Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-05-21
SUDDENLY SUMMONED
RICHARD IN. JOHNSON FOUND
DEAD M HIS ROOM.
Was Chief Of Asserting and Checking
Division, Office of Auditor for
P.ao. Department.

Richard NJ. johnson, chief Of the assert
ing and checking division of the office of
the auditor for the Post Office Department,
oled suddenly7lastrlight at his home near
Br1ghtWood. Mr.. johnson retired to his
room at the usual hour In the evening ap-
parently in good health, but when Mrs
Johnson, thinking he had oversight himself,
went to his room this morning to call him
found him dead on the floor. He had made
every preparation for retiring and was
oVertaken perhaps in the act Of SO doing.
Mr. johnson was born in the state of In
olana In 1876 Early in the civil war, when
out nfteen years old, he enlisted in an In
olana regiment and was mustered into the
service, armed and uniformed. He perform
eo some duty in camp in Indianapolis, but,
having enlisted without his parents con-
sent, his father, deeming him much too
young for the service, secured his release
oy the courts writ of habeas corpus
owing to the ilegality of his enlistment.
1icnard johnson received a collegiate
education, and for several years practiced
law successfully at his home in Franklin,
ma He was actively interested in poll
Ilcs' held several local positions and was
1or long time chairman of the democratic
committee of his county. He was a man of
strons Will and great firmness of purpose,
ana endowed with high intelligence.
Appointed in 1885.
He was appointed October %, 1885, a
clerk in the office of the auditor for the
Post Office Department then called the
office of the sixth auditory. In December
1886, he was promoted to be chief of d.
vision, and held that position three years,
When ne resigned. He served brief period
again as clerk in the same office in $780,
anu Aprll 8, 1884, was appointed chief clerk
o. u the AUDITORS bureau during the second
Sieaelano administration. He retained that
position until January B. 1898, he was trans
1erred by Auditor Castle at his own re-
quest to the position of chief of division,
that being equal in grade and salary with
the cnlet cierkship. For nearly four years
ne has served chief of the asserting and
checking division of the auditors office,
the largest and in many respects most
!aborlous and responsible division of that
bureau, and having nearly $50 employees
on its rolls, engaged in a great variety of
responsible work
MY. johnson displayed splendid executive
Qualities, and was relied on by the head
OF the bureau and the officials of the Treas
ury department to energetically carry on
the important work assigned to him.
In politics Mr.. johnson was a democrat,
out took the anti-silver side in the cam
palgn of 1896, openly advocated the election
OF President Mckinley, and voted for him
poti IN 1895 and 1859 He was held in
hiSh esteem by all his associates and the
entlre bureau was shocked and distressed
by the udings of his sudden decease.
The Coroner Notified.
Policeman Schuyler was advised of the
death, and notified the coroner. Friends of
the deceased We're notified and several of
those who had been associated with him
at his office visited the family home and
rendered their services. His death, it is
believed was due to apopleXy. His wife
ana one daughter survive him.
Funeral services will take place tomor-
row from New York Avenue Presbyterian
Church at 1:3O pm. The remains will be
taken to Franklin Ind, for interment