The following are undated newspaper clippings from the Johnston family transcribed by Laura Painter:
BELOVED WARDEN OF STATE PENITENTIARY PASSES TO REWARD.
God, in his infinite wisdom, has seen fit to take from us, after an illness of several months, one of our noblest characters, Capt. Rowen Lee Johnston, Warden of the State Penitentiary at Wetumpka.
He leaves a wife, two daughters, Mary and Gussie Lee, and a son, Joseph.
Capt. Johnston was known throughout Alabama as one of the most humane, just and merciful men in the administration of his duties as Warden; always bearing in mind the frailties of human nature and acting upon the grand theory that to err is human, to forgive divine.
During his seven years as the keeper of the Penitentiary he gained the admiration of all progressive penologists for his untiring efforts to elevate and encourage toward a new and true life those sentenced to imprisonment. His theory was that the good in every man could be better established by kind and considerate methods rather than by harsh and brutal treatment. And as an evidence of his love and interest in the work that he had undertaken, his dying request was that those within his care and whom he loved as belonging to the great brotherhood of man be permitted to escort him to his last resting place. His loving wife and family, constituted with a kindred interest for these unfortunates, willingly complied with his wishes, and at 2:00 o’clock Tuesday afternoon his remains were taken from the family residence to the “Walls” by convict pall bearers followed by relatives and a vast number of friends from all parts of the State and the last opportunity was given to every inmate of the Penitentiary to view their late beloved friend and keeper.
During the beautiful service the expressions of grief by those in attendance as well as every convict present were marked.
At the Wetumpka cemetery the Masonic fraternity conducted in a most impressive manner their burial service, Capt. Johnston having been a Mason for a number of years.
The floral offerings were numerous and beautiful among which were two elaborate designs—one from the convicts of Speigner prison and one from those at Wetumpka.
Several who had previously served sentences under Capt. Johnston and who now reside in different parts of the State were in attendance.
Too much cannot be said for the noble efforts of this good man to reform rather than destroy those who are forced to suffer penal servitude, and in the days to come his name will be called among the honored list as one of the pioneers of prison reform and the honor system.
==========
CONVICTS BORE COFFIN TO GRAVE AT STATE PRISON.
Unusual Ceremonies When the State Prison Warden is Laid to Rest at Wetumpka.
Local Men Attend.
When R.L. Johnston, for years warden of the state penitentiary at Wetumpka was laid to rest Tuesday the grief portrayed on the faces of the convicts who gathered about him showed what had been the nature of the man’s service to the unfortunates who had surrounded him. The exercises were unique in that those who carried the coffin in which was held all that was mortal of the deceased, were convicts; and the hearse also was driven to the grave by a trusty.
Funeral services were conducted by Reverend Smith of Dadeville, the former home of Mr. Johnston, assisted by Rev. W.D. Hubbard, state prison chaplain.
A number of Montgomery friends of Mr. Johnston attended the funeral. Among them were John Moffat, secretary to the governor, who represented the executive department; Judge Leon McCord of the circuit court; W.E. Matthews, president of the state convict department; and Brooks Flowers former president of the department; Cyrus Brown and leading members of the Masonic order, who were in charge at the grave.
John Moffat, who was in his office Wednesday, after attending the funeral services, said the music at the grave was unusually beautiful. “Every convict was there,” said Mr. Moffat. “The services were within the prison walls and were very impressive. Some of the negro convicts have beautiful voices. I especially noticed a tenor voice that I thought unusually musical, and sweet. While they sang I saw many with tears on their cheeks. Mr. Johnston was a strict disciplinarian but the convicts were fond of him. There will be many to remember the favors he showed them.”
It is not known as yet who will succeed Mr. Johnston as warden of the penitentiary at Wetumpka. No names have been mentioned, so far as may be judged, as probably successors and it is believed some difficulty will be experienced by the department in securing a competent man for the place. It is regarded as one of the most important and most difficult in the convict department, and the term of service, expiring with the administration of the governor, will be short, making the problem all the more difficult of solution.
