New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-03-09
OBITUARY.
ROBERT A. JOHNSON.


Robert A. Johnson. who was for several years
connected with The Tribune and was at the time
OF his death managing editor OF The Newtown
Register" died suddenly at o'clock yesterday
morning In the Long Island College Hospital.
Brooklyn His death was complete surprise 10
his family the first intlmation they received OF
II was through a paragraph in one Of yesterday
papers. Mr.. Johnson left his home. at No. 'si
Dean-st on Tuesday morning. apparently In per-
feet health and performed his duties at his once
usual during the day At o'clock he started
home by trolley and az Classon-ave. transferred 70
n Greenpolnt car Mr. Johnsons custom was 70
leave this car M the street nearest his home. but
he remained on the car until It reached the South
Ferry Tho other passengers left the car. and u
was about 20 start on It's return trip when me
conductor noticed him sitting motionless and
touched him on the shoulder thinking no was
asleep.
lie was found 70 be unconscious. and an anou-
lance call was sent out and responded 10 by the
Long Island College Hospital He was taken into
the hospital AT $50 o'clock and after several con-
yulsions died o'clock the next morning u was
not known what caused his death and Mr. John-
sons family who had been in a state OF anxiety
throughout the night. but had not been aoie 10
learn anything OF him until yesterday noon were
told that an autopsy would be held caro- was
found IN his nooket referring TO The Newtown
Register" and In this way his identity was learned
Mr. Johnson was for almost half his HE news
paper man. He born on the Island OF ia
rnalca in September 1926. and his father was
wealthy planter In 1855 he a member OF the
Jamaica LEGISLATURE and was Of the few men
who sided with the mulatto Gordon who was also
n member Of the legislature at that time, IN MS
fight for the rights OF the coored men He was
also said 10 be the only man In Jamaica VINO sym
pathized with the North in the Civil war, then
coming to a close, in this country. the majority
OF the white population OF Jamaica were slave
holders and consequently Southern sympathizers
Mr. Johnson's mother was an extensive saw
holder but he openly espoused the Northern cause
and wrote several letters TO American newspapers
on the subject
In Julv 1866 soon after his marriage, he DECIDED
to remove 10 the United States. where he had al
ready made a visit and The United States Consul
in Jamaica gave him a letter 10 John RusseH
Young. who was at that time connected with Inc
Tribune commencing him highly for his single al
herence TO the North Mr. Johnson did not Tee 10
America concealed in a barrel on board schooner
bound here from Jamaica IN ORDER 70 escape d
was indicated in some Of yesterday evening pa pa.
pers His family said that he came here because
| he was pleased with the country on ms iormSSI
visit and that he left Jamaica not because OF Puo
lie feeling against him there, but made the voyage
| OF his own votion as an OPEN recognized pss-
senger. 1T, ,r. ,rrn,,,ro
staff on his arrival here. and remained there lor
some time He also wrote for The Nation ana
| written the Arst editorial OF THE Nation" He
/ afterward worked for The Brooklyn Times anu
remained there for FIVE years. on leaving that paper
he went 10 London. England. and Tor eighteen
| months MANAGED n news bureau in that CITY, put
returned 10 this country on the death OF ms paIl
ner He joined the staff Of The Newtown Regis
time served as managing editor OF that paper He
leaves a widow. two daughters and son.