Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-07-03
ANDY JOHNSON'S TOAST.
His Barber Lives in Indianapolis and Tells
Some Interesting Stories of Him.

His Barber Lives in Indianapo1is and Tells
Some Interesting Stories of Him.
History is not altogether written in
books nor carried in the minds of savants.
The sources of historical information are
varied.
For instance, says the indianapolis News,
one may get an idea of the character of
President Andy Johnson from talk with
his barber, who happens to live In this
city, and is none other than George l..
Keeble, one of the proprietors of the Y. M.
G. A. barber shop.
Il might have been the first free colored
man to be married in the White House, y
said George, "but | was not willing to
wait until we could 60 from Nashville to
Washington. 1t happened this way:
my wife was Mrs. Johnson maid. She
waited on the front door of the Johnson
mansion, and was very affectionately
treated by the family.
''When Governor Johnson went to
Washington, knowing that | was wait
ing on Mrs. johnson maid, we were ask
ed to go along and be married at the CAPT.
tai.
THE circumstances of my counting were
unusual. One day | was walking past
the governors house, when l saw cap
tain in the army we'll known at Nashville
walk up to Mr.. johnson, who was in the
yard and begin to use abusive language.
Among other things | remember he
called Johnson "a traitor. Johnson fired
up in an instant.
His right hand and arm were paralyzed
With bis left he str lex out briskly, and
tumbled the captain down upon the grass.
After that guards were placed about the
premises with instructions to exclude all
persons not having passes.
This interfered somewhat with the
other young fellows, who were, like myself,
paying attention to Mrs. Johnson's maid
But it helped me.
The maid at the front door told the
guards to admit me, and by the time the
governor was ready to go to Washington
| had prosecuted my courtship to success
full result
How did Mr.. johnson conduct himself
towards the coIored people?"
He was free and easy with US. For in
stance, he would come down to my barber
shop of a morning. and about the first re-
mark would be: We'll, George, do you
know where can find a good mint julep?'
Il generally knew where to find one,
and he would always invite me over to try
the liquor with him. In drinking we
would generally propose toast, and this
was the most common one: God bless the
white folks and the Lord save the niggers. !"
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