Playin' hooky

The Hocking Sentinel, Aug. 24, 1905

I find it oddly reassuring that uncle Charley was not always the perfect son.

He, too, worried his parents and ditched school -- even if it was only kindergarten or first grade.

Master Charles Huls and little Miss Bertha Delp, two typical young Americans, decided to cut loose from their family ties, last Friday afternoon, and see Logan. After some two hours of strenuons [sic] search and mental agony their parents found them at the lower end of town, near the trestle "watchin' for the train to go over."

Grandpa Fred did not join them. He was only a year old and too young for such shenanigans.

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Sins of the father

While trying to discover which, if any, of the State of Ohio's executions great-uncle Charley witnessed I discovered yet another murder* with a family connection. Sadly, this time we are related by marriage to the convicted killer.

Elias Primmer was convicted of killing John Fox and the attempted murder of his wife. Eight months later he was hanged by the neck until dead on Nov. 26, 1856. His was the first legal execution in Hocking County. Little Noah Primmer was about four.

Mary L. Huls married Noah Primmer in 1880, but she died in 1881 just five months after their marriage. 

Elias Primmer was the father-in-law of Charley's first cousin, one time removed. Mary L. Huls was the sister of the Joseph W. Huls of the Letter Scandal.

Noah remarried in 1890. Charley would not have known any of them, except possibly Noah Primmer, Mary's husband, who died in 1912.

(*My cousin Martha Mae King and her husband Jerry Martin were both murdered on Sunday, May 21, 1978 by the .22 Caliber killers.)

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The result of 'deliberate' acts

Marysville Journal-Tribune
Marysville, Ohio
Friday, July 2, 1926 • Page 1

MAKE REPORT ON O.S.U. MYSTERY

 

SUBSTITUTION OF CAPSULES CONTAINING STRYCHNINE FOR QUININE CAPSULES TERMED "DELIBERATE"

COLUMBUS, July 2 --Governor Donahey today reiterated that he will not drop the investigation into the "poison capsule" deaths of two Ohio State University students as long as he is governor in the hope that the criminal or criminals responsible can be apprehended.

The declaration followed the report of the state board of pharmacy that the strychnine poisoning, which was in January and February of 1925, was not due to accident or carelessness,  but the result of "deliberate" acts of unidentified person or persons. The students who died were Charles H. Huls, Logan, and David I. Puskin, Canton. Four other students were ill from poisoning, but recovered.

Capsules containing strychnine were handed the students when they applied to the university dispensary for capsules containing quinine, according to all evidence. It has never been discovered how the poison capsules got into the jar with the quinine capsules.

The board report states that Ohio State University violated the law by not having a registered pharmacist in the dispensary at all times, but held that this violation had nothing to do with the poisoning. All officials and employes [sic] of the university were cleared.

In the report, physicians were scored for faulty diagnosis or failure to report promptly to the university. "Prompt action might have saved lives," the report states.

One of the most important statements in the report is: "Carelessness or accident in compounding as the source of the poisoning is proven absolutely absent. Thorough investigation shows no trace of poisonous admixtures as would have been the case with carelessness or accident in compounding. All strychnine was in separate capsules as though added to the stock in a limited number."

There is one difference in the opinion of the board and that of Police Prosecutor John J. Chester, who conducted a probe following the poisoning and is still watching the case. Chester states that he does not believe the strychnine necessarily came from outside the college of pharmacy as: "my investigation disclosed that at least two ounces of strychnine, enough to kill 200 persons, was not accounted for by the officials of the college of pharmacy."

In the board report, it is stated that chemical analysis and examination of strychnine found in capsules convinces the board the strychnine was not obtained from the university supply and that there is evidence the poison capsules were of a different make from those used by the university.

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To all intents and purposes

•  The Times Recorder (Zaneville, Ohio) July 2, 1926.

GOVERNOR TOLD OFFICERS OF "U" BLAMELESS

    COLUMBUS, O., July 1. (AP) Unknown persons deliberately mixed strychnine capsules with those containing quinine resulting in the death of two Ohio State University students in January 1925, the state board of pharmacy reported today to Governor Donahey today. The poison was dispensed with quinine from the university dispensary.

    While the report by the pharmacy board is to all intents and purposes complete, so far as can be made at this time, Governor Donahey declared the investigation will go forward so long as he's the state's chief executive in the hope that clues will be developed which will result in the "identification and prosecution of the criminal or criminals responsible."

    Students who died from taking the poison capsules thinking they were quinine were Charles H. Huls of Logan and David I. Ruskin [sic] of Canton. Four others were made ill by taking them but recovered. The report states that slow diagnosis by attending physicians or failure to report the diagnosis to university authorities, was in a measure responsible for the two deaths.*

    The report says that the origin and responsibility for the poison mixture with the quinine still is unsolved and that there is no direct clue "except that the strychnine evidently came from outside sources."

Not From Dispensary

    The report was positive that the poison did not come from the university dispensary. It also is contended that carelessness or accident in the compounding as the source of the poison is "proven absolutely absent" as all the strychnine was in separate capsules as though it had been added to the quinine stock.

