His father passed away 10 days after his birth.
A telegram was received Monday forenoon from Boston announcing the startling news that B. L Johnson had been found dead in bed at that place the day before, and asking for orders. The telegram was addressed to C. M. Russell, secretary of Social lodge, F. and A. M., who had recently signed a certificate, which was found in Mr. Johnson's pocket. It was signed by the secretary of the Grand lodge of Masons of Massachusetts, who had taken charge of the case. The sad news was carried to Mrs. Johnson and she directed that a telegram be sent to have the body forwarded here at once, with all particulars to In ascertained about the case. Barney L Johnson left his home here Monday morning, April 11, and went to Boston, as he said to secure employment. His folks heard nothing from him until Saturday, when they received an order from him to send a few pair of pigeons to an address which he sent and closed by saying "love to all." He said nothing about his securing work or when he was coming home. It seems that he went to a lodging house on Kneeland street Saturday night very late and engaged a room. Nothing being heard from him afterwards. Sunday afternoon the room was opened and he was found dead in bed. Upon searching his clothes his name and address was found on the Masonic certificate. The coroner was sent for and the Masons took charge of the body and notified his family as above stated. The room in which he was found dead was examined Monday and a small bottle containing a few drops of laudanum was found between the mattresses, which indicates that he committed suicide. This was the medical examiner's conclusion. He had about $80 in money with him when he went away and when found only $3.50 remained. Some of his folks say they think someone killed him for the money. B. L. Johnson was born in Vernon and at an early age his folks moved to Connecticut, where he, at the age of 14, went to the war as a drummer boy. After returning they moved to Vermont and he for time followed the shoemaker's trade and worked in Searsburg in the bedstead factory. It was in Searsburg that he married his wife, then Miss Rhoda Irish. Two children were born, one of whom --a boy—died. The other—Julia—married Frank G. Chaffin and is living here. Mr. Johnson had recently been in the poultry business, but had sold out nearly all his stock. He had worked some for John F. Bassett sewing on harnesses. He was a member in good standing of both the local G. A. R. and F. and A. M. organizations, both of which speak very highly of him as a member. He received a pension of $12 a month, Mrs. Johnson now being entitled to receive it. Before going away Mr. Johnson was heard to say he would go anywhere to find his brother Albert, who disappeared nearly three months ago, and expressed the opinion that if he had a little more money he thought be could find him, but it is not thought that he went away for that purpose. Before going away he complained of a trouble in his side, but was in his usual health otherwise so far as known. The affair is a hard blow upon his family and upon his mother, Mrs. Fox, who felt terribly about Albert's disappearance. The remains were prepared for burial by a Boston undertaker and with a man in charge came Wednesday. The funeral was held from his late home Thursday at 10 o'clock a.m., Rev. R. C. T. McKenzie officiating. A large number of Masonic and G. A. R. friends besides other friends and relatives were present. The burial was in the old cemetery near E. C. Boyd's farm. Nearly fifty members of Unity and Social lodges, F. and A. M., and C. B. Lawton post, G. A. R., took part in the funeral rites at the house and grave.
