1878 — June-Dec, Yellow Fever, esp. LA (esp. New Orleans), MS, TN (esp. Memphis) ~20,000
–25,000 Keating. A History…Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1878 in Memphis, Tenn. 1879, p. 15.[1]
–20,000 Board of Experts. Conclusions…Authorized…Congress…Yellow Fever…1878. 1879, 4.
–20,000 Ellis. Yellow Fever & Public Health in the New South. 1992, p. 56.[2]
–20,000 PBS, The Great Fever, Sep 29, 2006; History.com. This Day in History, Aug 13, 1878.
–20,000 US National Board of Health. Annual Report…Nat. Board…Health, 1883. 1884, p.211.
–18,033 Blanchard high-end of compilation from State and other breakouts below.[3]
–16,953 Blanchard low-end of compilation from State and other breakouts below.
–16,296 Hardenstein. The Epidemic of 1878. 1879, p. 36. (Our of 69,187 cases.)
–15,934 Sternberg. “Yellow Fever: History and Geographic Distribution.” 1908, 721[4]
–13,000 Pocock, Emil, and Jamal Lee. “Disasters in the United States, 1650-2005.” 2007.[5]
–12,000 U.S. Marine Hospital Service. Annual Report…for Fiscal Year 1895. 1896, 439.[6]
Summary of State Breakout Below
Alabama ( 240-279) Aug-Nov 10 Especially Mobile
Arkansas ( 37-56) Aug-Oct
Delaware ( 8-9)
Florida ( 61-62) Aug-Oct
Georgia ( 2-3)
Illinois ( 67) Aug 12-Oct
Kentucky ( 261-324) Aug 13-Nov 6 Especially Hickman
Louisiana (5,691-6,488) May 25-Dec 12 Especially New Orleans
Mississippi (4,043-4,102) Aug-Nov 16 Especially Vicksburg
Missouri ( 103) Especially New Design and St. Louis
New York ( 30)
Ohio ( 51-54) Sep-Oct Especially Gallipolis
Pennsylvania ( 2)
Tennessee (6,203-6,305) Aug-Nov 18 Especially Memphis
Texas ( 2)
Wash., D.C. ( 5)
Other ( 142) Rail and ships/boats.
Breakout of 1878 Yellow Fever Fatalities by States and Localities
Alabama (240-279) Aug-Nov 10
— 240-279 State. Blanchard tally from locality breakouts below.
Breakout of 1878 Alabama Yellow Fever Deaths by Locality:
— 2 Athens, Limestone Co., Oct 16 & 24. Augustin, p.242;[7] Keating, p.92; Murtough 33.[8]
— 1 Courtland, Lawrence County, Sep 3. Keating 1879, 250; Murtough 1879, p. 39.[9]
— 51 Decatur, Morgan Co., Sep 17-Nov 10. Augustin 1909, 242; Keating, 93; Murtough, 41.
— 50 Florence, Lauderdale Co., Sep 5 1st case. Keating, 93; Sternberg, 721; Murtough, 44.[10]
— 13 Huntsville, Madison Co. ~Oct. Augustin 1909, 242; Keating, 94; Murtough 1879, 52.[11]
— 1 Leighton, Calvert Co., Aug 4. Augustin 1909, p. 443; Murtough 1879, p. 55.[12]
80-90 Mobile, Mobile County. Blanchard range based on sources below.
–90 “ Sternberg 1908, p. 719.
–83 “ Aug-Oct Augustin 1909, p. 245.
–80 “ early Aug-Oct 30 Keating 1879, p. 94; Murtough 1879, p. 65.[13]
— 1 Spring Hill Oct Augustin. History of Yellow Fever, 1909, 446.
— 3 Stevenson, Jackson County. Keating 1879, 251. Murtough (1879, 79) has 2.
— 4 Town Creek[14] Augustin. History of Yellow Fever, 1909, 446.
-2-31 Tuscaloosa, Tuscaloosa County[15] Blanchard range based on sources below.
–31 “ Sep, 1st case Augustin 1909, 446.
— 2 “ Keating 1879, 251; Murtough 1879, 81.
— 31 Tuscumbia, Colbert County. Hardenstein 1879, 35; Keating 1879, 97; Murtough 1879, 81.[16]
— 1 Whistler, Mobile County. Keating 1879, 251; Murtough 1879, 83.[17]
Arkansas (37-56) Aug-Oct
–37-56 State Blanchard tally of locality breakouts below.
Breakout of 1878 Arkansas Yellow Fever Deaths by Locality:
— 7 Augusta, Woodruff County. Keating 1879, p. 92; Murtough 1879, pp. 33-34.[18]
–2-9 Helena, Phillips County Blanchard range based on sources below.
–9 “ Aug 17, 1st case Augustin, 1909, 448; Murtough 1879, p. 49.[19]
–2 “ Keating 1879, 250.
7-19 Hopefield, Crittenden County Blanchard range based on sources below.
–19 “ Keating 1879, p. 250.
–12 “ Appleton’s…Cyclopaedia, V3, 1878, 319.
— 7 “ Sep 1-Oct 28. Augustin, 1909, p. 448; Murtough 1879, p. 51.[20]
— 1 Little Rock, Pulaski County, early Sep. Augustin, 1909, p. 448; Murtough 1879, p. 56.[21]
— 1 Napoleon, Aug 11 Augustin. History of Yellow Fever, 1909, 448.
–19 Terrene Landing, White River Augustin, 448; Keating 1879, 96; Murtough 1879, 78.[22]
Delaware ( 8-9)
— 9 Lewes (Delaware Breakwater Quarantine Station) Augustin 1909, 452.
— 8 “ Sussex County. Murtough 1879, pp. 55-56.[23]
Florida (61-62) Aug-Oct
–2-3 Fernandina, Nassau County. Keating 1879, 266, has 2; Murtough 1879, p. 44, has 3.[24]
— 20 Jacksonville, Duval County. Augustin. History of Yellow Fever, 1909, p. 455.
— 39 Key West, Monroe Co., Aug-Oct. Keating 1879, p. 94; Murtough 1879, p. 53.[25]
Georgia ( 2-3)
— 3 Dalton, Whitfield County. Augustin. History of Yellow Fever, 1909, 464.
— 2 “ “ ~Sep 26-Oct 4. Keating 1879, p. 93; Murtough 1879, p. 40.
Illinois ( 67) Aug 12-Oct
–62 Cairo, Alexandria Co. Aug 12-Oct. IL DPH. 124 Years Ago In ISPH History.[26]
–62 “ (officially recorded YF deaths) IL State Board of Health, An. Rpt. V20, 1898, lix.[27]
–51 “ Augustin 1909, p. 471; Sternberg 1908, p. 720.
–32 “ Keating 1879, p. 93; Murtough 1879, p. 37.
— 3 Centralia. IL DPH. 124 Years Ago In ISPH History.[28]
— 1 Chicago (a refugee) Augustin 1909, 471.
— 1 Rockford (AL refugee) IL DPH. 124 Years Ago In ISPH History (web).
Kentucky (261-324) Aug 13-Nov 6
–261-324 State Blanchard tally of locality breakouts below.
Breakouts of 1878 Kentucky Yellow Fever Deaths by Locality (where known):
— 26 Bowling Green, Warren Co. Sep 6-Oct 26. Keating 1879, 93; Murtough 1879, 36.
— 43 Clinton, East Feliciana Parish. Keating 1879, p. 93; Murtough 1879, 39.[29]
— 1 Covington (a refugee) Augustin 1909, 472.
— 1 Danville, Boyle County, Sep 6. Keating 1879, 251; Murtough 1879, 41.
— 1 Fillmore, Ballard County (refugee) Augustin 1909, 472; Murtough 1879, p. 44.
— 3-5 Fulton, Fulton County Blanchard range based on sources below.
–5 “ Sep 25-Oct 23 Augustin 1909, 472; Murtough 1879, 45.[30]
–3 “ Keating 1879, p. 251.
–150-180 Hickman, Fulton County Blanchard range based on sources below.
–449 “ Aug beginning. Garman. “…Mosquitoes in Kentucky.” 520.[31]
–180 “ Aug 13-Nov 6. Augustin 1909, 472; Keating 1879, 94; Murtough 1879, 50.[32]
–153 “ Sternberg 1908, 721.
–150 “ Aug 13 start. Ellis 1992, 43.[33]
— 1-2 Jordan Station, Fulton County Blanchard range based on sources below.
–2 “ Augustin 1909, 472; Keating 1879, 251.
–1 “ Sep 27 Murtough 1879, p. 53.[34]
–34-64 Louisville, Jefferson County Blanchard range based on sources below.
–64 “ Sternberg 1908, 720.
–34 “ Augustin 1909, 472; Hardenstein 1879, 35; Keating 1879, 94; Murtough 1879, 57.[35]
— 1 Trenton, Todd County. Augustin 1909, 472; Keating 1879, 251; Murtough 1879, 80.
Louisiana (5,691-6,488) May 25-Dec 12
–5,691-6,488
Breakout of 1878 Louisiana Yellow Fever Deaths by Locality (where known):
— 5 Acklins [plantation?], Tunica, West Feliciana Parish. Murtough 1879, 81.[36]
— 179 Ascension Parish Keating 1879, 93; Murtough 1879, p. 42.[37]
193-201 Baton Rouge Blanchard range based on sources below.
–201 “ Sep 6-Oct 31. Keating, 92; Murtough 34;[38] Sternberg, 720.
–196 “ Appleton’s…Cyclopaedia, V3, 1878, 319.
–193 “ Aug 10 start Augustin 1909, 475.
— 4 Bayou Goula, Iberville Parish. Augustin 1909, 475; Keating 1879, p. 264.
— 13 Bayou Sara, Sep 20-Nov 26. Augustin, 476; Murtough, 34;[39] Keating, 92.
— 1-7 Berwick City, St. Mary Parish Blanchard range based on sources below.
–7 “ Sep 27-Oct 7 (pop. 500) Augustin 1909, 476.
–1 “ St. Mary Parish. Keating 1879, 93; Murtough 1879, p. 35.[40]
— 1 Broussard, near Pattersonville, Sep 17. Keating 1879, p. 93; Murtough 1879, p. 36.
— 22-80 Brule Sacramento, Ascension Pariah Blanchard range based on sources below.
–80 “ Sep-Nov 11. Murtough 1879, p. 42.[41]
–22 “ Augustin 1909, 476; Keating 1879, 264.
— 2 Buras, Plaquemine Parish.[42] Keating 1879, 93.
— 6 Canaan Landing, early Oct-Nov 2. Keating 1879, 93; Murtough 1879, p. 37.[43]
–26-43 Clinton and vicinity, East Feliciana Parish. Blanchard range based on sources below.
–43 “ “ “ Hardenstein 1879, p. 35.
–26 “ Keating 1879, 264. Russell 2005, 49.[44]
–15 “ Sep 25 start Augustin 1909, 476.
— 4 Cook’s Landing, Point Coupee Par. Augustin 1909, 477; Keating, 93; Murtough, 39.[45]
— 34 Delhi, Richland Par., Aug 11-Nov 5. Augustin 1909, 477; Keating, 93; Murtough, 41.[46]
–26-51 Delta, Madison Parish Blanchard range based on sources below.
–51 “ Hardenstein 1879, p. 35.
–50 “ Keating 1879, 262-263.
–47 “ pop. 300. Aug 27 start Augustin 1909, 477.
–26 “ Sep 28 start Murtough 1879, p. 41.[47]
— 3 Depuys Plantation, ~Clinton, Oct 5. Murtough 1879, p. 41.
— 17 Des Allemands Aug 20-Oct 20. Augustin 1909, 478.
— 179 Donaldsonville, Ascension Parish Hardenstein 1879, p. 35.
–83 Donaldson pop. 1,500. Augustin 1909, 478; Keating, 93; Murtough, 42.[48]
–71 “ Sternberg 1908, 721.
— 5 Dunboyne Plantation, ~ W. Plaquemine. Augustin, 478; Keating, 263. Murtough, 43.
— 42 Goodrich’s Landing[49] Titusville Herald. “Yellow Fev.,” 10-18-1878.
–53-60 Gretna, Jefferson Parish Blanchard range from sources below.
–60 “ Sep-Oct. Keating 1879, 94; Murtough 1879, 48.[50]
–53 “ Augustin 1909, 479; Sternberg 1908, 721.
— 5 Hammond Sep 18-Nov 5 Augustin 1909, 479.
— 10 Harrisonburg, Catahoula Par., Aug 20-Oct 26. Augustin 479/Keating 94/Murtough 48[51]
— 18 Henderson, pop. 400; Aug 30 start. Augustin 1909, 479.
— 5 Henderson’s Landing, East Carroll, early Sep-Nov 1. Murtough 1879, p. 49.[52]
— 2 Jesuit Bend Sep 22 start Augustin 1909, p. 480.
–24-150 Labadieville and vicinity, Assumption Par. Blanchard range based on sources below.
–150 “ “ Keating 1879, 94; Murtough 1879, p. 54.[53]
— 30 “ Appleton’s…Cyclopaedia, V3, 1878, 319.
— 24 “ pop. 180; Aug 10 start Augustin 1909, 480.
— 39 Lafourche Crossing & vicinity. Hardenstein 1879, 35; Murtough 1879, 54.[54]
–20 Lafourche Crossing, Sep 12-Dec 18. Augustin 1909, 480; Keating 1879, 263.
— 5 Lagonda Keating 1879, 263
— 42 Lake Charles Sep 5 start Augustin 1909, 480.
— 1 Logtown Titusville Herald. “Yellow Fev.,” 10-18-1878
— 3 Mandeville, St. Tammany Parish. Augustin 1909, 481; Murtough 1879, 59.[55]
108-109 Morgan City, pop. 3,000; Aug 17-Nov 10 Augustin 1909, 481; Sternberg 1908, 720.
–108 “ St. Mary’s Parish. Keating 1879, 94; Murtough 1879, 65.[56]
–4,046-4,600 New Orleans, Orleans Parish Blanchard range based on sources below.
–4,600 New Orleans, Orleans Parish.[57] Sternberg 1908, p. 721.
–4,500 “ Willsey/Lewis. Harper’s Facts. 1895, 559.
–4,046 “ Hardenstein 1879, 11; New Orleans Pub. Lib. Yellow Fever…in [N.O.]
Month White Colored Total. Hardenstein 1879, 11.[58]
July 26 — 26
August 979 46 1025
September 1696 84 1780
October 1019 46 1065
November 140 7 147
December 3 — 3
Totals 3863 183 4046 (Out of 18,576 reported cases.)
Other fever deaths reported as something other than yellow fever.
562 96 658
–4,040 “ [59] Augustin 1909, 50 and 491.
–4,039 “ May 25-Nov 21. Murtough 1879, p. 70.
–88 “ Sep 1. Daily Constitution, Atlanta. “The Reign of Death.” 9-3-1878, p. 1.
–88 “ Sep 2. Daily Constitution, Atlanta. “The Reign of Death.” 9-3-1878, p1.[60]
–92 “ Sep 3. (deadliest day) Ellis 1992, 46.
–72 “ Sep 4. The World, NYC. “The South’s Desolation.” 9-5-1878, 1.
–86 “ Sep 5. Daily Constitution, Atlanta. “The Fever Summary.” 9-6-1878, 1. [61]
–61 “ Sep 6. Daily Constitution, Atlanta. “The Fever Summary.” 9-7-1878, 1.
–77 “ Sep 7. Daily Constitution, Atlanta. “The Fever Summary.” 9-8-1878, 1.
–81 “ Sep 8. Daily Constitution, Atlanta. “The Fever Summary.” 9-9-1878, 1.
–87 “ Sep 9. Daily Constitution, Atlanta. “The Fever Summary.” 9-10-1878, 1.
–80 “ Sep 10. Daily Constitution, Atlanta. “The Fever Summary.” 9-11-1878, 1.
–90 “ Sep 11. Daily Constitution, Atlanta. “The Fever Summary.” 9-12-1878, 1.
–58 “ Sep 13. Daily Constitution, Atlanta. “The Fever Summary.” 9-14-1878, 1.
–59 “ Sep 14. Daily Constitution, Atlanta. “The Fever Summary.” 9-15-1878, 1.
–59 “ Sep 15. Daily Constitution, Atlanta. “Yellow Fever Sum.” 9-17-1878, p.1.
–62 “ Sep 17. Daily Constitution, Atlanta. “Yellow Fever Sum.” 9-18-1878, p.1.
–68 “ Sep 18. Daily Constitution, Atlanta. “Yellow Fever Sum.” 9-19-1878, p.1.
–55 “ Sep 19. Daily Constitution, Atlanta. “Yellow Fever Sum.” 9-20-1878, p.1.
— 5 Omega and Raleigh Landings Augustin 1909, 500.
— 15 Ostrka pop. 400; Aug 14-Oct 26 Augustin 1909, 500.
— 13 Paincourtville, Assumption Parish, Sep 8-Oct 26. Murtough 1879, p. 72.[62]
— 93 Pattersonville, St. Mary’s Parish. Augustin 501; [63] Keating, 95; Murtough 1879, 73.[64]
— 2 Pecan Grove Augustin 1909, 501; Keating 1879, 263.
— 17 Pilottown Aug 18-Oct Augustin 1909, 501.
117-125 Plaquemine, Iberville Parish Blanchard range from sources below.
–125 “ pop. 1,500; Aug 1 start Augustin 1909, 501; Sternberg 1908, 721.
–117 “ Keating 1879, 96; Murtough 1879, p. 74.[65]
— 3-4 Point-a-la-Hache, Plaquemine Parish. Keating 1879, 264. Murtough (1879, 74) shows 3.
— 13 Point Pleasant, Tensas Parish. Augustin, 501; Keating 1879, 96; Murtough 1879, 74.[66]
— 3 Ponchatoula Aug 6 start Augustin 1909, 502.
— 7 Port Barrow, Donaldsonville suburb.[67] Keating 1879, 264.
— 14 Port Eads, Plaquemine Parish, Aug 5-Oct 11. Augustin 1909, 502; Keating 1879, 96.[68]
–11-12 Port Hudson, East Feliciana Parish. Keating 1879, 96; Murtough 1879, 75-76.[69]
–12 “ Hardenstein 1879, p. 35.
–11 “ Sep 9 start Augustin 1909, 502.
— 18 Richoe Plantation Augustin 1909, 502; Keating 1879, 96; Murtough 1879, 74.[70]
— 1 Smithland Plantation, Point Coupe Parish, Sep 25. Augustin, 503; Murtough 1879, 78.
— 2 South Pass Augustin 1909, 503.
