Johnson, Clara B., 1902-1914

JOHNSON, NELSON

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 10/31/2015 at 08:22:58

From the Hawarden Independent, April 30, 1914:

MEETS FRIGHTFUL FATE
Clara Johnson Dies from Burns Caused by Kerosene Explosion

One of the most sad and heart rending accidents which The Independent has been called upon to chronicle for many years occurred about noon Monday [April 27] at the home of Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Johnson, when their only daughter, Clara, aged eleven years, was so badly burned from the explosion of a can of kerosene that she died a few hours later. Mrs. Johnson's hands and arms were badly burned in her efforts to put out the flames and save her daughter's life. The house also took fire, but the flames were extinguished before much damage was done.

Clara had just returned from school and took a two gallon can containing a small quantity of kerosene and started to kindle a fire by pouring on oil from the can. Some of the smouldering coals set fire the gas thus formed and this communicated to the gas in the can. The bottom was partially blown off and Clara's clothing was saturated with the burning fluid. Mrs. Johnson was in an adjoining room and rushed to her daughter's assistance when she hears her screams. She first attempted to beat out the flames with her hands and then reached for a coat hanging upon the wall, hoping to smother them with it. As she released her hold the child, in her frantic efforts to escape from the flames, rushed out of doors where the wind fanned the blaze into still greater activity. A tub filled with water happened to be in the yard and the child ran to this and climbed into it. Her mother had followed her and by splashing the water over the flames they were finally extinguished. Drs. McAllister & Meyer were hastily summoned and they found that the front of the child's body from her knees to her neck was badly burned and about the abdomen the burns were very deep. One side of her face was also burned. They did everything in their power to save her life and alleviate her suffering, but medical skill was unable to stay the hand of the grim reaper and the little life passed away the next morning.

Mr. Johnson had left for a trip to Gann Valley, S.D., just an hour before the accident occurred, but he was overtaken at Canton by a telegram and returned home on the afternoon train.

Brief services were held at the home at one o'clock Wednesday afternoon, Rev. V. A. Weir officiating. Six of Clara's little girl schoolmates acted as pall bearers. Following these services the body was taken to the Roseni Norwegian Lutheran church in Union county where the funeral was held today and interment was made in the cemetery at that place.

Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, with their daughter and two sons, moved to Hawarden from Gann Valley, S.D., last fall. They have the sincere heartfelt sympathy of everyone in their irreparable loss and deep sorrow.

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Findagrave.com has Clara Bertina Johnson, daughter of J. A. & P., born 19 Nov 1902, died 27 April 1914, buried in Roseni Lutheran Church Cemetery, Beresford, Union County, SD.

The 1910 U.S census has John A. Johnson (32), a real estate "landman," wife Pauline (33), sons Elmer N. (9) and John P. (2), daughter Clara B. (7), and sister-in-law Nellie Nelson (22), living in Elvira Township, Buffalo County, SD.