The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1926-03-16
John Johnson, Old Resident OF Key
West, Commits Suicide by Drowning
BODY is FOUND EARLY
THIS MORNING AT
OLD P. & O. DOCK
FOOT OF DUyAL ST.


posed body of John Johnson.
familiar figure about town for
many years. was found floating
face down al the east side of the
r.. q o. dock and warehouse at
the foot of Duval street at an
early hour this morning. A rope
had been made secure about the
neck and shoulders and then
brought down and made fast about
the waist. To this an elbow Of a
six-ineh iron pipe with two flanges
screwed ON had been attached,
evidently by the dead man. and
with deliberate intent Of suicide.
1t was q gruesome find for
little Lee Haskins when he went
down to the docks this morning
to see after the small boats that
are left in his charge at the
waterfront. He ran Immediately
to Sheriff Roland Curry and re-
ported that he had found man
drowned. Soon the sheriff and
Deputies Dillon and Albury were
on the scene, and G. Frank Saw
yer, Of the Lopez undertaking
parlors was summoned. The body
was towed ashore by Deputies
Dillon and Albury. where the
Identification was. definitely es-
tablished, and the remains con-
veyed to the undertaking estab-
lishment to be prepared for inn
mediate burial.
Jury Empanelled
Al coroner's jury was quickly
ampaneIed by Justice Of the
Peace Rogelio Gomez. at whose
office ap inquest was held, find
|i1e that John Johnson catne b
his death by voluntarily drowning
himself. Members of the jury
were: John Gates, Chas. Nixon.
]. j. Albury, II. Carey, Herman
Albury and Sahador Mapoles.
John Johnson had been missing
for several days, and yesterday
one Of his sons. Clayton johnson,
called In the service of all the
city and county officers In
dilligent search to find the miss
ing man. but no trace Of his
whereabouts could be discovered.
The last time he was seen alive,
so far as now known, was at
about 10 o'clock last Saturday
morning, when he was seen BY
Leo Haskins to enter the gate
opening to the enclosure about
the waterfront where his body
was found this morning.
Clayton Johnson, son Of the
drowned man, was among the first
to view the lifeiess form Of his
father where he had given up his
life to the sea. Clayton Johnson
says his father had been suffer
ing severely with heart disease
for some time and had appeared
very despondent at times. Some
days ago at his room at rear Of
500 Angela street, he showed the
son where he had placed a sum Of
money, 50 that II anything ''bap.
pened" TO him the son would know
where to find 1t. Clayton says
Dir. johnson had acted in this
manner quite frequently, and for
this reason he did not take the
matter seriously the last time The
deceased had been taking strong
stimulants occasionally 20 bolster
up his weak heart. and was searce-
~ responsible st times, the son
stated.
Nssivs Of Norway
John johnson was . native of
Norway. and was about 90 ur 20
years old. He was dropped of
passing steamer, given up 70 die
with yellow fever during one Of
the epidemics Of long years ago.
He recovered, however. and Ee-
sumed the life Of . seamaHs the
avocation he had followed since
youth. For years he sailed on
vessels well knoen at this port.
fcontinued on Pare u