— 8 Southwest Pass Augustin 1909, 503; Keating 1879, 96;[71] Murtough 1879, 78.[72]
— 7 St. Bernard Aug 25 start Augustin 1909, 503.
— 38 St. Gabriel, Iberville Parish. Keating 1879, 96; Murtough 1879, 76.[73]
— 2-4 St. James, St. James Parish Blanchard range based on sources below.
–4 “ Augustin 1909, 503; Murtough 1879, 77.[74]
–2 “ Keating 1879, 264.
— 2 Stevenson Plantation near Plaquemine Parish. Murtough 1879, 79.
— 3 Tallulah, Madison Parish. Keating 1879, 263; Murtough (1879, 78) shows 2.
–50-69 Tangipahoa and vicinity, Tangipahoa Parish. Blanchard range based on sources below.
–69 “ Keating 1879, 96; Murtough 1879, 79.[75]
–50 “ population 400; Sep 1 start Augustin 1909, 504.
— 81 Teche Country pop. 1,033; Sep 10 start Augustin 1909, 504; Sternberg 1908, 721.
— 4 Terre Aux Boeuf Keating 1879, 265
–65-79 Thibodeaux & vicinity, Lafourche Parish. Blanchard range based on sources below.
–79 “ Hardenstein 1879, p. 34.
–77 “ Keating 1879, 96; Murtough 1879, 81.[76]
–65 “ pop. 2,800; July 30 start Augustin 1909, 504; Sternberg 1908, 721.
— >2 Verdunville, St. Mary Parish, ~Franklin. Murtough 1879, 82.[77]
— 1 White Haven Keating 1879, 263.
— 28 “Other localities in Louisiana” not noted in listing. Hardenstein 1879, p. 35.
Mississippi (4,043-4,102) Aug-Nov 16
–4,043-4,102
— 82-83 Bay St. Louis, Hancock Co., Aug 14-Nov 3. Keating 1879, 92; Murtough 1879, 34.[78]
–83 “ “ Hardenstein 1879, p. 34.
–82 “ “ Sternberg 1908, 721.
— 23 Beachland Keating 1879, 250.
–9 Rev. Featherstun family members Nuwer 2009, p. ix.
— 56 Biloxi and vicinity, Harrison County[79] Hardenstein 1879, 34; Murtough 1879, 35.[80]
— 8 “ Sep-Oct 29 Keating 1879, 250.
— 47-54 Bolton, Hinds County Blanchard range based on sources below.
–54 “ and vicinity (179 cases) Hardenstein 1879, 34.
–47 “ Aug 12-Nov 6. Keating 1879, 93; Murtough 1879, p. 36.[81]
— 17 Bovina, Warren Co., Sep 29-Nov 9. Keating 1879, 93; Murtough 1879, p. 36.[82]
–176-180 Canton, Madison County. Blanchard tally range from sources below.[83]
–180 “ Sternberg 1908, 720
–176 “ Aug 12-Nov 16. Keating 1879, 93; Murtough 1879, p. 38.[84]
— 6 “ Sep 5 Daily Constitution, Atlanta. “Fever Sum.” 9-6-1878, 1. [85]
— 12 “ Sep 17 Daily Constitution, Atlanta. “Yellow Fever Sum.” 9-18-1878, 1.
— 8 Cardiff Landing Keating 1879, 249.
— 1 Carrollton, Carroll County, Aug 29. Keating 1879, p. 250; Murtough 1879, p. 38.
— 9 Cayuga, Hinds Co., Aug 1-Nov 12. Keating 1879, 93; Murtough 1879, p. 38.[86]
— 4 Cox’s Landing, Washington Co., Sep 28-Oct 28. Keating 1879, 93; Murtough 1879, 39.
— 50 Dry Grove, Hinds County. Keating 1879, p. 93; Murtough 1879, 42.[87]
— 14 Duck Hill, Montgomery County. Keating 1879, p. 93; Murtough 1879, 42.[88]
— 1 Durant, Holmes County, Sep 14. Murtough 1879, p. 43.
— 3 Edward’s Depot, Hinds Co., late Sep. Murtough 1879, p. 43.[89]
— 12 Elliott, Grenada County, late Sep. Murtough 1879, p. 43.[90]
— 6-7 Friar’s Point, Coahoma Co. Sep 3-Oct 19. Murtough 1879, 45;[91] Keating 1879, p. 249.
— 3 Galman Station, Copiah Co., Aug.[92] Murtough 1879, p. 46.[93]
— 13 Garner Station, Yalobusha Co. Keating 1879, p. 94; Murtough 1879, 46.[94]
— 387 Greenville, Washington, Co., early Sep-Nov 16. Keating 1879, 94; Murtough 1879, 47.[95]
–301 “ Sternberg 1908, 720
— 19 “ Sep 4. The World. “South’s Desolation.” 9-5-1878, p1
–367-407 Grenada, Grenada County Blanchard range based on sources below.
–407 “ (368 white, 39 black; 1,092 cases) Hardenstein 1879, p. 24.
–367 “ Aug 25-Nov 1.[96] Keating 1879, p. 94; Murtough 1879, 48.[97]
–350 “ Ellis 1992, 43.
–326 “ Sternberg 1908, 720.
— 15 Handsboro, Harrison Co., Sep 2-Nov 4. Keating 1879, p. 94; Murtough 1879, p. 48.[98]
— 19 Haynes’ Bluff, Warren Co. Keating 1879, p. 94; Murtough 1879, p. 49.[99]
— 75-80 Hernando, DeSoto County Blanchard range based on sources below.
–80 “ Sternberg 1908, p. 721.
–75 “ Aug 15-Nov 10. Keating 1879, p. 94; Murtough 1879, pp. 49-50.[100]
–309-352 Holly Springs and vicinity Blanchard range based on sources below.
–352 “ Marshall Co. (1300 cases). Hardenstein 1879, p. 25.
–346 “ Aug 12-Nov 1. Keating 1879, 94; Murtough 1879, 50-51.[101]
–309 “ Sternberg 1908, p. 720.
>300 “ Black. “Ida B. Wells…” MS History Now.
— 6 “ Sep 4. The World. “The South’s Desolation.” 9-5-1878, p. 1, c. 6.
— 8 “ Sep 9. Daily Constitution, Atlanta. “Fever Sum.” 9-9-1878, 1.
— 18 “ Sep 11. Daily Constitution, Atlanta. “Fever Sum.” 9-12-1878, 1.
— 17 Horn Lake, DeSoto Co., Sep 20. Keating 1879, 97; Murtough 1879, p. 82.[102]
— 86 Jackson, Hinds County Sternberg 1908, 721.
–84 “ (490 cases) Hardenstein 1879, p. 26.
–77 “ late Aug-Nov 13. Keating 1879, 94; Murtough 1879, p. 52.[103]
— 6 Kings’ Point Landing, Warren Co., late Sep-Oct. Murtough 1879, p. 53.[104]
— 64-88 Lake, Scott County Blanchard range from sources below.
–88 Lake Station and vicinity. Hardenstein 1879, p. 34.
–86 “ “ Sternberg 1908, p. 721.
–64 “ “ early Sep start. Keating 1879, 94; Murtough 1879, 54-55.[105]
— 5 Lawrence Station, Newton County. Murtough 1879, p. 55.[106]
— 44 Lebanon Church, Hinds County. Keating 1879, 94; Murtough 1879, p. 55.[107]
— 9 Logtown, Hancock County, Sep 7-Oct 12. Murtough 1879, p. 57.[108]
–54-55 McComb City and vicinity, Pike County Blanchard range based on sources below.
–55 “ Hardenstein 1879, p. 34.
–54 “ Sep 5-Nov 26. Murtough 1879, p. 58.[109]
— 9 McNairy Plantation, near Dry Grove, Hinds County. Murtough 1879, pp. 58-59.[110]
–86-91 Meridian, Lauderdale County Blanchard range based on sources below.[111]
–91 “ Sternberg 1908, 721.
–86 “ late Sep-Nov 11. Keating 1879, 94; Murtough 1879, p. 63.[112]
— 2 Michigan City, Benton County, Oct. Murtough 1879, p. 64.
–19-20 Mississippi City and vicinity, Harrison Co. Blanchard range based on sources below.
–20 “ Hardenstein 1879, 34.
–19 “ Sep 24-Nov 2. Keating 1879, 94; Murtough 1879, 65.[113]
— 5 Morgan City, Leflore County Keating 1879, 249
— 1 Mount Alban, Vicksburg suburb, Oct 25. Murtough 1879, p. 66.
— 1 Mulatto Bayou, neighborhood near Logtown, Hancock County. Murtough 1879, p. 66.
— 28 Ocean Springs, Jackson Co. (86 cases) Keating 1879, 95; Murtough 1879, p. 71.[114]
–53-61 Osyka and vicinity, Pike County Blanchard range based on sources below
–61 “ (53) and vicinity (8) Murtough 1879, p. 72.
–53 “ Keating 1879, 95; Murtough 1879, p. 72.[115]
— 4 Pascagoula, Jackson Co., Sep 29-Nov 2. Murtough 1879, p. 72.
— 27 Pass Christian, Harrison Co. Keating 1879, p. 95; Murtough 1879, 72.[116]
— 2 Pearlington, Hancock County. Keating 1879, 249. Murtough has 1 (1879, 73)
— 295 Port Gibson, Claiborne County Hardenstein 1879, p. 34.
–294 “ Keating 1879, 96; Murtough 1879, 75.[117]
–125 “ Sternberg 1908, p. 721.
— 55 “ By Sep 2. Daily Constitution, Atlanta. “The Reign of Death.” 9-3-1878, p. 1.[118]
— 39 Rocky Springs. Claiborne County. Keating 1879, 96; Murtough 1879, 76.[119]
— 7 Senatobia, Tate County. (26 cases) Keating 1879, 96; Murtough 1879, 77.[120]
— ? Sharon (received Masonic relief funds) Power 1879, p. 8.
— 2 Smith’s Station, Hinds County. Keating 1879, 249
— 1-2 Stevenson’s Plantation. Keating 1879, 249. Murtough 1879, 78.
— 80 Stoneville, Washington Co. (110 cases) Keating 1879, 96; Murtough 1879, 79.[121]
— 5 Sulphur Springs, Madison County Keating 1879, 249.
— 4 Summit, Pike County. Keating 1879, 249; Murtough 1879, 79.[122]
— 15 Sunflower, Coahoma County (48 cases) Keating 1879, 96; Murtough 1879, 79.[123]
— 19 Terrene, Bolivar County (21 cases) Hardenstein 1879, p. 34.
— 5 Terry vicinity, Hinds County. Keating 1879, 249; Murtough 1879, 80.[124]
— 17 Valley Home (29 cases) Keating 1879, 97; Hardenstein 1879, 34.
— 992 Vicksburg, Warren Co., Aug 9 start.[125] Keating 1879, pp. 242-244.[126]
–988 “ Hardenstein 1879, p. 31.
–872 “ Sternberg 1908, 720-721.
–750 “ Murtough 1879, 82.[127]
— 25 “ Sep 1 Daily Constitution, Atlanta. “The Reign…Death.” 9-3-1878, 1.[128]
— 86 “ Sep 4 Daily Constitution, Atlanta. “The Way of Death.” 9-5-1878, p. 3.
— 38 “ Sep 5. Daily Constitution, Atlanta. “The Fever Sum.” 9-6-1878, 1.[129]
— 87 “ Sep 6. Daily Constitution, Atlanta. “The Fever Summary.” 9-7-1878, 1.
— 81 “ Sep 7. Daily Constitution, Atlanta. “The Fever Summary.” 9-8-1878, 1.
— 45 “ Sep 9. Daily Constitution, Atlanta. “The Fever Sum.” 9-11-1878, 1.
— 44 “ Sep 10. Daily Constitution, Atlanta. “The Fever Sum.” 9-11-1878, 1.
— 22 “ Sep 14. Daily Constitution, Atlanta. “The Fever Sum.” 9-15-1878, 1.
— 23 “ Sep 17. Daily Constitution, Atlanta. “Yellow Fever Sum.” 9-18-1878, 1.
— 12 “ Sep 18. Daily Constitution, Atlanta. “Yellow Fever Sum..” 9-19-1878, 1.
— 15 “ Sep 19. Daily Constitution, Atlanta. “Yellow Fever Sum.” 9-20-1878, 1.
— 300 Vicksburg vicinity Sternberg 1908, 721.[130]
–47-64 Water Valley, Yalobusha County. Blanchard tally from sources below.
–64 “ Sternberg 1908, 721.
–63 “ and vicinity (175 cases) Hardenstein 1879, p. 34.
–47 “ Keating 1879, 97; Murtough 1879, 83.[131]
— 9 Winona, Montgomery County. (27 cases) Keating 1879, 97; Murtough 1879, 83.[132]
— 8-9 Winterville, Washington County Blanchard range from sources below.
–9 “ Murtough 1879, 84;[133] Hardenstein 1879, 34.
–8 “ Keating 1879, 250.
— 6-7 Yazoo City, Yazoo County. Keating 1879, 97; Murtough 1879, 84.[134]
— 6 scattered cases Hardenstein 1879, p. 34.
Missouri ( 103)
–103 Blanchard tally of locality breakouts below.
— 57 New Design Sternberg 1908, 720
— 46 St. Louis, St. Louis County. Keating 1879, 96; Murtough 1879, 77.[135]
New York ( 30)
–30 New York Appleton’s…Cyclopaedia, V3, 1878, 319.
— 2 Brooklyn Navy Yard Keating 1879, 93.
— 3 New York Keating 1879, 266.
— 4 “ (2 Memphis, 2 New Orleans refugees). Murtough 1879, pp. 70-71.
Ohio (51-54) Sep-Oct
–51-54 Blanchard tally of locality breakouts below.
–17-19 Cincinnati, Hamilton County Blanchard tally from sources below.
–19 “ Keating 1879, p. 93; Murtough 1879, 38.[136]
–17 “ Greve. Centennial History of Cincinnati…, V.1. 1904, 883.
— ~3 Dayton, Montgomery Co. Murtough 1879, p. 41.[137]
–31-32 Gallipolis and vicinity Blanchard tally from sources below.
–32 “ Appleton’s…Cyclopaedia, V3, 1878, 319.
–31 “ Gallia Co., Aug 20-Oct 17. Keating 1879, 93-94; Murtough 1879, 45.[138]
Pennsylvania[139] ( 2)
— 1 Philadelphia Keating 1879, 266.
— 1 Pittsburg Appleton’s…Cyclopaedia, V3, 1878, 319.
Tennessee (6,203-6,305) Aug-Nov 18
–6,203-6,305 Blanchard range from locality breakouts below:
— 23 Bartlett, Shelby Co., Sep 11-Oct 20. Keating 1879, 92; Murtough 1879, p. 34.[140]
— 1 Beech Grove Church, near Dyer. Murtough 1879, p. 35.
— 3 Bell’s Depot, Crockett County.[141] Keating 1879, p. 92.
— 1 Bethel Springs, McNairy Co., Oct 9. Keating 1879, 93; Murtough 1879, p. 35.[142]
— 2 Bolivar, Hardeman Co. Keating 1879, p. 239.
— 212 Brownsville, Aug 20-Nov 8. Keating 1879, 93; Murtough 1879, 35; Sternberg 1908, 720.
— 1 Buntyn, Shelby Co. Oct 16. Murtough 1879, p. 37.[143]
— 40 Camp Duffy Keating 1879, 395.
— 10 Camp Father Mathew Keating 1879, 395.
— 54 Camp Joe Williams Keating 1879, 395
–135-197 Chattanooga, Hamilton County Blanchard range based on sources below.
–197 “ Keating 1879, 93; Murtough 1879, p. 38.[144]
–151 “ Appleton’s…Cyclopaedia, V3, 1878, 319.
–135 “ Sternberg 1908, p. 720.
— 44-56 Colliersville, Shelby County. Blanchard range based on sources below.
–56 “ Sternberg 1908, 721.
–48 “ Keating 1879, 93; Murtough 1879, p. 39.[145]
–44 “ Appleton’s…Cyclopaedia, V3, 1878, 319.
— 1 Covington, Tipton County. Keating 1879, 239; Murtough 1879, p. 40.[146]
— 10 Erin, Houston County, Sep 7-Oct 20. Keating 1879, 93; Murtough 1879, p. 44.[147]
— ~20 Frayser Station, Shelby Co. Murtough, 45. (Memphis refugees included in figure.)
— 4 Gadsen, Crockett Co., Sep 24-Oct 24. Murtough 1879, p. 45.[148]
— 5-8 Gallaway, Fayette County. Blanchard range from sources below.
–8 “ Oct 5-16. Murtough 1879, p. 45.[149]
–5 “ Keating 1879, p. 239.
— 1 Gardner’s Station, Weakley County Keating 1879, 239.
— 45 Germantown, Shelby County Keating 1879, 94; Murtough 1879, p. 46.[150]
— 1 Gill’s Station Keating 1879, 240; Murtough 1879, 46.[151]
— 74-82 Grand Junction, Hardeman County. Blanchard range based on sources below.
–82 “ Keating 1879, p. 94; Murtough 1879, p. 47.
–78 “ Appleton’s…Cyclopaedia, V3, 1878, 319.
–74 “ Sternberg 1908, p. 721.
— 1 Huntingdon, Carroll County, Oct 10. Keating 1879, p. 240; Murtough 1879, p. 52.
— 3 Jackson, Madison County, Sep-Oct. Keating 1879, 240; Murtough 1879, 52-53.[152]
— 37 La Grange, Fayette Co., early Sep-Nov 3. Keating 1879, 94; Murtough 1879, p. 54.[153]
— 1 Lynnville, Giles County. Murtough 1879, p. 58.
–34-40 Martin, Weakly County Blanchard range based on sources below.
–40 “ Appleton’s…Cyclopaedia, V3, 1878, 319.
–34 “ Keating 1879, 94; Murtough 1879, p. 59.[154]
–24-27 Mason & vicinity, Tipton County Blanchard range based on sources below.
–27 “ Murtough 1879, pp. 59-60.[155]
–25 “ Appleton’s…Cyclopaedia, V3, 1878, 319.
–24 “ Keating 1879, p. 94.
— 3-4 McKenzie, Carroll County. Blanchard tally of sources below.
–3 McKensie (sic). Keating 1879, p. 240.
–4 McKenzie, Carroll County. Murtough 1879, p. 58.[156]
–5,150 Memphis Aug-Nov. Hardenstein 1879, 22;[157] Keating 1879, 94;[158] Kelly 1906, 84.