==========
Convicts Honor Dead at the Funeral of Warden Johnston.
The funeral of Hon. Lee Johnston, warden of the penitentiary at Wetumpka was largely attended yesterday, many capitol officials and employees going over.
At the request of Mr. Johnston the services were held inside the walls, where all of the convicts he had looked over so carefully could attend the service.
The casket was borne to the walls in a hearse drawn by two snow white mules, belonging to the state, six trustys acting as pall bearers.
The six convicts who acted as pall bearers were picked out on account of the faithful manner in which they had performed the duties required of them.
A trusty was mounted on the seat of the hearse and drove the body over to the walls, where it lay in state under the trees in the open court in front of the office. The white convicts first marched by and viewed the remains followed by the colored wards of the state. The six pall bearers, dressed in white pants, black coats and white cravats and the white mules drawing the hearse, made a solemn impression on all who witnessed the services.
Just as the coffin was opened in the court inside the walls the sun came from behind the clouds.
It was a very impressive sight to see the several hundred convicts marching by the casket, taking a last look at the face of the man who had been so kind to them.
At the grave the Masons took charge of the remains and all that was mortal of big hearted Lee Johnston was consigned to earth with masonic honors. The services at the walls were conducted by Rev. Mr. Smith of Dadeville.
==========
Alabama Deaths & Burial Index.
Name: Rowan Lee Johnston
Birth Date: abt 1865
Birth Place: Tallapoosa County, Alabama
Death Date: 29 Apr 1918
Death Place: Wetumpka, Elmore, Alabama
Burial Place: Wetumpka, Alabama
Death Age: 53
Occupation: Warden
Race: White
Marital status: Married
Gender: Male
Father Name: R. L. Johnston
Father Birth Place: Alabama
Mother Name: Mary Johston
Mother Birth Place: Alabama
FHL Film Number: 1908200
BELOVED WARDEN OF STATE PENITENTIARY PASSES TO REWARD.
God, in his infinite wisdom, has seen fit to take from us, after an illness of several months, one of our noblest characters, Capt. Rowen Lee Johnston, Warden of the State Penitentiary at Wetumpka.
He leaves a wife, two daughters, Mary and Gussie Lee, and a son, Joseph.
Capt. Johnston was known throughout Alabama as one of the most humane, just and merciful men in the administration of his duties as Warden; always bearing in mind the frailties of human nature and acting upon the grand theory that to err is human, to forgive divine.
During his seven years as the keeper of the Penitentiary he gained the admiration of all progressive penologists for his untiring efforts to elevate and encourage toward a new and true life those sentenced to imprisonment. His theory was that the good in every man could be better established by kind and considerate methods rather than by harsh and brutal treatment. And as an evidence of his love and interest in the work that he had undertaken, his dying request was that those within his care and whom he loved as belonging to the great brotherhood of man be permitted to escort him to his last resting place. His loving wife and family, constituted with a kindred interest for these unfortunates, willingly complied with his wishes, and at 2:00 o’clock Tuesday afternoon his remains were taken from the family residence to the “Walls” by convict pall bearers followed by relatives and a vast number of friends from all parts of the State and the last opportunity was given to every inmate of the Penitentiary to view their late beloved friend and keeper.
During the beautiful service the expressions of grief by those in attendance as well as every convict present were marked.
At the Wetumpka cemetery the Masonic fraternity conducted in a most impressive manner their burial service, Capt. Johnston having been a Mason for a number of years.
The floral offerings were numerous and beautiful among which were two elaborate designs—one from the convicts of Speigner prison and one from those at Wetumpka.
Several who had previously served sentences under Capt. Johnston and who now reside in different parts of the State were in attendance.
