1873 — Feb-Sep, Cholera, esp. TN/>2K esp. Nashville/~1K, KY/~1K, St. Louis/529–5814-6519
Document created by Wayne Blanchard Dec 2008; revised Aug 2013, and Dec 2019 for website: Deadliest American Disasters and Large-Loss-Of-Life Events. https://www.usdeadlyevents.com/
–5,814-6,519 Blanchard tally based on State totals below.[1]
— 3,825 Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873 in the United States. 1875, p. 32.
— <3,800 Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873 in the United States. 1875, p. 34.[2]
Summary of State Breakouts Below
Alabama ( 165 – >196) Especially Birmingham (130) and Huntsville (62) ~June-Aug
Arkansas ( 76 – 77) Especially Perkins Plantation
Dakota Territory ( >12)
Florida ( >3)
Georgia ( >3)
Illinois ( 427 – 478) Chicago esp. (116); May 24-Sep 20 esp. late July-early Aug
Indiana ( 289 – 309) Esp. Mt. Vernon (83) and Indianapolis (48); ~June to mid-Aug
Iowa ( 120 – 134) Davenport esp. (80-94) June 20-Sep 14, esp. late Aug to mid-Sep
Kentucky ( 940-1,143) Esp. Paducah, Millersburg (76), Franklin (72), West Point.
Louisiana ( 420 – 488) New Orleans especially (244-300) Feb-July
Minnesota ( 5-8) July 8-22
Mississippi ( 58) Esp. Hinds (42), Jackson (23), Vicksburg (13) May-July
Missouri ( 733 – 850) St. Louis esp. (529) May-Sep, especially July-Sep
New York ( >2) New York City
Ohio ( 330 – 371) Esp. Cincinnati (215), Columbus/45-69 June 14-Oct 18
Pennsylvania ( 7) Pittsburgh and Philadelphia
River Boats ( 8)
South Dakota ( >34) Yankton (33)
Tennessee (2,072-2,223) Esp. Nashville (~1000), Memphis (300), Chattanooga. May-Aug
Texas ( 81) Denison (80) Aug 8 and Sep 20-Oct 10
Utah Territory ( 4-6) Kelton
Virginia ( >3)
West Virginia ( 22-25) Especially Wheeling (22) ~June 9-early Sep
Totals: 5,814-6,519
Breakout of 1873 Cholera Fatalities by State and Locality (where known by us):
Alabama (>165-196) Especially Birmingham (130) and Huntsville (62) ~June-Aug
–165-196 Statewide Blanchard compilation based on numbers below.
— 181 “ Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, p. 35.
Breakout of AL cholera fatalities by locality:
–120-130 Birmingham, Jefferson County.
–130 “ Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, p. 176.
–130 “ June 1-July 18. Van Deman. “Cholera in Chattanooga…South.” 1875, 256.
–128 “ June 12-Aug. Peoples. “Birmingham Cholera…of 1873.” 3-14-2013.[3]
–120 “ June NYT. “The Cholera…Session of…Health Assoc.,” 11-12-1873, 5.
— 1 Eufaula. Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, p. 225.
— 42-62 Huntsville, Madison County.
–62 “ Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873… 1875, 389-396.
–55 “ NYT. “The Cholera…Session of…Health Assoc.,” 11-12-1873, 5.
–42 “ Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, p. 225.
— >3 Montgomery. New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-2-1873, p. 5.[4]
–1 Montgomery. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873… 1875, 414-15.
Arkansas (76-77) Especially Perkins Plantation
–76-77 Statewide Blanchard compilation based on numbers below.
— 74 “ Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, p. 35.
Breakout of Ark. deaths by locality
— 4 Chicot Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, p.128-29.
— 6 Helena Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, p. 134.
–15-16 Little Rock Little Rock Health Board. “Cholera in Little Rock…” 1875, pp. 257-258.
— 15 “ Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, p.131-133.
–1 “ July 2 New York Times. “Cholera.” 7-3-1873, p. 5.
–1 “ July 9 New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-10-1873, p. 1.
— 20 Osceola Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, p. 130.
— 27 Perkins plantation. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, p. 133.
— 4 Pine Bluff Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, p. 130.
Dakota Terr. ( >12)
–12 Territory Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, p. 35.[5]
Florida ( >3)
—>1 Cedar Keys. Judson. “Report upon…Course of Cholera…” 1875, p226.[6]
— 1 Gainesville. Judson. “Report upon…Course of Cholera…” 1875, p. 226.
—>1 Elsewhere. Judson. “Report upon…Course of Cholera…” 1875, p. 226.
Georgia ( >3)
— 1 Atlanta, Fulton County. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873. Pp. 35, 437-438.
— 1 Calhoun County. Judson. “Report…the Course of Cholera…” 1875, p. 226.[7]
— 1 Dalton, Whitfield County. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873. 1875, p. 35, 439.
Illinois (427-478) Chicago esp. (116) May 24-Sep 20, esp. late July-early Aug
–427-478 State. Blanchard tabulation based on locality breakouts below.
— 256 State. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, p. 35.
Breakout of deaths by locality:
— 5 Addieville, Washington Co. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873… 1875, 235.
— 4 “ “ Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, 245.[8]
— 15 Big Muddy, Jackson County. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873…U.S. 1875, 221.
— 3 Bluffs, Scott County. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873… 1875, p. 231-232.
— 6 Cairo, Alexander County.[9] Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873… 1875, p. 212-213.
–18-34 Carmi, White County.
–34 “ Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873… 1875, p. 227-229.
–18 “ NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, p. 5.
— 2 “ July 23 New York Times. “The Cholera in the West.” 7-24-1873, 5.
— 8 “ July 30-31 (24-hrs.). New York Times. “The Cholera.” 8-2-1873, p. 1.
–14 “ Up to July 31. New York Times. “The Cholera.” 8-2-1873, p. 1.
— 2 “ Aug 5 New York Times. “The Cholera.” 8-6-1873, p. 5.
–11-17 Caseyville, St. Clair County.
–17 “ Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, 245.[10]
–17 “ NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, p. 5.
–11 “ Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873…U.S. 1875, 224.
— 9 Chapin, Scott County. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873… 1875, 232-233.
— 116 Chicago, Cook County. Chicago Hist. Soc. Encyclopedia of… “Epidemics.”[11]
–116 “ NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, p. 5.
–116 “ Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873… 1875, 213-217.
— 4 July 6. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873 in the U.S. 1875.
— ? July 27-Aug 2 New York Times. “The Cholera.” 8-7-1873, p. 5.[12]
–42 By Aug 15 New York Times. “The Cholera.” 8-16-1873, p. 5.
— 5 Chouteau Slough, Madison Co. Judson. “Report…Cholera…” 1875, p. 246.[13]
–15-20 Clear Creek Precinct, Alexander County.
–20 “ Judson. “Report…Cholera…” 1875, p. 246.[14]
–15 “ NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, p. 5.
— 1 Cobden, Union County. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873…U.S. 1875, 221.
— 7 Delhi, Jersey County. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873…U.S. 1875, 226.
–14-26 Exeter, Scott County.
–26 “ Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873… 1875, 229-231.
–14 “ NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, p. 5.
— 4 Fayette County. Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, p. 246.[15]
— 1 Galesburg, Knox County. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873…U.S. 1875, 236.
— 9 Goose Island, Alexander Co. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873… 1875, 212.
— 11 Grafton, Jersey County. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873… 1875, 225-226.
— 5 Grand Tower, Jackson Co. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873… 1875, 219-221.
— 5-6 Jacksonville, Morgan County.
–6 “ Aug 13-21. Judson. “Report…Cholera…” 1875, p. 246.
–5 “ NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, p. 5.
— 5 Jonesboro area, Union Co., Griffith family. NYT. “The Cholera in Illinois.” 9-7-1873, 1.
— 23 Lebanon, Saint Clair County. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873…. 1875, 222-223.
— ~20 Litchfield, Montgomery Co. Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, 247.[16]
— 7 Little York, Warren County. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873…U.S. 1875, 237.
— 7-8 Makanda area, Jackson Co. Judson. “Report…Cholera…” 1875, p. 247.[17]
— 1 Monmouth, Warren County. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873…U.S. 1875, 237.
— 8 Murphysboro, Jackson Co. Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, p. 247.
–8 “ Sep 4 (24 hrs.) Logansport Journal (IN). “News of…Week,” 9-13-1873.
— 20 Nebo vicinity, Pike County. Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, p. 247.[18]
— 18 Odin, Marion County. Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, p. 247.[19]
–18 “ NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, p. 5.
— ? “ Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873… 1875, 222-223.[20]
–30-40 Okawville, Washington, County.
–40 “ Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873… 1875, 233-235.
–30 “ NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, p. 5.
— 1 Richview, Washington Ct. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873…U.S. 1875, 235.
— 1 Rock Island, Rock Island Co. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873…U.S. 1875, 236-37
— 11 Sugar Creek, Logan County. Alton Telegraph (IL). “News Items,” Oct 3, 1873, p. 1.
— 1 Villa Ridge, Rock Island Ct. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873…U.S. 1875, 237.
— 3 White Hall, Greene County. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873…U.S. 1875, 222.
Indiana (289-309) Esp. Mt. Vernon (83) and Indianapolis (48); ~June to mid-Aug
–289-309 Statewide Blanchard tabulation based on data below.
— 164 Statewide Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, 35.
Breakout of deaths by locality:
— 11 Aurora, Dearborn County. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873… 1875, 383.
–11 “ “ Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, p. 248.[21]
–11 “ “ NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, p. 5.
— 32 Cumberland, Marion Co. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873… 1875, 228, 381.
— 2 Delaware, Ripley County, Aug 2. Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, p. 248.
–22-26 Evansville, Vanderburgh County.
–26 “ Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, p. 248.[22]
–25 “ Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873… 1875, 377-379.
–22 “ NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, p. 5.
— 2 “ Aug 1 (mill hands) New York Times. “The Cholera.” 8-2-1873, p. 1.
— >20 Gibson County. King. “Cholera Epidemics in Gibson County,” in Stormont, 271.[23]
–14-16 Princeton area, Gibson County.[24]
–14 “ Judson. “Report…Cholera…” 1875, p. 249.[25]
–10 “ July 18-22. NY Times. “The Cholera in the West.” 7-23-1873, p. 1.[26]
— 8 “ NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, p. 5.
Princeton area breakout by cases.
— 1 Mrs. Seabrooks, apparently from washing clothes of a cholera case.[27]
— 6 Henry Weatherly family on Indian Creek.[28]
— 4 Jesse Weatherly (brother of Henry) family members (wife and 3 children).[29]
–6-7 Wheeling vicinity, Washington Township, Gibson County. King 1914, p. 275.
— 5 Hartwell family. King 1914, p. 275.
–1-2 Names unknow. King 1914, p. 275.
–39-48 Indianapolis, Marion County.
–48 “ Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873… 1875, 379-380.[30]
–39 “ NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, p. 5.
— 3 July 27 (in one family). New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-28-1873, p. 5.
— 2 Aug 2 New York Times. “The Cholera.” 8-4-1873, p. 1.
— 24 Lawrence, Marion County. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873… 1875, 381.
— 22 Lizton, Hendricks County. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873… 1875, 384-385.
— 83 Mount Vernon, Posey Co. Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, p. 249.[31]
— 83 “ NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, p. 5.
— ~30 July 8-16 New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-17-1873, p. 1.
–9 July 11 NYT. “The Cholera in Mount Vernon.” 7-22-1873, p. 3.
–9 July 12 NYT. “The Cholera in Mount Vernon.” 7-22-1873, p. 3.
–6 July 13 NYT. “The Cholera in Mount Vernon.” 7-22-1873, p. 3.
–5 July 14 NYT. “The Cholera in Mount Vernon.” 7-22-1873, p. 3.
— 30 July 17-23 NYT. “The Cholera at Mount Vernon.” 7-25-1873, p. 8.
–8-10 July 17 New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-19-1873, p. 1.
— 2 July 23 New York Times. “The Cholera in the West.” 7-24-1873, 5.
— 40 Within a week. New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-19-1873, p. 1.
— 22 Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. 1875, 233, 372-73.
–22-24 New Elizabeth, Hendricks County.
— 24 “ Judson. “Report…Cholera…” 1875, p. 249.[32]
— 24 “ “ NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, p. 5.
–~22 “ “ Daly 2008, “The Black Cholera…the Central Valley…”
— 1 North Vernon, Jennings Co. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873… 1875, 382.
— 2 Terre Haute, Vigo County. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873… 1875, 382.
— 2 Wabash, Wabash County. New York Times. “The Cholera.” 8-4-1873, p. 1.
— 7-12 Washington, Daviess County.
–12 “ Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873… 1875, 386-387.
— 7 “ NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, p. 5.
Iowa (120-134) Davenport esp. (80-94) June 20-Sep 14, esp. late Aug to mid-Sep
–120-134 Statewide. Blanchard tabulation based upon totals below.
— 19 Statewide Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873 in the United States. 1875, 35.
Breakout of deaths by locality:
— ~38 Burlington, Des Moines County. Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, 244.[33]
–38 “ NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, p. 5.
–80-94 Davenport, Scott County.
— 94 “ Cantwell, in Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873. 1875, p. 455-457.
— 85 “ Farquharson, in Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, p. 457
–~80 “ Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, p. 244.[34]
— 80 “ NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, p. 5.
— 2 on Aug 28. Logansport Journal (IN). “News of the Week,” 9-6-1873, 2.
— 4 on Sep 3. Dubuque Herald (IA). “Summary of News,” Sep 5, 1873, p. 1.
–12 on Sep 6. Logansport Journal (IN). “News of the Week,” 9-13-1873, 2.
— 2? Stuart, Adair County. Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, p. 244.[35]
Kentucky (940-1,143) Esp. Paducah, Millersburg (76), Franklin (72), West Point.
–940-1,143 Statewide Blanchard compilation from breakouts below.
— 855 Statewide. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, 35.
— 719 “ (June 3-Sep 29). McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875, 223.[36]
Breakout of 1873 Kentucky cholera deaths by locality:
— 20 Ballard County. NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, p. 5.
–16 Ballard Co. RR Labor Camp. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. 1875, 278.
— 2 Bardstown, Nelson County. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. 1875, 311.
— 1 Beech Fork, Washington County. Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, 240.[37]
— 1 Bordley, Union County. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. 1875, 274.
— Boston — see Nelson County. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. Pp. 310-311.
–71-73 Bowling Green & vicinity, Warren Co. Blanchard range from McClellan & Woodworth.
–73 “ “ McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875, p. 4.[38]
–71 “ “ Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. 1875, 265.
–67 “ 65, June 19-Aug 10 McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875, p. 4.
— 1 “ June 3 McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875, p. 3.
— 1 “ June 14 McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875, p. 3.
— 2 “ June 19 McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875, p. 4.
— ? “ June 19-Aug 10 “became epidemic.” “
— 3 Boyle County. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. 1875, 324.
–1 Danville area (6 miles); Sep 5. Male, 45, servant of Winfrey House victim.[39]
— 1 Bryantsville, Garrard County. Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, 236.[40]
— 1 Burkesville, Cumberland County. Judson. “Report…Cholera…” 1875, p. 236.[41]
— 4 Cadiz, Trigg County. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. 1875, 272.
— Campbellsville – see Taylor County.
— 1 Cane Valley, Adair County. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. 1875, 316.
— 1 Casey’s Creek, Adair County. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. 1875, 316.
— 1 Casey’s Mines, Union County. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. 1875, 274.
— 8 Caseyville & vicinity, Union Co. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. P. 273-74.
— 4 Clinton County. McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. 21-22.
–1 “ Late June. Gentleman just returned from Nashville.[42]
–1 “ Sep 12~. Owner of house (Mr. K.) where cholera victim was taken.[43]
–2 “ Sep 13-14? Members of Mr. K’s family.[44]
–23-27 Columbia, Adair County. Blanchard, using McClellan, NYT, Woodworth.
–27 “ McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875, 20-21. [Blanchard counting.]
–25 “ NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, p. 5.
–23 “ Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. P. 314-318.
–5 Aug 30~ McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875, p20.[45]
–1 Aug 31. J.C. Winfrey. McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. p. 20.
–8 Aug 31/Sep 1; Winfrey house boarders. McClellan. “An Account…” 1875. 20.
–2 Sep 1. Recent Winfrey House boarders. McClellan. “An Account…” 1875. 20.
–1 Sep 1. Dr. H. Owens, whose office was opposite Winfrey stable yard.[46]
–1 Sep 1. Person who had nursed an Aug 31 victim.[47]
–1 Sep 2. Man, 70, who nursed a Winfrey House victim.[48]
–1 Sep 3~. Man, 50, who had used Winfrey House privy.[49]
–1 Sep 7~. Sick 7 days. McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. p. 20.
–1 Sep 10. Elderly male; no known connection to Winfrey House.[50]
–3 Sep 20-Sep 23. All connected to Winfrey House.[51]
–1 No date; man who used Winfrey privy; at his home on Green River, 14-hrs.[52]
–1 No date; daughter of man who died Aug 30.[53]
— 25 Covington, Kenton County. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. P. 275-276.
— 2 Cross-roads, McCracken County. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… P. 263.
— 1 Dekoven, Union County. Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, 236.
— 29 Elizabethtown and area, Hardin Co. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. 1875, p.283.
–29 “ “ “ McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. p. 7-8.
— 1 July 8 McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. p. 7.
— 1 July 10 McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. p. 7.
–22 July 11-Sep 24 “epidemic” McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. p. 7.
— 4 Aug 26~, area 6 miles SE. McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. p. 7.
— 1 No date. Elizabethtown man visited friend 3 miles away; friend died next day.[54]
–72-74 Franklin & vicinity, Simpson County. Blanchard range using McClellan & Woodworth.
–74 “ “ McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875, p. 4-5.
–72 “ “ Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. P. 265-266.
— 1 June 14, daughter of Dr. who had treated cholera victims. McClellan 1875, p. 4.
— 1 June 18, male, 40. McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875, p. 4.
— 1 June 22, man from Gallatin. McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875, p. 4.
— 1 June 25, “a white man died.” McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875, p. 4.
— 2 June 27 McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875, p. 4.
— 2 June 28 McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875, p. 4.
— 7 July 1 McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875, p. 4.
–50 July 2-16 McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875, p. 4.
— 1 July 20 McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875, p. 4.
— 1 July 28 McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875, p. 4.
— 1 Aug 4 McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875, p. 4.
— 1 July 3 Six miles east of. McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875, p. 4.
— 1 ~July 7 Mother-in-law, same house. McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” p. 5.
— 2 after July 7, visitor and child, same house. McClellan. “An Account…” 1875, p. 5.
— 1 No date, four miles west of town. McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” p. 5.
— 1 No date, wife of county jailer. McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” p. 5.
–11-13 Glasgow and vicinity, Barren County. Blanchard range using NYT and Woodworth.
–13 “ NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, p. 5.
–11 “ Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. P. 295-296.
— 20 Grayson & vicinity, Carter County. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. P. 274-275.
— 1 Green River, Lincoln County. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. 1875, 316.
— 1 Griffin Springs, Adair County. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. 1875, 316.
— 10 Hardin’s Bottom & area, Henry Co. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. 1875, 280.
— 1 Harrodsburg, Mercer County. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. 1875, 325.
— 35 Henderson, Henderson County. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. P. 268-272.
–13-16 Henry County. Blanchard range using NYT and Woodworth.
–16 “ NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, p. 5.
–13 “ Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. P. 280-81.
— 3 Hickman, Fulton County. Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, 238.
— 11 Hopkinsville, Christian County. Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, 238.[55]
–11 “ NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, p. 5.
— 3 “ Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. 1875, 295.
— 3 “ Aug 6 New York Times. “Cholera.” 8-8-1873, p. 5.
— 1 “ Aug 7 New York Times. “Cholera.” 8-8-1873, p. 5.
