THE UNITED STATES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3574, 12 September 1922, Page 23

THE UNITED STATES.

DEADLY WOOD ALCOHOL. NEW Y'ORK, September 6. Eight men and women died during the last three days from drinking wood alcohol whisky, all of which was bought from the same surreptitious seller who is believed to be a woman who owns a small restaurant. A number of persons have gone blind, and others are seriously ill. The police believe that the death list will grow, as a great quantity of poisoned liquor has been distributed from one source in Milwaukee. Another wood alcohol death has been recorded. September 7. Tre Wood alcohol deaths now total 11. PROHIBITION AND POLITICS. NEW Y'ORK, September 6. Senator Robert M. la Follette regained the Republican nomination for the Senate from Wisconsin by an overwhelming majority of 150,000. This is considered a distinct victory for the “wet” forces in view of the fact that Mr la lollette’s opponent, Mr William Ganfield, alone had the support of its Anti-Saloon League. SEQUEL TO FAMILY QUARREL. NEW YORK, September 7. A terrible tragedy occurred at York (South Carolina), when, following upon a quarrel between the children of two families, the father of one poured charge after charge of birdshot into the other’ family while the latter were seated on the verandah of their home. Three children died, including a girl of 16. Another girl was fatally wounded and two other small boys were seriously hurt. KNIIE AND PISTOL BATTLE. NEW YORK, September 7. According to a Houston (Texas) telegram, a political feud between two families, which supported contending aspirants to the county judgeship, broke out into a pistol and knife battle in the streets in a near-by town. Three persons were killed and two others seriously stabbed and shot. MRS HARDING SERIOUSLY ILL NF.W Y'ORK, September 9. Grave concern is felt over the illness of Mrs Harding, who is suffering from hydronephrosis. While this morning the White House physician announced that there was no cause for alarm, to-night’s bulletin announces that critical complications have developed. Other physicians have been summoned. The latest bulletin announced that the patient’s recovery is not yet assured. Dr Charles Mayo, the famous Rochester specialist, and lir John Finney, of Baltimore, have been summoned to Washington. SLENDER HOPE OF RECOVERY. WASHINGTON, September 9. Mrs Harding’s condition continues critical. To-day did not bring any material improvement, though she had a fairly good night, and the complications which produced the crisis were less threatening. This morning there was a rise in her temperature, which gave additional cause for concern to the President, his friends, and the physicians -at White House, whose inmates admit that her life hangs in the balance. Hope has not been abandoned, but it is realised that the physicians in attendance are battling against great odds.