JOHN, WILLIAM, JOSEPH JOHNSON

JOHN AND ANNA JOHNSON'S CHILDREN:

THREE BROTHERS DROWN,
While Attempting to Cross the River on the Ice.
Saturday afternoon three sons of John Johnson, a laborer at the shipyards,
went into the country in quest of wintergreen. About 4 o'clock, having
roamed the woods adjoining the cemetery, they determined to cross the river
at a point a little above the second railroad bridge. The oldest, named Willie,
about fourteen years of age, was ahead of his brothers some distance, and
sliding on the ice in usual boyish fashion. When about halfway across, the ice
suddenly gave way beneath him. He clung to the ice for dear life, and waited
for his younger brothers, who had started towards him as soon as they saw him
disappear. They tried their best to save their elder brother, but they were too
weak, John being but ten years old and Joseph only eight. After several vain
endeavors to save their brother, their footing suddenly gave way, and they too
went into the river, and immediately sank to the bottom. A farmer passing on the
road had witnessed the accident, and hurried down to save, if possible. But he
was too late. Poor Willie could hold out no longer, and he soon followed his little
brothers to the bottom. A little playmate of theirs, who had been with them in
the woods, had seen the accident from the distance and immediately hurried to the
city to report the sad news. Many of our citizens at once hastened to the scene
with axes and poles. The ice was cleared away and a diligent search instituted.
The body of Willie, the oldest, was soon found at a distance of about thirty feet
from where he had fallen in. It was found by Frank Yanda. About 11 o'clock Saturday
night a sailor named Knudson found the body of Johnnie; it was still further down
the river than Willie's. Search was kept up until late Saturday night and renewed
with the same diligence on Sunday and Monday, but no traces could be found of the
body of Joseph, the youngest. As before stated, he was but eight years old, and
small for a boy of that age; hence it was thought the current had carried him far
down the river.
This heart-rending accident is one of the saddest that ever happened in our city.
To have three little laughing lads suddenly find a watery grave is indeed terrible
to contemplate, and Mr. Johnson can assured of the sincere sympathy of the entire
community. The funeral takes place this afternoon at two o'clock.
Manitowoc Lake Shore Times, Tuesday, December 13, 1881 P. 1
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Found.
Last Thursday afternoon, the body of Joseph Johnson, the youngest of the three
brothers whose sad drowning we chronicled last week, was found by the bereaved father.
It was found about a mile from the place where he had fallen in.
Diligent search was made ever since the accident occurred and success was often
despaired of, but the brave men engaged in the search never gave up. Six days and
sometimes even during the night, the neighbors and relatives Mr. Johnson worked at
clearing the ice and searching the bottom until finally, as before stated, the body
was found.
The funeral took place Sunday afternoon, and was largely attended. Six little boys,
playmates of the deceased, acted as pall-bearers.
December 20, 1881
(news article sent in by researcher/see contributors page)
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From Der Nord Westen, 15 Dec. 1881:
Three sons of John Johnson fell through the ice of a local pond and all
three drowned; William (14) Joseph (12), and John (8). Two found and buried.
More in Der Nord Westen on 22 Dec. 1881 about finding the other boy.