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1883 — Jan 10, Fire (suspected arson), Newhall House (Hotel), Milwaukee, WI –~71-~90

–71-90 Blanchard.*
— ~100 Appletons’ Annual Cyclopaedia and Register., “Events of 1883.” 1884, 321.
— <100 Childs. A History of the U.S. In Chronological Order…1492…to...1885. 1886, p. 253. -- ~90 Wisconsin Historical Society. Dictionary of WI History, “Newhall House Fire (1883).” -- 82 Janesville Daily Gazette, WI. “Editorial” (Newall Fire). 1-15-1883, p. 1. -- >80 Iowa Postal Card, Fayette, IA. “Later News.” 4-17-1883, p. 2.
–64-80 Oshkosh Daily Northwestern, WI. “Milwaukee. Two More Bodies…” 1-18-1883, p.1.
–60-80 Oshkosh…Northwestern, WI. “Grim Death…Newhall House…Dead…at 60-80.” 1-10-1883, 1.
— 79 Racine Advocate, WI. 1-25-1883, p. 8.
— 75 Racine Advocate, WI. “A Milwaukee Dispatch of Jan. 19.” 1-25-1883, p. 6.
— 72 Tchakirides, William I. “Newhall House Fire.” Encyclopedia of Milwaukee. 2016.
— 71 Associated Press, “Atlanta Tragedy Beats Milwaukee Blaze of 1883,” Dec 7, 1946.
— 71 Cornell, James. The Great International Disaster Book (Third Edition). 1982, p. 322.
— 71 Country Beautiful. Great Fires of America. 1973, p. 116.
— 71 Nash, Jay Robert. Darkest Hours. 1977, p. 656.
— 71 Safety Engineering. “Firemen’s ‘Death Zone’ in Milwaukee.” V26/N5, Nov 1913, 343.
— 71 Simonds, W. E. The American Date Book. 1902, p. 87.
— 71 Ward. “Hotel Fires: Landmarks in Flames…,” Firehouse, March 1978, p. 41.
— 71 Willsey and Lewis. “Milwaukee,” Harper’s Book of Facts. 1895, p. 514.
— 71 Wisconsin History Day By Day. “January 10.”
— ~70 Jackson Sentinel, Maquoketa, IA. “A Sickening Record…Disasters….” 2-8-1883, 6.
— ~70 Waukesha Freeman, WI. 1-25-1883, p. 13.

*We cite nine sources for a death toll estimate of 71, which we use for the low-end of the range we use. We cite a similar number of sources for estimates above seventy-one. We choose to use the estimate of approximately 90 deaths noted in the Dictionary of Wisconsin History, Wisconsin Historical Society.

Narrative Information

Country Beautiful. Great Fires of America: “Recognizing the com¬mercial necessity of fine accommodations in the business district of the community, civic leader and capitalist Daniel Newhall built a grand hotel, the Newhall House, to replace the ruins of the United States Hotel [destroyed by fire in 1854]. It was a six-story structure made of the famous cream-colored bricks in the popular, but retrospectively quaint, “gingerbread” style of archi¬tecture. Although proclaimed as Wisconsin’s largest and finest hotel, the Newhall House, for all its predicted prosperity, did not do well. It passed through a series of owners, each determined that he could make the three hundred room structure a success, but no one could make it profitable.

“The hotel had its share of small fires, and its structural shortcomings were made public knowledge by editorializing newspaper reporters. Ample fire escapes were noticeably absent from the design as were enclosed interior stairways. When elevators were added in 1874, the elevator shafts were unprotected…. Local insurance agents later [after a fire in 1880] refused to insure the building because they considered it to be a firetrap. The inside woodwork was very dry and the partitions were not filled in with brick. And the large building provided only two fire escapes. Furthermore, because guests at the hotel had been considerably panicked in the 1880 blaze, the hotel staff was instructed not to arouse and alarm guests in “minor” fires.

“On the night of January 9, 1883, exactly three years after the 1880 fire, the hotel was occupied by forty maids, laundresses and kitchen help and about three hundred guests, including the midget stage attraction General Tom Thumb, his wife and en¬tourage. The night staff at the hotel consisted of a watchman, night clerk and elevator man.

“At approximately 4:10 a.m. on the morning of January 10, the Newhall House was again on fire. The cause was never discovered but the folklore of the day determined it was arson. The fire appeared to have started near the elevator on the ground floor, and the unprotected elevator shaft served as a chimney to stoke the flames and proved to be an excellent means for transporting the flames upward to engulf all six floors. Alarm box 15, located near the scene, was pulled, and the crowds and the equipment began to arrive.

“The fire was well beyond control as attempts were made to rescue the screaming, terrified inhabitants. The upper floors had such an intricate pattern of hallways that it was nearly impossible to escape from the maze. A description of the scene emphasized the hopeless panic and confusion:

“The unfortunate inmates were in many cases only aroused from their slumbers by the noise of flames and found their escape already cut off. Men, women and children rushed up and down the halls in the dense suffocating smoke, missing in their frantic efforts the stairways and windows leading to the fire-escapes.”

“With the fire at their backs, the guests began to jump. Telegraph wires surrounded the building and many became cut and entangled in them before meeting their deaths on the pavement. The wires also seriously detained rescue and fire-fighting efforts. Some people tried to jump into an outstretched can¬vas held by citizens, only to receive fatal injuries….

“Hook and Ladder Company No. I was the first to arrive on the scene and promptly began fighting the blaze with the temperature four degrees below zero….Most of the servant girls on an upper floor did not even have a chance of escape and were killed. The extension ladder failed, but Herman Stauss and another fireman, George Wells, tried to rescue as many as possible by making a ladder bridge from an adjoining building to the burning hotel. The ladder spanned twenty feet above an alley. Stauss made several trips across the perilous bridge, saving sixteen girls. He became a hero and received tokens of appreciation from across the country.

“General Tom Thumb and his wife escaped injury but a member of their troupe was killed. A leading Milwaukee businessman and his wife jumped from the third floor and were fatally injured. In all, seventy-one people lost their lives at the Newhall House fire, the most deaths in a hotel fire until 1946.” (Country Beautiful. Great Fires of America. 1973, p. 116.)

