Merton Johnson (1906-1922)

JOHNSON

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 3/17/2020 at 19:31:22

From The Roland Record, Roland, Story County, Iowa, Thursday June 1, 1922.

Young Man Killed in Accident

Merton, the sixteen-year old son of Mr. and Mrs. James K. Johnson, was accidentally killed last Thursday. From reports it appears that he and his brother were trying to catch doves in the hog house, and that Merton had placed the ladder against one of the rafters near the cupola and that when he had reached the top of the ladder it slipped, precipitating him to the cement floor, the fall fracturing his skull. Medical aid was summoned at once and he was taken to the hospital at Story City, and an emergency operation performed in the hope of saving his life, but he never regained consciousness, passing away early Friday morning.

The accident is a terrible blow to the parents, w ho are respected residents of the northwest part of Howard township, and to the brothers and sisters and other relatives.

Funeral services were held last Sunday afternoon from St. Petri church at Story City, Rev. J. N. Andersen preaching the funeral sermon, after which interment took place in the Story City cemetery. The church was filled to overflowing, many being unable to gain entrance, with friends who had gathered to show their sympathy to the bereaved family.

Transcriber note: His marker was transcribed as: Burton JOHNSON 1906-1922 but this appears to be Merton's marker.