James Davidson

DAVIDSON, WITHLE, SMITH, RING

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 5/23/2021 at 17:43:30

20 January 1917 - The Clinton Advertiser page 1

James Davidson of 1606 South Third street is dead, and his wife is critically ill of ptomaine poisoning resulting it is believed, from eating canned corn.

The police were called to the Davidson place shortly before nine o'clock this morning by neighbors, who discovered that something was wrong. A neighbor, Mrs. Jess, had received a telephone message from Burns & Lillis by whom Davidson was employed, asking why Mr. Davidson had not reported for work. An investigation was made, but the neighbors could not get into the house. They sent for the police, and the officers forced an entrance.

A grewsome sight met the officers gaze. Mrs. Davidson, critically ill, was lying on a bed in the front bed-room, while the dead body of her husband was seen on a bed in an adjoining room. There was no fire in the house.

The city ambulance was called, and Mrs. Davidson was removed to Agatha hospital. Coroner Anderson reached the place shortly after nine o'clock and found the body of Davidson still warm. Apparently death had taken place only an hour or so before.

Mrs. Davidson was conscious this morning, and told her story. She said she believed the ptomaine was contained in a can of corn which she and her husband ate for supper last night.

She remained up reading until 11 o'clock, she said, then retired. It must have been about one this morning when she awakened, very ill. She heard her husband groaning in the adjoining room. He asked her to get up and light a lamp, saying he was violently ill.

Mrs. Davidson succeeded in lighting the lamp, but could not get the door or a window open to call for assistance and there is no telephone in the house. Desperately ill, she lay helpless during the night and until help came this morning through the intervention of the neighbors.

Mr. Davidson was about 45 years of age, and his wife is the same age. They have a daughter living in Lacrosse, Wis.

Coroner Anderson said today he probably would hold an inquisition into the death of Mr. Davidson some time this afternoon.

Reports from the hospital during the day indicated that the woman is still in a critical condition, but has a chance for recovery.

The authorities were asked today by Mrs. Davidson to communicate with her daughter, Melvina Withle, of 712 1/2 State street, Lacrosse. She said her mother is Mrs. M. J. Smith of Tunnell City, Wis., and that her husband's mother is living in San Pierre, Ind. She is Mrs. Eliza J. Ring. The couple have lived in Clinton about a year and a half, coming from Indiana to this city.

22 January 1917 - The Clinton Advertiser page 6

Funeral services for James Davidson, who was found dead at his home Saturday morning, were held at the Rockwell Undertaking parlors this afternoon at 2:30 o'clock.