Johnston, Rienzi Melville, 1849-1926

Rienzi Melville Johnston was born in Georgia in 1849. He served as a drummer in the Confederate Army when he was twelve then reenlisted as a soldier when he came of age. Johnston moved to Texas in 1878 in order to edit the Crockett Patron newspaper, but after a year began to edit the Coriscana Observer . In Corsicana, Johnston founded the Independent newspaper. In 1880 he moved to Austin and quickly became a correspondent for the Austin Statesman, later to be renamed the Austin-American Statesman . The Houston Post later hired Johnston as a political correspondent in the capital and Johnston served there until he was appointed editor-in-chief of the newly reorganized Houston Post . Johnston was a vice president of the Associated Press and a strong Southern Democrat. He served as a member to the Democratic National Committee for the early part of the 1900's until 1913 when he was appointed by Governor Colquitt to serve the remainder of Senator Bailey's unexpired term. After he month long service in the United States senate, Johnston resumed his position with the Houston Post until his retirement in 1919. He served as a state senator and chairman of the state prison commission until his death in 1926. Johnston was a profoundly influential member of the press and a strong voice within the Democratic Party of the South, which he proudly served until his death. Quotes from Johnston's various political editorials surfaced in every Democratic newspaper in the Southwest and he was repeatedly asked to serve as higher positions within the state and national government.

From the guide to the Rienzi Melville Johnston papers MS 117., 1899-1926, (Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library, Rice University, Houston, TX)