Grayson County TXGenWeb
 



Here is a story from my new book True Ghost Stories, and it tells about someone buried in Preston Bend cemetery that isn't listed, thought you might want the story and record.

 

The Deadly Preston Bend Plague of Flies
By Natalie Bauman
Ever heard of a plague of flies? Think flies are just harmless nuisances? Think again! Here’s a story for the Horror Movies, and it’s a true story from Preston Bend from my new book “True Ghost Stories of Grayson County and Other Strange and Scary Tales”. Reader discretion advised!
On October 6, 1887, the Sherman Daily Register displayed the following headline:
HORRIBLE DEATH! AN OLD MAN PAST THREE SCORE AND TEN IS EATEN TO DEATH BY THE DEADLY SCREW WORM
Perhaps one of the most terrible deaths that ever occurred in Grayson County, was that of G. M. Crouch, at Preston Bend October 5th. From County Judge Gregg, who was present at the time of the death, the reporter learns that about ten days ago the old gentleman, fell a victim to the deadly SCREW FLY and its more terrible offspring. The old man was quite feeble, but still wont to tinker at mending plows and other like farming utensils. While engaged at this work, about the time mentioned, he fell asleep. He had been suffering from catarrh (congestion) of the nose for many years and often bled at the nostrils while asleep. This unfortunately occurred at the time given above, and some of the blood being exposed to easy access to the fly, it deposited its eggs. In a very short time, the old gentleman’s face began to swell, but his attendants, not knowing of the full work already accomplished by the deadly insect, treated him for congestion.
On the night of the fourth day after the swelling first began, the vermin cut a large vein and the flow of blood was profuse. Assistance was called and a young man who noticed the peculiar state of affairs applied calomel, thinking it would be the expedient remedy. There was a continued application of this drug until the old man began to complain that his nostrils were filled up with it. He was then told to blow his nose, which he did, expelling fully FIFTY WRITHING WORMS from his head. A physician was summoned and succeeded in extracting not less than five hundred of the creatures, which had already eaten great holes in the man’s cheek, tongue and palate. The physician thought he had gotten all the worms out, but gave the case up as hopeless. He was right as to the hopelessness of the case, but wrong as to have succeeded in getting rid of the pests.
A peculiar swelling became visible at the throat, and Judge Gregg became convinced that the worms were at work in the old man’s throat as soon as he arrived, and the suspicions he communicated to the family were confirmed when a few minutes later the old man, after clearing up his throat, expectorated spittle which was filled with the worms, which were clearly at work CUTTING THE MAN’S THROAT.
He lingered on in the greatest agony, passing away late in the afternoon, conscious to the last, but unable to speak on account of the condition of his tongue and palate. He was buried in the church yard at Preston October 6, 1887. He was seventy-four years of age, and highly respected by all people in the area, but not by the flies.
So…. Keep your fly swatter close and your nose clean!



Preston Bend Cemetery
Susan Hawkins
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