RITES HELD FOR MT. VERNON'S LAST SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR VET

Funeral services were held this afternoon for Mt. Vernon's last survivor of the Spanish-American War. Rites were conducted at Myers Chapel at 2:30 pm for James Landon Johnson, 88. who was First Sergant of Co. K, 9th Regiment, Illinois Volunteers before the turn of the century. Mr. Johnson, who served Mt. Vernon as its chief of police after the war, died at 1:45 am Saturday at his home, 317 Main Street.

Mr. Johnson was a member of a hardy young band of volunteers who marched off to war in 1898. The regiment, composed of volunteers from this congressional district, became one of the best in the Army and wrote a vivid chapter of service to their country. Because of their skill on the rifle range they became known as Colonel Campbell's "Squirrel Shooters"....The ranks of the Spanish-American War vets have thinned rapidly in recent years. In 1958 the only remaining from that company were Dr. Andy Hall, Bert Westcott, James L. Johnson, Edgar Cady, Harry Ward and Herbert Settle...

He was police chief from 1917-18, worked as a telegrapher for two railroads, and was at one time employed as shipping clerk at the car shops.

He is survived by his wife [2nd] Stella; one daughter Mrs. Bert Schmitt [Helen Johnson] of Mt. Vernon; three sons, C. Lester Johnson of Petosky, Michigan; James L. Johnson Jr. of Brighton, Colorado; and O. Knox Johnson of Johnstown, Pennsylvania; two stepsons, Herman Westcott of Tacoma, Washington and Emery Westcott of Chicago; a brother Stephen Johnson of Gering, Nebraska; seven grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.

Source: Mt Vernon Register News
Date: March 12, 1962
Submitted by: John Carlson
Relationship: Great Grandson