    In its final conclusion, the board said that "the capsules were filled with strychnine and deliberately placed in the quinine dispensing bottle by persons filling them or they were placed there by direction of some one who knew their contents."

Officials Absolved

    Governor Donahey said that if the university dispensary which has been closed since the tragedy is again to be opened it must be under rules, regulations and management approved by the state board of pharmacy. The report absolved university officials from charges they were operating a drug store illegally as no laws had been violated in dispensing quinine and that they were nut responsible for the poison.

    The report made to the governor was voluminous and contained thousands of pages of testimony. It was ordered by Governor Donahey in February 1925 and has been under way almost continuously since that time. Prepared by Secretary M.N. Ford, it was officially approved by the board June 25.

Sadly, it appears that every single copy of this report was either lost or destroyed, but I am still looking. 

 

*I do not know why this was set bold and indented.

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Annual Report of the President

Poor Prexy's final annual report. Curiously, there is no mention of Edward A. Byron of Cincinnati. Was there a different diagnosis of his illness by then?

Obviously, this is not the entire annual report. I only included the section that I found to be relevant.

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT

     

HONORABLE LAWRENCE E. LAYBOURNE, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, The Ohio State University:

    DEAR SIR -- I have the honor to present through you to the Board of Trustees of the Ohio State University for transmission to the Governor of Ohio, as required by law, the fifty-fifth annual report of the Ohio State University, for the year ending June 30, 1925.

. . . 

THE COLLEGE OF PHARMACY

    The feature in connection with the report on this college for the current year demanding a statement is the experiences occurring during the winter.

W. O. Thompson

    On Saturday, January 31st, the University was shocked at the announcement of the sudden death of Mr. Charles H. Huls of Logan, a Senior in the College of Commerce and Journalism. On Sunday, the first day of February, the startling announcement was made that David I. Puskin, a Junior in the College of Commerce and Journalism, had suddenly died. Immediate attention was brought to these two cases and the preliminary assumption was that the death of Mr. Huls was due to Tetanus and that of Mr. Puskin to Meningitis. These two assumptions aroused a state of great anxiety as to an impending epidemic among the students.

    On Monday, February 2nd, G. Delbert Thompson of Canton, a Senior in the College of Commerce and Journalism, while in one of the stores downtown was seized with convulsions similar to those which preceded the death of both Mr. Huls and Mr. Puskin. He was promptly sent to the University Hospital and an investigation begun by the officials there, Through heroic efforts the life of Mr. Thompson was saved. Mr. Timothy J. McCarthy of Columbus, a Sophomore in the College of Commerce and Journalism; Mr. Harold E. Gillig of Toledo, a Sophomore in the College of Arts, and Mr. Robert H. Ross of Bellevue, a Freshman in the College of Arts, also fell ill. The fact that these students had capsules in their possession led to a searching investigation in the dispensary of the College of Pharmacy and every effort was made to discover the causes leading to this most serious and most deplorable experience. It was soon discovered that the cases were due to strychnine poisoning. A few capsules were found also in the possession of the students. Analysis of these capsules revealed the fact that they had been filled with strychnine. A further investigation developed that only a few of these capsules had been available and that not a single one remained in the receptacles in the dispensary. Having determined the questions of fact as to the presence of these capsules filled with strychnine and as to the limited supply of them, the investigation then turned upon the sources of supply. That question is not satisfactorily determined to this date. The issue still remains whether a limited number of these capsules had been distributed through the ordinary channels in the dispensary. The Columbus Police authorities were called into action and through an extended investigation conducted by the Police Prosecutor, Mr. John J. Chester, Jr., every effort was made to discover any possible information as to the facts involved, the motives that might be present and any other facts that would assist in reaching a conclusion as to how these capsules of strychnine could have been filled and dispensed.

