San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1890-11-06
In NIenorlan.

In Memoriam.
Thomas Johnson, who departed this
life on last Monday, November Bird, 1890,
in this city, was a man Unmarked charac-
teristics. and whose life of nearly four
score and eight years was full of incl
dent. Though for the last eight years of
his life relieved from all active participa-
ton in business, Mr.. JohnSon's business
years cover ed fully the allotted span of
human life, three score and ten years, as
he took matters into his own hand before
he was ten years OF age, and became his
own master.
Thomas johnson was born in Philadel-
phia, Pa, April 9th, 1903, and was near
ing the close of his SSth year
when the summons. came TO him,
which sooner or later comes to
all. At ID years of age, four years after
running away from home, he entered as a
musician in the United States army.
Falling under the eye of General Worth,
who discovered signs of unusual promise
in the lad, he was taken under his charge
and sent to West Point. Running away
from the scholastic discipline of that post,
young johnson returned to his regiment
and was a second time sent to West Point.
Returning to his regiment second time
without leave, he was put into the ranks,
a muSket shortened to suit his small pro-
portions, and he was drilled in the man
ual. For forty years with varying for
tunes, as private. on-commissioned Off
Ger and sergeant of marines, Thomas
johnson served his country, visiting
nearly every port in both hemispheres
and taking active part in the
Black Hawk, Florida and Mexican wars.
Was wounded in the left leg in an action
with the SeminOles, and carried the
evidence of it to the end of his eventful
life, in the shape of a shortened leg.
His first visit was made to Texas in
1889, but he did not settle permanently in
the state until the close of the Mexican
war when he came to San Antonio, and
was for some time here in charge ofU S. ar
Senal stores, at what was then Powder hill
station. In February 1851 he married
Mrs. Mccormick by whom he had six child
rem, three of whom survive with his wild
ow to mourn the loss of one who was al
ways man among men, and did his duty
bravely and well. The remaining child
rem are VIM. II. now of Corpus Christi
and Mrs. Lottie E. Mooney and
Matte &. Norton, both of this city,
retired from army life, and engaged in
trade in this city. Here and at Fort
Stockton he conducted mercantile busi-
ness for over thirty years, and at one time
had amaSSed handsome property, only
to see it swept away by fortunes reverse
until at his death his homestead and his
pensions were all that remained.
Mr.. johnson was a man of herculean
frame and great physical endurance. He
was never sick during the first four-score
and six years of his life. Never had a
headache, and was strong man until
about four or i've years age. He was tall,
standing over six feet in his stockings,
spare, broadshouldered, wiry, and man
OF indomitable courage, will and endu-
rance.
His scholarship was limited, but his mind
was well trained. He had read very ex-
tensively. He was keen observer, and
an excellent narrator of events. His con-
verSatiOn was most interesting. His life
was an open book in whose rich expert
ences were written volume of travel,
incident, perilouS adventure, historic
events, and personal narrative, charming
ly original and intensely graphic. Some
three years since his oversight failed him,
and the printed page, which had been his
solace and companion for scores of years,
was lost to him. With loss of sight, came
loss of interest in life, and for the past
year he was simply waiting his summons.
He was rare man, and only those who
had intimate knowledge of his minds
workings knew how fully his mind and
marvellous memory were a fountain of
instruction to his friends. He sleeps now,
after his long life, peacefully and quietly.
His end was peace. No pains aSSailed
him, but his undermined and enfeebled
forces waned to inanition, his pulse slowed
down to sluggishness, the wheels of life
stood still, and one of natures sons, and
true man and noble minded one, was
dead. As in life he never turned his face
from friend or foe, so in death, he faced
his mortal foe and died as man dies.
Peace to his ashes