The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-08-13
FIFTY
PERSONS
POISONED.
Light Lunch Of Canned
Meat Disastrous.
SENATOR STEWART
WAS THE HOST
Crowd Gathered to Attend
Sale Of His Dairy Farm.
TAKEN VIOLENTLY
TAKEN VIOLENTLY
ILL AFTER EATING
Fifty Fell to the Ground Writhlng In
Agony, and Horseroen We're Dis
patched In Every Direction
for Phyricians-These Re-
port Patients as Out
Of Danger.
Especial TO The Times-Dispatch)

- tSpeCldl 10 ! He llIDe DlspdICHJ
LEESBURG. VA, August IA most
remarkable case Of ptomaine poisoning
took place at o'clock this afternoon at
Ashburn. near Lt.esburE, the country seat
and dairy farm OF Senator William NJ.
Stewart. OF Nevada.
Some time ago Senator Stewart decided
To sell his dairy stock, consisting OF a
large herd OF some OF the finest dairy
cattle In America, together with all the
appliances OF an up-to-date modern dairy.
The sale was extensively advertised for
August 1lth, 18th and 18th, and when the
hour arrived for the sale to-day a large
number OF prospective buyers from all
over the country were present to bid on
the stock and fixtures. Mr.. James S.
Rinter. OF Leesburg, was auctioneer.
AT o'clock in the afternoon Senator
Stewart provided a lunch for the buyers
consisting OF coffee. ham and beef sand
witches and other edibles, OF which some
dfty or more persons made quite hearty
meal Almost Immediately after the
lunch. and Just as the auctioneer had re-
sun1ed his place at the block, dozen or
more buyers became instantly ILL., At first
the matter created little attention. but
as ore after the other was stricken with
cramps and nausea the crowd became
pa panic-strcken. the sale was stopped, and
a horseman dispatched post haste for the
nearest physicians.
BEEF SANDWICHES.
Every person who ate beef sandwiches,
fully fifty In number. was seriously III
at one time. Senator Stewart made every
effort to secure physicians from Washing
ton, but It is not known whether he sue
ceeded.
DOCTORS ARRIVE.
Soon Drs. Detwiler. OF Herndon;
Weaver Of Sterling; Simpson OF Ma
uassas: Orr, West and Giddings, OF Lees
burg; Thompson, OF Aide. and Nolen.
o. Ashburn. were on the scene, and by
prompt measures and proper remedies
were able by II o'clock last night 70 give
out a statement that their patients were
out OF danger. Examination proved that
the illness OF the fifty was due to
ptomaine poisoning from the beef sand
wiches The beef had been purchased
several days before the sale in this city.
and had been on Ice up until to-day.
when it was cooked and used. A further
examination into the case OF the poison
Ing, will, II is understood. be held.
THOSE AFFECTED
Those who were most seriously affected
were James and w "A Wreen, OF Wax
pool Va; John r. Ryan, of Arcoa, Va;
John Hutchinson. Of Ashburn Va; ALT
gernon Poole, of GAINESVILLE. Va; Robert
Herndon, OF Ieesburg, Va; William Quick,
OF washington: James Ferguson, OF
Leena, Va; ]. F. Gullck. OF Aldie, Va;
Samuel scrymes and Charles Spald!ng.
OF Leesburg. Va, and Henry Smith, OF
Leena, Va. It Is thought that several
more WashIngto were affected. but
owing to the confusion, and to the fact
that many left Immediately after securing
relief, their names could not be learned.
The sale will be resumed to-day.