Willmar tribune., 1909-09-22
End Comes Peacefully to Dis
tinguished Patient
DEVOTED Wife At BEDSIDE
Brightens Last Moments Of heI
Husbands Life.

ernor John A. Johnson died at 1925
o'clock this morning.
Life quietly slipped away and in its
wake there remained but the sorrow
of great state, the Infinite grief Of q
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 it 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 we'll
that which he could not avert. he lay
quietly in his bed, waiting.
With him during the last hours were
Mrs. Johnson, Frank A. Day, Doctors
Mayo, DR.. Charles F. McNevin. Miss
Margaret Sullivan, Miss Jammie. head
nurse of the hospital, and Miss Schil'
ler, the governors night nurse. All
the hospital attaches were those who
had guarded him as best they might
since the operation nearly a week ago
and who had ministered to him so
vigilantly.
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 at In
tervals bathed both of them with al
hohol. Although none could ever
know how she suffered, she cheered
the 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, repressing her own
grief in order that she might ease the
last moments for her husband.
When death touched the still figure
DR.. Will Mayo led Mrs. Johnson away
to an adjoining room, where Miss Sui
livan gave those comforts 40 needed
to dull the widows grief.
And so came the end to states
governor, who was so deeply In
trenched in the peoples confidence
esteem and love.
Governor Johnson's trouble, which
had its fatal termination Tuesday
morning, began ten years ago. Al
that time he was operated on for ap
pendicitis and the operation was no
entirely successful. Two subsequent
operations were performed, but botf
we're unsuccessful In restoring hin
to his usual health and vigor. Final
" the last operation was decided up
on as the governor had been feeling
poorly for several months. That Gov
ernor Johnson did not regard tn
operation as dangerous was evidenced
when he declined to settle his per
eonal affairs at the suggestion OF hi
secretary. Frank A. Day.
After the governor had been operat
ed on and examined an old absces
was found that had left fistula In hi
abdomen that was removed as we'll a
the hernia that was the primar
cause Of the operation. It is sal
that the operation was one OF tn
most difficult ever performed by tn
Doctors Mayo, it requiring nearl
three hours time. The prolonged e,
posure and disturbance Of the int:
tines caused unusual gas accumul&
tions, which caused distension q
the abdomen, excruciating pains an
sapped the vitality.