Robert William Forbes (1870-1917)

FORBES

Posted By: Volunteer Paul French
Date: 2/5/2007 at 19:41:51

Blood Poison Fatal to Russel Springs Ranchman

R. W. Forbes is Dead Following Three Days’ Illness

Blood poisoning, believed to have come from an infection received while working with the dead carcasses of black leg cattle caused the death of R. W. Forbes, prominent stockman of Russell Springs, late Monday night.

Forbes and two of his neighbors had been dragging together and burning the carcasses of several animals which had died with black leg, last week. It is stated that he did not touch the dead animals, but those who were with him say that his lariat rope was used in dragging the carcasses together, so that they could be burned, and they believe that he must have gotten the infection off the rope, and into a scratch which he had on one hand.

He was sick, Sunday, and a physician was called to attend him, at that time. At first the nature of his ailment could scarcely be diagnosed, but the poisoning developed so rapidly that within a few hours he was plainly suffering from a well developed case of blackleg poisoning. The disease had gotten such a hold on him by that time that medical treatment produced little noticeable effect.

He is survived by a wife and four small children, aside from a number of brothers, all of whom are residents of this county.

The funeral was held, Wednesday afternoon from the residence. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. Kern of Saguache and burial was made in the Saguache cemetery.

Source: undated newspaper clipping with no source cited contained in “Family History” of the Barker, Sherod, and Forbes families and descendants compiled by Bernadine Forbes Clark, December 1980.