The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1913-05-29
BANKERS FIGHT
AGAINST DEATH
P|t|ab|e Struggle Watched by
Whole Nation.
TOOK POISON BY MISTAKE.

Deadly MercuriaI Drug Worked Slowly,
but Surely, While Physicians and
Nurses Tried In Vain to Check Its
Effects, and the Patient and His
Friends Hoped Against Hope.
A real life drama, which caught and
held the attention Of the nation as per-
haps no play on the boards has ever
done, was the recent struggle Of B.
Sanders Walker, a young banker of
Macon, Ca, against inevitable death.
Mr.. Walker, who was married and
had one little son, took one night a
seven grain tablet Of bichloride Of mer-
curry, mistaking it for a headache rem
edy. The error was not discovered
until several hours later. Nothing
then could be done to counterfeit the
poison, which, if not removed from the
system a short time after it is taken,
defies all medical skill.
Mr.. Walkers first intimation Of trou-
Bile was severe pain which rapidly grew
worse. He called physician and, aft
er a brief examination, was told as
gently as possible that his death must
ensue within few days, perhaps with
in few hours.
Stunned by the fact at first, Mr..
Walker soon recovered his compOsure
and began arranging his business af-
fairs. He called an attorney and made
his will. Then he conferred with bust
ness associates, disposing Of all mat
tiers that had been under his direct
supervision. After that he threw his
home open to the citizens Of Macon
and held "open house" to bid them all
farewell.
AS soon as the nature of Mr. Wal
ker's illness was discovered the best
physicians available were called to at
tend him. A corps Of nurses also ar
rived at the home, and from that time
on the struggle was on in earnest.
Hope of Recovery.
Mr.. Walker was repeatedly sweated
In the hope that the poison might be
removed from his system. He was
also given intravenous injections Of
salt water at frequent intervals, and
once in twelve hours the physicians
fed him a pint Of olive oil.
There was temporary improve
ment, and both Mr. Walker and his
friends began to hope against hope that
he would throw off the powerful poi
son.
"I'll win out yet" he said cheerfully
when Informed that his condition had
improved slightly. The physicians in
formed him that no person in his con-
dition had been known to live longer
than twenty-one days after taking the
poison, but he held to life until the last
ray Of hope was gone
News Of Mr.. Walkers valiant battle
with death was telegraphed to every
important city Of the country and scat
tered broadcast by the press. bulletins
on his condition being sent out twice
or more each day.
In return from all parts of the ma
ton kilograms were sent to the Walker
home by physicians and others who
had had experience with similar cases.
From Johns Hopkins medical school
at Baltimore emanated the suggestion
that Mr.. Walkers life might be saved
If one Of his kidneys could be removed
and replaced by another from the body
of person recently dead. Mercurial
poison paralyzes the kidneys. the ply
sicians pointed out; hence the only
hope was to transplant a healthy or
gan.
DR.. Alexis Carrel has transplanted
the kidneys of dogs, and the animals
operated on soon recovered. DR.. Car
rel is reported to have said a similar
operation is possible on the human
body. By the time that suggestion
reached Macon, however, Mr.. Walker
was 40 weak that he could not have
survived the surgical shock Of the op-
Grafton.
Beginning Of the End.
Gradually the poison did it's deadly
work. Mr.. Walker grew weaker, and
his pulse increased to an alarming
rate. Still he kept up his courage.
often getting out Of bed and going to
the window to wave to the friends
who gathered in great crowds in front
Of the house.
Prayers for Mr.. Walkers recovery
were offered in all the churches of Ma
con and in many other cities. The
vigilance of the nurses was unrelent-
ing, and every suggestion coming from
reputable sources was tried by the
physicians in attendance.
Shortly after the last sunset Mr..
Walker was ever to see he called q
nurse to his bed and asked her what
the physicians had said in whispered
consultation few minutes earlier.
"Did they say must die?" he asked
IF so don't hesitate to tell me. am
not afraid to die. My only regret is
that I must leave my family
The nurse, unable to answer his pit.
eous appeal, turned away. The DOOM
ed man had guessed Alright. Then he
became unconscious, and several hours
later he peacefully breathed his last