The Washington herald., 1907-06-09
Coz. John A. johnson, of Minnesota

ALL Il is seldom told IN full, and per
Laps would never have been revealed 70
the world at large. II, in the campaign Of
1904 the charge had not been circulated
that Johnson permitted his father 20 die
In the poorhouse That brought IL out
and the recital probably had much 20 do
with the election Of johnson 70 his first
term as governor.
For Johnson's father did die in the
po0rh0usS and Johnson did permit him
20 die there.
The story of "a Lost BOyhOod.
That was the first admission made IN
the full story Of the governors life.
then told for the first time throughout
Minnesota. The adidavits proving the
fact were printed in large type, and in
conspicuous places by both the enemies
and the friends OF the candidate. But
his friends followed it with the rest Of
the bitter tale, and it undoubtedly fur
nished the turning point IN the campaign
which made Johnson the Democratic gov
ernor Of Minnesota in year when Re-
puhlicanism welles higher throughout the
Union than ever before Il may have
been the turning point which will even
tually lead 10 the Inauguration Of an
! other Democratic President
Gov. Johnson's father was born IN
Sweden. and he lived there until he was
thirty-three years old. During those
/ thirty-three years he did many things
| but the only permanent accomplishment
was TO lay the foundation for his death
I In, 81, r,~
America. OF a good family, he had ad-
| vantages above the ordinary. and upon
| the death of his parents he inherited a
/ considerable property. which he forth
with spent in riotous living and debauch-
/ cry, and. by the end of the thirty-three
/ years, was sot. without a cent, and
] earning his liquor as a blacksmith. Then
/ friends OF the family, who were coming
/ 70 the United States, brought him along
| on his promise to reform and with them
/ he landed in St. Peter. Mimi For some
| few years he kept his appetite for drink
! somewhat in control, married. and be
came the father of a numerous family.
| Then whisky resumed the throne. and
Johnson's father went the pace at the
| gait the devil most admires.
Repeatedly he deserted his family, and
for years when he was with them, he
contributed not a cent toward their sup
port. and even at times took share of
the money earned by his wife as a wash
woman. At twelve the present governor
| left school, never to return. He was
needed to help support the family. His
first work was in a general store at SO
| a month, and old residents Of St. Peter
are now fond OF telling how he worked
| in the store in the daytime and deliver
ed washing for his mother at night But
after he had worked In the store two
years. it was no longer necessary for the
mother 10 wash for others. The son was
able to support the family. and he did
it. and did it well, until his little brothers
and sisters were educated and able to
care for themselves. He did It so well,
indeed. that his name came eventually
to be known in the little town as q syn
onym Of industry and honesty and 80 II
was not surprising that when half In
tercst in the ST. Peter Herald was for
sale John Johnsoni had no trouble in find
ing hackers for it's purchase.
Was n Coed Newspaper Man.
After that life was plain sailing fol
him and not at all unusual He became
a good newspaper man. and the paper
made money. He drifted naturally into
politics. His first Office was that of State