The Daily Missoulian., 1909-10-10

and devoted mother his first salary-a
meager sum, but enough to make the
difference between the terrible
drudgery of toll for bread. and quiet
chair i'm kitchen where there was
enough, if there was not plenty. He
became country editor later a legis-
lator, and then n sudden candidate
for governor, who astonished tho en-
tire state with his ability. his general
ship. his brilliancy upon the platform.
and his knowledge of men and affairs.
First Speech.
For several sessions / sat within a
few feet of John Albert johnson in
the state senate, he as representative
of a great and wealthy district, and
in the humble capacity of news
paper reporter. | heard one of his
first and most brilliant platform ad-
dresses in his first campaign for the
governorship, and sat utterly as
founded at the ready flow of wit. sa-
tire, sarcasm, logic and clear, pointed
argument. When had this sudden gift
Of tongue come? / did not know, only
that ii was new. But later. when
knew more of John Albert Johnson,
il was apparent that his magnificent
gifts were not the overnight reward
of benignant fairy, but the full frui-
ton of many an hour in many year
gone by, when, by the dim light of a
smoky lamp. he was eagerly absorb
ing Charles Dickens. Shakespeare and
his Bible.
And now, as l write, comes through
the window the mournful-the some-
times terrible-strains of Chopin's
March Tunebre." as the cortege is
winding slowly down from that white
marble pile to the funeral train. From
the tower of the city hall. from every
church spire in the city, for an hour
the somber booming of tolling bells
had been dimming into the conscious
ness of thousands that the splendid
figure of yesterday. keen, live. virile.
and crowned with the confidence and
hopes of millions of his fellows, is no
longer with us. Yesterday $1,000 peo-
Pile passed his simple casket, and never
in the west was there such evident
grief, such wringing of heart-strings,
such widespread pain. Today, as the
stately possession moves its painful
way, 100000 people are standing in the
bright and cheerful sunlight. striving
to keep back the yelling tears. mute,
uncovered. bowed with grief. There
was never anything like this in Mnne-
sofa. The loss of our people is sud-
den, complete and irreparable.
That Which Lives.
He is gone from us, but that which
lives means better citizenship to the
s.l. l.
born governor and the favorite son.
His deeds are many and honorable.
and will be recorded in their proper
place In due time figure of bronze
VIII adorn a splendid niche in the
statehouse where he was the chief
executive of state of empire-like
wealth. dimensions and resources. He
was 4 commanding figure and left his
impress. but the greatest achievements
Of John Albert Johnson. plain Ameri-
can. are not written on the heavy
parchments that lie in the vaults of
the secretary OF state. but upon the
hearts of 3 600. coo of his fellows in
Minnesota, who loved him much and
hoped much for him. And what
greater achievement Is possible for any
man. He has fulfilled his own ambi-
tion. He has added to the sum of
human knowledge of life. He has
achieved something in the labors of
life. He has done work that no man
did before him in the state which was
his sphere of activity.
But i like best to think of other
things. He has come not within sight
of the castle of his dreams. but he
was thankful for life, for the oiden
memories. he was gentle. His riches
We're OF the spirit and in the love of
eyt y man who knew him.
And so today goes 10 his resting
place the remains of one who has done
those things for Minnesota in IS brief
years. His life was laid down while
he was still in the service of his state.
and the life he led is the priceless leg
acy to a people who knew him well.
honored him much. expected much and
were not disappointed