Yesterday Archie V. Serpent, Clerk of the Letcher County Court, went into the Fitzpatrick drug store and called for a Seidlitz powder to settle a nauseating stomach from which he was suffering. Receiving two of these powders he walked to the back of the store, laid the powders down and securing a glass proceeded to the kvatory where he drew it full of water. Instead of going back for the powder he took a seven and three-eighths grain tablet of bi-chloride of mercury from his pocket, dissolved it in the water and drank it, or most of it. He attempted to vomit a time or two before walking back into the drug store. Approaching Mr. Passmore, the druggist, he inquired whether or not it would make him much sick.

The druggist told him that the Seidlitz would not. Then Mr. Sargent told him that ho had swallowed the mercury. Realising quickly the danger of the situation the druggist seized five eggs and poured them with a quantity of milk into Mr. Sergent's stomach, called physicians and a stomach pump was put into action. Soon it was announced that the stomach had been thoroughly washed, which with the milk and eggs taken probably saved the Clerk's life. Twenty-four hours after the accident on today Mr. Sergent, so far as can be observed, has developed no effects from the poison. Bi-chloride of mercury is one of the rankest of poisons when taken internally but as an external antiseptic it is one of the greatest known. Persons poisoned from its effects may linger for months but death, physicians say, always results.

Obituary of Archie V Sergent
Mt Eagle Newspaper, Whitesburg, Letcher Co Ky.,
Thursday Evening, 20 February, 1941

Archie V Sergeant Passes Away At Hospital In Johnson City, Tenn. Sergeant, of the "Fighting First" dies After Brief Illness: Archie Vincent Sergeant, one of Kentucky's most distinguished Legionairres died Wednesday afternoon in the Veteran's Hospital at Johnson City, Tennessee, where he had been taken a few days earlier for treatment of Bright's Disease. Vincent, around fourty-five years old, had been ill for quite a while, but until a few days ago carried on his work with the Local Draft Board, at Whitesburg, still in the service of his country.

Several years ago he retired from active public life, until it seemed that he could serve his country better by devoting some time to the present draft work. An outstanding soldier in the First World War, he was awarded medals of service from both the French and the American governments. Mr. Sergent served as County Court Clerk of Letcher County immediately following the World War. Vincent was the son of the late Willy and Harriet Collins Sergent, and the step-son of Nellie Vermillion Sergent. His wife, Marie, and one son, Billie, survive him, also one sister, Myrtle Johnson, of Ohio, and a half sister, Mrs. Gordon Blair, of this city. These, with a host of other relatives and friends mourn his loss.

Mr Sergent had made his home on top of Pine Mountain for the past several years, also having his business location there. He was a great lover of sports and spent much time with friends and acquaintances hunting and fishing in sunny Florida. Mr. Sergent was one of the first to volunteer from Letcher County when war was declared on Germany in 1917. The funeral will be held at 2:00 on Friday and burial will be in the family cemetery above Whitesburg. The Reverends L. O. Griffith, W. H. Poore and Joe T Sudduth will be in charge. After leaving the Church the Legionairres will give him a military funeral. Active pall-bearers are: J. L. Hays, Stephen Combs, Jr. Dennis Tolliver, John D Combs, J. S. Holbrook, Floyd Mercer, R. F. McClure and A. K. Franklin.