Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1911-02-02
MORE ABOUT man Who
SAVED JOHNSON
From the Senate Went Back
to Setting Type
indianapolis News)

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Removing from Indiana to Kansas in
the spring of 1872, I was living on
farm a few miles south Of Lawrence.
when the acquaintance began. As
young man had been deeply interest
ed in the impeachment trial Of Presi-
dent Johnson. but unlike a majority Of
young Republicans at the time, while
not approving the course he had pur-
sued. / telt that his attempted i'm
parchment was i'll advised, and should
it succeed might be fraughr with dis,
as-rous consequences to the country.
I was therefore greatly relieved and
grarided when, by the vote of senator
Ross. the impeachment effort failed
also felt. though a resident of Indiana
at the time, that Senator Ross was a
much vilifed man. On my removal 10
Kansas. 1 made inquiry concerning
him. I was told that he was at that
time employed as compositor by one o.
the newspapers of Lawrence. I was
told that he had started a little paper
Of his own and would probably be
found at his Office. I went Immediately
to the place designated. On entering
the building which consisted of one
room OF moderate size, l found two
men, both setting type The younger
man came forward TO meet me. l en-
quired if Senator Ross was in. He i'm
mediately turned and addressing the
elder man said, Father, here IS a gen
tleman who wishes 10 see you"
Senator Ross was at this time man
a little past middle age, Of pleasing ap-
pearance and very courteous in man
ner. / introduced myself and told him
I had come in to subscribe for his pa
per. [ then said / had a great desire
10 see the man who. as l believed,
rendered an inestimable service to his
country by preventing the impeach-
ment Of Andrew Johnson. This opened
the subject and for half an hour he
riyited my attention by narrating some
Of theincidents connected Herewith. 1t
was known how every man would vote
except him. His was nearly the last
name to be called and everyone knew
that upon his aye" or may" hung the
fate Of the president. The scene that
followed as narrated to me by Senator
Ross, beggars description. The disap-
pointment Of the advocates Of inpeach-
ment was SO great and their anger so
furious that he was assailed with the
most opprobious epithets before leay-
ing the senate chamber. General But
Ter, one of the counsel of the impeach-
ers, approaching him said: is It
money you want? We've got millions"
At this first interview with the ex-
senator he showed me letters of the
most abusive character, containing
threats of assassination and filled with
the vilest accusations. 1t was suppos-
ed by many who favored impeachment
that Mr.. Ross would receive a reward
in the shape of some lucrative appoint
ment, but when after the expiration Of
his term, which occurred shortly after
the impeachment trial, he returned o
Kansas and went to worwk in a very
subordinate position to earn a liveli-
hood for himself and family, public
opinion, especially in his own state,
underwent a great change and from
being the most abused man in Kansas
he came to be one of the most respect
ed and admired.
As he told me, his friends urged him
to accept some appointment from the
President to whom he had rendered 50
great a service, but he invariably re-
fused, saying he would rather live and
die in poverty than do anything that
would in the least degree seem to jus
tify the unjust accusations that We're
heaped upon him l was often invited
to his home A very modest one, but
one of refinement. Should the plan
proposed by the present Kansas legis-
lature succeed it will be just tribute,
to l firmly believe one of the truest
and noblest men that ever graced the
United States senate or honored the
state he represented in that august
body. GEORGE H. HILL.