Tchakirides: “The deadliest fire in Milwaukee history occurred at the Newhall House hotel on January 10, 1883 on the corner of Michigan Street and Broadway. Firemen who battled previous fires at the hotel, one of Wisconsin’s largest, dubbed it a “tinder-box.” The inferno originated in the opulent structure’s wooden elevator shaft and took over twenty-six hours to extinguish. Seventy-two people died, many jumping from their rooms…” (Tchakirides, William I. “Newhall House Fire.” Encyclopedia of Milwaukee. 2016.)

Wisconsin Historical Society/Margaret Gleason: “Milwaukee’s Newhall House, one of the state’s largest hotels, burned in the early morning of January 10, 1883. The blaze apparently started in the elevator shaft and spread quickly through the old wooden structure. By the time the fire was discovered the flames were out of control, and the staff failed to arouse many of the guests and employees. The firemen broke their extension ladder on the electric wires that hung next to the building. The hotel had had several fires over the previous years and was considered a “tinder-box” by the fire department. About 90 persons perished in the blaze, many of them jumping from upper floors of the six-story structure. Among the rescued guests were “General Tom Thumb” and his wife, famous entertainers. The hero of the day was a volunteer fireman named Herman Stauss who carried a ladder to the alley, and with the help of a bystander raised it and swung it from the roof of an adjacent building to a fifth floor window. Across this insecure “bridge” he carried or led to safety 10 of the 50 servant girls who were sleeping in the fifth floor rooms.” (Wisconsin Historical Society. Dictionary of Wisconsin History, “Newhall House Fire (1883).”

Wisconsin History Day By Day: “January 10, 1883: The Newhall House in Milwaukee burned, killing 71. Included among the people rescued was General Tom Thumb of P. T. Barnum circus.” (Wisconsin History Day By Day. “January 10.”)

Newspapers

Jan 10: “Milwaukee, Jan. 10. – The Newhall House, a six-story brick building, corner Michigan street and Broadway, burned to the ground this morning. The fire was discovered at 4 a.m. In less than half an hour the whole building, long designated as a ‘death-trap’ was enveloped in flames. Scenes of utmost terror prevailed, the inmates of the doomed building jumping by dozens from the upper stories, covering the stone sidewalks with lifeless bodies.

“Shrieks of the unfortunates filled the air in a heartrending manner, the people below being unable to render any aid. Quite a number of terrified guests and employees of the hotel appeared at the windows, and seeing the distance to the ground, fell back to perish in the flames. The employees of the hotel, which accommodated 300 guests, numbered 86, mostly lodgers in the sixth story. They exit by way of the roof was cut off by fire, and two stand pipes with fire ladders were not available for same reason. Very few were saved by jumping on the canvas.

“All the stores and offices on the ground floor with the contents were destroyed. They were on the Michigan street side, the offices of the Mutual Union Telegraph Company, H. J. Baumgartner’s sign painting shop, Goetz’s barber shop, Burdick & Armitage, job printers. On the Broadway front ere the Manufacturers Bank, Metropolitan Plate Glass ins. Company, Insurance Agencies of Chas. E. Craim, Wm. T. Durand, G. P. Hewitt, C. T. Hibbard & Co., F. W. Montgomery & Co., B. Weil, West & Myers and L. A. Wheeler; J. H. Watson, agent of Canada Southern road, offices of Nelson’s coal yard, and offices of the Merchants Dispatch line. A number of wholesale establishments on East Water street were damaged by fire and falling walls of buildings. Among them, Wm. Oramer, Banker, Goodyear Rubber Co., Lewis Schadegg & Co., wholesale wine, Jas. Morgan, dry goods, Zimmerman Bros., clothing….

“The fire department called for assistance from the Soldiers’ Home, but Gen. Sharpe refused to send a steamer, at which indignation is great….

“The jumping cloth did little service. About a dozen unfortunates attempted to jump, but rebounded on the perfect maze of telegraph wire which surrounded the two fronts of the building. Appeals for aid piled out, but little could be done.

“Shortly before the Newhall House alarm, a part of the department was called out to a small fire about three miles distant, and before the department was in working order the hotel was one blazing pyre.

“Tom Thumb got out of the front entrance. His wife was taken down the fire escape by a fireman….

“The hotel was built by Daniel Newhall and association in 1857. It cost $155,000. Total cost including furnishing $277,000….

“Chief clerk Tice, who had a narrow escape, says there were 110 boarders, and 90 employees in the hotel. So far 56 are unaccounted for.

“The number of dead will reach 50 to 60, and 20 to 30 wounded. So far 23 bodies are in the morgue, and nine more are in places near the ruins. Identification comes in slowly….” (Oshkosh Daily Northwestern, WI. “Grim Death…Destruction…Newhall House…Dead Placed at 60-80.” 1-10-1883, p. 1.)

Jan 12: “Milwaukee, Jan. 12. — A force of about one hundred men under the supervision of the board of public works was set at work tearing down the tottering walls and then clearing away the debris looking for bodies. The clearing away is now in progress on the Broadway front, the bricks and timbers being thrown into the street. Broadway, between Wisconsin and Michigan streets, is closed to traffic, and the entire pile of ruins will be moved. The men are working in gangs, and have been sworn in as special police. Every article of value found is taken in charge by the authorities.

“Shortly before 12 yesterday the gang working on the corner of Michigan street found two ladies close together, so badly mangled as to be unrecognizable. They were the bodies, evidently, of persons who had jumped from the windows at that corner, just in time to be caught by the falling walls. None of the firemen or spectators remember seeing two persons jump, but the fact that they lay on the pavement with no debris under them, proves that they must have jumped, instead of having fallen with the wall….The finding of the two bodies so near the edge that hadn’t before been seen, has given rise to the idea that there are at least a hundred bodies in the ruins. It will take several days to remove the debris….

“Lizzie Angland, the dining-room girl who escaped from the dormitory by rushing through the flames in the halls, and was carried into the street by Lieut. Rockwood of the police force, is more seriously burned than was first supposed. It appears that she inhaled the flames as she ran, and internal injuries from this source are such that the chances of recovery are slight. She has been delirious since the fire.

“Theodore B. Elliott, of the law firm of Jenks, Elliott & Winkler, who suffered injury while escaping from the hotel to the Marble hall building, died at the Kirby house at 8 o’clock last night. Mr. Elliott was a widower and has a daughter 12 years of age residing at Minneapolis.

“John Faley…it has been ascertained perished in the flames. He was an electromagnetic physician in attendance upon James Ludington at the hotel.

“The young German girl at the morgue unidentified is supposed to be Minnie Haeger, a sister of Dr. Graettinger’s first wife.

