Miscellaneous newspaper articles about Pierce County
November 15, 1894
Tacoma Daily News
(Deaths of Mrs. Dr. Ridpath, Joseph Shadle, Dick Thompson & Madison M. Bartlett)
Mysterious Deaths
Recalled By the Sudden Ending of Bartlett
His Death Was Due to an Overdose of Chloral
The Coroner’s Inquest Continued This Afternoon—Coroner Hoska Speaks His Mind In Regard to Current Reports.
There have been four strange deaths during the last year among persons who were connected with the State Asylum for the Insane at Steilacoom. If the record of strange fatalities keeps up the asylum will, perhaps, in the course of a few more months, find it difficult to get anybody to work there. All these deaths have been accounted for officially by the coroner as having resulted from natural causes, and they evidently have so resulted. But so many deaths of people in good health in comparatively so short a time, and from strikingly similar causes, is certainly remarkable and extraordinary, to say the least.
The death of Mrs. Dr. Ridpath occurred first. She died from natural causes and no other thought arose in regard to it until the death of Joseph Shadle, the stewart of the asylum, not long afterwards. There was never at any time anything to show that there was any connection between the deaths of the two, but it was thought somewhat peculiar that in the eye-sight of each before death objects appeared red. This is said to be an effect of a poisonous drug known as atropia. The result of the analysis of Shadle’s stomach by an Eastern chemist, who reported that he had found atropia in the stomach, excited suspicions of four play which have never been entirely lulled. The method of analysis of the Easter chemist was severely criticized and declared to be faulty, but the parents and friends Shadle in the East still think he was the victim of a conspiracy and foul play.
Last fall another young man who had been employed at the asylum and studied medicine there died a sudden death while in apparently the best of health. But he died at his own home and after he had been away from the asylum about two weeks. He was Dick Thompson. Young Thompson ate a hearty dinner one evening, went upstairs to his room immediately afterwards and a few minutes later he was found dead on his bed.
Now, and last, comes the death of young Madison M. Bartlett, who was found, his body still warm, on the street at the entrance to an alley early one morning last week. It was said he knew something about the Shadle case which he had never told, and it is known that he thought he had been followed several times by strange men whom he thought wanted to kill him.
The analysis of the stomach of this man, just completed, disclosed the presence of 200 grains of chloral, enough to kill three men. But it is said by asylum authorities that he sometimes took chloral to cause sleep. Letters and private papers from his pockets were found scattered all over the alley.
The inquest into Bartlett’s death was resumed at 3 o’clock this afternoon.
In speaking with a News reporter just before the inquest was renewed this afternoon Coroner Hoska said: “I think that it is more than likely that this young man (Bartlett) may have taken chloral just before leaving his store. While I am not entirely familiar with this drug, I understand that it is very commonly used by people who are troubled with sleeplessness.”
“How do you account for the fact that he took such a large dose?”
“He probably did not know he was doing so,” replied the coroner.
It may be that he took the dose just before leaving his store and afterwards was detained and then took another dose, and then started for his home. In the course of a little while he evidently felt the effects of the drug and sat down never to rise again.
Referring to the many rumors that have been afloat as to the cause of Bartlett’s death the coroner declared with emphasis that steps should be taken to prevent it. “It’s a shame the way a few irresponsible people talk about Dr. Ridpath, who is as nice a gentleman as there is in this city. If they talked about me as some people have about him I would make them repent it. Dr. Ridpath and all the officials at the asylum did everything in there power to ascertain if there was any reason for the suspicion that the former deaths at that institution were due to foul play or were other than purely accidental or from natural causes.”
Chemist Davis was cross-examined in the coroner’s examination and testified that chloral was found in the body and was the cause of death.
Submitted By: Cathy Danielson
August 19, 1912
The Alaska Citizen, Fairbanks Alaska
Mrs. John Early Seeks Freedom
Tacoma, Wash., Aug. 18-While she is hovering between life and
death in a local hospital because of a serious operation, attorneys are today
drawing up the papers by which they hope to free Mrs. John Early from her
husband, the leper soldier from the Philippines. Mrs. Early in her petition for
a divorce alleges that her husband treated her cruelly. She sets forth that when
the whole world seemed arrayed against them, when her unfortunate husband was
being drive from pillar to post according to the fancies of the doctors, she
stood bravely by him. Although said by many to be suffering from that dreadful
malady for which there is no cure, John Early, so his wife alleges, could always
look to her for solace and comfort. Recently, however, fearing that she might
leave him, Early according to his wife has resorted to threats, and consequently
her life, for the latter part at least has been spent in constant fear and
terror.
