Johnson, Neva Beatrice 1899-1916

JOHNSON

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 10/22/2015 at 20:06:57

Hawarden Independent of May 18, 1916

Neva Beatrice Johnson was born in this city Jun 8, 1899, and would have reached her seventeen birthday next month. She was the eldest child of Mr. and Mrs. John A. Johnson pioneer resident s of this city, and her entire life was spent here. She entered the public school as a kindergartner and would have graduated with her class at the end of the present school year. Plans had been made for her entrance in college the coming fall where she no doubt would have attained distinction as she was rated as an exceptional scholar.

Her tragic death removed from the home a loving and dutiful daughter, the pride and joy of her fond parents. Her loss in the home is also deeply mourned by her younger brother, York Johnson whose manly courage in this great trial is most pathetic. Relatives and friends from away who ere here for the funeral were L. H. Martin and daughter, Mrs. H. Evans of Sioux City; Mr. and Mrs. A. P. Johnson and two sons of Akron; Mr. and Mrs. Ed. Olson of Big Springs; Miss Lena Jenson of Sioux City; Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Jenson, Mr. and Mrs. Sol. Esarey and Mr. and Mrs. Bert Wing of Ireton; and Mrs. H. P. White of Sioux City.

Some excerpts from the long article in the newspaper. The most lamentable tragedy in the history of this city was enacted about seven-thirty last Thursday evening when a boat occupied by one teacher and five girl high school students was swept over Ensign's mill dam and the lives of three, Edna Boorman, Margery Fairbrother and Neva Johnson, were swept into eternity in the swirling waters below the dam. Alma McGloghlon and Benita Sidwell jumped from the, boat just as it struck the dam and were saved from a similar fate, while Miss Elizabeth McCartney, A music teacher in the public schools, managed to cling to the boat and was saved as by a miracle.

Sunday was the day set for the funeral and it had been planned to hold the services for the three girls jointly upon the lawn at the J. A. Johnson home. The storm which had its beginning Friday night, however, seemed only to have reached its crest when Sunday dawned and it was found necessary to change the plans and hold the services in the Presbyterian church.

The church had been profusely decorated with lilacs and their fragrance permeated the building, while the wonderful offerings of cut flowers, which had been sent by friends far and near, reposed upon and around the caskets and were most beautiful to behold. Four ministers participated in the services. Rev. Edward M. Jeffers of Ottumwa, who had been supplying at the Baptist church, read from the Scriptures, Rev. A. M. Mclntosh offered prayer, while Rev. A. F. Eldridge and Rev. C. H. Young spoke words of comfort and helpfulness to those whose aching hearts were harrowed by an inexpressible grief.

Following the services at the church, the triple funeral procession was again formed and the remains of these three girls conveyed to Grace Hill cemetery where the caskets on after another were lowered into the graves with fitting ceremonies.