“Annie Casey is supposed to be the name of the middle-aged lady at the morgue unidentified.

“It is remarked as a singular fact that, although Landlord Antisdel was riding about the city all day, neither he nor any member of his family visited the morgue to set to rest from personal knowledge or through personal effort the doubts that exist concerning the identity of the unrecognized bodies referred to above. The housekeeper of the Newhall also had failed to appear at the morgue at dark, although Coroner Knepper sent for her early in the day. As the housekeeper attended to the hiring of the female help she is an important factor in the matter of identification.

“Coroner Knepper will impanel a jury to-day and begin the inquest Saturday. He proposes to make the investigation a most thorough one in every particular…..

“There were 110 guests and sixty-seven employes in the building. Of these twenty have so far been identified among the dead, forty-eight are missing, and sixty-seven are known to be saved, leaving forty-two unaccounted for, who are supposed to be in the ruins….” (Janesville Daily Gazette, WI. “The Newhall Fire.” 1-12-1883, p. 1.)

Jan 15: “The burning of the Newhall house with the appalling loss of life, brings to notice the following advertisement with very recently appeared in a Milwaukee paper:

Newhall House, J. F. Antisdel & Son, Proprietors. Great Reduction in Rates. Note – Bake and Dwight’s patent fire escape provides means of exit from every floor in case of emergency. The hotel employes are kept in constant training as a fire department and every floor is supplied with water and hose.

“In the face of the claim made in this advertisement the Newhall house had the poorest provision for fire escapes of any hotel of its size, in the United States; and this fact made the loss of life greater by two or three score than was ever suffered by the burning of any other hotel in this country. There was actually no fire escapes that were practical, and as to the employes acting as a trained fire department, most of them went down in the holocaust, and the other few barely escaped with their lives….The lost is now put at 82.” (Janesville Daily Gazette, WI. “Editorial.” 1-15-1883, p. 1.

Jan 16: “Milwaukee, Jan 16. – The following is the record of the dead, so far, from the Newhall house disaster: Taken to the morgue, 16; recovered from the ruins, 21; since died, 8; dead, not taken to morgue, 5. Total. 50. This does not include the fragments of bodies found. About forty persons reported missing are yet unaccounted for, which swells the list to 90. It is almost a sure thing that over 100 people lost their lives by the calamity.” (Janesville Daily Gazette, WI. “The Newhall Fire.” 1-16-1883, p. 1.)

Jan 18: “Milwaukee, Jan. 18. – Two bodies and several pieces of bodies were recovered from the ruins this morning, making 45 in all. Of these four were identified since the search began, which with the 10 originally at the morgue makes 23 identified dead and 64 dead in all. The search will be finished to-morrow.

“Sheriff Bentley who accompanied Scheller, returned from Madison this morning, refusing information of any kind. Reasons are very strong of Scheller being in Dane county jail. The district attorney stated to the press agency that Scheller’s preliminary examination will not be held till after the inquest is finished, which will take fully a weak. In the absence of the statement promised by landlord Antisdell to the press it is positively impossible to figure at the number of bodies yet in the ruins which is supposed to be from 12 to 15, which would make the total number of victims from 75 to 80.

“The bodies of D. H. Martelle and Robert Howie, the two Wisconsin Central conductors taken from the Newhall ruins, have been identified. The remains of Martelle were placed in an elegant coffin yesterday and funeral services were held at the temporary morgue, after which the remains were placed on the train for Evansville, where they were buried today. The remains of Robert Howie were taken to Waukesha yesterday and buried beside those of his first wife. Services were conducted by Rev. G. Watson and Edward Savage. Among the family from abroad were Mrs. Jennie Gray of Green Bay, and Mrs. Agnes McCormick of Iowa, sisters, and William and James Howie of Milwaukee, brothers. Miss Elsie Barnes, Mr. Howie’s fiancée, was supported by a brother of the deceased.” (Oshkosh Daily Northwestern, WI. “Milwaukee. Two More Bodies Rescued from the Ruins. Scheller Probably in Dane County Jail.” 1-18-1883, p. 1.)

Jan 19: “Milwaukee, Jan. 19. – Scheller, the alleged Newhall House incendiary, was brought back to jail quietly this morning. It is now settled beyond a doubt that he never left the city, but was concealed in the house of one of the deputies of the sheriff. The reason for this action is hard to find. Evidence that Scheller removed some of his stock the day previous to the fire, accumulates. It has now come to light that he even removed the balls of seven billiard tables before the fire. The value of stock secreted, so far, is about $1,000. Search in the ruins this afternoon resulted in finding one body, making 46 bodies recovered, and leaving three still to be accounted for.” (Oshkosh Daily Northwestern, WI. “Scheller Returned to the Jail in Milwaukee. Evidence Accumulates of his Removing Stock before the Fire. One more Body Found, Making 46 in all.” 1-19-1883, p. 1.)

Jan 19: “A Milwaukee dispatch of Jan. 19 says: ‘The remains of three persons were taken from the ruins of the Newhall House yesterday, and it is believed four bodies are still in the debris. The total loss of life by the catastrophe is now placed at seventy-five.” (Racine Advocate, WI. “A Milwaukee Dispatch of Jan. 19.” 1-25-1883, p. 6.)

Jan 20: “Milwaukee, Wis., Jan. 20. – Two more bodies were taken from the Newhall ruins yesterday, making forty-seven recovered. A committee of physicians has been appointed to make a report on the unidentified dead.” (Janesville Daily Gazette, WI. “The Newhall House.” 1-20-1883, p. 1.)

Jan 22: “There is a loud call for the passage of laws to prevent such holocausts as that of the Newhall House. Almost every person has his little remedy, no matter how inconsistent it may be with the rules of architecture or the dictates of common sense or experience. Yet there are some precautions which ought to be adopted and which should be provided for by law, and they should
apply alike to hotels, theatres, churches, school-houses, tenement houses, and buildings used for manufacturing purposes where a large number of hands are employed. Avenues of escape within the reach of all should be provided for by law; elevators should be encased in brick walls; and buildings should be constructed with regard to safety from fire. But no law can be trusted to accomplish anything permanent which does not also contain ample provision for its enforcement.
It must be made the duty of someone to oversee the construction of buildings; it must be made the duty of someone to make regular inspections of buildings. A law which does not make these provisions will be no more effective than a prohibitory liquor law in a state or community where popular sentiment does not sustain it. Our legislature should not act hastily in the matter. Architects and builders and city officers of experience should be called before its committees and scientific and practical measures evolved from their testimony and ten adopted and enforced.”
(Oshkosh Daily Northwestern, WI. “Prevention of Fires” (Editorial). 1-22-1883, p. 2.)