Deerfield Valley Times, 22 Apr 1892
A telegram was received Monday forenoon from Boston announcing the startling news that B. L Johnson had been found dead in bed at that place the day before, and asking for orders. The telegram was addressed to C. M. Russell, secretary of Social lodge, F. and A. M., who had recently signed a certificate, which was found in Mr. Johnson's pocket. It was signed by the secretary of the Grand lodge of Masons of Massachusetts, who had taken charge of the case. The sad news was carried to Mrs. Johnson and she directed that a telegram be sent to have the body forwarded here at once, with all particulars to In ascertained about the case. Barney L Johnson left his home here Monday morning, April 11, and went to Boston, as he said to secure employment. His folks heard nothing from him until Saturday, when they received an order from him to send a few pair of pigeons to an address which he sent and closed by saying "love to all." He said nothing about his securing work or when he was coming home. It seems that he went to a lodging house on Kneeland street Saturday night very late and engaged a room. Nothing being heard from him afterwards. Sunday afternoon the room was opened and he was found dead in bed. Upon searching his clothes his name and address was found on the Masonic certificate. The coroner was sent for and the Masons took charge of the body and notified his family as above stated. The room in which he was found dead was examined Monday and a small bottle containing a few drops of laudanum was found between the mattresses, which indicates that he committed suicide. This was the medical examiner's conclusion. He had about $80 in money with him when he went away and when found only $3.50 remained. Some of his folks say they think someone killed him for the money. B. L. Johnson was born in Vernon and at an early age his folks moved to Connecticut, where he, at the age of 14, went to the war as a drummer boy. After returning they moved to Vermont and he for time followed the shoemaker's trade and worked in Searsburg in the bedstead factory. It was in Searsburg that he married his wife, then Miss Rhoda Irish. Two children were born, one of whom --a boy—died. The other—Julia—married Frank G. Chaffin and is living here. Mr. Johnson had recently been in the poultry business, but had sold out nearly all his stock. He had worked some for John F. Bassett sewing on harnesses. He was a member in good standing of both the local G. A. R. and F. and A. M. organizations, both of which speak very highly of him as a member. He received a pension of $12 a month, Mrs. Johnson now being entitled to receive it. Before going away Mr. Johnson was heard to say he would go anywhere to find his brother Albert, who disappeared nearly three months ago, and expressed the opinion that if he had a little more money he thought be could find him, but it is not thought that he went away for that purpose. Before going away he complained of a trouble in his side, but was in his usual health otherwise so far as known. The affair is a hard blow upon his family and upon his mother, Mrs. Fox, who felt terribly about Albert's disappearance. The remains were prepared for burial by a Boston undertaker and with a man in charge came Wednesday. The funeral was held from his late home Thursday at 10 o'clock a.m., Rev. R. C. T. McKenzie officiating. A large number of Masonic and G. A. R. friends besides other friends and relatives were present. The burial was in the old cemetery near E. C. Boyd's farm. Nearly fifty members of Unity and Social lodges, F. and A. M., and C. B. Lawton post, G. A. R., took part in the funeral rites at the house and grave.
Deerfield Valley Times, 22 Apr 1892
His father passed away 10 days after his birth.
A telegram was received Monday forenoon from Boston announcing the startling news that B. L Johnson had been found dead in bed at that place the day before, and asking for orders. The telegram was addressed to C. M. Russell, secretary of Social lodge, F. and A. M., who had recently signed a certificate, which was found in Mr. Johnson's pocket. It was signed by the secretary of the Grand lodge of Masons of Massachusetts, who had taken charge of the case. The sad news was carried to Mrs. Johnson and she directed that a telegram be sent to have the body forwarded here at once, with all particulars to In ascertained about the case. Barney L Johnson left his home here Monday morning, April 11, and went to Boston, as he said to secure employment. His folks heard nothing from him until Saturday, when they received an order from him to send a few pair of pigeons to an address which he sent and closed by saying "love to all." He said nothing about his securing work or when he was coming home. It seems that he went to a lodging house on Kneeland street Saturday night very late and engaged a room. Nothing being heard from him afterwards. Sunday afternoon the room was opened and he was found dead in bed. Upon searching his clothes his name and address was found on the Masonic certificate. The coroner was sent for and the Masons took charge of the body and notified his family as above stated. The room in which he was found dead was examined Monday and a small bottle containing a few drops of laudanum was found between the mattresses, which indicates that he committed suicide. This was the medical examiner's conclusion. He had about $80 in money with him when he went away and when found only $3.50 remained. Some of his folks say they think someone killed him for the money. B. L. Johnson was born in Vernon and at an early age his folks moved to Connecticut, where he, at the age of 14, went to the war as a drummer boy. After returning they moved to Vermont and he for time followed the shoemaker's trade and worked in Searsburg in the bedstead factory. It was in Searsburg that he married his wife, then Miss Rhoda Irish. Two children were born, one of whom --a boy—died. The other—Julia—married Frank G. Chaffin and is living here. Mr. Johnson had recently been in the poultry business, but had sold out nearly all his stock. He had worked some for John F. Bassett sewing on harnesses. He was a member in good standing of both the local G. A. R. and F. and A. M. organizations, both of which speak very highly of him as a member. He received a pension of $12 a month, Mrs. Johnson now being entitled to receive it. Before going away Mr. Johnson was heard to say he would go anywhere to find his brother Albert, who disappeared nearly three months ago, and expressed the opinion that if he had a little more money he thought be could find him, but it is not thought that he went away for that purpose. Before going away he complained of a trouble in his side, but was in his usual health otherwise so far as known. The affair is a hard blow upon his family and upon his mother, Mrs. Fox, who felt terribly about Albert's disappearance. The remains were prepared for burial by a Boston undertaker and with a man in charge came Wednesday. The funeral was held from his late home Thursday at 10 o'clock a.m., Rev. R. C. T. McKenzie officiating. A large number of Masonic and G. A. R. friends besides other friends and relatives were present. The burial was in the old cemetery near E. C. Boyd's farm. Nearly fifty members of Unity and Social lodges, F. and A. M., and C. B. Lawton post, G. A. R., took part in the funeral rites at the house and grave.
