The Boise citizen. (Boise, Idaho) 1906-1910, 1909-10-15
A fine TRIBUTE

referring to the late John A. Johnson Thomas W Lawson
A.s written for the Boston Journal this beautiful tribute
have ridden with him the hot day through in the dusty
eacng railroad train and I've been with when he listened
M eaty message the leaders party which cooed about
hat crown and which the dream Of all redbooded Amer
cans and brought him the OF his great yet in
III never once that childish merry twinkle leave those wonder
M ovebegettng eyes, and heard discod that voice
II trust and faith and charity and good will all All! but he
was such a man. such good man.
on Johnsons vision all outward He had no mirror
and had he one would have held reflect and the
goodness of his fellows
The evening Erman Rdgway his good wife and myself
we're in the bus with great way to hear him lecture
We'd had Jolly good dinner and he snuggled into the
e l1ed in his big fur and thought he wanted
alone to his great speech when he neared the church
where his lecture be delivered he said I'm tonight
lawson for I'm going make my lecture the simple story Of
hardened boy gave him back his old mother father
want you but know I'll cry and make country
BOBBY of myself and then these people will wonder what
nv great thinking of in electng such governoS
Twas big audience, big in intelligence big in sympathy with
this latter Abe Lincoln of the people and Governor Johnson
told his story tred down his checks and his gentle
voice was gener than but his audience yes all Of
u.s. and children cried and at the close OF the
story big strong mannh governor OF New Jersey
who with bowed head John Johnson the told the
simple story how Governor Johnson OF the great OF Mime
sofa gave their old father and mother Governor
notice YOU forgot that Governor Johnson Of the
enemy"
yes yes forgot everything but the story and the who
telling it, and he tried sneak away the trail the story had
his cheek And if all democrats like Governor John
son, llered be enemy.
That night Ridgway house, after the family had retired
OF the open CRATE with this the aound best big man
have until the gray dawn tapping at the and
and again listened his clear analysis OF times and
things and humans and their goodness would break in and try to
make him put my smoked glasses and the ouhere black but
attempt with his merry laugh Yes I'll that
there lots that might be made better but the whole Lawson
its good world and good people never bring myself to
believe but the world and the people getting better all the time
All! but he such such good man.
God good John Johnson He endowed him with all
those riches which happiness here and hereafter Brtd
from the womb the people Graded IN that greatest OF
world Injuries poverty, he the starting line moral
Hercules bursting with love of mother and alteration OF WIFE Ds
ling with affection for humanity and charity and forgiveness o
M and muscled with superb honesty and Veneraton o
God and The starters bell him joyful go As
he he mre boulde bitches only Gods great
blue he felt only Gods warming and as he ran or ue
himself It's his track fast and his feet
winged
God good to Governor Johnson He took hnn as he
took the santed Lincoln all His very chosen while yet they ran
while yet their fellows cheered while yet their souls were raa
with the intoxication of ambitions rays