5,150 “ Shelby Co. Historical Marker Database, “Memphis Martyrs” Aug 1878
5,150 “ New York Times. “Yellow Fever Retrospect.” 10-7-1888.
5,150 “ U.S. National Board of Health. Annual Report… 1879. 210.
5,000~ “ Carter. “Bring Out Your Dead.” Murphy 2003, p. 127.
4,396 “ Aug-Nov 17. Murtough 1879, p. 63.[159]
4,377 “ Murtough 1879, p. 103.
4,327 “ (two months) Murtough 1879, p. 4.
— 76 “ Aug 31 Daily Constitution, Atlanta. “The Reign of Death.” 9-3-1878, 1.
— 53 “ Sep 2 Daily Constitution, Atlanta. “The Reign of Death.” 9-3-1878, 1.
— 86 “ Sep 3 New York Times. “Fatal Work at Memphis..” 9-4-1878, 1.
— 93 “ Sep 4 The World. “The South’s Desolation. Memphis.” 9-5-1878, 1.[160]
— 69 “ Sep 5 Daily Constitution, Atlanta. “Fever Summary.” 9-6-1878, 1.[161]
–101 “ Sep 6 Daily Constitution, Atlanta. “The Fever Summary.” 9-7-1878, 1.
–108 “ Sep 7 Daily Constitution, Atlanta. “The Fever Summary.” 9-8-1878, 1.
>100 “ Sep 8 Daily Constitution, Atlanta. “The Fever Summary.” 9-9-1878, 1.
–113 “ Sep 9 Daily Constitution, Atlanta. “The Fever Summary.” 9-9-1878, 1.
–115 “ Sep 10 Daily Constitution, Atlanta. “Fever Summary.” 9-11-1878, 1.
>100 “ Sep 11 Daily Constitution, Atlanta. “Fever Summary.” 9-12-1878, 1.
–118 “ Sep 13 Daily Constitution, Atlanta. “Fever Summary.” 9-15-1878, 1.
–117 “ Sep 14 Daily Constitution, Atlanta. “Fever Summary.” 9-15-1878, 1.
— 98 “ Sep 15 Daily Constitution, Atlanta. “Yellow Fever Sum.” 9-17-1878, 1.
–111 “ Sep 16 Daily Constitution, Atlanta. “Yellow Fever Sum.” 9-17-1878, 1.
–101 “ Sep 17 Daily Constitution, Atlanta. “Yellow Fever Sum.” 9-18-1878, 1.
— 96 “ Sep 18 Daily Constitution, Atlanta. “Yellow Fever Sum.” 9-19-1878, 1.
— 57[162]“ Sep 19 Daily Constitution, Atlanta. “Yellow Fever Sum.” 9-20-1878, 1.
— 11 Milan, Gibson County, Aug 25-Oct 26. Keating 1879, 94; Murtough 1879, p. 64.[163]
–33-34 Moscow, Fayette County Blanchard range based on sources below.
–34 “ Appleton’s…Cyclopaedia, V3, 1878, 319.
–33 “ Aug 27-Oct 4. Keating 1879, 94; Murtough 1879, p. 66.[164]
— 1-2 Murfreesboro, Rutherford County Blanchard tally of sources below.
–2 “ Keating 1879, 240.
–1 “ (Memphis refugee). Aug 28 Murtough 1879, p. 66.
— 18 Nashville, Davidson Co. (all refugees). Keating 1879, 94; Murtough 1879, 66.
— 1 Nubbin Ridge, Shelby Co. Keating 1879, 240; Murtough 1879, 71 (Memphis refugee)
— 28 Paris, Henry County, Sep 16-Oct 16. Keating 1879, 95; Murtough 1879, p. 72.[165]
— 18 Raleigh, Shelby County. Keating 1879, 96; Murtough 1879, 76.[166]
— 6 Rossville Keating 1879, 240.
— >3 Shelby Depot, Memphis suburb. Murtough 1879, 78.[167]
–53-57 Somerville, Fayette County. Blanchard tally from sources below.
–57 “ Sternberg 1908, p. 72.
–56 “ Keating 1879, p. 96; Murtough 1879, 78.[168]
–53 “ Keating 1879, p. 240.
— 1 Union City, Obion County (a refugee). Keating 1879, 240; Murtough 1879, 82.
— 2 White Haven, Shelby County. Murtough 1879, 83.[169]
— 50 White Station Sternberg 1908, 721.
— 11 Williston, Fayette County (16 cases) Keating 1879, 97; Murtough 1879, 83.[170]
— 1 Winchester, Franklin County (a refugee from La Grange). Murtough 1879, 83.
— 7 Wythe Depot, Shelby County (16 cases) Keating 1879, 97; Murtough 1879, 84.[171]
— 17 “Other localities in Tennessee” (30 cases) Hardenstein, 1879, p. 35.
Texas ( 2) Pecan Grove, Coryell County. Murtough 1879, p. 73.
Virginia ( 1) Abingdon Keating 1879, 266; Murtough 1879, 33.
Wash., D.C. ( 5) Augustin 1909, 453; Murtough 1879, 82 (states they were refugees).
Other ( 142)
— 55 Louisville & Nashville Railroad Company employees. Keating 1879, 266.
— 33 Memphis & Charleston Railroad Company employees. Keating 1879, p. 266.
— 30 Mississippi & Tennessee Railroad Company employees. Keating 1879, p. 266.
— 1 Brig A. K. Bar, of Machias, Maine. Murtough 1879, p. 73.[172]
— 23 Steamer John Porter[173] Keating 1879, p. 95.
Narrative Information — General
Board of Experts: “Yellow fever should be dealt with as an enemy which imperils life and cripples commerce and industry. To no other great nation of the earth is yellow fever so calamitous as to the United States of America. In a single season more than a hundred thousand of our people were stricken in their homes, and twenty thousand lives sacrificed by this preventable disease. Systematic, scientific study should be unceasingly directed against this subtle enemy until our weapons are so perfected as to destroy or to surely hold it in check. (p. 4.)
“….The object aimed at, is to present the outlines of a system of quarantine, which may afford the greatest attainable degree of protection against the introduction and spread of infectious epidemic diseases; and at the same time inflict only a minimum of injury and inconvenience upon commerce. Two classes of medical officers are suggested: First. Medical officers of health to serve in foreign ports from which we receive importations of yellow fever and cholera. Secondly. Medical officers of health to have charge of quarantine stations, and to supervise inter-State travel and traffic from infected places in times of epidemic. (Board of Experts, 1879, p. 5.)
“….Amongst the several races of men, the European or white race manifests the greatest susceptibility to yellow fever, and affords the highest ratio of deaths to cases. The susceptibility of the black race is much less, and amongst them, the ratio of deaths to cases is much lower. The susceptibility of mulattoes, and the ratio of deaths to cases amongst them, is intermediate between that of the whites and blacks, and is greater or less in proportion to their approximation in blood and in race-characters to the one extreme or the other. Although yellow fever has never been known in Asia, yet Asiatics are liable to the disease; cases and deaths having occurred amongst the Chinese residents of our southern cities during the recent epidemic.” (p. 10.)
(Board of Experts Authorized by Congress to Investigate the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1878. Conclusions of the Board of Experts Authorized by Congress to Investigate the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1878. Washington, DC: Judd & Detweiler, Printers, 1879. Digitized at: http://cdm16313.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/compoundobject/collection/LSUBK01/id/392/rec/14 )
Ellis: “The public health movement in the South originated in the aftermath of the lower Mississippi Valley yellow fever epidemic in 1878, one of the worst disasters in American history….Led by businessmen and physicians, the public health movement sought to reduce the economic and social costs of the South’s long-standing reputation for sickliness and high mortality through sanitary reform, thereby ushering in a new era of health, prosperity, and progress. For guidance in their endeavors, the southerners looked to the earlier experiences of sanitarians in the North and in England, a crucial development in itself.” (Ellis 1992, p. 1.)
“Though the event has been but little recognized, the lower Mississippi Valley yellow fever epidemic in 1878 was one of the great medical disasters in American history. From July through November the disease reached from New Orleans to Gallipolis, Ohio, striking more than two hundred communities in eight states. The most spectacular epidemics occurred in Memphis and New Orleans, but even the small towns and villages like Grenada, Mississippi, and Grand Junction, Tennessee, experience terrible suffering. Altogether, according to estimates, there were around 120,000 cases of yellow fever and approximately 20,000 deaths. The financial costs of the disaster were tremendous. In addition to the heavy expenses of relieving the sick and destitute, there were even greater losses – much of it outside the South – resulting from suspension of business and cessation of commerce. In his annual message to Congress on December 2, President Rutherford B. Hayes remarked on the extensive sickness and mortality attributed to yellow fever. But the real loss was incalculable, said the president ‘It is impossible to estimate with any approach to accuracy, the loss to the country occasioned by this epidemic. It is to be reckoned by the hundred millions of dollars.’”[174] (Ellis 1992, 57.) (Ellis, John H. Yellow Fever & Public Health in the New South. Univ. Press of Kentucky, 1992. )
U.S. National Board of Health: “In the yellow-fever epidemic of 1878, which raged so fearfully and fatally at New Orleans, Memphis, Holly Springs, and Grenada, and extended far up the Ohio River, and to many other places, the actual loss to the people of the United States in the element of material wealth, to say nothing of impaired health and loss of human life, is variously estimated by those best informed on the subject at from $100,000,000 to $200,000,000.
“In his message to Congress, in December, 1878, Mr. Hayes said:
“The enjoyment of health by our people generally has, however, been interrupted, during the past season, by the prevalence of a fatal pestilence—the yellow fever—in some portions of the Southern States, creating an emergency which called for prompt and extraordinary measures of relief. The disease appeared as an epidemic at New Orleans and at other places on the Lower Mississippi soon after midsummer.
“It was rapidly spread by fugitives from the infected cities and towns, and did not disappear until early in November.
“The States of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee have suffered severely.
“About one hundred thousand cases are believed to have occurred, of which about twenty thousand, according to intelligent estimates, proved fatal.
“It is impossible to estimate, with any approach to accuracy, the loss to the country occasioned by this epidemic. It is reckoned by the hundred millions of dollars.”
“So gigantic in proportions and fatal in consequences was this epidemic that it produced general demoralization and panic, inducing all persons who could get away from the infected places to seek safety in flight, scattering throughout the country. Many of the fugitives were stricken down in other localities, thus spreading the disease over a large extent of country, producing a general state of apprehension and alarm, which prompted towns and villages, yet free from the pestilence, to establish shotgun quarantines for their protection, thus blocking the ordinary channels of communication and transportation, suspending commerce, and paralyzing the entire business of the country.
“The epidemic of 1879 at Memphis and New Orleans made its appearance before the National Board had been able to perfect its plans of prevention; though it is, in the opinion of the committee, doubtful whether that epidemic could have been prevented, as it is not certain whether it originated from germs of the epidemic of 1878 which had survived, or in fresh importation of the disease.
“But, under the rules and regulations adopted by the Board to deal with it, it was actually stamped out in New Orleans, and confined to the limits of Memphis; and, instead of the general demoralization and panic, with suspension of business, trade, and commerce, which pervaded the country in 1878, commerce and communication with the infected cities were regulated, not stopped, or even retarded to any considerable extent, and the general business of the country went on in its usual methods, and through its usual channels, without serious interruption. Instead of panic and alarm, confidence and a sense of security pervaded the country.” (U.S. National Board of Health. Annual Report of the National Board of Health, 1883. 1884, 211-212.)
Steam-Tug John D. Porter:
Keating: Saga of the Steam-tug John D. Porter: “For two months she, with two barges, moved up the Mississippi and Ohio rivers, a floating charnel-house, carrying death and destruction to nearly all who had anything to do with her. Twenty-three persons died on her from the time she left New Orleans until she anchored near Pittsburgh. From her the fever was taken to Gallipolis, Ohio, where out of 51 persons attacked, 31 died. When the Porter landed three miles below Gallipolis, on the morning of the 19th of August, the engineers refused to remain any longer at their post of duty. A strong guard was placed over the tug and her barges to prevent any one from landing from her. There were ten cases of fever on board at the time, three of them very ill…. Notwithstanding the guards, some of the crew went ashore, and were eventually followed by all the rest but two, who were too sick to leave. With these Dr. Carr, of the Board of Health of Cincinnati, remained, heroically refusing to leave his post of duty until one of them died and the other recovered. After this result, he went ashore at Gallipolis and did what he could for the plague-stricken people.” (Keating 1879, 95)
Alabama, Mobile:
“1878. Population 31,031. The first case was a negro who had been on an excursion to Biloxi, Miss., July 24, was attacked early in August and died August 16. The health officer certified to the Board of Trade, August 19, that ‘there was not a case of yellow fever in the city or country,’ and Montgomery raised the quarantine she had against Mobile. From August 16 to September 21, there were only 5 deaths, but early in October, deaths began increasing; B.B. Fort, of the Board of Trade dying October 14, at Spring Hill. A majority of the cases were in the extreme southern portion of the city. A slight frost fell in the suburbs, October 23, on which day there were reported 3 deaths, 5 new cases, and 41 under treatment…The death rate decreased until October 31, at which date [unreadable] deaths were reported. Last death, October 30. Total cases, 297; total deaths, 83.” (Augustin 1909, 444-445)
Arkansas, Little Rock:
Murtough: “….So rigid was the quarantine, and so healthy the city, and so energetic and complete were all possible sanitary precautions, that yellow fever could not secure a foothold. A little boy, a refugee from Memphis, effected an entrance, and died at a small peanut stand, where his parents lived. This was early in September….Quarantine was established against New Orleans, August 6th and against Memphis, August 16th. Two officers were placed on the St. L. & I. M. railroad, one at Belmont and the other at St. Louis, who were very strict, ex officers were placed on the St. L. & I. M. railroad, one at Belmont and the other at St. Louis, who were very strict, excising much vigilance and judgment in the performance of their duty. Health officers were also stationed at Poplar Bluff and Bismark. Over 100 Memphians were shut out of the city in one day. Many who entered on foot, by running the blockade, were driven out. A cordon of pickets surrounded the city day and night, comprising some of the best citizens. It was an iron-clad quarantine. The steamer Maumelle was stopped 12 miles below the city and ordered back to Memphis. The streets of the city were daily sprinkled with carbolic acid in lieu of water, streets, sewers, and alleys were thoroughly cleansed, lime and copperas scattered in great quantities, mail matter fumigated before allowed to enter the city; the board of health met every day, and we do not think a quarantine was ever more rigidly enforced, or a board of health ever labored more earnestly and energetically….About the 10th of September, Dr. E. T. Easley, one of their most prominent physicians, volunteered his services, and with thirty nurses sent to Memphis, where he, with twenty of the nurses, died in less than a month. She even quarantined against Louisville, Ky., on the 20th of September, but by the assurance of mayor and board of health of Louisville, was raised October 2d. The panic died out, and only in October were trains permitted to run from Memphis. Little Rock has shown the world that a real quarantine and careful cleanliness could prevent the march of yellow fever.” (Murtough, Peter. Condensed History of the Great Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1878…, 1879, pp. 56-57.)
Illinois, Cairo:
IL Dept. of Public Health: “In 1878, an outbreak of yellow fever in Cairo alarmed the state and led to quarantine measures that practically paralyzed traffic from the south….The highly fatal yellow fever epidemic worked its way north along the Mississippi River Valley, pausing in Hickman, Kentucky, prior to its arrival in Cairo in August.
“Wanting to prevent yellow fever from entering the state at Cairo, state and local health officials moved to institute a quarantine in late July 1878. The quarantine order was the first time the State Board of Health had tested its power to enact and enforce rules and regulations to preserve the public’s health. The levees were patrolled by armed guards and all steamers and trains from the south were visited by a physician. If all was well, the steamers and trains were allowed to enter the city.
“During the quarantine, a steamer from New Orleans landed in Cairo and discharged its crew members, one of whom died at a Cairo hospital on Aug. 12. In about a week, the steamer returned from St. Louis with several cases of yellow fever on board. Part of the crew again remained in Cairo and the steamer proceeded up the Ohio River.
“Ironically, yellow fever struck hard at the Cairo Bulletin, whose editor had been active in getting authorities to clean up the city and simultaneously trying to calm the fears of city residents. The father of the Bulletin’s publisher and later the paper’s editor and two printers died of the disease.
“Many residents left town and did not return until the disease seemed to abate in late September. The schools reopened on Sept. 30, 1878; however, they were soon closed again when yellow fever reappeared in October. On Oct. 6 and 7, six people died, including a public school teacher.
“Another exodus occurred, with about one-third of the city’s population fleeing. Business was suspended, except for those services deemed necessary for the people who remained at home. Those who left did not begin returning to Cairo until the latter part of October when a frost brought the outbreak to an end.
“A total of 80 cases, 62 of them fatalities, occurred during the yellow fever outbreak at Cairo. Five cases and three deaths occurred in Centralia, 100 miles north of Cairo, and a woman died at home in Rockford after contracting the disease in Decatur, Alabama.” (Illinois Department of Public Health. “124 Years Ago In ISPH History.” A Timeline of the Illinois Department of Public Health (website). Accessed 8-12-2013 at: http://www.idph.state.il.us/webhistory11.htm )
Louisiana, Baton Rouge:
Sep 2: “Baton Rouge, September 2, 1878. – Agent Associated Press: Eleven deaths have occurred here, four in the last twenty-four hours. There are many down sick and all business is stopped. Our financial resources are insufficient to relieve the distress, and we are compelled to ask the country to aid us…. [signed} Leon Dasteemenski, Mayor.” (Daily Constitution, Atlanta. “The Reign of Death.” 9-3-1878, 1.)
Louisiana, New Orleans:
Ellis: “On January 1, 1878, the New Orleans Daily Picayune devoted its editorial column to what the glancing reader might have taken to be the usual statement of New Year’s wishes. IT began with the customary expressions of hope that the new year would bring prosperity and general well-being to the city. Then, in a sudden shift of mood, the writer turned to more somber prospects.
We know that some who are in the enjoyment of robust health will {before the year is out} be on beds of sickness. We know that some who now glow with the brightness and hopes of youth will be done with time and the things of time before this year’s tale of days is fully told….We know that infants, nestling to-day on fond bosoms, will, a year hence, be holy memories. We know that some voices of mothers that wish happiness to children to-day will not be heard next new year’s day. We know that some fathers, now full of bright expectations and happy hopes, will not hold their children in their arms after this new year is gone….We know that this year must be just such another year, and that our wishes cannot help it. Here is a lesson for such of us as reason and mediate while we trust and hope. (Ellis 1992, 37.)
