History of Randolph-Macon College, Virginia: The Oldest Incorporated Methodist College in AmericaIrby, Richard
History
History of Randolph-Macon College, Virginia: The Oldest Incorporated Methodist College in America
Irby, Richard
Randolph-Macon College; Randolph-Macon Woman's College
Bishop McTyeire, who was a fellow-student with him at Randolph-Macon,
says: "In church and state it seemed to me he was just such an one as we
need now. With gratitude I remember his high Christian influence as a
student. Our meeting and reunion at Montgomery, twenty-five years after,
was one of the most pleasing events of my life. Who of us has not
coveted his gifts?"
Such is the testimony, voluntarily given, by this eminent minister.
We are enabled to give a more detailed account of this sad event from a
letter written by the proprietor of the hotel at Mattoon:
"When Mr. Johnson came out of the saloon of the sleeping car, the
conductor told him to 'hurry up.' Thinking he would be left if he did
not make haste, Mr. J. went quickly forward through the car, and was
just in the act of stepping across to the forward car when the cars
separated, and he fell on the track, and before he could recover himself
he was struck by the rear car and fatally injured. His right leg was
crushed in two places and his back broken. As soon as possible he was
taken from under the car. His first words were, 'My friends, my name is
Thomas C. Johnson, of Boydton, Va.; take your pencil and write it down.'
A stretcher was then procured, and he was brought to my house. We did
all we could for him. Doctors were at hand from the moment he was hurt
until he died. The injured leg was amputated; and on further examination
it was found that his back was broken. He was then told that he was
fatally injured and could live but a short time, and that any directions
he had to give must be given quickly. He then gave directions as to the
disposal of his body, requesting it to be sent to his friends in
Virginia. He was emphatic in saying that his death was caused by the
mismanagement of the railroad officials. Before his death, at his
request, a notary public was sent for, and his testimony as to the cause
of his death was legally taken. He was sensible to the last moment, and
spoke with deep feeling of the overwhelming effect the tidings of his
terrible and sudden death would have upon his family. I sat by his side
and heard every word he uttered. The general opinion of the public here
is that the railroad company is responsible for Mr. Johnson's death."
[Illustration: JUDGE W. J. KILBY, Trustee of College.]
[Illustration: PROF. MANSFIELD T. PEED, A. M., 1877. _Prof. Emory
College, Ga._]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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