Johnston, Lindsey M 1856-1899

JOHNSTON, SMITH

Posted By: Geo Clinton (email)
Date: 5/4/2016 at 20:42:14

Storm Lake Pilot Tribune - November 24, 1899 - Dr L.M. Johnston, one of the most prominent physicians of this city and of northwest Iowa, died last Monday evening from a dose of wood alcohol taken by mistake.

His daughter was with him during the forenoon at the office where he was busy vaccinating people. She left at 1 to go to dinner. He told her he would not go to dinner as he did not feel like eating.

Mrs Johnston came to the office at about 2 and found him ill and suffering with nausea. On inquiring what was the matter he said he was sick at the stomach. She remained with him until about 5 when he appeared better and then went home to prepare supper as he had not had dinner.

About 5:15 the doctor called to Charles Meinking in Fergusons tailor shop across the hall to go for his wife and daughter. Mr Meinking delivered his message as quickly as passible and Mrs Johnston and daughter arrived in a few minutes. He told his wife that he was dying and in response to her inquiries said he had taken a dose of wood alcohol by mistake that he had taken an emetic immediately but was afraid that it had done no good.

Dr Carver was sent for and arrived in a few moments. At Dr Johnstons request he injected strychnine which had no effect and soon afterward nitro glycerin which had a slight effect but not enough to counteract the effect of the poison and the doctor fell into a stupor from which it was impossible to arouse him and he died at 7:30.

Dr Johnston was born at Ft Recovery, Ohio June 8, 1856 and in early childhood removed with his parents to Masonville, Iowa, where he grew to manhood. He attended Oberlin College, Ohio for about 3 years, taking a classical course. He then went to Manchester, IA and entered the office of Dr Reynolds for the study of medicine. He remained there but a short time when he resolved to secure a collegiate education that he might thereby be the better equipped for the practice of his chosen profession.

He accordingly entered the medical department of the State University of Iowa and graduated in 1878 and afterwards took an intermediate course at Bush Medical College, Chicago and a post graduate course at Chicago Polyclinic. He commenced his professional career at Winthrop, Buchanan county, Iowa where he soon achieved distinction as a physician holding for several years the position of secretary of the Buchanan county Medical society.

He came to Storm Lake in January 1882 bringing with him the strongest kind of endorsements from some of the most prominent medical men of Iowa. He at once launched into a large and profitable practice here and in March following his arrival he formed a partnership with Dr Kerr. For 14 years he has served as coroner of Buena Vista county with an intermission of 3 years. He was also surgeon of the Illinois Central railroad.

The company which gathered at the residence of the late Dr Johnston for the funeral services was a small company in consequence of the prevalence of small pox.

He leaves to mourn his loss a loving wife and daughter and an only sister, D.B. Smith of Superior, Iowa who in answer to a telegram started for here to attend the funeral but got as far as Ft Dodge where she was appraised of the small pox epidemic here and informed if she came she could not return for some time. She therefore returned to her home.

He was laid to rest in the Storm Lake cemetery by the masonic brethren of his home lodge.