— 5 Jamestown, Russell County. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. 1875, 324.[56]
— 2 Lacona, Jefferson County. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. 1875, p.267.
–15-20 La Grange, Oldham County. Blanchard range using Judson, NYT, Woodworth.
–20 “ NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, p. 5.
–18 “ NYT. “The Cholera in the West.” 7-24-1873, p. 5.
–18 “ “ “ Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. 1875, 282.
–15 “ “ “ Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, 238.[57]
–15 “ “ “ McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. p. 8.[58]
–2 July 26 (new breakout) New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-28-1873, p. 5.
–3 July 27 New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-28-1873, p. 5.
— 2 Lafayette, Christian County. Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, 238.[59]
–33-35 Lancaster, Garrard County.
–35 “ & vicinity. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. P. 300-305.
–34 “ NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, p. 5.
–33 “ Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, p. 239.[60]
–33 “ McClellan. “An Account…cholera…summer of 1873…Kentucky.” 1875, 16-17.
— 1 Aug 14. Man who waited on Bewley during 10-day illness. McClellan p. 16.
— 1 Aug 15. Father-in-law of Bewley. McClellan. “An Account…” 1875, p. 16.
— 1 Aug 16. Woman. McClellan. “An Account…” 1875, p. 16.
— 1 Aug 17. Woman; lived ~Bewley house. McClellan. “An Account…” 1875, 16.
— 1 Aug 19. Woman; seeking to leave “infected district.” McClellan 1875, p. 16.
— 5 Aug 19-20. Group living on same street as Bewley. McClellan 1875, p. 16.
— 1 Aug 20. Man, 25. McClellan. “An Account…” 1875, p. 16.
— 1 Aug 20. Mother of Aug 16 victim. McClellan. “An Account…” 1875, p. 16.
— 1 Aug 22. Mr. Bewley. McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875, p. 15.
— 1 Aug 22. Man at boarding house above RR depot. McClellan 1875, p. 17.
— 1 Aug 22/23. Elderly man in infected district. McClellan 1875, p. 17.
— 1 Aug 23. Soldier. McClellan. “An Account…” 1875, p. 17.
— 1 Aug 24. Wife of soldier. McClellan. “An Account…” 1875, p. 17.
— 1 Aug 25. Woman; had nursed Bewley. McClellan. “An Account…” 1875, 17.
— 1 Aug 26. Man; two had died in house. McClellan. “An Account…” 1875, p.17.
— 1 Aug 26. Woman, 21, house where there had been a previous cholera case.[61]
–12 Aug 27-Sep 6. Out of sixteen new cases. McClellan. “An Account…” 1875, 17.
— 1 Sep 22. Elderly woman who occupied room Bewley died in.[62]
— 3 Larue County. Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, p. 239.[63]
–84-89 Lebanon and vicinity, Marion County. Blanchard range using NYT and McClellan.
–89 “ “ Blanchard count from McClellan 1875.
–84 “ “ Blanchard tally from NYT on Lebanon and Lebanon vic.
–26 “ NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, p. 5.
–20 “ Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873.1875, 305-10.[64]
— 1 “ Aug 19, male, 35. McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875, p. 12.
— 1 “ Aug 25, male, 45. McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875, p. 12.
— 1 “ Aug 25, man in town center. McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875, p. 12.
— 1 “ Aug 30, after County Fair McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875, p. 13.
— 1 “ Sep 8, child of army soldier. McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875, 13.[65]
— 1 “ Sep 10, soldier, father of child. McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875, 13.
–58 Lebanon area outside Lebanon. NYT. “The Cholera…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, 5.
— 1 Six miles from Lebanon, July 19. McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875, 11.
— 1 Woman living between RR and river, Aug 11. McClellan. “An Account…” 1875. 11.
— 1 Dr. who cared for unrecorded cholera victims, Aug 11-18. McClellan. 1875, p. 11.
–11 Marion County fair-goers, ~Lebanon. McClellan. “An Account…” 1875, p.12.[66]
— 6 County, Aug 28-29. McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875, p. 13.
— 7 County, Sep 1. McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875, p. 13.
–56 Marion County, Sep 2-Oct 1. McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875, p. 13.
–28-30 Logan County.
–30 “ NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, p. 5.
–28 “ Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, p. 239.[67]
— 6-7 Long’s Mines, Union County. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. 1875, 274.
–26-29 Louisville, Jefferson County. Blanchard, using McClellan and Woodworth.
–29 Louisville (Blanchard count) McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. p. 5.
–26 “ Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. 1875, 267.[68]
–22 “ NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, p. 5.
— 1 “ June 8, Evansville refugee. McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” p. 5.
— 1 “ June 12, RR conductor. McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. p. 5.
–21 “ June 12-Aug 16 McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. p. 5.
— 1 “ July 30 New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-30-1873, p. 1.
— 1 “ Aug 1 New York Times. “The Cholera.” 8-17-1873, p. 1.
— 1 “ Sep 4 (Mrs. G. sister) McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. p. 6.
— 1 “ Sep 6 (same house) McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. p. 6.
— 1 “ Sep 7 (same house) McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. p. 6.
— 1 “ Sep 8. Dr. J.P. Warren. McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. p. 6
— 1 Mackville, Adair County. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. 1875, 318.
— 6-8 Maysville, Mason County. Blanchard, using McClellan, NYT, Woodworth.
–8 “ June 29-July 25 McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. p. 6.[69]
–7 “ NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, p. 5.
–6 “ Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. 1875, 279.
— 2 Meade County. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. 1875, 300.
— 1 Middletown, Bourbon County. Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, 239.[70]
–65-76 Millersburg, Bourbon County.
–76 “ Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. P279, 284-288.[71]
–70 “ (Blanchard count) McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. p. 9.
–65 “ NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, p. 5.
“ — 8 1st wave NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, p. 5.
“ –57 2nd wave NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, p. 5.
Date breakouts where noted:
— 6 July 11-13 McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. p. 8.
— 1 Aug 26 McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. p. 9.
–~30 Aug 28-Sep 1 New York Times. “The Cholera.” 9-2-1873, p. 1.[72]
— 6 Aug 28. McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. p. 9.
— 8 Aug 29 McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. p. 9.
— 49 Aug 30-Sep 7 McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. p. 9.
–18 Aug 31-Sep 1 (24 hrs.) New York Times. “The Cholera.” 9-2-1873, p. 1.
— 4 Mississippi Central RR extension six miles below Cairo. NYT. “Cholera.” 7-3-1873, p. 5.
— ? Muldraugh’s Hill (2 waves). NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, p. 5.
— 20 Nelson County Blanchard, from Woodworth, NYT, McClellan.
–? Bardstown. “…infected to some extent…impossible…to obtain the records.”[73]
–9 Boston Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. Pp. 310-311.
–6 Sep 2-8, all from same house. McClellan 1875, p.14.
–3 Sep 9, from same house as Sep 2-8 deaths. McClellan 1875, p.14.
–6 New-Haven NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, p. 5.
–5 “ Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic. 1875, 310.
–1 “ Aug 20; young man, 6 miles northeast of New Haven. McClellan 1875, 14.
–2 “ Aug 21; mother and brother of young man of Aug 20. McClellan 1875, 14.
–1 “ Aug 25; female, 60, living in same house. McClellan 1875, p.14.
–1 “ Sep 4~; New Haven vicinity. McClellan 1875, p.14.
— 6 Newport and Licking River sawmill vicinity, Campbell County. Judson 1875, p. 240.[74]
— 3 ~North Bend, Boone Co. Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, 236.
— 1 ~North Fork, Boyle County. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. 1875, 321.
— 2 Oddville, Harrison County. Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, 240.[75]
— 6-9 Owensboro, Daviess County.
–9 “ Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873.1875, pp. 297-98.[76]
–6 “ NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, p. 5.
–78-180 Paducah, McCracken County
–180 “ McClellan. “An Account…Epidemic of Cholera…”[77]
— 78 “ NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, p. 5.
—>14 “ Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, p. 260-63.
— 1 May 21 (shipping clerk) McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…”, p. 3.
— 1 June 3 (female from Memphis). McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…”, 3.[78]
— 1 June 4 (Bechtold) New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-15-1873, p. 1.
— 1 June 8 (Engle) New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-15-1873, p. 1.
— 1 June 11 (deckhand) New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-15-1873, p. 1.
— 1 June 14 (Fletcher) New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-15-1873, p. 1
— 1 June 21 (Cobb) New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-15-1873, p. 1.
— 1 June 21 (deckhand) New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-15-1873, p. 1.
— 1 June 22 (deckhand) New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-15-1873, p. 1.
— 2 June 23 (Donovan and Ursula) NY Times. “The Cholera.” 7-15-1873, p. 1
— ? “raged” June 14-July 29. New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-15-1873, p. 1.[79]
— 4 Paint Lick, Garrard County. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. 1875, 305.
— >1 Paris, Bourbon County. New York Times. “The Cholera.” 9-2-1873, p. 1.
— 1 Parksville, Boyle County. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. 1875, 321.
— 1 Pleasant Run, Washington County. Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, 240.[80]
–10-29 Princeton, Caldwell County. Blanchard range based on Woodworth and NYT.
–29 “ Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. 1875, 276.
–10 “ NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, p. 5.
— 2 Providence, Webster County. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. 1875, 300.
— 1 Raywick, Marion County. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. 1875, 308.
— 8 Rock Castle, Trigg County. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. 1875, 272.
— 22 Round Hollow, Hardin Co. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. 1875, 283.
— 4 Saint Mary, Marion County. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. 1875, 308.
— 8-9 Springfield, Washington County.
–9 “ Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. 1875, 317.
–8 “ NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, p. 5.
–8 “ McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…”, 1875, p. 22.
“ –1 Sep 1. Male, 20, living within a few miles of Springfield.[81]
“ –3 Sep 2. Males; Pleasant Run district within 36-hours.[82]
“ –1 Sep 4. Physician “had been in constant attendance upon cholera cases.”[83]
“ –1 Sep 7. Daughter of Dr. Logan “attacked,” and died in 72-hours.[84]
“ –2 Sep 9? Servants of Dr. Logan household (died within a few hours).[85]
–17-21 Stanford, Lincoln County. Blanchard range from McClellan and Woodworth.
–21 “ Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. 303, 312-13.
–16 “ NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, p. 5.
–17 “ McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. p. 18.
–1 ~Aug 23, young man near town. McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. 18.
–5 Aug 29, Maxville area. McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. p. 18.
–5 Aug 30, Maxville area. McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. p. 19.
–2 Aug 31, Maxville area. McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. p. 19.
–3 Sep 1-12 (out of nine cases). McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. 19.
–1 Sep 28. Woman. McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. p. 19.
— 13 Taylor County including Campbellsville. Blanchard using McClellan & Woodworth.
–13 “ Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. 1875, p.294.
–11 Campbellsville and County McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. p9-10.
— 2 “ Tunnel workcamp. July 17. McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. p. 9.[86]
— 1 “ Near workcamp. Aug 1. McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. p. 10.
— 1 “ Along RR line. ~Aug 4. McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. p. 10.
— 1 “ Same area “ Aug 5. McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. p. 10.
— 1 “ Stage driver. ~Aug 17. McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. p. 10.
— 1 “ RR contractor, 25, Sep 8. McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. p. 10.
–4 Campbellsville, Taylor County. McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. p. 10.
–1 “ ~July 22 McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. p. 10.
–1 “ hotel, ~Aug 18. McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. p. 10.
–1 “ McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. p. 10.
–1 “ Mr. Henry Creele, Sep 2-3. McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. p. 10.
— 3 Trigg Furnace, Trigg County. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. 1875, 272.
— 1 Washington County. Aug 31. Man who had attended the Marion County Fair.[87]
–45-60 West Point area, Hardin County. Blanchard range using Judson and McClellan.
–50-60 “ McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. p. 8.
— ~45 West Point area RR workers. Judson 1875, p. 240.[88]
— 20 West Point area NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, p. 5.
— 2 Wolf’s Creek, Russell County. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. 1875, 324.
–10-25 Woodburn, Warren County.
–25 “ Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. 1875, 265.[89]
–10 “ NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, p. 5.
— 5 Woodville, McCracken County. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873… 1875, 263.
— 6 Worthville, Carroll County. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873… 1875, 295.
Louisiana (420-488) New Orleans especially (244-300) Feb-July
–420-488 State. Blanchard tally based on estimates below.[90]
— 307 State. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, 35.
Breakout of 1873 Louisiana cholera deaths by locality:
— 12-24 Delta, Madison Parish
–19-24 “ Judson. “Report upon…Cholera…” 1875, p. 225.[91]
— 12 “ NYT. “The Cholera. Evening Session…Health Assoc.,” 11-12-1873, p. 5.
— ? Lafourche. Cases by May 17. Peters. “The South Western Cholera, 1873.” Sept. 1873.
— 85 Monroe, Ouachita Parish. Judson. “Report upon…Cholera…” 1875, pp. 224-225.[92]
–2 US Infantry at Monroe. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873… 1875, 475.
–244-300 New Orleans, Orleans Parish.
–~300 “ White. “Report of Cholera in New Orleans…” 1875, 194[93]
— 259 “ Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, p. 194.
— 244 “ by June 22 Peters. “The South Western Cholera, 1873.” Sept. 1873.[94]
–103 Blacks
–141 Whites
— 232 “ NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, p. 5.
— 232 “ Remiss. Editorial. New Orleans Med. & Surg. Jour., Sep 1873.
— 3 Feb Remiss. New Orleans Medical and Surgical Journal, Sep 1873.
–17 Mar Remiss. New Orleans Medical and Surgical Journal, Sep 1873.
— 82 Apr Remiss. New Orleans Medical and Surgical Journal, Sep 1873.
— 90 Apr Hubbard, in Woodworth, Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, 474.
–125 May Hubbard, in Woodworth, Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, 474.
–108 May Remiss. New Orleans Medical and Surgical Journal, Sep 1873.
— 18 June Remiss. New Orleans Medical and Surgical Journal, Sep 1873.
— 4 July Remiss. New Orleans Medical and Surgical Journal, Sep 1873.
— 3 Providence, East Carroll Parish. Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, p.225.[95]
— >10 Raceland. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, p. 116.[96]
— ~50 Thibodeaux, Lafourche Parish. Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, p.225.[97]
— 16 Vidalia, Concordia Parish. Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, p.225.[98]
Minnesota ( 5-8) (July 8-22)
— 5 Statewide Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, p. 35.
— 8 Crow River, Kandiyohi Ct., July 10. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, p440.
–5-8 Kandiyohi County, July 8-22. Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, 245.[99]
Mississippi ( 58) Esp. Hinds (42), Jackson (23), Vicksburg (13) May-July
— 33 State. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, p. 35.
— 42 Hinds, Warren and Washington Counties
–11 Hinds County Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, p.122-123.
–17 Warren County Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, p.121-122.
–14 Washington County Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, p.123-124.
— 3 Holly Springs, Marshall Co. Judson. “Report upon…Course of Cholera…” 1875, 225.[100]
— 23 Jackson, Hinds County. Judson. “Report upon…Cholera…” 1875, p. 225.[101]
— 1 Meridian, Lauderdale County. Judson. “Report upon…Course of Cholera…” 1875, 225.[102]
— 13 Vicksburg, Warren County. Judson. “Report upon…Course of Cholera…” 1875, 225.[103]
Missouri (733-850) St. Louis esp. (529) (May-Sep, especially July-Sep)
–733-850 Statewide Blanchard tabulation based upon totals below
— 601 Statewide Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, p. 35.
Breakout of 1873 Missouri cholera fatalities by locality:
— 21 Clarkesville, Pike County. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, p.252-253.
— 4 Columbia, Boone County. Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, p. 241.[104]
–40-53 Fayette, Howard County.
–53 “ Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873…U.S. 1875, p. 257.
–40 “ Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, 241.[105]
–40 “ NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.,” 11-12-1873, p. 5.
— 7 “ vicinity Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, 241.
–22-100 Hannibal, Marion County.
–100 “ Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873… 1875, p. 250-251.
— 22 “ NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.,” 11-12-1873, p. 5.
— 2-3 Hogan Mountain, Iron County. Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, 241.
— 5 Iron Mountain, St. Francois County. Judson. “Report…Cholera…” 1875, p. 241.[106]
— 4-7 Jefferson City, Cole County.
–7 “ Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873…U.S. 1875, 254.
–4 “ NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.,” 11-12-1873, p. 5.
–21-28 Louisiana, Pike County.
–187 “ “ “ Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873…U.S. 1875, 252.[107]
–~50 “ by July 22 NY Times. “The Cholera in the West.” 7-23-1873, p. 1.[108]
— 28 “ by July 22 NY Times. “The Cholera in the West.” 7-23-1873, p. 1.[109]
— 27 “ Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, 242.[110]
— 27 “ NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.,” 11-12-1873, p. 5.
— 21 “ “ “ Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873…U.S. 1875, 251.
–8 on July 20 NY Times. “The Cholera in the West.” 7-22-1873, p. 1.
— 3-4 Mill Spring, Wayne County.
–4 “ Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, 242.[111]
–3 “ “ “ Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873…U.S. 1875, 253.
–13-51 Pilot Knob, Iron County.
— 51 “ NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.,” 11-12-1873, p. 5.
—>13 “ Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, 242.[112]
–16-30 Poplar Bluff, Butler County.
–30 “ Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, 242.[113]
–30 “ New York Times. “The Cholera.” 8-2-1873, p. 1.[114]
–20 “ NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.,” 11-12-1873, p. 5.
–16 “ Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. 1875, 253-54.
–25-30 Portage Des Sioux, Saint Charles Co. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic. 1875, 256.
— 529 St. Louis,[115] Saint Louis Co. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. 1875, 239-47.[116]
–110 “ NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.,” 11-12-1873, p. 5.
— 3 May (cholera morbus) Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873…U.S. 1875, 247.
— 35 June (cholera morbus) Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873…U.S. 1875, 247.[117]
–210 July (cholera morbus) Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873…U.S. 1875, 247.
–67 July 6-12 (cholera morbus). NY Times. “The Cholera.” 7-12-1873, p. 1.[118]
–36 July 27-Aug 2 New York Times. “The Cholera.” 8-3-1873, p. 1.
–109 Aug (cholera morbus) Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873…U.S. 1875, 247.
— 80 Aug (cholera) Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873…U.S. 1875, 247.
–18 Aug 3-9 cholera New York Times. “The Cholera.” 8-10-1873, p. 5.
–37 “ cholera infantum “
–30 “ cholera morbus “
–19 Aug 10-16 cholera. New York Times. “The Cholera.” 8-17-1873, p. 1.
–26 “ cholera morbus “
— 50 Sep (cholera morbus) Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873…U.S. 1875, 247.
— 12 Sep (cholera) Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873…U.S. 1875, 247.
— 2 Sturgeon, Boone County. Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, 243.[119]
–15-50 Troy and vicinity, Lincoln County.
–50 “ New York Times. “Cholera In Missouri.” 7-22-1873, p. 5.
–23 “ Judson. “Report…Cholera…” 1875, 243.[120]
–15 “ NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.,” 11-12-1873, p. 5.
— 11 Versailles, Morgan County.[121] Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873…U.S. 1875, 257.
New York ( >2) New York City
–2 New York City. Mr. Richard W. Hall of No. 38 King St.; Mrs. Welch, No. 304 Eleventh.[122]
Ohio (330-371) Esp. Cincinnati (215), Columbus/45-69; June 14-Oct 18
–330-371 Statewide Blanchard tally based on locality breakouts below.
— 354 Statewide Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, p. 35.
Breakout of deaths by locality:
— 5 Burlington, Lawrence County. Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, p. 250.
— 9 Carthage & vic., Hamilton Co. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873. 1875, 355-58.
–201-215 Cincinnati
–215 “ Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, 353.
–207 “ June 14-Oct 18. Greve. Centennial History of Cincinnati…, V1. 1904, 876.[123]
–207 “ Quinn. “Cholera in Cincinnati in 1873,” in Woodworth 1875, 336.
