speak, hut when he did he was
heard sttentivey. He spoke 10 the point
clearly and perSuasiyey, aud was able to be
of vast service in defending our cause. lie
was generally on important committees ana
in the DAYS OF Democratic ascendancy was
the chsirman OF several.
Colorel Wthers was his colleague for
msuy wears; tue Colonel was put out to msko
room Tor Malone. and two years later Sena'
tor Johnston had TO yield his seat 10 Riddle
berger.
Returning 10 private life Judge Johnston
lived aud practieed law for = time in wash
inciou. ID. C., but for seyeTsl years past las
been a resident OF Richmond. His home
was on the east side OF First street petweeh
Cary and Canal.
DISEASE AND DEATH.
AT various times IN his life Judge John
ston had had severe illnesses; SO II IL estl'
mated that duriug his married life OF MY
years he had spent two years IN beds oil SICK
ness.
Nine weeks ago he wa. taken down with
ailments which eliminated "a pneumonia,
and for week or two past bis life had been
despaired OF
lie was conscious 10 within three hours
OF the end, and knew perfectly well that ht
was about 10 die. strong In talth; snee,
tioaate and loving to wife sud children and
an near him, With tho dawn Of new day
ms spirit entered upon n new life; while
his household became household OF sorrow
FAMILY.
Deceased was nephew OF General Joseph
.Tohpgfon.