Jan 25: “The committee appointed to examine the bodies as they were taken from the ruins of the Newhall House fire have completed their unpleasant work and made their report. It was a ghastly one in every respect. Forty-eight bodies have been found and examined, making the death list swell up to seventy-nine. Most of the bodies are burned beyond recognition and are to be buried to-day with public ceremonies.” (Racine Advocate, WI. 1-25-1883, p. 8, col. 2.)

Jan 25: “As nearly as can be estimated there were seventy lives destroyed in the Newhall fire. The hotel register and other records were unaccountably lost so that the exact number of fatalities will probably never be ascertained.” (Waukesha Freeman, WI. 1-25-1883, p. 13.)

Jan 27: “Another body, the 49th, was dug out of the Newhall House ruins yesterday which was overlooked by the regular searching brigade. It is not improbable that others are still buried in the
debris that escaped the workmen when the search was made.” (Oshkosh Daily Northwestern, WI. 1-27-1883, p. 4, col. 4.)

Jan 31: “Milwaukee, January 31, — At the inquest in the Newhall House disaster, today… [the] president if the Newhall House Association, testified that the hose on every floor was sufficient to flood it, besides which there were, he said, 200 pails of water standing in various parts of the house.” (Syracuse Morning Standard, NY. “Newhall House Fire Facilities,” 2-1-1883, p.1, c.4.)

Feb 27: “George Scheller has been indicted in Milwaukee for burning the Newhall house on the 10th of last January. While the action of the grand jury does not imply that Scheller is guilty, it nevertheless indicates that there is sufficient evidence against him to warrant an indictment.”
(Janesville Daily Gazette, WI. 2-17-1883, p. 1, col. 1.)

Mar 24: “The trial of Scheller, charged with firing the Newhall House, will commence April 10th.” (Stevens Point Journal, WI. 3-24-1883, p. 4.

Apr 10: “Milwaukee, Wis., April 10. – The April term of the Criminal Court opened this morning. The case of George Scheller, the alleged Newhall House incendiary, which is the first case on the list, will be taken up this, afternoon and is expected to occupy fully three weeks. An acquittal is generally looked for.” (Boston Daily Globe. “Scheller on Trial at Milwaukee.” 4-10-1883, p. 10.)

Apr 11: “By Associated Press. Milwaukee, April 11. – The prosecution in the Scheller case opened with C. D, Nash, President of the Newhall House Company, who described the house and its exit. He was followed by John Autisdal, proprietor, who corroborated his statements, and told of the meeting with Scheller on Michigan street when Autisdal ran from the burning building. He said Scheller’s actions for some time previous had been bad, the accused having drank a good deal and gambled. It came out that Scheller was offended with Autisdal for sending his (Scheller’s) wife from the hotel….The firemen and the shopkeepers occupying the basement were examined as to what was there of an inflammable nature. It developed that once before there was an incendiary fire in the basement near Scheller’s coal bin and Scheller’s father-in-law, Bour, who recently died under circumstances pointing to suicide, had refused Autisdal and others admittance.” (Titusville Morning Herald, PA. “The Burned Newhall House.” 4-12-1883, p. 1.)

Apr 13: “Milwaukee, April 13. – A sensation was caused at the Schiller trial this morning by the testimony of Linchan, chief engineer of the Newhall House at the time of the fire, who said he was recently approached by J. C. McKinney, attorney for Schiller, and a saloon keeper named Adam Roth, who asked him to swear that the fire was caused by a gas jet in the bottom of the elevator shaft, as the testimony would clear the accused. It was shown that Schiller’s debts were over $4,000. It was proved that he attempted to borrow $50 from Dr. Crocker before the fire.” (Lawrence Daily Journal, KS. “The Schiller Trial.” 4-14-1883, p. 2.)

Apr 17: “Milwaukee, April 17. – George Scheller, accused of setting fire to the Newhall House on the morning of January 10th last, was to-day acquitted by the jury. Five ballots were taken and only one of the jurors was [suspect one or more words omitted] gave in because Judge Mallory instructed that if there was any doubt in his mind he must give the prisoner the benefit of the doubt. The court room re-echoed with cheers when the verdict was announced.” (Helena Independent, MT. “Scheller Acquitted.” 4-18-1883, p. 1.)

Sources

Appletons’ Annual Cyclopaedia and Register of Important Events of the Year 1883 (New Series, Vol. VIII). NY: Appleton and Co., “Events of 1883 (April, May).” 1884, 323. Google digitized: http://books.google.com/books?id=Wo4EAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

Associated Press. “Atlanta Tragedy Beats Milwaukee Blaze of 1883.” 12-7-1946. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=2554259

Childs, Emery E. A History of the United States In Chronological Order From the Discovery of America in 1492 to the Year 1885. NY: Baker & Taylor, 1886. Google digitized. Accessed 9-4-2017: http://books.google.com/books?id=XLYbAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

Cornell, James. The Great International Disaster Book (Third Edition). New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1982.

Country Beautiful Editors. Great Fires of America. Waukesha, WI: Country Beautiful, 1973.

Iowa Postal Card, Fayette, IA. “Later News” [Newhall House fire] 4-17-1883, p. 2. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=143257817&sterm=newhall+house

Jackson Sentinel, Maquoketa, IA. “A Sickening Record; The Disasters of the Month of January.” 2-8-1883, p. 6, col. 4. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=105738244

Janesville Daily Gazette, WI. “Editorial” (Newall House Fire). 1-15-1883, p. 1. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=53338341&sterm=newhall+house+fire

Janesville Daily Gazette, WI. [Newhall House Fire.] 2-17-1883, p. 1, col. 1. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=53338514&sterm=newhall+house

Janesville Daily Gazette, WI. “The Newhall Fire.” 1-12-1883, p. 1. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=53338327&sterm=newhall+house+fire

Janesville Daily Gazette, WI. “The Newhall Fire.” 1-16-1883, p. 1. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=53338347&sterm=newhall+house+fire

Janesville Daily Gazette, WI. “The Newhall House.” 1-20-1883, p. 1. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=53338375&sterm=newhall+house

Nash, Jay Robert. Darkest Hours – A Narrative Encyclopedia of Worldwide Disasters from Ancient Times to the Present. New York: Pocket Books, Wallaby, 1977, 792 pages.

