This is one of the recollections written by Wallace A. McKay and published in The Pioneer-News. Follow the "Recollections" link above to find others of his writings.
The Pioneer-News, December 23, 1932, pages 1, 4
Side-lights on some Ex-Congressmen of the 4th. District.
After serving three terms in Congress in the late eighties Tom Robertson was finally defeated for re-nomination by his old rival, Judge Alex Montgomery, whom he had defeated 2 years before. Both Montgomery and Robertson at the time of the last two races were residents of Hardin County, Robertson having removed to Hardin County from LaRue County at the end of his first term. This removal was at the instance of Tom's brother, Sam R. Robertson, who was at that time one of the leading merchants of Elizabethtown and a man of the most genial manners and great popularity. It was mainly through the influence of Sam Robertson that Tom defeated Judge Montgomery in the former primary election.
During Tom Robertson's last term in Congress his brother, Sam in the prime of vigorous manhood died suddenly at Elizabethtown, his death being a great shock to the people of Hardin and LaRue Counties and creating the most widespread sorrow.
After Sam's death, Tom Robertson's political organization began to disintegrate and his good fortune began to wane, culminating in his subsequent defeat by Judge Montgomery, which ended his political career.
Judge Montgomery was more fortunate and was re-elected four successive terms, being defeated by John W. Lewis, Republican, in the Republican Landslide of 1894.
Lewis served only one term and was succeeded by David H. Smith of LaRue County, a former State Senator, a fine parliamentarian and a very shrewd, astute politician. Smith was a very active Congressman and made a good record in Washington. He was re-elected at least three times and voluntarily retired, being succeeded by Ben Johnson of Nelson Co., one of the ablest and most successful politicians known to this generation of Kentuckians. Few public men of this state have had such unusual good fortune in politics as Ben Johnson.
Born at Bardstown more than 70 years ago he has been before the public almost continuously since he was 25 years of age. In his early life he was elected to the General Assembly where he served with credit and became speaker. He made a fine record as a Speaker of the House and had the confidence and respect of men of all parties for his fairness and impartiality. He afterwards served in the State Senate where he was influential in shaping important legislation. Two of his colleagues in the Senate were Hon. John K. Hendrick of Paducah and Judge Wm. Lindsay of Frankfort, both men of outstanding ability and noble character. Hendrick afterwards serving in Congress and Lindsay in the U.S. Senate.
Before Mr. Johnson's term in the Senate expired, Cleveland was elected President and through the influence of Senator J. C. S. Blackburn and Senator Wm. Lindsay, who had recently become a U.S. Senator, Mr. Johnson was appointed Collector of Internal Revenue, serving four years.
His next public office was that of Congressman from the Fourth District where he served continuously for 20 years, a record without a parallel in the history of the Fourth District. He made a very creditable record in Congress and in the latter years of his service at Washington attained great influence as Chairman of the Committee on the District of Columbia where he succeeded in bringing about many reforms and economies in the administration of the fiscal affairs of the City of Washington.
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The Bullitt County History Museum, a service of the Bullitt County Genealogical Society, is located in the county courthouse at 300 South Buckman Street (Highway 61) in Shepherdsville, Kentucky. The museum, along with its research room, is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Saturday appointments are available by calling 502-921-0161 during our regular weekday hours. Admission is free. The museum, as part of the Bullitt County Genealogical Society, is a 501(c)3 tax exempt organization and is classified as a 509(a)2 public charity. Contributions and bequests are deductible under section 2055, 2106, or 2522 of the Internal Revenue Code. Page last modified: 15 Jun 2026 . Page URL: bullittcountyhistory.org/bchistory/wallace-pn-3.html