— 1 “ May 22 Peters. “The South Western Cholera, 1873.” Sep 1873, p. 5.
–12 “ June 30. New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-1-1873.[124]
— 7 “ July 1. New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-2-1873, p. 5.
–10 “ July 2. New York Times. “Cholera.” 7-3-1873, p. 5.
— 4 “ July 3. New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-4-1873, p. 1.
— 1 “ July 4. New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-6-1873, p. 1.
— 9 “ July 5. New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-6-1873, p. 1.
— 6 “ July 6. New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-7-1873, p. 1.
— 7 “ July 7. New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-8-1873, p. 1.
— 4 “ July 9. New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-10-1873, p. 1.
— 3 “ July 12 New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-13-1873, p. 1.
— 3 “ July 13 New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-14-1873, p. 1.
— 2 “ July 14 New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-15-1873, p. 1.
— 2 “ July 15 New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-16-1873, p. 1.
— 1 “ July 17 New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-18-1873, p. 8.
— 3 “ July 18 New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-19-1873, p. 1.
— 2 “ July 19 New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-20-1873, p. 1.
— 3 “ July 20 New York Times. “The Cholera in the West.” 7-21-1873, 1.
— 3 “ July 21 New York Times. “The Cholera in the West.” 7-22-1873, 1.
— 3 “ July 22 New York Times. “The Cholera in the West.” 7-23-1873, 1.
— 1 “ July 23 New York Times. “The Cholera in the West.” 7-24-1873, 5.
— 2-3 Cleveland, Cuyahoga County. Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, p. 250.[125]
–45-69 Columbus, Franklin County.
–69 “ Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873…. 1875, 360-364.
–45 “ NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.,” 11-12-1873, p. 5.
–18 “July 5-Aug 7 (in city) New York Times. “Cholera.” 8-8-1873, p. 5.
— 1 July 20 New York Times. “The Cholera in the West.” 7-21-1873, 1.
— 1 “ Aug 11 (8-hrs illness) New York Times. “The Cholera.” 8-11-1873, p. 1.
— 1 “ Aug 15 New York Times. “The Cholera.” 8-16-1873, p. 5.
— 1 “ Aug 22 Dubuque Herald, IA. “Cholera.” 8-23-2019, p. 1.
–7-10 Dayton, Montgomery County.
–10 “ Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, p. 251.[126]
— 9 “ Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873. 1875, 358-360.
— 7 “ NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.,” 11-12-1873, p. 5.
–4-5 “ July 27-Aug 2 New York Times. “The Cholera.” 8-3-1873, p. 1.
— 9 Longview Asylum, Hamilton Co. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873. 1875, 355-58.
— 21 Ohio Penitentiary, Columbus.[127] Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873. 1875, 364-368.
–2 July 16 New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-17-1873, p. 1.
–7 July 17 (avg. sickness 8 hrs.) New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-18-1873, p. 8.
–3 July 20 New York Times. “The Cholera in the West.” 7-21-1873, 1.
–1 July 21 New York Times. “The Cholera in the West.” 7-22-1873, 1.
–1 Aug 1 New York Times. “The Cholera.” 8-2-1873, p. 1.
— 3 Portsmouth, Scioto County. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873. 1875, 368-369.
— 19 Saint Bernard, Hamilton Co. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873. 1875, 354-55.
— 8 Springfield, Clarke County.[128] Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873. 1875, p. 360.
— 1 Steubenville, Jefferson Co., June 19. Judson. “Report…Cholera…” 1875, p. 251.
Pennsylvania ( 7) Pittsburgh and Philadelphia
— 7 Statewide Blanchard tally from locality breakouts.
— 5 Statewide Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873…U.S. 1875, p. 35.
— 2 Philadelphia. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… U.S. 1875, 445.
–4-5 Pittsburgh, Allegheny County.
–5 “ NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.,” 11-12-1873, p. 5.
–4 “ Aug 4-8. Snively. “Report on Asiatic Cholera.” 1875, 303.[129]
–4 “ Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, 443-445.
River Boats ( 8) Especially Mississippi River, but also Missouri River
–1 Steamboat Camelia, Nashville to Mount Vernon, IN. Work-gang member upon arrival.[130]
–3 Steamboat John Kilgour, New Orleans to Cincinnati, May 13-23. Woodworth 1875, 331.[131]
–1 Steamboat S. H. Long, St. Charles, MO, July 31. Judson. “Report…Cholera…” 1875, p.242.
–2 Steamboat J. D. Parker. Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, p. 239.
–1 Unidentified steamboat from Evansville, IN to Bowling Green, KY (prior to June 13).[132]
South Dakota ( >34) Yankton (33)
— 33 Yankton, Yankton County [SD]. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, 462-63.
— 1 Vermilion, Clay County, SD. Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, 245.[133]
Tennessee (2,072-2,223) Esp. Nashville (~1000), Memphis (300), Chattanooga. May-Aug
–2,072-2,223 State. Blanchard tally based on locality breakouts below.
— 852 State.[134] Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, p. 35.
Breakout of fatalities by locality:
— 2 Bellevue (July 1), Davidson, Co. Atlanta Constitution. “Cholera,” July 6, 1873, p. 1.
— 3 Big Spring District, Rutherford Co. Judson. “Report…Cholera…” 1875, 232.[135]
— 8 Blue Springs (DeKalb Co.?) NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.,” 11-12-1873, p.5.
— 1 Brownsville, Haywood Co. Judson. “Report…the Course of Cholera…” 1875, 226.[136]
— 6 Carter’s Station, Washington Co. Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, 226.[137]
–86-144 Chattanooga, Hamilton County
–144 “ June 20-July 20 Wight. “Observations…Cholera…Chattanooga…” Woodworth 178.[138]
–60 “ “ (Officially recognized as cholera deaths.)
–70 “ “ (“Cholera-related” deaths.)
–14 1st half of Aug. “ (Cholera deaths in second outbreak.)
— 87 “ Van Deman. “Cholera in Chattanooga…” Woodworth, 174.[139]
–~60 Residents, duration. Van Deman. “Cholera in Chattanooga…” Woodworth, 174.[140]
— 17 “ Residents who fled and died elsewhere. “ “ [141]
— 86 “ NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.,” 11-12-1873, p.5.
–70 1st outbreak NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.,” 11-12-1873, p.5.
–16 2nd outbreak, Aug 4. NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.,” 11-12-1873, 5.
Other Chattanooga reporting:
–15 July 6-7 (48 hours). New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-8-1873, p. 1.
— 1 July 9 New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-10-1873, p. 1.
— 0 July 10 New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-11-1873, p. 1.
— 2 Aug 7 New York Times. “Cholera.” 8-8-1873, p. 5.
— 5-10 Clarksville, Montgomery County.
–10 “ “ Judson. “Report…the Course of Cholera…” 1875, 227.[142]
— 5 “ “ Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873…U.S. 1875, 170.
— 2 Clinton, Anderson Co. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, p. 200-01.
— ~10 Ducktown, Knox County. Judson. “Report…the Course of Cholera…” 1875, 227.[143]
— 1 Elizabethtown, Carter Co. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, p. 209.
— 23-28 Erin, Houston County.
–28 Erin, Stewart [sic] Co. Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, p. 227.[144]
–24 Erin, Houston County. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, p 186-187.
–23 Erin (two waves) NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.,” 11-12-1873, p.5.
— 6 Farmington, Marshall Co.[145] Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873… 1875, 171-72.
— 2-3 Flat Creek Village, Williamson Co. Judson. “Report …of Cholera…” 1875, p. 227.[146]
— 6 Fountain Head [Sumner Co.]. Judson. “Report upon…Cholera…” 1875, p. 227.[147]
— ? Franklin, Williamson Co. Cases. NYT. “The Cholera in Tennessee,” 7-11-1873, 3.
–104-120 Gallatin, Sumner County.
–120 “ Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873…U.S. 1875, p. 162.
–104 “ Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, p. 227.[148]
–104 “ NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.,” 11-12-1873, p.5.
— 22 Goodlettsville, Sumner Co. Atlanta Constitution. “Cholera,” July 6, 1873, p. 1.
–22 “ “ Judson. “Report…the Course of Cholera…” 1875, p. 227.
— 4 “ “ Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875. 157-159.
— ~50 Greene Co. other than Greenville. Judson. “Report…Cholera…” 1875, p. 227-28.[149]
— 40-49 Greeneville, Greene County.
–49 “ “ Judson. “Report upon…Cholera…” 1875, pp. 227-228.[150]
–49 “ NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.,” 11-12-1873, p.5.
–40 “ “ Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, p. 181-84.
— 12 Greenville, Hamilton Co.[151] Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873…U.S. 1875, 176.
— 8 ~Hartsville, Sumner Co. Judson. “Report…the Course of Cholera…” 1875, 228.[152]
— 1 Huddleston’s Cross Roads, Wilson Co. Judson. “Report…Cholera…” 1875, p. 230.
— 3 Jefferson Turnpike, near Murfreesboro. Judson. “Report…Cholera…” 1875, p. 233.[153]
— 34 Jonesboro, Washington County. Judson. “Report…Cholera…” 1875, p. 228.[154]
–34 “ “ NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.,” 11-12-1873, p.5.
–30 “ “ Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873…. 1875, 202.
–18-21 Knoxville, Knox County.
–21 “ “ Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, 188-200.
–20 “ “ NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.,” 11-12-1873, p.5.
–18 “ “ Judson. “Report upon the Course of Cholera…” 1875, 229.
–26-29 Lebanon, Wilson County.
–29 “ “ NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.,” 11-12-1873, p.5.
–28 “ “ Judson. “Report upon…Course of Cholera…” 1875, 230.[155]
–26 “ “ Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, 169-170.
— 9 Lebanon vicinity other. NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.,” 11-12-1873, p.5.
— 1 ~Loudon, Roane County. Judson. “Report…the Course of Cholera…” 1875, p. 230.
— ? McMinnville, cases noted. NY Times. “The Cholera in Tennessee,” 7-11-1873, p. 3.
— >300 Memphis, Shelby County. Ellis. Yellow Fever & Public Health…South. 1992, p. 30.[156]
–500 “ “ NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.,” 11-12-1873, 5.[157]
–276 “ Annual Report…National Board of Health, 1879. P. 253.
— 15 “ June 16 Peters. “The South Western Cholera, 1873.” Sep 1873, p. 3.
— 10 “ June 17 Peters. “The South Western Cholera, 1873.” Sep 1873, p. 3.
— 11 “ June 18 Peters. “The South Western Cholera, 1873.” Sep 1873, p. 3.
— 19 “ June 19 Peters. “The South Western Cholera, 1873.” Sep 1873, p. 3.
— 17 “ June 20 Peters. “The South Western Cholera, 1873.” Sep 1873, p. 3.
— 14 “ June 21 Peters. “The South Western Cholera, 1873.” Sep 1873, p. 3.
— ? “ June 22-27 “and so on.” Peters. “The South Western Cholera, 1873.” p. 3.
—>10 “ June 28 Peters. “The South Western Cholera, 1873.” Sep 1873, 3.[158]
— 6 “ July 2 interments from cholera. New York Times. “Cholera.” 7-3-1873, p. 5.
— 7 “ July 4 Five interments, two deaths. NY Times. “The Cholera.” 7-6-1873, p. 1.
— 6 “ July 6. New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-7-1873, p. 1.
— 3 “ July 7. New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-8-1873, p. 1.
— 1 “ July 8. New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-9-1873, p. 1.
— 3 “ July 9. New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-10-1873, p. 1.
— 0 “ July 10 (one case). New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-11-1873, p. 1.
— 2 “ July 12 (interments) New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-13-1873, p. 1.
— 12 Midway vic., Greene Co. Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, 230.[159]
— 8 Mosheim, Greene County. Judson. “Report…the Course of Cholera…” 1875, 227.[160]
–41-53 Murfreesboro, Rutherford County.
–53 “ “ Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873… pp. 166-167.[161]
–41 “ “ NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.,” 11-12-1873, p.5.
–14 “ (24-hrs/July 31) New York Times. “The Cholera.” 8-2-1873, p. 1.
— 30 Murfreesboro, outside of. NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.,” 11-12-1873, p.5.
–1,000 Nashville, Davidson Co. Barnes. “Cholera-Epidemic…1873…US Army.” 1875, 478.
–1,000 “ Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873… 1875, p. 157.[162]
— ~750 “ May-July 1. NY Times. “The Cholera in Nashville.” 7-5-1873, p. 3.[163]
— 750 “ NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.,” 11-12-1873, p.5.
— 701 “ June 7-July 10 Blanchard tally from date breakouts below.[164]
— 653 “ “ Judson. “Report…Cholera…” 1875, p. 234.
— 647 “ June 7-July 1. NY Times. “The Cholera in Nashville.” 7-5-1873, p. 3.[165]
— 603 “ June 7-29. Peters. “The South Western Cholera, 1873.” Sep 1873, 4.[166]
–21 June 7 NY Times. “The Cholera in Nashville.” 7-5-1873, p. 3.
–18 June 8 NY Times. “The Cholera in Nashville.” 7-5-1873, p. 3.
–18 June 9 NY Times. “The Cholera in Nashville.” 7-5-1873, p. 3.
–11 June 10 NY Times. “The Cholera in Nashville.” 7-5-1873, p. 3.
–15 June 11 NY Times. “The Cholera in Nashville.” 7-5-1873, p. 3.
–11 June 12 NY Times. “The Cholera in Nashville.” 7-5-1873, p. 3.
–15 June 13 NY Times. “The Cholera in Nashville.” 7-5-1873, p. 3.
–12 June 14 NY Times. “The Cholera in Nashville.” 7-5-1873, p. 3.
–25 June 15 NY Times. “The Cholera in Nashville.” 7-5-1873, p. 3.
–14 June 16 NY Times. “The Cholera in Nashville.” 7-5-1873, p. 3.
–44 June 17 NY Times. “The Cholera in Nashville.” 7-5-1873, p. 3.
–32 June 18 NY Times. “The Cholera in Nashville.” 7-5-1873, p. 3.
–30 June 19 NY Times. “The Cholera in Nashville.” 7-5-1873, p. 3.
–72 June 20 NY Times. “The Cholera in Nashville.” 7-5-1873, p. 3.
–59 June 21 NY Times. “The Cholera in Nashville.” 7-5-1873, p. 3.
–53 June 22 NY Times. “The Cholera in Nashville.” 7-5-1873, p. 3.
–37 June 23 NY Times. “The Cholera in Nashville.” 7-5-1873, p. 3.
–29 June 24 NY Times. “The Cholera in Nashville.” 7-5-1873, p. 3.
–25 June 25 NY Times. “The Cholera in Nashville.” 7-5-1873, p. 3.
–24 June 26 NY Times. “The Cholera in Nashville.” 7-5-1873, p. 3.
–20 June 27 NY Times. “The Cholera in Nashville.” 7-5-1873, p. 3.
–12 June 28 NY Times. “The Cholera in Nashville.” 7-5-1873, p. 3.
–24 June 29 NY Times. “The Cholera in Nashville.” 7-5-1873, p. 3.
–10 June 30 NY Times. “The Cholera in Nashville.” 7-5-1873, p. 3.
–16 July 1 NY Times. “The Cholera in Nashville.” 7-5-1873, p. 3.
— 6 July 2 New York Times. “Cholera.” 7-3-1873, p. 5.
— 5 July 3 New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-4-1873, p. 1.
— 9 July 4 New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-6-1873, p. 1.
— 4 July 5 New York Times. The Cholera.” 7-6-1873, p. 1.
— 7 July 6 New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-8-1873, p. 1.
— 0 July 7 New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-8-1873, p. 1.
— 3 July 10 New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-11-1873, p. 1.
–~20 Nashville Penitentiary Peters. “The South Western Cholera, 1873.” P. 3.[167]
— 6 Old Union, Shelby Co. Judson. “Report…the Course of Cholera…” 1875, p. 234.
— 6 Ooltewah, Hamilton Co. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, p180-181.
— 12 Palmyra, Montgomery Co. Judson. “Report…the Course of Cholera…” 1875, p. 234.
— ? Pulaski, cases noted. NY Times. “The Cholera in Tennessee,” 7-11-1873, p. 3.
— 4 Richland, Sumner County. Judson. “Report…the Course of Cholera…” 1875, p. 234.
— 3 Rogersville, Hawkins Co. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873…U.S. 1875, 209-10.
— 3 Russellville, Hamblen Co. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873…U.S. 1875, p. 202.
— 23 Rutherford Co.[168] Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873 in the U.S. 1875, p. 168-169.
— 1 Sharp’s Settlement, Campbell Co. Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, 234.
–50-64 Shelbyville, Bedford County.
–64 “ “ Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, p. 235.[169]
–50 “ “ NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.,” 11-12-1873, p.5.
–46 “ “ (by July 3) Atlanta Constitution. “Cholera,” July 6, 1873, 1.
–14 “ “ Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, p. 162.
— 4 Shop Springs, Wilson Co. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, p. 170.
— 1 Silver Spring, Wilson Co. Judson. “Report…the Course of Cholera…” 1875, p. 230.
— 13 Springfield, Robertson Co. Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, p. 235.[170]
— 1 ~Taylorsville, Wilson Co. Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, p. 230.
— 1 Telford’s Station, Washington Co. Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, 235.
— 12 TN State Prison Camp, Shelby Co. Woodworth 1875, 163-165.
–28-51 Union City, Obion County.
–51 “ “ Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, p. 235.[171]
–51 “ “ NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.,” 11-12-1873, p.5.
–29 “ and area one week. New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-30-1873, p. 1.
–28 “ Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, p. 200.
— 6 Union County. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, p. 209.[172]
— 5-6 Wallace Cross-Roads, Anderson County.
–6 “ Bailey. “Cholera in Knoxville…” 1875, p. 286.[173]
–5 “ Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…. 1875, 201.[174]
— 4 Wartrace, Bedford Co. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, p. 165.
— 2 Whitesburg, Jefferson Co. Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, p. 235.[175]
— 3 Wilson Co.[176] Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, p. 169.
— 2 Winchester, Franklin Co., July 27. Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, 235.
— 3 Wolf River. Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, p. 235.[177]
Texas ( 81) Denison (80) Aug 8 and Sep 20-Oct 10
— 20 Statewide Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873 in…U.S. 1875, p. 35.
— 80 Denison, Grayson County. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873 in the U.S. 1875, 449.
— 81 “ “ “ Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, p. 243.[178]
Utah Territory (4-6) Kelton
— 6 Kelton, Box Elder County. Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, 245.[179]
— 4 Kelton, Box Elder County. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, p. 461.
Virginia ( >3)
— 1 Abingdon, Washington County, June 13. Judson. “Report…Cholera…” 1875, p. 251.
— 2 Gish’s Mills, Roanoke County, ~Aug 12. Judson. “Report…Cholera…” 1875, p. 251.
West Virginia (22-25) Especially Wheeling (22) ~June 9-early Sep
— 25 Blanchard tally from locality breakouts below.
— 22 Statewide Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873 in the U.S. 1875, p. 35.
Breakout of 1873 West Virginia cholera fatalities by locality:
— 3 Huntington.[180] Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, p. 436.
— 22 Wheeling, June 9-Sep. Jepson. “Cholera in Wheeling, West Va., in 1873.” 1875, p.274.[181]
–22 “ and vicinity. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, p. 354, 421-435.
— 1 “ July 23. New York Times. “The Cholera in the West.” 7-24-1873, p. 5.
— 1 “ July 24. New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-26-1873, p. 1.
— 1 “ July 25. New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-26-1873, p. 1.
— 3 “ Aug 3. New Albany Ledger Standard, IN. “Cholera at Wheeling.” 9-1-1873, p.1.
— 3 “ Sep 4-5. Dubuque Herald (IA). “Cholera,” Sep 6, 1873, p. 1.
