A Fourth of July family reunion near Garfield, Georgia, turned into a mass poisoning in 1912 after dozens of relatives became violently ill from barbecued meat.
The gathering was held at the home of Mack Canady, where members of the Canady family had come together for the holiday. But soon after the meal, sickness spread through the group.
According to early reports, four people were dead, seven were not expected to survive, and 18 others were critically ill. In all, 45 members of the family were said to have been poisoned.
Authorities believed the tragedy may have been caused by a seasoning mixture of black pepper and vinegar prepared in a zinc tub and then used on the barbecue, turning a holiday meal into a deadly disaster.
Four Killed Eating Barbecued Meat
AUGUSTA, Georgia. — Four persons are dead, seven are dying, and 18 others are critically ill as the result of eating what is supposed to have been poisoned meat at a reunion of the Canady family at the home of Mack Canady near Garfield, July 4.
45 persons are said to have been poisoned, all members of the Canady family.
The poisoning is said to have resulted from mixing a seasoning containing black pepper and vinegar in a zinc tub and using it on barbecued meat.
Source: El Paso Herald. El Paso, Tex. July 10, 1912.
