February
17, 1907 – Warren G. Stearns, one of more than one hundred
Macalester College, St. Paul, students who have fallen victim to an epidemic of
ptomaine poisoning, is dying at St. Joseph’s Hospital. His parents were
summoned to his bedside today. The young man, who has been under the care of
Dr. F. E. Balcome, has been in critical condition since he was admitted to St.
Joseph’s Hospital and the physician says that other complications set in that
retarded his recovery. At the hospital it was thought that he would not live
through the night.
St. Joseph’s Hospital 19111
Mr. Stearns is 23 years old and from Jasper, Minn.
Twenty students of Macalester College were taken ill the evening of Feb. 11 following dinner at the Eutrophian Club, and the doctor who was called pronounced it due to ptomaine poisoning.
“The Eutrophian Hall is a men’s boarding club, situated two blocks north
of the college building. Its dining room is light, cheery and commodious,
having a seating capacity for about forty young men. The club is under
the care of a competent matron, and a steward, who is elected from the
members. The amount paid for board by members defrays all expenses.
It is the aim of those in whose hands the management is entrusted to
keep the expenses at a minimum. Board ranges from two dollars and
forty cents to two dollars and seventy cents a week.”
-- Catalogue of Macalester College and Classical Academy 1906-
1907, St. Paul, Minn.2
At first, the poisoning was confined to members of the Eutrophian Club; however, the number of victims continued to grow. The condition of things at the state farm school, where a hundred or more are sick with ptomaine poisoning, was said to be improved today. Only 12 new cases were reported, while 30 had been reported yesterday. There were only 50 confined to bed in the school today and none of them was reported to be in a critical condition.
Evan Evans, another student and member of the Eutrophian Club, whose home is in Le Sueur, is also suffering from poison of some kind, but is able to get around. None of the other members is seriously ill, although several have complained of feeling out of sorts.
Members of the club and the college authorities are at
a loss to account for the poisoning, which appears to be ptomaine. The
provisions were purchased from downtown stores.
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Stearns died the morning of Feb. 19. Milk was the primary suspect of the poisoning. Samples were sent to the state chemical laboratory for examination; however, nothing was found in the milk to indicate the presence of any poison. Stearns was the only victim to die; all others recovered. It is now believed that the food that they had eaten was the cause of the epidemic.
Stearns died the morning of Feb. 19. Milk was the primary suspect of the poisoning. Samples were sent to the state chemical laboratory for examination; however, nothing was found in the milk to indicate the presence of any poison. Stearns was the only victim to die; all others recovered. It is now believed that the food that they had eaten was the cause of the epidemic.
The Minneapolis Tribune; “A Student Is Dying. Victim of Ptomaine Poisoning at Macalester College Near Death’s Door—Others Recovering.”; Feb. 18, 1907; p. 5.
The Bemidji Daily Pioneer; “Poison Mystery at College. Several Macalester (Minn.) Students Seriously Ill.”; Feb. 13, 1907; p. 4.
Star Tribune; “Students Poisoned.”; Minneapolis, Minn.; Feb. 12, 1907; p. 6.
Duluth Evening Herald; “Death of Student at Macalester College May be Due to Ptomaine Poisoning. Others Were Taken Sick But All Recovered But Stearns.”; Feb. 19, 1907; p. 1.
1http://www.lakesnwoods.com/images/StPaul64.jpg
2https://www.macalester.edu/library/oldcatalogs/cat_1906_1907.pdf
Definition of ptomaine poisoning: https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/ptomaine
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If you are interested in finding out more about your family history in Minnesota, I specialize in researching genealogical and historical records in Minn. and western Wis., including: census records, birth records, death certificates, obits, grave site photos, ship passenger lists, marriage records and declarations of intent/naturalization records. I will visit locations to research local history and county records, as well as take photos. Quick turnaround on MNHS records. Both short searches and family history reports available.
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