Waterbury Democrat., 1901-03-27
HORACE JOHNSON.
Story of the Well Known Weather
 Prophet of Middle Haddam.

lrODnpt or h1uu1e
 The fact that Uncle Horace John sons great meteorological disturb ance'' arrived. although on the last day of grace, has directed renewed ln- terest to the famous weather seer of Middle Haddam and the methods he follows in formula ting his prognostica- tions. As is we'll known. Prophet John son first achieved celebrity from pre- dieting the great blizzard of thirteen years ago last Monday. Since that time Prof Johnson's predictions are followed by thousands of people all over the country, and there are also thou sands of seafaring men that steer for q harbor on the days that an announce ment of disturbance is issued from the Middle Haddam eyrie.
 At this session of the legislature bill was introduced appropriatinS So,- 900 for the building and equipment of q suitable observatory at Middle Had dam so that the professor could prose cute his work in behalf of humanity to the best advantage. In this connec- ton MT Johnson has written the fol lowing:
 During the many winters in which I have been giving close attention to the science of meteorology. l can only relate two others which have come un- der my observation when the planets were in the positions occupied during the disturbances. 1 have q theory which at present I am not prepared to make public. but can say this much: Nothing takes place in nature but which has q cause and is capable of being explained by natural laws. l have noted the position of the planets at the time. Henceforth it will be q condition for close observation for the student in meteOrOlOgN.
 When the state of Connecticut will assist in erecting q proper observatory for aiding in the science of meteorol- ~ogy the people will be startled by the surroundings.
 \ gentleman who is well acquainted with Mr Johnson said this morning: As I have known Mir Johnson for great many years and watched the results of his predictions for a long time, 1 must say that they have been of great deal of interest to me. When 1 first knew AIr Johnson he was the advertising manager Of the sum- mer excursion trips of the then new Connecticut Valley railroad. The road opened up a new and beautiful sec ton of the state and much of the Scen- cry along the road especially where the track skirted the banks of the Con necticut was picturesquely beautifu..
 This fact was taken advantage or by Mr Johnson and the papers of the state were full of the matchlcSS beau- ties of the new route and also the ter imitation at the salt water With the always alluring clause of a genuine Rhode Island clam bake. The an nouncementS of special excursions were always headed with the picture of big cannon which was supposedly located in Hartford and appeared to be shooting eNcurSionists down the valley. This picture earned for the 0e signer the SObriQuet of Big Gun John son and he was known by that title for years.
 After Il while the Valley road got 10 be an old story. the Connecticut Western road appearing ill the field as Il competitor with another new brand of sylvan beauty. Mir Johnson found that Othello'S occupation was gone and he decided 10 enter new fields. As he had always been an enthusiastic col ltctOr of old and rare cllEiOS, he opened an antique furniture store and dealr in anything that was of historical in 1ereSt. Mir Johnson relates with con siderable glee the story of q certain man who had made the remark that one could buy anything secondhand excepting q set of teeth. a pulpit or a coffin. Some one took him up on q
  store where he could buy all three. They came to Mir Johnson's establish ment and asked first for a secondhand set of teeth. This was easy. as Mir Johnson had several sets that he had bought up for the old gold plates. They inquired for q second hand pulpit and MT Johnson leading the way they went out to tine barn and there stored was the little pulpit that had done duty at Hope chapel for many years until the building had been enlarged. The supreme test came when they inquired for q second hand cOffin A few months previously a concern called the New England Glass CaSket Co had failed and MT Johnson had purchased q small drummer sample and had it one ever doubted the illimitations of the collection after that.
 MT Johnson finally retired from business and then laid out d picnic ground at Middle Haddam which was quite popular for many years. It was at this time that he first began mak- ing his since famous observations from the eyrie on the top of his barn. While he must be over 60 years he was the quick, active step of a boy, and his cheeks are as rosy as two twin apples. White side whiSkers. closely cropped and white hair. give him a decidedly distingue appearance and he has often been mistaken for a retired military officer"