3 1/2-Year-Old Johnson Boy Killed Crossing Street, March 5, 1926

Child Is Struck by Car and Killed Instantly. . . Knocked Down in Crossing Street. . . 3 ½-Year-Old Son of Mr. and Mrs. C.H. Johnson Darts in Front of Automobile on East Market Street. . . Driver Exonerated

The fourth fatality from automobile accidents in and near Smithfield within 10 days occurred here Thursday afternoon when little Joseph Edwin Johnson, 3 ½-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Johnson, was run over by an auto driven by Mr. J.W. Floars of Burlington, and was killed instantly.

The accident happened about 4 o’clock in the afternoon on Market Street at the crossing at the Jo-Tex Filling station. Mrs. Johnson, accompanied by the little boy, had been up town shopping and was returning to her home on North Fourth Street. They started across the street, but seeing a car, Mrs. Johnson and the boy stopped. The child, however, after hesitating an instant, darted across the street in front of the car. Mr. Floars in an effort to dodge the child, ran up upon the curb, but struck the child, fracturing his skull. The mother picked the little one up, but he was dead in a few minutes. Eyewitnesses to the tragic occurrence were Mr. Vassie Jordan, who lives near Shiloh, and who was passing in a truck, and Mr. J.N. Rhodes, who holds a position in the Capital Café. Messrs. Edward Woodall and Charles Springs, who were at the filling station, reached the scene just after it happened and assisted in getting the body to the undertaker’s shop. Mrs. Johnson was prostrated with grief and has been confined to her bed under a doctor’s care. Mr. Johnson, who is superintendent of the Smithfield Township convict camp, was not in town when the accident happened but was summoned immediately.

Mr. Floars was considerably wrought up and sent for Sheriff Parker at once. He was placed under a $1,000 bond for his appearance in Recorder’s Court Thursday, but special hearing on Wednesday afternoon obviated an appearance in Recorder’s Court.

The following jury heard the case: Chas. A. Creech, D.U. Thompson, Britton Smith, J.H. Wiggs, W.H. Upchurch and J.J. Batten. The jury exonerated Mr. Floars of any criminal intent, the witnesses showing that he tried to avoid running over the child. An examination of the car, however, showed that there were no brakes on the car. The car was damaged from running into a telephone pole when the driver endeavored to dodge the child. Mr. Floars was formerly from Fremont and was on his way from Burlington to Fremont when the accident occurred. He is deeply hurt over the sad affair.

The funeral of the little boy, which was held today, has been delayed in order that the brothers of the deceased, Mr. Herbert W. Johnson of Miami, Fla., and Mr. Reuben L. Johnson of Hastings, Fla., might be present. They arrived last night. Mrs. Clarence Roten, a sister, of Scotland Neck, arrived shortly after the accident.

The bereaved family has the sympathy of the entire community.

From the front page of The Smithfield Herald, Friday morning, March 5, 1926

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