She further alleges that when she married him she did not
know that Early was suffering from leprosy. The couple have three children.
Early lately received an appointment at the Marine hospital on the sound.
February 17, 1913
The Alaska Citizen, Fairbanks Alaska
IRON MAN JOE M'GINNITY LEAVES EAST FOR WEST
Newark, N.J. Jan 13-Joe McGinnity, long a conspicuous figure
in baseball in the East, bade good bye to the "fans" here yesterday and is on
his way to-day to Tacoma Wash., to take charge on the Northwestern League club
there, which he purchased recently.
For years McGinnity was one of the stars of the major leagues
and won the nickname of "Iron Man" by his willingness to pitch a game in every
series for his team and sometimes doubleheaders.
For several years he has had an interest in the Newark club
of the International League, which he sold old last fall.
March 16, 1914
The Alaska Citizen, Fairbanks Alaska
Woman Cashes $1000 On Her Sweet Smile
Tacoma, Wash.-Arrested in a Tacoma residence on a charge of
passing fraudulent checks for nearly $1000, Mrs. Bessie Posch, wanted in
Seattle and other cities on the coast, delayed the trip to the city jail for
some time while she saw to dressing her hair. Detectives say she admitted her
forgeries and they quoted her as saying she delighted -o make monkeys out of
men.
"All I had to do was smile at them, ask them to cash my check
and the money was always forthcoming," she said. "I used to laugh at them, they
seemed so soft."
Later she was taken to Seattle.
March 30, 1914
The Alaska Citizen, Fairbanks Alaska
2-POUNDER 11 WEEKS OLD
Tacoma, Wash., March 29-Florence Virginia Cole, a future
voter of Washington here, is attracting much attention because at the age of 11
weeks she weighs only two pounds. The nurses say she is perfectly normal in
every way and has not been sick at all in the weeks of her existence in the
basket surrounded by hot water bottles.
She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J.H. Cole, of Oakland
addition, and weighed just about 11/2 pounds at birth. It is possible to slip a
finger ring over her hands and arms to the armpit. Full length of the baby at
birth was 12 1/2 inches; at eight weeks, 15 1/2 inches.
March 30, 1916
Kossuth County Iowa News, 1936.
Twenty Years Ago Files of March 30, 1916
Word has been received here that Victor Matern of Tacoma had narrowly escaped
death in a 300 foot fall from a moving locomotive into a gulch near Melmont,
Wash.
July 26, 1919
Tacoma Daily Ledger, Tacoma Washington
Marriage Licenses
26,885-Charles Grout and Alice Hewett, Tacoma.
26,886- Archie C. Gibson and Faustine Collins, Olympia
26,888-Fred A. Kilpatrick and Myrtle Laub, Seattle.
(Transcribed by Bradley Thomas)
March 12, 1920
Appleton Post Crescent, Appleton Wisconsin
Frank McGuire left yesterday for Tacoma, Wash., where he will make his home with his mother.
March 13, 1920
Appleton Post Crescent, Appleton Wisconsin
Glen L. Hart of Tacoma, Wash., is visiting at the home of John R. Didderich. He stopped over here while enroute to New York to buy goods for the mercantile firm with which he is employed.
June 8, 1920
Appleton Post Crescent, Appleton Wisconsin
Mrs. R.G. Baughn of Tacoma, Wash., arrived here Wednesday for a several weeks visit at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Dan Jansen, Depot Street.
June 2, 1921
Appleton Post Crescent, Appleton Wisconsin
Mrs. G.N. Richmond of Tacoma, Wash., was visiting Mrs. H.W. Tenney after an absence of six years from the city.
July 21, 1921
Appleton Post Crescent, Appleton Wisconsin
ALICIA PARK BEST CAMP IN COUNTRY
Western Tourist Spending All Summer On A Trip of 4,000 Miles.
Mr. and Mrs. J.R. Newson and two children of Tacoma, Wash.,
were among the campers who pitched their tent at Alicia park Thursday afternoon.
They are on their way across the continent to Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia,
a trip of 4,000 miles. They left home six weeks ago and do not expect to reach
their destination until late in the summer, as they are traveling leisurely.
Mr. Newton and his family, were delighted with the local
camping ground and said it was one of the prettiest in which they had so far
pitched their tent. They had planned to camp for the night at Oshkosh, but met a
party of tourists at St. Paul, who had spent several days at Alicia park and who
advised them to stop there.