Oshkosh Daily Northwestern, WI. “Grim Death…Total Destruction of the Newhall House Milwaukee. The Dead Placed at 60-80.” 1-10-1883, p. 1. Accessed 5-31-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/oshkosh-daily-northwestern-jan-10-1883-p-1/

Oshkosh Daily Northwestern, WI. “Milwaukee. Two More Bodies Rescued from the Ruins. Scheller Probably in Dane County Jail.” 1-18-1883, p. 1. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=6370272&sterm=newhall+house+fire

Racine Advocate, WI. “A Milwaukee Dispatch of Jan. 19” [Newhall House fire]. 1-25-1883, p. 6. http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=53756262&sterm=newhall+house

Racine Advocate, WI. “The committee appointed to examine the bodies…” 1-25-1883, p. 8, col. 2. http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=53756264&sterm=newhall+house

Safety Engineering. Vol. 26, No’s 1-6, July-December, 1913. NY: Safety Press, Inc., 1913. At: http://books.google.com/books?id=L9YMAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=editions:LCCNsc80000582&lr

Simonds, W. E. (Editor). The American Date Book. Kama Publishing Co., 1902, 211 pages. Google digital preview accessed 9-8-2017 at: http://books.google.com/books?id=JuiSjvd5owAC

Tchakirides, William I. “Newhall House Fire.” Encyclopedia of Milwaukee. 2016. Accessed 5-31-2020 at: https://emke.uwm.edu/entry/newhall-house-fire/

Ward, Neale. “Hotel Fires: Landmarks in Flames, History’s Famous Hotel Fires,” Firehouse, March 1978, pp. 40-45.

Waukesha Freeman, WI. [Newhall House Fire, Milwaukee] 1-25-1883, p. 13. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=52987424&sterm=newhall+house

Willsey, Joseph H. (Compiler), Charlton T. Lewis (Editor). Harper’s Book of Facts: A Classified History of the World. New York: Harper & Brothers Publishers, 1895. Accessed 9-4-2017 at: http://books.google.com/books?id=UcwGAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_v2_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q=&f=false

Wisconsin History Day By Day. “January 10.” Accessed 5-31-2020 at: http://www.wishistory.com/jan10.html

Wisconsin Historical Society (Margaret Gleason). Dictionary of Wisconsin History. “Newhall House Fire (1883).” Accessed 5-31-2020 at: https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Article/CS1755

19th Century

1883 — Smallpox, esp. New Orleans/1079 Baltimore/633 Cincinnati/189 Chattanooga/103-3,136

lornajarrettblanchard January 1, 1883

–3,136 Blanchard tally of State and Locality Breakouts below.

Summary of State Break Breakouts from Below

Alabama ( 18)

California ( 6)

Colorado ( >79) Especially Leadville area (43) Feb-June

Delaware ( 81)

District of Columbia ( 3)

Florida ( 60) Jacksonville

Georgia ( 10)

Idaho ( 1)

Illinois ( 53) Especially Chicago

Indiana ( 213)

Kentucky ( >3)

Louisiana (1,255) Especially New Orleans (1,079)

Maryland ( 633) Baltimore

Massachusetts ( 3)

Michigan ( 5)

Minnesota ( ~48)

Missouri ( 42) St. Louis

Montana ( 10)

New Jersey ( >1)

New Mexico ( >4)

New York ( 18)

Ohio ( 189) Cincinnati

Oregon ( 1)

Pennsylvania ( 186) Especially Philadelphia (173)

Rhode Island ( >1)

South Carolina ( >1)

Tennessee ( 164) Especially Chattanooga (103)

Texas ( >10)

West Virginia ( 38)

Breakout of Smallpox Deaths By States and Localities

Alabama ( 18)

–17 Greenport, by Apr 18. Daily Enquirer-Sun, Columbus, GA. “Alabama News.” 4-18-1883, p.3.

— 1 Hickory Flat, Chambers County. Young black girl (one of nine cases).[1]

Arizona ( ?)

–? Peach Springs, March 15. Report of General Crook on smallpox amongst Natives there.[2]

California ( 6)

–3 Napa City. March-April Cal. Dept. of Public Health. Biennial Report. 1884, p. 10.

–3 Nevada City. March 14 start. Cal. Dept. of Public Health. Biennial Report. 1884, p. 10.

Colorado (>79)

—>79 Blanchard tally based on locality breakouts below.

— >5 Denver By March 9. Carbonate Chronicle, Leadville, CO. 3-10-1883, p. 4, c. 1.[3]

— 1 Fairplay March 7 Fairplay Flume, CO. 3-8-1883, p. 1, col. 2.[4]

— 69 Leadville and area (Jan-June). Blanchard tally (including California Gulch area).

— 41 Leadville. by April 17. Leadville Daily Herald. “The Last and First.” 4-17-1883, 4.[5]

— 36 By April 13. Leadville Daily Herald, CO. “The Citizens.” 4-13-1883, p. 4.[6]

February ( 5)

–1 W.H. Brodie, Hemlock st., Feb. Carbonate Chronicle, Leadville. “Death List.” 4-14-1883, 6.

–1 James Duncan, Emmet house, Feb. Carbonate Chronicle. “Death List.” 4-14-1883, 6.

–1 ____Kline, Carbonate Hill, Feb. Carbonate Chronicle. “Death List.” 4-14-1883, p. 6.

–1 George M. Smith, Seventh st., Feb. Carbonate Chronicle. “Death List.” 4-14-1883, 6.

–1 Perry Yonker, ~Feb 27 Boulder News and Courier, CO. “…News.” 3-2-1883, p.3.[7]

March (17)

–1 Daniel Bacon, 25. 100 W. Chestnut. Carbonate Chronicle. “Death List.” 4-14-1883, p.6.

–1 James Brady, 30. March. Carbonate Chronicle. “Death List.” 4-14-1883, p. 6.

–1 Jerry Casey, Carbonate Chronicle, Leadville, CO. “Angel of Death” 7-21-1883, p. 2.

–1 Mrs. Crawford, Mar 30. Leadville Daily Herald, CO. “Small-Pox.” 3-31-1883, p.4.[8]

–1 Alex. Daniels, March. Carbonate Chronicle. “Death List.” 4-14-1883, p. 6.