Narrative Information — General
McClellan: “During the year 1873, cholera prevailed throughout the entire valley of the Mississippi. The early cases of the disease occurred at the city of New Orleans. From that city, the disease was carried northward, when it became epidemic at all points attacked…. The occurrence of this epidemic gave rise to a most extended discussion in medical circles, during which there was a greater diversity of opinion expressed than had been occasioned by any disease which had appeared upon the American continent during the past century.
“The vast majority of the medical men of the United States who were engaged in combating the disease during the progress of the epidemic, both in hospitals and in private practice, are unanimous in pronouncing it to have been Asiatic cholera of foreign origin; making use, in their reports of cases, of the synonym which was individually most acceptable, namely, cholera, cholera epidemica, cholera spasmodica, cholera asphyxia, serous cholera, malignant cholera, etc….
“From the study of this demonstration of the disease, in which the writer has been engaged almost constantly since August, 1873, during which time the records of some seven thousand cases have been obtained from physicians at all portions of the field of infection, he does not hesitate in announcing the disease to have been malignant epidemic cholera. During the entire season, the epidemic was governed by the same well-defined laws that have been presented by all other demonstrations of the same disease. That the intensity of the epidemic was modified and its advance checked at most points was due to the general diffusion of sanitary knowledge throughout the country during the lost few years, and not to any change of type in the disease itself; but, at the same time, it is shown that whenever the infection of cholera found a fitting and unmolested nidus,[182] then and there the disease exhibited its fatal malignancy. The truths upon which this assertion is based were most vividly impressed upon the mind of the writer by the direct contact in which, from the necessities of his work, he was placed with a very large number of the medical gentlemen residing in the great valley of the Mississippi; and the fact that the disease did not assume its accustomed epidemic form in the larger cities, but that its malignant demonstrations were confined to the smaller towns and villages…
“The narrative demonstrates that cholera was present in the large cities of the Mississippi valley, but at the greater number of such points the virulence of the epidemic was controlled by the prompt and energetic action of the health-boards, assisted by the active co-operation of the medical profession and municipal authorities.” (McClellan; in Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873 in the United States. 1875, p. 1)
“…it has been thought best…to present a history of the symptoms and general course of the epidemic, as it occurred in the Mississippi Valley from February to October, 1873.
“The clinical history demonstrates that no age, sex, color, or condition in life was exempt from its influences. Fatal cases are recorded as having occurred at all ages, from that of one month to that of one hundred and eighteen years… The greatest mortalities are recorded between the twentieth and fortieth years of age. Males suffered from the disease more severely than females, and, in proportion to their numbers, blacks than whites…. The disease was most malignant among the lower orders of each community, but the better classes were by no means exempt. Many who lived in healthy localities, who obeyed all obvious sanitary regulations, suffered in their persons and families.” (McClellan; in Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873 in the United States. 1875, p. 2)
“…there arrived at New Orleans, via Liverpool, Hamburg, and Bremen, during the months of December, 1872, and January, 1873, a total of nearly two thousand emigrants from cholera-infected districts of Europe.”
“While, in the absence of direct evidence to the contrary, it may be admitted that no person actually laboring under cholera was landed in New Orleans during the winter of 1872-’73, the unavoidable alternative is that the poison which caused the epidemic in the Mississippi Valley in the latter year was imported in the same manner as that which caused the later outbreaks at Carthage, Crow River, and Yankton, namely, in the personal effects of immigrants, sailing from healthy ports, in healthy vessels, and subjected to the usual sanitary requirements of the period.
“And this suggests the very obvious query, “Of what avail, then, is quarantine as a measure of protection for this country against cholera, if the cholera-poison may thus elude—as it admittedly did in each of these latter cases—the surveillance of a quarantine establishment ‘the best administered and most efficient in the world’…..
“…at times “a single case suffices to swiftly produce an epidemic or even a raging pestilence’.” (Woodworth 1875, 12)
“The earliest cholera-record in the United States, of the epidemic of 1873, is to be found in the city of New Orleans, La., as having occurred upon the 9th day of February. The last and 259th death in New Orleans happened in November. (Woodworth 1875, 93)
“In the preamble to a joint resolution of the Forty-third Congress of the United States, adopted during its first session, and approved by the President March 25, 1874, it was set forth that Epidemic Cholera had ‘prevailed during the year eighteen hundred and seventy-three in various parts of the United States, especially in the valley of the Mississippi, causing a deplorable mortality;’ and that it is highly important, whenever such epidemic occur, that ‘the facts concerning the spread of the disease and its mode of propagation should be ascertained as fully as possible with a view to the prevention or limitation of future outbreaks’.” (Woodworth 1875, 7)
“In 1873, three distinct outbreaks of the disease occurred at widely remote points in the United States, from poison packed and transported in the effects of emigrants from Holland, Sweden, and Russia. These people and the vessels in which they were carried had been perfectly healthy, and the people remained so until their goods were unpacked at Carthage, Ohio, at Crow River, Minn., and at Yankton, Dak., respectively. Within twenty-four hours after the poison-particles were liberated the first cases of the disease appeared, and the unfortunates were almost literally swept from the face of the earth.” (Woodworth 1875, 10)
”…while cholera…existed at almost every European port of embarkation for emigrants – 107 cases in one week at Hamburg – there arrived at New Orleans, via Liverpool, Hamburg, and Bremen, during the months of December, 1872, and January, 1873, a total of nearly two thousand emigrants from cholera-infected districts of Europe. “While…it may be admitted that no person actually laboring under cholera was landed in New Orleans during the winter of 1872-1873, the unavoidable alternative is that the poison which caused the epidemic in the Mississippi Valley in the latter year was imported in the same manner as that which caused the later outbreaks at Carthage, Crow River, and Yankton, namely, in the personal effects of immigrants, sailing from healthy ports, in healthy vessels, and subjected to the usual sanitary requirements of the period.”
“It is fortunately true that…no extended epidemic outbreak of the disease followed the liberation of the poison-particles on the banks of the Ohio, or in Minnesota, or in the Territory of Dakota.” (Woodworth 1875, 12)
“…nothing is more clearly proved by the history of cholera than that epidemics of this dreaded disease can be controlled by vigorous hygienic measures. The true remedy against cholera is preventive medicine.” (Woodworth 1875, 19)
….
“The 7,356 cases at which full records have been collected, are presented as representing but a small portion of the actual number of cases which occurred during the course of the epidemic.” (McClellan; in Woodworth 1875, 31.
“The cases which have been collected show that, in the treatment by calomel, in large and small doses, there was a mortality of 23 per cent; calomel and opium, there was a mortality of 31 per cent; calomel, opium, and acetate of lead, the mortality was 40 per cent; calomel, opium, and stimulants, the mortality was 50 per cent. In cases where stimulants alone were employed, the mortality was increased to 59 per cent… In the 7,356 cases which have been collected, the mortality was 52 per cent.” (Woodworth 1875, 32)
….
“The class of common carriers who, next to railway companies, are most actively employed in the transportation and diffusion of infectious diseases are the vessels of all descriptions which are engaged in the navigation of rivers and other inland lines of navigation.
“During the American epidemic of 1873 many striking and well-defined instances of their agency in the distribution of the cholera occurred. During the month of May, in that year, the disease was first brought northward along the line of the Mississippi River by infected boats; and during the ensuing months their agency was felt upon the Arkansas and Ohio Rivers, as well as streams of lesser magnitude. Nor was it in conveying the disease from the seat of original infection that their agency was evinced, for we find that the line of infection was turned, and that they conveyed the disease upon return trips to re-enforce the epidemic at the original point of departure. An inspection of one of the large steamboats that navigate the western waters will be all-sufficient to convince the most skeptical.” (Woodworth 1875, 52)
….
“The epidemic in Central Kentucky furnishes a striking illustration of the power of drinking-water in disseminating the disease. Several isolated cases of cholera had occurred in the town of Lebanon, near to a small creek which forms one of the drains of the town. A few days after their occurrence the Marion County Fair was held upon the grounds near Lebanon. As the water-supply was less than the demand, the deficiency was supplied from the town. Unfortunately a well was selected on low ground and quite near to the banks of this creek. On the second day of the fair a violent rain-storm deluged the country. The creek was filled to overflowing, and it was impossible that the surface-washings should not have infected this well. On the third and fourth days of the fair the water of this well was served as usual; and on the night of the last day (August 31) cholera, malignant in its type, was developed in all localities inhabited by those who had visited the grounds and drunk the water.” (Woodworth 1875, 58-59)
“The occurrence of a case of cholera is almost invariably followed by a scene of terror and confusion….It is earnestly urged that a recognition of the infectiousness of cholera robs the disease of its terrors, and that by cleanliness and disinfection it may be stamped out. That where these precautions are adopted, the occurrence of a case of cholera will influence the health of the other inmates of a house to no greater extent than they would be by a case of intermittent fever.
“Smallpox is a contagious disease and the unprotected individual coming in contact with the disease is always liable to it. Cholera is an infectious disease, but this fatal power is developed only after the molecular matter contained in the excreta of the patient arrives at a certain stage of decomposition. Prevent this process of decomposition from taking place, and the disease is stamped out. What vaccination is to small-pox, disinfection is to cholera.” (Woodworth 1875, 61)
“That the importation of cholera in the persons of individuals may be prevented by proper precautions, or that the disease may be stumped out whenever importation is accomplished, is shown by the evidence collected to be most certain; but to secure the advantages which may be derived from this fact, concerted action is necessary. Of what avail is it that the most elaborate and costly defense is erected at all principal ports of entrance, if but a single opening be left unguarded? It is true that the greater the port the greater the danger, and the more complete should be the precautions; but the neglect of a nation’s arming at all points has cost thousands of valuable lives. Of what avail is it that the health-officials at one point recognize the infectious properties of cholera, and concentrate their sanitary forces upon the disease whenever it may arrive at their gates and utterly stamp it out, when those of a sister city fail to attain to the same appreciation of the disease, open wide their gates, close their eyes to the entrance of the disease, and allow a focus of infection to be established from which pestilence and death stalk hand in hand. The results obtained by experienced observers demonstrate that the national means of precaution against a general epidemic of cholera are to be found in the quarantine of observation.” (Woodworth 1875, p. 62.)
Peters: “Great mistakes and confusion have arisen in New Orleans, Memphis, Nashville, Cincinnati, and other places, because careful examinations into the origin of the disease were not instituted until weeks and months after cholera had commenced or even terminated in those cities; and then the fatal cases only were more or less accurately recorded. It would be quite as impossible to trace the course of scarlet fever, if none but fatal cases were counted….When all the non-fatal cases are omitted it frequently happens that there is no apparent, or easily traceable connection between the fatal ones; and it seems like going back to the dark ages of medical research to parade lists of fatal cases only of cholera, and to refer to them as containing all, or even the principal part of the facts descriptive of an epidemic….” (Peters. “The Origin and Spread of Asiatic or Bengal Cholera.” Public Health Papers and Reports, Amer. Public Health Assoc., p. 342 of pp. 336-342.)
Peters: “The late outbreak of Asiatic cholera in this country, which commenced in New Orleans in February, 1873, was preceded by a great prevalence of the. disease in North Germany, Poland, Hungary, and Austria for at least three years, viz: in 1870,1871, and 1872; and by extended outbreaks in Russia in 1869,1870,1871, and 1872; while it had also been present in Persia every year since 1865; and notably so in 1867, 1868, 1869. and 1870.” (Peters; in Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873 in the United States. 1875, p. 75.)
Alabama
Peoples: “Just two years after its founding, Birmingham, Jefferson County, was beset by a deadly cholera epidemic during the summer months of 1873 that killed 128 people. The disease spread rapidly throughout the city after it entered the water supply. As the death toll rose, people fearing for their lives flooded out of the city; many chose not to return.
“Cholera, an intestinal infection caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, is passed by contaminated food and water and causes severe diarrhea and dehydration. Birmingham was founded near profitable natural resources and not in the vicinity of a major water supply, a factor which greatly assisted the spread of the disease. The city’s residents had only one sanitary source of water in 1873, a creek’s reservoir located nearly two miles outside of the city. In contrast, ground wells were the city’s other option, but were located in the city’s lowest elevations and filled with groundwater that ran down from higher elevations, making them far less sanitary.
“The first reported case of cholera in Birmingham dates to June 12, 1873. The individual considered to be the first to carrier of the disease, known to history only as Mr. Y., had recently moved to Birmingham from Huntsville. Mr. Y. was in Birmingham six weeks before falling ill with cholera, displaying symptoms three days after his bed and bed accessories arrived from Huntsville, which was suffering through its own epidemic at that time. Thus, the disease is believed to have arrived in Birmingham by way of Mr. Y.’s belongings. Mr. Y. died shortly after he began suffering from the vomiting and diarrhea associated with cholera. Local physician Mortimer H. Jordan suspected cholera, but his records indicate that the doctors who treated Mr. Y. did not identify the disease as the cause of death. Thus, doctors did not demand the proper disposal of Mr. Y.’s bodily fluids or bedding. Typically, bodies, body fluids, and other items contacted by cholera victims were disinfected with carbolic acid and buried, and bedding and clothing would have been burned. On June 17, two sisters came down with the disease and died shortly after falling ill. As with Mr. Y., no one properly disposed of the sisters’ body fluids.
“The impoverished, primarily African American neighborhood known as the “Baconsides” faced the greatest hardship during the first days of the epidemic. The sisters who contracted cholera after the death of Mr. Y. lived on the hill just above the Baconsides, and it is believed that their improperly managed body fluids contaminated the water supply in the community. Cholera was rampant in the neighborhood during the final days of June. After roughly 10 days of widespread deaths there, the disease migrated into the general population.
“None of the doctors in the Birmingham area had any direct experience with cholera, and they worked under several false assumptions. At the time, they thought that the disease plaguing the city was airborne in nature. Therefore, pots of tar were burned on street corners in the belief that the smoke would disinfect the air. On July 1, however, doctors acknowledged that the deaths were the result of cholera, which was known to be transmitted by water. After that, community leaders took steps to rid the city of the disease, including cleaning streets, draining and disinfecting city cesspools, and disinfecting and burying cholera-infected body parts and fluids.
“Many of the city’s doctors, including James B. Luckie and Jordan, remained in the city, as did a number of individuals who stayed and bravely attempted to aid the ill…. Such acts of selflessness, however, were overshadowed by a mass exodus of people who feared for their lives. Whereas approximately 4,000 people had settled in the city by June of 1873, only half that number remained by the end of the summer.
“The local economy was devastated by the loss of population and an accompanying sharp decline in property values. Further, a national economic depression arrived on the heels of the cholera epidemic, significantly adding to the city’s problems. One positive development arose out of the epidemic, however. City leaders, faced with the inadequacy of water services, improved sanitary systems and increased the capacity of the recently established Birmingham Water Works, and Birmingham eventually recovered.”[183] (Peoples, Jared. “Birmingham Cholera Outbreak of 1873.” Encyclopedia of Alabama (online). 3-14-2013 modification.)
Van Deman: Dr. Van Deman writes that ‘In Birmingham, Alabama…the mortality was the most fearful of any one city in the South. The first case appeared there about the first of June, 1873, shortly after its appearance in Nashville, and being upon the line of the North and South Railroad….it was plain to be seen that it culled its victims from the low and filthy portions of the place, where poverty and squalid wretchedness prevailed, and where the free use of limestone-water was indulged in by the people; and whilst the moderate use of vegetables did not seem detrimental, still it was noted that those who used them indiscriminately suffered most when attacked. The mortality was here, as is usual in other places in the South, greater among the colored citizens than the whites; among males than females; amongst adults than children; greater where sanitary rules were disobeyed than among those who adhered to them strictly. The whole number of deaths from all causes in this city was, from June 1 to July 18 (from its outset to its subsidence), one hundred and seventy-five, while cholera claimed one hundred and thirty of that number, and this, too, in a population of less than four thousand inhabitants when all were at home; but as all but five or six hundred had left the place for more healthy climes, the mortality is fearful to contemplate.” (Van Deman, J. H., MD (Chattanooga Health Officer). “Cholera in Chattanooga, Tenn., and Cities South of Nashville, During the Summer of 1873.” Pp. 253-256 in: Public Health Papers and Reports (APHA). 1875.)
Arkansas, Little Rock
Little Rock Board of Health: “The first case of cholera – recognized as such – occurred in this city on the 5th day of July last, and ended fatally on the following day….Cholera prevailed in Memphis for ten days or two weeks before the first case was noticed in Little Rock….The victim in this case was that of a woman who had been recently confined, and had no communication whatever with persons coming from infected localities, that could be ascertained. It is proper to add, with reference to this case, that the patient had in the same day that she was seized with the disease, eaten largely of ‘apple dumplings.’
“The second case, which occurred the next day (July 6), and which was likewise fatal, took place in a locality, which, in a hygienic point of view, was far less favorable than that under which the first case was observed. The house in which the patient was found, stood in a low and damp situation, and almost immediately over a large uncovered sewer. This case was that of a man, who, but a few days before was at work on a railroad embankment of the Cairo and Fulton Railroad, fifty miles north of Little Rock. Feeling unwell he quit work, and shortly after came to this city, when he was almost immediately seized with the disease, and died of it in a few hours after.
“These two cases of deaths from cholera were perhaps the only ones which took place in the city proper, and probably no other well marked case was observed by any physician, but a large number of cases of cholerine and cholera morbus were reported and treated in all portions of the city.
“About the same day as that upon which the last case took place (July 6), the steamer Fort Gibson from Memphis, Tennessee, came into port, having on board a negro suffering with cholera, and in an almost moribund condition. This patient was taken to what is known as the ‘County Poor House,’ where he died in a very few hours after. This poor-house is a miserable establishment, composed of five poorly constructed wooden houses, which have for the past ten or twelve years been used for hospital purposes. These buildings are situated in the western suburbs of the city, beyond ‘Capitol Hill,’ about three hundred or four hundred yards distant from the house in which the first case of cholera appeared. The inmates of this institution, which is of itself a disgrace to civilization, are composed for the most part of inebriates, debauchees, vagrants, negroes, railroad hands, emigrants, and the poorest-fed and worst clothed portion of our population. The sanitary condition of the poor-house up to the time of the outbreak of the disease, was as bad as could well be imagined; the floors were filthy, the clothing, bedclothing, and inmates themselves covered with vermin. The food upon which they were fed, was notoriously improper and unhealthy.
“After the introduction of the case from Memphis, about seven cases took place in rapid succession, all of which proved fatal. A number of cases of cholerine were also treated.
“Much credit is due to the kind and humane medical attendant, who upon the invasion of the disease exerted himself to the utmost to improve the sanitary condition of the entire premises, and to protect, if possible, the unfortunate inmates against this fell disease. The diet was at once improved, the walls of the wards well whitewashed, the floors scoured, mopped with a strong solution of carbolic acid, and then sprinkled with lime. Saucers containing chloride of lime were placed in the several wards. The stools of every patient were disinfected, thrown into pits, and covered over with earth. The attending physician visited daily the patients, instructing each, that in case the least laxity of the bowels should be experienced, to at once take to his bed and apply for medicine. In a few days after these measures were adopted, all appearances of cholera disappeared from our midst.
“Almost simultaneously with the outbreak of the disease in the poor-house, it made its appearance among the convicts confined in the State Penitentiary. The hygienic condition of this institution was far better than that of the poor-house, but it was ascertained that the contractors of the penitentiary had only a few days previous to the appearance of the disease, purchased at auction a quantity of spoiled beef, and that the convicts were being fed upon it. The physician of the penitentiary was at once informed of this fact, who at once corrected this evil, and by adopting a sanitary regimen, not unlike that employed at the poor-house, the cholera ceased to exist. Five or six deaths were reported as having taken place at the penitentiary. All the cases that occurred were fatal.
