Johnston, John Wesley 1866-1914

JOHNSTON, HAAKINSON, CHULEN

Posted By: Geo Clinton (email)
Date: 5/4/2016 at 20:36:06

Storm Lake Buena Vista Vidette - January 23, 1914 - Another auto victim was added to the list last Saturday. J.W. Johnston who lives north of Storm Lake had purchased a car last Wednesday and Saturday took his family to Sioux City.

He was accompanied by his neighbor J.P. Connelly. Mr Johnston drove the car himself. There have been many rumors as to just how it happened but those that were in the same are really too much shocked to know the exact details.

On the hill between Washta and Sioux City, the car skidded whether because it struck a rut or because the snow caused the road to be unusually slippery is not known. But the result was the death of Mr Johnston. The Sunday Sioux City Journal had the following account which is true in regard to some of the facts except that Mr Johnston was at the wheel himself and that his death was caused by heart failure. He had no bones broken and was not injured but the shock of the accident evidently caused his death.

From the Sioux City Paper - J.W. Johnston of Storm Lake, brother of Mr H.E. Haakinson, 909 Paxton Avenue, was killed near Washta at 8 o'clock last night when he was thrown from a motor car. Mr Johnston chartered a car of Frank Conley, a Storm Lake garage owner, yesterday morning and accompanied by his wife and daughter, Zelma, came to Sioux City to have some dental work done. They left here at 4 yesterday afternoon.

Mr Conley was driving the car. A few miles outside of Washta the car skidded and struck a rut. Mr Johnston, who was riding in the front seat with the driver, was thrown from the car, striking on his head and shoulders. His neck was evidently broken as he was dead by the time Conley reached him. He was placed in the car and taken to Washta and from there across the country to Storm Lake.

Mr Johnston was born and raised in Sioux City. He was the son of David Johnston, who lived at 1214 6th street a number of years ago. Fifteen years ago Mr Johnston moved to a farm in Buena Vista county near Storm Lake. He had rented his farm but still made his home there.

Mr and Mrs Haaksinson will go to Storm Lake this morning. Besides his widow he is survived by a son and daughter and 5 brothers and sisters: J.C. Johnston of Peterson, IA; W.J. Johnston of Carils, NE; F Johnston of Pipestone, MN; Mrs C.S. Chulen of Breegenridge, MN; and Mrs Haakinson of Sioux City.

The funeral was conducted at the home on Tuesday and the body was laid to rest in the Storm Lake cemetery.