“….The sole protection of New Orleans and the lower Mississippi Valley from yellow fever lay in the quarantine service of the Louisiana State Board of Health. After the cholera and yellow fever epidemics in 1873, the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce petitioned the federal government to ‘assume by law the exclusive control of all quarantine.’[175] During the next five years certain southern representatives in Congress led a movement to secure the enactment of such a law. On April 29, 1878, President Rutherford B. Hayes signed the Quarantine Act of 1878, which assigned specific responsibilities to the surgeon general of the U.S. Marine Hospital Service. But the weak law made no appropriation for any governmental activity, and it prohibited federal infringement on the prerogatives of state and local health authorities.”[176] (Ellis 1992, 37)
“….There is, of course, no way of knowing how or when the yellow fever virus was introduced into New Orleans in 1878. From January through April of that year 504 vessels cleared the Mississippi Quarantine Station. Information was received as early as February that yellow fever prevailed in the Brazilian ports of Santos and Rio de Janeiro, and the following month it was learned that a virulent form of the disease existed in Havana, Cuba. Near the end of March the board of health ordered Dr. [P.S.] Carrington to detain all vessels from infected ports for fumigation, disinfection, and inspection. The first two procedures were accomplished by burning posts of sulphur in the holds and by flushing the bilges with carbolic acid. If illness resembling yellow fever was detected in a crewman or passenger, that person was to be immediately hospitalized in the station infirmary. The remaining ship’s complement was then to be placed under observation while all bedding and baggage were treated with carbolic acid solution. The time involved in a ship’s detention was left to the discretion of the resident physician. One member of the board of health maintained later that the quarantine of 1878 was as rigid as any in New Orleans’s history. During April, however, Dr. Choppin[177] allowed vessels in the fruit trade to proceed to the city without detention, and uniform inspection of all shipping was not begun until May 15. The end of the Ten Years’ War (1868-78) in Cuba brought hundreds of refugees to the Crescent City. Writing many years later, the junior quarantine officer, Dr. Patton, recalled that ‘during the months of April and May a steady stream of people from Havana, where yellow fever was on the increase, poured into New Orleans by several lines of steamers.’[178]” (Ellis, 38)
“….On June 1 the Souder left New Orleans for Havana, and its berth was immediately occupied by the steam tug Charlie B. Woods. Captain Woods, the tug’s master, and his engineer, a man names Cavens, lived with their families at 120 and 122 Constance Street, respectively. On June 15 Miss Laura Cammack at 124 Constance Street became ill, and she was diagnosed by a Creole practitioner as having malarial fever. Between early June and mid-July, apparently, every member of the Woods and Cavens families except Captain Woods was stricken by some illness, yet all recovered. After being called to attend Cavens himself on July 16, Dr. Joseph Jones, a prominent New Orleans physician and member of the board of health, was summoned to Miss Cammack’s house next door to see a sick child. Within a few days the child died, displaying the classic signs of yellow fever. On July 11 Dr. Samuel Merrifield Bemiss, a faculty colleague of Jones’s and the senior editor of the New Orleans Medical and Surgical Journal, attended a four-year-old child at 155 Constance. Bemiss learned that four days before, the child had visited in a house on the corner of Treme and Conti streets, two squares from the house on Claiborne where Clark had died on May 25. Bemiss diagnosed the child’s illness as yellow fever and reported the case to the board of health on July 12. Presumably, this was the first official report of a case of yellow fever in New Orleans in 1878. Ye in a subsequent presentation of the case to the Orleans Parish Medical Society, Dr. Bemiss stated that on July 18, in consultation with Dr. Choppin, he changed his diagnosis to hemorrhagic malarial fever. That same day, following black vomit and convulsions, the child died.”[179] (Ellis 1992, p. 40.)
Murtough: “….Population, 239,378. Is the largest city in the State and ninth in size in the United States….On the 23d day of May, 1878, the ship Emily B. Souder arrived at quarantine below New Orleans, having called in at Havana during her trip. Upon her arrival, Dr. Carrington, the quarantine officer, after making an examination, telegraphed Dr. Choppin, President of Board of Health, as follows: ‘The Souder has a case of intermittent [fever] on board. What shall I do?’ Dr. Choppin replied: ‘Fumigate and disinfect the ship, and satisfy yourself of the character of the disease, before you let her up.’ The sick man was placed in quarantine hospital and finally recovered. The Souder, after five hours detention, and disinfected with sulphur burned in pans, was permitted to go up to the city. Soon after arrival in the city Mr. Clark, the purser, was taken ill, and Dr. Drew, of Pilot Town, who had taken passage at that point, was called to treat the case. The physician did not consider this a case of yellow fever, as he signed the certificate of death, ‘intermittent fever.’ This case was not reported to the Board of Health. Mr. Elliott, the second engineer of the Souder, was taken sick, and after a day or two was removed to the Hotel Dieu, where he soon died. After death this case was reported to the Board of Health, and Dr. Choppin and others made a post-mortem examination, and gave their views that the case was yellow fever. Here was a ship which touched at an infected port, had three cases of sickness, two of whom died, and one case pronounced yellow fever, and yet some contend that the germ was not brought to New Orleans by the ship….Dr. Wm. G. Austen, after giving the case much investigation, writes: ‘I am of the opinion that the ship brought the fever to our city.’ For nearly two months after this, if fever existed in the city, it was of such a mild nature as not to attract attention….
“It is stated that some of the fish dealers, having had their clearance papers made out from an uninfected port, afterwards touched at an infected port, and in this way came to the city and spread the fever.
“About the same time the schooner Wilhelmina, from Galveston, ran the blockade at the Rigoletts without receiving a permit from the quarantine authorities at the station. The President of the Board was notified, and the sheriff seized the vessel and carried her back to quarantine. This vessel had two sick persons on board who were taken to Charity Hospital. Both of these cases died of fever.
“On the 21st of May, 1878, the steamship Borassia, from Liverpool, touched at Havana and arrived at Mississippi quarantine station with yellow fever on board, five cases of whom were transferred to the quarantine hospital, three of whom died. She was detained eleven days and was fumigated with sulphur before being allowed to pass up to the city…no other cases were reported at the hospital until July 28th. On that day the schooner F. L. Richardson, from Matanzas, arrived with a crew of eight men, two cases of fever and one death….
“Dr. Jos. Jones reports that the first case after the Souder cases that came under his notice, was one which occurred on Constance street, June 30th. The disease commenced o develop in various portions of the city about this time, not confining itself to the low and filthy portions, but some of the healthiest and most cleanly streets presenting cases. On the 24th of July, the following communication was sent:
New Orleans, July 24, 1878.
Dr. J. M. Woodworth, Surgeon-General Marine Hospital Service, Washington, D.C.:
Sir – It now becomes my duty to report the existence of yellow fever in New Orleans. About the 12th inst. cases began to occur in the practice of several of our physicians near the intersection of Constance and Terpsichore street, which presented suspicious symptoms, and we now reckon fourteen cases at that focus of infection, with six deaths. It addition to those, seven other cases have come to light at different points, and much more scattered, four of which have already resulted fatally.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
Samuel Choppin, M.D.,
President of Board of Health.” (Murtough 1879, pp. 67-70)
Ellis: “In New Orleans…the fever continued to spread along Constance Street, and on July 24 the Louisiana State Board of Health announced publicly that seven out of fourteen cases of yellow fever had terminated fatally….The most disconcerting fact, however, was that the majority of early cases and deaths occurred among young children in a comparatively clean portion of the city.[180] Within a few days of this shocking disclosure, an unprecedented panic ensued, during which about 40,000 persons out of a population of approximately 211,000 fled the city. According to a physician eyewitness, New Orleans people ‘were taught that their children born in the city could not have yellow fever. Why? They did not know it, bu they believed it. But when they saw their infants, their boys and young girls dying with symptoms similar to those of foreigners…who die of yellow fever…they were seized by such a panic…as to cause an exodus unheard of in the history of the epidemics of New Orleans.’[181] (Ellis 1992, pp. 41-42)
Murtough: “Early in August the fever began spreading rapidly through the city and vicinity, and throughout all of September and most of October raged furiously, attracting by its terrible death roll the attention of this and many foreign nations. From all quarters, physicians, nurses, and supplies came, but not until the advent of frost did the disease quietly diminish. Total cases were, 21,234; total deaths, 4039. Date of last death, November 21st….” (Murtough 1879, pp. 67-70.)
Mississippi — General
Nuwer: “The story of the Mississippi State Board of Health is one of frustration and powerlessness, as Mississippians resented government control even as they expected help from government agencies. As the death toll mounted throughout the epidemic, the state health board issued numerous circulars on disinfectants as well as the board’s rules for recording yellow fever cases and deaths….Mississippi’s board of health had no quarantine power at all. Mississippi lagged behind its sister state [Louisiana] in regard to organized health care from a government agency and in quarantine regulations as both states simultaneously experienced the epidemic.” (Nuwer. Plague Among the Magnolias. 2009, pp. xi-xii.)
Power (Masons Relief): “The suddenness and violence with which the yellow fever seized upon the western side of our State, left but little time for preparation t battle with the terrible scourge. Over quarantine lines and into atmosphere odorous of disinfectants, the yellow plague marched at will, leaving terror, destitution and death, in its track. Many of our people, who dould do so, fled before its approach, but thousands were unable thus to go to places of safety. For these, relief must be provided as far as human agency could afford it. With business generally suspended, stores closed, and the people of the infected towns shut off from intercourse with the outside world, the situation was such as to excite the gloomiest apprehensions of all who remained within the fever belt. The pestilence begun its work so early and became so general, that three months or more must elapse before our section could be restored to its wonted health, and business resume its accustomed channels. Every day seemed a week, every week a month, and every month a year. Verily, we knew not what a day might bring forth.” (Power. The Epidemic of 1878 in Mississippi: Report of the Yellow Fever Relief Work… 1879, p. 3 extract from Annual Report of Grand Secretary, Jackson, MS, 1-10-1879.)
Mississippi, Greenville:
The World (NYC) Sep 4: “Greenville, Miss., September 4. – Nineteen new cases of yellow fever and nineteen deaths are reported today. Many of the poor are in a destitute condition. Nurses and physicians are needed.” (The World. “The South’s Desolation.” 9-5-1878, p. 1, c. 6.)
Mississippi, Grenada:
Ellis: “The fever broke out in Vicksburg on August 9, and three days later it appeared in the small north Mississippi railroad town of Grenada. There, as nearly half of the 2,200 inhabitants fled, town officials threw open the jail and released the prisoners. During the ensuing horrible epidemic, there were approximately 1,050 cases and 350 deaths. A woman who was one of the last persons to flee Grenada in late August described the awful scene: ‘The plague spread with terrible rapidity. The dead were buried in the clothes in which they died. Sometimes the hearse hurried away leaving the remains above ground, no grave being dug. Food was painfully scarce. For over a week I had eaten only bread. The atmosphere was heavy with poison. It could be fairly tasted in the air, and it was impossible to remove it with disinfectants.’”[182] (Ellis 1992, 43.)
Sep 4: “The Howard Association received the following dispatch from Grenada, Miss., today: ‘There have been twenty deaths in the last six hours….Send bread, canned meats and vegetables for nurses. Warren Stone, M.D….
Grenada, Miss., September 4. – Since last night’s reports twelve new cases and eight deaths – one negro and seven whites….There is no abatement of the fever.” (The World, NYC. “The South’s Desolation.” 9-5-1878, p. 1, col. 6.)
Sep 5: “Grenada, September 5 – The situation is heart rending. There were eight deaths today…There no longer remains a house in Grenada that has not been visited by the destroyer.” (Daily Constitution, Atlanta. “Grenada. Eight Deaths Yesterday.” 9-6-1878, p. 1, col. 4.)
“Grenada, September 5. – Ten deaths in the last 24 hours…” (Daily Constitution, Atlanta. “Grenada. Ten Deaths.” 9-6-1878, p. 1, col. 4.)
Mississippi, Holly Springs:
Sep 4: “Holly Springs, Miss., September 4. – Over sixty cases of yellow fever and six deaths are reported today. The stores are all closed, and people who can get away have gone. There is great need of nurses and physicians. The physicians are broken down. Two of them are sick with fever. Many cases will die today. Gloom, despair and death rule the hour. This situation is simply appalling. The outside world are appealed to for help. The telegraph operators are gong to leave.” (The World, NYC. “The South’s Desolation.” 9-5-1878, p. 1, col. 6.)
Mississippi, Port Gibson:
Sep 2: “New Orleans, September 2. – The following has just been received:
“Port Gibson, Miss., September 2, 1878 – To Associated Press; There have been four hundred cases and fifty-five deaths out of five hundred and fifty persons remaining in town. About twelve hundred have fled. The distress is very great. The sick are dying without anyone to give them a drink of water. Some nurses are on the way from New Orleans and Chicago. Help and funds are needed. Signed, Jas. A. Gage, President, Howard Association.” (Daily Constitution, Atlanta. “The Reign of Death.” 9-3-1878, 1.)
Mississippi, Vicksburg:
Sep 4: “Jackson, Miss., Sept. 4….Nearly 2,000 persons are prostrated in Vicksburg. In Port Gibson there are 460 cases to date….” (The World. “The South’s Desolation.” 9-5-1878, p. 1.)
Sep 5: “Vicksburg, September 5. – Today has been the gloomiest known in Vicksburg, interments being 43. The new cases are estimated at 180.” (Daily Constitution, Atlanta. “Shrouded in Woe.” 9-6-1878, p. 1, col. 4.)
Sep 6: “Vicksburg, September 6 – Dr. P. F. Whitehead died this morning. Dr. A. A Green, colored, died today. The sexton has orders for 38 interments up to 12 this evening. God knows where it will stop…Everybody is appalled.” (Daily Constitution, Atlanta. “Vicksburg. Thirty Eight Deaths.” 9-6-1878, p. 1, col. 4.)
Tennessee, Brownsville:
Sep 5: “Brownsville, September 5 – The yellow fever is of the most virulent character and kills people very soon after they are attacked. Not a single case so far has recovered….Numerous…cases, all originating here, are afflicted with this dreadful disease. There have been thirteen burials up to last night….The prospect, this morning, is very gloomy. Everybody is alarmed and people have fled…Brownsville asks her friends for help. Nobody left in the city but the poorer classes and negroes…” (Daily Constitution, Atlanta. “Brownsville. Of the Most Virulent Character.” 9-6-1878, p. 1, col. 4.)
Tennessee, Memphis:
Ellis: “The Memphis board of health was…aware of yellow fever’s presence in Havana, and on June 3 its president, Dr. Robert W. Mitchell, informed the other four members that he intended to ask the city council for funds to establish quarantine. Immediately, the quarantine issue created a rift between Mitchell and the other two medical officers of the board, which came to involve contagionist and anticontagionist factions among local physicians.[183] Later that month Mitchell submitted a petition to the city council bearing the signatures of twenty leading merchants that called for an emergency appropriation of ten thousand dollars for a strict quarantine program. The Memphis Daily Appeal endorsed the petition editorially on July 2, but within a few days the council received an anti-quarantine counter-petition signed by thirty-two local physicians. Despite strong support by Mayor John R. Flippin, the quarantine petition was defeated in council on the ground that the weight of medical opinion opposed it.[184] Dr. Mitchell resigned on July 10, stating publicly that the signatures on the doctors’ counter-petition had been solicited by his medical colleagues on the board of health. ‘It is my earnest and honest conviction,’ he added, ‘that should we ever have yellow fever again, it will be our own fault in not taking the known necessary precautions against it.’[185] (Ellis 1992, p. 41.)
“….The receipt of official word in Memphis on July 27 confirming the presence of yellow fever in New Orleans produced an excitement in the city, according to the Daily Appeal, ‘beggaring anything we have experienced since 1873.’[186] That day Mayor Flippin issued a proclamation ordering the establishment of a quarantine station on President’s Island just downriver from the city. Two days later the board of health appointed one of the doctors who signed the anti-quarantine petition to the post of quarantine physician at a salary of three hundred dollars per month. The mayor also designated all policemen as sanitary officers, and the city council made an emergency appropriation of eight thousand dollars to purchase carbolic acid for disinfection purposes. Some leading merchants hastily organized a voluntary Citizens’ Sanitary Commission to assist the board of health and the city government. By August 8 its members raised six thousand dollars to employ quarantine detectives on railroads entering the city and obtain a cannon for enforcement purposes at the quarantine station on President’s Island.”[187] (Ellis p. 42.)
“On the same day the fever broke out in Hickman [KY, Aug 13], the Memphis board of health announced the death of Kate Bionda…as ‘undoubtedly a case of yellow fever.’ John McLeod Keating, editor of the Memphis Daily Appeal, described vividly the wild exodus of terror-stricken residents: ‘Stores and offices were hastily closed….Men, women, and children poured out of the city b every possible avenue of escape…Out by every possible conveyance – by hack, by carriages, buggies, wagons, furniture vans, and street drays; away by batteaux, by anything that would float on the river; and by the railroads…The stream of passengers seemed to be endless and they seemed to be as mad as they were many. The ordinary courtesies of life were ignored; politeness gave way to selfishness and the desire for personal safety broke through all the social amenities.’[188] Among the estimated twenty-five thousand persons who fled Memphis within the space of four days were some who carried the disease to nearby communities. In numerous instances fugitives were turned back on the outskirts of small towns and villages by equally terrified residents armed with shotguns and Winchesters. Driven from the roads at gunpoint, these unfortunates sought what shelter they could find in nearby woods.[189] Other refugees traveled to St. Louis, Louisville, Cincinnati, and points north, while still others made their way to Chattanooga and Atlanta. It was later estimated that between August 1 and the end of October Atlanta received about three thousand refugees…” (Ellis 1992, 43-44.)
Caplinger: “When New Orleans newspapers reported an epidemic in late July, Memphis officials established checkpoints at major points of entry into the city.[190] The efforts at quarantine[191] were not extensive enough, though…by August 13 the first death was reported in the city itself.[192] With the horrors of the 1873 epidemic fresh on their minds, roughly 25,000 residents fled the city within two weeks.”
