A NURSE’S ROMANCE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18287, 4 January 1934, Page 4

A NURSE’S ROMANCE

MARRIED “POWDER KING”

SCOTSWOMAN & AMERICAN

LINK WITH COAST CAM ICY

Behind a brief announcement in a Loudon newspaper, to the effect that three Scotswomen have inherited the ÜBC,OCG residuary estate of Mrs. Carolyn Johnson, who died recently in America, lies a romance of modern days linking an East Coast family with a fortune of considerable magnitude, made as many modern fortunes have been made, in the field of American production of domestic aids and utensils. Airs. Carolyn Johnson was the widow of Mr. J. AYood Johnson, head of the famous American firm of manufacturers which in later years has owed much of its revenue to a specialty iu the form of toilet powder for children; and was also tin* niece of a, well-known resident of Tokomaru Bay. Mr. Peter Kay. Born at Paisley, Scotland, Mrs. Johnson was the daughter of Mr. Kay’s sister, and was one of a family of four girls, the other three of whom survive in the Misses Isabel and Lillian Mcßain, of Paisley, Scotland, and Mrs, Annie Brown, now resident in Canada. Mrs. Johnson took up nursing as a girl in Glasgow, and was trained there and at Greenock, becoming a highly proficient nurse long before her departure from Scotland for the United Estates some 12 years ago. Almost from the commencement of her work in the States, she was taken into the employment of Mr. Johnson and his first wife, the latter being an invalid whom Miss Mcßain nursed until the time of her death several years ago. Later Miss Mcßain carried on her employment as personal nurse to Mr. Johnson, who survived three serious bouts of illness under her care, and who recovered his health sufficiently to undertake a journey to Scotland last vear.

This journey was to be his last, for while at Strathspeffer, north of the Tweed, lie again became ill, and despite the advice of his medical attendants, and the entreaties of his wife, he insisted on returning to the United States, in the hope that he would conquer his illness. A race ensued to catcli the Majestic, sailing from Southampton for New York, and after employing a special train and utilising every modern facility for speedy communication, Mr. Johnson was carried aboard the liner on the eve of her departure. Within 12 hours lie was* dead, those at his side during his last moments being bis daughter by his lirst marriage, and his second wife, who had for' years been his nurse. it was only in 15132 that the second marriage of Mr. Johnson was revealed as having occurred some three years previously. Miss Carolyn McBain had consented to keep the marriage quiet for family reasons it is understood, and even (lie most intimate friends of Mr. Johnson were not aware that lie had contracted a, second marriage, until the announcement nearly two years ago. 11 is death last September was a severe blow to his second wife, who had been devoted to him, ami lief own death, which occurred recently in America, is attributed*'to her sorrow at Hie loss of her husband. Mrs. Johnson's death marks tin* first break in her family, and has caused much grief to her relatives. It had been her intention to visit, New Zealand this year, in company with her husband, and her relatives in Ibis district had looked fmvard keenly to tlu* prospect of meeting her again. Mr. and Mrs. Peter Kay, who left Scotland eight- years ago, had not seen their niece for some time prior to their departure for New Zealand, but remembered her as a woman of great personality and possess ing an unusual degree of good looks.