The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1921-12-08
POISON NOT CAUSE
OF BALDOCK DEATHS
PARKER REPORTS ON EXAAHNA-
TION OF WE'LL WATER.
FINDS NO TRACES.
SAYS Water in Well Highly Contami-
nated-Reports Examina-
tion of ViScera.

Poison in the we'll water played no
part in the series of deaths which oc-
Cured early in November in the Lee
family at Baldock, Allendale county,
according to the report made by
Francis L. Parker, NJ. D., of Charles
who has completed the examination of
water taken from the well and of the
viscera of Mrs. Lee.
1t will be remembered that four
deaths in the Lee family, all occurring
within a comparatively short period OF
time, gave rise to rumors Of poison
ing. Mrs. Joe Lee and three young
children died and Mr.. Lee was taken
seriously i'll and was carried to Au-
gusta fdr treatment. 1t was also ru-
mored that livestock on the place
died and it was said that Mr.. Lee
himself made statements that indicat-
ed that he suspected the family had
been poisoned.
Officials of the state health depart
ment went to Baldock to Investigate
the deaths, and DR.. C. v. Akin, after
an examination, said that there was
no evidence of metallic poisoning. He
also reported that the well water was
in bad condition.
Parker Makes Report.
The viscera of Mrs. Joe Lee and
water taken from the well at Baldock
were sent to F. L. Parker, chemist
and bacteriologist, for examination.
The report of DR.. Parker follows:
Estate Board of Health:
Gentlemen:
%'tI respectfully submit the following
report of analysis of samples of water
received from M. Lee, said to be
water taken from the >Tell at Baldock,
S. c., supposed to be p hsoned, where
four of family died.; al ] of sample of
viscera, stomach, intestines, kidney,
and spleen taken from Mrs. Lee sent
by DR.. Hayden.
''The bacterial and chemical analy-
sis of the water showed no Indication
OF any poison or that the water had
been poisoned.
"The water contained large num-
Der of larvae which subsequently, de-
ve1oped into mosquitoes; showed
presence of B. coli and over 100000
bacteria per cubic centimeter, large
amount of organic matter which was
in an active state of decomposition.
.'In brief, though this water is a
very highly contaminated water it is
not a poisoned water.
Analysis of viscera showed no in
dications of any mineral poison.
"a part of the spleen was submit
: ed to DR.. Coward, and to DR.. Plow-
den of the department of Pathology
in State Medical college. DR.. Coward
and DR.. Plowden reported that the
spleen was in too decomposed state
to permit satisfactory examination.
.'In brief, the analysis indicated no
mineral poison in the viscera; and the
symptoms of the case and the nature
of the conditions were such as to pre-
clude possibility of presence OF alka-
loidal poisons.'
Writes to Lee.
DR.. Parker has also written M. c..
Lee that the well water contained no
poison. The letter to Mr.. Lee from
DR.. Parker was as follows:
'tDear Sir:
Replying to your favor of Novem-
Der 9 I have examined the sample of
water said to be taken from well at
'Baldock, supposed to be poisoned
where four of family died.
'The bacterial and chemical an
palysis shows the water to be highly
contaminated with organic matter and
bacteria, but it contains no added
poisons.
'.In brief, the sample received was