The people of this city were surprised on last Sunday to learn of the death on Saturday night in Wichita of Dr. N. A. Silverthorn who for the past 8 or 9 years had been a well known resident of this city. Dr. Silverthorn had gone to Wichita on Friday to join his wife in a visit there. Mr. and Mrs. Silverthorn owned a farm near Wakita, Okla., and made frequent visits there. The bereaved wife and children have the sincere sympathy of many friends here. Last Sunday's Wichita Eagle gave the following account of the death of Dr. Silverthorn."Dr. N. A. Silverthorn, aged 53, widely known veterinarian of Coldwater, Kans., died about 9:30 o'clock Saturday night at the Crescent apartments from the effects of drinking wood alcohol, according to Coroner Heckman. Members of the family said death was due to heart failure, suffered about 6:30 o'clock in the evening. The doctor was given wood alcohol some time in the afternoon by a party of men, robbed of a gold watch and a considerable amount of money, and sent to the Crescent apartments in a taxicab at 6:30 o'clock in the evening, it was reported.
"Coroner D. G. Heckman was called immediately after the doctor died. He pronounced death due to drinking wood alcohol mixed with whiskey. It is not known who the men were who gave the doctor the poison or at what address he was drugged. An inquest will be held Monday.
"Dr. Silverthorn arrived in Wichita from Coldwater shortly after noon to visit his son, Don C. Silverthorn, who has rooms at the apartments. His wife, Gertrude, has been in Wichita several days visiting with her son.
"According to his son, the father was in good health during the time he saw him in the afternoon. He was taken to the apartments in a semiconscious condition. He soon lost consciousness and never regained it. Doctors were summoned at once, but the doctor died without being able to disclose who was with him in the afternoon.
"Dr. Silverthorn is widely known in the southwest. He lived in Coldwater several years, where he practiced veterinary surgery. When the Oklahoma Strip opened up he moved to Alva, Okla., where he continued his veterinary practice. About six years ago he moved his family back to Coldwater. Besides carrying on his veterinary practice the doctor was engaged in the hotel and restaurant business.
"His son Don C., has been employed for the past two years as teller in the American State Bank. He is married and has rooms at the Crescent apartments. Besides his widow, Gertrude, and his son, Don, the doctor is survived by two sons, Roscoe, of Coldwater and Lorne, of Resperisa, Calif., and a sister living in Rochester, N. Y.
"Gill Brothers have charge of the body.
"The body will be taken to Alva, Okla., for burial."
Monday's Eagle stated that no inquest would be held. On Sunday the body of Dr. Silverthorn was taken to Alva and burial was made there on Monday. The deceased was a member of the Order of Elks, and was of a generous and kindly disposition. He will be missed by many friends here and in Woods-co., Okla.
Wayne Replogle, W. H. McEachern and R. L. Hazzard went to Alva, Okla., on Monday to be present at the funeral services of N. A. Silverthorn, whose death occurred in Wichita on last Saturday night.
Thanks to Shirley Brier for finding, transcribing and contributing the above news article to this web site!
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