John Henry Johnston 1917-1919

JOHNSTON

Posted By: Merllene Bendixen (email)
Date: 10/11/2010 at 14:57:17

John Henry Johnston
John Henry Johnston, the little son of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Johnston, died suddenly on Sunday. The little fellow seemed to be feeling well on Saturday and was playing about. In the night he became very ill, apparently being poisoned from something eaten. The little fellow went into convulsions and had one after another until death came.

Mr. and Mrs. Johnston have the sympathy of the community in this their hour of trial. (Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, IA, June 18, 1919)

Mr. and Mrs. Will Johnston Mourn Death of Little Son
The community sympathizes with Mr. and Mrs. Will Johnston in the loss of their little son wh died Sunday evening. The little fellow is supposed to have eaten canned food which poisoned him, causing convulsions and resulting in his death. Little John Henry was two years old and a bright, happy little child who made friends with everyone. We can only express our sympathy to the parents in their deep sorrow. (Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, June 18, 1919)

Little Child Died last Sunday Morning
Infant Son of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. S. Johnston – Was Only Sick a Short Time
The sudden death of the little son of Attorney and Mrs. W. S. Johnston last Sunday evening at their home in this city, was a terrible shock to the entire community. He played about home all day Saturday apparently in the best of health spirit. On Sunday morning about four o’clock he was taken with convulsions. All day long a hard fight was made to save his life, but despite the efforts of doctors and nurses, he passed away shortly after ten o’clock that evening.

He was the only child, a bright little fellow, the pride of his parents and grandparents’ lives. His sudden death is a blow from which they will not soon recover. He was just past two years old, the interesting age in child life, and his childish prattle and tottering steps, which are forever stilled, will be sorely missed in the days that are to come. The great and Allwise Father works in mysterious ways, and yet we are taught it is all for the best. Some day it will be explained to us why those bright little lives are cut down in a seemingly ruthless manner. And on the day we see that it was for the best. It is hard for hearts that are bowed with grief to take this view of death, but that still small voice whispers, “Peace, the Master knows.”

Funeral services were held from the house on North Seventh street, yesterday afternoon, Rev. Torbett of the Methodist church in charge. The bereaved parents and grand-parents have the deepest sympathy of the entire city in their great hour of sorrow. Human words of sympathy are of no avail in an hour like this. Comfort and aid come only from the Heavenly Father and to Him we commend the sorrowing relatives. May he look down in compassion and heal the hearts that are breaking over this sudden and great loss. (Estherville Democrat, Estherville, IA, June 18, 1919)