The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-10-17
MADE I'LL IN A CONVENTION.
NEARLT FIFTY W. c. r. U. DELEGA TIES
STRICKEN ~ CHURCH.
They Had Eaten Heartily at Brnafera. Pa.
OF ~ lunch which Contained sope rot.
sonous lngredient-lAli tho Physicinus In
tho city Caiied-Two May Die.

OF lunch which Contained Sonae fOt.
sonous lngredient-An the Physicisus In
the City Caiied-Two May Die.
BRADFORD. Pa. Oct. 16-This city lately was
delighted because It had been selected to en-
terrain the 400 delegates to the State Conven-
ton Of the Women's Christian Temperance
Union. Tonight tho place Is In great con-
fusion. little after noon to-day the dele
gates gathered in Armory Hall, where they
had been invited TO lunch given by the
ladies' committee OF the city.
1t was altogether charming affair. and had
been prepared especially by Mrs. Washburn Of
this city. On the tables coffee. grapes. and
cold meats occupied conspicuous places. The
ladies ate heartily. and at the opening OF the
afternoon session OF tho regular proceedings
in the Methodist Church all were present and
in apparent good health and spirits.
The meeting was regularly called to order
and the programme OF work carried out until
about o'clock this afternoon. when q
sudden change came over the assembla0e.
First one. then another. hastily rose.
and after half dozen had lett
tho room. remarkable scene followed. By
twos and threes and then by tho dozen the
delegates ran from the room. Many delegates
and citizens attracted by the unusual scene.
gathered about the sufferers, inside aud out
side the church. to offer aid. A tremendous
crowd gathered before the church and word was
spread throughout the city that hundred
delegates to tho Convention had been poison
cd. Every physician In the city was called
upon. and tho basement OF the large Presby-
terian church was made into a temporary hos
pital. to which fully forty delegates were
taken. As soon as possible tho sufferers were
taken to private houses. where they could
receive special care.
1t seemed clearly case OF poisoning. Ply
sicians who had been called said they
had no idea as to what kind Of poison
1t was. 1t was very evident that the
poison had been swallowed at the dinner. for
only those who ate heartily were affected.
Some writhed in agony. while others were
merely sick at their stomach. All vomited.
When the least seriously affected OF tho
ladies were seen this evening some OF them
claimed the coffee had been poisoned. others
said they were certain the grapes were to
blame and still others that there was poison
In the cold meats.
The principal sufferers. however, claim that,
whatever was the matter. secret agents Of the
liquor interests here. who are known TO be op-
posed to holding such a Convention. either
placed poison In their food or spread o noxious
and poisonous gas throughout the church.
The theory regarding the gas Is not to be
believed. for only those who had been at the
lunch were III. The idea that the liquor
interests OF the city had deliberately poisoned
the delegates is not commonly believed by the
citizens.
Every physician In the city has dozen or
more patients on his hands. Mrs. Grano and
Mrs. Owens. both Of Phillipsbursh. Centre
county: Miss Pearl. Mrs. Ada Cable, reporter
of the Era. and Miss Davis. all Of Bradford.
and Mrs. W. H. Holvey Of Pittston. Q reporter
Of the Scranton Truth. were among the most
serious cases. All the other sufferers refuse
IL wl.,ok I~fw