John Witherow (1898)

WITHROW, WITHEROW, THOMPSON, DAVISSON

Posted By: Kent Transier (email)
Date: 7/10/2005 at 16:59:50

Winterset Madisonian, Winterset, Iowa
December 07, 1898

DEATH OF JOHN WITHROW

Slight Prick by a Wire Barb Results in Loss of Life

John Withrow, a well known farmer living seven miles north of town in Union Township, died at eight o’clock last Monday night.

Just about one month ago, while handling some barbed wire, he was pricked in the palm of the hand by one of the barbs. The prick was very slight, so small, indeed, that it could not be seen, but it was followed by severe inflammation, and sloughing off of parts of the flesh and, finally, an abscess. Under medical treatment his condition seemed to improve, and he was doing well up to last Friday night, when a blood vessel broke in his arm, to which the trouble had extended. His physician, Dr. Thompson, who was assisted by Drs. David D. Davisson and Skinner decided that amputation below the elbow would be necessary, but the operation was suspended in the hope that Mr. Withrow might gain strength to endure …unreadable… the pain, loss of blood and exhaustion.

Mr Withrow was forty-five years of age, and leaves a wife and two small children. He had lived in this county for many years, and was universally respected as an honorable, upright man and good citizen. In business he was hard working and industrious, and had prospered financially, owning at the time of his death a large farm and considerable other property.

The funeral was held today (Wednesday) at eleven o’clock, at the family home in Union township.
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Winterset Reporter – December 8, 1898
Pg 1

Jno. Withrow Dead.

Mr. Jno. Withrow, whose serious illness resulting from a barb wire scratch was noticed in the REPORTER two weeks ago, died Monday evening. The doctor’s had decided to amputate his arm on Saturday. Friday afternoon a blood vessel broke in the arm and the resulting loss of blood came near being fatal. The patient was so weakened that the operation became of doubtful advantage and had to be deferred. Sunday Mr. Withrow appeared so much stronger that the operation was performed, removing the arm just below the elbow. His sufferings had been so great and the loss of blood from the rupture on Friday so weakening that he was unable to pull through. The funeral occurred yesterday at 11 o’clock from the house. The deceased was a much respected citizen and leaves many friends to mourn his untimely death. His wife and two children survive him.

Transcriber's note: Transcribed as publsihed, last name should be "Witherow".

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