Paris Green: Poison in the Longyard
Content Note: This account includes events that may be unsettling to some readers.
— A Southwick Time Machine Original Series | The Longyard
Paris Green: Poison in the Longyard
Duane A. Rising was born in Southwick, Massachusetts, on August 15, 1838. He married Estella G. Marvin in November 1858. The couple initially lived on Estella's father's Southwick farm, where Duane earned a living as a peddler.
Eventually, Duane purchased a large farm in the Long Yard section of Southwick, near the Suffield, Connecticut, line, where the couple raised their family.
The couple's children included William Henry, Arthur Duane, Edith Emeline, and Stella Emily. Another child, Herbert, known as “Herbie,” died in infancy at about six months old.
Duane was well-known throughout the area. Folks said that he became “despondent at intervals.” During one of these periods, he took Paris Green.
Paris Green, an arsenic compound used as a pigment, insecticide, and rodent poison, was notorious in the nineteenth century. By the 1880s, it was commonly found in rural stores and households, especially in agricultural areas.
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| Caldwell & Jones of Hartford, Connecticut Advertisement, 1900 |
Because Paris Green was cheap, widely available, and highly toxic, suicides involving it became tragically common. The poison became so closely associated with self-destruction that it inspired a dark twist on the familiar phrase, “When good Americans die, they go to Paris,” with the grim wordplay that others reached “Paris” by taking Paris Green.
Duane Rising’s death was anything but quick. He reportedly suffered intensely for nearly twenty-four hours before dying on July 5, 1887.
The tragedy did not end with Duane’s death. Only days later, on July 9, 1887, his Long Yard neighbor, Orrin Burlingame, also attempted suicide by taking Paris Green.
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| Paris Green |
Years afterward, another chapter of misfortune touched Duane Rising’s family.
On May 5, 1895, Duane and Estella’s son, Arthur Rising, wandered away from his home in Westfield, Massachusetts. On May 7, he was found in Hartford, Connecticut. Arthur claimed he had walked the entire distance. Police officers who had been searching for him detained him on Main Street at about eight o’clock in the morning.
Arthur was eventually confined to the Northampton State Hospital. He died there on February 3, 1933.
— Uncovered and preserved by the Southwick Time Machine
Duane Alvin Rising
August 15, 1838 — July 5, 1887
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Edited Out/Author's Additional Research Notes
Sources conflict if Duane and Estella married on the 1st or the 7th of November.
Sources conflict if Duane died on July 5, 6, 7, or 8. July 5 is believed to be correct.
Duane was once elected master of the Longyard Grange.
Duane was once elected master of the Longyard Grange.
The Northampton State Hospital was a notorious insane asylum.
Paris Green (copper acetoarsenite)
The Long Yard and Long yard were common spellings during this time. Later, the space was removed, and it became Longyard.
Paris Green (copper acetoarsenite)
The Long Yard and Long yard were common spellings during this time. Later, the space was removed, and it became Longyard.
Originally developed as a pigment, Paris Green was later widely used as
an insecticide and rodent poison. The arsenic compound became notorious
in the nineteenth century because of its extreme toxicity. The pigment was developed in the early nineteenth century and became associated with manufacturers in Paris, France. Its vivid emerald-green color was highly fashionable, so it was marketed as "Paris Green" to distinguish it from other green pigments of the era.
Paris Green wasn’t only common in households as a stored poison; it was often present because it was used in paint/wallpaper and farm supply contexts, which is why exposure and access overlapped so much.
Paris Green wasn’t only common in households as a stored poison; it was often present because it was used in paint/wallpaper and farm supply contexts, which is why exposure and access overlapped so much.
People of all ages didn't only use Paris Green to commit suicide - many used it to murder others. Suicide and murder using Paris Green were not just limited to the United States.
Examples:
A man attempting to kill his neighbor put Paris Green in his well. Attempting to kill someone by putting Paris Green in their well was fairly common.
In 1919, a Michigan man was caught sprinkling Paris Green on food in a grocer. When caught, he gave no explanation for his actions.
In 1896, a woman put Paris Green on apples and threw them into her neighbor's yard where children were playing. The two neighbors had been in a long dispute about a fence between their property.
In 1885, a Massachusetts woman was caught by her husband putting Paris Green in his stew. When police questioned her, she said she did it just for fun.
In 1906, a New York man spread Paris Green on bread he fed to his wife and children.
In 1902, a man was arrested after dumping four boxes of Paris Green into the pond on his neighbor's farm
In 1902, six cows were found dead in a field in Vermont. They were poisoned with Paris Green.
In 1913, a woman gave her neighbor's son donuts smeared with Paris Green.
In 1889, a Wisconsin man put Paris Green in a cake to poison his stepson.
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