“Fleeing Memphians encountered quarantines throughout the South….But like the attempts at quarantine in Memphis, most of these efforts were not thorough enough. Hardest hit were the Tennessee towns along the various railroads leading out of Memphis. Germantown, Moscow, Milan, Collierville, Paris, Brownsville, Martin, and LaGrange each experienced staggering losses relative to the size of their communities. Traveling along the Memphis and Charleston Railroad, the fever even spread to a swampy slum district of Chattanooga, causing 8,000 of the city’s residents to flee.” (Caplinger 2009)
Ellis: “By August 17, following the tumultuous exodus from Memphis, about twenty thousand people remained in the city. Of these, approximately fourteen thousand were blacks, and the great majority of whites were the poorest Irish….A Citizen’s Relief Committee made up of merchants, bankers, and professional men…was organized to distribute food, clothing, and other necessities. The committee appealed to the War Department for military rations and…tents and, when the supplies arrived, set up evacuation camps outside the city limits. Only a small number of blacks and Irish could be persuaded to evacuate, however. Many of the former believed they were immune to the fever, and only four hundred of the latter entered Camp Father Matthew, which operated under the prohibition rules of the Catholic Total Abstinence Union. Altogether, Camp Joe Williams, Camp Duffy, Camp Wright, and Camp Father Matthew sheltered and fed approximately 1,300 persons during the ensuing epidemic.[193]
“Within a week the unusually malignant yellow fever virus virtually exploded in a densely populated section along Alabama Street and in the area between Washington and Jackson streets west of Bayou Gayoso. The board of health declared the existence of an epidemic on August 23 as the fever spread…to the southwest part of town known as Fort Pickering.[194]
“….By the last of August circumstances in Memphis grew more desperate by the day. Public drunkenness and violence were on the rise, and amid the general disruption, the city lay open to theft and looting. In an effort to maintain order and protect property, the Citizens’ Relief Committee wisely appointed blacks to its membership, enlisted the services of black military organizations, and saw to the appointments of black men to the depleted city police force. At a timely moment the threat of lawlessness abated when a black Zouave shot and killed a would-be looter.[195] But the threat of starvation in the stricken city remained. At the first news of the fever, other communities invoked quarantine against Memphis. Within days the city was sealed off from the outside world, and business stopped completely….” (Ellis 46-48.)
Sep 2: “Memphis, September 2….The fever continues without abatement….The undertakers report forty-eight fever interments up to noon, and the indications are that the death list will be as large as yesterday.
“A number of negroes, some of them drunk, assembled before the commissary department this morning, and becoming riotous, made a rush for the door. They were kept back by the colored militia on guard, but a second attempt being made, the guards fired, killing one negro. The doors were then closed, and General Luke E. Wright spoke to th crowd, restoring quiet for the time being. The committee is doing all in its power to supply the people with food, but some of the negroes are dissatisfied with the manner in which rations are issued, and further trouble is feared.
“Memphis, September 2. – Alf Watson, the negro shot by the guard at the commissary depot and reported killed, is not dead but badly wounded….Some negro agitators have been talking to the colored people, but by prompt action of Major Wm. Willis and other members of the citizens’ relief committee, they were arrested this evening and put in the station house, and no fears of further trouble are felt. Great difficulty is being experienced in getting carpenters to make coffins for the pauper dead and dig graves…” (Daily Constitution, Atlanta. “The Reign of Death.” 9-3-1878, p. 1, col. 6.)
Sep 3: “Special Dispatch to the New-York Times.
Memphis, Sept. 3. – The atmosphere is heavy with the stench of dead bodies. Several corpses were found to-day, and no one was able to tell where or how they died. It is impossible to describe the condition of affairs here. Four dead men were found in the streets before noon to-day in different parts of this city. There is some improvement in the movements of the undertakers since the Citizens’ Relief Burial Corps have taken maters in hand, and to-day the number of interments was larger than on any previous day. The number of new cases and deaths to-day are considerably less. Destitution and want are on the increase. White persons, who cannot stand all day in the clamorous crowd of negroes that throng the delivery windows of the supply depots, are suffering for provisions. Hundreds who have sick families cannot leave them long enough to procure food, and it is next to impossible to get any one to attend to their wants….
“…Hundreds of the dead are reported at the Health Office to have had to attending physicians or to have been deserted by their nurses….
“The new cases to-day number 70 – whites 48; negroes, 22. The deaths number 86….
“Father William Walsh, of St. Patrick’s Church, sends forth the following:
I appeal to all Catholic societies for aid. Three priests alone remain; all the others are dead or sick. Three hundred lives have been saved at the Father Matthew camp. Arrangements are being made to provide for the orphans.
“The following is from the Colored Preachers Aid Society:
To the Colored People of the United States, Especially of the North:
Our people are suffering, dying, and destitute. For heaven’s sake, relieve us all you can by sending us means! We are not able to bury our dead, or to nurse and feed the sick and destitute. The most of us have no employment, as all business is suspended. Send us contributions of money or provisions speedily.
(New York Times. “Fatal Work at Memphis.” 9-4-1878, 1.)
Ellis: “The War Department responded Quickly to the Citizens’ Relief Committee’s appeal for rations. But when they arrived, thousands of hungry blacks from the nearby countryside surrounded the distribution depot in a threatening manner, and only by bluff and luck were the committee’s officers able to avert a riot.[196] (Ellis 1992, 48)
Sep 4: “Memphis, September 4. – Our city at present is one vast charnel-house. The undertakers report ninety-six interments for the twenty-four hours ending at 6 o’clock this evening. Of these ninety-three deaths were cause by yellow fever: seventy-six were white and twenty colored. A visit to the county undertaker’s establishment today brought out the fact that at nightfall there were about sixty more reported dead and still unburied. The question of disposing of the dead is becoming a serious one. The Citizens’ Relief Committee has employed a burial corps of thirty negroes to assist the county undertaker and his men and I has even been suggested to burn the dead if they cannot be buried more promptly, as corpses are known to have lain unburied for forth-eight hours, burdening the air with foul odors and becoming so revolting that people have fled the neighborhood, and it is with difficulty that men can be hired to haul them to Potter’s Field.
“Dr. W. R. Hodges and Postmaster Thompson died this morning at 4 o’clock. Mayor Flipper, A. R. Droescher, Sergeant-at-Arms of the General Council, and City Tax-Collector Schafer are down with fever. A. F. C. Cook, a Howard visitor, was taken down this afternoon. Dr. D. F. Goodyear, President of the Common Council, is Acting Mayor.
“A false report has gone forth that all the banks were about to close….
“Major Wm. Willis, of the Citizens’ Committee, says that salt meats and flour are most needed for the destitute, who are being fed by the Citizens’ Relief Committee. The drain upon the various relief organizations is very great…in addition to attending to the sick and destitute there were several calls for relief from the adjacent towns, which have been promptly responded to. “A panic was caused at Colliersville, in this county, yesterday by the death of two citizens, as was supposed, by yellow fever. The town has been almost depopulated….” (The World. “The South’s Desolation.” 9-5-1878, p. 1, col. 6.)
Sep 5: “Washington, September 5 – Secretary McCrary today authorized the issuance of forty thousand rations to the yellow fever sufferers at Memphis.” (Daily Constitution, Atlanta. “Forth Thousand Rations.” 9-6-1878, p. 1, col. 3.)
Sep 6: “Memphis, September 6 – Very few physicians are making reports. There were 92 interments: whites 61; colored, 31; yellow fever deaths 89.” (Daily Constitution, Atlanta. “Ninety-Two Interments.” 9-6-1878, p. 1, col. 3.)
Ellis: “….During the first week of September, the city government and board of health ceased to function. Among officials who had not fled, Mayor Flippin; chief of police Philip Athey; Dr. Dudley Saunders, who replaced Dr. Robert Mitchell as president of the board of health; and nearly the entire police force were stricken. Meanwhile, the ranks of priests and nuns as well as physicians and nurses, many of them volunteers from all over the nation, were being winnowed by the fever….The epidemic peaked in the next two weeks as deaths averaged nearly two hundred per day. Victims were struck down so rapidly that many received no medical attention whatever. Hundreds died alone – in several instances whole families – and lay unburied for days. Howard [Assoc.] visitors, physicians, and priests found bodies that were badly decomposed, other corpses that had been partially eaten by rats, and, in one instance, an infant sucking at the breast of its dead mother. Despite the efforts of the Citizens’ Relief Committee, whose members obtained authority to issue burial certificates, the delay in burying the dead produced the worst horrors of the epidemic. Coffins and rude boxes containing corpses were stacked like cordwood on city streets awaiting transportation to Elmwood Cemetery, where black men worked day and night for premium pay digging individual and mass graves.[197]
(Ellis 1992, 48, 50.)
Caplinger: “The fever raged in Memphis until mid-October, infecting over 17,000 and killing 5,150. Over 90 percent of whites who remained contracted yellow fever, and roughly 70 percent of these died. Long thought to be immune to the disease, blacks contracted the fever in large numbers as well in 1878, although only 7 percent…died….” (Caplinger 2009.)
History.com: “An average of 200 people died every day through September.[198] There were corpses everywhere and near continual ringing of funeral bells. Half of the city’s doctors died.” (History.com. This Day in History, Disaster, Aug 13, 1878.)
Keating: “The announcement of thirty-three new cases on the 16th [Aug] confirmed most of those who were willing to take their chances that an epidemic threatened, and a hegira ensued, which increased the feeling that inspired it, until at last the whole population was precipitated into a panic, surpassing all powers of description, and which deadened all human sympathy, all the kindlier emotions of the human heart, all feeling of kinship, all regard for neighborly claims, and in some cases all natural affection….Business was almost as suddenly stopped as the fever began. Stores and offices were hastily closed. Sauve qui peut was the order of the day. The future, which only a few short weeks before seemed so bright, was forgotten in dread of the pestilence, which, in the brief space of forty-eight hours had claimed fifty-five victims. Men, women, and children poured out of the city by every possible avenue of escape….Men, refused admittance to the cars [rail], took forcible possession of them, making such an exhibit of will, backed by arms, as deterred even the few policemen present from any interference…. Some of them carrying with them the seeds of the disease….” (Keating 1879, 107-108)
“To the cities of the far north and the far west they fled, too many of them to die on the way, like dogs, neglected and shunned…carrying dismay to those who even then were busying themselves for the relief of the stricken cities of the South. In less than ten days, by the 24th of August, twenty-five thousand people had left the city, and, in two weeks after, five thousand others were in camp, leaving a little less than twenty thousand to face consequences they could not escape. Some had walked away, having no means to pay for transportation, and, in Arkansas, many were forced to leave the trains and camp in the forest, unprepared as they were for a mode of living which not even the hardiest can encounter without risk to health and life. Shot-gun quarantines were by this time (the 26th of August) established at nearly all points in the interior, as well as upon the river; and without leave, license, or law, trade was embargoed and travel prohibited. For the sake of humanity, men became inhuman.” (Keating 1879, 108-109)
“A time came when the care of…little ones was as great an anxiety to the few who were left to manage affairs as the burial of the dead. The asylums were already full, and their inmates were bearing their share of the awful burden of death [recent orphans]. The people of Nashville kindly and generously volunteered their aid. They took the children, and the relieved citizens turned their attention to the unburied bodies that were emitting the most noisome stenches, death-breeding and death-dealing. Some of these were found in a state little better than a lot of bones in a puddle of green water.” (Keating 1879, 111)
“The police were cut down from forty-one to seven. Their ranks were recruited, and again were thinned. They were a second and a third time filled up, and yet death was relentless…. The fire department was cut down to thirteen. One by one they fell, dying at their posts; yet those who remained were always ready, with their comrades of the police force, to protect and save the lives and property of their fellow citizens.” (Keating 1879, 112)
“…petty thieving prevailed as an epidemic. This was, however, principally confined to food and clothing, and wood or coal…” (Keating 1879, 112)
On October 26 the first church services in Memphis “in ten weeks were held at the Central Baptist Church” of Memphis. (Keating, 1879, 439)
A “contagion of kindness passed beyond the limits of our own country, and France…England, too, and Germany, were early in the field; and from India and Australia, as from South America, contributions poured in… Hundreds of men and women volunteered as nurses, who were destined to a speedy death. They poured in from all the States…Northern and Western men and women…had hardly begun their work ere they fell victims… They went down so fast that the medical director of the Howard Association, Dr. Mitchell, felt called upon to admonish them as they arrived of their liability, and gave them the option of returning to their homes. In but few instances did they go back…. A long line of graves in Elmwood Cemetery tells the story of their fidelity to a mission that was one purely of mercy and loving kindness…” (Keating 1879, 116)
History.com: “The epidemic ended with the first frost in October, but by that time, 20,000 people in the Southeast had died and another 80,000 had survived infection. In the aftermath, open sewers and privies were cleaned up, destroying the breeding grounds for mosquitoes and preventing further epidemics.” (History.com. This Day in History, Disaster, Aug 13, 1878.)
Caplinger: “Long after cold weather brought relief from the fever, Memphis still felt the effects of the epidemic…. The fever also contributed to substantial declines in the Irish and German communities as well as the general population. Despite all the horrors, however, the impact of yellow fever on Memphis was not all negative. Leaders of the black community were able to use their numerical advantage during the fever to place blacks on the police force as patrolmen for the first time in the city’s history.” (Caplinger, Christopher. “Yellow Fever Epidemics.” The Tennessee Encyclopedia of History and Culture.)
PBS: “The total cost was estimated at one hundred million dollars, making it the most costly epidemic the country had ever known.” (PBS, The Great Fever, 2006.) In 2000 dollars this equates to $1.8 billion dollars. Blanchard (using Sahr CPI Converter).
Keating: Saga of state of fear of yellow-fever: “While there, among others, his attention [Dr. Carr] was called to a case of yellow fever ten miles out from the place, and in company with a resident physician, he rode out in a buggy to the house of a small farmer by the name of Buck, or Burke, whose son was the victim. Dr. Carr arrived at the place after night-fall, and found the farmer sitting at a watch-fire of pine-knots in front of his domicile, afraid to enter it, lest he should catch the fever. The doctor made known the object of his visit. The man was glad to see him, for he said that all the rest of the family had gone, scared away by his boy’s horrible sickness. He thought his boy was dead, for he had not heard him for several hours, and did not dare enter the house. While they were talking a groan was heard in the house. Dr. Carr took a brand and entered and following the directions of the father, found the bedroom, but not the patient. The place was in a state of disorder, and was filthy. An abominable stench pervaded it, and the three ground floor rooms were smeared all over with black vomit and other unutterable excreta of the wretched victim. It was a sickening sight. Dr. Carr came out and told the father that the young man was not inside. ‘He must be in there somewhere,’ replied the man, ‘for I heard him grown just now.’ Dr. Carr replenished his light and reentered, and after a careful search found what he thought at first was a negro, covered with black and filthy clothing, in a dirty corner behind the cooking-stove. It was the wretched, abandoned, and dying youth, covered with filth, who, in his delirium and search for water, had crawled all over the dirty floors of the cabin, and, finally exhausted, sank down in the corner to die. Dr. Carr learned that for twenty-four hours no one had been near the poor wretch. His own flesh forsook him and fled, and there he suffered and died in a manner that freezes one’s blood to think of. Such was the dread which the pestilence originated, and such the fearful condition of brutal indifference to all but self, which it in many instances developed.” (Keating 1879, 95-96)
Murtough: “The dead cannot be buried, and numbers of bodies are festering where they die, while others will be laid out of doors in heir coffins to await the time when they can be interred. From one house three dead children were put in one box to be carried beyond the city limits, in hopes that to-morrow may give them a common grave. The weather is very inclement, and we know to-morrow will be worse than to-day. No affliction has ever been known in this broad land equal to that which now oppresses this stricken and apparently doomed city. Citizens, visitors, physicians, and nurses, none escape. All wagons of every description found on the streets without a load were pressed into service to carry off the dead.
“Our city at present is one vast charnel house. The undertakers report ninety-six interments for the twenty-four hours ending at six o’clock this evening [no indication of date]. Of these ninety-three deaths were caused by yellow fever….A visit to the county undertaker’s establishment to-day brought out the fact that at nightfall there were about sixty more reported dead and still unburied. The question of disposing of the dead is becoming a serious one. The Citizens Relief Committee has employed a burial corps of thirty negroes to assist the county undertaker and his men, and it has even been suggested to burn the dead if they can not be buried more promptly, as corpses are known to have lain unburied for forty-eight hours, burdening the air with odors, and becoming so revolting that people have fled the neighborhood. It is with difficulty that men can be hired to haul them to the potter’s field.” (p. 19.)
“The startling discovery was made that the city sextons had been re-opening vaults containing yellow fever corpses for the accommodation of the more recent dead….” (p. 20.)
“Here near the Peabody Hotel the coffins are piled up along the street just as the bales of cotton are obstructing Broad street in Columbus. All stores are closed except druggists’ and undertakers’ stores….” (p. 21.)
“….Population 56,000….within, the quiet bosom is disturbed by the turbid waves of the filthy and polluted Bayou Gayoso, dealing death and destruction while it flows onward and northward to empty its cesspools of corruption into the Mississippi above the city. During summer it ceases to flow, becoming the natural receptacle of sewers, sinks, vaults, and all manner of disease-breeding materials, which, being exposed to the rays of a burning sun, generate miasm throughout its meanderings. That great arch-humbug, the Nicholson pavement, with miles of decayed and decaying vegetable matter, saturated with the percolation of every species of animal and vegetable accumulations, reeking with pestilential germs held in abeyance until fully death-armed with kindred cohorts from other points, fell with maddened, fevered fury upon the heads of the people….
“The most rigid quarantine was advocated early in July by that great hero, Dr. R. W. Mitchell. His views being rejected by the municipal authorities, he resigned. On the 27th of July, the steamer John D. Porter from New Orleans, with several cases of fever on board, was prohibited from landing, the authorities having been notified by telegram from Vicksburg. She continued up stream, her crew suffering and dying en route, until decimated and disbanded at Gallipolis, Ohio, where much consternation and several deaths occurred. A few days after this the steamer Golden Crown, with several cases of fever on board, was not permitted to land. Two members of Pat Winters’ family were passengers on this boat, and it is said that above Memphis, a boat from St. Louis was met and they were transferred, and in some manner were smuggled into Memphis, scattering the infection…
“July 30, 1878, the Board of Health established a quarantine station on President’s Island, a few miles below the city…August 1st, all articles by express from infected points, except money, mails and personal apparel, were prohibited. On the same day a sick man, William Warne, a stranger, applied…and was admitted to the hospital, August 2d. Late that afternoon Dr. Thornton, the hospital physician, reported to Dr. John H. Erskine, of the Board of Health, that he thought it was a case of yellow fever. This case resulted in death Saturday, August 3d. The second case was reported August 4. Friday, August 9th, Mrs. Kate Bionda, who lived at No. 212 Front street, was taken sick. She died Tuesday, August 13th, at 11 o’clock….This was recognized by many as the first case that occurred in Memphis. She and her husband kept an eating or snack-house, frequently patronized by river laborers. They cleaned and cooked fish, meats, etc., depositing all filth and slops in close proximity to the house, and slept in a back room directly over the eating and cook room. The Board of Health gave it as their opinion that she contracted the disease from some guest who had come up the river from the infected South. The premises and surroundings were immediately taken charge of by the health officer, all avenues of egress barricaded and guarded. The entire neighborhood thoroughly disinfected and all possible precautions used. James McConnell, a policeman, who died on Poplar street about this time, is claimed by some as having been the first case, although investigations have not yet decided….
