Weekly independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1887-1914, 1909-10-08
JOHN ALBERT JOHNSON

The following extract from an article,
written by Curtis l.. Mosher, on the
life and character of the late Governor
johnson, should prove III inspiration
> TO yonng men who are struggling to
make their way IN life:
Spare ms srora the bitterness and
the sharp passions of aHgLdiaed mo
ments. May l not forget that poverty
aud riches are of the spirit-And al
though age and infirmity overtake me
and I come not within the sight of the
castle Of my dreams, teach ME to be
thankful for life, and for times olden
memories that are good and sweet. and
may the evenings twilight find me
gentle still"
On u bitter gray afternoon in win
ter, when the shadows had heightened
so far as to shut much of the cherries
light of day from the magnificent prl-
vate apartment wherein John \. John
son lent to the cares of his
wealth the keen and shrewd perception
of n well stored mind and the energy
n devotion which lifted him to great
ness, l took from and old wallet Il we'll
worn slip of paper II quoted to him
these beautiful words. 1t was after
several hours of trying and arduous
labor. Tired and worn, the governor
lounged in his leather chair. He sat
silent for many minutes and we both
gazed out upon the comfortlessncss of
the dying day.
Il wish you would repeat those last
lines again." he said at :Lst-'and l
come not within sight of the castle OF
my Dreams" Isn't it magnificent. The
whole philosophy of Il calm, untroubled
gentle and helpful life breathcs out in
those simple words, Read it again"
l repeated the measured phrases and
again the silence spread over us. Later
we talked, not of greatness and the
pomp and circumstance of marching
events, but to the common hardships
of life and the daily trials and tempta-
tions of common man. AS we left the
huge marble building that commands
st. PAUL from its remarkable vantage
point, John Albert johnson, plain
American summed up his measure of
life IN words which it will be impossible
to forget.
1T is my conclusion" he said, THAT
the bitterness of poverty, the terrible
drudgery those who rise from the bot
tom must experience, the bitter long,
ings and the heart aches for the things
we want with heart and soul and al.
ways find just beyond us, comprise the
test of fire to which n farseeing Provi
denco subjects those who are destined
to succeed. And whether real success.
is possible without suffering 1 doubt
When people call me governor and show
respect it pleases me, but my mind in,
evitably reverts to the time when nc
one dignitied Inc, and I wonder why
and what these things mean. SO much
in life we none Of us understand. Bat
there's u purpose, and those of us whr
have the desiro TO accomplish Il work III
the world can only remember that ther,
Is no honor not founded OH accomplish
ment. And, above all, to help other.
to life. to hope, to see the greatness
of h future and to strive for q share
in the accomplishment Of something
which is new and needed in this world
or which is worthy because it contrib,
utes to q broader understanding of life
and its problems.
ITO have fought poverty is a magnif
icent heritage. do not envy the rich.
Their affiuence has cut them off from
the greatest thing in the world-tc
know how the average, commonplace,
unsought and unhonored man lives,
what no feels. what no thinks. There
Is but one end of life which is worth
and that is to cOnquer-to conquer
University, pain. envy, regrets, ambitions
and the obstacles which are put in our
path to develop our fortitude, our
courage and our brains"
We paced along the street. John
Albert Johnson, with his peculiar,
swinging stride. Finally ho turned to
mo with one of his rare, quizzical. dc.
lightful smiles which so frequently IL.
Illuminated his rather sad and scrions
features, and said:
Come on; | want to buy u cigar-a
darn good one. It's one Of the pleasant.
est things I do, because I mover nut nv
money ON the counter and get one Of
those full, rich, delicious Havanas with.
out remembering the times when !
would have been glad to smoke II fine
Derfecto and give one to q friend, but
had only II nicklc or a dime to bless
myself with"
This was the character of John
Albert johnson. ! do not think IL IL
necessary for me to say more. The
worth OF the man, his struggles and
successes, his attitude toward his fellow
iden and the attitude of his fellows to.
ward him IRE sufficiently expressed in
these uuiet remarks nftor tbn hr,ut ,r