Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1909-09-23
GOVERNOR
JOHNSON
Is DEAD
Fails to Survive the
Operation.
PASSES QUIETLY AWAY
End Comes Peacefully to DIS
tlngulshed Patient
DEVOTED Wife AT BEDSIDE
Brightens Last Moments Of Hen
Husbands Life.
DEVOTED WIFE At BEDSIDE
Brightens Last Moments Of Her
Husbands Life.

Rochester, Mimi, Sept. 21.-Gov.
ernor John A. Johnson died at 1928
o'clock this morning.
Life quietly slipped away and in its
wake there remained but the sorrow
of great state, the infinite grief of a
devoted and courageous wife and the
thoughts of what greatness to which
his career might have expanded had
not it been so sadly brought to a
close.
Until death came, he was quite con-
scious. his firm, resolute mind fully
cognizant of the approaching end and
meeting II with the clear equanjmity
which so characterized his active life.
AS the shortening hours passed by,
the governor remained tranquil despite
the mental anguish which he must
have endured. knowing quite well
that which he could not avert. he lay
quietly in his bed. waiting.
With him during the last hours
were Mrs. Johnson, DR.. William j.
Mayo, DR.. Charles F. McNevin, Miss
Margaret Sullivan, Miss Jammie. head
nurse of the hospital, and Miss Schil-
Ter, the governors night nurse. All
the hospital attaches were those whs
had guarded him as best they might
since the operation nearly week ago
and who had ministered to him SO
vigilantly.
Mrs. Johnson Cheers Dying Man.
Through the evening and the early
morning Mrs. Johnson remained tire.
lessly beside him, giving the solace
which only she could give. She held
his hand almost constantly. and ut In
tervals bathed both of them with al
hohol. Although none could ever
know how she suffered, she cheered
.ae governor when his spirits dropped
lowest. Although her husband seemed
quite aware of the great weakness
which was gradually flooding over
him and it's import, Mrs. Johnson de-
clined to allow the physicians to tell
him the time had arrived when there
was no hope. Steadfast at his bed
side she stayed, depressing her own
last moments for her husband.
When death touched the still figure,
DR.. VIII Mayo led Mrs. johnson away
TO an adjoining room. where Miss Sui
liyan gave those comforts 30 needed
to dull the widows grief.
And so came the end to a states
governor, who was so deeply in
trenched in the peoples confidence,
esteem and love.
Trouble Of Long Standing.
Governor Johnson's trouble, which
had its fatal termination Tuesday
morning, began ten years ago. At
that time he was operated on for APP
pendicitis and the operation was not
entirely successful. Two subsequent
operations were performed. but both
were unsuccessful In restoring him
to his usual health and vigor. Final
ly the last operation was decided up
on as the governor had been feeling
poorly for several months. That Gov
ernor Johnson did not regard the
operation as dangerous was evidenced
when he declined to settle his per-
sonal affairs at the suggestion Of his
secretary. Frank A. Day.
After the governor had been operat.
ID on and examined m old abscess
was found that had left q fistula In his
abdomen that was removed as well as
the hernia that was the primary
cause Of the operation. II Is said
that the operation was one OF the
most dificult ever performed BY the
Doctors Mayo. It requiring nearly
three hours time. The prolonged ex-
posture and disturbance Of the intes-
tines caused unusual gas accumula-
tons. which caused disteneion Of
the abdomen, sxcruciating pains and
slapped the vitality.