“We would also state that for several weeks prior to the advent of cholera in Little Rock, the Board of Health had been actively engaged in improving the sanitary condition of the whole city. Little Rock being very defective in sewerage, a large number of scavengers, with carts, were employed in cleaning up and carting off filth and garbage from the streets and alleys. These measures were continued up to the time of the appearance of the first case, when these operations were suspended. Disinfectants, however, were copiously used upon everything which emitted an unpleasant odor. Cards from the Board of Health were published in the daily papers, instructing the people in the kinds and the methods of using disinfectants. In addition to these measures, sanitary policemen, under instructions of the Board of Health, visited every house in the city, notifying the owners or inmates thereof, to disinfect their privies and premises generally.”
(Little Rock Board of Health. “Cholera in Little Rock, Arkansas.” Pp. 257-258 in: Public Health Papers and Reports (American Public Health Assoc.), 1875)
Perkins Plantation: The Little Rock Board of Health, in an Addendum to the article cited above, notes that “The Perkins plantation is situated on the south bank of the Arkansas River, about sixteen miles below Little Rock….The ‘Quarter’ is situated immediately on the bank of the river. This is a collection of about a dozen cabins, composed of logs and boards thrown loosely together as if by hap-hazard. These have been occupied for a number of years by the average class of plantation negroes, a notoriously filthy and improvident set of beings, and the houses with their surroundings present about as inviting a prospect to infectious germs that seek pabulum whereon to feed as can well be imagined…About seventy-five souls have an existence in this ‘quarter,’ who are far from being supplied with the necessaries of life, and while being scantily and filthily clad are forced to subsist on short rations of bacon and bread, and as they fail to provide themselves with gardens of wholesome vegetable, when the season for such things arrives their cravings urge them to appropriate largely of unripe and unwholesome fruits….The first case occurred on the night of the 24th of July….on the next day two other cases appeared [all died]…These were followed in quick succession during the next two days by seven (7) other cases…terminating fatally with all the recognized symptoms of cholera….The last case occurred on the night of the 27th, and the last death on the evening of the 28th….It is worthy of note that in 1866, cholera alighted on…these plantations and committed great havoc…Those who died…in 1866, were buried on the bank of the river above the ‘quarter,’ and the rise in the river last spring carried away these graves, and the bodies either floated down the river, or were taken from an eddy just above the ‘quarter’ and reinterred; while probably some remained buried in the sand at the bottom of the river. The water used by the inhabitants of the ‘quarter,’ at and before the outbreak of the cholera, was obtained from the river opposite the ‘quarter.’ The use of this water was discontinued.” (pp. 259-260)
Georgia:
Ellis: “Following the Mississippi Valley cholera epidemic in 1873, the state medical societies of Georgia and Tennessee worked successfully to secure the enactment of health legislation. On February 25, 1875, Governor James M. Smith of Georgia signed into law an act that provided for a state board of health, subordinate county boards, and registration of vital statistics by county ordinaries. The new agency was opposed from the beginning, however, by county politicians; by sectarian medical practitioners, who opposed the law’s discrimination of favor of regular physicians; and by the municipal authorities of Brunswick and Savannah, who resented the board’s investigative activity during the yellow fever epidemics in 1876. After 1877, when the legislature failed to made an appropriation for its support, the Georgia board became dormant until 1903.” (Ellis, John H. Yellow Fever & Public Health in the New South. 1992, p. 34.)
Illinois, Chicago:
Miller: “During the summer of 1873, Chicago was visited…by this disease….During the epidemic of last summer, the disease struck hardest where sanitary laws were not observed. When the first cases occurred here, the department went to work quietly, and did what could be done, and the result will show for itself.
“The cases of cholera occurring in and about Chicago during the last summer, were principally in the Fifth Ward, south of Thirty-seventh Street and west of State Street, and in the adjoining town of Lake, which is a continuation of this district, being separated from the city by Thirty-ninth Street.
“The district is densely populated, principally by foreigners, consisting of Germans, Swedes, and Poles; the families living in small rooms poorly ventilated, and subjected at all times to the ill effects of overcrowding. The district is low, with sandy soil and poor surface drainage. The water used, at the time of the first case, was procured from shallow wells, supplied with surface water….
“Many cases occurring in the beginning and, in fact, throughout the continuance of the disease, were reported as cholera morbus, as many physicians were loath to acknowledge the disease as cholera. Many cases so reported, were identical with the cases reported as cholera.
“There were, outside of this district, thirteen cases reported as deaths from cholera, in different parts of the city, the most of them from two to four miles from the district in which the first cases occurred, and with one exception in locations where overcrowding and filth were prevalent.
“There were six cases in the Fifteenth Ward, two in the Third Ward, one in the Eighth, three in the Sixth, one in the Thirteenth, and one in the Twelfth Ward. After the disease broke out in the Fifth Ward, many persons fled to other parts of the city; however, no connection could be traced between the cases in the Fifth Ward and the cases in the wards mentioned above.
“The first case occurred on May 24, at No. 444 Arnold Street, in the person of John McFee, a bridge builder, who had been working near Memphis, and left on account of the cholera. When he arrived in Chicago he had diarrhoea, which remained unchecked, and after a week or ten days developed choleraic symptoms, and proved fatal.
“The second case was…on June 10….The third and fourth cases occurred at the same place, and in the same family, on June 12 and 14, both proving fatal after an illness of ten and twelve hours respectively. The fifth case at the same number, July 25, — sick nine hours. The sixth case occurred at No. 922 Butterfield Street, almost directly across the street. This person was the wife of the fifth case, and had lived at No. 945 Butterfield, and had assisted in nursing the patient at that place. The seventh case occurred on Arnold Street…in a woman who had nursed the patient at No. 922 Butterfield Street. The eighth case was…a persons who had nursed the woman on Arnold Street. The ninth case was at the corner of Arnold and Forty-first streets. The connection between this case and the last, was the same as in the others. The house in which the case occurred was on the west side of the street, and the stools of the patient were thrown out in the middle of the street. The tenth case was directly opposite on the east side of the street. From this point the disease spread over the southern portion of the district….
“From the beginning, active measures were taken by the officers of the Board of Health, Drs. Rauch and Reid. Thorough disinfection was prosecuted, and the people warned not to use the water from surface wells. The Board of Health recommended that water pipes be laid so that the district could be supplied with pure lake water, and ordered the well to be fouled with carbolic acid, so the that water could not be sued for drinking or culinary purposes.
“The Board of Public Works supplied the district with water as far south as Thirty-ninth Street, where public hydrants were placed by this Board for the benefit of the people in the town of Lake. Butterfield Street was supplied June 24; Burnside Street on July 13, and Arnold Street June 10 to 21….
“The Cholera Hospital was opened for patients, and all cases in boarding or tenement houses immediately taken there. All cases of premonitory diarrhoea which could be found were promptly cared for. There were twenty-one cases admitted to the hospital, many of whom were in the stage of collapse; these invariably died. Of those removed early in the disease a large percentage recovered. Of the whole number admitted eleven died and ten recovered….
“On September 8, John Sheer was attacked with the disease on his arrival in this city, he having just come from Evansville Ind. His case presented all the symptoms, and was in every respect similar to the cases that occurred here; the case terminated fatally after an illness of one day. After this time no cases occurred in the city….
“The effect of cleanliness on families and individual cases was marked. Those who observed sanitary laws, attended to the disinfection of stools, and who were prompt in calling a physician, with few exceptions recovered, and the occurrence of a second case in such families was rare. On the other hand, when the stools were not cared for, and the vomit permitted to remain on the floor, and the bedding (principally feather beds) used without having been properly cleaned, and where no attention was paid to ventilation or personal cleanliness, several cases would generally occur, and as a rule, prove fatal….
“Of the cases neglected in the beginning, fifty per cent. Died under all treatment; of the cases taken early in the premonitory diarrhoea before vomiting had occurred, ninety per cent. Were saved.”
(Miller, B.C., MD, Sanitary Superintendent of Chicago. “Cholera as It Prevailed in Chicago, Ill., in 1873.” Pp. 261-264 in: Public Health Papers and Reports (American Public Health Assoc.). Cambridge: Houghton (Riverside Press), 1875.)
Indiana
July 18: “Evansville, Ind., July 18. – A special dispatch from Mount Vernon, Ind., states that a panic prevails there on account of cholera. Forth deaths have occurred within a week, and eight or ten yesterday. The people are fleeing from the city….It has almost depopulated the town. All the people who could get away have left. Banks and business houses are closed, and the town seems without inhabitants. Resin, pine, tar, and coal have been burned in the streets, and in every house disinfectants have been placed. People who cannot leave are removing to the healthier parts of the city. Families are dwelling in warehouses, stores, &c. Every person in the place has had cholera symptoms, and in some large families only two members are left. There seems to be no apparent cause for the ravages of the epidemic, as the city is clean, and one of the highest points between Evansville and Cairo.” (New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-19-1873, p. 1.)
Kentucky — Lebanon, Marion County
McClellan in NYT, 1874: “….‘The first case of cholera in Kentucky last year, so far as ascertained, occurred at Paducah May 23. The investigation indicates that construction hands upon railroads were among the most active agents in spreading the disease. It was introduced in Memphis by a party of laborers on the Memphis and Paducah Railroad. Thence it was conveyed to Nashville by convicts from the Penitentiary that had been working upon the same road. From Nashville it spread to Chattanooga and East Tennessee, to Gallatin, Franklin, Bowling Green, &c. The first case in Central Kentucky was that of a negro laborer at Muldrough’s Hill, on the Cumberland and Ohio Railroad, who came from a construction party on a road in Tennessee.’” (Dr. Ely McClellan, U.S. Army. “Last Year’s Cholera Visitation.” NY Times, 7-10-1874, p. 8.)
Woodworth: “Lebanon, the county town of Marion County, is located upon the Knoxville branch of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad, situated nearly in the center of the county; it is not only tin- market-town, of the farming community, but is the base of supplies and shipping-point of several small towns and hamlets. The railroad passes through the center of the town, from east to west, upon low ground, following the course of a small stream, which, heading in a spring to the northeast, forms within the corporation limits two ponds for the use of the railroad company and a large flouring-mill. From these ponds the stream to which the name of Jordan has been given flows through the town in a southwest direction. The course of this stream is protected by stone walls, and the crossings of the several streets are securely covered. This stream is the receptacle of filth of all kinds. Flowing in rear of the buildings on the north side of the main street, the privy of every establishment facing upon the street is built over it.
“Upon the southeast of the town is a small stream, the head of Bardin’s Creek, fed by impure springs and the drainage from high ground. These two streams form the natural drainage of the town. The water supply of the town is obtained from wells, which are all more or less influenced by surface-washings. Some few dwellings are supplied with cisterns. The public water-supply consists of two wells, one of which, in front of the court-house, supplies the inhabitants of the center of the town; the other, upon lower ground, is used by…the lower classes almost exclusively. Both of these wells were in miserable condition, and through their defective walls surface-drainage gained access to each well….
“On the 19th of July, a negro man, thirty years of age, working upon the line of the Ohio and Cumberland Railroad, some six miles from Lebanon, was suddenly taken ill. His case presented all the symptoms of cholera, and he died after a few hours’ illness, perfectly collapsed….the case was at first rated as one of cholera morbus. The case of July 17, upon the railroad in Taylor County, having come to the knowledge of his physician, some pains were taken to ascertain if any contact had occurred between the two cases; when it was discovered that on the day previous to his attack he had been on a visit to the cabin in which the…[man] was sick….
“On the 11th day of August, a negro woman, fifty-five years of age, living in the western district of Lebanon, between the line of the Louisville Railroad and the Jordan, was taken ill. She presented all the symptoms of cholera, and died collapsed after ten hours’ illness.
“It was ascertained that some days previous to her attack this woman had left her home in Lebanon to attend her son, who was sick on the line of the railroad in Taylor County, where it will be remembered the disease was in existence. When the man was convalescent his mother removed him to her home at Lebanon, and where she was attacked with the same disease the, following day. The excreta of this case were not disinfected, but were thrown upon the ground in rear of the hut. From the 11th to the 18th of August several cases are known to have occurred among the lower classes of the negroes, having symptoms more or less well marked. No record of these cases can now be obtained, from the fact that the physician in whose care they occurred died himself of the disease at a later date. These cases occurred in the vicinity of the case of the llth instant. In none of them were disinfectants used.
“August 18, a white man, fifty years of age, residing on the railroad opposite to the house in which the case of the 11th instant had died, was taken with cholera, and remained perfectly collapsed for nearly twenty-four hours, when he reacted, and made a tedious recovery. No disinfectants were used, and the excreta were thrown upon the’ ground in rear of the house.
“August 19, a young lady, eighteen years of age, living in the same vicinity, was attacked with a similar disease,, from which she made a slow recovery.
“It is of importance to note that the preceding cases were rated at the time as cholera morbus; each had been the subject of some imprudence, to which the violence of the symptoms were attributed, and it was only after a subsequent study of each case that its true status was determined.
“Upon the same day (August 19) a white man, thirty-five years of age, living in a high, well-drained portion of the town, was attacked with cholera. The symptoms were terribly violent; no relief could be obtained from the most active measures, and he died in ten hours from the inception of the disease. In this case the excreta were carefully disinfected, the clothing was washed in a strong solution of carbolic acid, and the mattress on which he died was burned. This death occurred upon ground which was high and well drained; the place of business of the man was equally well located; he had not been away from the town for months, and was thought not to have come in contact with the cases which had already occurred. It was, however, subsequently determined that be habitually passed a portion of each night with a female who lived in a house in the immediate neighborhood of those in which the disease had already occurred.
“August 25, a negro man, living in a small house built over Jordan, died of the same disease. This man had passed several days preceding his illness among the railroad hands at the section of the Cumberland and Ohio Railroad. In this case the excreta were not disinfected, but were emptied into the bed of Jordan, in which at the time no water was flowing.
“On the same day a white man having charge of the town cemetery died after a few hours’ illness, with symptoms almost identical with those presented by the preceding cases. In this case, however, the attack followed an immoderate use of iced water when overheated by great exertion.
“On the 26th of August the Marion County Fair was commenced upon the grounds near the town of Lebanon, and many visitors attended from Marion and the adjoining counties. So great had been the popular prejudice against announcing the fact that any cholera deaths had occurred in the town of Lebanon, that during the week preceding the opening of this fair a handbill was prepared, stating that cholera had not occurred at Lebanon, which circular was apparently signed by a number of the physicians resident in the town, among others the writer, who at the time the circular was issued was on duty at the town of Lancaster, some fifty miles distant, and who in no way authorized the use of his name. This handbill was extensively circulated in the counties adjoining Marion.
“The water-supply of the Marion County fair-grounds being limited, a contract had been made to carry water from the town to supply the deficiency. A well was selected in the western portion of the town, on low ground, and within 40 feet of Jordan, and in the immediate vicinity of the houses in which the cases of cholera had already occurred. The individuals having this matter in charge selected this well because it was easy of access, and because they supposed the water to be pure, and to be far better than they could obtain from any other locality. No suspicion of blame could be attached to them for this selection, for, even if they had recognized the fact that several cases of cholera had occurred in its immediate vicinity, they had been taught the theory of non-contagion by the laborious newspaper articles of individuals who were held as oracles.
“The well was old, having been dug in 1854, on what was formerly a drain leading from an elevation upon which is a grave-yard. It had been sunk through a shaly kind of mud-stone, and the first water that entered the well came in about 8 feet from the surface, and from the direction of Jordan.
“On the evening of August 27 a violent rain-storm deluged the country, the banks of Jordan were overflowed, and the well was filled flush. So great an amount of water fell that the surface of the ground was completely washed, and nothing but a direct interposition of Providence could have prevented the surface-washings from contaminating the water contained in the well.
“During August 28 and 29 the attendance upon the fair was large. The water from this well was served as upon the former days. No case of violent illness had occurred in the town since the 25th. A fatal security seemed to possess all, but on the night of August 29, and the early hours of the 30th, the blow was struck, it might be said, simultaneously thirteen cases of cholera occurred, and within ten hours twelve had terminated fatally: one case lingered for nine days and then died. All of the individuals who were thus attacked had been in constant attendance upon the fair; the cases were not confined in any one locality, but were scattered over the entire town. At almost the same hour at which the Lebanon outbreak occurred four cases occurred at the town of Saint Mary, in the same county, and five miles distant from Lebanon, and one case occurred at Raywick, also of Marion County, and nine miles distant. These cases all terminated fatally; all had attended the fair.
“During August 30 cholera was epidemic in all portions of Marion County. Wherever individuals who had attended the fair and drank the water resided, there cholera was developed, no matter how isolated or how healthy the location. From August 30 to September 14, cholera was epidemic in Marion County, and isolated cases of the disease occurred until October 1, when it disappeared….” (Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. 1875, 305-310.)
Missouri, St. Louis
Deaths from Bowel-affections in Saint Louis during the years 1872, 1873, and 1874, as published by the Board of Health.[184]
1872 1873 1874
Deaths from diarrhoea 138 132 117
Deaths from dysentery 144 132 97
Deaths from cholera ….. 383 2
Deaths from cholera morbus 53 147 2
Deaths from cholera infantum 255 439 349
Deaths from summer-complaint 68 112 63
Total…from bowel-affections 658 1345 656
Tennessee, Jonesborough
Sevier: “….Two cases, both of which were refugees from Greeneville, occurred here some days prior to its actual development as an epidemic….The first case among our resident population was the wife of a gentleman who had waited constantly at the bedside of the first mentioned case from Greeneville, in the capacity of nurse. The houses were a quarter of a mile apart. Those who believe the disease to be contagious impute the attack to the poison conveyed in the clothing of the husband. No other case occurred after that date (July 13), until the 24th of the month, when it, at once, assumed an epidemic form. The period marked by the greatest fatality was from 29th July to August 1, inclusive of both dates….
“The town was thoroughly policed a month or more beforehand. Every privy, public and private, was either thoroughly renovated or disinfected. Old pits were filled up with fresh earth, when practicable, and new ones dug. Lime, chloride of lime, sulphate of iron, carbolic acid, etc., were freely used. The disease, notwithstanding all this, was of an exceedingly malignant type; some of the patients who were of a naturally robust constitution died in from four to eight hours after the attack. It appeared alike indifferent to habits of personal cleanliness or filth. The discharges – ejections and dejections – of patients were always, at once, removed from the sick room and carefully covered with earth. Disinfectants also of almost every kind were diligently and liberally employed in the sick room and about the bed.
“The major part of our population trusted to the ‘strength of their legs,’ and sought safety by flight. A few, but very few, were attacked in their places of retreat….Our hotels were closed….”
(Sevier, W. R., M.D. “Report Upon Epidemic Cholera as it Appeared at Jonesborough, Tenn.” Pp. 279-281 in: Public Health Papers and Reports (American Public Health Assoc.). Cambridge: Houghton (Riverside Press), 1875. Google digitized at:
http://books.google.com/books?id=oyLQAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false )
Tennessee, Nashville
Van Deman: “In Nashville, the prevalence of cholera among the soldiers on duty, is an item of note. Upon its introduction into that city, Dr. D. G. Caldwell, the surgeon in charge, advised the removal of the troops to some high point, far distant from the city, which was accordingly done; and having pitched their camp some eleven miles distant on a beautiful grassy knoll, near splendid waters, and considerably elevated above the surrounding country, he proceeded to quarantine them there, endeavoring to protect them from all outsiders; and strict guards being set, no one was allowed to return to the city, and if from any cause whatsoever the order was disobeyed, the one violating it was not allowed to return to camp. Strict sanitary rules and regulations were laid down and enforced, and the result was just what we would foresee; that not a single case of cholera appeared from that day in the camp, while of the few who remained in garrison at Nashville, most of them were attacked, and some of them with fatal results.” (Van Deman, J. H., MD (Chattanooga Health Officer). “Cholera in Chattanooga, Tenn., and Cities South of Nashville, During the Summer of 1873.” Pp. 253-256 in: Public Health Papers and Reports (American Public Health Assoc.). Cambridge: Houghton (Riverside Press), 1875. Google digitized: http://books.google.com/books?id=oyLQAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false )
Tennessee, State
Ellis: “Following the Mississippi Valley cholera epidemic in 1873, the state medical societies of Georgia and Tennessee worked successfully to secure the enactment of health legislation….On March 26, 1877, Governor James D. Porter signed an act establishing the Tennessee State Board of Health. Yet for two years the fledgling bureau had but little authority and no financial appropriation.” (Ellis, John H. Yellow Fever & Public Health in the New South. 1992, p. 34.)
