Johny Day was the oldest child of John Henry and Rhoda Lee (Cooper) Day. Also the namesake of his family. According to records, his grandfather was named John as well. Johny was born and raised in the New Madrid County area of Missouri. Just like his father, Johny's occupation was farming.
On June 14, 1927, John and a neighbor named Harrison Martin, spent the day fishing in dredge ditches in the rural area. Dredge ditches are man made trenches (usually shallow and wide) created for controlling run-off water, especially after a big rain. Very common in farming areas.
According to reports,(assuming mostly by Mr. Martin, as there were no other witnesses to account for the event of that day) Mr. Day and Mr. Martin were returning home in seperate boats near Henderson Mounds around 6 o'clock in the afternoon on a Tuesday. As the two men were making their way home, Johhy Day's boat capsized in about 7 feet of water. Regardless of beinging known as an "excellent swimmer", the young man's life ended shortly and he drowned. Being trapped under the his own boat and muscle cramps were said to have been possible contributors of Johny's death.
A basic inquest was made to better determine the cause of John's death by Shelby Funeral Home. "Accidental drowning" is what was settled on as it's stated on his official death certificate as well. Speculation of other possible factors still accompany stories of Johny Day's unusual death amongst family members.
Johny Lee Day died at the young age of 22 years. He left behind his parents, John Henry and Rhoda Lee (Cooper) Day and six younger brothers and sisters. He is buried in Dogwood Cemetery next to both parents and a little brother, James "Jim" Day.
Johny Day was the oldest child of John Henry and Rhoda Lee (Cooper) Day. Also the namesake of his family. According to records, his grandfather was named John as well. Johny was born and raised in the New Madrid County area of Missouri. Just like his father, Johny's occupation was farming.
On June 14, 1927, John and a neighbor named Harrison Martin, spent the day fishing in dredge ditches in the rural area. Dredge ditches are man made trenches (usually shallow and wide) created for controlling run-off water, especially after a big rain. Very common in farming areas.
According to reports,(assuming mostly by Mr. Martin, as there were no other witnesses to account for the event of that day) Mr. Day and Mr. Martin were returning home in seperate boats near Henderson Mounds around 6 o'clock in the afternoon on a Tuesday. As the two men were making their way home, Johhy Day's boat capsized in about 7 feet of water. Regardless of beinging known as an "excellent swimmer", the young man's life ended shortly and he drowned. Being trapped under the his own boat and muscle cramps were said to have been possible contributors of Johny's death.
A basic inquest was made to better determine the cause of John's death by Shelby Funeral Home. "Accidental drowning" is what was settled on as it's stated on his official death certificate as well. Speculation of other possible factors still accompany stories of Johny Day's unusual death amongst family members.
Johny Lee Day died at the young age of 22 years. He left behind his parents, John Henry and Rhoda Lee (Cooper) Day and six younger brothers and sisters. He is buried in Dogwood Cemetery next to both parents and a little brother, James "Jim" Day.
Inscription
JOHNY L. SON OF
MR. & MRS. J. H. DAY.
Gone, but not forgotten.
Family Members
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