The Tragedy at the Medicine Bottle: A Seattle Child’s Fatal Mistake

BAD IN THE EXTREMES.— On Monday evening Frank H. Pontius's three-year old son Howard noticed his mother taking medicine from a bottle, which her husband had prepared to relieve her of a severe cold, and enable her to take the necessary rest of which she had been deprived by her illness. The little fellow, thinking the bottle contained something good, noticed where his Mother placed it, and shortly after climbed up, and taking the bottle down, drank its entire contents. His mother soon discovered what he had done, but not supposing the overdose would result seriously, put her little son to bed.

At 9 o'clock when his father came home, Mrs. Pontius told him what had taken place, and he at once realized the danger, and hastened to the bedside of his darling; but too late, for the morphine in the medicine (intended to be taken in small doses) had done its work and the child lay gasping for breath. Neighbors were called, a doctor summoned, and the little fellow was rubbed and worked over till 6 o'clock in the morning when his spirit took its flight.

Howard Smith Pontius was 3 years and 91 days old. He was an unusually bright, amiable child, and always appeared much older than he really was. His mother put him to bed on that fatal night, although feeling sick from the effects of the poison he had taken, but did not forget to say his childish good-night, ending with 'God bless papa and mamma' and little Howard.' These are the last words he spoke. The afflicted parents are bowed down by sorrow over the loss of their darling, and in their bereavement they have the sympathy of the entire community. The funeral will take place tomorrow.