American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1919-01-17
STRYCHNINE CAUSES DEATH
OF NEELEY PIONEER
Poison in Bottom of Box Containing
Salts, Taken Unknowingly-Mrs.
William Morgan Dead, Her Hus-
band Recovering.

Strychnine in the bottom of a box
containing salts caused a tragedy at
Neeley Friday morning, resulting in
the death of Mrs. William Morgan,
and near-death for her husband.
Back of the tragedy is the careless
ness of someone upon whom it is inn
possible to fix the responsibility.
The salts containing the strychnine
was purchased from the Gail e, Phar-
macy. This pharmacy was destroyed
by fire about eight years ago, and was
owned by j. E., Rawlings.
The salts had been in the Morgan
home ever since, and through all these
years the family had been using them
without thought of harm.
In recent weeks, because of the flu,
Mr.. and Mrs. Morgan had been taking
frequent doses. Friday morning Mrs.
Morgan complained of not feeling
well, 1t is said, and Mr. Morgan stated
that he would fix dose of salts for
her When prepared and offered her
Mrs. Morgan said, "Is that all you are
going to give me?" Mr.. Morgan re-
piled that he would take the dose and
fix her a larger one, which he did.
Within very short time after taxi
ing the salts Mrs. Morgan complained
that a strange feeling was coming
over her and her limbs were becoming
stiff. Almost Immediately she went
into convuls'ons. DR.. Moth was sum-
moned, but Mrs. Morgan was in the
throes of death when he arrived and
passed away within a few minutes
Mr.. Morgan showed no signs of illness
at that time. DR.. Moth took the box
containing the salts and strychnint
and returned to his office He was
analyzing the contents when he re-
ceived a hurry-up call to return tc
the Morgan home, 9s Mr.. Morgan haC
been taken with cramps in his legs
and arms. He had not taken enough
of the poison to be fatal, however, ant
aside from a temporary stiffness, il
all right
The box containing the salts
when analyzed by Dr. Moth, show
ed the salts mixed or impregnat
ed with strychnine. II is the theor.
of friends of the family that the bo,
into which the salts were put had con
tanned strychnine which was careless
ly overlooked, and that the salts ha
just been used down to the strych
nine on the fatal morning.
The four daughters of Mr.. and Mrs
Morgan were in the home at the tim
- and all but one of his sons nearb,
Mrs Ada Radford, one of the Marie
daughters, had arrived from Rudy tn
day before, for visit The othe
daughters are Mrs. Julia Hansen {
Neeley, and Misses jamie and Arlin
Morgan, unmarried daughters. Th
sons are william Clifton, Alber
Goldie, Kenneth and Marvin, all {
Neeley Marvin was at Sterling ;
the time of the tragedy.
Funeral services for Mrs Morga
were held from the family home SUI
day morning Her tragic death hf
cast a shadow of gloom over the con
munity.
Mr.. and Mrs. Morgan are believe
to be the pioneer settlers of Neele
arriving with a brother of Mr.. Mo
gan in the spring of 1881. They sc
tied on Warm creek, and have co
tinuously resided there for a perit
of 3S years. To them was born thi
teen children, ten of whom are livin
Mr.. and Mrs. Morgan led happy Ii
and were almost inseperable. MI
Morgan was greatly beloved by
who knew her on account of h
sweet and cheerful disposition, al
her fine motherly qualities. The syl
pathy of all the community is exten
ed to Mr. Morgan and the children
their hour of sorrow.