Johnson, John A. – d. 1901

FAIRLIE, JOHNSON

Posted By: Diana Wagner
Date: 10/9/2016 at 13:03:00

Died by His Own hand
The community was shocked beyond measure on Tuesday forenoon to learn that John A. Johnson, for many years a resident of this county and loved and respected by all, had committed suicide by taking carbolic acid, while temporarily insane.
Mr. Johnson had complained a great deal lately of feeling unwell and seemed to be troubled in his mind. On Tuesday he rode from his home to that of his relative, Mr. Rickett Johnson, with Mr. James Fairlie, of this place, who happened to be going in that direction. – Arriving at his destination, he shortly afterward spoke of going out and picking some gooseberries. Accordingly the two Johnsons proceeded toward the place where the berries grew wild, distant perhaps a half mile. On the way there the unfortunate man stopped behind an out-building and unperceived by Rickett swallowed the fatal poison. The two men walked quite a distance before Johnson began to walk unsteadily, and before his alarmed companion could do anything for him, fell to the ground and expired.
Help was summoned and Johnson was carried to the house, and Dr. McConnaughey sent for, but the unfortunate man was beyond all human aid. An examination resulted in the finding of a vial of carbolic acid, nearly emptied, in his pocket. His mouth and throat were severely burned.
There seems to be no double that Johnson was determined on self-destruction. In Prairie city, Monday, he tried to buy strychnine, but was refused.
The funeral was held Thursday morning at 10 o’clock, at the home of the deceased.
Source: Newton Journal; June 26, 1901, page 2