Willmar tribune., 1909-09-29
GOVERNOR IS DEAD
BRAVE MAN FINALLY LOSES IN
HIS LONG, GRIM BATTLE
WITH DEATH.
WHILE STATE AND NATION MOURN
Thousands Pass the Bier Of Dead
Chieftain and Drop a Tear for
the MAN They Dearly
Loved.

Observation-Disclosures Johnson died
at 1925 Tuesday morning. Since mid
night his death had been expected, but
$3.50 the thread of life still held,
and it began to look again as if his
remarkable vitality would hold him up
till daylight. He fingered thus till
1925 when, still unconscious, the brave
heart gave last flicker and the tor.
tured body gave up the ghost.
Governor Johnson's body left Ro-
chester on a special train over the
Great Western. railway for St. Paul,
accompanied by Mrs. Johnson, Fred
Johnson, the governors brother, Miss
Margaret Sullivan, Frank A. Day,
Fred B. Lynch, w. R. Wylie, of Min
neapolis, colonel on the governors
staff, and Mayor Thompson, of Ro-
chester, together with committee
of citizens of that city.
Many Thousands View the Body
The scenes at the state capitol while
the body lay in state were beyond de-
scription. The governors body was
removed from the private Offices to
the rotunda about $3.50, and the doors
were opened to the public at 10000
o'clock. From that time until 5:45,
when the building was cleared for the
coming of Mrs. Johnson. $4,000 people
had taken a last look at the dead exc
cutive. At o'clock the doors were
opened again and before the building
could be closed it is estimated that
another $4,000 had gazed on the gov.
ernor's countenance.
Another Double Line Admitted.
A second door was then opened, an
other double line was admitted to the,
grand stairway to the west, and al
lowed to pass around the rotunda gal
lery on the second floor. From here
the dead governors features could be
plainly seen. For the balance of the
time up to 5:45 o'clock and from Z
o'clock until after 10, these four lines
of people, all pressing so closely upon
each other that passage through was
almost impossible, streamed through
the building and within view of the
coffin.
Something OF grandeur touched the
occasion as the day passed. That such
throngs of people should push their
way into the presence of the dead man
seemed almost unbelievable. The peo-
pie came from every direction, pour.
ing into the capitol grounds, keeping
the steps and walks full, and pressing
at the door for admittance. At 3:3Oit
became apparent that the double line
which was going past the funeral bier
at the rate of nearly 80 persons each
minute, would not accommodate the
great crowds outside.
AS the day progressed the floral Of
ferings grew to mounds of heavy
scented blossoms. From every part
OF Minnesota, from his old home at St.
Peter, from Winnipeg, and from
friends and associates in the Twin
Cities, the floral pieces came in great
numbers. Such floral magnificence has
seldom been seen about the casket of
a public man. AT the head of the cof-
fin stood great flower covered urn,
towering above the heads of the
guards, and from this urn spread a
mass of American Beauty roses.
Mrs. Johnson came to the capitol at
6:35 o'clock. The clearing of the
building began at 5:45 o'clock, and
before it was empty except for the
handful of militiamen who composed