The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1894-06-20
One Of Breckenridge Couniy's Best
Citizens Dies in the Horrible
TbrOes Of HydrOphObia.
Iohn B. Hunter, Farmer Near
Glendeane Is the In
fortunate Victim.
HIS SON is BITTEN.

Mr.. John y. Hunter, at his home near
Glendeane, last Thursday evening. lie
died of hydrophobia, and the particulars
Of the awful taking Off are about as fol-
lows:
Some weeks ago one Of his neighbors
made him present Of small pup. He
took the animal home, and ON the 9TH Of
last month it got fastened in the crack Of
fence. Mr.. Hunter and his little son,
Owen, ten or twelve years Of age, assisted
it out, but in doing so the animal bit the
father on the finger and the son on the
hand.
Three days afterward the pup showed
symptoms of the rabies and MIR. Hunter
killed it. lie then went TO Owensboro
and had a maidstone applied to the
wound on his finger, but it took no effect
He was in Cloverport the 9th inst, two
weeks ago to-day, contracting for mate
rial with Which to build a new house, but
he did not talk much about the dog bite
Last Monday the 18th inst he went to
Hardinsburg to apply a mad stone, but
again it would not stick.
He was well posted on the symptoms
of hydrophobia, and it seems that he
had read up on the subject after he had
received the fatal bite. He was sitting
in Horace SCOTS store at Hardinsburg
on the evening OF the 9th, after the mad
stone had been ineffectively applied to
his wounded finger, when he felt little
tingling pain IN the finger, and he then
remarked that there was the first symp-
tom OF hydrophobia.
lie went home that night, and by the
time he arrived his whole arm was pain
ing him. lie was thirsty and wanted a
drink OF water, but when he attempted
to take it, an offensive shudd,r went
over his frame and he flew back from it
as if il were a poisonous reptile. lie
then remarked to his wife that there was
another symptom OF hydrophobia.
He grew worse through the night, and
still worse on Tuesday. His arm, shout
der, throat and chest gave him much
pain. lie craved water but could not
bear to look at it. However, he made
one desperate effort to take a drink on
Tuesday, and when the cup reached his
mouth he seized it with his teeth, and it
had to be wrenched from him, but he
swallowed no water. He then said to
his wife THAT settles it, have hydro
phobia and am going to die OF it,"
lie grew still worse Tuesday night,
and was getting to be very sick man.
On Wednesday morning he called his
family together, read a chapter in the
bible and had family prayer, as was his
custom. After this he grew rapidly
worse, and about 8 o'clock he expe-
rienced his first CONFUSION. These con-
tinued at intervals through the day and
night. His thirst was so great that he
begged his attendants to try to get him
some water in some manner that he
could not see it, and for them not to let
him hear them pouring it. They conse-
quently filed a bottle with water and
wrapped cloth around it, completely
hiding it, and conveyed it to his mouth.
He took about two swallows, when he
was thrown into another CONFUSION and
could take no more Of it. From this on
the commissions grew more frequent and
more severe. All through Wednesday
night he had his attendants to walk him
about and keep him moving. lie beg
ged them TO be careful while holding
him when he was in the horrible con-
vulsive throes and not to let him bite or
otherwise injure any OF them. He
begged them to keep women and children
away from him, and when a woman or
child would attempt TO come near him
he would motion them back.
When the commissions were on him he
would scream SO that he could be heard
for mile and half and the neighbor-
hood for that distance around was kept
awake all through Wednesday night He
would froth at the mouth and utter I'M
earthly howls like those OF a dog.
Nothing could keep him still, and puffo
wind would throw him into convusions.
lie still grew worse on Thursday, one
severe CONFUSION rapidly following
another, when about 8 o'clock in the
afternoon, he sprang from off the bed
with more horrible scream than any
before, and as he was laid back he
expired.
lie was perfectly rational up to the
time of his death except when in a con-
vulsion. Then it took five or six stout
men to hold him. lie realized that he |
was going TO die aud made all arrange
nents for the disposal and completion
IF his business affairs. He instructed |
ais wife to complete the house which he |
and move to Glendeane
md educate their children.
lie was followed TO the grave next day
~ a large coneourse of grief stricken
elatiyes aud friends.
John Hunter was one OF the best citi-
ems that Breckenridge county afforded.
lie was indeed most lovabe man. A
hristian gentleman, strictly honest,
xact and fair TO fault in all his dealings
With his fellow man.
lie leaves a widow and two children,
mt through his lifelong uprightness and
n, lustry. they are fortunately. NOT left