| REV. I. T. JOHNSON OF OXFORD DIES IN SPRINGFIELD Descendant of Family Massacred by Indians Rev. Ithel T. Johnson, 82, a former resident of Oxford and well known hear, died Saturday in the home of his daughter, Mrs. Elmer Otting, Springfield after an illness of a year. Rev. Mr. Johnson was born in Oxford. He passed his early manhood here and was converted in the local Methodist church, after which he became an evangelist and traveled all over the United States preaching. After retiring from this work, he held pastorates in Maine, and his last was at Agawam Methodist church in Springfield, Mass. Rev. Mr. Johnson was a descendant of the Johnson family who were killed by Indians two and a half centuries ago in the early days of Oxford, and two years ago was instrumental in placing and dedicating a marker at the site of the massacre, on the main hiway leading to Webster. This dedication was held with appropriate ceremonies and Mr. Johnson realized one of his fondest wishes in seeing the marker placed at the spot where his ancesters were slain. Funeral service will be held Tuesday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock in the Oxford Methodist church with Rev. Mr. Smith of Springfield officiating, assisted by Rev. Harry G. Butler, pastor of the church. Burial will be in the North cemetery. Rev. Mr. Johnson leaves a daughter, Mrs. Elmer Otting of Springfield,; a son, Ethel T. Johnson, Jr., of Pittsburg, Pa.; and four grandchildren, Earle, Jr., and Frederick of Hauto, Pa. and Virginia and Miriam Otting of Springfield. |