The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1904-04-03

go 70 Hot Springs. Ark to take treat
ment for his rheumatism and other all
ments. He hopes 10 visit his old homs
in New Orleans, and after that is
plans are vague.
There is a hint that he may return
next fail 10 settle some old political
scores. if there is an opportunity. This
stay is likeiy 10 be only temporary,
however. His fixed intention. accord
ing to statements made by him last
evening. is 10 get away from his sur
roundings in the purlieus and 10 spend
the rest Of his days enjoying a quiet
life with comfortable fortune. seeking
TO earn the respect OF those who may
know him. In Salt Lake his name il
inSepar2bly associated with CONNER
cial street and all the name implies
Elsewhere he hopes TO get away from
this stigma and To enjoy the good opin-
ion of his fellow men.
Why He Is Going.
There are many reasons for this
step. Some persons say it is because
he has been deprived Of his power. on
the street, has lost his influence with
the police and is being puf-ed aside
politically He himself puts q different
light on it, His wife feels keenly the
reputation her husband has in the com
munity as a leader of the Commercial
street element. She is anxious to get
away from it all. And the higher ideals
which he himself may have are assert
ing themselves in a disgust for the en-
vironment Of vice and sin and the dregs
OF humanity and desire 10 rise above
them all
My family is well connected" he
declared last evening. "Everywhere
else / am known except here assO-
ciate with the best people and am
regarded as one Of them. 1 am going
where I am not called 'divekeeper.'
Is Remarkable Character
The departure Of Bruce Johnson
takes away one Of the most remarka-
BILE characters in the political and no
lice circles Of Salt Lake. Combining
in his veins the blood of Scot, Choctaw
Indian and negro. he has been a leader
Of the cOlored men. with a large fol-
lowing Of whites as we'll in the ten
derloin. Tall and broad. with straight
hair of medium hue. a strong nose and
light complexion. he would never be
taken as a coIored leader by a person
who did not know him. He is only
One-eighth cOlored. but the memorable
law of radical distinction has thrown
him with the men of African extrac-
ton ever since he attained manhood.
This slight admixture OF colored blood
drove the family from Arkansas when
he was child. and it drove the man
grown into association with the
blacks.
Bruce johnson has been a resident
of Salt Lake for fourteen years He
was a detective on the police force.
but left that to go into the saloon bust
ness on Commercial street Ever since
that time he has been a conspicuous
figure He made money by acting as
agent for owners of property on that
street. They did not wish 10 deal with
the class Of tenants they must needs
have. Hence they were glad to lease
buildings to Johnson. allowing him 10
sublet to gamblers. women OF Ill re-
pute and similar characters. reaping
a big profit. Thus did he thrive
Career as a Politician.
He entered politics. built up a follow
ing and became a factor. This gave
him influence with the police, and his
power grew. In every campaign for
years he has been active and conspic-
uous. Behind him were the elements
+ that frequent the tenderloin. Last fall
he was prominent in the Republican
conventions and was leading hgurs
: fContinusd an Paae -