The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1881-07-21
AsAp ArFLIcrloN,



On Wednesday last the sad intelli
gence reached Ravenna by Telegram
from Bay City, Michigan, that "Franl
johnson is sick. Cant live" Hi
grief stricken mother left on the frs
train, hastening to reach her boy ant
minister to his wants as only = mOthe
can. In the early evening Of Wed
nssday, twelve hours before Mrs. John
son could reach her destination
another dispatch came announcing
Franks death from diphtheria. Mrs
Johnson was met at a station this side
Of Bay City by Mr.. l.. Il. Bennett and
Frank Tidball (the latter playmate
OF Frank's) who communicated to hel
the crushing news that she would new.
er again see her Frank alive. At ten
o'clock on Thursday morning, July IA,
funeral services were held aud Frank e
remains buried in the cemetery at Isay
City. The numerous aud kind friends
made during Frank'sshort stay at Bay
City having done everything that the
deepest sympathy could suggest, ex-
tended generous and manly aid and
comfort to the sOrrOwing mother and
mingled their tears of heartfelt grief
with hers at Franks grave.
Mrs. johnson returned home on FRI
day evening. and on Sunday ut half
past three o'clock, in accordance with
Franks known wishes, without osten-
tation or public show, the friends,
schoolmates and associates gathered at
his parents home, where short and
appropriate memorial services were
held, the Rev. Andrew Wilson, in
we'll chosen words paying merited
tribute to the dead, expressing the uni
versal sympathy and extending words
of comfort and coincidence to the be.
reaved parents, brothers, relatives and
friends.
Frank H. johnson was born in Nell
son, Portage County, Ohio, August 8,
1857 and resided there with his parents
Harlow s. and Emily johnson, until
January, 1872, when he accompanied
them to their Ravenna home. Frank
the Ravenna Union Schools
until about FIVE years ago. During the
last four years he had been in the law
Office of E. P. Hatfield, Esq, and for
the first two years was engaged in the
study Of the law, with some idea
though not definitely settled one-of
the law his profession. Having
decided that journalism suited his
tastes and habits of thought, he had
FOR the last two years been training
himself for that profession. Last Feb
ruary, with the kind assistance of his |
friend. Will. r. Phillips, he secured !
,he position of News Editor upon the
Battle Creek Daily Journal-a position !
which he filled with fidelity and abili- |
~. About the Goth of June he went |
o Bay City, Mich, and for a short |
ime was connected with the Morning |
News published at that place. At the
lime of his death he was under con-
ract to do editorial work upon the
Evening Press, a daily published at
Bay City, and was to have entered |
lp0n the discharge of his duties on |
the l1th, in position pleas
ng to him and under the employment |
# Mr.. E. 7. Bennett, to whom, though
recent acquaintance, he had become |
warmly attached, his attachment being |
eciprocated by Mr.. B., who, aside
rom his brotherly affection, appreci-
ted Franks abilities and was eager |
o aid him in their development.
Having just secured the ground upon
which to mark clean, bright path to
ssured success, the death of Frank III.
ohnson at this time is peculiarly sad.
A dutiful and loving son, a kind
rOther, q warm and steadfast friend,
courteous and genial gentleman, an
onest man, possessed of the highest
rder of talents and of independent,
eep thought, has gone from us. In
II the walks of his short life, at home,
a the school, the Office, as q reporter,
ditor and writer, Frank III. johnson
i'd his duty manfully and well, and
'herever he. went formed wide circle
honorable, warm and true friends.
acred memory has with loving hand
faced his picture upon the hearts of
Il who knew him.
The following extracts from the pa
ers Of Battle Creek aud Bay City,
i've the particulars of Franks sick
ess and death and show that the quail
les which endeared him to us had
orne their legitimate fruit in the new
elds of his labor.
From the Bay City Evening News.
On Tuesdav his =
7mptOms became very alarming, and
le physician informed him that the !
tack would prove fatal, which in 8
rmation, so fraught with blighted ;
ope and direful import to him, was !
lceived with most wonderful degree
cOmp0sure and resignation. The {
esire which always seizes on young
sople under such trying and terrible
Immediately took pos 7
ssion of him. He was filled with s
lial affection, and the word mother" {
I'D a sweet significant meaning to
Inn. She was telegraphed for, and
le was too late. His young spirit had
ken its flight fifteen hsurs before she
ached her destination. Before his e
sath took place he was removed to [
le Bay City hospital, and Doctors
irwin and Vaughn summoned to con-
lit with the physicians at the insti- c
ltion but it was too late; he was be- '
ond all earthly hope, and died among :
rangers, although everything was
,ne for him that could have been b
lder the circumstances. His mother '
ached the city this morning, and :
wing to the nature of the disease,
was impossible to obtain }
Id all that was mortal of Frank H.
)hnsOn was this afternoon laid to rest !
the cemetery in this city, with but
single mourning relative in attend
ice, the mother for whom he had SO
ndly sighed /; the remainder Of the
tendants were acquaintances to
hom he had endeared himself by his I
anv manly traits