Pryor Morton Johnston is the son of Isaac McNew and Norvesta Southern Johnston. He came to Texas about 1895. He was a teacher for 28 years, he also was a minister. He died as a result of being hit by a Wichita Falls and Southern train on his way to preach at Murray Leader in Graham Texas. He married Pearlie Mattie Hodges March 15 1894 in Claiborne Co. Tennessee.

Rev. P.M. Johnston was struck by a Wichita Falls and Southern passenger train at South Bend early Sunday morning as he was leaving his home to fill a preaching engagement at Murray. He was rushed to the Graham hospital where he lived until Tuesday without regaining consciousness. The body was taken to 'Whitt on Wednesday to be buried beside his father. Graveside services were officiated by Rev. W.E.B. Lockridge, pastor of First Baptist Church in Graham, Rev. E.M. Agee, Young County Baptist missionary and Rev. D.M. Denison, Jack County Baptist missionary.
submitted from obit.

Mr. Johnston married Miss Pearlie Hodges on 19 March 1894. The couple came to Texas in 1895 settling at Whitt. Mr. Johnston taught in the public schools of Texas for 28 years. He was principal of the South Bend School in 1906 and when he received his A.B. degree from North Texas State Normal in 1923, he was called back to South Bend school as superintendent. In 1925, he yielded to the call to preach and since that time has been pastor of the Murray Baptist Church and the Proffitt Baptist Church as well as Superintendent of Schools in South Bend. Mr. Johnston was planning on resigning in August 1926 to begin college at Simmons University in September 1926 to prepare further for the ministry.

Survived by his aged mother; his faithful wife; three children - Rev. Frank Johnston, Mrs. W.F. Blalock, Claude Johnston; five brothers - J.N. Johnston, W.A. Johnston, R.L. Johnston, A.B. Johnston, I.N. Johnston; three sisters - Mrs. Alice Farmer, Mrs. M.G. Walker, Mrs. Sallie Carr.

The South Bend Ibex newspaper
June 10, 1926
front page

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