The doctor's prediction that, as a 7-month baby, Elizabeth Story Munford Howard would have no children was probably based on the fact that premature babies simply did not live to have children. Nevertheless, after her wedding, Betty soon became pregnant. But everything seemed to go wrong. She was still frail and weak, and the baby seemed to be developing much faster than it should.
There was, by this time, a physician in the nearby town of Eagleville, but he seemed to be more devoted to the bottle than to his patients. However, having no choice, the people of the community had to depend on his services.
When the time came for Betty to be delivered, Will went for the doctor, and found him very drunk. Not knowing what else to do, Will took him to the house anyway. The doctor assured Betty that it was too soon, and gave her medicine to stop the pains instead of regulate them; then left. Betty endured another month of pregnancy, and felt the baby growing larger and larger. On May 15, 1878, she started having convulsions, and was unconscious for three days. Upon regaining consciousness she was told by Will that the baby had been stillborn, and had already been buried.
There was, by this time, a physician in the nearby town of Eagleville, but he seemed to be more devoted to the bottle than to his patients. However, having no choice, the people of the community had to depend on his services.
When the time came for Betty to be delivered, Will went for the doctor, and found him very drunk. Not knowing what else to do, Will took him to the house anyway. The doctor assured Betty that it was too soon, and gave her medicine to stop the pains instead of regulate them; then left. Betty endured another month of pregnancy, and felt the baby growing larger and larger. On May 15, 1878, she started having convulsions, and was unconscious for three days. Upon regaining consciousness she was told by Will that the baby had been stillborn, and had already been buried.
The doctor's prediction that, as a 7-month baby, Elizabeth Story Munford Howard would have no children was probably based on the fact that premature babies simply did not live to have children. Nevertheless, after her wedding, Betty soon became pregnant. But everything seemed to go wrong. She was still frail and weak, and the baby seemed to be developing much faster than it should.
There was, by this time, a physician in the nearby town of Eagleville, but he seemed to be more devoted to the bottle than to his patients. However, having no choice, the people of the community had to depend on his services.
When the time came for Betty to be delivered, Will went for the doctor, and found him very drunk. Not knowing what else to do, Will took him to the house anyway. The doctor assured Betty that it was too soon, and gave her medicine to stop the pains instead of regulate them; then left. Betty endured another month of pregnancy, and felt the baby growing larger and larger. On May 15, 1878, she started having convulsions, and was unconscious for three days. Upon regaining consciousness she was told by Will that the baby had been stillborn, and had already been buried.
There was, by this time, a physician in the nearby town of Eagleville, but he seemed to be more devoted to the bottle than to his patients. However, having no choice, the people of the community had to depend on his services.
When the time came for Betty to be delivered, Will went for the doctor, and found him very drunk. Not knowing what else to do, Will took him to the house anyway. The doctor assured Betty that it was too soon, and gave her medicine to stop the pains instead of regulate them; then left. Betty endured another month of pregnancy, and felt the baby growing larger and larger. On May 15, 1878, she started having convulsions, and was unconscious for three days. Upon regaining consciousness she was told by Will that the baby had been stillborn, and had already been buried.
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Infant Son of WW & ES Howard.
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