The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-07-29

erty of Prof Johnston. The professor
and the young lawyer were next-door
netghbors until 1887. when the Bryans re-
moved to Lincoln, Neb
From the day of their first meeting thav
nave been close personal friends. Thev
We're members of the same literary society
the Sigma Pi-and Prof Johnston nc
he sat In his cosy parlors yesterday. gave
the correspondent picture of Mr.. Brv-
an that was taken in 1879. when the Dem
oeratic- Standard bearer was vet in col
lege and when he was winning hfs fret
laurels as debater
THREE OF THEM PROMINENT.
There were three men in college at
tnat time each of whom was prominent
IN his way" said Prof Johnston. "Ricb-
ara Yates, now the Republican candida "a
FOR governor of Illinois, was the GRACE
full, fluent and polished sneaker n
browning, who at that time was Co,
Blacks private secretary, was the noIt-
ucian, as was shown by his defeat If
Mr.. Bryan for the presidency Of the Stono,
II society which was the highest honor
IN It's gift The third member of this trIo
was MI. Bryan, who was the ready. co-
gent debater, and the strong. all ,ro,,r1
student ''A 'Aouiiu
was MI. Bryan a popular student?"
fes' ne was popular. and was respect
ed by all for his manly qualities he
never smoked a cigar in his life: he never
crank a cup of coffee, and he never
Dragged about 1T. never heard him teI1
a smutty story, and if one was told in
MS presence he would say nothing and
would quietly walk away"
In answer to an inquiry concerriro M.
I5ryan's record as a student. Prof John
ston said his strong point was the nouyor
of everlastfngly sticking to a thing. As
a freshman he took second henors, az y
sophomore he took first honors in ESSAYS.
as a Junior he took first honors in ora
TORY, and as d senior he was sent IN
the intercollegiate contest, where he re-
ceIved second place. Another prize 4hat
he took was one in Latin prose compost
ton His final honor was his selection
as yaledictorian of his class"
What can you say Of him as a. neigh
nor and citizen?" was asked, and Prof
Johnston replied:
WAS AN EXCELLENT NEIGHBOR.
He was an excellent neighborl and an
ideal man, as far as his personal life
was concerned. AS an evidence of his
character 1 will give an illustration. In
1884 ne was married to Miss Mary r.
Baird, of Perry, ILL.,, and her one regret
was that her marriage would take her
away from her father, who was blind,
and her mother, who was bad-ridden
When Mr.. Bryan built his home on the
lot adjoining mine, he built a wing which
contained rooms for Mr. and Mrs Baird
and Mrs. Bryan did not know of this
untfl after the building was completed.
The father-in-law and mother-fn-Iaw
MADE their home at the Bryan residence.
and often have I seen Mr.. Baird pIayine.
IN the yard with Ruth Bryan, who was
then a baby of the Bryan household
MI Bryan has a remarIab BILE memory
OF names and faces" said Prof Johnston.
when he came to Bloonineton two
years ago to deliver an address before
the students of the Indiana university, 7
invited some friends to meet him at a
dinner party, and when I met Mr. BRYAN
more than year afterWard he inquired
after each one by name. To his wonder
ful memory is due a considerable part of
his success"
Mr.. Bryan came to Bloomington In 1893
under the auspices of the Athletic asso-
clatlen and at the special request of Prof.
johnston. The contract was that he was
to receive one-half of the gross receipts
for his lecture. The total was $780, and
Mr.. Bryan gave his entire share and a
check for $50 besides to the university,
which sum was invested in a building
association and the interest is given as a
prize for an essay on a subject which
Mr.. Bryan designated should be ''Some
Principle Which Underlies the Feunda-
ton of Our Government.