Breckinridge County KyArchives Obituaries.....Hunter , John B. June 1894 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ky/kyfiles.html ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Peggy Russell meemawpeg7@gmail.com July 18, 2017, 1:25 am Breckinridge News, Cloverport, Ky., Wednesday, June 20, 1894 Page 4, Column 3, Awful Death: One of the most horrible deaths that ever occurred in this county, was that of Mr. John B. Hunter, at his home near Glendeane, last Thursday evening. Some weeks ago one of his neighbors made him a present of a small pup. He took the animal home, and on the 7th of last month, it got fastened to the crack of a fence. Mr. Hunter and his little son, Owen, 10 or 12 years of age, assisted it out, but in doing so the animal bit the father on the finger, and the son on the hand. Three days afterward, the pup showed symptoms of the rabies and Mr. Hunter killed it. He then went to Owensboro and had a madstone applied to the wound on his finger, but it took no effect. He was in Cloverport the 6th inst. two weeks ago today, contracting for material with which to build a new house, but he did not talk much about the dog bite. Last Monday the 11th last, he went to Hardinsburg to apply a madstone, but again it would not stick. He was well posted on the symptoms of hydrophobia, and it seems that he had read up on the subject after he had received the fatal bite. He was sitting in Horace Scott's store at Hardinsburg on the evening of the 6th, after the madstone had been ineffectively applied to his wounded finger, when he felt a little tingling pain in the finger, and he then remarked that there was the first symptom of hydrophobia. He went home that night, and by the time he arrived his whole arm was paining him. He was thirsty and wanted a drink of water, but when he attempted to take it, an offensive shudder went over his frame, and he flew back from it, as if it were a poisonous reptile. He then remarked to his wife that there was another symptom of hydrophobia. He grew worse through the night and still worse on Tuesday. His arm, shoulder, throat, and chest gave him such pain. He craved water, but could not bear to look at it. However, he made one desperate effort to take a drink on Tuesday, and when the cup reached his mouth he seized it with his teeth, and it had to be wrenched from him, but he swallowed no water. He then said to his wife, "that settles it, I have hydrophobia and am going to die of it". He grew still worse Tuesday night, and was getting to be a very sick man. On Wednesday morning, he called his family together, read a chapter in the bible and had family prayers, as was his custom. After this he grew rapidly worse, and about 9:00 he experienced his first convulsion. These continued at intervals through the day and night. His thirst was so great that he begged his attendants to try to get him some water in some manner, that he could not see it, and for them not to let him hear them pouring it. They consequently filled a bottle with water and wrapped cloth around it, completely hiding it and conveyed it to his mouth. He took about two swallows, when he was thrown into another convulsion and could take no more of it. From this time on the convulsions grew more frequent and more severe. All through Wednesday night he had his attendants to walk him about and keep him moving. He begged them to be careful about holding him when he was in the horrible convulsive throes and not to let him bite or otherwise injure any of them. He begged them to keep women and children away from him, and when a woman or child would attempt to come near him he would motion them back. When the convulsions were on him, he would scream so that he could be heard for a mile and a half, and the neighbors for that distance around was kept awake all through Wednesday night. He would froth at the mouth and utter unearthly howls like those of a dog. Nothing could keep him still and a puff of wind would throw him into convulsion. He still grew worse on Thursday, one severe convulsion rapidly following another, when about 5 o'clock in the afternoon, he sprang from off the bed with a more horrible scream than any before, and as he was laid back he expired. He was perfectly rational up to the time of his death except when in a convulsion. Then it took 5 or 6 stout men to hold him. He realized that he was going to die, and made all arrangements for the disposal and completion of his business affairs. He instructed his wife to complete the house which he contracted, and move to Glendeane, and educate their children. He was followed to the grave next day by a concourse of grief stricken relatives and friends. John Hunter was one of the best citizens that Breckinridge County afforded. He was indeed a most lovable man. A Christian gentleman, strictly honest, exact and fair to a fault in all his dealings with his fellow man. He leaves a widow and two children, but through his lifelong uprightness and industry, they are fortunately not left in want. They are the possessors of a large and valuable farm, well stocked, and not a dollar of debt hanging over it. Besides, the deceased husband and father had a policy on his life for $1,200.00. He was 55 years of age. Mrs. Hunter is a sister of Dr. J. T. Owen and Mrs. F. T. Heyser, of this city (Cloverport). The little boy who was bitten at the same time his father was, has, as yet, shown no signs of the terrible affliction, though it is not yet too late for him to sicken and die. However, it may never occur, which is to be hoped. 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