Leo C. Johnston 1888-1943

RUSSELL, JOHNSTON, SCHLATERER, TEMPLETON, AUBREY

Posted By: N Wagner (email)
Date: 12/16/2007 at 18:56:51

Leo C. Johnston, 55, a leading figure in the business of Hawkeye, Iowa, and vicinity for 30 years, died Wednesday, Aug. 11, as the result of a self-inflicted shotgun wound. He had suffered for several months from an ailment which partially disabled him, and the difficulties in keeping several lines of business going under war conditions had preyed on his mind.

Mr. Johnston drove about 11:30 a.m. to his farm a mile south of town, and asked for and obtained his shotgun from Mrs. Earl Entwisle, wife of the tenant. She foreboded a tragedy, and telephoned to Mrs. Johnston in town. When Mr. Johnston did not come for lunch Mrs. Johnston asked Russell Pieper, assistant in the store, to make a search. He took Herman Smith, town marshal, and went to the other Johnston farm, one mile northeast of town, where about 1:30 they found Mr. Johnston's body in an oats field. He had shot himself through the head. Earl Schmitt is the tenant at that place, but knew nothing about the affair till the men came to inquire.

Although the sheriff was notified and Deputy Hansen came, no inquest was considered needful, so the coroner was not summoned.

Mr. Johnston operated a grocery and meat market; also a feed store, and a produce shipping station. He had the two farms, and at one time was extensively engaged in breeding Hampshire hogs, on which he took many premiums at state fairs.

His life had been spent in this community. He was born in Auburn township Aug. 7, 1888, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Adam Johnston. He was married June 23, 1909, to Margaret Russell of Minneapolis. They have one son, Russell, in the U.S. air force at Scott Field, Ill., and an adopted daughter, Betty, now Mrs. Louis Schlaterer of Louisville, Ky. His surviving brother is E. C. Johnston of West Union, and his sisters are Mrs. Millie Templeton of San Diego, Califl., and Mrs. Ruby Aubrey, Waverly.

Fayette County Union, August 1943