Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-06-24
John Toelle'. Horrible Death.
HYDROPHOBIA FOLLOWS ONE MONTH AFTER
HIS FIGHT WITH A MAD DOG.
From the kansas City Times. Iune 4

hIDhOfHOBIA FOLLOWS ONE MONTH AFTER
HIS FIGHT WITH MAD DOG.
From the Kansas City Times, June 4.
John Toelle, the man who had the desperate
struggle with the mad dog May 7th. died last
night from hydrOphobia. Ever since his battle
with the dog Mr. Toelle had been firmly con-
WINGED that he would die of hydrophobia. His
Tiends attempted to persuade him that there
argument could shake him in THIS belief, that
MS uea1h was only matter Of time After the
oattie MS wounds were cauterized, and he was
given All the whisky that he could stand. A
mad stone was also applied to the bites, but
would not adhere. Toeile accepted this an
use, and that ali their efforts could not save
him. The wounds all healed nicely, though
t 1oslie complained of pains in his arms. Last
he talked OF the battle with his sister, and
was firmly convinced that he would die in a
snort time When he returned to his home he
said he felt sick. and wanted his bed made diff
ierently He remarked, 81 will not stay long,
Ieel It coming on, and do not want to hurt
anybody, SO you had better strap me in my
bed; feel that the first spasm is coming on.
ina. night, as he had predicted, he had his first
sp ms, which was not, however, violent.
thira occurred Tuesday night. Each spasm
Was more violent than the preceding one. Be-
he Was Of the 'ask on ss
gay night he had been drinking water and
n sapg pounded ice in his mouth: Then he
would throw him into commissions. He also
began TO froth at the mouth and scream like a
wiz beast, all the while making desperate eff
1orts to release himself from the ropes with
winch he was tied to his bed. Yesterday after
noon he died in terrible agony. His struggles
were frlghtiul. His eyes glared like wild ami
MAJ S, his mouth was tiecked with foam, and
MS screams could be heard for a mile Four
strong men were required to hold him, to pre-
vent MIN from breaking the rope. He breathed
MS last about 51.a o'clock.
Mi. Toelie was man of So years of age He
was I'm good circumstances. The dog that caused
ms death was an immense Newfoundland, over
three ieet high, and for "a long time had been
the pet OF the family. Mr.. Toellc, noticing that
tne doS was acting strangely, tied him up. but
ne chewed the strap and started across a field.
Ihlnklng that he might bite some one, Mr..
roche followed. When he caught him n des-
pefate struggle ensued, lasting for over an hour.
MI. ioelie caught the strap, intending 10 take
the Dog back to the house. AS he did so the
beast Sprang for his throat. Mr.. Toelle got out
OF the way, when the dog again attacked him
ana seized him by the right hand, which he
chung to with bulldog tenacity. With his other
haha he managed to choke the dog till he let
go ms hold, only. to renew the attack again.
Again and again he was chOked Off, only to re-
new new Lne nght more sayagely than before
rlnally. with his hands and arms lacerated and
bleeding and his body covered with bites, he
got the dogs head in chancery and threw him
TO the ground. He threw his weight upon the
dog and held him down, screaming all the time
loudly for help, with the dog biting and fight
ing viciously. He was finally rescued, torn,
bleeding, and mangled, by n passer-by who shot
the dog as it was being held down by the untor-
tunate victim.