They had met with no accidents so far and said they have had
no trouble.
July 26, 1921
Appleton Post Crescent, Appleton Wisconsin
Mrs. G.N. Richmond of Tacoma, Wash., was the guest of Mrs. C.P. Richmond.
August 4, 1921
Appleton Post Crescent, Appleton Wisconsin
TOURIST HAS COMPLETE HOME ON AUTO CHASSIS
Inclement weather and bad roads are no bugaboo for Albert
Johns of Tacoma, Wash., who with his wife and child headed their "home of
wheels" in the direction of Florida Thursday morning after spending a restful
four days at Alicia park.
Their touring equipment consists of a truck chassis on which
is build a surprisingly commodious house, equipped with doors and windows. It
contains a bed, chairs, oil stove, baby carriage and all the necessary equipment
for cooking. Everything is systematically arranged for the conservation of
space. The family buys its groceries and food supplies enroute and live entirely
at "home," independent of hotels. They intend to spend the winter in Florida.
August 29, 1921
Appleton Post Crescent, Appleton Wisconsin
Mrs. W.M. Fitzpatrick and daughter Betty of Tacoma, Wash., is visiting her sister Mrs. G.H. Smith.
September 30, 1921
Appleton Post Crescent, Appleton Wisconsin
Horace Richmond of Tacoma, Wash, was a guest in the family of Mr. and Mrs. W.A. Clark.
November 11, 1921
Appleton Post Crescent, Appleton Wisconsin
Mrs. P.M. Wilson, of Tacoma, Wash., is a guest of her sister, Mrs. C.E. Ross of 708 College ave.
August 1, 1922
Appleton Post Crescent, Appleton Wisconsin
Eldon E. Proling of Tacoma Wash., is visiting at the home of George Ceasar.
August 11, 1922
Appleton Post Crescent, Appleton Wisconsin
Mrs. Fay Borchert and daughter, Bessie, of Tacoma, Wash., have been the guests of Mrs. Borchert's aunt, Mrs. D.J. Boyle.
August 5, 1926
Nevada State Journal, Reno Nevada
Lovelock--Mrs. Frank Tessier is leaving today to visit her mother, Mrs. Mary Brodigan, at Gig Harbor, Wash.
July 21, 1927
Tacoma Times, Tacoma Washington
Licenses to Wed
pg.6
W.G Lankin and Ida Cousins, Tacoma.
Paul Buffalo and Haxelle Herrick, Seattle
Edward J. Nelson and Helen Reed, Seattle
Lyle Thomas of Tacoma and Pearl LaCross of Puyallup.
Tony A. Miele, New York and Irene Jessie Cookler, Green Park.
Joseph {}och and Caroone Zamik Frank, Alta.
Frank E. Hart and Elizabeth K. Summer, Seattle.
Arthur Johnson and Verna Layne, Seattle.
(Transcribed by
Bradley Thomas)
November 6, 1928
Helena Independent, Helena Montana
FORMER EDITOR OF THREE FORKS PAPER LOSES HIS EYESIGHT
Three Forks, Nov. 5-Word has been received here that
P.S. Dorsey of Gig Harbor, Washington, former editor of the Herald, has lost his
sight and will be operated upon in an attempt to regain his vision. Mrs. M.M.
McCollouch, of Bozeman, will leave for Gig Harbor tomorrow to be with her
father.
Mr. Dorsey founded the Three Forks Herald in 1908. In
1925 he lost the sight of one eye but by an operation the other was saved. A
year ago last June Mr. Dorsey sold his interests at Three Forks and moved to Gig
Harbor, Washington, where he opened up a real estate business. He later acquired
a job printing plant and was doing very well with his interests there when this
affliction came upon him.
March 29, 1964
Dallas Morning News Historical
Archive
TIDAL WAVE TAKES CHILDREN
Tacoma Washington (AP)
Mrs. and Mrs, Monte G. McKenzie lost the oldest of their five children in the
fire eight months ago. Friday night tidal waves from an Alaska earthquake left
them childless.
The McKenzies were sleeping on the beach at a state park near Newport, Ore.,
when the giant waves hit.
In a telephone call to his pastor here, McKenzie said the first wave swept over
the children and they began screaming. then a second wave hit.
When the wave receded the McKenzies found their four children had been swept to
sea. The body of Ricky, 6, was recovered, Still missing were Louie, 8; Bobby, 7;
and Tammy, 3.
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