The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-09-24

VI several flOntnS.
Richard Malcolm Johnston was born
near Powellton Hancock county, Georgia,
on March s, 1920 After receiving such
schooling as the neighborhood AFFORDED ne
entered Mercer University, then located at
Pennfeld. in lS41. He graduated with the
first honors of his class. After teaching
school for a year he studied law ano was
admitted to the bar in lS43.
In 1857 he was offered the judgeship o.
the Northern circuit of the state, and the
presidency of Mercer University He de-
cined both offers and accepted the pro-
fessorship of Bellies Letters in the Georgia
State University. He held this position
until the breaking out of the war, He
then left Athens and opened the famous
Rockby School for Boys on his farm three
miles from Sparta, Hancock county. lie
had about forty boys in this school, which
was kept up during the whole OF the war
At the close of the war he removed to
Baltimore and established the noted Penn
Lucy School for Boys at Chestnut Hill,
about two miles north Of Baltimore. This
school was named In honor Of his daugh-
ter. Lucy Davenport, who died In Geor-
gla. For many years the Georgia poet
Sidney Lanier was associated with him In
conducting this school Mr.. Lauier was
professor of mathematics. While at
Penn Lucy, Richard Malcolm Johnston
DtENn WlillnB tle SlOiltS WiiNi Nl1Nf ititl
famous He began this literary work af-
ter he was 50 years OF age Ii was Sidney
Lanier who induced him to publish these
stories, says a recent biographer in the
Atlanta Journal. His first efforts were
successful and the work Of story writing
grew on him so that a few years after
beginning Il he discontinued the Penn
Lucy School and devoted his time, exclus-
lively, to authorship, and to delivering
lectures TO the senior classes or johns
Hopkins University and the Notre Dame
School, the celebrated Catholic Institution.
OF Baltimore.
He has written in all more than 100 sto-
ries, the majority Of which have appeared
in book form. '"rhe Dukesborough Tales.
under the pseudouym Of Philemon Perch,
appeared ia 1S7I-1Ss3. "Old Mark Lang
ston," novel in 1884; 1.-TWO Gray Tour
sts." novel. in 1885; MIR Absalom Bill
ngs and Other Georgia Folk" Ia 1888.
Among his other well-known works are
1.-THE Primes ard Their Neiehbors" and
widow Guthrie" a novel
Perhaps his most important literary
work Is a book called "rhe English Class
les" an historical ana critical work on
English literature. 1t was prepared by
him for publication while professor In the
University Of Georgia After removing to
Baltimore he got William Hand Brown
10 add TO the book by bringing II down
TO the lime of Tennyson and other COM
temporary writer's. He gave Mr., Brown q
half interest IN the ownership Of this adj
rairable work. This book is used as text
book in the higher classes OF most Of the
colleges and universities of the Northern
and Eastern states
While Richard Malcolm Johnson was
best known as a literary man, he was also
one of the finest musicians in the country.
As a performer on the flute he had no
superior. Many of the distinguished fam
lilies OF Georgia will remember his most
delightful music when accompanied by his
accomplished wife on the piano, She was
equally proficient on that Instrument as
the celebrated author on the flute.
In conjunction with William Hand
Brown Mr. Johnson wrote the Life Of
Alexander H. Stephens" which was pub
llshed in 1878. OF this fine biography the
New York Nation, a. high authority, said:
THE writers of Mr.. Stephens biography
performed their portion Of the work cred
itably. They have kept themselves In the
back ground and allowed their hero to tell
his own story in his own way"
Mr.. Stephens was not only greatly
pleased and gratihed with the work, but
was very proud OF the book. He told
his frends that he wanted this book to
be regarded as his biography. Richard
Malcolm Johnson went to school with
both Alexander II. Stephens and his
brother, Linton stephens, and as boys,
a warm friendship was formed between
these remarkable men-which lasted up to
their death
OF the eleven children Of the famous
author there were five sons and six daugh-
ters OF the boys, Malcolm and Arthur
are dead. The living sons are Mr.. Albon
Johnston-who holds an important position
with the Central Railroad at Savannah;
Mr.. Richard Johnston, who Is the city
editor of the Birmingham Evening News
and Mr.. Lucian Johnston, the youngest
who is a Catholic priest at Hagerstown,
Nd His living daughters are Mrs. W.
g. Charlton Of Savannah. Mrs. Ward Of
New York, and Misses Ruth and Effie
Johnston. who were with their father in
Baltimore; Miss Lucy Davenport John
ston died before the family left Georgia.
and Miss Amy Johnston died in Baltimore.
FATAL NINE EXPLOSION.