West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1896-01-30
MAD DOG EPIDEMIC.
DIR. r. +. LANHAA GIyFs A TRUE
STATEMENT or THE TRAVELS
OF THE SUMMERS DOC.
A Most Thorough and Interesting
Report Of Some Cases Under HIS
Care How Dogs Take The Disease.

To the Editor OF ruz Aneus.
NEwsURe, W. VA, Jan. %. 1896.
Last August n rabid dog came from
the direction of MARQUES Mill. through
Fellowsvillc and mp the Kingwood pike,
biting q cow belonging TO Mr. Bolyard.
living one mile from Fellowsville, and
two hogs belonging to Luther Shaver,
who lives two and ope-half miles from
Fellowsville. The dog went on from
there To Tunneltou. His strange mania
was soon noticed by the people there.
and the dog was killed. In about three
weeks all of these animals bitten
by the dog, took sick and died. with oil
the symptoms of hydrophobia present.
Mr. Thomas Summers dog, who lives
one mile south of Marques nill, in
the direction from which this -abid dog
came, left home on Tuesday. Dec 9th.
and went TO Thornton, about eight
miles distance. He was caught and
tied there by boy and did not get
loose until Saturday about noon.
When he was at liberty he fought sew
eral of the dogs about town. all of
which were killed, except two. and
they both died with rabies, or were
killed when the disease began to show
on them. He left there on Saturday,
going south through the edge of Taylor
county, in the direction of Philippi,
until he struck the coves. He then
came back through the coves to his
home, arriving there on Sunday morn
ing about the time the family were
getting up travelling a distance of
about thirty miles Mr.. Summers
daughter first discovered his return.
He was poor and smeciated. When the
door was opened he came into Mr..
Summers bedroom and howled. Mr..
Summers supposed he was bowling be-
cause he was glad to get home again,
and suggested to his daughter that she
feed him. which she attempted to do,
but the dog refused to eat. She then
threw the bread intended for the dog
TO the chickens which came up In
drovsS The dog made a spring for the
chickens, killing one and wouuding an
other. Immediately after this he made
n spring for the cat killing it. He
then left and visited all the neighbora
in that section, fighting with their
dogs, and biting all stock which came
in his way. About dusk he came home
again but did not remain long. and the
next heard of him, he was on the upper
streets of Newburg, about nine miles
away, making a noise which was about
half bark and half howl, character
istic of rabies. At IL o'clock p. M, he
was seen by James Dulin. Jr.. the night
Waterman at the railroad shops.
Dir. Dulin called him and he came mp
in the usual way wagging his tail, and
was petted. he giving the ordinary re-
Spouse by a continuing TO wag his tail
Mr.. Dulin was called away and saw
nothing more of the dog until about 1
a. M, when he came up the platform
biting at everything he came to.
Mr.. august Horchler noticed his strange
actions, and when he came to him he
lowered his torch, which he carried in
his hand, and the dog took hold of the
blazing end of the torch without show
ing the least sign of pain. After this
he seemed to run aimlessly around
biting everything with which he came
in contact After he struck an object
he made a desperate effort TO bite it,
no difference what that object was.
The people by this time became
greatly excited and gathered up all the
guns and pistols convenient, besides
stones or clubs or any other weapons
they could lay their hands on and a
preconcerted effort was made to kill
him About this time Mr. George
Barnes came in, but at that time the
dog WAS supposed to have left as no
one had seen him for about ten minutes
Mr.. Barnes left his engine to go to the
telegraph office, and had only walked
a few steps, when the dog came out of
the darkness like fash, and bit him
on the hand, and was again of as quick
as he came. After a few minutes he
was back again, and then a regular
fusilade of shots were fred at him. be-
sides being kicked and struck with
clubs and stones; with all this he
showed no manifestation of fear or
pain He left again, and was not seen
for awhile.
| WI was III Tue
Office, holed up, waiting for the brute
TO be disposed of, before he would ven
ture out. Thinking all danger over,
be started mp the platform to look after
some men who were making ready 70
start TO a wreck at Austen. Just as he
reached the street crossing, the dog
grabbed him by the coat, just below
the arm pit, and tore the sidex of his
coat off Mr.. Sbafernan kicked hiE
away, but as quick as n fash, be was
on his other side, and bit him on the
leg, just above the knee. Shortly al.
ter this he was shot and killed.
Since this occurrence, James Turnkey,
living one mile from town. has had two
dogs to develop rabies Wilbur Har.
riagton, living ia town, one dog Mr..
Schooly, living in town, one dog. BE.
sides those named, quite a number OF
dogs In the surrounding community,
have acted suspiciously, and we're killed
before the disease bad time % develops
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