The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1909-09-24
GOV. JOHNSON is DEAD
MinnesOta's Chief Executive Passes
Away After Brave Struggle
Nation Mourns the Loss
tdo coast term1naI,N
Ced with feeders coniip
cities not. inclul

Rochester, MINI, Sept. 21--Gover-
nor John A. Johnson, three times
elected governor Of Minnesota and can
didate for democratic nomination for
president of the United States and
looked upon by many as the possible
democratic nominee at the next cleo
ton, in 1912, died at Sperry's hos
pital at 1925 o'clock this morning,
following an operation last Wednes-
day.
Governor Johnson's life hung con-
tinually in the balance until the
end came. So frequently did his
condition change alternately for bet
ter and then for worse, that his phys
icians, ever hopeful, but not too opti-
mistic, were able to say at no time
since the operation was performed
that the governor had more than an
even chance for life.
At his bedside when the end came,
were Mrs. Johnson, Miss Margaret
Sullivan, her friend, Doctors w. J..
and Charles HI. Mayo, DR.. c. F, Nc
Nevin, Frank A. Day. the governors s
private secretary, Fred D. Lynch,
democratic national committeeman
and Misses Jennie and Schiller, the
governors nurses DR.. w. j. Mayo
stated that there were no traces of
blood poisoning and that the immedi-
ate cause of death was exhaustion and
heart failure.
Wonderful Vitality
Dr.. Charles III. MAYO coming from
the governors room at 1.3O O'Clock
Yesterday afternoon, said that his pa
tient's wonderful resistance indicated
: an almost, total abstinence from dis
sipation in any form. "His vitality Is
almost that of a child" said the doc
tor, "and this has been the greatest
factor in prolonging his existence. .
when the governor had breathed
his last, Mrs. Johnson who had been
in almost hourly attendance at her
husbands side and who had bonnB up
bravely under the ordeal. collapsed
and was taken to the Sullivan home.
Governor Johnson was in letharg-
ic state during the greater part OF the
night, but occasionally was aroused,
especially after coughing, and would
then mutter a few words to Mrs.
Johnson. At times he seemed to wish
that the end might come, for on one
occasion he said: my time drags
slowly. / am SO uncomfortable. "
The governor lapsed into uncon-
seriousness at o'clock. Towards the
..''- -AYae. .reyiied and raised himself
that a railroab pat his wife on the
est terminasast words were: well
bus, guess I'm going; we hvae
soub brave fight"
do ,vernor Johnson had been operat
! .endn twice before, first for removal
of ulcers from the stomach ,a,s Ssd patb seI
ond for an abcess OF the,", the 80 and tn tha
were acute prolGgT sar;aYs aves' conditior @
: ha TINE tine. During the second opera
hn his appendix was removed. All
d the second operation the governo
iioyed fairly good health, but hat
a.,ypells of Indigestion which develop
Id into serious attacks during tht
lpast two years.
A Remarkable Career
10 those who watch the signs o
the times Governor Johnson was re
parded as the probable nominee o
the democratic party for the presi
dency in 1912. The fact that thre'
times he was elected governor In
state of big republican majorities, at
tracted to him the attention OF tn
nation.
The career of John A. Johnson wa
one of the most remarkable IN Tn
annals of American politics. He wa
horn July 28, 1861, at st. Peter
MINI. of Swedish parents. His child
hood and youth were passed in grea
noverty. and at the age of 13 he wa
compelled to leave school in order t
assist in the support of his famil!
His mother was harl-working won
an and Johnson's devotion to ne
during her life was of most ferven
nature.
though his formal education wa
early cut short his self-education ne
er stopped. Aistudent at al time'
Z. 4 wide reader and thoughtful ON
Mr. Johnson, after some years OF OF
scure toll as drug and grocery cier
and railway time-keeper, became
tbe age of "a, editor Of the st. Pett
Herald. a weekly publication. Il
coon became known as one of the ab
ast of Minnesota journalists and WI
recognizel as one of the leaders
journalism in state remarkable i
the v;gor and influence of its pres
AZ a country editor he was graduai
drawn into politics and In 1899 WI
aiacted a member of the legislator
bis first public work being as mel
her of that body. From the first
WAS identified with the various T
form measures which have since o
come laws in Minnesota.