Amador ledger., 1907-01-25
FERRASCHl FAMILY POISONED.
Terrible Tragedy at Ditch Tenders
DWelling-FiVe Persons Dead.

|
One the of saddest calamities thai
has ever occurred in Amador county
transpired at the dwelling house oi
Tobia Ferraschi, ditch tender OF
the Standard Electric Company
ditch on Sunday last. Ferrasci lives
at a place known as Spring gulch,
about two or three miles east OF
Clinton, and ten miles from jackson.
He has been employed in that posi-
tion steadily for the past nine years.
His family consisted of wife and
five children, also neice-the child
of sister of Mrs Ferrasci, who was
adopted into the family upon the
death of her mother, which occurred
when she was about two years old.
The oldest girl, Theresa, is about 19
years, and two younger sisters, one
five and the other seven. These, with
the father now constitute the surviving
remnant Of the family, wiped out in
strange and mysterious manner,
| something akin to ptomaine poison
Ing.
1t seems that the family at
dinner time on Saturday, partook of
some fresh string beans, put up by
Mrs Ferrasci herself, and preserved
not i'll tin cans, but in clear glass
Jars, air tight. They we're put up
last season. The particular method
pursued in their preservation we do
not know, but according to report
they we're cooked for two hours. AT
the dinner Saturday the beans were
partaken of cold, as a salad.
Mrs Canonica, who is close neigh
bor, was at the meal Saturday, and
partook of the beans with the mem
bers of the family, also her daughter,
child of twelve. They had eaten
of these same preserves frequently
during the winter, and, had expert
enced no ill effects. Mr. Ferrasci,
however, says that he did not like
them, and partook very sparinglY, as
they did not taste good. Particularly
on this Saturday, he took but a
spoonful, as they did not suit his
palate. There we're no symptoms of
illness until the following day, Sun
day near noon. DIR. Phillips, who
had been the family physician, was
telephoned for. He happened to bt
at Pine Grove that morning, and
received the message at Caminetti's
ranch. on the way home. He inquir-
ed what the trouble was. and Fer.
raschi said his wife's throat was
troubling her. There was nothing to
Indicate that it was a case of great
urgency, and neither teIrasci non
the physician had any idea that it
was grave case of poisoning. On
reaching jackson, the doctor eu-
deavored to get fresh tenn, from
the livery stable, but they we're all
engaged. lie then left word at
Ruhser IS drug store for DIR. Gall OF
some other physician, who had
fresh team, to attend. The trip is a
very rough one, through at least
foot of snow tor several miles before
reaching Ferrascl. DR.. Gall started
IN the afternoon reaching there after
sunset. One of the children, the gin
of II years, was dead when he arrived.
The mother was very sick, but the
other, the Il year old boy and hi,
sister had not as yet developed alarm
ing symptoms. The doctor, however,
was satisfied that the cases were o.
the gravest character, and not only
remained for hours himself. but sent
for DIR. Endicott, who went up early
Monday morning Mrs Ferrascl died
about midnight, the girl passed away
about 2 o'clock Monday morning, and
the boy several hours later.
Sheriff Gregory and district attor-
ney Vicini, went up Monday morning
None of the contents of the supposed
fatal jar could be obtained for
analysis. A similar jar was taken as
a sample of the preserved stuff, ano
is now in the possession of the dis
triot attorneys office.
Dr. Gail did not remain all night,
but returned to town about il O'Clock
Sunday night, and started back il
h- H
O'Clock the next morning. By the
time they reached there two more
victims had died, and the fourth died
shortly after wards.
he fatal meal consisted of some
salami, in addition to the preserved
beans. This saIami was also home
made, and composed of bacon and
other ingredients. They also had
some cheese, and wine. The medical
men believe that the poison Iurked
either in the salami or the beans.
This particular salami was entirely
consumed at the meal, like the beans
nothing left for analysis.
The eldest girl did not eat of the
dinner, as she was not feeling very
we'll, and the two youngest we're play
ing at the time, and having pa1taken
of food short time before, we're not
hungry, and escaped the fatal meal.
The four bodies we're brought to
Jackson late Monday night, and
placed IN the undertaking parlors of
Huberty Il Giovannoni.