–1 Al Dyer, 40, 626 East Fifth. Carbonate Chronicle. “Death List.” 4-14-1883, p. 6.

–1 Daniel Flannery, 20, California Gulch, March 25. Leadville Daily Herald, CO. 3-27-1883, 4.[9]

–1 Edwin B. Giles, 44, March 29. Leadville Daily Herald. “News Notes.” 3-30-1883, p4.[10]

–1 T.J. Griffin, 30. Brooklyn Heights. Carbonate Chronicle. “Death List.” 4-14-1883, 6.[11]

–1 John Groat, 35. Carbonate Chronicle, Leadville, CO. “Angel of Death” 7-21-1883, 2.

–1 Hale McGiles, 5, 126 East Tenth. Carbonate Chronicle. “Death List.” 4-14-1883, 6.[12]

–1 P.A.J. McNamara, 27, 129 State St., Carbonate Chronicle. “Death List.” 4-14-1883, p. 6.

–1 Ollie Murray, 25, March 11. Leadville Daily Herald. “Mortuary Notes.” 3-13-1883, p.4.[13]

–1 John Nettleton, West Chestnut, March. Carbonate Chronicle. “Death List.” 4-14-1883, 6.

–1 Gus Robbins, 30. 212 W. Second. Carbonate Chronicle. “Death List.” 4-14-1883, 6.

–1 Wm. Francis Simmons, 40, Iron Hill. Carbonate Chronicle. “Angel of Death” 7-21-1883, 2.

–1 Henry B. Sloan, 27. East Eighth. Carbonate Chronicle. “Death List.” 4-14-1883, p. 6.

April (24)

–1 Huge Bean, 32. Carbonate Chronicle, Leadville. “Angel of Death” 7-21-1883, p. 2.

–1 Nora Bennett. Carbonate Chronicle, Leadville, CO. “Angel of Death” 7-21-1883, p. 2.

–1 John Brady, 28. Carbonate Chronicle, Leadville, CO. “Angel of Death” 7-21-1883, 2.

–1 Capt. John A. Byrne, 39. Carbonate Chronicle, Leadville. “Angel of Death” 7-21-1883, 2.[14]

–1 James L. Day, 28. Carbonate Chronicle, Leadville. “Angel of Death” 7-21-1883, p. 2.

–1 James Farrell, 45. Carbonate Chronicle, Leadville. “Angel of Death” 7-21-1883, p. 2.

–1 Bridget Flannery, 12, April 16. Leadville Daily Herald. “The Canister.” 4-17-1883, 1.[15]

–1 Frances Flannery, 8, Apr 18. California Gulch area outside Leadville (at the time).[16]

–1 Jane Theresa Flannery, 18 months. Carbonate Chronicle. “Angel of Death” 7-21-1883, 2.

–1 Mary Ann Flannery, 18. Apr 6. Carbonate Chronicle. “Angel of Death” 7-21-1883, 2.[17]

–1 Lottie Grier, 18. Carbonate Chronicle, Leadville, CO. “Angel of Death” 7-21-1883, 2.

–1 John B. Gross, 26. Carbonate Chronicle, Leadville. “Angel of Death” 7-21-1883, p. 2.

–1 W. W. Harold, 35. Apr 6. Leadville Daily Herald, CO. “Nuggets.” 4-7-1883, p.4.[18]

–1 James Hervett, 25. Carbonate Chronicle, Leadville. “Angel of Death” 7-21-1883, 2.

–1 W.H. Higginbother, 40. Carbonate Chronicle, Leadville. “Angel of Death” 7-21-1883, 2.

–1 Thos. B. Larimer, 36. Carbonate Chronicle, Leadville. “Angel of Death” 7-21-1883, 2.

–1 Wm. McGonigal, 38. Carbonate Chronicle, Leadville. “Angel of Death” 7-21-1883, p.2.

–1 Chas Miner, 21. Carbonate Chronicle, Leadville. “Angel of Death” 7-21-1883, p. 2.

–1 Michael Morrison, 40. Carbonate Chronicle, Leadville. “Angel of Death” 7-21-1883, 2.

–1 Wm. Nicholson, 26. Carbonate Chronicle, Leadville. “Angel of Death” 7-21-1883, 2.

–1 Andrew Perry Sr. 40. Carbonate Chronicle, Leadville. “Angel of Death” 7-21-1883, p. 2.

–1 Wm. May Steel. Carbonate Chronicle, Leadville, CO. “Angel of Death” 7-21-1883, 2.

–1 Mrs. Jennie B. Stone, 25. Carbonate Chronicle, Leadville. “Angel of Death” 7-21-1883, 2.

–1 Andrew Taylor, 30. Carbonate Chronicle, Leadville. “Angel of Death” 7-21-1883, p. 2.

May (17)

–1 John J. Arnold, 28. Carbonate Chronicle, Leadville. “Angel of Death” 7-21-1883, p.2.

–1 Frank Brown, 31. Carbonate Chronicle, Leadville. “Angel of Death” 7-21-1883, p. 2.

–1 Mabel Byrne, 11. Carbonate Chronicle, Leadville. “Angel of Death” 7-21-1883, p. 2.

–1 D. De Cicero. Carbonate Chronicle, Leadville. “Angel of Death” 7-21-1883, p. 2.

–1 Frank E. Corroder, 27. Carbonate Chronicle, Leadville. “Angel of Death” 7-21-1883, 2.

–1 Jay Deetrick, 40-45. Carbonate Chronicle, Leadville. “Angel of Death” 7-21-1883, 2.

–1 Morice Dumphy, 35. Carbonate Chronicle, Leadville. “Angel of Death” 7-21-1883, 2.

–1 Mr. J. Edwards, 28. Carbonate Chronicle, Leadville. “Angel of Death” 7-21-1883, p2.

–1 Alonzo Gill, 32. Carbonate Chronicle, Leadville. “Angel of Death” 7-21-1883, p. 2.

–1 John Keef, 40. Carbonate Chronicle, Leadville. “Angel of Death” 7-21-1883, p. 2.

–1 Mary Klock, 5, smallpox vaccination. Carbonate Chronicle. “Angel of Death” 7-21-1883, 2.

–1 James Mahoney. Carbonate Chronicle, Leadville. “Angel of Death” 7-21-1883, p. 2.

–1 Virginia McLeod, 7. Carbonate Chronicle, Leadville. “Angel of Death” 7-21-1883, 2.

