Sullivan, Johnnie (abt 1900-1905)

SULLIVAN

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 12/12/2020 at 10:52:02

Daily Freeman Tribune, Thursday, July 20, 1905

SAD DEATH FROM DEADLY SEWER GAS

Little Johnnie Sullivan, Five Year old Son of Mr. and Mrs. J.G. Sullivan, Passes Away

CONDITION WAS UNSUSPECTED

Remains Taken to Council Bluffs and Other Children Removed to Hospital for Treatment

Little Johnnie Sullivan, the five year old son of Mr. and Mrs. J.G. Sullivan, who had been dangerously ill for two weeks, died last evening at 6 o'clock at the family home on West Second street. The remains were taken to Council Bluffs this morning where the funeral was held this afternoon. The Sullivan family formerly made that place their home and both Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan's parents reside there. Upon the advice of Dr. Desmond the two younger children, who are also suffering with the same malady which caused the death of Little Johnnie, were taken along and will be placed in a hospital.

The death of little Johnnie is a peculiarly sad one. The symptoms of his disease were those usually manifested in cases of summer complaint and commonly caused by the extreme heat and the eating of green fruit. The little lad was treated for this and a trained nurse from Fort Dodge was caring for him. Everything possible to relieve him was done but the little lad grew steadily worse and finally a specialist from Omaha was called. He could note no change in treatment which would be beneficial and after a day here, returned home. Investigations made yesterday, however, by Dr. Desmond revealed the fact that the disease which has manifested itself in the Sullivan family was the result of sewer gas. There was a connection from the cellar of the house to the sewer but there was no trap to protect the connection from emitting the deadly sewer gas into the house. The fact that there was no trap there had never been suspected and would not have been discovered but for the careful examination of the place made by Dr. Desmond.

It was not suspected that the condition of the little boy was anything but summer complaint until Tuesday when Mrs. Sullivan, mother of J.G. Sullivan, who had come from Council Bluffs to aid the family, was also taken with the disease. Her coming down with it showed it to be either contagious or a result of some other cause. It was then that the investigation was begun which revealed that a deadly sewer gas was pervading the home, emitted from a sewer pipe with no trap in it.

Many and various rumors of sanitary conditions in the neighborhood have been current. The stories have started from the facts as given above and there is no danger of contagion spreading to other homes. Disinfectants have been used in the Sullivan home and clothes and house furnishings thoroughly cleansed.

The death of little Johnnie is a terrible blow to the parents. That the ruthless band of death should come in a manner so unsuspected makes the case a very sad one. The Sullivans are well known in the city and have a great many friends who will deeply sympathize with them over the loss of a bright and promising young son.

It is hoped that treatment in a hospital will bring the other two children back to health again. The family will remain in Council Bluffs during the illness of the children. Owing to the presence of the deadly sewer gas in their home, it was necessary that the family move and it would inconvenience them no more to go to a hospital than to move into another house. It was their wish to bury the little boy at the old home, hence the other sick children were taken to the same place and will be given the best of medical treatment in a hospital.