A Homesteader’s Cattle, a Neighbor’s Feed, and Sick Children
A LeClerc Creek homesteader says a neighbor poisoned his cattle, then his children fell ill after drinking the milk.
Oscar Bjorstad, a homesteader on LeClerc Creek, was in town Monday on his way to Colville to place before the county authorities evidence of an attempt to poison his cattle.
Several of his cattle have been sick the past week showing symptoms of poisoning. Later his children were taken sick after having drank freely of the milk. Upon investigation Mr. Bjorstad claims to have discovered that one of his neighbors had been feeding his cattle, and obtaining possession of some of the food which the cattle had been eating he has taken same to Colville to be examined for evidence of poisoning.
“Later his children were taken sick after having drank freely of the milk.”
The poisoning allegation hinges on a neighbor’s feed and a trip to Colville for testing—a rural dispute where evidence had to travel far and the accused is named only by suspicion. It recalls how isolated communities handled crime and contamination before local labs or rapid investigation.
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