William S. Burroughs, Baseball Writer

An essay in William S. Burroughs' book The Adding Machine explains what 19th century drifters, thieves and addicts meant when they spoke of The Johnson Family:

In this world of shabby rooming houses, furtive gray figures in dark suits, hop joints and chili parlours the Johnson Family took shape as a code of conduct. To say someone is a Johnson means he keeps his word and honors his obligations. He's a good man to do business with and a good man to have on your team. He is not a malicious, snooping, interfering self-righteous trouble making person.

(Burroughs had a name for "malicious, snooping, interfering self-righteous trouble making person[s]." He called them Shits.)

Yes you get to know a Johnson when you see one. The cop who gave me a joint to smoke in the wagon. The hotel clerk who tipped me off I was hot. And sometimes you don't see the Johnson. I remember a friend of mine asked someone to send him a hash cake from France. Well the asshole put it in a cheap envelope with no wrapping and it cut through the envelope. But some Johnson had put it back in and sealed the envelope with tape.

Former Yankee trainer Brian McNamee is no Johnson [New York Times].