Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1911-04-11
LIFE ended FOR
OHIO STATESMAN
JOHNSON HAD ENVIOUS POLITI-
CAL RECORD IN BUCKEYE STATE
fingered MORE THAN Year
Called "Stormy Petrcr Because He
was Ever In Vortex OF Political
or Financial Storms.

BY Associated Press.
Cleveland, o., April 10,-Tom L.
Johnson, twice congressman from the
2lst Ohio district, four times mayor
OF cleveland, champion of three-cent
street railway fare and leading advo-
cate OF the single tax theory Of the
late Henry George, died here at SAB
o'clock tonight after long Illness
lie was 81 years old.
Mr. Johnson had been Ill for more
than year, but his condition was not
thought to be serious until he suffered
relapse on Wednesday, March 10.
He had been gaining strength after
spending the summer on Nantucket
Island.
on Saturday night, March II, he
left his apartments and attended q
banquet of the Nasi Prius club, an
organization Of Cleveland lawyers. He
remained there until o'clock sunday
morning and when he returned 10 his
home he complained OF not feeling
well.
The following wednesday his con-
dition was such that he was obliged
to go to bed. From that day until
the time of his death his condition
was grave, though several times he
rallied, and despite the fact that he
realized he did not have long to live'
he was cheerful, and optimistic until
the last. Yesterday evening ho sent
q letter to the Cleveland American
baseball team. He said:
II probably won't be able to attend
the opening game, but don't let that
make any difference Go ahead and
win"
In 1903, when Mr.. Johnson was
mayor he was nominated for gov
ernor by the Democrats of Ohio. but
was unsuccessful at the election
Crushed in both spirits and health
after his defeat by Mayor Beahr, he
had hoped to regain his health by
trip to Europe, but came home no
better. Last summer he spent in
cottage on Nantucket Island. When
he returned to Cleveland In the au-
tumn he was recovered and said he
never felt better.
Tom l.. Johnson once referred to
himself In a public address as "a
stormy petrel," and this metaphor
aptly described him and indicated the
course Of his career. From the time
he entered the offices of q Louisville
street railway company as a boy OF
fifteen, until his defeat for htth
term as mayor of Cleveland on No
vember 2, 1909, he was ever In the
oenter of some storm, political or
financial. He often said 1t was thus
he enjoyed himself best.
johnson was born in Georgetown.
KY. July 1S, 1854.
Funeral arrangements had not been
completed late tonight, but the bur-
ial will probably be In Greenwood
cemetery, New York, where Mr.
Johnson had long owned lot beside
the one In which Henry George was
buried. II Il said that Mr.. johnson
accompanied Mr.. George when the
latter purchased his burial lot IN
Greenwood and purchased an adjoin-
ing lot.
How johnson Made Start.
Louisville, KY, April 10. Tom L..
Johnson, while employed here as
young man in the offices of the street
railway, built and had patented one
of the first slot fare boxes for street
cars. The box was installed in cars
throughout the country and Johnson
sold his rights for $4,000. This sum
Is said to have given him his real
start.