Birmingham state herald., 1896-02-09

N. C., where the celebra ted Mecklenberg declaration of independence was promul- gated. He was reared in an atmosphere of patriotism. His grandfather led reg iment in the battle of Kings mountain. He springs from line of fighters for lib- erty. His father died before he reached ,his teens, and his life has been one of self-he1p. He is what you might call self-educated and self-made man. Stern necessity has woven self-reliance into the mental and moral warp and wool of his being. At 16 years of age, in 1850, we find him farming in Shelby county, Ala bama. The next year, 1861, he enlists as private in company l, Eighteenth Ala bama regiment, commanded by the gifted and gallant Bullock of Barbour county, and he rapidly rose to the captaincy of his company. He was wounded four times during the war. Had his right arm broken at Chickamauga: was left for dead on the battlefield in Early's cam- pagn in the Valley of Virginia. Some soldiers detailed to bury the dead found his mangled form gasping for life and put him in the hospital near by for treat ment. The old vets and their sons have great admiration for the heroic qualities of such a man, and have decided to put him in the capitol at Montgomery for the good of the democratic party and the state of Alabama. After the war was over Captain Johnston returned to Ala bama penniless, but not hopeless. As clerk in the law office of Gen. w. H. For ney at Jacksonville, Ala, he thus made his expenses and read law and was ad- mitted to the bar in 1S66 Then he locat- ed in Selma and began the practice Of his profession and his services to the democratic party. He was for years chairman of the democratic executive committee of Dallas county. and was chairman of the congressional commit tee of the Fourth district and managed ty,a ,o for, in, that da rJ< district when. contrary to all expectations, General Shelley was first elected to congress. He endured with those noble people or the black belt the galling despotism Of seal awag and carpet-bag rule and worked with them through these trying times to bright days In 1884 he located in Bir- mingham to become president of the Ala bama National bank, capitalized at $5O0,- 000-the largest national bank In the state. This institution he conducted safe ly and satisfactory to his associates until he resigned in 1894. In the meantime he was president of the Sloss Steel and Iron company, capitalized at 5000, ,OOO-the largest iron manufacturing company in the state except one. While at the neao of this great enterprise he was thrown in close relations with hundreds or min CTS and mechanics during his administra- ton of its affairs. No disturbance and disagreement arose between capital and labor He knows from practical experl- ence the cost and value of labor and raw material and what is a fair return for in- vested capital. In full touch and sympa- thy with the farmers, the miners and the mechanics, and knowing the necessity for capital to develop our resources. he IS happily qualified by experience to direct and protect the rights and claims of all classes of our citizens and all industrial interests, and will no doubt be the peo- ple's choice for governor.-Jacksonvill Republican.