The guardian. [volume] (Boston, Mass.) 1901-1960, 1940-04-06
OH RuHtnntattE
by Mary E. Moore
WILLIAM A. Johnson

WILLIAM A. JOhNSON
When the history of colored people
in Massachusetts, is written, we shall
have the story of the contribution of
a very conservative group of Old Bos-
tonians-conservativ perhaps not
from choice, but because there was no
outlet, no way of self expression in
those days. | think the Old Bostonian
allowed himself to be fooled into be-
lieving he was part of the whole eco
nomic, political and social plan of that
day. The fact gave rise to oft-re-
peated expression that "The only
colored persons who have done any
thing in Boston are those who came
from the South" There is such a
thing as being too modest, and from
the subject of my article today, one
can see there are hundreds of unsung
personalities whose contributions are
most valuable and will hope become
an incentive to the youth to follow in
the footsteps of WILLIAM ALEX
ANDER JOHNSON, formerly of 7
Charles Street, Boston, father of Mrs.
Zilpha Mapp of Avon, Mrs. Constance
Baker of Townsend Street, RoXbury,
and Alex Dumas Johnson of W.
Springfield st., Boston.
Mr.. johnson was talented with pen
and brush, for while attending school
he made copy of the horses, painting
by Rosa Bonheur on the blackboard
which was kept on the walls years
after his graduation. While working
in book store on Beacon Street, he
developed a hoby of collecting books
on Afro-Americans and their litera-
ture. He was encouraged in this ven
ture by his intimate friends Emery 7.
Morris, William l.. Reed the present
Secretary to the Governors Council,
Miss Martina Clary who has so re-
Gently passed on and by many others.
While working for the book firm on
Beacon Street, he and his bride, jose
phine Houston, decided to go west.
Since the government was opening up
the West, they joined party who
travelled by train to Mississippi, then
| by covered wagon to the prairies of
| Kansas. Mr.. Johnson helped to found
the movie-famous dodge City,. His
pioneer life was interesting. He and
his wife did a profitable laundry bust
ness while in Dodge City, but Boston
had taken such deep roots in their
lives that they finally came back to
the Hub. When Lewis Hayden of
Underground railroad fame died Mr..
johnson was appointed to the position
as messenger to the Secretary of State
| to fill the vacancy caused by the pass
ing of Mr.. Hayden. He held this posi-
ton for decade and half with honor
and credit.
He was an excellent pen-man and at
the State House he was often en-
ployed to engrave the States official
invitations, which in those days were
all Kindergarten. He was also a
writer of short stories under the non
de plume "Betsey Gimlet." He wrote
for various colored publications
among them the "Colored American
Magazine, published in Boston. A
member of "Old Company L. he never
failed to go to camp with them during
the summer, where he spent many
happy hours with his fishing rod.
When his health failed he went to
Plymouth where he gathered sea
shells and painted them. Often Ply
mouth Rock would be painted on the
shells, which he sold to summer tour
! ISISs LII lliC "AllICl IlC A1OAi
holders with aprons to match and sold
them, proving the New England
spirit still was part of his being. He
could have sold his large and rare
collection of books pertaining to the
Race, but he willed them to the Public
Library at Plymouth where they are
now and can be seen by all who ask
for the privilege.
He died in 1924, leaving his widely
known daughter Mrs. Zilpha Mapp,
and her five children who are follow
ing in his footsteps; for each week
the Guardian has an article by Mrs.
Janice Mapp Dingwall, better known
as elizabeth" who gives us so many
lovely recipes; and Benjamin, Richard,
Zilpha and little Josephine-all max
ing literary contributions as well as
the finest types of American citizens.