The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-10-05
STOP THE SCOURGE.
A Sad Story of Diphtheria's
Ravages.
Some Households Where the
Outbreak Isn't "Triding."
WORDS CAN'T HEAL
The Heart When the Little One
iSGOne.
The Health Board Can't Afford
y to Farley.
WORDS CAN'T HEAL

Ono of the saddest stories that comes
into the lives and hearts of men IS the
deau { a little child; one that the par
ents ge watched and tended through
long days and nights of care
Leaning over his front gate at GA
West Fourth street, with heart within
as gloomy and gray as the clouds with
out, Mr. HoImgreen told a JOURNAL re-
porter the story of the death of his son
from diphtheria.
1T seems only yesterday that he came
hons. from school and complained OF not
)fes , Sery well. His mother told hun
hes[ 5.snot go back to school If he dId
n5t fOel like it. so he stayed at home.
HE was such a bright boy in school
and so ambitious. His teacher told rae
that he had no superior in the school
AID now, aud uow," and the strong
voice faltered, '.he is dead. And 1t was
only Yesterday that l held him IN my
arms
y AT first we thought it was only mem
branous Group as he had been troubled
that way before, ard his mother had al
ways cured him with some simple rem
edies applied to the throat.
And lie was so good about taking his
medicine, he had child-like trust and
did everything we asked him.
j. I'VE watched him very closely and he
seemed strong aud vigorous but some
how I seemed to feel Ihas he was about
to be taken from me" and strong tremor
shook him while a gust of wind whipped
the dead leaves around his feet
but sometime in the night heard his
hoarse little voice asking for water and
when l went to him I saw that his throat
was sore for it already hurt him to swal
low. And papa, please get doctor,
he said.
The doctor came, shook his head, left
some medicine and went away. 1t was
in the form of capsules and only after
repeated attempts could he swallow it.
''But the brave little soul rallied and
told me to take care of his pigeons and
feed them, and take care of some other
pets and he would make it all right with
me when he got we'll
But l knew then that he would never
get well again.
'sWorn out with watching the third
night | gave him little mallet and lay
down by his side telling MIN to hit on
the floor if he wanted me-
Il had fallen asleep a moment when /
heard the sharp stroke of the maliet and
his cry, not his old cheerful voice, but Sc
sharp and altered that l hardly knew il.
And for minute l could hardly stir
because knew that it was my boys
death cry.
"But l lifted him up, when he threw
his arms around my neck and whispered,
4 'Good-bye papa and mamma, too and
with u quiver he was dead"
And tears sprung to the eyes of this
mau while he leaned his head over his
folded hands and sobbed. And as the
reporter turned away he thought how
can the city physician say that the out
break of diphtheria in this city is
< "trihing" when it causes even d single
instance of grief like that. Yet the death
angel has visited thirteen homes in thi;
city as it has that of Mr.. Holmgreen
This diphtheria outbreak, with its % pei
cent death rate. may to the unthinking
seem "irihing," but it is not when death
strikes in your own family.