Crittenden record=press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1907-1909, 1908-06-25

Mr.. Tolan has summed up briefly
one side OF the great governor Of Min
nesota He is q most lovabie man--a
man who makes friends of all whom
be meets IN this respect, ~ in souis
others. he has been combared to the
great Lincoln. --,--.
Gov. Johnson II Q man OF the people.
Not even Lincoln came up from great
U oSsGurtty and EreatV poverty than
the virlls governor q Minnesota. He
understands the people as perhaps no
man In American public life since Lin
coin has understood them-and the
people understand him.
As Democrat. Gov. Johnson ap-
peals TO the thoughtful members OF
his party. because he Is prominently
qualified TO unite and blend its discord-
ant elements into q competent. enthu-
siastic. well-organizsd militant political
force.
Gov. Johnson appeals TO the people
regardless of paSy. because he has
a record Of achievement behind him
that guarantees that II he is chosen
TO the great once Of Wesidsnt he
would fll n In a manner wholly salts
factory to vast majority OF the plain
people of America
Poor Sweden inri grants.
Gov. Johnson's mother and father
were poor immigrants from Sweden
the former arriving In 81. Peter. MINI,
In 1852. and the father a year later.
They were married In 1883. The father
was a blacksmith In Sweden. and took
up his trade in his new home. conduct.
ing at FIRST a small blacksmith shop
In the country near st. Peter. Later
the family moved into the village, and
II was here. July ri, 1861. that the son
John was born. The father was cursed
with the drink habit and, in conse-
quence. after q few years OF prospect
", the family was reduced 10 desper-
ate straits. So dire was their poverty
that the mother had to take in wash
ing for living and the son. John.
acted as her delivery boy When in
HIS twelfth year. the restitution OF the
little family, consisting OF the mother
and father and three children. had
reached such point that John begged
his mother for permission to quit
school in order to help her. She re-
luctantly consented. fearing that her
son would never be able 10 return 10
school. This fear was fully justified,
for after that time the future governor
Of Minnesota knew the four walls of
the schoolruom no more. "a
The boy went 10 work In a general
store In the village at $40 a month.
and every cent Of tais generous salary
was turne% into the family treasury
His spare moments from the store
were still devoted TO delivering laun-
dry for his mother. and the earnings
OF mother and son were sufficient 70
keep the little establishment going. AS
time went on their condition improved
with Johns Increasing GALAXY. Tive
years after going 20 work he was re-
ceiving sl2 a month; soon he was get
ting more. From this time on the
mother was not compelled To work for
the family maintenance. The son
provided the entire Income. and the
mother returned TO her proper work |
OF housekeeping anc caring for the |
family. From the general store, John |
went into a drug store. where he |
stayed for about twelve years and be- |
came a licensed pharmacist Later he !
was employed BY a railway contractor
In Minnesota and Iowa. and az that |
time. in his early eos, his income av-
sraged about s76 a mouth All this
time. whether at home OF away. he re-
garded himself as the head and main.
stay Of the family. and provided funds
n addition for educating the brother
Ind sister who survived early child
hood.
Not Embittsrsd by Poverty.
. Although John had thus TO leave
school 50 early in life, he did not cease
o educate himself. He became a
'reat student and soon read every
look In the village library. Il n note
worthy that the first three books he
cad after leaving schoo, Ysrs Pres.
pits two histories R the conquest OF
Peru and Mexico and SCOTS Ivan.
Zoe. While thus extending hts knowi.
dse and Intellectual horizon. he at all
ines grew In the other fields Of life.
lard As his struggle had besn, he did
ot become embittered by Il. bot took
8 large a part as possible In the VII
age social life. He seldom missed a
ance. He attended church and be.
onged to the choir. He Joined the
srious fraternal lodges, after the = :,
a5it Of men In small villages. He
as known to everybody In the village. =
nd everybody was his friend He "
As interested 10 nfe, not only his Own "