Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-09-28
CALMLY AWAITS DEATH
FROM HYDROPH0B|A
John Muter, Fatally Stricken,
Devotes His Last Hours to
Efforts at Consolation.

PATERSON, n. j., September 2S-John
Muter of Haledon, near Paterson. died of
hyirophobia yesterday morning. lie
faced the certainty of THAI death for
thirty hours, during which time he pray
cd and said goodbye TO the members of
his family.
One day i'll June Mr.. Muter. then nearly
seventy Years Old was sitting on his
porch when small stray dog came run
ming around the house and tried tn get
out of the front gate. Mr. Muter started
to get up to open the gate. when the dog
ran toward him and bit him on the left
hand. \ moment later the dog bit an
ether man, who leaned over the fence to
see what the matter was.
Nh MutoT's snD-in-aw. Charles Pard
ing. accompanied him tn a drug store,
where nitrate Of silver was poured into
the wound. which soon began TO heal and
was forgotten.
Diagnosed as Hydrophobia.
Monday night Mr.. M,iter complained of
a pain in his left arm. AS the night were
OH ii grew worse and the arm became
infiamed The next morning DR.. Lydeck-
er of Haledon was summoned, and he de-
cided TO take his patient to the Pasteur
institute. There the record of the case
was given to the physician on duty. VINO
asked Mr.. Muter to leave the room for d
moment. Then he ted Robert Muter. ID
son, that Mr. Muter had hydropGobia and
could not live more than thirty hours
Mr.. Muter was told that he had Il severe
case of rheumatism ard the parry went
home. \ few minutes later AR. Muter
called his son into his room.
Bob he said. I've got hydropho-
| m On
ing to die soon Ism that the truth
His son nodded and turned away.
The news spread quickly. That evening
the Rev. Warren +. Coon, Mr.. Muters
paster. came INTO the room Mr.. Muter
saw him and grew white. He left the lit
tie group hastily to so GU, of the room
and as he passed the minister he eX
Gained:
My God. Has it come to this"
At the End of LIES Journey.
A few moments later he returned calm
and clear-eyed. y hush fell upon the
room and all waited for him to speak
I'm going to die he said and was
taken with spasm of gaspins. His
next words were almost incoherent, but
he made ii understood that he wanted
water for his fevered face.
Il have reached the end of my jour-
ney," he continued. his voice again firm.
Il am not afraid to go. L have lived my
threescOre years and ten. / have been
preparing for this for many years. God
has been good TO me, and / go with d
clear conscience
Mr.. Coon offered to pray.
We can always pray" said Mr.. Muter
and kne with his family while the min
lister made short. fervent prayer. When
it was over another spasm shook the
doomed man. His breath came in short
gasps and his body twitched painful ~
He refused TO take to his bed.
Tries to Console His Family.
Every symptom of the terrible disease
appeared before the next day had ended
He was conscious and able to cat, but
could take no liquid of any sort. All
day long his every effort was spent in
trying to console the grief-stricken fam
lily he was preparing to leave.
Just before the violent stages We're
reached Thursday night he wa sheard to
gasp hOarsely:
Il am saved. l am saved.
These were his last words. Shortly
after midnight his body Law quiet