HomeMy WebLinkAboutSexton-Keator Typhoid Fever ScourgeA SCOURGED HOUSEHOLD
THE TERRIBLE RAVAGE OF TYPHOID
FEVER – A WARNING AGAINST THE USE OF IMPURE WATER
Most of our readers are aware of the fact that the families of Myron Sexton and his son-in-
law, Noah Dimmick (N. D.) Keator, living together in the homestead on West Hill, have for
weeks past been afflicted with typhoid fever of the most aggravated type. It will also be
remembered that Mr. Sexton’s son, Joseph, fell a victim to the disease, his body being
borne to the grave by people other than his own family because nearly every member of his
own family was then stricken with the fever. At the time Joseph died, his parents and his
sister’s little daughter were very sick and it was thought they could not last long, but the
disease abated somewhat in their cases and they yet linger, but the child who is only five
years old and a most beautiful girl, is now worse again and her life is almost despaired of.
One week ago last Monday the sorrow of this sadly afflicted household was made the more
grievous by the prostration of Mrs. Keator and so fearful and rapid was the advance of the
plague that she passed away this morning, leaving her husband all but crazed with grief.
He, surely, deserves the kindest sympathy in this cruel ordeal and all will pray that his
beautiful child may be spared. Mr. and Mrs. Sexton (parents of Mrs. Keator, deceased) are
still confined to their bed by the fever and their physicians are dubious concerning their
ultimate recovery. Of the entire household of six souls, Mr. Keator is the only one who has
escaped the disease and if he does not succumb to the awful strain upon mind and body
imposed by his weeks of watching and nursing at the bedside of his near and dear friends it
will be wonderful indeed.
THE CAUSE OF THE FEVER
It has been ascertained that the cause of the sickness at Mr. Sexton’s was the use of
impure well water. After Joseph’s death, Professor Breneman, of the University, made a
chemical analysis of the well water and found it to contain a large percentage of poisonous
substance, and further investigation upon the premises will show, it is stated, that the well is
a receptacle for dirty water which leaches into it from an imperfect drain. There is a moral in
this awful lesson which should be heeded by very many, especially farmers, who frequently
are not careful of their drains as health and safety require.
Mrs. Keator’s funeral will be held from the Park Baptist Church, Sunday afternoon at 2
o’clock.
Ithaca Journal, 30 January 1880
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(Ithaca Daily Journal; Ithaca, NY. August 3, 1880, page 4.)
Mr. N.D. Keator Not Expected to Live
Mr. N.D. Keator, son-in-law of Mr. Myron Sexton, and who last winter lost his wife and child,
is not expected to live. Several days ago he was troubled by a sore spot on his hand, which
he believed to be a felon. The soreness increased until Dr. Winslow, who was treating him
thought best to have him brought to town where he could visit him oftener. Accordingly, he
was brought here, and a day or two ago, was taken to the house of Mr. Robert Harvey, on
East Seneca street, where he is at present. Within the past few days, the disease has
developed, and now proves to be that fatal malady, the black erysipelas. The doctor has
given up all hope of saving the patient’s life. Mr. Keator has many firm friends in this place
who have sympathized with him in the severe afflictions he has been called upon to pass
through during the last six months, and this last sad news will be painful intelligence to them
all.
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(Ithaca Daily Journal; Ithaca, NY. August 4, 1880, page 4.)
DIED
KEATOR – Died Aug. 3d, 1880. N.D. Keator, aged 42 years. Funeral from Park Baptist
Church at 2 P.M., Thursday, August 5th.