Too much cannot be said for the noble efforts of this good man to reform rather than destroy those who are forced to suffer penal servitude, and in the days to come his name will be called among the honored list as one of the pioneers of prison reform and the honor system.
==========
CONVICTS BORE COFFIN TO GRAVE AT STATE PRISON.
Unusual Ceremonies When the State Prison Warden is Laid to Rest at Wetumpka.
Local Men Attend.
When R.L. Johnston, for years warden of the state penitentiary at Wetumpka was laid to rest Tuesday the grief portrayed on the faces of the convicts who gathered about him showed what had been the nature of the man’s service to the unfortunates who had surrounded him. The exercises were unique in that those who carried the coffin in which was held all that was mortal of the deceased, were convicts; and the hearse also was driven to the grave by a trusty.
Funeral services were conducted by Reverend Smith of Dadeville, the former home of Mr. Johnston, assisted by Rev. W.D. Hubbard, state prison chaplain.
A number of Montgomery friends of Mr. Johnston attended the funeral. Among them were John Moffat, secretary to the governor, who represented the executive department; Judge Leon McCord of the circuit court; W.E. Matthews, president of the state convict department; and Brooks Flowers former president of the department; Cyrus Brown and leading members of the Masonic order, who were in charge at the grave.
John Moffat, who was in his office Wednesday, after attending the funeral services, said the music at the grave was unusually beautiful. “Every convict was there,” said Mr. Moffat. “The services were within the prison walls and were very impressive. Some of the negro convicts have beautiful voices. I especially noticed a tenor voice that I thought unusually musical, and sweet. While they sang I saw many with tears on their cheeks. Mr. Johnston was a strict disciplinarian but the convicts were fond of him. There will be many to remember the favors he showed them.”
It is not known as yet who will succeed Mr. Johnston as warden of the penitentiary at Wetumpka. No names have been mentioned, so far as may be judged, as probably successors and it is believed some difficulty will be experienced by the department in securing a competent man for the place. It is regarded as one of the most important and most difficult in the convict department, and the term of service, expiring with the administration of the governor, will be short, making the problem all the more difficult of solution.
==========
Convicts Honor Dead at the Funeral of Warden Johnston.
The funeral of Hon. Lee Johnston, warden of the penitentiary at Wetumpka was largely attended yesterday, many capitol officials and employees going over.
At the request of Mr. Johnston the services were held inside the walls, where all of the convicts he had looked over so carefully could attend the service.
The casket was borne to the walls in a hearse drawn by two snow white mules, belonging to the state, six trustys acting as pall bearers.
The six convicts who acted as pall bearers were picked out on account of the faithful manner in which they had performed the duties required of them.
A trusty was mounted on the seat of the hearse and drove the body over to the walls, where it lay in state under the trees in the open court in front of the office. The white convicts first marched by and viewed the remains followed by the colored wards of the state. The six pall bearers, dressed in white pants, black coats and white cravats and the white mules drawing the hearse, made a solemn impression on all who witnessed the services.
Just as the coffin was opened in the court inside the walls the sun came from behind the clouds.
It was a very impressive sight to see the several hundred convicts marching by the casket, taking a last look at the face of the man who had been so kind to them.
At the grave the Masons took charge of the remains and all that was mortal of big hearted Lee Johnston was consigned to earth with masonic honors. The services at the walls were conducted by Rev. Mr. Smith of Dadeville.
==========
Alabama Deaths & Burial Index.
Name: Rowan Lee Johnston
Birth Date: abt 1865
Birth Place: Tallapoosa County, Alabama
Death Date: 29 Apr 1918
Death Place: Wetumpka, Elmore, Alabama
Burial Place: Wetumpka, Alabama
Death Age: 53
Occupation: Warden
Race: White
Marital status: Married
Gender: Male
Father Name: R. L. Johnston
Father Birth Place: Alabama
Mother Name: Mary Johston
Mother Birth Place: Alabama
FHL Film Number: 1908200
The following are undated newspaper clippings from the Johnston family transcribed by Laura Painter:
BELOVED WARDEN OF STATE PENITENTIARY PASSES TO REWARD.
