The Specter of a Killer: Typhoid Strikes the Williams Family

UNK SMULL > PETER SMULL > JOHNATHAN SMULL > SAIDEE SMULL m Curtis Williams

Minnesota State Fair, 1910

The general story of Saidee is told here.  Tragically, Curtis died at age 36 of typhoid after an illness of several weeks. Curtis and Saidie had gotten married in 1903 with all good in front of them. His parents were Mary Ann Smith and John W. Williams.

Married - At the house of the bride's mother, Sept 9th, at 8 o'clock, Miss Sadie Smull to Mr Curtis Williams both of this place. The bride is one our best young ladies and the groom is a prosperous young farmer living a few miles north of town. They leave Thursday for Freeport, Chicago, and other points to be gone for about a week. They have the best wishes of a host of friends.
Waverly Republican Waverly Iowa
Thursday, September 10, 1903

Curtis

Their first child, Rosalie, was born in 1904. Their second, "Maudie," arrived in 1906. His mother died in September 1907 and the Williams' moved to his parents farm and his sister, Mrs.Rosa (Julian) Moine, moved to Curtis & Saidee's farm. In 1908, they swapped back. They got all settled in when poor Curtis, who had been dealing with a carbuncle on his hand, lost his wallet with nearly $20 while working in his fields which was a big deal, and it was never recovered.

In September 1909, the popular young couple were surprised with a party hosted by their many friends. Things were going very well. A year later, in September 1910, the young couple decided to go to the Minnesota State Fair. They returned in mid-September and by mid-October, Curtis, and then Saidee, were suffering from typhoid fever.

Whether it was contracted during their travel to/from the fair isn't known, but only four people in Iowa had come down with the disease that month, the Williams' being two. 

After a several week struggle with the disease, the physician, Dr. Jay, and private nurse had no hope and Curtis died in the mid-morning on Tuesday, November 14, 1910. Saidee was so ill, the doctor and family did not want to further endanger her by telling her of his death. Saidee pulled through, but was unable to attend her husband's funeral. 

Several months later, the farm was sold. Saidee would move to Denver, Iowa, in 1928.