A Blind Herb Doctor and the Death of a 14-Year-Old

An inquest was held by Coroner Armstrong over the body of Clara M. Linton, who died at her home on the corner of Boundary and Fourth Streets on Monday at midnight. The circumstances connected with the death seriously involved Dr. Wm. T. Campbell, and a warrant for his arrest was sworn out today. Miss Linton was 14 years of age and a large, healthy girl, weighing 135 pounds. She came here from Massachusetts about six weeks ago. During her infancy and until 6 years of age she suffered with convulsions, which lapsed into epileptic fits, to which she was subject at periods of from two to four weeks. Previous to her coming to Olympia Dr. Campbell made the acquaintance of the girl's father, and after learning of her condition and assuring him of his ability to effect a cure, the father was induced to permit Campbell to apply his treatment. The inquest was held at the patient's home last night and was conducted by Dr. Armstrong and Walter J. Milroy. The jury consisted of B. M. Price, L. A. Goons, W. J. Craig, D. S. B. Henry, Silas Wentz and W. S. Hammond. Mr. and Mrs. Linton were examined and reviewed the circumstances connected with their daughter's death. Dr. Campbell was then placed on the stand. He is tall and rather slimly built, of an imposing figure, though totally blind. He stated that he was 65 years of age and came to Olympia in 1841. Thirty years ago he lost the sight of one eye, and nine years ago became totally blind, attributing his loss of sight to a severe cold and exposure. Stories to this effect are, however, contradictory. Upon the strength of his lack of sight he received a pension. He has a wife and daughter living. After taking his oath, Dr. Armstrong proceeded to examine him. “What is your business?” was the first question. “I sometimes practice medicine, and sometimes do other things. I have been a carpenter.” “How long have you been practicing?” “I have been acquainted with the Thompsonian system since I was 46 years of age. Samuel Thompson was the inventor.” “How long have you been attending this case?” “I have been taking her through this course for two weeks.” “Please explain of what the treatment consists.” “It consists of botanic roots and herbs. You can eat anything I have given this girl, and come out uninjured, if instructions are followed.” He then went on to explain the method of treatment and to explain the symptoms. “Of what is the treatment composed?” “It's a patent, which you can find out by applying at the patent office at Washington.” Mr. Milroy reminded him that he was under oath, and he consented to divulge the composition. There were eight courses, with different methods of treatment, each of which was known by a number. One course was the administering of a composition of one ounce of calcium to one gallon of alcohol; another was a pound of myrrh to the same amount of alcohol. The other treatments consisted of concoctions of lobelia, ginger, bayberry, cloves, elm bark, bitter root, snakehead, or balmony, poplar bark or other herbs. These, in their several preparations, were administered at regular periods until the crisis was reached, which he defined as that period in the patient's career when she would reach a state in which her system would respond to any peculiarity in her nature, and when the crisis was reached in this case, on Friday last, at which time he described her as being out of her head and in a state of confusion all over. “Are you a graduate in medicine, or how can you practice?” “I have a patent right from the government.” “Did you ever study in a medical college?” “Not outside of botany.” Much of the testimony was unintelligible and foreign to the questions asked. Dr. Adams was the last witness and stated that he was called in to attend the girl, but found life extinct on his arrival. He then enlightened the jury on the nature of some of the ingredients of the medicines administered by Dr. Campbell. The jury retired after more evidence and returned with a verdict of death caused by drugs and medicines administered by Dr. Campbell. Dr. Campbell was arrested this morning by Officer Morell, and was taken before Justice Ruthbun. The case was postponed until 3 o'clock. This afternoon Doctors Adams and Jento were appointed by the coroner to hold a post mortem examination, and found more than a pint of yellowish fluid containing a sediment of mixtures. The official report will be made this evening. The funeral occurred this afternoon at 4 o'clock, from the parents' residence. Interment was at Masonic cemetery.