Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1921-12-28
FATAL RIDE ON
SLIPPERY PAVING
August A. johnson Loses Life In
Auto Accident Near
Kandiyihi

August A. Johnson was instantan-
eously killed Friday night under his
Buick car when it skidded off the
pavement near Kandiyohi and went
down over an embankment. His fam
lily escaped serious injuries.
August A. Johnson, who lived on the
old Lawler place west of Kandiyohl
was returning home from Christmas
program held at the Whittier school
shortly after eleven o'clock. It was
a bitterly cold night the coldest OF
the season so far. When he approach
ed a place where several cars had
skidded off the pavement recently, Mr.
Johnson remarked to his wife that he
must be careful and drive slowly or
they would go down the bank. He had
hardly said the words before the car
began to slide and the fatal accident
occurred. Mrs. Johnson declares that
they were not running over ten mics
an hour at the time. Mr.. Johnson was
caught under the car and death came
instantaneously. The children es-
badly bruised on limb and arm but
sustained no broken bones. The two
small BOYS started off at once for help.
Mr.. w. F. Cox, on the Gratz place was
the first to come. He succeeded in re-
leasing Johnson's body from under the
car. DR.. B. J. Branton soon came, but
could do nothing but summon the cor
oner. The coroner Dr.. J. G. Jacobs,
arrived and decided no inquest neces-
sary and the undertaken was summon
ed to take the body which was brought
to Willmar about two o'clock.
The awful accident was terrible
shock to the community as the news
spread on the following day and sad
dened the Christmas festivities, es-
pecia!!y in the churches of which the
deceased has been an active member.
1t was hard to realize that this active
and willing neighbor had so suddenly
left US in the flower of his manhood.
Always ready and eager to help 9th
ers with smile on his face and cheer
ing words on his lips, he suddenly
came to the end Of his life's span and
his day was done.
August A. Johnson was born in
Scania. Sweden, Feb. II, 1881. In 1889
the family came to America and To-
Gated at Chicago. Later they removed
to Paxton, ILL.,. where the parents. a
brother, and a sister still live. On
Jan. l, 1903, he was married to Miss
Amanda Johnson, daughter Of Mr.. and
Mrs. C. G.. Johnson of Paxton. In 1910
Mr.. and Mrs. August Johnson came to
this community. They first located
on a farm in Sec i, Northwest Of town.
Mr.. Johnson met with the misfortune
OF having hand mangled in corn
shredder, which injured member re-
fused to heal for long time. He sold
his farm and later went onto the
Bjelkengren farm near Svea. At Svea
Mr. Johnson was one of the active
spirits OF the community.
For some time past he lived on the
old Lawler place near Kandiyohi,' hav'
ing leased the farm buildings only.
The surviving wife and three chill
dren-Harold, Evangeline and Russell
have the profound sympathy Of all
in their great loss of a devoted hus
band and father Among the mourn
ers was also Mr. Emil Johnson, bro
ther Of Mrs. Johnson. Thomas ]
Lawson of New London is a cousin Of
Mrs. Johnson.
The funeral services took place yes
terday (Tuesday) afternoon at the
Bethel church. with which the depart
ed had reunited after returning from
the Svea community. Rev. J. B. SOr
enson spoke in Swedish and Rev. Jes
per Ho!mquist in English. Songs wer<
rendered by Eben Lawson, Samue
Nelson and by quartet composed o
Miss Beatrice Eckwall. Mrs. H. N
Hanson, Samuel Nelson and Oscar Au
gustson. The church was still in it
Christmas decorations which made
beautiful setting for the f1ower-ladel
casket The church was filed to tn
limit by many Svea and Kandiyohi pee
pie besides the local folks who ha
come to show their sympathy an
mingle their tears with those so cruel
ly bereft The pail bearers were an
drew P, P. P, and John P johnson
August and Martin Johnson and Mel
Anderson, all of Svea, and the sam
who bore the deceased's close friend
NJ R. Swenson, two weeks before t
his last resting place. The remain
of Mr.. Johnson. accompanied by tn
family were taken to Paxton, III
leaving on an early morning train t<
day. Mrs. Johnson will return soon t
settle her affairs here, but expects
make her future home at Paxton