Born ‎± 1869 Ontario, Canada

Born ‎Apr 1871 Amaranth, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, died ‎3 Apr 1914 St Catharines, Lincoln, Ontario, Canada‎, 42 or 43 years

Born ‎± 1874 Amaranth Township, Ontario, Canada, died ‎23 Jun 1901 Whittington, Dufferin County, Ontario, Canada‎, approximately 27 years
5059-01 Joseph Edward JOHNSTON, 27, farmer, Amaranth, same, s/o William JOHNSTON & Jane THOMPSON, married Margaret Ann LITTLE, 23, Mono, same, d/o William LITTLE, farmer, & Hannah TWIBLE, witn: William K. JOHNSTON of Amaranth & Ann WILKINS of Orangeville, 12 June 1901 at Mono

Orangeville Sun - Thursday, June 13, 1901 - Page 2, Column 6 - MARRIED: JOHNSTON - LITTLE - In Mono on June 12th, by Rev. E. W. Pickforf, Joseph Johnston of Shelburne to Annie Little of Mono.


Shelburne Free Press, June 27, 1901, AN APPALLING DISASTER - A Scafford Gives Way, Causing the Death of Joseph E. Johnston and Inflicting Injuries on James Dolan, James Dynes, John Perry and Ed. Bowes.:

Last Friday evening about 7 o'clock, there occurred one of the most distressing accidents that ever transpired in the history of this county. Samuel Shields of Lot 30, Con. 2, W.H.S., Mono, was remodelling his barn. The old building had been split in two and some 30 feet was being added to the centre. A large crowd of men from the vicinity was present assisting at the raising of the centre bents. All went well until the raising of the last section of the purline plate on one side. In fifteen minutes more the job would have been completed; but, alas, the scaffolding upon which the men stood gave way, and five men were hurled to the main floor, some 18 feet below, and with terrible results. Kind and willing hands extricated these men, who were all injured:- Joseph E. Johnston, who lives on the Amaranth side of the town line, three lots south of Hall's Corners, was pinned to the threshing floor by the end of the purline plate, which crushed his left chest at the shoulder blade against a round tamarack stick, upon which the poor fellow lay face downwards. His injuries were so frightful that the blood from his lungs squirted from his mouth, making a pool of blood where he lay. Another stick of timber as it fell cut a hole through the barn floor and passed into the stable below. Into this hole one of Mr. Johnston's legs had passed so the unfortunate man was doubly held. It required five strong men to lift the heavy timber off the injured man's back.

James Dolan, son of John Dolan, of the town line; John Perry, also of the same line; James Dynes, son of Wm. Dynes, ex-M.P.P., of Granger; and Edwin Bowes, of Elba, were also injured.

Dr. Norton, who was telephoned for, was speedily on the scene. Then it was discovered that Joseph E. Johnston's left shoulder blade and all the ribs on that side were broken, and that recovery was absolutely impossible. The poor man was feeble but conscious, although in great pain. On Saturday morning he became unconscious, and death closed the scene at 8 o'clock on Sunday morning. His death is particularly sad. His mother died only a few months ago, and he himself was married on June 12th, just nine days before he received such fatal injuries. His widow, a bride of nine days, is a daughter of Wm. Little, Esq., of Camilla, a most estimable young lady, who has the deepest sympathy of everyone in her great trouble. The deceased was in his 29th year, and was a bright, cleaver and exemplary young man and highly respected by all. His tragic death has cast a gloom over the entire locality.

The doctor found that James Dolan had two ribs fractured, and sustained internal injuries, but will recover.

James Dynes in falling threw out his right hand and caught a beam. The jerk upon his arm severely sprained his shoulder. His back was also hurt, but he will get better.

John Perry had his right ankle badly sprained, and the bone on the outer side of the foot, forward of the instep, was broken.

Dr. Rolston, who arrived latter, attended to Edwin Bowes, who was considerably bruised on the right shoulder and hip.

Wm Hatcher, of Orangeville, was the framer in charge of the job. Samuel Shields had provided heavy hemlock spars to use in making the scaffolds, but we are told that both his advice and that of the contractor was overruled by others, who thought that the rafters already up on the building were quite heavy enough to do the work, but the sad sequel proved otherwise.

The funeral of the late Joseph E. Johnston took place on Monday afternoon from the residence of his brother-in-law, Samuel Shields, where the accident occurred, to Shelburne cemetery and was the largest cortege that ever passed through this village. There were 130 carriages in the procession. The funeral services were conducted by the Rev. V. H. Emory, pastor of the Shelburne Methodist church.