Select Sources
American Public Health Association. Reports and Papers Published at the Meetings of the American Public Health Association in the Year 1873. New York: Hurd and Houghton, 1875.
Bailey, F. K., M.D. (Knoxville Health Officer). “Cholera in Knoxville, Tenn., and Vicinity, in 1873.” Pp. 282-289 in: Public Health Papers and Reports (American Public Health Assoc.). Cambridge: Houghton (Riverside Press), 1875. Google digitized at: http://books.google.com/books?id=oyLQAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false
Barnes, J. K., Surgeon-General, War Department “Cholera-Epidemic of 1873 in the United States Army.” Chapter XXIII in The Cholera Epidemic of 1873 in the United States (Ex. Doc. No. 95., House of Reps., 43d Cong., 2d Sess.). Wash.: GPO, 1875. Google digitized at: http://books.google.com/books?id=RDUAAAAAQAAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_v2_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=true
Chicago Historical Society. “Epidemics.” The Electronic Encyclopedia of Chicago. 2005. Accessed 12-26-2008 at: http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/432.html
Daly, Walter J. “The Black Cholera Comes to the Central Valley of America in the 19th Century – 1832, 1849, and Later.” Transactions of the American Clinical and Climatological Association, Vol. 119, 2008, 143-153. http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=2394684
Dubuque Herald, IA. “Cholera.” 8-23-2019, p. 1. Accessed 12-4-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/dubuque-herald-aug-23-1873-p-1/
Ellis, John H. Yellow Fever & Public Health in the New South. University Press of Kentucky, 1992. Partially google digitized at: http://books.google.com/books?id=pqRcT7sFYYYC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false
Encyclopedia of Alabama (online). Accessed 8-9-2013 at: http://www.encyclopediaofalabama.org/face/Article.jsp?id=h-2607
Eversole, Theodore W. “The Cincinnati Cholera Epidemic of 1849.” Queen City Heritage, Vol. 41, Fall 1983, pp. 21-30. Accessed 3-20-2015 at: http://library.cincymuseum.org/starweb/journals/servlet.starweb
Genealogy Trails History Group. Posey County Indiana. The Cholera Epidemic of 1873. Accessed 12-4-2019 at: http://genealogytrails.com/ind/posey/cholera1873.html
Greve, Charles Theodore. Centennial History of Cincinnati and Representative Citizens, Vol. 1. Chicago: Biographical Publishing Co., 1904. Digitized by Google. Accessed at: http://books.google.com/books?id=eJxABLtxX60C&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_v2_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q=&f=false
Jepson, S. L. M.D. (Wheeling Health Officer). “Cholera in Wheeling, West Va., in 1873.” Pp. 267-278 in: Public Health Papers and Reports (American Public Health Assoc.). Cambridge: Houghton (Riverside Press), 1875. Google digitized at: http://books.google.com/books?id=oyLQAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false
Judson, Adoniram B (Sanitary Inspector of New York). “Report upon the Course of Cholera Through Two Hundred Towns and Cities in the Mississippi Valley, in 1873.” Public Health Papers and Reports (American Public Health Association), Vol. 1, pp. 224-252. Cambridge: Houghton and Co. (Riverside Press), 1875. Google digitized at: http://books.google.com/books?id=oyLQAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false
King, Roy P. “Cholera Epidemics in Gibson County.” Pp. 271-279 in Stormont. History of Gibson County, Indiana. 1914.
Little Rock Board of Health. “Cholera in Little Rock, Arkansas.” Pp. 257-258 in: Public Health Papers and Reports (American Public Health Assoc.). Cambridge: Houghton (Riverside Press), 1875. Google digitized: http://books.google.com/books?id=oyLQAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false
McClellan, Ely (Assistant Surgeon U.S. Army). “An Account of the Epidemic of Cholera, During the Summer of 1873, in Eighteen Counties of the State of Kentucky.” Public Health Papers and Reports (American Public Health Association). Vol. 1, pp. 200-223. Cambridge: Houghton and Co. (Riverside Press), 1875. Google digitized at: http://books.google.com/books?id=oyLQAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false
Also at: https://collections.nlm.nih.gov/bookviewer?PID=nlm:nlmuid-101665935-bk#page/4/mode/2up
McClellan, Ely (Assistant Surgeon U.S.A.). “History of the Cholera Epidemic of 1873 in the United States.” Section A, Cholera Epidemic of 1873 in the United States. Washington, DC: War Department and Surgeon-General’s Office; printed by Government Printing Office, 1875.
McClellan, Dr. Ely, U.S. Army. “Last Year’s Cholera Visitation.” New York Times, 7-10-1874, p. 8. Accessed 12-5-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1874/07/10/79226059.html?pageNumber=8
Miller, B.C., MD, Sanitary Superintendent of Chicago. “Cholera As It Prevailed in Chicago, Ill., in 1873.” Pp. 261-264 in: Public Health Papers and Reports (American Public Health Assoc.). Cambridge: Houghton (Riverside Press), 1875. Google digitized at:
http://books.google.com/books?id=oyLQAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false
New Albany Ledger Standard, IN. “Cholera at Wheeling.” 9-1-1873, p. 1. Accessed 12-4-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/new-albany-ledger-standard-sep-01-1873-p-1/
New York Times. “Cholera.” 7-3-1873, p. 5. Accessed 12-1-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/07/03/79037767.html?pageNumber=5
New York Times. “Cholera.” 8-8-1873, p. 5. Accessed 12-3-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/08/08/79042631.html?pageNumber=5
New York Times. “Cholera in Missouri.” 7-22-1873, p. 5. Accessed 12-2-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/07/22/90125392.html?pageNumber=5
New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-1-1873, p. 1. Accessed 12-1-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/07/01/113294481.html?pageNumber=1
New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-2-1873, p. 5. Accessed 12-1-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/07/02/79037647.html?pageNumber=5
New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-4-1873, p. 1. Accessed 12-1-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/07/04/79037839.html?pageNumber=1
New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-5-1873, p. 1. Accessed 12-1-2019: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/07/05/87386056.html?pageNumber=1
New York Times. The Cholera.” 7-6-1873, p. 1. Accessed 12-1-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/07/06/79038017.html?pageNumber=1
New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-7-1873, p. 1. Accessed 12-1-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com
New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-8-1873, p. 1. Accessed 12-1-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/07/08/79038288.html?pageNumber=1
New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-9-1873, p. 1. Accessed 12-1-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/07/09/79038437.html?pageNumber=1
New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-10-1873, p. 1. Accessed 12-1-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/07/10/79038588.html?pageNumber=1
New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-11-1873, p. 1. Accessed 12-1-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/07/11/113294630.html?pageNumber=1
New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-13-1873, p. 1. Accessed 12-2-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/07/13/79038729.html?pageNumber=1
New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-14-1873, p. 1. Accessed 12-2-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/07/14/79038857.html?pageNumber=1
New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-15-1873, p. 1. Accessed 12-2-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/07/15/79039026.html?pageNumber=1
New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-16-1873, p. 1. Accessed 12-2-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/07/16/79039158.html?pageNumber=1
New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-17-1873, p. 1. Accessed 12-2-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/07/17/79039289.html?pageNumber=1
New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-18-1873, p. 8. Accessed 12-2-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/07/18/79039553.html?pageNumber=8
New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-19-1873, p. 1. Accessed 12-2-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/07/19/79039579.html?pageNumber=1
New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-20-1873, p. 1. Accessed 12-2-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/07/20/79039708.html?pageNumber=1
New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-26-1873, p. 1. Accessed 12-2-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/07/26/79040312.html?pageNumber=1
New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-28-1873, p. 5. Accessed 12-2-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/07/28/79040694.html?pageNumber=5
New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-30-1873, p. 1. Accessed 12-2-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/07/30/79040910.html?pageNumber=1
New York Times. “The Cholera.” 8-2-1873, p. 1. Accessed 12-3-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/08/02/79041552.html?pageNumber=1
New York Times. “The Cholera.” 8-3-1873, p. 1. Accessed 12-3-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/08/03/79041738.html?pageNumber=1
New York Times. “The Cholera.” 8-4-1873, p. 1. Accessed 12-3-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/08/04/79041895.html?pageNumber=1
New York Times. “The Cholera.” 8-6-1873, p. 5. Accessed 12-3-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/08/06/79042288.html?pageNumber=5
New York Times. “The Cholera.” 8-7-1873, p. 5. Accessed 12-3-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/08/07/79042457.html?pageNumber=5
New York Times. “The Cholera.” 8-11-1873, p. 1. Accessed 12-3-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/08/12/105198178.html?pageNumber=1
New York Times. “The Cholera.” 8-16-1873, p. 5. Accessed 12-3-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/08/16/79043511.html?pageNumber=5
New York Times. “The Cholera.” 8-17-1873, p. 1. Accessed 12-3-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/08/17/79043585.html?pageNumber=1
New York Times. “The Cholera.” 9-2-1873, p. 1. Accessed 12-3-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/09/02/82408910.html?pageNumber=1
New York Times. “The Cholera at Mount Vernon.” 7-25-1873, p. 8. Accessed 12-2-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/07/25/issue.html
New York Times. “The Cholera. Evening Session of the Health Association,” 11-12-1873, p. 5. Accessed 12-3-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/11/12/79055136.html?pageNumber=5
New York Times. “The Cholera in Illinois.” 9-7-1873, 1. Accessed 12-3-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/09/07/79046001.html?pageNumber=1
New York Times. “The Cholera in Mount Vernon.” 7-22-1873, p. 3. Accessed 12-2-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/07/22/90125310.html?pageNumber=3
New York Times. “The Cholera in Nashville.” 7-5-1873, p. 3. Accessed 12-1-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/07/05/87386088.html?pageNumber=3
New York Times. “The Cholera in Tennessee,” 7-11-1873, p. 3. Accessed 12-1-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/07/11/113294665.html?pageNumber=3
New York Times. “The Cholera in the West.” 7-21-1873, p. 1. Accessed 12-2-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/07/21/90631999.html?pageNumber=1
New York Times. “The Cholera in the West.” 7-22-1873, p. 1. Accessed 12-2-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/07/22/90125258.html?pageNumber=1
New York Times. “The Cholera in the West.” 7-23-1873, p. 1. Accessed 12-2-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/07/23/79039853.html?pageNumber=1
New York Times. “The Cholera in the West.” 7-24-1873, p. 5. Accessed 12-2-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/07/24/79040080.html?pageNumber=5
Peoples, Jared. “Birmingham Cholera Outbreak of 1873.” Encyclopedia of Alabama (online). 3-14-2013 modification. Accessed 8-9-2013: http://www.encyclopediaofalabama.org/face/Article.jsp?id=h-2607
Peters, John C. “On the Origin and Spread of the Asiatic Cholera Which Reached the United States in 1873.” Chapter IV of Cholera Epidemic of 1873 in the United States. Wash., DC: War Dept. and Surgeon-General’s Office; Gov. Printing Office, 1875. Digitized by Google at: http://books.google.com/books?id=RDUAAAAAQAAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_v2_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=true
Peters, John C., M.D. “The Origin and Spread of Asiatic or Bengal Cholera.” Public Health Papers and Reports (American Public Health Assoc.), pp. 336-342. Cambridge: Houghton, 1875. Google digitized at: http://books.google.com/books?id=oyLQAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false
Peters, John C., M.D. “The South Western Cholera, 1873.” The Sanitarian, September 1873. Accessed 12-5-2019 at: https://collections.nlm.nih.gov/ext/cholera/PDF/101206232.pdf
Quinn, J. J. M.D., Cincinnati Health Officer. “Cholera in Cincinnati, Ohio.” Pp. 290-302 in: Public Health Papers and Reports (American Public Health Assoc.). Cambridge: Houghton and Co. (Riverside Press), 1875. Google digitized at: http://books.google.com/books?id=oyLQAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false
Quinn, J. J. “Cholera in Cincinnati in 1873,” pp. 329-344 in Woodworth, John M. (Supervising Surgeon U.S. Merchant Marine Hospital Service). Cholera Epidemic of 1873 in the United States. Wash., DC: Treasury Dept., Supervising Surgeon’s Office, 1875. Digitized by Google at: http://books.google.com/books?id=RDUAAAAAQAAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_v2_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false
Remiss, S. M.. Editorial [on cholera]. New Orleans Medical and Surgical Journal, Sep 1873; pp. 102-103 in Woodworth, John M.. Cholera Epidemic of 1873 in the United States. Wash., DC: Treasury Department, Supervising Surgeon’s Office, 1875. Digitized by Google at: http://books.google.com/books?id=RDUAAAAAQAAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_v2_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false
Sevier, W. R., M.D. “Report Upon Epidemic Cholera as it Appeared at Jonesborough, Tenn.” Pp. 279-281 in: Public Health Papers and Reports (American Public Health Assoc.). Cambridge: Houghton (Riverside Press), 1875. Google digitized at:
http://books.google.com/books?id=oyLQAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false )
Snively, W. (Physician to Pittsburg Board of Health). “Report on Asiatic Cholera.” Public Health Papers and Reports (American Public Health Association), Vol. 1, pp. 303-305. Cambridge: Houghton and Co. (Riverside Press), 1875. Google digitized at: http://books.google.com/books?id=oyLQAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false
Stormont, Gil R. History of Gibson County Indiana. Indianapolis: B. F. Bowen & Co., Inc., 1914. Accessed 12-5-2019 at: http://nativeamericansofdelawarestate.com/HistoryOfGibsonCounty.pdf
United States National Board of Health. Annual Report of the National Board of Health, 1879. Washington, DC: GPO, 1879. Digitized by Google at: http://books.google.com/books?id=0SsgAQAAIAAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_v2_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false
Van Deman, J. H., MD (Chattanooga Health Officer). “Cholera in Chattanooga, Tenn., and Cities South of Nashville, During the Summer of 1873.” Pp. 253-256 in: Public Health Papers and Reports (American Public Health Assoc.). Cambridge: Houghton (Riverside Press), 1875. Google digitized: http://books.google.com/books?id=oyLQAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false
White, C. B. “Report of Cholera in New Orleans, LA.” Public Health Papers and Reports (American Public Health Association). Vol. 1, pp. 188-199. Cambridge: Houghton and Co. (Riverside Press), 1875. Google digitized at: http://books.google.com/books?id=oyLQAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false
Wight, Dr. E. M. “Observations on the Cholera Epidemic at Chattanooga, Tenn., in the Summer of 1873.” Pp. 177-180 in Woodworth 1875.
Woodworth, John M. (Supervising Surgeon U.S. Merchant Marine Hospital Service). Cholera Epidemic of 1873 in the United States. Washington, DC: Treasury Department, Supervising Surgeon’s Office, 1875. Digitized by Google at: http://books.google.com/books?id=RDUAAAAAQAAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_v2_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false
[1] This range, in our opinion, should be viewed as a floor, not a ceiling. From a reading of the sources below one can see the problem of identifying a cholera case and death from other types of death, such as diarrhoea, dysentery, and summer complaint. Additionally, one can see awareness that many cholera deaths went unreported to authorities.
[2] This number is too low, but is at least a derivable statistic, based upon statement of the 1875 Surgeon General’s report (Woodworth 1875, 32) that of the 7,356 individual cases collected, representing but a fraction of fatalities, “the mortality was 52 per cent.” Page 34 gives 3,800 deaths out of 7,356 reported cases.
[3] From Encyclopedia of Alabama (online).
[4] “Senator Spencer to-day [1st] received private letters from Montgomery, Ala., stating that the cholera epidemic in that city is much more severe than has been represented, and that several persons have fallen dead in the streets.”
[5] Woodworth actually reports 46 deaths, but we are able to place 34 specifically in current-day South Dakota.
[6] “The ‘Jacksonville Union’ of July 1, mentions a death from cholera at Gainesville, and adds: ‘Fatal cases have also been reported at Cedar Keys, and elsewhere’ in the State.”
[7] “Calhoun County. The ‘Eufaula News’ states that a prominent lawyer of Eufaula died June 18 in Calhoun County, of ‘a very violent attack of cholera morbus.’” Judson also confirms the Atlanta and Dalton deaths.
[8] “…four miles east of Okawville, on railroad. The ‘Nashville (Illinois) Journal’ reports four fatal cases of cholera tat Addieville in the week ending September 20.”
[9] Judson notes population of 6,267; cites Paducah Kentuckian as to “four or five deaths from cholera on June 27.”
[10] “The ‘Missouri Republican’ says: ‘Up to Sunday evening last (August 3), seventeen fatal cases of cholera had occurred in the little mining town of Caseyville.’”
[11] Cites in Bibliography: Beatty, William K. “When Cholera Scourged Chicago.” Chicago History 11 (Spring 1982). Woodworth reports the same number. This may have been an underestimate, given the disinclination to name “Asiatic Cholera” as the cause of death as opposed to “cholera morbus,” which signified deadly diarrhea. For example, the NYT of July 23 reports: “Chicago, Ill., July 22. – At a meting of the Board of Health, this afternoon, the report of the Sanitary Superintendent was read, and showed that the deaths during the past week were 423, an increase of 107 over the previous week. Of the total number 243 were children under one year of age. One hundred and forty-nine deaths were from cholera morbus. All the latter were among recently arrived emigrants.”
[12] “Chicago, Ill., Aug. 6. – There were 322 deaths in this city during the past week…There were ninety-six deaths reported from cholera infant,, eleven from cholera morbus, and twenty-six from diarrhea.”
[13] “…twelve miles above St. Louis, Mo. The ‘Alton Telegraph’ reports that in one family the father and three sons died of cholera, August 2, and a daughter on August 3, leaving only the mother and one son.”
[14] “…near Cairo. Population, 1,068. ‘The Cairo Bulletin’ reports thirty cases of cholera, and twenty deaths at Clear Creek Precinct, from July 10 to 13.”
[15] “…twenty-five miles north of Odin. The ‘Louisville Courier-Journal’ reports four deaths from cholera in Fayette County on August 19.”
[16] “…thirty miles east of Delhi. Population, 3,852. The ‘Union Monitor’ gives thirty deaths for August, of which twenty were from cholera morbus and cholera infantum. The ‘Missouri Republican,’ September 2, reports a number of cases of cholera at Litchfield on August 30; in one family, three cases and one death…”
[17] “Population, 1,680…‘Alton Telegraph,’ August 14, reports that a family of three persons, who had left Indiana to avoid the scourge, died of cholera, after twelve hours’ sickness, in a neighborhood ten or twelve miles east of Makanda. ‘Four or five relatives, who came to their assistance, in a few hours were taken down and soon died.’”
[18] “…sixteen miles east of Louisiana, Mo. A correspondent reports: “Twenty deaths have occurred in the region round about Nebo, Pike County, within the past month.” Notes four deaths in one family.
[19] “…Population 1,268. The ‘Missouri Republican’ reports that up to September 4, eighteen deaths from cholera had occurred at Odin.”
[20] Only 1 death is noted by date and name. Wrote: “From two to three cases occurred every week until the middle of September, when the authorities put a force of men to work cleaning the streets, when the disease suddenly disappeared. The case that died were not seen by the physicians until in collapse.” (Woodworth 1875, 222.)
[21] Notes that these occurred from roughly July 11 to Aug 11, citing The Independent. Notes population of 3,304.