“…On August 14th Prof. Theodore Decker, No. 34 Alabama street…was reported by Dr. Willett as having died of yellow fever that morning. Prof. Decker occupied one-half of the building, No. 34, while P. M. Winters occupied the other half with his family. The latter are those passengers on the Golden Crown and were smuggled into the city, remaining two or three days before being discovered and driven away.
“On the 14th of August the citizens made a general stampede from the city, and the hegira continued until forty thousand people fled from their homes in search of more congenial climes. One railroad agent sold $35,000 worth of tickets in three days.
“…Of those who remained it is estimated that ninety per cent. were stricken down, and over four thousand died. In that section of the city first attacked, ninety-nine per cent. of those who remained were taken down. White-winged frost at last demanded the monster’s disappearance. On the 28th of October absentees were officially invited to return home….Total cases, 13,596; total deaths, 4396; date of last death, November 17. Cases cared for outside of Memphis, 4317; whole number, 17,913….” (pp. 60-63.) (Murtough, Peter. Condensed History of the Great Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1878… Memphis: S. C. Toof & Co., Printers and Lithographers, 1879. Google digitized: http://books.google.com/books?id=lzYSAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false )
U.S. National Board of Health: “Fifth epidemic in 1878; no portion of city or suburbs exempt; number of cases, 17,600 out of a remaining population of 19,500; mortality, 5,150 recorded deaths.” (U.S. National Board of Health. Annual Report of…1879. 1879, p. 253.)
Texas, Houston:
“Galveston, September 2. – The Houston board of health has issued the following:
From and after the third day of September, 1878, no passengers, express freight or mails will be allowed to enter the county of Harris from beyond the state line until the 23d day of September…Notice of extension of time will be given should the safety demand it. R. Rutherford, M.D., Health Officer, City of Houston, Harris Co., Tex.”
(Daily Constitution, Atlanta. “The Reign of Death.” 9-3-1878, p. 1.)
For a discussion of the debate which took place at the time as to whether Yellow fever was contagious or not, and thus whether quarantines were effective and should be legislated, see:
Hand, D. W., M.D. “Yellow Fever. Its History in the United States; An Account of the Recent Epidemic in the South and the Conclusions of the Yellow Fever Conference at Richmond, Va., in 1878,” pp. 97-106 in Minnesota State Board of Health. Seventh Annual Report of the State Board of Health of Minnesota, January, 1879. Minneapolis: Johnson, Smith & Harrison, 1879. Google digitized at: http://books.google.com/books?id=10VNAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false
There is a discussion debates at the Annual Meeting of the American Public Health Association, in Richmond, Va., November 21, 1878.
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Augustin, George. History of Yellow Fever. New Orleans: 1909; General Books reprint, Memphis, TN, 2010.
Black, Patti Carr. “Ida B. Wells: A Courageous Voice for Civil Rights.” Mississippi History Now (Mississippi Historical Society). Accessed 11/21/2009 at: http://mshistory.k12.ms.us/articles/49/ida-b-wells-a-courageous-voice-for-civil-rights
Board of Experts Authorized by Congress to Investigate the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1878. Conclusions of the Board of Experts Authorized by Congress to Investigate the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1878. Washington, DC: Judd & Detweiler, Printers, 1879. Digitized at: http://cdm16313.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/compoundobject/collection/LSUBK01/id/392/rec/14
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History.com. This Day in History, Disaster, August 13, 1878. “First Victim of Memphis Yellow-Fever Epidemic Dies.” Accessed 12/10/2008 at: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history.do?action=tdihArticleCategory&displayDate=08/13&categoryId=disaster
Illinois Department of Public Health. “124 Years Ago In ISPH History.” A Timeline of the Illinois Department of Public Health (website). Accessed 8-12-2013 at: http://www.idph.state.il.us/webhistory11.htm
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Keating, J. M. A History of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1878 in Memphis, Tenn. Memphis, TN: Howard Association, 1879. Google digitized at: http://books.google.com/books?id=WEIJAAAAIAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false
Kelly, Howard A. (Professor of Gynecological Surgery, Johns Hopkins University). Walter Reed and Yellow Fever. New York: McClure, Phillips & Co., 1906, 299 pages. Google digitalized at: http://books.google.com/books?id=qUgJAAAAIAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false
Murphy, Jim. An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793. New York: Scholastic Inc., 2003.
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New Orleans Board of Health. Official Report of the Deaths from Yellow Fever as reported by the New Orleans Board of Health…Epidemic of 1878. New Orleans: W. L. Murray’s Publishing House and Newspaper Advertising Agency. No date; presumably 1879, 95 pages. Google digitized: http://books.google.com/books?id=R6JPAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false
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New York Times. “Fatal Work at Memphis. The Condition of Affairs Growing Worse Hourly – Great Distress – Eighty-Six Deaths and Seventy New Cases Reported Yesterday.” 9-4-1878, 1. At: http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=F0061FF83F5A137B93C6A91782D85F4C8784F9
New York Times. “Yellow Fever Retrospect.” 10-7-1888. Accessed at: http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?_r=1&res=9D03EFD81F38E033A25754C0A9669D94699FD7CF&oref=slogin
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Quinn, Rev. D. A. Heroes and Heroines of Memphis, or Reminiscences of the Yellow Fever Epidemics that Afflicted the City of Memphis During th Autumn Months of 1873, 1878, and 1879… Providence, RI: E. L. Freeman & Son, State Printers, 1887. Google digitized at: http://books.google.com/books?id=Xu80AQAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false
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[1] Keating writes yellow fever “cost the county more than 25,000 lives…” but there is no source citation and our own compilation, incorporating his locality breakouts comes to approximately 17,000. We therefore choose not to use his figure as the high estimate, relying instead on the National Board of Health figure. (Keating, J. M. A History of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1878 in Memphis, Tenn. Memphis, TN: Howard Association, 1879.)
[2] Notes this was out of “Around 120,000 cases…”
[3] We are not using our tabulation of locality breakouts as the estimate, choosing to use instead the National Board of Health estimate. We think it probable there was undercounting of blacks on some southern plantations. Also, we see no mention of Native American deaths in the South–there were still enclaves despite forced immigration westward.
[4] Sternberg notes that this last great Yellow Fever American epidemic “invaded 132 towns, and caused a mortality of 15,934, out of a total number of cases exceeding 74,000.” (p. 721) (Sternberg, George M. (US Public Health Service, US Marine Hospital Service). “Yellow Fever: History and Geographic Distribution.” Pages 715-722 in Stedman, Thomas L., M.D. (Ed.) Appendix to the Reference Handbook of the Medical Sciences. NY: 1908.
[5] Pocock, Emil, and Jamal Lee. “Disasters in the United States, 1650-2005.” American Studies, Eastern Connecticut State University. 2007 modification accessed at. http://www.easternct.edu/depts/amerst/disasters.htm
[6] United States Marine Hospital Service, Treasury Dept. Annual Report of the Supervising Surgeon-General of the Marine-Hospital Service of the United States for the Fiscal Year 1895 (Doc. No. 1811). Washington: GPO, 1896.
[7] Augustin, George. History of Yellow Fever. New Orleans: 1909; General Books reprint, Memphis, TN, 2010.
[8] Murtough, Peter. Condensed History of the Great Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1878… Memphis: S. C. Toof & Co., Printers and Lithographers, 1879.
[9] A refugee from Memphis.
[10] “…county seat…Population, 2500. The first case was Frank McContire, railroad engineer, taken Sept. 5th. Although the town is clean and located high, the disease soon became epidemic. Total cases, 138; total deaths, 50.”
[11] “County seat…on…railroad, 30 miles from Decatur. This little city is noted for the refinement and hospitality of her people. She refused to quarantine, her doors were thrown open, and all refugees kindly invited to partake of her healthful blessings. Refugees flocked thither from many infected points. The only indigenous case…recovered. There were 31 cases among the refugees…Total cases 33; total deaths, 13.”
[12] “village…254 miles from Memphis. Of the refugees fleeing from West Tennessee and North Mississippi, many came to North Alabama, some came to Leighton, one from Memphis came too late, being already infected, and died August 4th. The citizens were careful and cleanly, and had no other cases.”
[13] “County seat…on Mobile Bay…Population, 31,034. The first case was a…woman who had been on an excursion to Biloxi, Miss., July 24th, was taken down early in August and died August 16th. The health officer certified to the board of trade, August 19th, that there was not a case of yellow fever in the city or county, and Montgomery raised the quarantine she had against Mobile. From August 16th to September 21st there were only 5 deaths, but early in October deaths began increasing….A slight frost fell in the suburbs, October 23d, on which day there were reported 3 deaths, 5 new cases, and 41 under treatment…The death rate decreased till October 31st, at which date no deaths were reported. November 1st came a killing frost which effectually destroyed all yellow fever germs. The last death was October 30th. Total cases, 288; total deaths, 80….”
[14] Population 75. (Augustin. History of Yellow Fever, 1909, 446)
[15] It is possible that Tuscaloosa and Tuscumbia were confused by sources. Augustin might have listed for Tuscaloosa the fatalities noted by Keating and Murtough for Tuscumbia.
[16] “County seat…145 miles from Memphis. Population, 1214. Refugees flocked here from Memphis and Holly Springs, and cars [rail] from Memphis laid over here, this being the location of the repair shops. The disease appeared late in September…[and]spread rapidly along the railroad track, which runs through the city. Every one left who could, not over 200 remaining. Many of these were colored. Total cases, 119; total deaths, 31….”
[17] Writes that Father Marley, a refugee from Mobile, died here on October 18.
[18] Notes population of 1,200. “The first case, Mrs. Hendricks, contracted the disease October 12th, on the steamboat Ruth from Memphis…died two days after landing….Date of last death, October 20th. Total cases, 7; total deaths, 7.
[19] County seat…on Mississippi river, and terminus of A. C. railroad. Population, 5000. The first case called yellow fever was a Miss Gertrude Weathers, from Memphis, who landed there August 16th, sickened and died in two days. August 17th J. B. Miller died. No new cases occurred till September 15th, and from that date until October 14th the doctors disagreed as to the disease, and on that day the following announcement was made by the Board of Health: ‘This board believes it now becomes their duty to announce to the citizens that while the prevailing disease may not be strictly yellow fever, it certainly is seemingly quite as fatal, and citizens are hereby so advised. There are about 75 cases of sickness in town. 10 new cases and 6 deaths are reported for the 48 hours ending noon to-day.’….The disease rapidly disappeared as frost made its sanitary impression. Total cases, 77; total deaths, 9….”
[20] “…village…opposite Memphis, across the river. Population, 250…The disease was of an exceedingly mild type, more so than in healthy locations. The first case was John Debeuly, from Memphis, taken ill September 1st, and soon died….Date of last death, October 22d. Total cases in town and near by, 117; total deaths in town and near by, 7….”
[21] See Narrative section below for some details.
[22] :….Population, 50…a Memphis refugee came here to her kinsman, Mr. Ben. Zadick, being a mile and a half from the levee. In three weeks one of her children died, and the disease spread rapidly. Total cases, 21; total deaths, 19.”
[23] “….The only fever here, was brought by some sailors, who put into port with a fearfully infected ship. The fourth out of a crew of eight died in awful agony, all the more terrible symptoms of black vomit, paroxysms, etc. being present, as in the most virulent fever. The captain died in even worse agony. He was buried on shore. Though the harbor is full of crafts, only a single captain went over to render assistance, the doctor and undertaker of course doing the service needed of each. The young mate, whose dead father was the captain, as well as the rest of the crew of eight men, had the fever on their voyage of eight days, and were so exhausted that they could not hoist the sails to keep them from rotting with the damp. Nobody from the shore or the neighboring vessels went near them, and they were helpless… One of the owners, looking after the body of his son, who died of the fever in Cuba, and was on board in a cask of liquor, telegraphed for a tug to come and take the fever ship to New York, where she was bound.”
[24] The three were the first and second mate and one seaman of a bark from Matanzas, which put into port infected.
[25] “….Population, 5000. Early in August some sailors with the fever put in here t enter the Marine Hospital. August 7th there were only two in the hospital, and none in the port, and for several days no new cases. Straggling cases began to appear in September, and by the first of October it became epidemic. Total cases, 162; total deaths, 39.”
[26] Out of 80 cases.
[27] “Several hundred cases of yellow fever and sixty-two officially recorded deaths is the record of the outbreak in Cairo during the late autumn of 1878. How many deaths occurred which were not recorded it is impossible to say.”
[28] Out of 5 cases.
[29] “County seat…Population, 1000. Quarantined. The first case, James Newsom’s child, who by negligence of the guard on the Baton Rouge road, was permitted to mingle with parties from the infected district. Total cases, 187; total deaths, 43. Date of the last death, October 31…”
[30] “…125 miles from Cairo, Ill. Population, 1700. The first case was Miss Wooldridge, who caught the infection, September 25th…The last death was Sam Bennet, who died October 23d. Total cases, 12; total deaths, 5…”
[31] Notes this was out of 749 cases and cites John R. Procter account in a bulletin of the Kentucky Geological survey in 1879. (Garman, H. “Dangerous Mosquitoes in Kentucky.” Bulletin 96, Kentucky Agriculture Experiment Station. Pp. 507-522 in Fifteenth Biennial Report of the Bureau of Agriculture, Labor and Statistics of the State of Kentucky, 1902-1903. Louisville, KY: Geo. G. Fetter Printing Co., 1903.) We highlight in yellow to denote we do not use in our tally. Murtough (p. 50) writes that “450 citizens [were] prostrated with the fever,” but the death toll was 180.
[32] “County seat…on the Mississippi river, 40 miles below Cairo and 200 miles above Memphis…Population, 1950. Yellow fever never was an epidemic here until 1878. The first case was Charlie Hendricks, on August 13th, supposed to have been caused by contact with railroaders, as he peddled apples and mixed with passengers. He died Aug. 16th. Nearly all the local physicians died, four of the volunteer doctors died, 450 citizens prostrated with the fever, and 150 died. The October frost did not even stop the dreadful pestilence. Date of last death, November 6th. Total cases, 454; total deaths, 180….” Thus thirty people who were not Hickman citizens died there.
[33] Notes a population of 1,200, half of whom evacuated. States 5 of 6 physicians died and that 462 were stricken.
[34] “Post village…12 miles from Hickman. Yellow fever failed to secure a foothold her, although Dr. Hugh Prather, of Hickman, after contracting the disease at the later place, came here and died on the 27th of September.”
[35] “….Early in the yellow fever season, this city opened her gates as a ‘city of refuge’ from the raging disease. Thousands flocked from the South – many bringing the germs of the disease. On the 17th of August 3 cases were sent to the U.S. Marine Hospital from the steamer Sunflower Belle….Total cases, 126,; total deaths, 34.”
[36] “Tunica…village…located on Mississippi river, 7 miles from Donaldsonville. Population, 20. Yellow fever appeared here late in September, but was of a very mild type. Five died at Acklins October 12th.”
[37] Our reading of Murtough is that that this includes 83 deaths in Donaldsonville and 80 in Brule Sacramento.
[38] “….Population, 6500…first case…Sept. 6th…fatal. Out of 2716 cases only 201 deaths. Last death, Oct. 31st…”
[39] “A post village of West Feliciana parish, La., on the Mississippi River, 110 miles from Baton Rouge…Population, 700. First case, Sept. 20th. Total cases, 250; deaths, 13; date of last death, Nov. 26th…”
[40] “A post village of St. Mary parish, La., just across the Bay from Morgan City, La.,…Population, 150. First case, Sept. 1st. Total cases, 50; deaths 1….”
[41] “At it [yellow fever] disappeared from Port Barrow it began in different parts of the parish [Ascension]…Brule Sacramento, a settlement situated in the interior, surrounded by swamps, and inhabited by poor people, mainly of Spanish descent, presented the most distressful scenes of the epidemic. Five and six patients were huddled together in one room, without physician, nurse, or even water, owing to the drought. Out of that unfortunate settlement of 200 souls, 80 perished. Date of last death, Nov. 11th.
[42] Murtough writes, at page 37, that “….Yellow fever was brought here by bringing for interment the corpse of a young lady who died at Southwest Pass….”
[43] “Landing on the Mississippi river, near Hermitage Post-office, Point Coupee parish, La. Early in October Dr. Bously was taken ill and had black vomit at Waterloo, a few miles from Canaan. This was the first case in this region. Total cases, 28; total deaths, 6. Date of last death, Nov. 2…”
[44] From: “Table 9.1. East Feliciana Mortality Records from Yellow Fever Heroes, Honors and Horrors of 1878” Clinton section listing of 26 names. Twelve other names are listed as Port Hudson fatalities within East Feliciana Parish. Table 9.2 lists the names dates of Death and confirmation information for 35 East Feliciana Parish fatalities.
[45] “…one mile below Waterloo…Population, 35. The first case appeared October 2d…Date last death, November 2d. Total cases, 15; total deaths, 4….”
[46] “…40 miles from Vicksburg. Population, 250. The first case was taken down August 11th, and died August 14th. The disease soon became epidemic. Date of last death, November 5th. Total cases, 168; deaths, 34…”
[47] “County seat…3 miles below Vicksburg. Population, 700. Yellow fever made its appearance September 28th, attacking six persons. In a few days there were over 100 cases, and increasing, but the disease being mild, the death roll was not large. Total cases, 154; total deaths, 26…”
[48] Writes that the total number of cases was 484 and that the 83 deaths were a subset of 179 in Ascension Parish.
[49] East Carroll parish on the Mississippi river, 12 miles fro Lake Providence, according to Murtough, p. 46.
[50] “County town…located on Morgan’s L. & T. railroad, 3 miles from Algiers. Population, 900. The fever appeared late in September, and spread with great rapidity…Early in October, 30 had died and 200 were down, and only three physicians. New Orleans sent physicians, nurses, etc. The fever was quite mild…Total cases, 210; total deaths, 60.”
[51] “County seat…on Ouachita river, 332 miles from New Orleans. Population, 275. The first case…was taken August 20th, and died August 26th. Fever was very violent. Date of last case, October 26th. Total cases, 30; total deaths, 10….”
