Peter JOHNSON

JOHNSON

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 11/26/2010 at 11:41:35

1871 -- August 16, 1891

The Upper Des Moines -- Algona, Iowa
August 19, 1891

PETE JOHNSON'S DEATH

A telegram from Corwith to the Marshalltown Republican gives further particulars of the killing noted last week; a terrible accident happened near Corwith Sunday morning at 2 o'clock. A party drove over to Wesley about seven miles distant, to a dance, armed with an eight gallon keg of beer. The boys boozed up pretty well, and on their return Peter Johnson, a Dane about 20 years old, fell over the dashboard of the carriage. His foot caught on the irons of the pole and he was dragged to his death by the team, which ran away. The other occupant of the carriage fell or jumped out and was unhurt. The horses dragged Johnson about a mile when the lines getting tangled in the wheel, wound them up. Dr. Heskett was sent for, but nothing could be done for him, and death ensued at about 5 o'clock Sunday morning. His father, who resides in Story county, was sent for but did not come. He was buried in the Corwith cemetery at the expense of the county.