God, in his infinite wisdom, has seen fit to take from us, after an illness of several months, one of our noblest characters, Capt. Rowen Lee Johnston, Warden of the State Penitentiary at Wetumpka.
He leaves a wife, two daughters, Mary and Gussie Lee, and a son, Joseph.
Capt. Johnston was known throughout Alabama as one of the most humane, just and merciful men in the administration of his duties as Warden; always bearing in mind the frailties of human nature and acting upon the grand theory that to err is human, to forgive divine.
During his seven years as the keeper of the Penitentiary he gained the admiration of all progressive penologists for his untiring efforts to elevate and encourage toward a new and true life those sentenced to imprisonment. His theory was that the good in every man could be better established by kind and considerate methods rather than by harsh and brutal treatment. And as an evidence of his love and interest in the work that he had undertaken, his dying request was that those within his care and whom he loved as belonging to the great brotherhood of man be permitted to escort him to his last resting place. His loving wife and family, constituted with a kindred interest for these unfortunates, willingly complied with his wishes, and at 2:00 o’clock Tuesday afternoon his remains were taken from the family residence to the “Walls” by convict pall bearers followed by relatives and a vast number of friends from all parts of the State and the last opportunity was given to every inmate of the Penitentiary to view their late beloved friend and keeper.
During the beautiful service the expressions of grief by those in attendance as well as every convict present were marked.
At the Wetumpka cemetery the Masonic fraternity conducted in a most impressive manner their burial service, Capt. Johnston having been a Mason for a number of years.
The floral offerings were numerous and beautiful among which were two elaborate designs—one from the convicts of Speigner prison and one from those at Wetumpka.
Several who had previously served sentences under Capt. Johnston and who now reside in different parts of the State were in attendance.
Too much cannot be said for the noble efforts of this good man to reform rather than destroy those who are forced to suffer penal servitude, and in the days to come his name will be called among the honored list as one of the pioneers of prison reform and the honor system.
==========
CONVICTS BORE COFFIN TO GRAVE AT STATE PRISON.
Unusual Ceremonies When the State Prison Warden is Laid to Rest at Wetumpka.
Local Men Attend.
When R.L. Johnston, for years warden of the state penitentiary at Wetumpka was laid to rest Tuesday the grief portrayed on the faces of the convicts who gathered about him showed what had been the nature of the man’s service to the unfortunates who had surrounded him. The exercises were unique in that those who carried the coffin in which was held all that was mortal of the deceased, were convicts; and the hearse also was driven to the grave by a trusty.
Funeral services were conducted by Reverend Smith of Dadeville, the former home of Mr. Johnston, assisted by Rev. W.D. Hubbard, state prison chaplain.
A number of Montgomery friends of Mr. Johnston attended the funeral. Among them were John Moffat, secretary to the governor, who represented the executive department; Judge Leon McCord of the circuit court; W.E. Matthews, president of the state convict department; and Brooks Flowers former president of the department; Cyrus Brown and leading members of the Masonic order, who were in charge at the grave.
John Moffat, who was in his office Wednesday, after attending the funeral services, said the music at the grave was unusually beautiful. “Every convict was there,” said Mr. Moffat. “The services were within the prison walls and were very impressive. Some of the negro convicts have beautiful voices. I especially noticed a tenor voice that I thought unusually musical, and sweet. While they sang I saw many with tears on their cheeks. Mr. Johnston was a strict disciplinarian but the convicts were fond of him. There will be many to remember the favors he showed them.”
It is not known as yet who will succeed Mr. Johnston as warden of the penitentiary at Wetumpka. No names have been mentioned, so far as may be judged, as probably successors and it is believed some difficulty will be experienced by the department in securing a competent man for the place. It is regarded as one of the most important and most difficult in the convict department, and the term of service, expiring with the administration of the governor, will be short, making the problem all the more difficult of solution.
