In the spring of 1915, Preston was shaken by a near-tragedy that unfolded behind closed doors—and made its way into the pages of the Preston Times. This episode of Roots & Riddles unpacks the haunting story of Dr. Harrington, a respected dentist and entrepreneur whose return from illness took a dark and unexpected turn.
Was this a case of post-illness delirium, untreated trauma, or something more sinister? Lenora and Preston explore the fragile line between recovery and madness, the early 20th-century understanding of mental health, and the community’s response to a man unraveling in plain sight.
This isn’t just a tale of violence—it’s a window into the fears, sympathies, and silences of a small town grappling with the unthinkable.
Sources
The Preston Times
Wabasha County Herald
Caledonia Angus
Chatfield News-Democrat
