Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1903-01-02
SUDDEN DEMISE OF WALDO PoR-
THE END CAME SUDDENLY ] Y.
hit Young Writer On the Press
when the Future wa. bright Be-g
fore Him.

| NEWPORT NEWS, VA, January L.
(special.)-In the death Of Waldo Porter
johnson, who passed away at his home
this morning with an attack of neuralgia
Of the heart, the Daily Press loses its
bright associate editor and Virginia loses
che of her most successful and most
promising young journalists Only 80
years OF age, possessing an exceptionally
brilliant mind, a splendid education, long
and valuable experience in his chosen pro-
fession. and engaged TO be married next
summer to a beautiful young girl OF Pow
hatan county, tho daughter of a rronai-
nent family. he had every reason to ex-
pect a happy New Year and q. prosperous
future. The old year had been dead less
than seven hours when tho light that
shonc so brightly and Illuminated the way
to Z. career. apparently only in its in
fancy, was cxtinGuished.
HIS LAST PIECE OF WORK.
Mr.. Jolnsons last work for the Daily
Press was q. dramatic criticism which he
turned IN at midnight. At that time he
was in his customary good spirits and as
we'll and happy as ever. Before retiring
he wrote a letter and remarked that he
was completely worn out, complaint
that his relatives and his associates in
business had never heard from his lip
at $50 o CLOCK he entered his fathers room
ard complained of nervousness and slight
pains around the heart and arm. His
father rubbed his arm and his body, and
he seemed to get better He did not want
a physician summoned, but his father in
sisted on this, and assisted him IN every
way he could until the doctors arrival.
,,l,,, 10
give the i'll man an injection, the second
attack was suffered. After that he did
not seem to realize what was happening.
Id, failed to respond to the injection,
and died at 7:15 o'clock, apparently not
in very great rain.
WHAT HE HAD ACCOMPLISHED.
w T. Johnson was the son of Mr.. and
Mrs. Porter Johnson, and was born thirty
years ago at Weston. Lewis county. West
Virginia. His early education was re-
celved at Churchland Academy, Nanse
mond county, and later he took a course
at Washington and Lee University, at
Lexington. His first newspaper expo
riencc was as reporter on the Charles
ton CIV. Va.) Evening Mail, and later lie
held for some little time the position of
city editor of the Charleston Gazette. He
went to Norfolk, where he accepted the
position Of city editor of the Pilot, and
afterwards held a similar position with
tho Virginian-Piot after the consolidation
of the two papers. After three years of
good work i'll Norfolk, he returned to the
Gazette, and came to Newport
News in November, 1898, accepting the
position OF city editor of the Daily Press.
Hs was promoted afterwards to mana ging
editor and editorial writer At the time
OF his death lie We. associate editor. He
had an excellent record as q. newspaper
correspondent and represented, among
other papers, the Norfolk Landmark,
Richmond Tines, and New York Times.
He recentl" had occasion to decline sew
eral offers frnIli other newspapers in the
STATE. prefcrring to remain on the staff
of The Daily Press. About eight months
ago his family moved here from Charles
ton. ". Va, to reside.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
Besides his father and mother deceased
is survived by five brothers and four sis
ters--William J. Johnson. OF Thurmond,
w. Va. Ludwell II. johnson, of Rich
mond; r. NJ. Johnson, advertising man
ager OF the Daily Press; Leake Nice.
johnson, i'll chhrge Of the Daily Press
and James s. Johnson of
'niS city: Mrs. Vincent Costello, of
Charleston. w. Va; and Misses Edomnia !
p. Olive NJ, ara Alice L. johnson, Of
this city.
Mr.. Johnson was a member oftthe vir-
sinia Press Association. the Newport |
News Chamber of Commerce. and the |
Alumni Society of Washington and Lee
University. in all OF which he vas an
active worker.
The funeral will be at $50 O'Clock to-
morrow afternoon. and the interment in |
ireealawn Cemetery. The services will |
DC conducted by the Rev. George w |
Nray, pastor of Trinity Methodist Epis-
opal church.
The announcement of Mr.. Johnson's IN I
timely death cast q. gloom over his
friends, who We're legion in this section
&c was universally popular by reason of |
lis splendid traits of character his Iowa I
'le disposition. his pure and elevated
ocas, his versatile pen, and his admira-
DC habits and exemplary life.