Miscellany.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1003, 8 July 1881, Page 3

Miscellany.

HYDROPHOBIA IX TEXAS, AMERICA

A Dallas (Texas) letter says “A tragic death has just occurred in our neighboring County of Hill, worth relating, and worthy of Virginius, or any other Roman father. One year ago George Arnold came to Dallas on private business, and while walking the streets was bitten by a worthless cur which was fro idling at the mouth, and showing other symptoms of hydrophobia. Mr Arnold became alarmed and very much excited when convinced iu his own mind that the dog was mad. He went to a physician and bad the wound severely cauterised. Then, going home, he was still very uneasy, and dreaded hydrophobia so much that he bunted up a madatnne and had it applied for several weeks, off and on. He took every other precaution which was suggested, resting all the time under a mortal dread that the virus had gone into his system, and would sooner or later kill him. He had a wife and several small children living on a rather isolated farm, and the thought that he might suddenly lose his reason and harm his little babes horrified him. The other day he began to experience strange feelings, and at once concluded his time had come. He then procured a 12ft trace chain and strong lock, aud went to the woods. After writing his wife a calm letter, in which he told her what was about to happen,giving directions as to his wishes after death, and pouring out a volume of love for her and the children, he ran the chain around a tree, drew it through the large ring at the end, and then wound the other end around his ankle so tight that it would not slip the foot, locked it with the lock, and threw the key far beyond his reach. The body was found two days after still chained to the tree. There was all the evidence necessary to show the horrible death from hydrophobia. The ground was torn up to the full length of the chain, the nails of tbo fingers wrenched off, and all his front teeth torn out in scratching and biting the tree, and every thread of clothing off his body. The body was dreadfully lacerated with these, the only weapons the noble fellow could use. He had judged rightly what would have been the consequence had he remained at home, and, knowing that no human skill could have saved him, preferred death alone and in that way to doing harm to those so near and dear to him as wife and children."