The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-07-09
RABIES.
Description Of the Death of Mad
Dogs Victim.
The Venom Lying Dormant for About a
Month-HOrrible ParOxysms of Pain
for Two Days-Peculiarities
of the Disease.

John IOelle was an honest. induStri-
Gus and respectable man of about thirty
five years of age, of fine habits and traits,
living on twenty-acre tract of prop
erty just east of Kansas City, from
which he derived support for himself,
wife and children. For the pleasure of
his children the father, some three years
ago, procured fine Newfoundland dog,
the instrument of his death, then but a
pup The animal was always kind and
ahectionate, and seemed never prouder
than when serving as pony for his lit
tie masters.
STRUGGLE WITH MAD BRUTE.
1t was May that Mr.. Toelle had the
disastrous struggle with the pet of his
children. For several days prior the
dog had been missed from the house for
quite while at a time, and when he re-
turned he was Indifferent, cross and
snappish. On one occasion he took
the babes entire hand in his mouth,
merely leaving the print of his teeth,
but causing no abrasion of the skin.
Again he seized an elder child bv
the arm, but his teeth did not
penetrate the skin. These freaks
caused alarm, and the animal was Sc
cured and tied. But Mr.. Toelle ac-
counted for the sudden savageness of
the dog on the theory that the animal
had been killing sheep, and the fresh
blood had affected him. The mOrninu
of the fatal day the dog freed himself,
and was seen jogging slowly across the
field. His victim ordered his emplove
TO 60 alter the dog. but that party,
whose apprehensiOnS had been aroused,
refused, and TOelle himself deserted his
work and went in pursuit of the rabid
animal | had from his own lips the
details of his adventure He passed
down into light piece of timber out of
sight of the neighboring houses. and
overlook the dog as the animal paused
at the edge of a stream of flowing water.
TOelle walked near to him, and his
fears being now aroused, though not
the least suspicious of rabies, he stepped
behind large tree. and for a short in
terval was impressed with the peculiar
look and behavior of the dog. The
latter turned from the stream and
walked leiSurely toward the tree behind
which his master stood. Then Toelle
spoke to the animal in a tone of COM
mand. and, not being noticed. took up
a stick and advanced to where the
dog had paused, when the powerful
brute made for his throat. There
was at once tenacious closing of the
dogs Jaws over the left hand of the
now terrified man, and the terrible
struggle began. After wrenching and
choking, the hand was extricated. lace
rated and bleeding; but instantly the
other hand was caught and most fear
fully torn before the efforts to free it
were successful. Toelle was man of
great strength. which by desperation
must have been increased, and. obtain
ing a neck-hold on the dog. threw him
TO the ground. No one had vet ap-
peared at the desperate fight. The man
was now on top of the dog, violently
endeavoring to keep him down. Sec
-onds must have been as minutes, and
could not learn with any definiteness
how long the battle lasted. But be-
fore the man was exhausted. and while
he still was on the dog, by chance a
neighbor came near, and, comprehend.
ing the situation at once. ran to his
house, procured his gun. and. return
ing to the scene, shot the dog to death
while Toelle continued to hold on.
FEARING HYDRoPHoBIA.
Toelle was now apprehensive of rab-
les. He hurried to his house and gave
orders for his horse. His workman.
misunderstanding him, himself took the
horse and rode rapidly to town for q
physician. The wounded man went at
once to a neighbor's and asked for a
horse, recounting his adventure, and
insisted that he wanted and must have
medical aid at once. The neighbor
made light of the mans fears of hydro
phObia, and absolutely refused to loan
his horse, Toelle was forced to remain
at home and await the coming of the
physician. When that gentleman came.
after much delay. he simply cauterizs3
the wounds of his patient, and. though
being informed fully as to the changed
nature of the dog, his strange freaks
and actions, persistently assured Toelle
and his family that there was no cause
to fear hydrophobia-
A week passed away and the wounds
were rapidly healing, and at the end of
two weeks Toelle was as well as ever
and pursuing his labors as usual. What
was the condition of the mans mind
now? / believe from the moment he
had the terrible struggle with the dog
he felt convinced that the animal was