Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1909-09-30

support her family he said moth
ing Of the poor. old. wesk-minded
father. He could not deny wha;
had been said Of him. Out Of re
spec, for his memory he would not
verify it.
Young johnson, with such a sun
shiny nature as he possessed. was Of
course popular with pretty nearly
every one in st. Peter. He was, as
boy and Young man. thoroughly
truthful and reliable. and was kind
and obliging under all circum-
stances He was neither stern-vis-
aged nor puritanical. On the con-
trary. he was joyous and full of fun
| the life of the young set in which
| he moved.
| Years passed and he grew to man.
hood. The editor of the st. Peter
Herald died. Several business and
| professional men Of the town were
financially interested in the paper.
One Of the stockholders said to the
others at the meeting called to select
an editor for the paper: Johnny
johnson is the man for the place. if
he will take it, He was offered the
situation, which insured him a
| higher salary than he was receiving
in the drug store. He told them he
did not know whether he could fill
the bill; but. if they were willing
to risk it, he would do his best. Re-
member. that this young man had
ATTENDED school but a short time,
and that his education had been
principally gained by general read
ing and native ability to digest
and assimilate that which he read.
He became the editor of the St.
Peter Herald. and one of the clearest
and most interesting writer's in the
state of Minnesota. His legislative
district was strongly republican;
but the voters Of the district sent
him to the legislature. There he
was outspoken in advocacy of his be-
liefs. but tolerant of the views Of
other members. His course was
honorable and Straightforward.
Partyism or factionalism did not
prevent him from advocating those
measures which he believed were
best for the people of the state. and
opposing those which he thought
were evil or unwise. And no breath
of suspicion Of venality or corrup-
ton was ever blown upon his repu-
tation as Legislator, and no I'M
clean dollar of man or corporation
ever found its way into his pocket.
He was also made president of
the Minnesota Editorial Associa-
ton, body which is numerous,
strong and we'll oragnized in our
sister commonwealth. Through
this position he became still better
known to the press writer's of the
state, and practically all Of them
even those who were pronounced
against his political beliefs were
his devoted personal friends.
When. late in the campaign, he
entered the field against William
Jennings Bryan, last year, as the
democratic candidate for the presi-
dental nomination. he said to few
friends who had gathered in his
Office at st. Paul: II am not certain
that have the necessary knowledge
to make good president. But one
thing is sure: would surround my
self with men of such experience and
worth that they would not allow me
to go far wrong"
And Governor johnson was as
noble and unselfish during his long
sickness as he was when in good
health and taking part in the active
affairs of life. He had been operat-
ed on four times for appendicitis,
the first of the operations having
taken place several years ago. The
last operation occurred at Rochester.
Minnesota. and was by the Doctors
Mayo, whose reputation as surgeons
is national even world wide. All
that mortal men could do was done
to save his life. But without avail.
He was patient and tender to the
end, seeking to comfort and reassure
the dear friends who stood at hs bed
side, and particularly the almost
heart-broken. loyal little woman who
had been the bride Of his youth, his
willing helpmate through the DAYS
OF poverty, and his honored compan-
ion when the time of prominence
and prosperity came.
Governor johnson was always 10y
al TO his friends. He recognized the
valuable assistance the rural press
OF the state had rendered to him..
4 Amone, those ,,,La -.