Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1873-10-02
Died of HydrOphObia.

THE fallacy of the ignorant, that the
killing of dog will prevent person bit
ten by it from becoming infected with
that fearful malady, the hydrophobia, has
been exploded by circumstances connect
ed with the terrible death, at four O'Clock
yesterday afternoon, of Peter Keil, Ger
man residing at No 1877 Church street. on
the North Side. A year ago, or there
abouts, Mr.. Keil, who is forty-fve years
of age, was bitten by dog believed to be
rabid. The animal was hotly pursued by
a large concomse Of excited people,
among whom were several policemen
The chase was long and exciting. Ifmad,
the dog was possessed Of enough reason,
or instinct, to know that its life was in
danger, and the law Of selfpreservation
that applies to brutes as we'll as human
beings, asserted itself in marked degree
Dodging bricks, stones and other missiles
thrown by the excited rabble, and escap-
ing the bullets sent whizzir after it by
the policemen, the animal passed the city
limits and attempted to seek safety in the
| town of Lake View. But it did not sue
| coed. A bullet finally entered the side of
the four-footed fugitive, and thus crippled,
II was soon overtaken and dispatched
Mr.. keil, who had been foremost in the
chase, felt greatly gratifed at the result
and, as weeks and months passed, with
no symptoms of the dreadful disease his
mind became somewhat easy, although
he never fully Overcame the fear that he
would eventually meet the horrible fate
that awaits the victim Of hydrophobia
AT first his anxiety and restlessness
though with no apparent cauSe-nO ply
steal ailments having been experienced
was so great as to make his presence pain
full to his family and friends. This grad
ually lessened, but did not entirely die
| away, and it was hoped that the dismal
feelings would soon entirely cease.
Yesterday morning his restlessness had
alarmingly increased, and in the early
hours Of the forenoon his family were
Mortified by the discovery that the awful
disease, which he had so dreaded, had
made its appearance. Drs Shoppers and
Williams were sent for as soon as the dis
tressing nature of the attack was made
manifest, and all known remedies were
applied, without the least effect The poor
man foamed al the mouth and raved with
all the savage fury of rahid beast, and
endured agOnies that sent thrill of hor-
ror to the hearts of those who attended
him. The doctors from the first stated
tHte tICiC " dS ~ HopC, anu ut oIc tllue,
it is said, the medical gentlemen proposed
that, as death was inevitable, it would be
mercifrll act to adopt some method by
which to shorten life.
But while there is life there is hope,
and the physicians were overruled by the
relatives and friends of the unfortunate
man, whose shrieks could be heard for
blocks, and who frantically begged of
those who surrounded him to blow out
his brains, cut his throat, or administer
some powerful drug that would consign
him to the sleep that knows no waking
The hours advanced, and the frenzy of
the sufferer increased, until serious con-
situations took place, and the advice of
the authorities was about being sought.
At four o'clock, however, an authority
higher than any on earth was asserted,
and Peter Keil suffered no more.-Chicago
Past