[22] “…Population, 21,830. The ‘Daily Journal,’ June 4, reports a death from cholera morbus. The ‘Journal,’ June 23, says thirteen cases of cholera had been reported to the Health Officer in the preceding week. The ‘Louisville Courier-Journal’ states that seven of the thirteen cases above mentioned proved fatal. The ‘Journal,’ July 1, says twelve cases of cholera had been reported in the preceding week. The ‘Journal,’ July 8, says nine cases of cholera had been reported the preceding week, and that twelve deaths from cholera had occurred in the month of June. The ‘Journal,’ July 21, reports three deaths from cholera on July 19, and six in week ending July 19. The same paper, of August 2, reports two; and August 12, three more deaths from cholera.”
[23] King writes that the known death tool was twenty, “but it is very probable that there were a few more.
[24] King (p. 275) writes: “Fourteen deaths are known to have occurred in the Weatherly neighborhood in less than two weeks, and many older people declare that, including the death of Mrs. Seabrooks in Princeton, there were sixteen victims.”
[25] “…Population, 1,847. Twenty-seven miles north of Evansville, on railroad. The ‘Princeton Weekly Democrat’ reports that from July 18 to August 2, thirteen deaths from cholera occurred about three miles from Princeton, upon what is known as Indian Creek.’ This number contained a husband, wife, and five children, and a mother and two children….The ‘Democrat’ also reports one death from cholera in Princeton the week ending July 19.”
[26] “Evansville, Ind., July 22. – Advices from Princeton, about twenty-five miles north of this city, report cholera in that neighborhood. Three or four miles east of Princeton, on Indian Creek, ten persons died since last Friday [18th], and new cases are reported daily.”
[27] King. “Cholera Epidemics in Gibson County,” in Stormont, p. 274.
[28] King (p. 274) writes that Mr. Seabrooks’ clothing and bed linen was not burned, but instead taken to Indian Creek, about three miles northwest, and washed “thus infecting the water. Near this creek lived the family of Henry Weatherly, consisting of husband and wife and five children, and Indian creek was the source of their water supply…[all] members of the family succumbed in the space of a few days” except Margaret, about two.
[29] King. “Cholera Epidemics in Gibson County,” in Stormont, p. 275.
[30] Judson writes that 33 of the deaths occurred from July 25-Aug 11. (page 248)
[31] “…Population 2,880. The ‘Weekly Republican,’ of August 7, says: ‘We subjoin a list of the victims of cholera in this city, classified by date, which embraces every fatal case which occurred in the city from the first (June 7) to the last (August 5), a period of eight weeks and three days.’ [Total from table is 80.] “The ‘Republican,’ August 14, reports three deaths from cholera in the week ending August 14.” (pp. 248-249)
[32] “…The ‘Indianapolis Journal,’ September 6, 1873, reports twelve deaths from cholera at New Elizabeth in the preceding ten days. On September 13 the disease is reported as still prevailing. The ‘Indianapolis Sentinel” gives a list of names of the fatal cases of cholera that occurred at New Elizabeth. The list gives twenty-four names…”
[33] “…Population, 14,930. Cholera appeared in this city about June 20, and caused about thirty-eight deaths.”
[34] “…Population, 20,038. In a letter to E. Harris, M.D., from J. W. H. Baker, M.D., November 5, 1873, Dr. Baker says: at our boat landing by a steamboat from St. Louis…During the last week in August several residents of the city were attacked, and then for the first two weeks in September followed quite a cholera panic. Probably there were near two hundred cases of cholera…and out of this number about eighty died.’”
[35] Notes that The Weekly Locomotive “reports the death of two well-known residents on August 31 and September 1, from violent symptoms ‘similar to Asiatic cholera.’”
[36] McClellan, Ely. “An Account of the Epidemic of Cholera, During the Summer of 1873, in Eighteen Counties of the State of Kentucky.” Public Health Papers and Reports (Amer. Public Health Assoc.). Vol. 1, pp. 200-223. 1875.
[37] Sep 29, citing The Lebanon Standard.
[38] After noting sixty-seven Bowling Green deaths McClellan writes: “…as to the epidemic in the county…at a point some ten miles to the southeast of Bowling Green, to which place a refugee negro carried the disease. Six members of a white family were fatally attacked.”
[39] McClellan. “An Account of the Epidemic of Cholera…Summer…1873…Kentucky.” 1875, p. 23.
[40] Notes population of 2,656.
[41] Notes population of 2,774 and cites The Weekly Courier, as the source and the date of death as September 10.
[42] McClellan. “An Account of the Epidemic of Cholera…Summer…1873…Kentucky.” 1875, p. 22.
[43] McClellan. “An Account of the Epidemic of Cholera…Summer…1873…Kentucky.” 1875, p. 22.
[44] McClellan. “An Account of the Epidemic of Cholera…Summer…1873…Kentucky.” 1875, p. 22.
[45] “August 30, a negro man, the hostler in charge of the stables [Winfrey House hotel where boy became sick the day before], was attacked with cholera, and died in a basement room of the Winfrey House after an illness of forty-eight hours. The same day, the boy to whom attention has already been called, was found und4er a shed in rear of the stables, fully collapsed. He died within six hours. Later in the day, a daughter of Winfrey, aged twenty years, was attacked and died in ten hours; and a white man, fifty years of age…who was known to have used the stable privy on the 29th, was taken ill and died in ten hours.” (The boy had worked at the Marion County Fair, which provided contaminated water to those who attended.)
[46] McClellan. “An Account of the Epidemic of Cholera…Summer…1873…Kentucky.” 1875, p. 20.
[47] McClellan. “An Account of the Epidemic of Cholera…Summer…1873…Kentucky.” 1875, p. 20.
[48] McClellan. “An Account of the Epidemic of Cholera…Summer…1873…Kentucky.” 1875, p. 20.
[49] McClellan. “An Account of the Epidemic of Cholera…Summer…1873…Kentucky.” 1875, p. 20.
[50] McClellan. “An Account of the Epidemic of Cholera…Summer…1873…Kentucky.” 1875, p. 20.
[51] McClellan. “An Account of the Epidemic of Cholera…Summer…1873…Kentucky.” 1875, p. 20.
[52] McClellan. “An Account of the Epidemic of Cholera…Summer…1873…Kentucky.” 1875, p. 20.
[53] McClellan writes that “The Winfrey House was closed; the stable was abandoned, after the privy had been disinfected and filled up with fresh earth.
[54] McClellan. “An Account of the Epidemic of Cholera…Summer…1873…Kentucky.” 1875. pp. 7-8.
[55] Hopkinsville, Christian Co., pop. 3,316. “The ‘Weekly New Era’ reports…‘There were five fatal cases resembling cholera up to July 21. There was [one] on August 4…two on August 6, and another, the date…not given. There were two deaths from cholera in the week ending August 15. The above cases occurred in Hopkinsville.’”
[56] Judson notes the population as 138 and the location about fifteen miles southeast of Columbia.
[57] “…Population, 612. First case, July 8. From July 8 to 29, there were thirty-one cases, fifteen of which were fatal.”
[58] Notes that there were a few cholera cases in the countryside around La Grange, but does not note deaths.
[59] “…fifteen miles southwest of Hopkinsville. Population, 215. The ‘Dover (Tennessee) Weekly Record’ reports the death, from cholera, of two colored women at Lafayette, August 24.”
[60] “Lancaster, Garrard County. Population, 741. The ‘Weekly News’ gives mortuary reports from which the following table is compiled….[showing 33 deaths from Aug 15 to Sep 4].”
[61] McClellan. “An Account of the epidemic of cholera during the summer of 1873 in…Kentucky.” 1875, p. 17.
[62] McClellan. “An Account of the epidemic of cholera during the summer of 1873 in…Kentucky.” 1875, p. 18.
[63] “Larue County, between Lebanon and Elizabethtown. The ‘Elizabethtown Weekly News’ reports the death of one negro, from cholera, at Marshall’s, and two at Goodin’s, August 5, in Larue County.”
[64] Judson notes a population of 1,925 for Lebanon and has the first fatality on July 19.
[65] McClellan notes that a U.S. Army company was stationed there and had a barracks on north side of town.
[66] McClellan writes that a contract was let to bring water to the fair grounds. The contractor brought water from a well within “a short distance of the houses in which three of the cases [cholera] had occurred,” and where “the excreta” were thrown out behind the houses and not disinfected. A rainstorm occurred on Aug 27, surface water filled the well, and drinking water was subsequently taken for the fair-goers.
[67] “Logan County, between Franklin and Hopkinsville. The ‘Russellville Herald’ gave the following…‘In South Logan, in the neighborhood of Red River Church, and around Shocco, near the [TN] border…cholera is prevailing to an alarming extent.’ In this [area], twenty-eight deaths, from cholera, are reported from July 17 to August 23.”
[68] Judson notes a population of 100,753 and infers, from a Courier-Journal article of July 4th, that the epidemic started there with the arrival of the steamboat J. D. Parker “having had two deaths and several cases.” (page 239)
[69] Seven in one family.
[70] Middletown, Bourbon County. Population, 492. A death from cholera, at Middletown, was reported August 17.”
[71] Judson notes a population of 675 and has the first reported case on July 11. (page 239)
[72] This is second report in same paper that day. This one is based on a Sep 1 dated “letter from a prominent physician of Millersburg.” Quotes the doctor as writing: “The cholera is fearful here. There were fifteen deaths in town this morning, and several other persons will be dead presently. M
[73] McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875, p. 14.
[74] “Newport, Campbell County. (Opposite Cincinnati, O., and east of Covington.) Population, 15,087. The ‘Weekly Leader’ June 21, 1873, reports the prevalence of cholera morbus in Newport. ‘The Leader,’ August 9, says: ‘There is more sickness now among the hands at the Licking River saw-mill than there has been for years. There has been, on an average, for the last month, four men off, from sickness, every day; the disease being choler, cholera morbus, or whatever the severe current bowel complaint may be termed. Within four weeks there have been six deaths by cholera within one square of the Licking River saw-mill.’”
[75] “`The Paris Kentuckian’ reports two sudden deaths, at Oddville, from cholera, July 10 and 13.”
[76] Judson notes population of 3,437; cites Weekly Monitor to effect that 9 deaths occurred from mid-Aug to Sep 7.
[77] “McCracken County. – The reports of the epidemic of cholera as it occurred in the city of Paducah are meagre, from the fact that no record was kept of the cases which occurred. It is estimated that one hundred and eighty cases died of cholera from May 23 until July 24. About two thirds of this number were negroes. The majority of the remainder were foreigners….” (p. 5 of 28).
[78] McClellan writes that the woman who nursed this victim, “was the next attacked, and from these two cases the epidemic was established, and continued in existence until July 24.”
[79] Writes: “In that portion of the city which is located upon alluvial soil….the disease was epidemic and raged with virulence. This portion of the city is inhabited by the middle and lower classes, Germans, Irish, and negroes, whose drinking-water was obtained from wells which could only be supplied by surface-water…” Drayman Donovan and Sister Ursula on and about June 23. Narrative then notes that cholera raged from June 14 to July 29, “maintained undoubtedly by constant cholera arrivals from infected points both on the river and railroads.”
[80] Sep 30, citing The Lebanon Standard.
[81] McClellan. “An Account of the epidemic of cholera during the summer of 1873 in…Kentucky.” 1875, p. 22.
[82] McClellan. “An Account of the epidemic of cholera during the summer of 1873 in…Kentucky.” 1875, p. 22.
[83] McClellan. “An Account of the epidemic of cholera during the summer of 1873 in…Kentucky.” 1875, p. 22.
[84] McClellan. “An Account of the epidemic of cholera during the summer of 1873 in…Kentucky.” 1875, p. 22.
[85] McClellan. “An Account of the epidemic of cholera during the summer of 1873 in…Kentucky.” 1875, p.
[86] Notes that a man who had just left a cholera infected locality arrived and was given a job. A few days later he came down with “an acute diarrhoea…attended with great prostration and general constitutional disturbance.” McClellan relates that “His excreta were thrown out on the ground.” His cabin was amongst a cluster on a hillside. “Immediately below and in front…was a spring from which the families of the neighborhood obtained water. On the 14th, 15th, and 16th of July, there was considerable rain-fall and the surface washings filled the spring to overflowing. July 17, two violent cases of cholera occurred in the cabins immediately adjoining the one in which the diarrhoeal patient was living.”
[87] McClellan. “An Account of the epidemic of cholera during the summer of 1873 in…Kentucky.” 1875, p. 22.
[88] “West Point, Hardin County. Population, 206. The ‘Shelby (Ky.) Courant,’ September 4, 1873, states that, ‘In Hardin County, near West Point, on Sunday week (August 24), eighteen railroad hands were buried; and on Monday (August 25), twelve more, all deaths from cholera; and some six miles further on, there were ten or fifteen more deaths last week.’ These deaths are said to have been among railroad laborers.”
[89] Narrative states that Woodburn “suffered most severely from the epidemic, over one hundred cases…occurred, a large number of whom died. Using a conservative fatality rate of 25%, we derive an estimate of 25 fatalities.
[90] For the low range we take Woodworth’s 259 figure for New Orleans and add 19 (low range for Delta), 85 for Monroe, 3 for Providence, 50 for Thibodeaux and 16 for Vidalia. For the high range we use White’s ~300 for New Orleans, 24 (the high range for Delta, and the other figures listed for the low range. We do not use Woodworth’s figure of 307 for the State as our low range, given its focus on New Orleans, as well as emphasis on military deaths.
[91] “…‘The Weekly Journal’…‘A colored man died on the Crane plantation, of cholera, June 28. Up to July 1, there had been several deaths by cholera [we translate into 3] on the Utz plantation and quite a number [we translate into 4-7] on Roundaway Bayou.’ There was a death from cholera on Fortune’s Fork plantation, July 7, and in the week ending July 29 ten or twelve colored persons died of cholera on the Ballard place.” Thus we derive 19-24 figure.
[92] “…Population, 1749. The report of the sexton states that the first case of cholera occurred about May 25. In May there were sixteen deaths, and from June 1 to July 15, sixty-nine deaths. Total deaths from cholera, eighty-five.”
[93] “The total number of cholera deaths, in the first six months of 1873, is two hundred and forty-four (244). During the same period, the cholera infantum deaths amounted to eighty-five. As the average cholera infantum death-rate for the first six months of five successive years is about forty (40), it is probably just to attribute the increase of mortality this year to cholera sporadica, and estimate the total mortality by this last mentioned disease, at about three hundred (300).” (White, C. B. “Report of Cholera in New Orleans, LA.” Public Health Papers and Reports (American Public Health Association). Vol. 1, pp. 188-199. Cambridge: Houghton and Co. (Riverside Press), 1875. Google digitized at: http://books.google.com/books?id=oyLQAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false
[94] Notes, as well, “80 deaths from cholera infantum…4 deaths from diarrhoea on Feb. 9th; and 38 by June 22d; 57 fatal cases of acute diarrhoea, besides 41 of dysentery.”
[95] “Providence, Carroll Parish. Several deaths [we translate into “3” in order to count] from cholera are reported in the weekly paper the latter part of June.”
[96] Our number, for purpose of contributing to a tally, based on: “The primary outbreak of the epidemic [in Lafourche Parish] occurred among the employes on the Oak Grove plantation, near Thibodeaux, and upon the Bayou La Fourche. The first case occurred after contact with a trading boat directly from New Orleans. The epidemic was confined to four plantations near Thibodeaux and Raceland, and about one hundred cases occurred, the majority supposed to have been fatal.” Judson notes there were about 50 deaths in Thibodeaux.
[97] “Thibodeaux, Lafourche Parish. Population, 1,922. The ‘Weekly Sentinel’ [notes]: From May 10 to May 17, fifteen or more deaths from cholera occurred on the Oak Grove and Scudday plantations. In the latter half of May, seven deaths from cholera occurred on Mrs. Collins’, and two on Harang’s plantation. By…end of June there [were] forty to fifty deaths from cholera [we average at 45] in the Parish, and five more occurred the first week in July.”
[98] “…The ‘Weekly Herald’ states that from June 10 to June 21 there were ten deaths from cholera on the plantation of Mr. Lambden. Up to July 19, twenty-six cases and six deaths had occurred on Mr. David Miller’s place.”
[99] “Kandiyohi County, about one hundred miles west of Dt. Paul. The annual report of the State Board of Health of Minnesota gives the following facts. Cholera occurred about July 8 in a house occupied by three Norwegian families (about eleven persons). Two of the families had just arrived via New York and Chicago. The first three cases occurred among those just arrived and were fatal. There were seven cases and five deaths up to July 22.”
[100] Holly Springs, Marshall County. Population, 2,406. The ‘Memphis Appeal’ reports three deaths from cholera on July 6, two of them being children in one family.”
[101] Jackson, Hinds County. Population, 4,234. The ‘Weekly Clarion’ reports ten white and thirteen colored deaths from cholera from May 20 to July 4.”
[102] “Meridian, Lauderdale County. A death from cholera July 14, and other cases rumored.”
[103] Vicksburg, Warren County. Population, 12,443. The sexton’s weekly reports give thirteen deaths from cholera in four weeks ending June 9, 1873.”
[104] “…twenty-five miles southeast from Fayette. Population, 2,236. The ‘Weekly Statesman’ September 19, reports that four deaths, after a brief and severe illness, occurred on September 13.”
[105] “Fayette, Howard County. Population, 518. The ‘Weekly Advertiser’ states that from July 17 to 31, there were seven white and nine colored deaths from cholera, and that ‘on Monday, August 18, the pestilence again broke out in a family which had returned to town. Four deaths occurred in this house in twenty-four hours.’ The ‘Advertiser’ of September 4, prints a letter from U.S. Wright, M.D.: “up to date there have been in this town forty deaths from cholera, with perhaps seven deaths occurring in the country within a few miles from town.’”
[106] “Iron Mountain, St. Francois County, five miles north of Pilot Knob, on the railroad. The ‘Ironton Weekly Enterprise’ states that five deaths from cholera occurred in one family at Iron Mountain, September 21 and 22.”
[107] “Dr. Jno. S. Pearson states…at least 250 cases of cholera occurred at Louisiana, 75 per cent of which were fatal.” Highlighted in yellow to denote we do not use – not in keeping with two other sources.
[108] “St. Louis, Mo., July 22. – Further advices from Louisiana, in Missouri, say that the cholera has abated there, but that some fifty persons altogether have died with it since it first broke out….” Yellow highlighted denotes not used.
[109] Same column as report of 50 deaths, but of a different dispatch when states that the cholera had subsided and “Only twenty-eight deaths had occurred in all.”
[110] “Population 3,639….The ‘Journal’ gives twenty-seven deaths from cholera up to July 26.”
[111] “…The ‘Ironton Weekly Enterprise’ reports…(July 3) that four cases [cholera] had proved fatal.”
[112] “Pilot Knob, Iron County. Population, 581. The ‘Ironton Weekly Enterprise’ reports that two fatal cases in adjoining houses occurred on August 7 and 8, that up to September 8, ‘between forty and fifty persons had fallen victims to the terrible destroyer;’ and that on September 10 and 11, five or six persons died each day. ‘Mrs. M_ was called upon to part with her husband and three children, leaving only herself and one child out of a family of six.’”
[113] “Poplar Bluff, Butler County. Population, 840. The ‘Ironton Weekly Enterprise’ reports that cholera was raging at Poplar Bluff the latter part of June; that three deaths occurred in one day in the week ending June 21, and fifteen deaths occurred the week ending June 28. The ‘St. Louis Dispatch’ states that thirty deaths occurred at Poplar Bluff. ‘The mortality was chiefly confined to railroad hands, but several citizens had died.’”
[114] “St. Louis, Mo., Aug. 1. – The Evening Dispatch learns from a gentleman just arrived from Poplar Bluff…Mo., that cholera has raged there violently. Thirty deaths had occurred out of a total population of less than 800. The mortality was largely confined to railroad hands, but several others had died. The disease has now nearly abated.”
