The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-03-19

of the rapid strides of the disease He
continued to 5roW worse until the end
came. At the time Of his death, Capt
Johnson was fully conscious. He was
surrounded by the immediate members
Of his family, his wife and four-year-
old son, his brothers, DR.. r. W. John
son, Of the army medical corps, and H
w. Johnson, treasurer of the Winona
& Southwestern.
With the passing Of Capt. Johnson
there goes another figure from the
group Of younger army officers who
gained distinction in the United States
army. Capt. Johnson came from a gal
! liant family. His father, now veneer
able but hearty man. was a soldier
before him. In fact, Alfred Johnson
and his brothers were born within the
army barracks and inherited the love of
martial life He first saw the light of
day at Fort Terrett Tex, Feb. II. 1853.
He possessed vigorous brain and ear
! ly displayed the qualities which make
a soldier. He graduated from Knox
college in 1872 and stood high In his
studies. From 1872 until 1875 he was
in business with his father in ST. Paul.
Alfred always wanted to go into the
army, but his mother discouraged him
In his desire. However, when he be-
came of age, he quietly applied to the
secretary Of war for an appointment.
One day Alfred showed his father
letter from the secretary acknowledge
ing the application. This was the first
news that the family had Of the young
mans intention Of becoming a soldier.
Gen. Johnson told his son that, if he
really intended going into the army,
! that the best way to secure an appoint
! ment was to go straight to Washing
ton and see the president. Gen. John
son gave his son a letter of introduce
ton to Secretary Of the Treasury Bri3-
| toe, who, in turn, gave the young man
! letter to President Grant. The young
man waited his turn in the ante room.
! The caller who had just preceded him
was George G. Childs After the latter
had concluded his call, the president
| received young Johnson, who presented
| his letter.
johnson, Johnson repeated the
| president. Where are you from, young
MANI"
From St Paul" was the reply
do you know Gen. Dick Johnson"
| asked the president
The young man informed the preSi-
| dent that Dick Johnson was his father.
| the sturdy straight form before him,
! and, without a word, picked up the
| card that George G. Childs had left
upon the table and wrote an order to
! the secretary of war to appoint the
young man second lieutenant.
Lieut.. Johnson was attached to the
| Seventh infantry. In 1878 he mar
ried Miss Katheren Smyth of st. Paul,
and two daughters and one son were
born to them.
Lieut. Johnson was appointed first
lieutenant in 1882, and last October was
appointed captain in the Fourteenth
| infantry by President Cleveland.
Capt. Johnson served in the Sitting
Bull campaign and was but a days
march behind Custer when the latter
with his command were massacred by
! the Sioux Much of the captains serV
ice was in Montana. Finally, he was
| ordered on duty with headquarters at
Fort Smelling, where he served for four
! years as aide-de-camp. Subsequent to
this he served as adjutant of the Sew
enth infantry for four years. Two
years ago Capt. Johnson was detailed
as government inspector of the Min
| nesota National Guard. and Immediate
ly jumped high in popular favor.
Capt Johnson possessed fine mil
/ tary bearing and was every inch
| soldier. He was a strict disciplinarian,
| but he was universally loved by those
under his command. He possessed
in an equal degree the confidence and
! esteem of his superior officers. He was
a gentleman of the most refined attain
| mentS.
The remains left San Antonio and
arrive in St. Paul in about three days.
Prior to his death, Capt. Johnson ex-
! pressed the desire that his funeral be
| conducted by the Minnesota National
Guard, and that as many of that or
ganiZation as possible attend his OBJ
sequies. 1t is understood that the de-
ceased selected his own bearers
George G. Squires is arranging the
| details of the funeral and 1t is expected
that the members of the guards from
the Twin Cities and surrounding cities
will do honor to their inspector and
friend by attending in large numbers.
daughter Of the deceased, who l.
now attending school in New Yorl
city, will arrive in the city today.