Vedette
Panora, Guthrie Co. Iowa
July 11, 1889
p.6 c.5
DIED - In Panora, Wednesday, July 10, at 4:30
p.m. Eva Hougham; age 16 years, 5 months, and 8 days. Nothing has
so
shocked Panora people in years as this sudden and undreamed of
death. The only cause that can be assigned is poisoning either by
vanilla extract or the tritoxine in milk. Saturday she baked a
cake using vanilla extract and after finishing her work
made a milk shake using the same flavoring. She was not affected
until Monday night. About nine o'clock Monday night
she went into the kitchen with her sister Ida and took a drink of
water. Upon returning to the living room she remarked that she
feared she had swallowed a fly or bug and when two hours later
she was seized with a severe attack of vomiting nothing
was thought of it more than that she was probably correct in her
belief of swallowing a fly or bug. (She may have swallowed
a poisonous spider). From her first attack until she died she
grew weaker gradually and was in excruciating agony from
attempts to vomit; these spells alternating with comparative ease
and comfort. Dr. Martin, who was in constant attendance
and in council with other physicians, exerted every effort to
alleviate her suffering and restore her to health. But it was
apparent about noon, Wednesday, that her vital forces were fast
giving way and the overwhelming fact that she must soon die
could scarcely be realized and chilled the blood of all who knew
it, with horror at the sudden and sad summons. She died
easily, without dread, surrounded by family and friends. The
funeral will be held at 10 o'clock tomorrow, Friday, July 12.
It is postponed to that time to permit her sister Anna to get
here from Nebraska and relatives from other points to attend.