==========
Convicts Honor Dead at the Funeral of Warden Johnston.
The funeral of Hon. Lee Johnston, warden of the penitentiary at Wetumpka was largely attended yesterday, many capitol officials and employees going over.
At the request of Mr. Johnston the services were held inside the walls, where all of the convicts he had looked over so carefully could attend the service.
The casket was borne to the walls in a hearse drawn by two snow white mules, belonging to the state, six trustys acting as pall bearers.
The six convicts who acted as pall bearers were picked out on account of the faithful manner in which they had performed the duties required of them.
A trusty was mounted on the seat of the hearse and drove the body over to the walls, where it lay in state under the trees in the open court in front of the office. The white convicts first marched by and viewed the remains followed by the colored wards of the state. The six pall bearers, dressed in white pants, black coats and white cravats and the white mules drawing the hearse, made a solemn impression on all who witnessed the services.
Just as the coffin was opened in the court inside the walls the sun came from behind the clouds.
It was a very impressive sight to see the several hundred convicts marching by the casket, taking a last look at the face of the man who had been so kind to them.
At the grave the Masons took charge of the remains and all that was mortal of big hearted Lee Johnston was consigned to earth with masonic honors. The services at the walls were conducted by Rev. Mr. Smith of Dadeville.
==========
Alabama Deaths & Burial Index.
Name: Rowan Lee Johnston
Birth Date: abt 1865
Birth Place: Tallapoosa County, Alabama
Death Date: 29 Apr 1918
Death Place: Wetumpka, Elmore, Alabama
Burial Place: Wetumpka, Alabama
Death Age: 53
Occupation: Warden
Race: White
Marital status: Married
Gender: Male
Father Name: R. L. Johnston
Father Birth Place: Alabama
Mother Name: Mary Johston
Mother Birth Place: Alabama
FHL Film Number: 1908200
BELOVED WARDEN OF STATE PENITENTIARY PASSES TO REWARD.
God, in his infinite wisdom, has seen fit to take from us, after an illness of several months, one of our noblest characters, Capt. Rowen Lee Johnston, Warden of the State Penitentiary at Wetumpka.
He leaves a wife, two daughters, Mary and Gussie Lee, and a son, Joseph.
Capt. Johnston was known throughout Alabama as one of the most humane, just and merciful men in the administration of his duties as Warden; always bearing in mind the frailties of human nature and acting upon the grand theory that to err is human, to forgive divine.
During his seven years as the keeper of the Penitentiary he gained the admiration of all progressive penologists for his untiring efforts to elevate and encourage toward a new and true life those sentenced to imprisonment. His theory was that the good in every man could be better established by kind and considerate methods rather than by harsh and brutal treatment. And as an evidence of his love and interest in the work that he had undertaken, his dying request was that those within his care and whom he loved as belonging to the great brotherhood of man be permitted to escort him to his last resting place. His loving wife and family, constituted with a kindred interest for these unfortunates, willingly complied with his wishes, and at 2:00 o’clock Tuesday afternoon his remains were taken from the family residence to the “Walls” by convict pall bearers followed by relatives and a vast number of friends from all parts of the State and the last opportunity was given to every inmate of the Penitentiary to view their late beloved friend and keeper.
During the beautiful service the expressions of grief by those in attendance as well as every convict present were marked.
At the Wetumpka cemetery the Masonic fraternity conducted in a most impressive manner their burial service, Capt. Johnston having been a Mason for a number of years.
The floral offerings were numerous and beautiful among which were two elaborate designs—one from the convicts of Speigner prison and one from those at Wetumpka.
Several who had previously served sentences under Capt. Johnston and who now reside in different parts of the State were in attendance.
