| Show THE UTAH NEWSPAPER HALL OF FAME school teacher specializing in elocution He and his brothers joined other citizens in building the townfirst opera house where the Johnson Dramatic Company staged many productions utilizing local talent Bothbuilder andtimber contractor he provided the telegraph poles for the Denver Rio Grande Railroad when its tracks were laid into Utah They were cut in Spanish Fork Canyon He also worked on construction of the railroad to California Johnson served as one of the territoryfirst telegraph operators and at one time was agent at Franklin Station now Murray for the Horn Silver and Germania Smelters 14 In 1868 he returned to the Missouri River to organize and guide an emigrant train back to Salt Lake City and on that trip was Captain of the night squad He wasveteran of the Blackhawk Indian War and participated in the Battle of Little Diamond Fork He waslawyer practicing in Provo and Springville and was City Attorney of Springville in the early 1900s He also found time to serveterm in the Utah State Senate Considered an authority on historical events of Spring ville he wrotehistory of the community which is still an in demand reference book Johnson wasmember ofgroup which purchased the Springuille Independent not long after it had begun on August 20 1891 Newman Mix was its founder and George Sanders was the general manager After his group became the owners Johnson was the editor He did so skillfully The Brigham Bugler observed on October 14 1893 The Springuille Independent has done away with its patent insides Editor Johnson ispusher who deserves the hearty patronage of the neighborhood he represents so well During this time Johnson participated in the meeting 569 Digital image 2005 Marriott Library University of Utah Al rights reserved |
