Delaware gazette and state journal., 1902-10-30
DOVER SENSATION EXPLODED
Death of Alexander Parker Was
Not Caused by Violence.
RESULT TED FROM NATURAL CAUSES
A Thorough investigation by
the Deputy Coroner.
1t Was Rumored That Parker Was Injured
Last Wednesday in a TussIe With school
mates, But Not Even Scratch Was
Found on the Body of the Deceased.

Special Correspondence of Gazette and Journal
Dover, Oct. 27.-Deputy Coroner
Taylor. after thorough investigation,
has ascertained that the death of
Alexander Il. Parker, the 11-years- old
son of Mrs. Edward Brown, which
occurred last Friday night, did not
result from injuries received in tussle
with schoolmates, as has been alleged.
The boy left school early Wednesday
afternoon, saying he felt badly, and
went home and lay down. When his
mother returned from work at night,
she found him unconscious and sum
moned a physician. Under the Doctors
treatment he rallied slightly. but on
Friday night he died in great agony.
The case was reported to the deputy
| coroner on Saturday morning, and he
Immediately began an investigation.
Mrs. Brown, the boys mother, said
she did not know anything about the
alleged violence. She had heard rumors
that her son had gotten into tussls
with schoolmates at noon on Wednes-
day, and had fallen and hurt his head:
| but the boy was unconscious when she
returned home, and she could not con
| firm the reports. She added that tina
boy had been afflicted all his life, and
| that he frequently complained of pain
| in his head and often had fainting
spells.
| Mr.. Brown, the boys stepfathef,
confirmed his wife's statement.
The following statement WAS obtained
from Dr. William +. Davis, the attend
ing physician Il was called in to sea
| Alexander b. Parker on Wednesday
evening, October 22d, about Z o'clock.
found him in an unconscious condi-
tion. with an extremely high fever in
his mead. The temporal arteries were
very much in gorge, with extra force
OF blood. He had muscular contraction,
with the thumbs drawn in the palms
Of his hands; but did not have any
convulsions while | was present, but
did have commissions afterwards. The
muscular contraction and rigidity OF
muscles continued, and the lower jay
became stiff, indicating approaching
tetanus. These symptoms were relieves!
by proper remedies. Ny diagnosis oil
the case from the first vas that oi
acute meningitis. AS to any injury thc
boy may have received, there was
nothing to indicate such, as there were
no broken bones, or bruises, or wound:
of any kind on him anywhere. l con
|
day until his death, which occurrec
on Friday night, ab out 7 o'clock. He
} regsined consciousness only when colo
applications were made to his head,
aud that by simply opening his eyes.
As to the rumors that Parker received
blows which may have caused his death,
there is no reason for any such. While
J meningitis is produced from blows al
times, it also has been known to occul
J with children who have irritable
J tempers and are easily te8sed, causing
continuous inflammation of the brain,
which sets up meningitis. 1t is alsc
caused by exposure, and many times
. from causes unknown to the medica
profession.
DR.. r. o. Clements, who was called
in during the temporary absence of DR..
Davis, made the following statement
II was called into the case of Alex
ander B. Parker on Thursday, October
23d, about II o'clock in the morn
ing, in the absence of the attending
physician, DR.. W. F. Davis. l fount
} tine patient unconscious and having
slight commissions. ! gave pre-
scription for temporary relief. madt
an examination for contusions, bruises
wounds or marks On the body, anC
l
. l did not see the boy any more after
ward
Rev. Joseph Brown Turner, pasto
/ of tine Presbyterian Church, who's
! Sunday school Parker attended, said
l 1.-THE family called me in on Thursda,
, evening, about 10 o'clock. They wanted
: young Parker baptized, which rite
: performed. | was at the house agail
, on Friday night after the boy died
/ and, having heard many rumors o
. violence to the boy, | suggested t.
Undertaken Ferguson that We make al
investigation, which we did. The bod,
s was stripped. The face, head, necl
and, in fact, the entire body wer
8 closely examined by us, and no mark
of violence whatever were found. Will
it may have been that young Parker
who was timid boy, had had troubl
with his playmates at school in time
a past, there was nothing absolutely t.
i indicate at this time that he had me
: with any violence. | have endeavoret
. az citizen of Dover to ferret out tn
rumors which have been circulated her
/ regarding violence to the boy, intend
. ing to place the responsibility where i
y belonged, but | haze utterly failed +
locate single person who sa anythin
r or heard anything that would indicat
violence. "
. Mr.. and Mrs. Brown told the parent
! of the boys accused of beating Parke
9 that they did not believe the rumors
and exonerated the alleged assailants Q
a suspicion.
The deputy coroner deemed an in
/ quest unnecessary, and gave certihcat
a OF death from natural causes.
: Parker's funeral took place yesterda
4 afternoon, Rev. Joseph Brown Turne
q officiating.
!. New omcers of Pomona Grange.