Too much cannot be said for the noble efforts of this good man to reform rather than destroy those who are forced to suffer penal servitude, and in the days to come his name will be called among the honored list as one of the pioneers of prison reform and the honor system.
==========
CONVICTS BORE COFFIN TO GRAVE AT STATE PRISON.
Unusual Ceremonies When the State Prison Warden is Laid to Rest at Wetumpka.
Local Men Attend.
When R.L. Johnston, for years warden of the state penitentiary at Wetumpka was laid to rest Tuesday the grief portrayed on the faces of the convicts who gathered about him showed what had been the nature of the man’s service to the unfortunates who had surrounded him. The exercises were unique in that those who carried the coffin in which was held all that was mortal of the deceased, were convicts; and the hearse also was driven to the grave by a trusty.
Funeral services were conducted by Reverend Smith of Dadeville, the former home of Mr. Johnston, assisted by Rev. W.D. Hubbard, state prison chaplain.
A number of Montgomery friends of Mr. Johnston attended the funeral. Among them were John Moffat, secretary to the governor, who represented the executive department; Judge Leon McCord of the circuit court; W.E. Matthews, president of the state convict department; and Brooks Flowers former president of the department; Cyrus Brown and leading members of the Masonic order, who were in charge at the grave.
John Moffat, who was in his office Wednesday, after attending the funeral services, said the music at the grave was unusually beautiful. “Every convict was there,” said Mr. Moffat. “The services were within the prison walls and were very impressive. Some of the negro convicts have beautiful voices. I especially noticed a tenor voice that I thought unusually musical, and sweet. While they sang I saw many with tears on their cheeks. Mr. Johnston was a strict disciplinarian but the convicts were fond of him. There will be many to remember the favors he showed them.”
It is not known as yet who will succeed Mr. Johnston as warden of the penitentiary at Wetumpka. No names have been mentioned, so far as may be judged, as probably successors and it is believed some difficulty will be experienced by the department in securing a competent man for the place. It is regarded as one of the most important and most difficult in the convict department, and the term of service, expiring with the administration of the governor, will be short, making the problem all the more difficult of solution.
==========
Convicts Honor Dead at the Funeral of Warden Johnston.
The funeral of Hon. Lee Johnston, warden of the penitentiary at Wetumpka was largely attended yesterday, many capitol officials and employees going over.
At the request of Mr. Johnston the services were held inside the walls, where all of the convicts he had looked over so carefully could attend the service.
The casket was borne to the walls in a hearse drawn by two snow white mules, belonging to the state, six trustys acting as pall bearers.
The six convicts who acted as pall bearers were picked out on account of the faithful manner in which they had performed the duties required of them.
A trusty was mounted on the seat of the hearse and drove the body over to the walls, where it lay in state under the trees in the open court in front of the office. The white convicts first marched by and viewed the remains followed by the colored wards of the state. The six pall bearers, dressed in white pants, black coats and white cravats and the white mules drawing the hearse, made a solemn impression on all who witnessed the services.
Just as the coffin was opened in the court inside the walls the sun came from behind the clouds.
It was a very impressive sight to see the several hundred convicts marching by the casket, taking a last look at the face of the man who had been so kind to them.
At the grave the Masons took charge of the remains and all that was mortal of big hearted Lee Johnston was consigned to earth with masonic honors. The services at the walls were conducted by Rev. Mr. Smith of Dadeville.
==========
Alabama Deaths & Burial Index.
Name: Rowan Lee Johnston
Birth Date: abt 1865
Birth Place: Tallapoosa County, Alabama
Death Date: 29 Apr 1918
Death Place: Wetumpka, Elmore, Alabama
Burial Place: Wetumpka, Alabama
Death Age: 53
Occupation: Warden
Race: White
Marital status: Married
Gender: Male
Father Name: R. L. Johnston
Father Birth Place: Alabama
Mother Name: Mary Johston
Mother Birth Place: Alabama
FHL Film Number: 1908200
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