1 CMNT Says He Died 28 Aug. 1895
Obituary from Watertown Daily Times of Monday, 17 Aug. 1896: ALEXANDRIA BAY--The waters of the St. Lawrence claimed another victim Saturday noon when William Johnson, 70 years of age, was run down by the yacht Alert, while sailing in a skiff
to Eel Bay.Johnson was a gardener and resided on Grindstone Island. For the past few years he has been engaged in the marketing business, furnishing customers of Clayton and Thousand Island Park. Saturday morning Johnson started from his farm with
a boat load of potatoes and corn for Thousand Island Park. He was in a small skiff with a sail, but there being only a slight breeze blowing, his progress was slow. When opposite Squaw Point, about a mile from his home, the steam yacht Alert
came along with a pleasure party aboard from Murray Hill Park. Suddenly, without any shouts of warning, the two boats which were sailing at right angles, crashed into one another, the bow of the Alert striking the skiff amidships, breaking the
side and keel so that she partly filled. Meanwhile Johnson had been precipitated into the water, either having fallen in or voluntarily jumped in. As he fell from the boat he managed in some way to secure one of the oars of the boat and with
that he endeavored to keep himself afloat. The Alert was immediately reversed and proceeded towards the man. Life preservers were thrown to him. He made no effort, apparently, to secure these, but kept himself up by paddling and by the oar.
Just as the steamer had almost reached him, he released his hold on the oar and sank beneath the surface of the water. Every effort possible was made to recover the body, but all proved unavailing. The Alert then towed the skiff, which was
partly filled with water, back to Murray Hill Park. Searching parties were organized and a dilligent search kept up for the body, but it had not been recovered up to this morning. The accident is a peculiar one, and it would appear as if the
cause for it rested entirely with the negligence of the captain of the Alert, William Nunn. Capt. Nunn resides on Wells Island and is an experienced sailor, having been connected with the St. Lawrence river for upwards of 40 years. In
conversation with a Times representative he told the story of the accident substantially as follows: "We left Murray Hill Park about 10:25, passed the head of Grindstone Island and proceeded along the foot of Robbins and Grindstone Island. We
came opposite Squaw Point, shifted our course and steamed along near the head of Squaw Island. I was standing with my right hand on the wheel, with my shoulder resting on the inside cabin door casing, looking out the open door. Looking
between the heads of the passengers on the starboard side of the bow. I descried a sail about 20 feet from the boat. I immediately turned the wheel and rang the bell to reverse the engine. Just then we struck her, but I could not see the man
fall into the water." The remainder of Capt. Nunn's version is the same as told above. The passengers on the boat corroberated Capt. Nunn's version. They were all intensely excited and were not able to tell whether the man jumped in of his
own accord or whether he fell in. All they apparently seemed to know is that they saw Johnson stretch out his arms and fall into the water. Johnson was an experienced sailor, and it is said, a good swimmer, but he probably became exhausted
and, losing his self possession, sank. He may also have been seized with cramps. Johnson had lived all his life on Grindstone Island. His wife died about five years ago. He is survived by a brother, Sylvester Johnson, and a nephew, George
Klock, who reside with him.This is the third drowning accident of the season. The steam yacht Alert is owned by Capt. Jack Taylor, of Murray Hill Park. This same steamer was run down and sunk by the Isisodet two years ago at the dock of Round Island. It was
raised and had since been repaired and used for a pleasure and charter boat.from Watertown Daily Times of Thursday, 20 Aug. 1896: ALEXANDRIA BAY--The body of William Johnson, who was drowned Saturday in Eel Bay, was found this morning at the dock at the canoe camp on Grindstone Island, having floated in to shore. The
body was taken to Murray Hill Park, and Coroner Eddy, of Redwood, was notified, and is expected to arrive this afternoon. An inquest and investigation will be held.
William's Civil War discharge record says he was a private in the 10th NY Artillery and enlisted 1 Aug. 1862.
Augustus was a Private in the Civil War; he was in Co. I of the 10th NY Heavy Artillery. He enlisted 1 Sept. 1864 and was discharged 15 July 1865, serving 9 months, 14 days. His disabilities were described as a rupture and rheumatism.