The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-05-23
JoHNsON's CHARACTER.
1t Is Discussed by IL Number of Late
Residents of LOgansport.

Deputy Marshal Taylor went 10 Logans-
port yesterday and placed Banker Johnson
under arrest. He was unable to give bail
last night and was expected to arrive here
on the early morning train.
The defaulting president of the State
National Bank of Logansport was the sub
ject Of a conversation last night among
a number of former Logansport residents
who now live in this city. 1t was agreed
that there never was a man, unless it was
Mr.. Johnson's father, who came nearer
having the entire confidence and respect
of the community. Said one of the gentle
men:
Johnnie Johnson was man of a thou
sand. He attended strictly to business, and
was regarded as one of the most conserv-
ative and safest business men in the city.
AS a matter of fact he was all this out
wardly and as such he he did more to inn
prove and build up the city than any in
dividuaI of the number Of enterprising citi-
zens during the last decade. Notwithstand-
ing he has probably become a defaulter he
has my hearty sympathy, and should have
that of every citizen of Logansport as
citizens. The private losses of individuals
who were depositors in the bank or who
blindly loaned Johnson their money makes
them feel indignant. But there are thou
sands of people who can recall times when
Johnnie Johnson helped them through
financial difficulties, and many Of them
were probably thus saved from being in the
same boat that Johnson now is in.
He was an exemplary man in his busi-
ness social and domestic life. He lived on
West Market street, across the Eel river,
in a comfortable but not extrayagant home.
1t was rather plain than otherwise. He
could always be found at the bank during
business hours, and the rest of his time
was spent with his Wife and daughter, a
child seven years old His wife is a daugh-
ter of George II. Prescott, of Terre Haute.
He never came over into the city during
the evening unless accompanying his wife
look over the books of his hardware store,
the management of which was in other
hands
His downfall doubtless came about
of years ago, when he was a young man.
il is reported that Johnson speculated and
make a big strike. The rumor is that he
hit the Toledo grain market for about
$35 600. AT any rate, he suddenly seemed
to come into large amount of money. and
went into the grain business with his father
in Logansport. They conducted a legitimate
business, and seemed to prosper. The sue
cess of Johnnie on the board of trade did
not seem to act as II usually does with
young men. He seemed satisfied to let well
enough alone, and it was not known if he
made further attacks upon the margins.
AT the time he went into the grain busi-
ness his father, William II. Johnson, was
president of the Logansport National Bank.
John c. Ingram, now of Indianapolis, was
cashier. About ten years ago Ingram left
National John F.. Johnson was made
cashier, and at the death of his father
about five years ago, was elected president.
1t Is an awful blow TO the community, for
when a man like Johnnie johnson goes
wrong people almost have a right to lose
faith in humanity.