Minnie Geniva Johnson (1898-1914)

JOHNSON, NELSON, ENESS, ROBINSON, LARSON

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 5/2/2024 at 18:20:06

From Story City Herald June 18, 1914 (page 1)

NEAR DEATH FROM BURNING

Minnie Johnson Has Narrow Escape From Death From Burning Kerosene.

Minnie Johnson, the granddaughter of Mrs. Sarah Johnson of this place, met with an accident last Thursday afternoon which came near proving fatal. Even at this writing she is suffering terribly and is not entirely out of danger, though it is hoped that she will recover.

She was working at the Branjord place, northeast of town, and in reaching for the poker she tipped a can of kerosene which was standing on the shelf of the stove. The oil struck the not lids, ignited and splattered over her dress. The dress caught fire instantly and the frightened girl ran for the cob house where she thought there was a rug. Not finding the rug she ran into the yard calling for help.

As luck would have it the hired man was working near by, doing some fencing, and he saw the perilous position the girl was in and ran to her assistance. He told her to roll on ground while he ran into the house for a quilt, with which he quickly extinguished the flames.

But the girl was most awfully burned from the knees to the shoulders. It was somewhat difficult to secure help, but Dr. Haerem was finally secured and he hastened to the scene of the accident.

Minnie was removed to her home in town, and for several days hovered between life and death. At the present writing she id reported to be getting better and hopes for her complete recovery are entertained.

The girl was in the house alone, as the Branjord family had gone to Randall to attend the funeral of Mrs. Branjord's sister, Mrs. Martin Olson. The accident was a deplorable one, but it is hoped that it will not prove fatal.

From Story City Herald July 9, 1914

OBITUARY
Minnie Johnson

Minnie Geniva Johnson, daughter of Martin and Minnie Johnson was born near Cambridge, Feb. 2nd, 1898 and died June 30th, 1914 at the age of 16 years, 4 months and 28 days. Her mother having died when Minnie was an infant, she has made her home with her grandmother Mrs. Sarah Johnson and Uncle Chris Johnson at Story City. She was confirmed in the Immanuel Church by Rev. Heimarck in the year 1912 when she also became a member of the church at the same time.

She received her education in the public school of this city, graduating from the Grammar department in the class of 1912, and then attended High school during the next year. Her sad and untimely death has cast a gloom over the entire community and she will be greatly missed for years to come, by her sorrowing relative and friends far and near, which she has won by her kind and loving manner. Those left to mourn her death are her father, Martin Johnson of Lewiston, Montana and brother, Lester, of Roland; her grandmother Mrs. Sarah Johnson and uncles Chris and Lewis of this city; James and Hans of Butterfield, Minn.; also her aunts, Mrs. M. J. Nelson of Cambridge; Mrs. L. T. Eness of Gilbert; Mrs. F. S. Robinson of Grand Mound; her uncles Sven Johnson of Helena, Montana; Hans Johnson of Cambridge; and her aunt Mrs. Lewis Larson of Roland besides many cousins and other relatives.

The funeral services were held Friday afternoon July 3rd at the Immanuel church in Story City at two o'clock p. m. conducted by Rev. Heimarck and assisted by Rev. Bueland of Cambridge and Rev. Gunsten of Fenamore, Wis. Interment was made in the Fairview cemetery at Story City. Many sympathetic friends attended the funeral and the floral offering was abundant and beautiful.