Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 225, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 September 1911 — TETANUS CAUSED DEATH OF AGED MAIL CARRIER. [ARTICLE]

TETANUS CAUSED DEATH OF AGED MAIL CARRIER.

Elias Hammerton Net Benefited by Serum Treatment Administered Friday—Died Soon Afterward.

Elias Hammer ton, mail carrier on Rural Route No. 2, out of Rensselaer, died a few minutes after 12 o’clock Friday night, from tetanus or lockjaw caused by his having stepped on a rusty nail last Saturday night Infection set in last Sunday and he was removed to the home of his daughters, Mrs. Hester Cripps and Miss Eva Hammertoe, in rooms over the Trust & Savings bank. There was no evidence of tetanus until Thursday and his decline was very rapid after that time. A serum ordered that evening from Chicago did not reach here until the milk train Friday at 6:02. It was administered at about 7 o'clock that He was so far gone that no benefit Was derived. The serum is given hypodermically in the back. Mr. Hammerton was conscious and realized his cohdition. His jaws Were not so firmly, set but that he could talk, but he'could not eat. He suffered several spasms but* when over these did not seeip in great agony. When the final suigmons came, all his children except Templeton and Mrs. Nellie Manahan, were at his bedside?

Deceased was. a native of England, but came to the United States when quite young and for many years was a resident of Iroquois county, Illinois, where he enlisted in the 99th Illinois regiment and served during the civil war. He came to Jasper county thirty years ago. He was twice married and is survived by his second wife. Nine children, ah by his first marriage, survive him. They are Mrs. Hester Cripps, of Rensselaer; Mrs. Nellie M. Manahan, of Wellington, Ill.; Miss Eva Hammerton, of Rensselaer; Mrs. Lillie Witham, of Parr; Wesley, George H., Oran Oliver and Lemuel Elias, of Rensselaer, and Templeton, of Mitchell, S. Dak. The funeral will probably be held Monday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock, definite arrangements awaiting word from the youngest son, Temple, who is expected to arrive from Mitchell. The service will be conducted by Rev. Harper and th> Grand Army of the Republic of Rensselaer. Burial will be made in Weston cemetery.