SHUT IN ICE BOX

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22612, 2 July 1935, Page 9

SHUT IN ICE BOX

DEATH OF THREE CHILDREN NEW YORK, June 17. A triple tragedy that was attended by particularly pathetic features occurred to-day. George Hoyt, a labourer, had been on relief work, but did not like it, and by great industry bought a truck and launched out in a small delivery business. Things became so bad, however, that in a fortnight he made only seven dollars. “Our three boys have not had a decent meal in a week! ” said his wife, so he loaded the family ice-box on board his truck and hawked it round a dozen second-hand dealers trying to get five dollars for it. Then he returned home, intending to try again in the afternoon. Mrs Hoyt served the last of their beans for lunch, but the father looked in vain for George, aged seven, Eugene, aged five, and Arnold, aged three. After informing the police that the boys were missing he set out again, and with the ice-box still on the truck searched the neighbourhood through the hot afternoon. Then he happened to open the patent door of the ice-box, and out fell a tiny hand. Inside were the bodies of the three children, who apparently had locked themselves in while playing hide and seek. A doctor said that they must have quickly suffocated.