The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1929-03-13
M. W. JOHNSON dies
OF BURNS THURSDAY
MilrOy Editor and Postmaster
Victim of Fatal Accident
Last Thursday A. M.

M. w. Johnson, editor of the Milroy
Echo and also postmaster of that
village, died at Marshall last Thurs
day few hours after he had receiv-
ed serious burns in an accident at his
home in Marshall. Mr.. Johnson was
starting a fire in the furnace of his
home at 600 A. M, when the ex-
plosion occurred. He had poured a
small amount of kerosene from can
which it was later learned also con-
tanned a small amount of gasoline.
AS he struck match to light the
fire, the can of kerosene exploded.
Severe burns were inflicted upon his
arms, face and chest. Running up
stairs from the basement the flames
were extinguished with the aid of
blankets.
Mr.. Johnson was treated by DIR.
F. D. Gray of the Marshall Hospital
but the burns were of such serious
nature that they proved fatal, death
coming at loo P. M.
Services were held from the Metho-
dist Church of Marshall Sunday af-
ternoon at 1:3O o'clock, with Rev.
P. A. Jones of the Methodist Church
assisted by Rev. F. Zimmerman of
the Presbyterian Church of Marshall,
officiating. The body was brought
to Redwood Falls for burial, where
a short service was read by Rev.
Zimmerman at 500 o'clock Sunday.
The pallbearers were the four
surviving brothers and DR.. F. D..
Gray of Marshall and H. J. Neu-
man of Milroy. The honorary pail
bearers were Roy Crooks and S. B.
Duea of Redwood Falls, VIM. Duncan,
Mankato; T. E. Faucet, Vesta; M.
E. Powell, Marshall and L. o. Bel
land of Milroy.
Maxwell William Johnson was
born December 18th, 1879 at Frank
lin, Minnesota. The first eight years
of his life were spent at Franklin
When eight years of age he moved
with his parents to farm near Wa
basso. He graduated from the grade
schools of Wabasso and later grad
uated from the Redwood Falls High
School. After leaving high school,
he entered the University of Mime,
sofa.
Leaving the University Mr.. John
SON taught school in Franklin, later
in Vesta for eight years and in Mil
roy for four years. Giving up teach
ing Mr.. Johnson purchased the Milroy
Echo and continued as publisher of
the paper until his death. He was
also postmaster of Milroy for seven
teen years. Mr.. Johnson was an active
church member and was affiliated
with the Marshall Masonic Order.
In 1906 Mr.. johnson was united in
marriage to Alice Frazier. To this
union three children were born, Floyd,
Gordon and Teddy Jim, who with
his wife survive him. Those surviv-
ing the deceased man besides his
widow and children are four brothers,
J. Albert Johnson of Redwood Falls,
E. C. johnson of Hendricks, George
A. of Middle River and Otto of Gryg-
la, Minnesota; two sisters, Mrs.
George Bakka of Wales, No. Dak.,
and Mrs. Peter Nancy of Edmonton,
Alberta, Canada.
Out of town relatives who attended
the services were Otto johnson,
George Johnson, Mr.. and Mrs. Edwin
johnson of Hendricks, Mr.. and Mrs.
J. Albert Johnson, Mr.. and Mrs. Ar
thur Reynolds of St. Charles, Mr.. and
Mrs. Erwin Anderson and Mr.. and
Mrs. School of Franklin.
Mr.. Johnson was virile champion
of clean, capable, honest and efficient
government. He was keenly inter-
ested in the advancement of any en-
terprise that would benefit his COM
munity. Mr.. Johnson's active interests
were manifold and his death leaves
breach in the common life of Red
wood county that will not readily be
filled.