The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-10-28
A HORSE STEPS ON HIM
Serious Condition of Little
Willie Dexter
Who Was Operated on at Christ
Hospital.
For Internal Injuries Yesterday
Chances for Life Look Slim.

Life has contained but little sunshine
for Willie Dexter, little boy u years
of age, who now lies pale and emaciated
in bed at Christ hospital in this city.
Life may contain but little more of either
pain or pleasure for him, for the boy is
dangerously sick and the physicians can
not yet say whether he will live or die.
Three weeks ago Willie was injured in
ternally, and yesterday he was placed
on the operating table at the hospital and
an operation performed. At the time of
the accident the boy was working for a
farmer named Anderson, living north of
the city,for his clothes and board, and be-
cause his father was unable to provide
him with the necessaries of life.
The boys father lives at Kingvflle in
the vicinity of Rossville, in this county
and for several years has worked as
farm hand. But last spring, after living
with his family in absolute need through
the winter, he was unable to secure en-
ployment, and hired the boy to Ander-
son because he saw no way of providing
him with either food or clothes. His wife
was compelled to leave home and come to
Topeka to seek employment. and after a
search. of several days at last secured a
position as chambermaid at the Adams
House in North Topeka.
Through the spring and summer the lit
tie 12-year-old boy worked early and late
on the farm, and because he proved so
energetic and faithful Anderson decided
to send him to school this all. The an
nouncement that he was to enter school
was the first ray of brightness that had
ever entered into the boys life, but on
the day that he started to Topeka to pur-
chase his first school books he received
the injuries which have already cost him
untold suffering and may possibly result
in death.
On the morning of the accident Willie
saddIed one of Anderson's horses and
climbed into the saddle to make the trip
to Topeka.
Half way to town. while Looping along at
an easy gait, the horse suddenly stopped
and commenced to rear and plunge. Taken
unawares the boy was almost instantly
thrown violently to the ground, and then
with savageness hardly TO be credited to
a horse the animal stamped upon the boy
as he lay PROSTATE on the ground A
few minutes afterward he was picked up
from the road in an unconscious condi-
ton by a farmer passing in a wagon.
From the time he was picked up
from the road up to the present time the
boy has known no respite from pain. with
the exception of the hour spent yesterday
under the influence of chloroform while
the surgeons were operating. Tuesday
night he was removed to Christ hospital
by his father.
A few days after the accident the child's
body commenced to bloat as a result of
the injuries. and when he was brought
to the hospital Tuesday night the body
was swollen to twice it's natural size.
When the operation was performed yes
terday over a gallon of fluid was remOv-
ed from the child's abdomen, and it was
found that several of the internal organs,
among them the stomach and kidneys,
had been Iacerated and torn by the hoofs
of the horse.
Il wanted so bad to go to school," Sob
bed the little fellow. as he lay in a fever
ed state at the hospital last night, "cause
1 hadn't had no chance to go afore. Do
you think 1 can ever go now, doctor?"
said he, appealing to the surgeon who
stood by his bed.
Yes, I think so, little man." replied
the physician smiling compassionately at
the suffering boy.
well I hope So said the child, try
ing to check his tears. Mr.. Anderson
told me that next spring he was a-going
to pay me for workin'."
Without an operation there was no hope
for the child, and even now his chances
for recovery are small
His mother spent last night with her
son at the hospital, giving up her needed
rest to be with him. She occupied chair
by his bedside.