The Hood River Glacier, Hood River, OR., August 27, 1903, page 3

TWO MILL MEN MEET TRAGIC DEATHS

     Two fatal accidents happened in Hood River last week within 24 hours. Thursday afternoon at 4 o'clock John Johnson, an employee of the Menominee Lumber company, was drowned at the mouth of White Salmon, in Washington, while attempting to cross the stream on a boom pole.
     Friday morning at 8 o'clock Clifford Stuhr, while helping to shift boom sticks for the Mount Hood Lumber company, was crushed by two of the logs rolling upon him.
     Clifford Stuhr was the 13-year-old son of Phil Stuhr, of Hood River, foreman of the logdrivers for the Mount Hood Lumber company. He was born at Midway, LaCross county, Wis., February 10, 1890, and died August 21, 1903, at Hood River, Or., aged 13 years, 6 months and 13 days. About four years ago, with his parents, he removed from his Wisconsin home to Hood River where he has since lived. He will be sorely missed by friends and loved ones, who have the sympathy of the community in the untimely death of their son and brother. The funeral services were held Saturday at the U.B. church, conducted by Rev. H. C. Shaffer. Many beautiful floral offerings were made by friends.
     John Johnson came over from Lower Durham, N.B., and was a young man 24 years of age, and well educated. He was buried in the church yard at White Salmon, Sunday, August 23, 1903 . Mr. Johnson was an Odd Fellow, and his funeral was conducted by the White Salmon and Hood River lodges. Rev. Garrison of the White Salmon Congregational church preached the sermon. Norman Young of Hood River came from the same town that Johnson did, and was well acquainted with the young man. About 50 Odd Fellows attended the funeral.

The Hood River Glacier, Hood River, OR., August 27, 1903, page 4
"White Salmon Notes"

     The funeral services over the remains of Mr. Johnson, the young man who was drowned in the White Salmon river, were held under the auspices of the lodge of Odd Fellows, Sunday afternoon. The church was taxed to its utmost by those who sympathies were aroused by the accident. Rev. Mr. Garrison gave an appropriate and feeling address. If our community could do so it would send to the young man's home in far New Brunswick a message of true sympathy.

The Skamania County Pioneer, Stevenson, WA., September 3, 1903, page __

DROWNED

     Last week we reported the death of John S. Johnson, which occurred by drowning in the mouth of the White Salmon last Friday. Our report was meager.
     He was a native of New Brunswick, from whence he came to this coast six months ago, and was employed by the Menominee Lumber Co. Johnson was 23 years old, was a member of the I.O.O.F., Lodge 188, White Salmon, having joined a month ago. The Lodge telegraphed his parents in New Brunswick to know what to do with the remains and received an answer to bury them here, which was accordingly done. He was buried from the Congregational church at White Salmon on Sunday, August 23. Rev. F.C. Garrison preached the discourse. Then the ritual of the Lodge was followed. Idlewilde Lodge, Hood River, and Eaton Encampment No. 4 of Hood River, attended the funeral.
     Although a stranger, no townsmen or woman nearer than 3,000 miles, he was not without mourners, and many a true good woman's heart ached for the sad mother in New Brunswick who knew her baby boy was being buried by strangers. He sleeps in the beautiful burial ground back of the Congregational church, overlooking the mighty Columbia, a mile from where he met his fate, in plain view of the eternal snows of Mt. Hood and almost within sound of the mighty Pacific. The minister most beautifully spoke of the going out of this young life. Then he said: "That is the mortal. He is not dead. God needed the immortal John S. Johnson more than the Menominee Lumber Co. needed the mortal. So the immortal has put on immortality in the morning of life, while the shadows fall to the west, and the debt of existence is paid. He lay down life's labors in the morning, and went before he was sunburned and weatherbeaten with the storms of life, to share the holy rest that awaits a life well spent. Whether long or short, at the last it matters but little when we go. On earth, we all grow old. In heaven we all remain young."

The Hood River Glacier, Hood River, OR., August 27, 1903, page 4
"Notes from Underwood"

     A sad accident happened at the mouth of White Salmon last Tuesday. John Johnson, an employee of Frost & Cameron, was drowned while at work. He and Joe Sullivan were working together and Mr. Sullivan left Johnson to go to see about some chains they had been expecting from Coulter's camp. When but a little way from the river Sullivan heard a noise, and looking around saw the young fellow in the water. He hurried back to help him, but the unfortunate young man was too far from the shore and sank before Sullivan could do a thing towards helping him. Several men tried all evening to find the body, but had to give it up until the next day. James Armstrong, another employee of the company, founded the dead man early Friday morning. He was taken to White Salmon and was buried there Sunday by the Odd Fellows. He had joined the order about two weeks before his death.

The Hood River Glacier, Hood River, OR., September 17, 1903, page 2

RESOLUTIONS OF CONDOLENCE

     Hall of Goodwill Lodge No. 188, I.O.O.F., Bingen, Wash., Sept. 5, 1903. - Whereas, It has pleased Almighty God in his infinite wisdom to remove from our midst our esteemed and well-beloved brother, John S. Johnson; and
     Whereas, Goodwill lodge has lost one of its ardent supporters and his parents a beloved son; therefore be it
     Resolved, That we extend to the parents and other members of our deceased brother's family our heartfelt sympathy in their hour of affliction. Be it further
     Resolved, That the charter of our lodge be draped in mourning for a period of 30 days. And be it further
     Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be spread upon the records of this lodge, that a copy thereof be forwarded to the family of our deceased brother, and that a copy be handed to each other local papers for publication. Respectfully submitted,

CHARLES L. GREGORY,
THEO. SUKSDORF,
FRANK GROSHONG,
Committee.

W.R. Overbaugh, secretary.

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©  Jeffrey L. Elmer