Johnson, Will B. (1888-1942)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1942 Sep 3 p. 1

Birth date: 1888

text of obituary:

Triple Tragedy Casts Shadow of Grief Over Buhler Community

MR. AND MRS. W. B. JOHNSON AND DAUGHTER FOUND DEAD IN THEIR HOME

Friends of the family were shocked when word came here Tuesday that Will B. Johnson, 54, retired grocer at Buhler, his wife, 53, and their only daughter, Frances, 24, were found dead in the basement of their home thee by Dave Heidebrecht, a brother-in-law, early that morning.

According to an Associated Press report of the tragedy, the Reno county coroner said "evidence indicated that Johnson shot his wife and daughter, then killed himself. Sheriff Guy Ankerholz said a .38 calibre revolver was found in Johnson's hand, four of its five bullets discharged. All the shells in another gun, a .25 calibre automatic, were discharged.

"Sheriff Ankerholz said he was told that the family had argued over whether it should go to California where Johnson owned a ranch near Escondido. The family, he reported, was packed and ready to go."

The family was well known to many friends here in Newton. Mrs. Johnson was the former Elizabeth Bergen, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Bergen of Buhler.

It is expected that funeral services will be held at Buhler.