Iowa
Old Press
Spencer News Herald
Spencer, Clay co. Iowa
May 21, 1931
MRS. FLORA JOHNSON DROWNS in CISTERN at DAUGHTER’S
HOME
When she slipped or plunged into a deep cistern at the rear of
the home of her daughter, Mrs. Bessie Inman, on East Seventh
street, Sunday morning, Mrs. Flora L. Johnson, 69 years of age,
was drowned in about six feet of water, her body being discovered
half floating on the surface by the daughter as she returned from
attending Sunday School at the Church of Christ in Spencer. Mrs.
Johnson had been dead only a short time before the body was found
and it is believed she fell into the well only a few moments
before her daughter returned. Examination showed only a small
amount of water in the lungs, indicating the aged woman died more
from the shock of the fall than from drowning.
Coroner P. F. Schwarck pronounced her death as due to accidental
causes. Following the discovery of the body, after Mrs. Inman had
searched the house for her mother upon her return, Chief of
Police Roy Frad and Constable William Jones were called to the
scene. They summoned the coroner after raising the body from the
water by means of a rope.
CISTERN ALMOST FULL
The cistern in which Mrs. Johnson died is about nine feet deep
and seven feet wide at the ground level. It was filled to within
three feet of the top with rain water. The opening is protected
by planks laid across a concrete aperture about three feet wide.
An inner cover of wood also protects the opening. All of the
planks but two were removed from the opening as was the inner
cover when the body was found, leaving an opening through which
the woman fell of about two by three feet in size. Nearby was a
pail half filled with water and dandelions.
It is believed Mrs. Johnson attempted to draw water from the
cistern for washing and as she reached across the opening for the
pail, lost her balance and fell into the opening. Unable to cling
to the sides, because of limited strength, it is believed she
plunged downward into the watery pit. A scratch on her arm
indicated this.
OLD RESIDENT HERE
Mrs. Johnson, nee Flora Louise Damon, was born October 21, 1862,
the daughter of Joseph and Mary Damon. She was one of the pioneer
residents of Spencer and has lived here the greater part of her
life. On October 31, 1886, she was married to William George
Todd, who preceded her in death in 1918. To this union were born
six children, Mrs. Ernest Freed, Mrs. Mabel Bowman, Mrs. Bessie
Inman, Mrs. N. T. Lane, and Mrs. Arthur Young, a son having died
in infancy.
Surviving to mourn her death are Mrs. Inman, Mrs. Lane, who
resides in Des Moines, and Mrs. Young of Chicago. There are also
two great grandchildren and a number of grandchildren living.
She is also survived by her husband, Mr. Stephen Johnson of
Spencer, to whom she was wedded in January of this year.
Funeral services were held yesterday afternoon, May 20, at two
o’clock from the Cobb Funeral chapel in Spencer. Rev. W. F.
Hurst of the Church of Christ was in charge of the services.
Interment was at Riverside Cemetery.
[note: a photo of Mrs. Flora Johnson was with the obit; transcribed by L.Z., February 2014]
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Spencer Herald News
Spencer, Clay co. Iowa
May 28, 1931
JAMES F. WALTON
LINN GROVE, Iowa, May 26—(Special to The News-Herald)—James
F. Walton died last Saturday morning, May 23, 1931, at the home
of his son, Lloyd L. Walton of Linn Grove, following several
weeks illness, the last two weeks during which he was confined to
his bed.
Funeral services for the deceased man were held from the home of
Lloyd Walton and from the Presbyterian Church in Linn Grove early
Monday afternoon and were conducted by the Reverend James
McGinnis of Peterson. The funeral cortege then left for Walnut,
Iowa, where interment was made beside the grave of his wife,
Alice Inman Walton.
Mr. Walton was the son of Mr. and Mrs. David Walton and was born
at Wilton Junction, Iowa, on February 14, 1854, and was 77 years,
3 months, and 9 days old at the time of his death. He was married
to Miss Alice Inman, who preceded him in death on December 24,
1900. He later married Rose Thompson, who survives him. He was
the father of fourteen children, all of whom are living and mourn
the departure of him whose greatest interest in life had been his
solicitude for them. They are Richard and George Walton of
Norfolk, Nebraska; William Walton of Atlantic, Iowa; David Walton
of Lincoln, Nebraska; Edward Walton of Denver, Colorado; Mrs.
Gust Larson of Chicago, Illinois; Mrs. J. A. Houchin of Sioux
City; Arthur C. Walton and Mrs. Bessie Tarpening of Lakefield,
Minnesota; Vern Walton and Clyde Walton of Storm Lake; Mrs.
William Boese of Webb; Bert Walton of Spencer; and Lloyd L.
Walton of Linn Grove. Four sisters and three brothers also
survive him.
Mr. Walton had engaged in farming the greater part of his life.
He lived many years of his early manhood near Walnut, Iowa, and
moved to Norfolk, Nebraska, in about 1903. He came to Linn Grove
about 18 years ago and had lived in this vicinity since that time
with the exception of five years spent on a farm at Lakefield,
Minnesota.
[transcribed by L.Z., October 2013]