–1 John Metres. Carbonate Chronicle, Leadville. “Angel of Death” 7-21-1883, p. 2.

–1 James Morrison, 23. Carbonate Chronicle, Leadville. “Angel of Death” 7-21-1883, 2.

–1 Francis Mosser, 49, May 18. Carbonate Chronicle, Leadville. 5-26-1883, p. 6.

–1 Walter Sponable, 37. Carbonate Chronicle, Leadville. “Angel of Death” 7-21-1883, 2.

June ( 6)

–1 Olrrie J. Ady, 21. Carbonate Chronicle, Leadville. “Angel of Death” 7-21-1883, p. 2.

–1 Francis Black, 6. Carbonate Chronicle, Leadville. “Angel of Death” 7-21-1883, p. 2.

–1 Wm. Connelly, 28. Carbonate Chronicle, Leadville. “Angel of Death” 7-21-1883, p.2.

–1 George Evans, 29. Carbonate Chronicle, Leadville. “Angel of Death” 7-21-1883, p. 2.

–1 Minnie Lee, 1-month. Carbonate Chronicle, Leadville. “Angel of Death” 7-21-1883, 2.

–1 Willie Lee, 2. Carbonate Chronicle, Leadville. “Angel of Death” 7-21-1883, p. 2.

— 1 Montrose March 20 Buena Vista Democrat, CO. 3-22-1883, p. 3, col. 3.[19]

— 1 Starkville ~Feb 15. Leadville Daily Herald, CO. “State Notes.” 2-16-1883, p.1.

— 1 Telluride, ~early July, Wm. M. Bullock of Rico.[20]

— 1 Twin Lakes, near Leadville, ~April 12. Leadville Daily Herald. “Short Items,” 4-14-1883, p4.

Delaware (81)

–81 Wilmington Jan-Dec Scharf. History of Delaware, 1609-1888 (V1). 1888, p.506.

District of Columbia ( 3)

–3 Washington, DC Jan-Dec DC Health Dept. Report of the Health Officer. 1902. p.237.

–1 “ Feb 4-10 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 2-22-1883, p. 191.[21]

–1 “ March 25-31 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 4-12-1883, p. 359.[22]

Florida (60)

–~60 Jacksonville March- mid-June[23] Merritt. A Century of Medicine in Jacksonville, p. 138.

Georgia (>10)

–10 Blanchard tally from locality breakouts below.

— 1 Atlanta, Feb 20. Little girl. Banner-Watchman, Athens, GA. “Telegraphic Sparks.” 2-27-1883, 4.

— 2 Duluth, near Atlanta, Feb 11. Banner-Watchman, Athens. “Georgia Items.” 2-13-1883, p. 3.

— 2 Grangerville, near Americus, by May 22, out of seventeen cases.[24]

—>3 Haralson County. “…it has been very fatal, as a goodly number have died from it…”[25]

–1 Buchanan; Nancy Hall. Hall. The Hall Tree: An American Family History, p. 70.

—>2 Milton County (now part of Fulton Co.) Article references “graves” of smallpox victims.[26]

Idaho ( 1)

–1 Montpellier (June 2 report). The Democrat, Bear Lake, ID. “Small Pox.” 6-2-1883, p. 3.

Illinois (53)

–53 Blanchard tally from locality breakouts below.

— ? Belleville (cases) IL State Health Board. Sixth Annual Report, 1884, p. 41.

–20 Chicago Dec 31-Jan 6 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 1-25-1883, p. 71.[27]

— 5 “ Jan 7-13 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 1-25-1883, p. 95.[28]

— 4 “ Feb 4-10 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 2-22-1883, p. 191.[29]

— 3 “ Feb 11-17 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 3-1-1883, p. 215.[30]

— 1 “ Feb 18-24 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 3-8-1883, p. 239.[31]

— 1 “ Feb 25-Mar 3 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 3-15-1883, p. 263.

— 5 “ March 4-10 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 3-22-1883, p. 287.[32]

— 3 “ March 25-31 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 4-12-1883, p. 359.[33]

— 1 “ May 6-12 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 5-24-1883, p. 503.

— 1 “ May 20-26 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 6-07-1883, p. 551.

— 1 “ June 3-9 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 6-21-1883, p. 599.

— ? Farina, Lone Grove Twp. Dec 11. Daily State Journal, Lincoln, NE. “Smallpox.” 12-12-1883, p4.

— ? Highland (cases) IL State Health Board. Sixth Annual Report, 1884, p. 41.

— ? Mound Junction (cases) IL State Health Board. Sixth Annual Report, 1884, p. 41.

— 1 Oakland, Coles Co. Sep 29. Terre Haute Express, IN. “Small-Pox.” 9-30-1883, p1, c7.

— ? Paris (cases) Nov. The Review, Decatur, IL 11-4-1883, p. 5, col. 3.

— 2 Robinson (5 cases) IL State Health Board. Sixth Annual Report, 1884, p. 41.[34]

— ? Stonefort (cases) Nov. The Review, Decatur, IL 11-4-1883, p. 5, col. 3.

— 5 Streator (21 cases) Mar 28-June 4. IL State Health Board. Sixth Annual Report, 1884, p.41.

— ? Trenton (cases) IL State Health Board. Sixth Annual Report, 1884, p. 41.

Indiana (213)

–213 State. The year. Rochester Republican, IN. 12-27-1883, p. 4, col. 3.[35]

Kentucky ( >3)

— 1 Louisville, J. H. Coryton, on trip. Dubuque Times, IA. 12-2-1883, p. 5, col. 3.

— ? “ mid-Oct Portsmouth Times, OH. 10-20-1883, p. 2, col. 1.[36]

—>3 Shiloh, by Jan 27. San Saba News, TX. “General News Items.” 1-27-1883, p. 2.

Louisiana (1,255)

–1,255 State. Jan-Dec Blanchard tally based on locality breakouts below.

–1,164 State. Jan-Aug. American Journal of the Med. Sciences, Vol. 88, p. 251.[37]

— >5 Assumption Parish. Dec. Evening Gazette, Monmouth, IL. “Smallpox…[LA].” Dec 28.[38]

— 16 Concordia Parish. Evening Observer, Dunkirk, NY. 10-10-1883, p. 1, col. 4.

— 75 Natchitoches, Jan. Galveston Daily News, TX. “Small-pox…on the Border.”[39]

–1,079 New Orleans, the year. Blanchard, using Jones for Jan-Aug & BMSJ for Sep-Dec.