Deerfield Valley Times, 22 Apr 1892
A telegram was received Monday forenoon from Boston announcing the startling news that B. L Johnson had been found dead in bed at that place the day before, and asking for orders. The telegram was addressed to C. M. Russell, secretary of Social lodge, F. and A. M., who had recently signed a certificate, which was found in Mr. Johnson's pocket. It was signed by the secretary of the Grand lodge of Masons of Massachusetts, who had taken charge of the case. The sad news was carried to Mrs. Johnson and she directed that a telegram be sent to have the body forwarded here at once, with all particulars to In ascertained about the case. Barney L Johnson left his home here Monday morning, April 11, and went to Boston, as he said to secure employment. His folks heard nothing from him until Saturday, when they received an order from him to send a few pair of pigeons to an address which he sent and closed by saying "love to all." He said nothing about his securing work or when he was coming home. It seems that he went to a lodging house on Kneeland street Saturday night very late and engaged a room. Nothing being heard from him afterwards. Sunday afternoon the room was opened and he was found dead in bed. Upon searching his clothes his name and address was found on the Masonic certificate. The coroner was sent for and the Masons took charge of the body and notified his family as above stated. The room in which he was found dead was examined Monday and a small bottle containing a few drops of laudanum was found between the mattresses, which indicates that he committed suicide. This was the medical examiner's conclusion. He had about $80 in money with him when he went away and when found only $3.50 remained. Some of his folks say they think someone killed him for the money. B. L. Johnson was born in Vernon and at an early age his folks moved to Connecticut, where he, at the age of 14, went to the war as a drummer boy. After returning they moved to Vermont and he for time followed the shoemaker's trade and worked in Searsburg in the bedstead factory. It was in Searsburg that he married his wife, then Miss Rhoda Irish. Two children were born, one of whom --a boy—died. The other—Julia—married Frank G. Chaffin and is living here. Mr. Johnson had recently been in the poultry business, but had sold out nearly all his stock. He had worked some for John F. Bassett sewing on harnesses. He was a member in good standing of both the local G. A. R. and F. and A. M. organizations, both of which speak very highly of him as a member. He received a pension of $12 a month, Mrs. Johnson now being entitled to receive it. Before going away Mr. Johnson was heard to say he would go anywhere to find his brother Albert, who disappeared nearly three months ago, and expressed the opinion that if he had a little more money he thought be could find him, but it is not thought that he went away for that purpose. Before going away he complained of a trouble in his side, but was in his usual health otherwise so far as known. The affair is a hard blow upon his family and upon his mother, Mrs. Fox, who felt terribly about Albert's disappearance. The remains were prepared for burial by a Boston undertaker and with a man in charge came Wednesday. The funeral was held from his late home Thursday at 10 o'clock a.m., Rev. R. C. T. McKenzie officiating. A large number of Masonic and G. A. R. friends besides other friends and relatives were present. The burial was in the old cemetery near E. C. Boyd's farm. Nearly fifty members of Unity and Social lodges, F. and A. M., and C. B. Lawton post, G. A. R., took part in the funeral rites at the house and grave.
Deerfield Valley Times, 22 Apr 1892
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