The danger of allowing a small child to play while eating peanuts was brought home to the Samuel Pell family of Lykens in early May 1925, when young Carl Pell inhaled, which resulted in a peanut lodging in his lung. It didn’t help that the closest hospital where an operation could be performed was in Harrisburg, about 40 miles away.
From the Lykens Standard, May 8, 1925:
PEANUT IN LUNGS FATAL TO CHILD
A peanut which he drew into his lungs while playing Sunday evening about 5 o’clock, proved fatal to Carl Pell, two-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Pell, West Main Street [Lykens]. Medical attention was given at once and the lad seemed to rally until about 8:00 P. M., when it was noticed the child’s condition was becoming alarming. Upon medical advice the child was rushed to the Harrisburg Hospital when an operation was performed, but the child died at 7:00 A. M. Monday.
Surviving are the parents, and a brother Samuel Pell Jr. The funeral was held yesterday afternoon at 1:30 P. M. , services being conducted at the home by the Rev. Charles Slinggoff, former pastor of the Christ Reformed Church, now located at Richland. Burial was made in the P. O. S. of A. Cemetery.
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News article from Newspapers.com.
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