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December 13, 1881
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.
December 20, 1881
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.
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