The Washington times., 1911-07-17
JOHNSON'S FATHER
BOWED At BIER Of
LIGHTNING VICTIM
Frustrated by Tragic Death
of Young Solicitor
of Navy.

Arriving in Washington shortly before
. o'clock this afternoon to take charge
of the body of his son, Tristan Bur
CESS Johnson. the Solicitor of the Navy
Department, who was instantly killed
by bolt of lightning yesterday after
noon on the links of the Chevy Chase
Club, J. A. Johnson, of East Orange,
y. j., was almost overcome when he
saw the shrouded form of his boy lying
in a flower-Danked coffin in the home
of Frank B. Poe, at D22 Hillyer place.
who was with MIR. Johnson when he
was struck by the bolt.
No arrangements have yet been made
for the funeral but 1t Is expected that
services and interment will be held in
East Orange, n. j.. the family homo.
Nearly every employe and official in
the Navy Department was grieved TO
learn of the death of Mr.. johnson.
Acting Secretary Admiral Nichols
said:
1t is a matter of the profoundest re-
gret that Mr.. Johnson was taken OF in
the midst of a promising career. Dur
ing the short time he has been here he
and above the average in ability. II
was remarkable the grasp he had of
affairs connected with his office"
No word has yet been received from
girls is spending the summer at At
lantic City. If she is on her way to
Washington, Mr.. Poe does not know Of
it. He said this afternoon that II was
possible Mrs. Johnson would proceed
directly to East Orange instead of COM
ing here.
Lieut.. w. L. Prior, of the Bureau of
Ordnance. an intimate friend of the
Johnson family, left Washington late
last night for the seaside resort to
tragic death, and he will accompany
the widow here
Hundreds of friends Of the young
and popular clubman and solicitor
sent messages of coincidence to the
Poe residence this morning. where
the funeral arrangements. Both Mr..
Poe and his brother are almost pros
trated as a result of the accident, and
Mr.. Poe is verging on nervous pros
tration. The terrific voltage that
hurled Mr.. johnson into eternity also
struck Mr.. Poe to the ground, al
though his injuries were of a minor
nature and he is only suffering men,
tally as a result of the experience
In three years this Is the second
ed in Washington. Scientists today
are at a total loss to explain how
the bolt was attracted to Mr.. John
sons person, the only reasonable
ried over his right shoulder attract
ed the electrical fluid by the iron
head on the club.
Relatives of the dead man In Wash
ington, Dr. Joseph Taber Johnson,
Bascom johnson. and DIR. Lor1n John
son, were at the Poe residence this
morning. They will meet Mrs. johnson
at the Union Station when she arrives
from Atlantic City.
Mr. Johnson's father, mother, and
sisters are in New Hampshire on a mo-
toring trip. and are expected at their
summer home at Buck Falls, Pa, In
a few days. They were sent kilograms
at several places where 1t Is thought
they may be found, but no message has
been received from them. and they
probably are in ignorance of the death
of their son and brother.
Mr.. Johnson has been solicitor of
the navy about four months, and was
recommended for the office by LLOYD
Grtscom as a reward for Republican
activities as head of the New York
board Of aldermen. He was thirty
years old and came to Washington con-
fident of making a name for himself.
The bolt that claimed his life tore the
sole from one shoe and burned a clean
hole in the left shoulder, and the dis
colorations spread to his face and neck.
Portions Of the flesh were charred and
his clothes were set on fire. Surgeon
General Stokes, Of the Navy, was In the
clubhouse, and when he saw the body
he pronounced death to have been in
stantaneous, stating that every nerve In
the body had been paralyzed.
Until Mrs Johnson arrives no plans
for the funeral services will be made,
although 1t is probable that burial will
be in New York.