Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1897-05-22
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HIS FIRST LOVE.
President Johnson's Courtship of Miss
Sarah Word.

President Johnson's Courtship of Miss
Sarah Word.
Three-quarters Of century ago, in
the little village of Laurens, in the
state of South Carolina, there lived
and labored at the tailor's trade a
young man who was destined to play
an important part in the affairs of this
nation. Of humble origin, and having
had practically no educational advant.
ages, he had in his character the ele-
ments of true manhood, and by force
of brain power and ability attained
the highest position of honor and
trust in the republic.
Andrew Johnson left his home in
North Carolina by reason of some
trouble with his employer, and went
to the then ultra.exclusive and aristo-
cratic village of Laurens. He had no
influential family connections, and was
as poor as the traditional church
mouse, his worldly possessions consist
ing only of the clothes he wore. To
one acquainted with the social condi-
tions of the ante-bellum south, the
difficulties incident to obtaining recog-
milton by man handicapped as John
son was can be readily imagined.
The sterling worth of the young tailor,
however, made itself felt, and demand
ed the admiration and respect soon
accorded him even by those who were
wont to consider one not to the manner
born deserving of but condescending
notice.
Soon after reaching Laurens, john
son secured a position in a tailoring
establishment, and this he held with
perfect satisfaction to his employers
until his return to his North Carolina
home. He was a painstaking laborer,
and took commendable pride in doing
his work as perfectly as possible. A
coat cut, fitted, and made by johnson
is still in existence. 1t was made for
Colonel Henry G. Young, a prominent
lawyer and politician of upper Caro-
lima, and is now treasured by his de-
scendants as one of their most pre-
cious possessions. The fact that the
coat is still in a good state of preser-
vation may possibly be taken as an
evidence of the excellence and dura-
bility of the work.
Johnson's stay at Laurens, brief as
it was, marked very important epoch
in his life. 1t was there that he met
his first love, Miss Sarah Word, a
charming young woman of education
and refinement, who saw in the modest
and retiring young journeyman tailor,
a man of character and strength and
promise. Johnson's regard for Miss
Word was reciprocated, and the young
people entered into an engagement to
marry. They were thrown constantly
in each others society, and the future
president of the United States once as
sisted his fancee in laying, stuffing
and quilting quilt. This quilt is now
owned by Mrs. J. F. Bolt, of Laurens,
granddaughter of Miss Word, who
subsequently married William Hance.
On either end. of the quilt are Miss
Words initials, S. w." which were
made, stuffed and quilted by johnson,
unassisted. The enthuiastic young
lover was very desirous of placing his
own initials beside those of his sweet
heart, but this Miss Word would not
permit. This quilt was on exhibition
at the Atlanta exposition and attract
ol ,,onnh offopfinn
The irresistible tendency that young
men in love have to carve their sweet
hearts names on everything movable
and immovable in their immediate
vicinity was not wanting in johnson:
On the back of an old split-bottomed
chair he engraved the inscription
rs. W.-182O." 1t is needless to say
that it was the chair in which Miss
Word was accustomed to sit on the
porch of her home. This chair is now
in the possession of Mrs. Bolt.
Having satisfactorily adjusted the
trouble with his former employer in
North Carolina, Johnson decided to
return and resume his place. Before
leaving Laurens, as token of his af-
fectionate regard, he gave to Miss
Word his dearest possession, the goose
with which he had worked at his trade.
This act shows the tender simplicity
of the young tailor. He had no false
pride about the matter. He was leav-
ing the woman he loved for an indefi-
mite time, and, not ashamed of his
lowly calling, gave her something that
would be a constant reminder of him
and his work. After leaving Laurens
differences arose between Miss Word
and Johnson, and their engagement
was terminated; but the tailor's goose
was never returned, and is now owned
by Mrs. Bolt, and valued above price
on account of its romantic history.
Miss Word rejected the tailor, and