[52] “…village…on Mississippi river, 442 miles from New Orleans. Population 25. Fever appeared early in September, and one of its victims was Dr. Hays. Date of last death, November 1st. Total cases, 16; total deaths 5.”
[53] “…village…on Bayou Lafourche, 70 miles from New Orleans. Population, 180. Date of first case August 16th, Mrs. Jos. Groziana, a widow lady from New Orleans, who soon died. Date of last death, November 17th. Cases in town, 160; near by, 600; total, 760. Deaths in town, 24; near by, 126; total, 150…”
[54] We have not added the 19 additional deaths that Murtough could be read to suggest, in that it is not clear and Augustin and Keating note 20 deaths. What Murtough writes is: “…village…52 miles from New Orleans, and stretching two miles along each side of the bayou. Population, 1800. The first case…was taken September 24th, and soon died. The disease became epidemic, but was of a mild form. Last death, December 2d. Total cases 235; near by, 260; total deaths in town, 19; near by, 20…”
[55] “…village…located on Lake Pontchartrain. Population, 300. Yellow fever made its appearance about the middle of September. A child died September 26th, and a few scattering cases followed. A young lady from New Orleans died next, and a Catholic priest died October 2d.”
[56] “…75 miles from New Orleans. Population, 1010. Yellow fever appeared Aug. 15th; the first death, Aug. 22d…During September it slowly increased, and throughout October it raged violently, especially among the children. Physicians were worn completely out. The cool month of November killed out the disease. Total cases, 540; total deaths, 108….”
[57] New Orleans: “The state board of health declared an epidemic on August 10, after 431 reported cases and 118 deaths.” (PBS, The Great Fever, September 29, 2006, p. 5 of “People & Events.”
[58] Hardenstein notes “These are the official figures of the Board of Health. There is no doubt that many deaths were reported as ‘malarial,’ ‘malignant,’ etc., for the death rate in those diseases is notably large. Before July, the death rate in these diseases amounted to six or eight per month.”
[59] Augustine notes the population at 210,000; 1st case May 22; 1st death May 25; last case and death, Dec 12; cases, 27,000. (Augustin 1909, 491.)
[60] “The deaths on Sunday [Sep 1] include 20 children under seven years of age and 19 today.”
[61] A telegram report on deaths for the past 24 hours. Writes that “The death list includes thirty-three children, twenty-two being children under seven years of age.” Reports 201 new cases.
[62] “…village…situated on Bayou La Fourche, 7 miles from Donaldsonville. Population, 400. Fever appeared here September 8th, but was of a mild type. Out of 159 cases only 13 died. Date of last death, October 26th…”
[63] Augustin (1909) writes that there were 28 deaths in Patterson and 65 “outside town.” (p. 501)
[64] “…village…on the Atchafalaya river, 90 miles from New Orleans, and 8 miles from Morgan City. Population, 500. The first case…contracted the disease at Logonda plantation, where the disease is supposed to have been brought by straw packed around machinery brought from New Orleans, September 2d…died soon after. The disease spread rapidly, and was very malignant. Total cases, 125; total deaths, 23 white, 5 colored. Cases near town, white and colored, 175; deaths outside town, whites, 40; colored, 25. Date of last death, November 23d….”
[65] “The county seat…on Mississippi river, 110 miles from New Orleans. Population, 1450. Yellow fever appeared here early in August. The first case…died August 11th…out of 1700 people 950 were sick, and of this number 117 died. Date of last death, November 14th….” Notes 2 deaths at Rusha and M’Can Plantation near Plaquemine. (p.76)
[66] “…village…located on Bayou Bartholomew, 25 miles from Monroe. Population, 25. Fever appeared here in August. There were about 60 cases and 13 deaths.”
[67] Murtough (1879, p. 75) who notes that this was “a subdivision of Donaldsonville,” writes that “the fever raged violently. Emanuel Vinetto was the first fatal case. There were 6 other cases.” [Presumably fatal.]
[68] Murtough (1879, p. 75) shows same number and writes: “…village…located near the mouth of the Mississippi river. August 56th one case of yellow fever appeared, and on the 11th, 14 cases….Total cases, 62; total deaths, 14. Date of last death, October 11th….”
[69] “…village…on the east bank of the Mississippi river, 150 miles from New Orleans. Population, 200, of whom 115 fled September 10th, the day following the appearance of he first case….The disease seemed uncontrollable. The four resident physicians died. Those sent were stricken with the fever but recovered….Total cases, white, 34; colored, 30; deaths, white, 11; colored, 1….”
[70] Murtough has the name as “Ricohoc” Plantation, “located 10 miles from Franklin, La. The first case appeared September 24th. Many families fled from the section. The fever raged violently….Total cases 62; total deaths, 18. Date of last death, October 25th….”
[71] Provides the names of three Flynn family victims on page 264.
[72] “Port on Mississippi river, nine miles below New Orleans. Fever appeared here early in September. First fatal case, September 24th…Total cases, 26; deaths, 8. Date of last death, October 14th….”
[73] “…village…on the Mississippi river, 104 miles from New Orleans. Population,, 425…late in August…were the first cases. Total cases, 132; total deaths, 38….”
[74] “…village…on the Mississippi river…64 miles from New Orleans. Population, 25. The first fatal case…died September 24th….Out of total cases, 36, only 4 died….”
[75] “…village…located on…railroad, 78 miles from New Orleans. Population, 200. The first case…a Danish refugee from New Orleans…Total cases in town, 250; near by, 28; deaths 60; near by, 9. Date of last death, November 11th.”
[76] “County seat…on Bayou Lafourche…55 miles from New Orleans. The first case was Sister Agatha, of Mt. Carmel Convent, from New Orleans, who died August 23d. Total cases in parish, 1800; total deaths in parish, 77; total cases near by, 98. Date of last death, October 14th….”
[77] “Verdneville [sic]. Neighborhood six miles from Franklin, La. The first fatal case occurred October 1st.”
[78] “A summer resort village on the seashore in Hancock county…Population, 2000, but last summer was 6000. the first fatal case was Rebecca Nicaise, taken Aug. 14th, and soon died. The disease spread all over the Bay…Total cases, 546; total deaths, 83; date of last death, Nov. 3d….”
[79] Nuwer (Plague Among the Magnolias, 2009, p. 28) writes “Biloxi had a less stringent quarantine [than some other Gulfcoast localities], since its health officials did not want to fight local interests and possibly stymie its economy.”
[80] “A post village of Harrison county, Miss…Population, 960…first case, Diminity Leambrick…taken early in Sept., died Sept. 13th, and the disease soon became epidemic. Date of last death, Oct. 29th Total cases, 216; deaths 56…”
[81] “…27 miles from Vicksburg. Population, 200. The first case, Aug. 12th. The disease soon became epidemic, and raged with relentless fury. Date of last death, Nov. 6th. Total cases, 168; total deaths, 47…”
[82] “Post village of Warren county, Miss., on the Vicksburg & Meridian railroad, 10 miles from Vicksburg. Population, 100. First case, Mrs. Jos. J. Fox…died Sept 29th , last death, Nov. 9th. Total cases, 65; total deaths, 17…”
[83] Hardenstein (1879, 34) writes there were 280 deaths in “Canon, Miss., and vicinity.” We do not use in that we do not know to what extent any of those deaths extended outside Madison County (where we note just 5 other deaths).
[84] “County seat of Madison county…Population, 2143. According to Dr. S. M. Bemiss, the disease was brought to Canton from New Orleans by the Brittan family. The first case, Miss Rachel Henry, was stricken August 12th, and died August 19th. Date of last death, November 16th. Total cases 936; total deaths, 176…”
[85] A telegram report on deaths for the past 24 hours.
[86] “…18 miles southeast of Vicksburg. The first case was Sam Banks…August 1st. Date last death, November 12th. Total cases, 38;; total deaths, 9…”
[87] “…village…5 miles from Terry. Total cases, 203; total deaths 50…”
[88] “…11 miles from Vicksburg….The first case appeared Sept. 8th, a young man, who died Sept. 13th. The fever spread rapidly and was quite fatal. Total cases, 36; total deaths, 14. Date of last death, Oct. 30th…”
[89] “…18 miles from Vicksburg. Population, 500…escaped the fever till late in September, when Dr…Williamson was about the first case stricken, and died September 28th near town. His death created a panic, the place was picketed and the alarm and freight were so great that negroes were paid $90 to bury the Doctor, and were warned under penalty of their lives not to make their appearance in town for fifteen days. The whole Williamson family were taken ill, Mrs. Williamson and her grandson Craven died. Owing to a strict quarantine Edwards escaped.”
[90] Included in the Grenada County figure below, and thus not independently counted.
[91] “…on Mississippi River, 110 miles below Memphis. Population, 1200…first case…taken sick Sept. 3d, con-tracting the disease on…steamboat Coahoma…Date of last death, October 19th. Total cases, 25; total deaths, 7….”
[92] Our number based on statement that “some” of the Vicksburg refugees died there.
[93] “A post village…located…about 30 miles from Vicksburg, some of whose refugees died in August…”
[94] “…87 miles from Memphis. Population, 200. First case appeared early in September, and it broke out with great violence September 30th. 31 cases and 13 deaths are reported.”
[95] “…county seat…located on the Mississippi river, 25 miles above Vicksburg. The first case occurred early in September, the disease spreading with great rapidity, and on the 30th there were 200 cases and 45 deaths, the mayor among the number. Total population at the beginning of fever, 1850…total number of convalescents, 657…Up to September 25th only 5 white inhabitants had escaped. Never did a town suffer so terribly. Date of last death, Nov. 16th. Total cases in town, 1317; total deaths in town, 387….”
[96] Ellis writes that the outbreak started on about August 12.
[97] “…at the junction of the M.C. and the M. & T. railroad, 100 miles from Memphis. At the outbreak of the fever there was great diversity of opinion. Physicians claimed that the first cases were bilious fever, and no fear was entertained by them. August 25th, Mrs. Fields died, and her funeral was largely attended. R. L. Young, a stout young man, was the next to die. He had black vomit. Physicians yet urged that it was not yellow fever, and his funeral was largely attended. Other cases of a similar character occurred in rapid succession. On Sunday the physicians admitted the disease to be genuine yellow fever of a malignant type. Alarm seized nearly every person in town, and when, on Monday, the Howards from Memphis [relief Association] advised all to leave town, the advice spread like wildfire, and the consternation was complete….The disease continued with unabated fury until all material had been attacked. Date of last death, November 1st. Total cases in town and vicinity, 1468; total deaths in town and vicinity, 367….”
[98] “…village…one mile from Mississippi City…71 miles from New Orleans. Population, 400. The first case, Geo. Jeremyn, was brought on a schooner from New Orleans, September 2d…The disease began spreading, but was of a mild form. Date of last death, Nov. 4th. Total cases 110; total deaths, 15….” Nuwer (Plague Among the Magnolias, 2009, p. 28) writes: “Handsboro officials…did not establish strong quarantine restrictions during late July and August because of that city’s role as a vacation spot and as a haven for New Orleans refugees.”
[99] “Small village…on Yazoo river, 18 miles from Vicksburg. Fever…appeared…late in Sept. Total cases, 160…”
[100] County seat, on M. & T. railroad, 22 miles from Memphis. Population, 1000. The fever appeared among the Memphis refugees August 15th, but there were 8 mild cases before the profession admitted the existence of fever. Fifty per cent. Of the whites who were attacked died, the disease being milder with the colored people. Did not quarantine. Date of last death, November 10th. Total cases, 179; total deaths, 75…”
[101] County seat…on the M. C. railroad. Population, 4000….The first yellow fever alarm was August 12th, it being reported that this disease was among the United States troops stationed there. But the people went bravely to work cleaning up the town, adopting sanitary measures and telegraphing to Grenada and all other refugees that their hearts, houses, and purses were open to receive them. On August 24th, there were six cases among refugees. August 26th, L. L. Downs, a Grenada refugee, died, and the next day Miss Delia Lake died, and four others were in a critical condition. By the 1st of September the disease had become general and raged with fury, and telegrams poured over the land telling that the city of flowers had become a city of death….The dreary days dragged along until a heavy frost…November 1st, after which the disease rapidly disappeared. Total cases, 1240, total deaths, 346….”
[102] “Valley Horn, or Horn Lake. Village of DeSoto county…12 miles from Memphis. Fever appeared here late in August…spread rapidly. Total cases, 29; deaths, 17….”
[103] “….Population, 3000…first case…died August 31st…last case…Nov. 13th. Total cases, 326; total deaths, 77….”
[104] “Mississippi river landing…above Vicksburg. Late in September a malarial or mild yellow fever appeared, which seemed to take in every one, especially colored people. About the middle of October there were 18 whites and 35 negroes down, and out of 92 cases there were only 6 deaths recorded….[with] frost there was a cessation of fever.”
[105] “village…99 miles from Vicksburg. Population, 400. The first case was Hugh McFarland, who was taken early in September, and died on the 10th. The disease was of a mild type till a washing rain exposed some of the decomposed bodies of those who had been buried, when it at once became so violent that medical skill was entirely baffled. On the 10th of September there were only 250 people in town, of these, 239 were stricken down, and 64 died. For lack of material the disease desisted, and frost and ice came at last and its reign ended. Total cases, 268; total deaths, 64…”
[106] “…village…19 miles from Meridian. Fever appeared early in October, which was not well defined, but declared to be yellow fever of a mild type. Total cases, 16; total deaths, 5….”
[107] “…a neighborhood in Hinds county, Miss., near Dry Grove, where the fever appeared the latter part of August, and is supposed to have been brought by infected people from Dry Grove. Dr. Quijano…pronounced it unparalleled. It raged with great fury and violence, ending only with the advent of frost. Total cases, 192; total deaths, 44….”
[108] “Small village…15 miles from Bay St. Louis. The first case was a negro man…from New Orleans, who was taken ill September 7th…was well cared for and recovered. Total cases, 40; total deaths, 9…last death, October 12.”
[109] “…village…105 miles from New Orleans. Population, 1500. The first case of yellow fever, W. P. Baldwin, was taken ill September 5th…The disease spread in every direction, but was of a mild type, as out of 356 cases there were only 51 deaths. Date of last death, November 26th. Cases near, 7; deaths, 3…”
[110] “…a plantation 6 miles from Dry Grove, Miss [where Murtough notes 50 deaths]. Fever appeared here early in October, and raged most violently, very few escaped. In one house, that of Mr. McNair, there were 17 cases, himself and wife, two married daughters and their husbands and children, a married son, his wife and children, with other family connections, all crowded together into one country house….Many were in a very critical condition…Within a hundred yards of this house were eight more cases, while within a radius of this house were eight more cases, while within a radius of two miles there were forty cases. Dr. F. Quijano, the great Spanish physician, came and helped them through the terrible trial. Total cases, 36; total deaths, 9. Date of last death, November 6th….”
[111] Nuwer, in Plague Among the Magnolias (2009, p. 23), writes that “Meridian quarantined pedestrian refugees but not railroad travelers; subsequently, this community experienced an outbreak of yellow fever.”
[112] “…Population, 3000. The place was so well quarantined that ‘they thought a rat could not get through without being detected,’ but Lewis Carter…who carried the mails to and from the trains, was seized with the fever and died Sept. 24th…the first case….Early in Oct. after a dozen more had died, the town was depopulated, only one drug store remaining open. October 11th trains ceased to stop there….Last case, Nov. 11th. Total cases, 382; total deaths 86….”
[113] “…70 miles from New Orleans. Population, 300. Yellow fever appeared September 24th, some of the inmates of Barnes’ Hotel being taken ill, and a child died…was very malignant. The hotel boarders, becoming alarmed, rushed away on every train, as well as the citizens generally. During October the havoc among those who remained in town was awful. New Orleans sent nurses and supplies….Date of last death, Nov. 2d. Total cases, 165….”
[114] “…village…83 miles from New Orleans. Population 450. The first case was Col. F. S. Strout, proprietor of Ocean Springs hotel, who contracted the disease by contact with railroaders. He died August 19th….His death caused a stampede among the boarders. The disease soon raged. Nurses were paid as high as $25 a day. Total cases, 86; total deaths, 28. Date of last death, October 6th….”
[115] “…located three-fourths of a mile from Tangipahoa river, 88 miles from New Orleans. Population, 450. The first case was a little child…who contracted the disease from some people from New Orleans. She died August 15th…. mild form. Total cases, 350; total deaths 53; cases near by, 20; deaths 8. Date of last deaths…November 20th….”
[116] “…village…on…railroad, 57 miles from New Orleans. Population, 1250….Total cases, 201; total deaths, 27…”
[117] “County seat…on the Mississippi river, 190 miles from New Orleans by land…Population, 1500 – during epidemic, 700. The first case…was taken ill August 3d, and died on the 8th. Total cases in and around town, 1340; total deaths, 294….Date of last death in town, November 9th; near town, Nov. 25th….From the 18th of August to the 31st, fifty deaths occurred…Every home was a hospital; the dying and the dead were all around and about the living….The disease spread alarmingly throughout the country, rushing refugees back to town….”
[118] Notes that this is out of 400 cases from the 550 persons remaining in town. “About twelve hundred have fled.”
[119] “…15 miles northeast from Port Gibson. Population, 50…fever appeared early in October…brought by refugees from Port Gibson….was very virulent…Total cases, 127; total deaths, 39. Date of last death, November 27th….”
[120] “County seat…44 miles from Memphis…Population, 1400. Little Julia Sanders was taken with fever October 5th, and soon died…all who could leave town did so….Total cases, 26; total deaths, 7. Date of last death, October 22d.”
[121] “…village…located 10 miles from Greenville….Total cases in town and near, 110; total deaths, 80.”
[122] “…village…on…railroad, 108 miles from New Orleans. Yellow fever appeared her August 21st, a family by the name of Griffin, four miles from town, being stricken. Fourteen days before this Mrs. Wilhoit, of New Orleans, a daughter of Mr. Griffin, with her family, visited her father. He and his son sickened and died…”
[123] “Landing on Mississippi river…The fever appeared here late in September, on the Sunflower river. The first fatal case…died October 2d. Total cases, 48; total deaths, 15….”
[124] “…village…located on…railroad, 167 miles from New Orleans. Population, 225. There was no fever in town. Out on Gov. Brown’s place, 4 miles away, a…girl…who came from Canton sick, died August 18th with black vomit. The disease spread. Her mother died also…Dr. H. R. Goodman came to nurse those who were sick, took the fever and died. Total cases, 10; deaths, 5….”
[125] Ellis 1992, p. 43.
[126] Our count of names of Vicksburg fatalities listed by Keating, Keating also lists 171 “Warren County” deaths (pp. 244-245), which if added to Vicksburg comes to 1043, which is about what one derives by adding Murtough’s 750 Vicksburg deaths and Sternberg’s additional Vicksburg vicinity deaths (1,050).
