POISON KILLS FOUR
4 Watauga People Poisoned by Eating Pickled Vegetables

MERCY SHIP FAILS TO DELIVER SERUM IN TIME TO DO ANY GOOD; R. J. REDDICK, ARNOLD JOHANSEN, MR. AND MRS. C. ANGEL ARE VICTIMS

Four of the outstanding citizens of Watauga were fatally poisoned Monday noon and passed away Tuesday and Wednesday as the result of eating some home canned string-beans, which contained Botulism poisoning.
The dead are, Mr. and Mrs. Clem Angel, hotel and boarding house proprietors, Arnold Johansen, clerk in the Red and White Store there, and Jay Reddick, Watauga pool hall proprietor.

Were Poisoned Monday Noon

The four victims of the awesome tragedy sat down to a noon meal Monday at the Angel hotel and all ate a hearty meal. A portion of the repast Monday was some home canned green string beans that had been pickled several days before by Mrs. Angel. Joe Sahli, elevator manager, was also in attendance during the luncheon, but refused to partake of the beans.
The following morning the four arose and went about their respective duties about town, but all felt rather logy and not up to par. Arnold Johansen got leave from his duties at the store and went to the pool hall to see how Mr. Reddick was feeling. Mr. Reddick complained of having a “dopy” feeling and stated that he got up in the middle of the night and vomited but thought nothing of it. From there the two went to the Angel hotel and sought out Mr. and Mrs. Angel, where it was learned that Mrs. Angel had been feeling rather sick all night and did not desire to get out of bed that morning. After discussing the matter they sent for Dr. Olson at McIntosh. Before he arrived, all remained on their feet but complained that they suffered partial blindness and all stated that they could “see double” but none thought it serious.

Charter Airplane from Kansas City

When Dr. Olson arrived he advised that all should go to bed and after further examination, diagnosed the case as botulism poisoning, but not entirely certain of his decision. As a result of his uncertainty he summoned Dr. Curtiss of Lemmon who verified Dr. Olson’s first belief. As botulism poisoning is much worse than ptomaine and most other kinds of poisoning, they were unable to secure the proper anti-toxin in Bismarck or any city close by. The closest place the anti-toxin could be obtained was from Kansas City, Mo., and plans at once went ahead to have it brought up from there by airplane. By the time the money was guaranteed to the concern there and all the telephone calls made, executives at Kansas City stated that it was too late in the day to start a plane from there, as it would run them into night flying, and they would not do that. The quickest they could get the serum to Bismarck and it would arrive there the following afternoon (Wednesday). The toxin was sent but it was too late to do any good--all had died.

Reddick First to Succumb

R. J. Reddick was the first victim of the quadruple tragedy. He passed away Tuesday evening about six o’clock, as a result of partial choking and paralysis. Before his death he summoned Rev. Father O’Hara of Watauga who baptized him into the Catholic church and administered the last rites.
About eleven o’clock in the evening Clem Angel long time Watauga resident and outstanding baseball player passed away quietly. Twenty minutes later his wife, Maraget Erz Angel, joined her husband in death. She was the daughter of Mrs. John Erz. A priest was in attendance at the time of their passing.
Arnold Johansen son of Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Johansen of Tyler, Minn. and clerk in the Holm Roethler and Johansen Store at Watauga, hung on to life the longest, having eaten only about a half teaspoon full of green beans. His parents were called from Tyler and arrived in the early hours of the morning in time to talk to him before he passed away. Arnold recognized his folks and congratulated his mother it being her birthday. At six o’clock Wednesday morning he met his Maker.

Victims Suffer Very Little

None of the victims of the dreadful botulism poisoning suffered a great deal of pain before they passed on. The poison first effects the victims nervous system, their eyes and throat. After coming down with the poisoning their throat becomes clogged and they lose their speech.

Funeral Arrangements Made

Funeral arrangements have not been completed for the four persons. Undertaker R. S. Evanson of Lemmon was summoned and the bodies of the four Watauga citizens were taken to his funeral home there. the remains of Mr. Reddick will be sent back to North Carolina where he has all his relatives, it being his former home.
Services for Mr. Johansen will be held at Tyler, Minn., where his body will be sent the latter part of the week.
Nothing definite could be learned as to funeral arrangements for Mr. and Mrs. Angel as a majority of their relatives reside at Detroit, Mich, and though they were summoned at once, they had not arrived in Watauga as we go to press. It is thought that interment will be made in the Watauga cemetery.
An obituary of the four deceased victims will appear in the next issue of the Morristown World.

Kansas City Officials Criticized

Much criticism is being given out to the authorities in Kansas City, who would not charter an airplane at least to Bismarck with some of the life-saving serum. Doctors there had plenty of time to send it out so it would arrive in Watauga before Tuesday evening. Had this been done four lives could possibly have been saved.
The World joins in extending sympathy to the friends and relatives of these four unfortunate victims.