Rollin Oakley Johnson

Rollin Johnson, Shawnee Rancher, Dies Suddenly

Rollin 0. Johnson, 58, died suddenly at his ranch home near Shawnee, on Thursday evening, February 3, about six o'clock. He arose from the supper table and walked across the room, where he fell and died almost instantly. Mrs. Johnson and her husband were alone at the ranch and Mrs. Johnson walked a mile and a half through the snow to a neighbor's to telephone her son-in-law, Boyd Anderson of Lusk, of the tragedy.

Mr. and Mrs. Anderson left immediately for the ranch, followed by Dr. W.E. Reckling in his car. They had to leave their cars and walk the last mile and a half to the ranch.

Mr. Johnson had been a man of unusually good health all his life and had worked hard all day Thursday, so his death came as a distinct shock to his family and neighbors. The extremely hard work of shoveling snow and attending cattle are believed responsible for his death.

Rollin Oakley Johnson was born in Roca, Nebr., Feb. 15, 1891. At the age of nine he moved to near Lincoln, Neb., where he grew to early manhood. In the year 1918 he homesteaded north of Shawnee and except for four years has lived in the Shawnee community since.

On April 1, 1928, he married Alice McFarland at Englewood, Colo. To this union were born two daughters, Janice Johnson of Casper, and Mrs. Shirley Anderson of Lusk.

Surviving besides his wldow and daughters are one sister, Mrs. R.I. Putney of Rockford, Ill., and three brothers, Walt of Rock Island, Ill.; Thomas of Rushville, Ind., and Noel of Rockford, Ill.

Mr. Johnson had been active in community affairs ever since his discharge from the Army in the first world war. He served on the school board at Shawnee for 15 years, had been active in the Republican party and was a former County Commissioner of Converse County.

Funeral services were held at the Hoffman Mortuary in Douglas on Tuesday, February 8, with Rev. Gale, pastor of the Congregational Church, officiating. The American Legion post of Douglas had charge of the services.

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