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BARTON, Edith

CURTIS, BARTON, SWEETSER, GOODWIN, OTIS, MUNGER, FISHER, EVANS

Posted By: Lois Shaul (email)
Date: 5/18/2019 at 16:39:42

Malvern Leader
September 15, 1887

ACCIDENTAL POISONING
A Happy Home Turned Into a House of Mourning and Distress

Never in the history of Malvern has its inhabitants been more generally and more thoroughly united in sympathy and sorrow than they were today over the appalling affliction that has fallen upon the family of M.J. Curtis.

In the presence of such sorrow the human brain is benumbed and it seems impossible that the truth can be real. Death is always an unwelcome visitor, but when in a span of time he changes the bloom of budding childhood into the pallor of the tomb, and brings the mother to the grave's brink, his coming is doubly sad.

Tuesday morning the home of Mr. Curtis was a happy one. Tuesday evening that same home was shrouded in the thick gloom of an indescribable anguish. To chronicle suffering and sorrow in whatever form and wherever found is a sad duty, when the home of honored, respected and beloved friends pass under the cloud of consuming grief, that duty brings with it an incomparable sadness. Thus reader, we write the following facts.

Tuesday last while Johnny Barton was removing some articles from the cellar under Mr. Curtis' residence he discovered a quart jar (glazed earthenware) of sweet tomato pickles which had been prepared and placed in the cellar a year ago. The tin lid having simply been pressed down but not sealed. Removing the lid and the mould from the mouth of the jar, the pickles presented such an inviting appearance that the jar was taken to the kitchen and a portion served for the noon meal which was then being prepared.

The company at dinner consisted of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Sweetser, John Barton, and little daughter Edith and Mrs. Curtis, all of the family then at home. Mr. Curtis, as our readers generally know, being at Wakeeney, Kansas, where he has been in business for some months, and Cosy (Mr. and Mrs. Curtis's daughter) being on a visit to relatives in Illinois. In a few minutes after dinner Mr. Barton, Mrs. Curtis and little Edith were taken deathly sick, followed immediately by severe and copious vomiting.

After the first spasm of sickness and vomiting passed off, Mr. Barton felt much better and as the others were still very sick he hastened to Munger and Goodwin's drug store and informed Mr. C.F. Goodwin of the family's sickness and requested him to go to the house at once and ascertain the trouble, forgetting in the intense excitement under which he was laboring because of his physical condition, to have a physician called at once.

Mr. Goodwin (not suspecting the serious nature of the illness) promptly obeyed the summons and as soon as he could walk there was at the bedside of the sufferers. A moment sufficed to show him the necessity of having assistance promptly. Returning down the street as rapidly as possible, he was fortunate in meeting Dr. Otis on First Avenue near Fisher's store and but a moment or two later the Dr. was in the presence of his patients.

In the meantime Mrs. Goodwin had notified Mrs. W.D. Evans of the state of affairs at Mr. Curtis's and the ladies were there when Dr. Otis arrived. The Dr. at once detected the symptom of poisoning and promptly began to administer the line of treatment used in such cases. Little Edith, however, refused the medicine and in no way could she be prevailed on to take it until about 4 or 5 o'clock when the fever created such a thirst she drank greedily but which was promptly thrown off the stomach.

After returning from his trip down town Mr. Barton was again taken with vomiting. He and Mrs. Curtis suffered greatly, continuing retching and vomiting, so that the medicines (aside from the emetics) had very little
effect. About two hours after the Dr.'s arrival Mrs. Sweetser was also taken with vomiting and soon exhibited the same symptoms as the others had done.

With varying symptoms (sometimes better and at other times more discouraging) the patients remained much the same until about 7 o'clock, when little Edith's spirit was released from its casket of clay and flew away to the bliss of heaven. As would be naturally supposed, the death of the little one was a great shock to the other three, who were perceptible affected by it.

Mrs. Curtis was in a very critical condition all night, and in the early morning was taken with a sinking spell that very much alarmed the family and attendants, but from which she rallied and showed more favorable symptoms. At this writing (1 o'clock p.m. Wednesday) there is hope, but the sands of life are running very low. Mrs. Sweetser and Mr. Barton suffered much throughout the entire night and up to this time- the latter being more or less deranged a good deal of the time. Mrs. Sweetser seems more affected by nervous prostration than by the poison, and is very seriously sick.

The symptoms being the only basis of an opinion as to the nature of the poison, little can really be known in this direction. It's effect, however, seems to be confined largely to the spinal cord, which produces something of a paralysis. The patients suffer great distress, particularly of the back and head.

Mr. Curtis was telegraphed to Tuesday evening and replied the following morning that he would be home on the first train, which will probably be No 4 (11:18) today. It will be a sad home coming after several months of separation from his family, and doubly so from the fact that they were packing their household effects with a view to removing to WaKeeney, soon, possibly the latter part of the week, where Mr. Curtis was fondly awaiting their arrival. Dr. Thomas. of Council Bluffs, is expected on the 4 o'clock Wabash train this (Wednesday) afternoon, in response to a telegraphic call sent today.

Mr. Sweetser, being the only member of the family who did not eat of the pickles and also the only member who has not been sick, proves conclusively that the poison was in the pickles. The fact, too, that a granite ware kettle was used in preparing the pickles precludes the possibility that the poison originated in the cooking as some might suppose. More than this, pickles prepared in the same way and at the same time were used by the family a year ago with no injurious effects.

As is always true in cases of sorrow, the people of town and vicinity are doing everything possible to relieve the load of distress that is resting so heavily on the bereaved family, and nothing is being left undone that can in any way contribute to the consolation and comfort of the sufferers. No people could be kinder. Everyone is anxiously seeking the privilege of doing something, and all heart are overflowing with sympathy. That complete restoration may be in store for each one, is our earnest prayer.

As we go to press (8 p.m.) the attending physician reports Mrs. Curtis"s symptoms to be as favorable as at any other time during the day, possibly more so.


 

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