December 20 Monday – Mollie Clemens wrote to Sam and Livy, including Orion’s of Dec. 19.

Friday [Dec. 17] just after dinner Orion turned the bottle of Aqua ammonia up tilted his head clear back and filled his mouth full. Some ran down the esophogas. Of course we were in a state of frenzy for a time. I heard him rushing down stairs. I had only left him a few minutes before. I jumped and opened the stair door — with the thought — “Ma has a fit, or the house is on fire — in either case I must be calm.” But Orion’s mouth was wide open he was white as death. I said what is it. He said “O My God, I have taken poison.” He managed to say ammonia. I got a bottle of olive oil and he took it. I sent the girl for Dr. Jenkins — Orion wanted to run to a drug store — I said there is Mrs Davis’s horse — we’ll take it –so without a single moments delay we took it….it was snowing…we drove four blocks to a drug store — they gave Orion acid….Orion was spitting blood freely [MTP].