Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-07-17
BURIAL IN JERSEY
Body of Tristan B. Johnson to
Be Taken to South Orange.
WAS KILLED BY LIGHTNING
Solicitor Of Navy Department Strick-
en- on Chevy Chase Golf Links.
TWO OTHERS STUNNED BY BOLT
Popular Government Official Meets
Instant Death During Storm.
Plans for Funeral.
TWO OTHERS STUNNED BY BOLT

The body of Tristan Burgess John
son of New York, solicitor of the Navy
Department. who was instantly killed
by bolt of lightning while he was
playing golf on the Chevy Chase Club
links yesterday afternoon, will be
taken to South Orange, n. j., the home
of his father, ]. Augustus Johnson, for
burial. The father arrived here at 80
o'clock this afternoon and made all the
arrangements for the removal of the
body.
Mrs. Johnson, the wife Of the dead
| man, who has been staying at Atlantic
City, was FRUSTRATED by the news of
her husbands death. She, with her two
| small children-one a baby two months
old and the other about two years old
has been at the New Jersey resort
with her father and mother Prof. and
Mrs. Giddings. She will go direct from
there to South Orange, where the
funeral of Mr.. Johnson is to take place.
AIR. Johnson was playing a game of
golf with Francis B. Poe, and Mr.. Poe
and the caddy. dozen yards away
from Mr. Johnson, were hurled vio-
lently to the ground and stunned for
moment by the shock. Mr.. Johnson
was killed instantly.
Gave Little Heed to Storm.
The tragedy occurred about 2 o'clock,
on the Chevy Chase course. some dis
lance from the clubhouse. Many golfers
had already started on their afternoon
round Of the links A storm was threat
| ening, but the players gave it little heed
The bolt which killed Johnson came at
the beginning Of what proved to be a
or
Mr.. Johnson had sliced his ball off
the course, and was walking toward it
at the time he was struck. He was at
least eighty feet from the nearest tree
He was carrying his club. an iron
mashie. over his shoulder.
His body was not disf1gured, except
for clean cut in the shoulder, burn
on the left ankle and the smuggling of the
hair could be covered by a half dollar,
| it Is said His clothes, however, were
| ripped to pieces by the lightning, and
his left shoe was burned.
| The bolt evidently passed through Mr..
Johnson's body and entered the ground
| from his left foot.
Since his wife went to Atlantic City
Mr.. johnson had been making his home
gone to Atlantic City. The two friends
had covered about half the course at the
| time Mr.. Johnson was struck They saw
the storm approaching, but hoped to FIN
ish their match before 1t broke
Memory of Particulars Indistinct.
Mr. Poe today said he and Mr. John
SON had been playing golf for about
three-quarters OF an hour and were ap-
preaching the tenth hole.
When the bolt struck I was only a
few yards away from Mr.. Johnson" said
Mr.. Poe. cannot remember whether there
was a fash Of lightning or whether peal
of thunder followed 1t. I was thrown
violently to the ground and stunned for
a moment. AS soon as l could l sprang
to my feet and saw Johnson and his
caddy stretched on the ground. 1 called
to them but neither answered. Before l
reached Mr. Johnson's side the caddy
| had staggered to his feet.
| Mr.. Johnsons clothes were badly torn
and were aflre. Several members Of the
| club Joined me and caddy hurried to
the clubhouse to bring wagon, in which
Mr.. Johnson's body was placed"
| Surgeon General Stokes of the navy,
who happened to be at the club. was the
first physician to see Mr.. Johnson He
declared that death had been instantan-
eous
Col. D. w. Lockwood, an ens,neer of
this city. and Maj. w. C. Langhtt, of the
| Engineer Corps Of the army, who were
playing golf together, were among the
FIRST to render assistance to Mr.: Poe and
| MT johnson. SOI. LOCKWOOD SAID Inat ne
was about 100 yards away when the bolt
| struck Mr.. johnson.
| Il knew that the lightning had struck
close by" said Col. Lockwood. "but did
not realize that 1t had been so close.
heard Mr.. Poe calling for help. and when
turned I saw Mr.. Poe staggering Mr..
johnson was on the ground and one of
| the caddies was trying to regain his feet
Mr.. Johnson was dead by the time I
| reached them.'
Mai. Langfitt said that the bolt which
killed Mr.. Johnson was followed by
practically no thunder.
Body Brought to Washington.
No inquest was required by the Mary
land authorities. and the body was
brought to Washington in an automobile
and taken to an undertaking establish
ment to be prepared for burial. Later 1t
was moved to Mr.. Poes residence, 2022
Hillyer place northwest.
DR.. Taber Johnson of this city, is an
uncle of Mr.. johnson. and today took an
active part In making arrangements for
the removal of the body to South Orange.
Mr.. johnson came to this city April !