Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1876-09-21
Horrible Death of a Family IN
Missouri.

NkiSSOtsEls
FoR several weeks past Mr.. A. Han
son, who resides in this city, an en-
ploye of the NJ, x. & L. Railroad,
has at various times furnished pro-
visions to Nils Flick and family, who
occupied teIant-house on the farm
of William NJ. Gentry, Jr., four miles
east from here. Fick's wife is Mrs.
Hanson's sister I yesterday morning
Hanson sent his thirteen-year-old son
on foot to convey basket of cooked
provisions to Flick. According to the
lads statement, he reached the prem
ises about ten o'clock. Nearing the
house he inhaled a terrible odor, but
suspected nothing until he approached
the kitchen door. Here he was horri-
fed TO find the baby partly submerged
in large bucket filed with water.
Both doors were wide open. Looking
inside, he saw Flick lying on the floor,
and still further, in the main room,
Mrs. Flick, both dead and badly decom-
posed. He returned home ins great
haste, and notified his parents what he
had seen
Coroner Evans Immediately sum-
moned a jury and hurried to the scene.
The CLEARINGHOUSE of Flick and family
is located in a skirt of timber about
One-half mile from any frequented
road Entering the yard and approach
ing the house, it required only mo-
ment's glance to fully corroborate the
lads statement. Just outside the
kitchen door was found the in
FAINT child, its head and shoulders
under water. 1t had evidently been
without nourishment three Or four
days, and, impelled by thirst, sought
water in large bucket, but, becoming
oyerbalanced and being lifted off it's
feet, WAS unable to save itself from
drowning. Inside the kitchen, lying
near the north side, with his feet to-
ward the door, was found the body of
Flick He was lying on his face, with
botI, hands clutched across his breast.
His feet were only a short space from
the child. But the most horrible sight
was yet TO be exposed. Mrs. Flick had
removed a few articles from their
.scantiiy furnished bed to the floor, with
handkerchief tied over head and dressed
only iii her night-clotheS.
The scene was terrible. Mrs. Flick
was not only badly decomposed, but
yermiH had made such inrOads on her
face, breast, and body that the sight
was sickening. She lay on her back,
with her feet drawn up and arms in
natural position. Flick lay with his
clothes and boots on.
Coroner Evans examined the dead
bodies and was satisfied of no external
,seif-injuries or foul play. Only one
witness gave evidence before the
jury, Nh. A. Hanson. lie said Flick
was at his house last Monday and took
dinner He said his wife had the
4chills, himself the bilious fever, and
he had been in bed for three days pre-
yi0uS lie bought provisions, bottle
of {f0Stetter's bitters, and whisky,
and started home. The verdict was
that Nils Flick and Annie Flick came
to their deaths from disease and want
of proper attention; that the baby,
Julia Flick, was drowned in an effort to
get water after her parents death.
They formed no associations with
their neighbors, although they We're
near by and ready to help. Both We're
attacked with chills and fever, and at
different periods unable to help them
selves. Last Monday he told Hanson
they had, been two days without water,
neither of them being able to visit the
spring 400 yards away, On the third
day Is took him two hours tomake the
jouyney. 1t is believed from all sur
rounding circumstances that Mrs.
Flick was either ainsensibie or dead
when her husband arrived home Mon
day evening. Flick was already much
sdebilitated, and the efforts of foul
miles walk produced congestiye
chill. resulting in his death soon after
ward. In the house was found {
quantity of cooked provisions, will
ham. eggs, coffee, ETC., ready for use
-SedGIia (M0.y Cor. st. Louis Repu6
,Jlcss3l.