[115] Judson notes a population of 310,864. Cites The Missouri Republican of July 7th for a description of the affect on “a family on the Gravois Road, near Second Carondelet Avenue. ‘On Saturday night, July 5, the two children, a boy and a girl, aged seven and nine respectively, were taken sick, purging and vomiting. After six hours sickness they both died. The father and hired man then took sick…They both died in a few hours’ time, after suffering terribly. The mother then took sick, and at six o’clock last night she, too, died, leaving no one behind of the entire family.’ This family drew their drinking and cooking water from a filthy pool of stagnant water.”
[116] Number comes from city health officer who noted 392 cholera deaths and 137 “fatal cases of cholera-morbus,” a term used for non-epidemic (in eye of beholder) cholera, other gastro-intestinal diseases resembling cholera (particularly when one was unwilling to accept or pronounce a cholera death, and when uncertainty prevailed. Cholera-like symptoms typically are severe diarrhea, vomiting, muscular cramps, and collapse. Later the health officer notes “My own conviction is that all the deaths reported as due to cholera morbus were really cases of true cholera…Such a thing as nine deaths from cholera morbus between the 11th of May and the 1st of June, and thirty-two deaths from the same cause during the month of June was never before heard of in Saint Louis, and, I venture to say, will never occur again, except under similar influences, viz, an epidemic tendency. “ (Woodworth 1875, 243)
[117] A July 2 article stated: “Several of the most prominent physicians in this city deny that there is any choler here, or that there has been a single case so far this Summer. They say the cases reported were malignant cholera morbus.” (New York Times. “Cholera.” 7-3-1873, p. 5.)
[118] Notes an additional 43 cholera infantum and “Summer complaint” deaths, and notes: “One hundred and thirty children under five years of age are included in the list” [of 241 total deaths during the week].
[119] “Sturgeon, Boone County, twenty-five miles east of Fayette. The ‘Missouri Republican’ of September 13, reports the death from cholera of two of the best citizens of Sturgeon.”
[120] “…Population 703. The ‘Missouri Republican’ of July 21, reports that nineteen white and four colored persons had died from cholera at Troy and in the immediate vicinity.”
[121] Judson notes a population of 503 and writes: “The ‘Missouri Republican,’ August 28, reports the adjournment of ‘Circuit Court at Versailles on account of cholera.’”
[122] New York Times. “The Cholera. Two Cases Reported in The City.” 7-5-1873, p. 1.
[123] “The cholera…came this year beginning with a death on the 14th of June. Between that time and October 18th, 207 persons died of this disease in the city.”
[124] Peters writes (p. 6) that “The Health Officer had no desire to go further back than June 16th for the first case of cholera; he was…scientifically most grievously wrong. As it now is, nearly three weeks of the early history of cholera has been suppressed, either through prejudice, neglect, or obtuseness.”
[125] Reports 5 cases and “some deaths,’ which we translate into 2-3 in order to count.
[126] “…Population, 30,473. Thomas L. Neal, M.D., Health Officer, in a letter to J.C. Peters, M.D., gives the following table compiled from reports made to the Health Officer: [9 deaths, June 22 (one) and July 1-27]
[127] Judson reports 20 deaths July 12-Aug 1, and one the week ending Aug 15. (page 250)
[128] “A total of twenty-three cases are reported; of these cases eight were fatal. This, however, does not embrace a full list of the cases that occurred, as some of the medical men of Springfield declined to render any assistance to the work of collecting the history of the epidemic.” (Woodworth 1875, 360)
[129] Snively, W. (Physician to Pittsburg Board of Health). “Report on Asiatic Cholera.” Public Health Papers and Reports (American Public Health Assoc.), pp. 303-305. Cambridge: Houghton and Co. (Riverside Press), 1875.
[130] The Camelia arrived July 21. (Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, p. 374.)
[131] “Cholera made its appearance on the John Kilgour upon the second day after she left New Orleans. The first victim was Mr. John Schenck, a prominent citizen of this county [Hamilton, OH], who died about forty miles above Vicksburg; the second was a deck passenger, who died about fifty miles above Cairo, on the Ohio River, and was buried soon after death; the third, who was also a deck passenger, died twenty-five to thirty miles below Evansville, Ind., and was buried at Rome, one hundred miles below Louisville. The steamer was well washed and scrubbed.” (Quinn. “Cholera in Cincinnati, Ohio.” P. 291 of pp. 290-302 in: Public Health Papers and Reports. 1875.)
[132] McClellan. “An Account of the Epidemic of Cholera…Summer of 1873…in Kentucky,” in APHA, p. 200.
[133] “The ‘Weekly Republican’ reports the death from cholera on September 8 of a man living alone in a filthy log cabin, southeast of Vermilion.”
[134] It is to be noted that the fatalities discussed in the narrative text within Woodworth total significantly more.
[135] Judson notes that these are in addition to the 53 deaths at Murfreesboro [which Woodworth notes]. Also notes that this was 6-8 miles southeast of Murfreesboro, and occurred on August 5.
[136] Judson, Adoniram B (Sanitary Inspector of New York). “Report upon the Course of Cholera Through Two Hundred Towns and Cities in the Mississippi Valley, in 1873.” Public Health Papers and Reports (American Public Health Association), Vol. 1, pp. 224-252. Cambridge: Houghton and Co. (Riverside Press), 1875. Google digitized at: http://books.google.com/books?id=oyLQAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false
[137] “…twelve miles east of Jonesboro on the railroad. IT is reported in Knoxville papers that six deaths had occurred at Carter’s Station from cholera, and that several persons (four in one family), were dangerously sick.”
[138] After noting 60 officially recognized cholera deaths, Dr. Wight notes, however, that the actual cholera death toll “should have been much larger, as false reports were often made by irregular practitioners, and several were unlawfully buried outside the city, of whom no report was made…” Also notes that the deaths during the June 20 to July 20 timeframe were “more than four times as many” as same timeframe in 1872. Thus, he concludes, “The whole increase of deaths for that month [30 days in June and July]…may be justly charged to the account of cholera, there being sixty killed by it directly and seventy indirectly.”
[139] Blanchard number based on statement: “the population of our city, at the outbreak of the disease, was supposed to be about twelve thousand inhabitants…we lost…by cholera alone one in every two hundred.” Thus we divided 12,000 by 200 to derive the number 60.
[140] Blanchard number based on statement: “the population of our city, at the outbreak of the disease, was supposed to be about twelve thousand inhabitants…we lost…by cholera alone one in every two hundred.” Thus we divided 12,000 by 200 to derive the number 60.
[141] Dr. Wight also notes the 17 deaths amongst Chattanooga residents who fled elsewhere and then writes “about half as many more died from other causes.” (p. 179)
[142] “…Population, 3,200. The ‘Weekly Chronicle’ gives details of ten fatal cases of cholera from June 21 to July 9.
[143] “Ducktown, Knox County. Between Knoxville and Clinton. The ‘Knoxville Chronicle,’ July 23, reports that ‘a very violent cholera morbus prevails at Ducktown,’ and that ‘a considerable number of deaths had occurred.’ (We translate “considerable number” into approximately “10” in order to count.)
[144] “Erin, Stewart County. It is said that the first attack of cholera occurred June 24, and that the population is ordinarily about one hundred, of whom fifty left at the first rumor of the disease. The ‘Dover Weekly Record’ states that up to July 2, there had been seven white and seven colored deaths from cholera, and that during the second attack of the disease there were fourteen deaths from cholera from August 5 to August 8.”
[145] “6” is my estimate based upon three deaths noted in addition to the statement “before the epidemic subsided sixty cases occurred, many of which proved fatal.” I use “3” as a stand-in for “many of which proved fatal.”
[146] “Flat Creek Village, Williamson County. Population, 637. The ‘Shelbyville Commercial’ reports two or three deaths from cholera during the first week in August.”
[147] “Fountain Head, five miles from Knoxville. F. K. Bailey, M.D., in the ‘Nashville Medical and Surgical Journal,’ states that a family journeyed from Chattanooga to Knoxville and thence to Fountain Head. At Knoxville a boy was taken sick with diarrhoea, and at Fountain Head six deaths occurred in this family and among the neighbors.”
[148] Notes a population of 2,123, and that the deaths were between May 31 and July 12.
[149] See next footnote for statement of “some fifty additional deaths through the county” other than Greeneville.
[150] “Greeneville, Greene County. Population, 1,039. The first fatal case of cholera in Greeneville reported by the Knoxville and Greeneville papers, died June 11, after an illness of two days. In the following week there were thirteen deaths. The last fatal case reported occurred July 15. ‘National Union,’ July 31: ‘Below we give a full list of the cholera deaths in Greeneville, according to the most reliable records kept: Total white, thirty-two; total colored, seventeen; grand total, forty-nine.’ The following words are added: ‘We are acquainted with some fifty additional deaths through the county, se we think the grand total for our county would reach one hundred, that being a safe but not exaggerated estimate.’”
[151] This is but a poor stand-in estimate I provide knowing not the population of Greenville at the time, and based upon the statement the “Knoxville, Jonesborough, and Greeneville, in East Tennessee, suffered more or less from the pestilence, and in proportion to their sanitary condition, so their mortality-record shows. In the latter place the mortality was fearful; at least one-half of the citizens there having contracted the disease, and their ration of deaths about the same as in other places – fully one in every five…” (Woodworth 1875, 176)
[152] “Near Hartsville, Sumner County. The ‘Gainsborough News,’ and ‘Louisville Courier-Journal’ report the appearance of cholera on Little Goose Greek, about five miles north of Hartsville, on July 7. Eight deaths occurred, chiefly in one family.”
[153] These are in addition to 53 deaths reported for Murfreesboro.
[154] Jonesboro, Washington County. Population, 1,445. Letter to E. Harris, M.D., from W R. Sevier, M.D., October 1, 1873. ‘Some four or five weeks elapsed from the time of its departure from Greenville before it assumed an epidemic form in our town. During this period quite a number of cases occurred in the intervening country, some of which were of very malignant character. Two cases, both of whom were refugees from Greeneville, occurred here some days prior to its actual development as an epidemic….The first case among our resident population was the wife of a gentleman, who had waited constantly at the bedside of the first mentioned case in the capacity of nurse….No other case occurred after that date (15th) until the 24th July, when it at once assumed an epidemic form. The period marked by the greatest fatality was from 29th July to August 1, inclusive of both dates.’….The ‘Jonesboro Herald and Tribune’ adds: ‘From July 15 to August 6, thirty-four deaths occurred from the disease, which, taking into consideration the fact that not more than one hundred people remained in town during the prevalence of the disorder, shows a death-rate scarcely ever equaled.’”
[155] Notes, at page 229, a population of 2,073 and that according to an article by Dr. J. L. Fite, “Cholera in Lebanon and Vicinity,” in the Nashville Medical and Surgical Journal, the disease was brought to Lebanon by two young men coming from Nashville on a train.
[156] Ellis writes” There were probably more than 300 deaths in better than 1,000 cases…”
[157] Highlighted in yellow to denote we do not use for tally purposes – much higher than other sources.
[158] Wrote there were double digit cholera deaths from the 22-27 “and so on up to June 28th, when there were only 10-14 fatal cases per day.
[159] Since we noted above Greene County fatalities other than Greeneville, we are not counting these twelve in that they may be duplicative. Judson provides, however, detail: “Midway, Greene County, nine miles west of Greeneville, on railroad. Population, 752. The following is quoted from the ‘Knoxville Chronicle’: ‘Midway, Tenn., August 4, 1873….There have been only three or four cases of cholera immediately in the village, one only proving fatal, and that was a colored boy that was living with me. He was taken sick on the morning of the 18th of July, and died within fourteen hours, of sporadic or Asiatic cholera. To give you some idea of the fatality of the disease, I enclose a draft representing one square mile, including all the deaths from cholera in this immediate vicinity. This includes a population of about eighty-five persons, all told, twelve of whom died of cholera within twenty-two days…The entire population of the families of whom these twelve died, number forty-eight persons. On the 18th and 19th of July, five died of sporadic cholera, including the boy at my house, and the wife and three children of John G. Hahn, a tenant on my farm. Forty-eight hours from the time the first one was attacked all five were dead, and only thirty-four hours from the death of the first the fifth one was a corpse. The wife and two children were buried in one grave, the three dying within twelve hours. Mr. Hahn and his only living child is at my hose. The child is convalescent from cholera, and I think will recover…The enclosed drawing represents a small section of limestone country, including a branch heretofore known as the Seven Springs, but now known as Cholera Branch. The citizens of Midway all use cistern water. My work hands had been using water out of a freestone spring, but from some cause unknown, the colored boy and Mr. Hahn’s family drank out of Cholera Branch, in which it is said some cloths had been thrown from those that had died. Two days after they had thus drunk the five were dead.’”
[160] Not counted in that Greene County fatalities are noted above.
[161] Judson notes, at page 232, that the population of Murfreesboro was 3,502.
[162] Woodworth draws upon the “Minutes of a meeting of the physicians of Nashville, Tenn., held December 16, 1874, at the rooms of the Board of Health; present about fifty gentlemen,” pp. 150-157. On page 157 it is noted that “Dr. Bowling has collected statistics showing that from June 7 to July 1 there had occurred 244 white deaths and 403 colored deaths, a total of 647 deaths….It is known that large numbers of negroes died who were buried by their friends, and of whom no record was made. This is especially true of the localities described as Rocktown and New Bethel. It is computed by parties who had every opportunity of obtaining full information that, from the inception of the disease to its close, at least one thousand deaths occurred….”
[163] Quotes from the Nashville Union & American of July 2: “In addition to these [647 deaths in a table] a considerable number of negroes died in the suburbs, and were buried in vacant lands near the city by parties of their own color without applying to our regular undertakers. We have heard of fifty-three being buried in one place; nor more than a fourth or third procured coffins from the undertakers. The cases thus occurring of which no account is had, added to those who died previous to the 7th of June, it is thought will bring the number fully up to 750, thus showing that the mortality of this year has been fully equal in number to that of 1866, while the death-rate according to the population has been considerably larger.
[164] The numbers we count start with June 7 when “it was officially published that the deaths had not, on any one day exceeded 7; but it was soon found out that there had been 21.” (Peters. “The South-Western Cholera of 1873.”) Peters notes, though, that “Cholera commenced to prevail in Nashville in the latter part of May. On June 3d the city physician published a card that the recent sudden deaths were from cholera morbus, and on June 6th some of the leading physicians publicly disclaimed the presence of real cholera, although there had been a number of serious (so serious as to be quickly fatal), of cholera morbus within the past week.” We add the Nashville Penitentiary deaths.
[165] Cites the Nashville Union & American of July 2 for a table of cholera deaths June 7-July 1.
[166] Peters notes there were other cholera deaths in Nashville not caught up in official records such as passengers from boats from New Orleans who were dropped off there and subsequently died. Peters was apparently referencing “Americans” as he then also writes “A few Germans also came up direct from New Orleans and died of cholera in Nashville…” Also “some negroes from New Orleans, by way of Memphis.”
[167] “I visited the Nashville Penitentiary, conversed with the physician and hospital steward, and with some of the convicts who had seen some 20 of their companions die in from 7 to 10 hours, with diarrhoea, cramps and vomiting; saw them become blue, cold and fatally prostrated.”
[168] Other than in Murfreesboro.
[169] “Shelbyville, Bedford County. Population, 1,719. The ‘Weekly Commercial’ gives the following facts in regard to cholera: ‘The first fatal case occurred about June 6, the second on June 17. Up to June 21 there were seven fatal cases, and from June 21 to July 11, there were (nineteen white and forty-three colored) sixty-two deaths from cholera. The disease then almost entirely disappeared until the death, on August 2, of two well-known residents, members of the same family. They were taken sick at 10 P.M., and died early the next morning.”
[170] Notes population of 2,140 and cites the Weekly Record as noting the deaths were from June 18-30 and July 14.
[171] Judson notes population of 2,479. Cites 8-15-1873 edition of The Weekly Courier to the effect: “This fearful disease still lingers in our midst….It is now more than six weeks since the first case of cholera occurred in this city….The whole number of deaths from cholera in the city limits since its first appearance to date is fifty-one.”
[172] Judson notes three cholera deaths Aug 1 at Loy’s Cross Roads, population 468, in Union County. (page 230)
[173] Bailey, F. K., M.D. (Knoxville Health Officer). “Cholera in Knoxville, Tenn., and Vicinity, in 1873.” Pp. 282-289 in: Public Health Papers and Reports (American Public Health Assoc.). Cambridge: Houghton, 1875.
[174] Judson notes the population as 791 at page 235.
[175] “Whitesburg, Jefferson County, between Knoxville and Greeneville, on railroad. Population, 518. The ‘Knoxville Press and Herald’ reports the death from cholera of a resident of Whitesburg, the sickness of his child, and the death, on July 10, of his mother-in-law.”
[176] Other than Lebanon and Shop Springs
[177] “On Wolf River, near the Kentucky line, south of Columbia, Kentucky. The ‘Columbia (Kentucky) Spectator,’ July 3, 1873, reports several deaths from cholera.” We translate several into “3” in order to count.
[178] Denison, Grayson County. A letter from James Johnston, M.D., Denison, May 2, 1874, states: ‘The first fatal case of cholera that came under my notice in this place occurred about the 8th August, 1873. Some few cases occurred occasionally up to the 20th September, when it assumed greater violence, and in the next twenty days we had about eighty deaths in this town, which had a population at that time of about three thousand. The disease subsided very rapidly, owing probably to change of weather and sanitary measures, and the last occurred about the 1st of November. The proportion of deaths to cases amounted to about eighty per cent…The greater part of the cases that occurred manifested the symptoms of true Asiatic cholera. The patient was attacked with diarrhoea, followed by vomiting. The discharge from the bowels was generally what has been called ‘rice-water,’ the skin growing cold by degrees, with cramps usually, collapse arriving with intense thirst, oppression in breathing, loss of voice, disappearance of the pulse, suppression of urine, cold, blue, and shrunken skin, sometimes bathed in sweat, and at last cold breath and tongue. Almost all the case I saw, and especially the fatal ones, were among the improvident and those who were in the habit of drinking bad whiskey. They city at the time was in a very filthy condition, and the houses where the largest number of cases occurred were remarkable for the amount of filth that had accumulated on the back premises….”
[179] “…Population, 453. The ‘Corinne Reporter’ September 19, 1873, reports that ‘a sudden and fatal fever is perpetrating its ravages at Kelton, six deaths having already occurred from it. It generally proves fatal the same day of the attack. Considerable alarm prevails, and many people have left the town.’”
[180] Presented as questionable.
[181] Jepson notes that “During the summer…there occurred thirty-five cases and twenty-two deaths, giving a mortality of sixty-three per cent…” (Jepson, S. L. M.D. (Wheeling Health Officer). “Cholera in Wheeling, West Va., in 1873.” Pp. 267-278 in: Public Health Papers and Reports (American Public Health Assoc.). Cambridge: Houghton (Riverside Press), 1875. Google digitized at: http://books.google.com/books?id=oyLQAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false )
[182] Latin for “nest” – used in medicine to refer to any structure that resembles a nest in appearance or function…” (www.medterms.com)
[183] Cites as Additional Resources: Baggett, James L., ed. A Woman of the Town: Louise Wooster, Birmingham’s Magdalen. Birmingham: Birmingham Public Library Press, 2005.; Bennett, James R. Historic Birmingham & Jefferson County. San Antonio, Texas: Historical Publishing Network, 2008; Caldwell, H. M. History of the Elyton Land Company and Birmingham, Alabama. 1892. Reprint, Birmingham: Southern University Press, 1972; Rosenberg, Charles. The Cholera Years. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1962. Cholera Epidemic of 1873 in the United States. The Introduction of Epidemic Cholera Through the Agency of the Mercantile Marine: Suggestions of Measures of Prevention. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1875.
[184] Note in the original: “It should be observed that sufficient care in the nomenclature or diagnosis has not been observed – a large portion of those set down to summer complaint being cases of cholera infantum, and a large portion reported as cholera morbus were doubtless cholera. Notwithstanding these inaccuracies, the report may be of some value as showing the increase of mortality from the epidemic influence.” (Woodworth 1875, 248)