    Somewhat later the Governor of Ohio instituted an investigation through the State Board of Pharmacy in charge of Mr. M. N. Ford. This investigation discovered no new facts save that the capsules used were of a slightly different size from those used in the University dispensary. This difference was so slight as not to be observed casually. It required an examination to recognize the difference. This at once raised the question whether these capsules could have been procured elsewhere than the source from which the University secures its supply and whether by some device a limited number of these capsules had been deposited in the receptacle in the dispensary. The absence of any motive for such criminal attempt upon the lives of innocent persons made this problem extremely delicate and difficult of determination. The University has not been able to trace any evidence of a purchase of capsules that would explain in any way the limited number of a different size from those in ordinary use, nor has the University been able to satisfy the minds of the investigators as to how such a limited number of capsules should find place and be distributed. None of the physicians associated in any way with this experience could provide any rational explanation of the situation. The University officials were pained and mystified by the whole procedure. The investigation by the police authorities was as complete as they could make it. The further investigation at the Governor's request has still left all the im-portant issues just where they were. No evidence was produced to show that anyone had any knowledge of the fatal capsules as to their existence or their source. One student whose service was in the dispensary in the ordinary routine remembers having given capsules to Mr. Puskin. There is no evidence, however, that he knew that these differed in any way from the ordinary capsule. In all the investigations made there was not the slightest approach to identification of any person criminally related to this experience. No blame could be attached to the administrative or dispensing officers in the College of Pharmacy. No motive could be discovered for any student to make such an irrational and criminal attack upon innocent lives. It seems impossible to tolerate the theory of an accident or of a careless method of procedure. The whole situation would seem to indicate deliberateness in the filling of those particular capsules. The history of criminal acts of this sort leads one to believe that by some inadvertence the future may provide a clew leading to a solution. The University will continue its effort so far as possible to discover a clew to this mysterious and perplexing situation. Such a disaster in the University experience lingers in the minds of University officials impossible of eradication. No responsibility could be located on individuals or groups of individuals for the occurrence. Speculative minds indulged in imaginary situations as always under such trying and distressing·circumstances but no approach was made toward apprehending a guilty person, or to a reasonable explanation of any motives that might lead to such a terror striking experi- ence. On the assumption that it was a deliberate act, some one or more persons unknown at present, carry the grave and terrible responsibility. If by any means the future shall disclose this person or persons the University will recognize its obligation to bring them to account. At present nothing more can be done than to record officially the profound sympathy which all University officials and students felt toward the unfortunate and bereaved families, and also the feeling of resentment that such a deed was possible among students.

    The official reports submitted to the President of the University from all University officials having to do with the investigation are filed as a part of the permanent records in this case and will be available at any time for properly authorized persons to inspect.

. . .  

    The usual statistical reports as required by law, the reports from the Deans, Departments, and other divisions of the University activities are herewith submitted as part of this report. The Summary of the Financial Report of the Secretary of the Board of Trustees is included as usual as part of this report. Reference to the appendixes will provide information supplementing that found in the several reports. Respectfully submitted,

                                            W. O. THOMPSON, President.

July 31, 1925.

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For the spirit is willing...

...but the flesh is weak.

Matthew 26:41

I have come to realize that I just can't continue to put out one blog post a day due to my disability which gets worse in the summer heat. (Yes, I live in Phoenix.)

The gist of the unsolved story has been told, but I'm continuously digging. I hope to blog twice a week for now: Friday mornings and Monday evenings.

Exciting news will always be treated as breaking news.

If you have questions that I can answer (No, I don't know who the killer was. Hence the unsolved.) or suggestions please feel free to comment or contact me.

I haven't forgotten, nor am I giving up.

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Pomp and circumstance

Aerial photo, 1922

I must say I do not recall having a commencement week anything like this when I graduated in 1989. We had the large university graduation exercises in the university stadium, followed by smaller graduation ceremonies at each individual college. Poor uncle Charley.

COMMENCEMENT PROGRAM

Friday, June 12

• 8:30 p. m. — Open air play, Browning Society, "Two Gentlemen of Verona," near the Spring.
• 9 p. m. — Senior Prom, the Armory.

Saturday, June 13

Alumni Day

• 9 a. m. — Fourth Annual Intercity Alumni Golf Tournament, Aladdin Country Club.
• 10 a. m. — Alumni-Faculty baseball game, University diamond.
• 10 a. m. — Alumnae Council, Pomerene Hall.
• 12:15 p. m. — Class reunion luncheons of '79, '80, '81, '82, '98, '99, '00, '01, '17, '18, '19, '20.
• 2 p. m. — Annual meeting of Ohio State University Association, official alumni organization, at the Spring.
• 3:30 p. m. — Baseball, Ohio State vs. University of Michigan, University diamond.
• 6 p. m. — Alumni "Sunset Supper," Ohio Stadium.
• 8:30 p. m. — "Two Gentlemen of Verona."

Sunday, June 14

Baccalaureate Services

• 3:30 p. m. — The Armory. Sermon, President Thompson; music, the University Choir.
• 8:30 p. m. — Cantata, "The Beatitudes," by Ashford, Choral Union, the Armory.

Monday, June 15

Class Day

• 8 a. m. — Ivy planting, Ohio Union; Ivy Orator, Mary E. Whiteford.
• 8:30 a. m. — Class breakfast.
• 9:30 a. m. — Literary exercises. Class president, Seth W. Harter; class prophet, Albert E. Segal; class poet, Carter C. Kissell; class orator, C. Emory Glander; memorial address, Anthony R. Fiorette; acceptance of Memorial, President Thompson.
• 12:30 p. m. — Parents' luncheon, Ohio Stadium.
• 3:30 p. m. — President's reception, Administration Building.
• 8:30 p. m. — Concert, the Armory. Opera, "The Mikado," Choral Union.

Tuesday, June 16

Commencement Day

• 10 a. m. — Graduating exercises, Coliseum, State Fair Grounds. Presiding officer of the day, President Thompson; annual address, President William L. Bryan, Ph.D., LL.D., Indiana University; conferring of degrees, presentation of certificates, and announcements, President Thompson.

Ohio State Lantern

Wednesday, June 3, 1925

 

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