Johnson, Esadore 1896-1914

JOHNSON

Posted By: Viv Reeves (email)
Date: 4/1/2008 at 22:34:53

From the Hawarden Independent, Hawarden, (Sioux), Iowa, May 28, 1914, Page 1:

KILLED BY LIGHTNING

Garfield Township Boy Loses Life Saturday While on Horseback

Esadore Johnson, the 18-year old son of Frank Johnson of Garfield township, was instantly killed by lightning during the rain and electrical storm Saturday evening. He had been working for E. W. Brown, a neighbor, during the day and was on horseback driving the cattle up from the pasture when the lightning struck him. The horse was also killed by the same bolt. One side of the boy's body was turned black by the stroke which seemed to enter at his shoulder. The hair on the horse's body was all singed off. He was found shortly after the accident but death had been instantaneous. Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon in the Congregational church at Hudson and interment was made there. The Johnson family have been very unfortunate during their long residence in Garfield township. A number of years ago their home was burned down but Mr. Johnson soon had another erected for his family. This home was demolished by the June storm in 1902 and Mrs. Johnson was killed in the storm. Their barns have also been demolished by storms. Last fall while driving past the Johnson school house in his car, Mr. Johnson accidently (sic--accidentally) ran over Dick Timmer's 11-year-old son and the lad died a few hours following the accident. And now Mr. Johnson's son has been killed by lightning. The deepest sympathy of the entire community is extended to the Johnson family in their latest bereavement.