Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-08-25
A SUDDEN DEATH
JOHN p. JOHNSON DIES IN CITY
PARK OF HEART FAILURE.
CALL CAME WITHOUT " ARNlNG
Seized With Fatal spasm While Rest
ing About 80 O'clock Last Evening
-EmpIoye of Packing Plant Many
Years.
From Fridays Daily.

From Fridays Daily.
Yesterday afternoon about $50
O'Clock while sitting in the city park,
John P. Johnson, BIT West Albany
avenue, was suddenly stricken with an
attack of heart failure and died be-
fore medical assistance could reach
him. Mr. Johnson had been an en-
ploye of John Morrell & Co. for the
past nine years and was highly re-
spected and hard working man.
On last Monday morning Mr.. John
son had slight misunderstanding
with his foreman at the packing plant
and gave up his position. Since that
time he has been resting and look
ing for other work. Yesterday after
noon he told his wife that he was
coming down town to look for another
position. 1t has not been learned
where he spent his time but late in
the afternoon he went into the city
park and sat down under tree on
the west side toward the library. He
attracted no special attention and did
not appear to be in distress. Later
he lay down, apparently with the in
tention of going to sleep.
Just about $50 o'clock colored man
who was lying asleep short distance
from Mr.. Johnson, says that he was
suddenly awakened by sounds of hard
breathing and grooming and that he
was startled by seeing the man and
hear him struggling and writhing as
If in a spasm or fit. A crowd quickly
gathered and the police station was
notified and doctor called.
Those present did everything they
could to aid the suffering man but he
died within two or three minutes after
being seized, evidently suffering in
tensely. Drs. j. F. Herrick and e. A.
Sheafe both arrived quickly but were
too late to be of any assistance. s..
| A.. Crowley was notined and under
his direction the body was taken in
the ambulance to his undertaking par
1ors on West Main street.
Lived Here Many Years.
He came to Ottumwa seventeen years
ago from the little town of Knared
| in Sweden. He secured employment
in the old Ottumwa Cutlery company
and when that institution quit bus
mess about twelve years ago he went
with Superintendent w. J. Bastian to
Rockford, ILL.,, where he worked for
about three years. He returned to
Ottumwa about nine years ago and
began working for the John Morrell
company He continued with that
company until last Monday morning.
He has been working in what is known
as the tierce gang and was considered
a good, trustworthy man by his en-
| ployers.
Mr.. Johnson was quiet, unassum-
| ing man. He was steady worker
and had comfortable home on West
Albany street. Seven years ago he
was married to Miss Nettie Lawson
of this city and his home life is
said to have been extremely happy.
| His wife, who is the only survivor,
| is heart-broken over his sudden and
unexpected death.
Funeral Sunday Afternoon.
The funeral services will be held
from the Swedish Lutheran church
Sunday afternoon at o'clock, Rev. A
| Gunberg, pastor of the church, Of
which the deceased was lifetime
member, will conduct the services
The remains will be laid away in the
Ottumwa cemetery.