The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-12-05
Mr.. ALBERT JOHNSON
RAN THE FIRST LOCOMOTIVE IN
NORTH CAROLINA
HAS LIVED IN RALEIGH SIXTY YEARS
A Model of His Engine, the Tornado" Was
Exhibited Here During the Centen'
NAL, and Later at the Atlanta
Exposition.

Exposition.
The oldest engineer in America and the
first man to run a railroad engine in
North Carolina died yesterday.
He was also the oldest citizen in Raj
eigh and one of the most beloved and
highly respected. No man was ever more
closely associated with the city and its
history, having been a resident Of it for
nearly sixty years.
MIR. Albert johnson passed away at
his home on Hillsboro street shortly af-
ter 8 o'clock yesterday morning, IN his
S4th year.
The end was caused by heart failure
and came suddenly. Mr.. Johnson had
been sick only two days, and even up
to the moment of his death his illness
was not considered serious. The doctor
called and told Mr.. Johnson just before
leaving him that he was getting along
well. Ten minutes later the spirit Of
this venerable man was in eternity.
The Incidents in the life of this yeter-
an railway man are most interesting.
He was born in Virginia in 1913, but
came to Raleigh in 1886. Except for a
short absence from the city soon after
that, he has lived here continuously ever
since.
1t was about this time that he became
connected with the Raleigh and CASTOR
Railroad, the first railway built in the
State, and in 1889, when the first Ell
CINE was run on this road from Weldon
to Raleigh, Mr.. johnson was the en-
gineer.
Of this Mr.. johnson was very proud
in his last years-being the Oldest rail-
road engineer in the world. He made a
model of his engine, the Tornado"
which was shown at the Centennial here
in 1892 and later exhibited at the At
lanta EXP. lt.o4.
Soon after the completion of the Raj
eigh and CASTOR Railroad, Mr.. Johnson
became its master mechanic, and was
lated made superintendent of the line
from Raleigh to Weldon. This position
he held until after the close of the war,
when was succeeded by the late Maj.
John G. Winder. Mr.. Johnson then ac-
cepted the superintendency of the North
Carolina Railroad and served in this
capacity for several years at the shops,
i'm Burlington. Returning to Raleigh he
was rendered a subordinate position by
Major Winder, at the Raleigh and Gas
ton shops here. This place he held until
after Major Winder's death few years
ago.
Altogether Mr.. Johnson was in the SER
vice of the Raleigh and CASTOR and
Seaboard Airline for over 80 years
and when he was retired was placed on
pension by the Railroad Company.
Mr.. Johnson also served the public in
numerous capacities. He has been an
alderman of this city, a director in the
North Carolina Railroad, trustee of the
Institution for the Deaf Dumb and the
Blind and at the time of his death was
keeper of weights and measures for the
State.
| He was probably the oldest Mason in
| the State, and was always a leading
spirit in every object of charity which
came before the lodges He joined
Hiram Lodge No. 40 in 1S43, and in
1S47 he united with Raleigh chapter
No. 10. He retained his active men,
bership in both of these up to the day
of his death. Some months ago he ex-
pressed desire, when the end should
come, to be buried with Masonic hon.
os
Mr.. Johnson had never connected
himself with any church in this city. but
was a faithful Christian and welded
great influence for good among those
with whom he was associated. Among
all classes sympathy is expressed for his
wife and children, and many were the
kind words spoken.
| 1t was in 1884, sixty-fve years ago,
Mr.. Johnson married a Miss Bromley,
of Washington, d. G. His wife sur
wives him, being SO years old. They
were the oldest married couple living in
Raleigh. Three children survive, all of
them widows: Mrs. w. r. Richardson,
Mrs. Pattie Andrews and Mrs. Bellamy,
ali of whom reside in this city.
Among his grandchildren, some are in
Atlanta, and in Washington City, and
three are in this city: Miss Lizzie
Bellamy, who teaches in the public
schools; Mrs. Ell. III. Croker and Mr.
Walter Richardson, telegraph operator
in the service of the Western Union
Telegraph company.
| Upright and honorable In all his deal
ings with his fellow man; tender and
thoughtful in his domestic life; faithful
to his friends, attentive to duty and
true to every trust reposed in him-Mr
Johnson was honored, respected and
loved.
The funeral services will be held this
afternoon at O'Clock from the First
Baptist church, and the deceased will
be buried with Masonic honors
The pail bearers named are as follows:
=. Il. Lacy. J. A. sriggs, r. II. Brad
| ley, w. S. Primrose, Charles Kfupper-
berg, Joyas Mathews, j. +. Cuthrell,
| w. L. Harden. Rev. A. NJ. Simms,
pastor of the Tabernacle church and a
prominent member of the same lodge,
will officiate.
| After the services in the church the
remains will be conveyed to lakewood
cemetery, where the interment will take
place.
pao,1nr;+w oonoaa o,,;oI,I,v 30 A. x~.-