The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1909-09-30
MINNESoTA'S MOST POPULAR Gov
ERNOR OBEYS DIVINE WILL
AFTER SIX DAYS BATTLE.
ALL THE STATE IN MOURNING
Scene Around Bedside During HIS Last
Hours in This World Pa
thetic One.
EBERHART IS NOW EXECUTIVE.

ROCHESTER,, MIMI, Sept. Il
Sympathy more than state woe goes ou'
today to a small group OF mourners III
this little Minnesota town. Inc death Oh
Cox. JoLn 4. Johnson, which occurred at
3:25 o'clock this morning at -. Mary
hospital following an operation per
formed six days ago, has much VI
national interest.
Gov. Johnson was continually GROWING
in prominence as Il national inquire, anu
nj tbe time of his death the attention OF
the nation was centered on the Closing
moments of his once promising career
After battling against death win ueteI-
mined resistance for almost week; Wv
Johuson's life had peaceful ending
Grouped about his bedside Wheh INC
end came were Mrs. Johnson, MISS Sul.
Ivan, her personal friend; the atteuGIhs
physician and two nurses. Inc last
thing Coy. Johnson did before IaPslIs
into Inconsistencies, one and mar
hours before his death, was to take ms
wife affectionately by the hand ana
weakly whisper, "Well, Nora, | made a
good light, but | guess I've got to go"
Then as the last CLEAN of intelligence
began to flicker, he. pressed her manu-
gently to his cheek in parting caress
as he prepared to obey the Divine Wll.
Most Popular Governor.
Gov Johnson, q Democrat, who has
been called Minnesotas most popular
governor" was elected three times by
unusual majorities in a normally Repub-
lican state. His vote-getting ability at
tracted attention throughout the nation
and he was conceded to be one of the
leaders Of his party in the country. He
had strong, loyable personality which
won him friends wherever he mingled
with the people.
AS token of the esteem OF this little
town for the distinguished dead who lies
within It's gates, Mayor Thompson toGay
issued a proclamation declaring the town
to be in state of public mourning and
flags are flying at half mast from the
city office buildings, school houses and
many private buildings.
The funeral arrangements have not
yet been discussed with the grief
stricken widow, who is at the home Of
her friend, Miss Margaret Sullivan.
Mrs. Johnson is reported to be bearing
her sorrow with great fortitude.
Frank A.. Day, private secretary to
the deceased governor, is here at the
home of j. III. Kahler. Later in the day
II is said he will see Mrs. Johnson and
discuss the funeral arrangements,
1t is presumed that the body will be
taken to st. Paul late today or early to.
morrow, where it will lie In state in the
capitol
Third Operation Fatal.
Gov. Johnson had been operated on
twice before by the Doctors Mayo First
Tor the removal of ulcers from she stom-
ach. and afterwards for an abscess of
the bowels. Both were very acute, pro-
longed cases, and the governor was in
very serious condition each time There
had been Instructions of the bowels pres
ent IN each instance and during the sec
ond operation the appendix was re-
moved.
After tho second operation, he enjoyed
fairly good health, but had spells of
Indigestion, which later developed into
attacks of obstruction OF the bowes
These came on mostly during the last
two years, increasing in frequency the
last year.
About two months ago Gov. johnson
Lad severe attack and was i'll at his
home in St Paul. II was seen then that
an operation was inevitable, but he had
set his mind upon doing certain things al
ready planned, visiting the Seattle fair
for one. Upon his return from there he
made up his mind that he would have
the operation after the Taft reception on
Monday lie was suddenly taken with
very acute pain and rs soon as he was
able to travel he went to Rochester,
Operation Is Described
The exact nature Of the last operation
was described by II surgeon who watched
1t as follows
"Ihe operation lasted two hours and
ten minutes. The preliminary work dis
closed a small dcep-seatcd abscess peck
ct, which connected from the seat of the
previous operation for the removal Of
the appendix to the small ntestines. 1t
required very difficult, very serious
aud somewhat prolonged operation to re-
move this hstula, which was the cause
Of the governors attacks of acute pain
and formed m obstruction 10 the action
Of tho bowels. There were also UNI
usually numerous and difficult adhcsions
Of the smaller intestincs to one another
and TO the abdominal cavity"
Arrangements for the Funeral.
At conference in which Frank 4.
Day, Fred j.. Lynch and Fred Johnson.
the governors brother, participated in
here today, It was arranged to take the
body Ia 81. Paul on a special train ut .
O'Clock this afternoon over the Chicago
Great Western road
If was further arranged to have de
tail of militia meet the cOrtege ut the
station and escort ii to the state cap
Itol, where the body will lie IN eate all
day tomorrow.
The funeral viii be held Thdrsdny Mt.
crnoOn ut ST. Peter and the services viii
be held in the Presbyterian church. Gov.
Johnson's body will be buried beside his
mother.
Sketch of Johnson's Career.
John \. Johnson enjoyed the distinc.
ton of being the first native Minncsotan
to br chosen governor of the state and
of that distinction he was prouder than
Of any other feature Of his career. He
felt more pride in that than he did in
the fact that he educated and prepared