The Columbus commercial. (Columbus, Miss.) 1893-1922, 1916-05-14
Had Been n Resident Of Co
lumbus for More than Sew.
enty Years.
ERECTED LARGE
COTTON MILL HERE
Funeral Occurred Yesterda,
Afternoon, Having Beer
Largely Attended.

WINE tne passing away OF q cen
tenarian is an event TO be regarde
with daily, almost momentary dreat
the death of Hon. Harrison John
ston, which occurred at his home, Nc
404 Third avenue, at an early hou
Friday morning, was sad an
shocking surprise to his numerou
friends; for Mr.. Johnston had bee
resident of the city so long ant
despite his 10l years. was sa hal
and hearty that CoIumbians had BE-
come imbued with the idea that h
had quaffed the waters of the sprin
of perpetual life and would renal
with them eternally. Death, how
ever, is inevitable, and on Frida
morning his soul escaped it's earthl
cncasement and winged it's fligE
across the River Styx.
The illness which ended fatal
for Mr.. Johnston was of exceedrs
ly short duration Only few div
prior 70 his death he was on Il
streets and was seemingly enjoyir
excellent health The Angel
Death was near, however, and wht
sickness came upon him death spec,
lily followed.
Deceased was a native of vi
ginia, having first seen the light
day in Frederick county in tn
state January Z, 1915. AT the a,
of II he joined the Richmond hu
sars, and swith that organizatit
participated in the Seminole wa
having up to the day Of his dea
drew pension from Uncle Sam.
While Mr.. Johnston was a natl
Of Virginia, more than seven
yeaes of his life had been spent
Columbus, and his history W
closely interviewer into the warp ai
woof Of. the history Of the city, sor
OF her most important industri
enterprises having been establish
through his influence and with |
assistance. Upon his arrival here
1bI1 lie opened a merchant tailt
ing establishment, and remained
that business for number OF yea
When the South seeded in 1851 \
Johnston cast his fortunes with
Union, and as reward for |
loyalty was given position at t
close of the war as agent for
government in the collection of &c
flsieated cotton
In 1887, Ca the advanced age
10, Mr. Johnston organized
built the Tombigbee Cotton NJ
one Of the largest and most imp.
tant industrial enterprises in
lurbus In four years he had Dc
blej the capacity Of the mill and
decade thereafter paid an ann
dividend of ten per cent to
stockholders. At the expiration
this period he sold the mill AMI
urcd from business After havi
disposed Of the cotton mill
o.her local holdings Mr. Johnst
acquired a considerable amount
valuable real estate in Birminghs
ana went there to live. He later
aomed his residence here, but
taiaed his property in the Ma
City, and at the time of his de
had large sum of money inves
there.
In point Of age Mr. Johnston
4he oldest Elk in the United Sta
He was member Of Colum
Lodge, No. 555, B. P. 0. E..
carried life membership card
solid gold
Mr.. Johnston is survived by
son. Mr. s. B. Johnston of this c
two daughters, Mrs. Eloise !
of Columbus and Mrs. Eula Topf
New York, grandson, Mr., Ha
son Johnston, Jr., OF Kansas c
six granddaughters, Mrs. Arehit
White of Lynchburg, Va.
Juanita Wright aad Mrs. Eug
Levert Brown of Birmingham,
B. +. Peak of Moline, Ill, Mrs.
RE Weaver ana Miss kdna Joans
Of Columbus, and numerous Of