Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-09-21
DEATH ENDS CAREER
Gov. Johnson of Minnesota
Passes Away.
HAD "MADE A GOOD FIGHT"
Last Whispered Farewell to His
Wife at Bedside.
HOME TOWN IS IN MOURNING
Sympathy More Than Statewide
Felt for Popular Executive.
Body to Lie in Capitol.
HOME TOWN IS IN MOURNING

ROCHESTER, Mimi, September 21.-
Sympathy more than statewide goes>out
today to small group of mourners in
this little Minnesota town. The death OF
Gov. John A. Johnson. which occurred at
3:24 O'Clock this morning. at st. Marys
Hospital. following an operation per-
formed six days ago, has much of ma
tional interest.
Gov. johnson was continually growing
in prominence as national figure, and
at the time of his death the attention of
the nation was centered on the closing
moments Of his once promising career.
After battling against death with de-
termined resistance for almost a week
Gov. Johnson's life had a peaceful ending.
Grouped about his bedside when the end
came were Mrs. Johnson. Miss Sullivan.
her personal friend; the attending physi-
clans and two nurses. The last thing
Gov. Johnson did before lapsing into un-
consciousness one and a half hours be-
fore his death was to take his wife af-
fectionately by the hand and weakly
whisper:
Farewell to His Wife.
'Well, Nora, l made good fight. but
1 guess I've got to 60"
Then as the last gleam of intelligence
began to flicker he pressed her hand gen.
tly to his cheek in a parting caress
Gov Johnson's life hung continually in
the balance until the end came. So fire.
quently did his condition change. alter
nately for better and then for worse. that
his physicians ever hopeful, but none too
optimistic. were able to say at no time
since the operation was performed that
the governor had more than an even
chance for his life.
DR.. w. ]. Mayo stated that there were nc
traces of blood poisoning and that the i'm
and heart failure.
Gov Johnson was in a lethargic state
during the greater part OF the night, but
occasionally was aroused, especially after
coughing, and would then mutter few
words to Mrs. Johnson. At times he
seemed to wish that the end might come.
for on one occasion he said: My the
time drags slowly. l am so uncomfort-
able"
Body to Lie in State.
1t has been decided to send Gov. John
sons body to st. Paul on a special train
this afternoon detail Of militia will
meet the cortege at the station and escort
it to the state capitol. where he body will
lie in state all day tomorrow.
Funeral services will be held Thursday
afternoon In the Presbyterian Church al
St. Peter. Gov. Johnson's body will be
buried beside that of his mother.
This morning flags on all public and
many private buildings are at half-mast.
and on the streets and wherever men a
meet genuine expressions of sorrow are
heard; for Gov. johnson was loved for
his amiable qualities as q man in ad-
dition to his popularity as governor.
Uderwent Three Operations.
Gov. johnson had been operated on
twice before, first for the removal of ul-
GERS from the stomach and afterward
for an abscess Of the bowels. Both were
acute, prolonged cases. and the govern
or was In a serious condition each time.
There had been distractions of the bow
els in each instance, and during the Sec
ond operation the appendix was removed.
After the second operation Gov. john
son enjoyed fairly good health but had
spells of indigestion. which later de-
veloped into serious attacks. These came
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