A series of mysterious illnesses in a California family took a horrifying turn in August 1912 when authorities questioned a 15-year-old boy and, according to newspaper reports, obtained a confession.
Adam Clark of Windsor was accused of repeatedly putting rat poison into the coffee at his mother’s home. By the time investigators intervened, his 50-year-old mother, Augusta Clark, had died. His 60-year-old father, James Clark, was believed unlikely to survive, and a neighbor who had come to care for the sick couple was also seriously ill.
At first, the illnesses may have appeared unrelated. Adam’s parents had separated, and the teenager had recently joined a hay-baling crew. His mother reportedly opposed the work and repeatedly urged him to return home.
Whenever Adam visited his mother, however, she became seriously ill. During her final illness, Adam’s father returned to the house to care for her and soon became sick himself. Their neighbor, John Ruddel, then came to nurse the couple. After another visit from Adam, Ruddel also fell ill.
The pattern eventually attracted the attention of authorities.
Taken to the county jail for questioning, Adam reportedly broke down in his cell and admitted that he had placed a commercial rat poison known as “Rough on Rats” into the family coffee pot on multiple occasions.
His reported motive was startlingly simple. He claimed he poisoned his mother because she continued objecting to his work with the hay-baling crew and wanted him to come home.
Boy Puts Rat Poison In Coffee
SANRA ROSA, California. — Confessing that he had poisoned his father, mother, and a neighbor, 15-year-old Adam Clark of Windsor broke down last night in his cell in the county jail. Amidst his sobs he told why and how he administered the poison.
Mrs. Augusta Clark, the mother, aged 50 years, died last night at a hospital in this city. James Clark, the father, aged 60, probably will die. John Ruddel, the neighbor, is seriously ill.
The mother and father of the boy separated some time ago. Recently the boy went to work with a hay baling crew and his mother objected.
It was his custom to visit her occasionally, and each time he did so she became seriously ill. The last time she was ill, her husband returned to the home to nurse her and the boy visited them.
The husband became ill and Ruddel came to nurse them both. Again the boy came home and Ruddel became ill.
The peculiar circumstances attending the illness of the Clarks aroused the suspicions of the authorities and Adam was brought to the jail in this city.
He admitted he had put “rough on rats” in the coffee pot at his mother’s home each time he was there on a visit.
The reason for doing this, he said, was because she was continually protesting against his becoming a member of a baling crew and urged him to return home.
Source: El Paso Herald. El Paso, Tex. August 17, 1912.
