Omaha daily bee., 1909-09-22
ESTIMATE OF AN OLD FRIENI
John j. Ryder, Former Associate,
Pays IA Warm Tribute

JOhn j. Ryder, Former Associate,
Pays "a Warm Tribute.
John Johnson's death brings sorrow to
my home, because we all knew him well
for many years" said John j. Ryder,
on hearing Johnson was dead. sixteen
years ago we were in the country news
paper business in the same congressional
district in Minnesota, and at editorial as
ISOLATION meetings we debated and served
on committees together. In lodge meet
ings, too, our acquaintance grew to that
degree hat l knew the man through and
through. He was genial and simple in
manner, always, but he could be keen and
cutting when touched sharply.
johnson was hard to rattle, even as
a very young man, an on the platform
in those years OF training he always made
a good impression, We used to call him,
jokingly, the Irish Scandinavian, because
OF a fine turn he had for witty remark in
delicate situations.
I'm the course Of years, the governor
and myself entered the state senate OF
Minnesota together, serving iE two regular
and one special sessions. Only last night,
hearing that he was dying, dug up some
old correspondence that brought tears to
MY eyes III OlG NdAtblaAA nc SAlus u
rah for the two Johns. get your seat neaI
mine In the senate we were on opposite
sides as to politics, but warm friends every
day.
He was Independent in spirit and voted
very often against what some democrats
called party measures. He was not given
to much talking in the senate. except when
deeply interested in the subject pending,
- - - a. - g-4- 49,. A. a-.A -.4sL
a mighty e%rnestness. He had an ever
present sense Of humor, and while some
friend had the floor would shoot In a quiet
word Of comment that would convulse all
about him. A senator born in Kentucky
was talking seriously for a heavy appro-
p~riation for drainage one day and johnson
was opposing. During the debate a page
brought the drainage advocate a glass of
water, which he waved aside impatiently.
He was bred in old Kentucky said John
son in an audible whisper. and it took ten
minutes TO s]traighten out the resulting
hilarity.
Born and reared In st. Peter-a town
which has given Minnesota several gov
ernors and other state officers-the gov
eTnor knew every step of growth from
poverty and the contumely of the thought
less TO the day when he was the unques-
toned and beloved leader Of his state. He
had the stamina to worry through school
under most discouraging circumstances; he
had the bravery and persistence TO learn
a trade while studying: he was the head
Of a home and defending knight for his
grand old mother while still a boy; he was
athlete and militia captain, while printer
and editor. and he was chosen leader long
ago in his home town among those who
knew him from barefoot days to digni-
fled, courageous manhood. The editors OF
the state made him their leader at a not
able convention, and his newspaper was
quoted widely many years before he ever
entered politics.
John A. Johnson was one grand product
OF natures choicest mold, AS boy and man
he honored his parents; as an official he
honored The state which three times gave
him its orinamme to bear aloft among
the proudest in the union. lie followed the
line OF duty without faltering; was a gen.
tleman in the highest sense; was staunch
friend and worthy, generous foeman. His
days should have been long In the land,
for he was strong in loyalty and patriotism
and essentially OF the caliber that con
stitutes safe leaders and wise counselors.
Il is too bad such a man should die In the
very prime OF life"