Marshal Christian Johnson

End of Watch : October 5, 1922

MARSHAL CHRISTIAN JOHNSON
Lyle PD
Died October 5, 1922

At 2:00 a.m., Thursday morning, October 5th, Marshal Christian Johnson was taking an intoxicated man, Carl G. Springer, home from the Commercial Hotel. After arriving at his home, Springer thanked the marshal and gave him a cigar; Johnson left. A short time later; however, Springer became upset, got out his 45-caliber army pistol and he told his wife he was going to "get the marshal." He then walked over to the home of his brother-in-law, O.R. Mycklejord, and told him that he was going to kill the marshal because he said he was drunk.

Meanwhile, Marshal Johnson was walking from the Larson Hotel, crossing the street. As he got about six feet from the sidewalk, Springer appeared and stated, "I'm a soldier. Stand up and take this." A witness later stated he heard two gunshots, looked out the window and saw three flashes from the gun that Springer was holding. The marshal was killed instantly.

Springer then went to G. Wyborney's home (his sister's house), and told his sister and brother-in-law what he had done. He said good-bye to them, saying he was going to kill himself. He then walked into the house, reloaded his gun and walked toward the rear of a neighbor's barn.

The sheriff's office was called and they searched for Springer. His body was found at 5:00 a.m. in the back of the barn with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. Springer was 48 years old and survived by a wife and three children ages 16, 9, and 1.

Springer had run for village marshal, but was defeated by Johnson. Springer apparently took the defeat hard and drank heavily afterwards. However, the night before the incident, Springer had acted as assistant village marshal, helping Johnson.

Johnson was born December 19, 1856. At the time of his death, he was 66 years old. He was appointed marshal only two years prior to this incident. He left behind a wife, six sons and two daughters; Julius, George, Martin, Henry, Theodore and Dorwin, Orlea and Mrs. T. E. Wilson, and seven grandchildren. Funeral services were held at the Lutheran Church. He was buried at Pleasant Grove Cemetery in Mona, Iowa.

Sourced from: The book "We Will Remember"
With permission from Lisa Lovering, Author and Board of Director
MN Law Enforcement Memorial Association
L.E.M.A. 2009

Hughes Van Etten

George Albert Stegner