Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1903-06-17

deeply grieyed Tuesday afternoon
by the announcement that Judge
Okey johnson, Dean of the West
Virginia College of Law, had died
in the Polytechnic Hospital of New
York City, at two o'clock p. m. Tues
day, June 18th, 1903. The city had
lost one of its best citizens, the
University one of its ablest and best
loved instructors, the State one of
its most eminent jurists; AID hun
dreds of law graduates of the Uni
versity all over the country, a friend
endeared 10 them by his many acts
of kindness and conscientious labors
in their behalf. The news of his
death was received everywhere with
sincere sorrow, for all that knew
him regarded his loss as personal
bereavement.
Judge johnson had been suffering
from kidney trouble for more than a
year. He had tried various treat
ments at different times without
permanent relief, and suffered a great
deal on account of the disease. This
spring he hurried through with his
work, and gave the classes under
him their examinations week
earlier than the scheduled time in
order that he might get away to
undergo severe operation which he
and his friends hoped would restore
his health. He babe the members
of his class good bye last Friday
He was regarded by all the students
with deep affection, and the hopes
expressed at that time for his re-
covery were from the heart. Judge
Johnson felt much encouraged and
ON June 9th, Saturday, lett for New
York for the hospital.
On the following Saturday, June
18th, the operation was performed.
On Sunday following the operation,
he seemed very much better, and
the prospects of his recovery seemed
excellent. On Monday, however, a
turn came for the worse and he be
gan to sink rapidly. A message was
received Monday evening, calling
Mrs. johnson to his bedside. She
left here on the SAB train with Mrs.
James G. Frazer, but did not reach
her husbands bedside until all was
over. Mrs. G. G.. Ballard, Judge
Johnson's daughter, was with him
at the time of his death.
The death of Judge johnson ends
q long and honorable career in the
service of his State. He was born
in Tyler county, this state, March
oath, 1884. His parents were Will
liam and Elizabeth johnson, and he
was one of large family of fifteen
children. His early education was
obtained during the winter months
at the schools of the neigborhood.
His summers were spent in working
on his fathers farm. In 1856 he was
graduated from the Marietta 20.
High School, and two years later he
received the degree of L. L. B. from
the Harvard Law College. Four
years later, he began the practice OF
law in Parkersburg, and with it
began career that has few equals
among the greatest men of West
Virginia.
His first work as legislator began
in 1870, when he was elected to the
State Senate from the Fifth District
ON the Democratic ticket by a ma
iority of 1850. At the previous
election, the District had gone Re
publican by $50.
He occupied his seat in tue Senate
for two weeks, and during that time
came into national prominence by
his advocacy Of the Flick amend
mentor the relief of the disfranchls
ed. The measure, through his
efforts, was passed unanimously
He resigned his seat in order tt
secure the passage of the bill calling
for Constitutional Convention. Ht
was member of that convention
and took leading part in forming
the present State Constitution. III
was leader in the Democratic part,
from 1864 to 1876, and was electol