Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-12-14

second war with England began. There
were only seventeen States I'm the Union,
with q population OF about seven and a
half millions and bold Adventures were
beginning to cross the Mississippi and
settle I'm the vast Louisiana territory that
Jefferson had added TO our domain in
1893. About twenty years were TO go by
before the first railway was to be built,
and more than thirty before Morse could
perfect the electro ma gnetic telegraph.
Captain Johnson in these ninety years
has seen the most momentOus changes
take place in all parts of the world. En-
pires havs risen and fallen, and the ways
Of the world have been wonderfully
changed.
HE WAS A BLOCKADE RUNNER.
Captain Johnson was born Of good and
substantial parents, who left him an In
herltance of honesty and industry that
enabled him to make a comfortable com
potency and win the esteem of all his
neighbors He early took TO the sea and
became a skilful navigator, having, like
the sailor in Chaucer, had his beard
shaken by many a tempest. During the
civil war, he. with the late Revell Evans,
and others, from the Eastern shore, used
10 run the blockade between that region
and Richmond, bringing cargoes of goods
and medicines that could be secured
within the Confederate lines. They used
to make the old SpotswOod Hotel their
headquarters while they were in this
city. and many OF the older citizens OF
Richmond will doubtless recall the visits
of these daring blockade runners.
Captain Johnson has been twice mar
RED, and by his first marriage had six
oil. u
has a numerous progeny Of grand and
great-grandchildren OF whim he is justly
proud
Besides owning several valuable farms.
he possesses more houses and more land
in the town of OnancOCk than any other
man. His home stands on the banks OF
Onancock creek. and near by are an
chored his boats, I'm which In good
weather he makes excursions to the Tan
gier Island. and sometimes to the west
ern shore Of the Chesapeake bay, where
two of his children live.
OCTOGENARIAN PALL-BEARERs.
An event occurred last summer that
illustrates the wonderful longevity OF the
Eastern Shore people. General Milton
wellington West, who resided near the
ancient village Of Pungoteague, died in
the Sjth year of his age. and was buried
IN the cnulcuYdfu OF bil ~. dtoIBt >
church, which was built az the village in
the time Of Charles IL. According 10 a
request made before his death tho follow
Ing gentlemen-all the friends of his
yOuth-acted as pall-bearers: Captain
Thomas Johnson, aged So; John w. Tank
ard, aged 81; Henry y. Nelson. aged s.;
John j. Blackstone. aged 81; DR.. Arthur
Watson. Dr. oswald b. Finney, and Hon.
John w. II. Parker, each so years Of age.
As these venerable men stood around the
grave of their dead friend and listened
TO the impressive burial service Of the
Episcopal Church, one who was present
remarked that probably nowhere else IN
this country could such an assemblage Of
old men be brought together from SO
small a district-all having lived close
together, and having been friends from
childhood.
MAY REACH A CENTURY.
Captain Johnson, the oldest OF them
all. Is still wonderfully vigorous for a
man Of his years, and from present indi-
cations the kindly fates may prolong the
thread Of his life till he celebrates the
centennial anniversary Of his birth. lie
still manages his extensive business mat
! tiers. takes a lively interest in public
affairs and is an ardent admirer of the
ladies' He has hosts of friends who will
unite in wishing him many more years of
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