[127] “County seat…on the Mississippi river, 400 miles from New Orleans, also 400 miles from Memphis…Population, 14,257. A rigid quarantine was established early in August. A few days later, August 4th, a New Orleans refugee, Morriss Mayers, was fined by he Mayor $250 for violating the quarantine. The first fatal case appeared August 12th, and soon died…it caused a stampede of people from the city. Three cases of fever from the John D. Porter had been landed near the city August 11th. The disease soon became epidemic….About October 15th the disease decreased, and ended with the advent of frost. Total cases, 5791; total deaths, 750….”
[128] Represents the reports from 8 physicians, who also noted 98 new cases, including two doctors and W. L. Trowbridge, the acting mayor.
[129] A telegram report on deaths for the past 24 hours.
[130] Hardenstein (1879, p. 34) notes 1,088 deaths for Vicksburg and vicinity.
[131] “…on…railroad, 28 miles from Grenada. Population, 2987…town is quarantined, but…fever appeared Sept. 1st, and one death occurred September 7th….Out of a total of 146 cases only 47 died. Date of last death, October 31st….”
[132] “County seat….First case…contracted the disease August 12th, in Grenada…The disease spread. William Campbell was the first fatal case. In half an hour after his death, of 1500 inhabitants, only 150 remained in town. Three physicians, the only minister, sheriff, deputy sheriff, jailer, all aldermen and their families, were among the first to run. Five prisoners in jail were liberated by Marshal Steel for want of food and guards to attend to them. Those persons who remained here until now, had to choose between yellow fever and shot-guns. One family by the name of Arnold did venture to take refuge in a vacant house four miles from town, but were waited upon by an armed body of twenty men on the first day of arrival, and given until dark to move away. One of this brave band went so far as to say that he would kill the kind-hearted owner of the house, on sight, for allowing the family of refugees to occupy it. Total cases, 27, total deaths, 9. Date of last death, November 2….”
[133] “…first fatal case died September 22d. Total cases, 24; total deaths, 9. Date of last death, October 9th….”
[134] “…on the Yazoo river…Yellow fever did not attack the city till Oct 1st, appearing among the Sisters of Charity, by whom it was imported from Vicksburg. Two died. Rev. Father Mouton died October 3d. Total cases, 17…”
[135] “….Population, 496,387….many cases of yellow fever were brought here Among the first fatal cases was Capt. W. O. Nelson, of Port Eads, who died August 13th. Fatal cases among refugees continuing, much excitement arose. Quarantine was established. Total cases, 116; total deaths, 46.
[136] “….Population, 280,000. The first case was a young lady living in a house where baggage from New Orleans was stored…second case…the same locality. Total cases, all refugees, 49… Date of last death, October 31st.”
[137] “….Yellow fever was brought here by some refugees in September. Among the fatal cases was Joseph Lebolt, from Holly Springs, Miss….” [We translate “fatal cases’ to approximately 3.]
[138] “County seat…on the Ohio river…Population, 3700. First cases were Charles Degelman, engineer, and William Koidler, of the steamer John Gibson, which landed three miles below the city on August 20th. The disease disappeared October 17th….Total cases, 51; total deaths, 31.”
[139] Murtough reports two cases involving Vicksburg refugees in Philadelphia, but does not write that either died. He notes that there was one death in Pittsburgh, a deck-hand from the steamboat John Porter.
[140] “….Population, 350. The first case, Mrs. Voegeli, contracted the disease in Memphis, Sept. 11th, and died soon after reaching home. The disease spread rapidly…Total cases, 35, deaths, 23; date of last case, October 20…”
[141] “A post village…on the Louisville & Nashville & Great Southern railroad, 69 miles from Memphis. Population, 821. The first case, John Parker, contracted the disease from Memphis refugees, and died October 25th….”
[142] “…on the Mobile & Ohio railroad, 120 miles from Columbus, Ky. Population, 183. First and only case, J. J. Yarbro (two miles distant) contracted the disease by sleeping with a railroader; died October 9th.”
[143] “…small railroad town…on the M.& C. railroad, 5 miles from Memphis…crowded with Memphis refugees, and a local case of he fever occurred Oct 1st. Among the last cases was that of Jefferson Davis, Jr., son of ex-President Jefferson Davis, who Died Oct. 16th.”
[144] “….Population, 12,500. Mrs. Swatzenberg, a Memphis refugee, was the first case in the city, and she died in a few days. A general stampede began, and within 48 hours 10,500 people had fled the city. Date of last death, November 18th. Total cases, 693; total deaths, 197….”
[145] “…25 miles from Memphis. Population, 500. The first case appeared in August, although the town was strictly quarantined. M. R. Brown and James Person died September 3d. Dr. Waddy, the quarantine officer, with fifty-one families, fled at once, and many others followed as soon thereafter as possible. For week the fever raged with fury upon the unfortunate people….Total cases, 121; total deaths, 48….”
[146] “….Population 1200. Precautions to resist the yellow fever were early taken. The first case was W. J. Wiseman, postmaster, stricken September 30th. The Board of Health advised immediate depopulation of the town, and the evacuation was thorough and complete….Mr. Wiseman died October 5th….”
[147] “…28 miles from Clarksville. Population, 723. The first case…died Sept. 7th. The doctors disputed as to the disease, until other cases were reported. The greatest care was taken, but many of the best people were swept away before the appearance of frost Oct. 19th. Total cases, 38; total deaths, 10. Date of last death, Oct. 20th….” (p. 43-44.)
[148] “…77 miles from Memphis. Population, 350. First case Sept. 24th, contracted from infected baggage, from Memphis…soon died. The people were…careful…had only 6 cases and 4 deaths. Date of last death, October 24th.”
[149] Undoubtedly Gallaway. “…28 miles above Memphis. Population, 60. First case, Dr. T. H. Turney, who contracted the disease from patients, was taken October 5th, and soon died, and the fever soon became epidemic…Total cases, 13; total deaths, 8. Date of last death, October 16th….”
[150] “…18 miles from Memphis. Population, 253. The first case was…a refugee from Memphis, seized August 17th, and recovered. The fever was of a very violent type, although the town was in a fine sanitary condition… Date of last case, October 21st. Total cases in town and vicinity, 81; total deaths in town and vicinity, 45.
[151] “Stopping point on the M. & C. railroad, 3 miles from Memphis, the refugees from which place carried the fever to Gill’s station. Mrs. Ben. K. Pullen, of Memphis, died September 23d.”
[152] “County seat…46 miles from Grand Junction. Some suspicious cases occurred here early in September. The first case…died October 13th, after a short illness. The city authorities took every measure to prevent the spreading of the disease. A few more cases occurred…Frost came and the city was saved. Total cases, 8; total deaths 3.”
[153] “…village…49 miles from Memphis. Population, 712. Yellow fever appeared here early in September. The first case was J. R. Todd, and it raged so violently that up to October 2d, there was not a single convalescent. The telegraph operator deserted his post, and Grand Junction, 3 miles away, was the nearest office. Stricken Memphis contributed nobly to their relief, sending physicians, nurses, medicines and all kinds of supplies. The terrific battle with the disease went on through the month, and until a big frost and freeze came, and yellow fever was conquered. Date of last death, Nov. 3d. Total cases, 152; total deaths, 37….”
[154] “…village…120 miles from Memphis. Population, 515. The first case, Mrs. W. H. Martin, was taken ill at her hotel September 2d, and died September 4th. The disease soon became virulent, nearly a score died, and then a change for the better; but September 30th the fever broke out with yet greater fury, railroad men especially seeming to be victims….Frost made its appearance October 20th and demanded the sanitary keys of the town, when the fever retired slowly, but not entirely until October 30th, on which day Mrs. Maud St. Pere died, a noble and faithful nurse from Kansas City, Mo. Total cases, 126; total deaths, 34….”
[155] “…village…36 miles from Memphis, located in a flat bottom. Population, 259. The first case was Mike Brennan, a Memphis refugee, taken ill August 29th, and soon died. The disease spread rapidly. Date of last death, October 24th. Total cases, 61; total deaths, 24; cases near by, 3; deaths, 3….”
[156] “…village…113 miles from Memphis. Population, 813. A congestive malarial fever appeared her early in October; two deaths, called yellow fever, occurred soon after, about October 5th, creating much excitement. A few scattering cases followed. Thomas Callan, the telegraph operator, died October 16th. Total cases, 14; total deaths, 4.”
[157] 4,000 whites (mortality rate of 75%) and 1,130 “Colored.” Our of 15,000 cases (p. 23).
[158] August through November, 1878, Keating 1879, 101.
[159] See narrative section for additional information from Murtough. See pages 85-103 for list of fatalities.
[160] Statistic is for burials for the 24-hour period ending at 6 pm on Sep 4 of yellow fever victims, out of 96 total.
[161] A telegram report on deaths for the past 24 hours.
[162] Noted as a partial report in that the Associated Press agent filing the reports was among the new cases.
[163] “…93 miles from Memphis. Population, 2025. Mr. White, a Memphis refugee, came into Milan August 25, saying he was from Missouri, was taken ill and died half a mile out of town on the sixth day of his illness. Dr. Bledsoe, who attended him, pronounced his disease yellow fever, and a strict quarantine was attempted. Young Howlett, aged 10 years, grandson of Mr. Pledge, the hotel man of Grand Junction, passed up to Milan, where his grandfather was staying. Being from an infected town, although only having staid in it a few hours, he could not remain in Milan. His grandfather, therefore, rented an isolated cabin some mile or more from town, and hired a negro woman to take the boy and stay with him until the days of his quarantine were completed. The first night the poor boy attempted to stay in the cabin was a terrible one…A few persons, whom fear…had made brutes, went to the cabin at night, brickbatted it, shot into it, and ran the poor little boy out into the night and darkness, and fired shot after shot at him as he fled…The little fellow, frightened…remained all night in the woods…shivering in the pitiless cold…Next morning he crept into Milan, and his grandfather took the terrified child to a place of safety. When Dr. Boyd and his wife and servant were taken ill late in September, a perfect stampede occurred….All business suspended, except drug stores. Date of last death, October 26th. Total cases, 26; total deaths, 11….”
[164] “…village…located in the forks of Wolf river…39 miles from Memphis. The first case was Willie Layton, taken August 27th, and died soon. Straggling cases occurring till late in September, then the fever raging furiously…Total cases, 75; total deaths, 33. Date of last death, October 4th….Population, 200.
[165] “County seat…on…railroad, 131 miles from Memphis. The first case appeared one and one-half mile west from town, September 16th. At once the whites fled. Out of 3000 people only seven families staid in town….Date of last death, October 16th….The disease continued till frost. Total cases, 118; total deaths, 28….”
[166] “…village…9 miles from Memphis. Fever appeared here October 25th, four of the family…taken ill….Total cases, 64; total deaths, 18. Date of last death, October 16th….”
[167] Names three people as “among the deaths.” We assume these deaths are amongst the Memphis figures.
[168] “County seat…on a branch railroad, 11 miles from Moscow. The disease was brought here by Memphis refugees. The first case…died September 24th…Every one who could get away, left. The disease was fearfully fatal. Seven-eighths of those who remained had the fever, and one-third died. Undertakers would push coffins on front porches and run away. Total cases, 151; total deaths, 56….”
[169] “…8 miles from Memphis. Fever appeared…among…refugees late in Sept. ….Total cases, 5; total deaths, 2.”
[170] “…42 miles from Memphis. Population, 200. First case…contracted the disease on the cars [rail] September 10th…Total cases, 16; total deaths, 11. Date of last death, Sept. 20….”
[171] “…six miles from Memphis. Fever appeared among refugees here late in September….Total cases, 16….”
[172] Mate was dead and crew sick upon arrival at Pensacola, FL from Cuba.
[173] Nuwer writes: “The probable source of contagion for Mississippi was a ship that traveled the trade routes on the Mississippi and Ohio rivers. On July 19 the towboat John Porter left New Orleans on a run to the Ohio River. It stopped in Vicksburg on July 25 to bury two crew members, an engineer and a fireman. Sextons buried these men in the Vicksburg City Cemetery. According to the Memphis Daily Appeal, the Porter was ‘a gloating charnel-house carrying death and destruction to nearly all who had anything to do with her. Twenty-three persons died on her from the time she left New Orleans until she anchored near Pittsburgh.’” (Plague Among the Magnolias. 2009, p. 27.)
[174] Ellis fn. 65: A Compilation of the Messages and Papers of the Presidents (New York, n.d.), 10:4444-45. See also Conclusions of the Board of Experts Authorized by Congress to Investigate the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1878 (Washington, D.C., 1879), 4 and throughout. The Board of Experts put the monetary costs of the epidemic at between $150 million and $200 million.
[175] Cites: New Orleans Chamber of Commerce Report on the Subject of Quarantine, November 3, 1873, broadside in Special Collections Division, Howard-Tilton Library, Tulane University.
[176] Cites: Statutes at Large of the United States of America (Washington, D.C., 1879), vol. 20, chapter 66, pp. 37-38: “An act to prevent the introduction of contagious or infectious diseases into the United States.” See also Peter W. Bruton, “The National Board of Health” (Ph.D. dissertation, University of Maryland, 1974), 50-60, and John Duffy, The Sanitarians: A History of American Public Health. Urbana, IL: 1990, pp. 162-163.
[177] Samuel P. Choppin, President of the Louisiana State Board of Health. (. 38.)
[178] Ellis citation: “Samuel Choppin,” in William B. Atkinson, ed., The Physicians and Surgeons of the United States (Philadelphia, 1878, p. 337). Ellis also refers to John Duffy, ed., The Rudolph Matas History of Medicine in Louisiana (Baton Rouge, 1958-62), 2:54ff.
[179] Ellis footnote 9: “Annual Report of the Board of Health of the State of Louisiana, 1878, 4-7; Jones, ‘Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1878,’ 617-18; ‘Minutes of Proceedings, Orleans Parish Medical Society,’ New Orleans Medical and Surgical Journal, n.s., 6 (Sept. 1878): 240-41; ‘The Yellow Fever Commission and the American Public Health Association,’ New Orleans Medical and Surgical Journal, n.s., 6 (Dec. 1878): 499-500; New Orleans Daily Picayune, Jan. 3, 4, 1879.”
[180] Ellis fn: 16: “Yellow Fever,” New Orleans Medical and Surgical Journal, n.s., 6 (Aug. 1878): 178.
[181] Ellis fn; 17: John Dell ‘Orto. “Yellow Fever,” New Orleans Medical…Surgical Journal, n.s., 6 (Feb. 1879): 643.
[182] Ellis fn: 21: “Quoted in Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper, Sept. 14. 1878. See also Bruton, ‘National Board of Health,’ 71-78; Marshall Scott Legan, ‘Mississippi and the Yellow Fever Epidemics of 1878-1879,’ Journal of Mississippi History 33 (Aug. 1971): 203-7; Peggy Robbins, ‘Alas, Memphis!’ American History Illustrated (Jan. 1982): 42…”
[183] Ellis fn. 12: Mildred Hicks, ed., Yellow Fever and the Board of Health—Memphis, 1878. Memphis, 1964, p. 3-4.
[184] Ellis fn. 13: Memphis Daily Appeal, June 30, July 2, 4, 1878.
[185] Ellis fn. 14: Memphis Daily Appeal, July 11, 1978. Also cites Keating 1979, 102-103.
[186] Ellis fn. 18: Memphis Daily Appeal, July 27, 1878.
[187] Ellis fn. 19: Memphis Daily Appeal, July 27-Aug. 8, 1878; Hicks, ed., Yellow Fever…Board of Health, 7-13.
[188] Ellis fn. 24: Keating, History of the Yellow Fever, 106-9.
[189] Ellis fn. 25: Memphis Daily Appeal, Aug. 15-22, 1978; Roscoe G. Jennings. “The Quarantine at Little Rock, Arkansas, During August, September, and October, 1878, Against the Yellow Fever Epidemic in Memphis and he Mississippi Valley,’ American Public Health Association Reports 4 (1877-78): 223-27.
[190] “…quarantine stations were established on the Memphis and Charleston Railroad, at Germantown, some twelve miles from the city, on the Mississippi and Tennessee Railroad, at Whitehaven Station, eight miles from the city, and on the river at the lower or southern point of President’s Island. It was believed that this would prove effectual, especially as the railroad and steamboat officials had promised to second it by a rigid surveillance over passengers and baggage; and the people on the lines mentioned, and all along the river, for their personal safety, talked of or had already taken measures to enforce, in each case, local quarantine, by a decided exhibit of power in the form of a hastily formed militia or police force.” (Keating 1879, 105)
[191] The word “quarantine” has derived from the Italian quarante giorni, or forty days, “and quarantenaria was the name of the public health edict handed down in Venice in 1374.” (Markel 2004, 51)
[192] “Kate Bionda, restaurant owner, dies of yellow fever in Memphis, Tennessee, after a man who had escaped a quarantined steamboat visited her restaurant.” (History.com. This Day in History, Disaster, Aug 13, 1878.) Keating states flatly “This is not true. It was ascertained, after the epidemic was fairly established, that many cases had occurred before her’s.” (Keating 1879, 107)
[193] Ellis fn. 37 cites: Keating, History of the Yellow Fever, 393-404; Quinn, Heroes and Heroines, 139-40, 142, 185; John F. Cameron, “Camps, Depopulation of Memphis; Epidemics of 1878 and 1879,” American Public Health Association Reports 5 (1879): 152-63; William M. Stanton, “The Irish of Memphis,” West Tennessee Historical Society Papers 6 (1952): 101.
[194] Ellis fn. 38: Hicks, ed., Yellow Fever…Board of Health, 26-27: Wingfield, “Dr. William J. Armstrong,” 106.
[195] Ellis fn. 40: Dennis C. Rousey, “Yellow Fever and Black Policemen in Memphis: A Post-Reconstruction Anomaly,” Journal of Southern History 51 (Aug. 1985): 357-74. See, also, Memphis Daily Appeal, Aug. 15-Sep 1, 1878; and Memphis Daily Avalanche, Aug 28 and 30, 1878.
[196] Ellis fn. 42: Memphis Daily Appeal, 9-8-1878. Also recommends Sisters of St. Mary, p. 41 and John P. Dromgoole, Yellow Fever Heroes, Heroines and Horrors of 1878 (Louisville, KY, 1879), p. 64.
[197] Ellis fn. 45: Washington Post, 9-5-1878.
[198] September 14th marked the day of “heaviest mortality.” (Keating 1879, 115)