–1,013 New Orleans, Jan-Aug. Jones. “Mortality…Smallpox…First Eight-Months…1883.”[40]

— >834 New Orleans Jan 1-Dec 29 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal.

— ~11 “ Dec 31-Jan 6 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 1-25-1883, p. 71.[41]

— ~13 “ Jan 7-13 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 1-25-1883, p. 95.[42]

— 25 “ Jan 14-20 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 2-01-1883, p. 119.[43]

— 13 “ Jan 21-27 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 2-08-1883, p. 143.[44]

— ~21 “ Feb 11-17 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 3-01-1883, p. 215.[45]

— 40 “ Feb 18-24 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 3-08-1883, p. 239.[46]

— 25 “ March 4-10 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 3-22-1883, p. 287.[47]

— 56 “ March 11-17 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 3-29-1883, p. 311.[48]

— 66 “ March 18-24 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 4-05-1883, p. 335.[49]

— ~69 “ March 25-31 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 4-12-1883, p. 359.[50]

— 77 “ April 8-14 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 4-26-1883, p. 407.[51]

— 46 “ April 15-21 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 5-03-1883, p. 431.[52]

— ~35 “ Apr 29-May 5 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 5-17-1883, p. 479.[53]

— 30 “ May 6-12 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 5-24-1883, p. 503.

— 52 “ May 13-19 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 5-31-1883, p. 527.

— 41 “ May 20-26 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 6-07-1883, p. 551.

— 40 “ May 27-Jun 2 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 6-14-1883, p. 575.

— 45 “ June 3-9 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 6-21-1883, p. 599.

— 17 “ July 8-14 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 7-26-1883, p. 95.

— 23 “ July 15-21 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 8-09-1883, p. 142.

— 17 “ Aug 26-Sep 1 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 9-13-1883, p. 263.

— 8 “ Sep 2-8 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 9-20-1883, p. 288.

— 11 “ Sep 16-22 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 10-4-1883, p. 335.

— 10 “ Sep 23-29 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 10-11-1883, p. 359.

— 3 “ Oct 14-20 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 11-01-1883, p. 431.

— 6 “ Oct 20-27 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 11-08-1883, p. 455.

— 4 “ Nov 11-17 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 12-06-1883, p. 550.

— 10 “ Nov 17-24 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 12-06-1883, p. 552.

— 3 “ Dec 2-8 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 12-20-1883, p. 600.

— 4 “ Dec 9-15 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 12-27-1883, p. 624.

— 5 “ Dec 16-22 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 1-03-1884, p. 23.

— 2 “ Dec 23-29 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 1-10-1884, p. 47.

— ? Winn Parish. Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northwest Louisiana. [54]

Maryland (633)

–633 Baltimore Jan-July Cordell. Medical Annals of Maryland. 1903, p. 718.

— 79 “ Dec 31-Jan 6 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 1-25-1883, p. 71.[55]

–~83 “ Jan 7-13 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 1-25-1883, p. 95.[56]

— 91 “ Jan 14-20 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 2-01-1883, p. 119.[57]

— 74 “ Jan 21-27 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 2-08-1883, p. 143.[58]

— 68 “ Jan 28-Feb 3 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 2-15-1883, p. 167.[59]

–~42 “ Feb 4-10 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 2-22-1883, p. 191.[60]

— 51 “ Feb 11-17 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 3-01-1883, p. 215.[61]

— 25 “ Feb 18-24 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 3-08-1883, p. 239.[62]

— 20 “ Feb 25-Mar 3 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 3-15-1883, p. 263.

— 15 “ March 4-10 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 3-22-1883, p. 287.[63]

— 11 “ March 11-17 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 3-29-1883, p. 311.[64]

— 13 “ March 18-24 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 4-05-1883, p. 335.[65]

— 4 “ March 25-31 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 4-12-1883, p. 359.[66]

— 11 “ April 1-7 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 4-19-1883, p. 383.

— 7 “ April 8-14 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 4-26-1883, p. 407.[67]

— 6 “ April 15-21 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 5-03-1883, p. 431.[68]

— 4 “ April 22-28 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 5-10-1883, p. 456.

— 6 “ Apr 29-May 5 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 5-17-1883, p. 479.[69]

— 1 “ May 6-12 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 5-24-1883, p. 503.

— 5 “ May 13-19 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 5-31-1883, p. 527.

— 3 “ June 3-9 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 6-21-1883, p. 599.

— 1 “ June 16-23 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 7-05-1883, p. 24.

— 1 “ July 1-7 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 7-19-1883, p. 72.

Massachusetts ( 3)

–1 Boston July 1-7 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 7-19-1883, p. 72.

–1 Holyoke March 25-31 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 4-12-1883, p. 359.[70]

–1 “ Apr 29-May 5 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 5-17-1883, p. 479.[71]

Michigan ( 5)

–5 Smallpox. MI Sec. State. 19^th An. Rpt. Deaths…Michigan…1885. 1887, p. 143.[72]

Minnesota (~48)

–48 Blanchard tally based on locality breakouts below.

— 8 Caldwell’s lumber camp on the Big Fork.[73]

— 1 Elk River, week of June 18-24. Freeborn Co. Standard, Albert Lee, MN. 6-28-1883, p. 9.

— 3 Saint Michael, by June 7. Freeborn Co. Standard, MN. 7-7-1883, p. 7, col. 2.[74]

–36 Winnebagoshish Chippewa, Lake Winnibigoshish, by March 29.[75]

–13 Lake Winnibigoshish Natives; several visited Caldwell’s camp, carrying it back.[76]

–35 Winnibegoshish Natives. Minnesota Board of Health. Report of…1883/84. P. 25.

–10 Camp near Caldwell’s camp, “with infection from Caldwell’s men.

–25 Lake Winnibegoshish camp, after survivors moved there.

Mississippi ( ?)

–>? Vicksburg vic. (Warren Co. cases). Illinois Daily Courier, Jacksonville. 10-12-1883, p. 4, c. 2.

— ? Warren County. State of MS. Dept. Reports for the Years 1884-85, p. 17.[77]

Missouri (42)

–42 St. Louis. Mid March-Nov 17 Blanchard total of breakouts below.

— 3 St. Louis. Mid-March to Apr 2. NY Times. “Small-Pox Terrors in St. Louis.” 4-3-1883.

— 8 “ April 22-28 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 5-10-1883, p. 456.

— 4 “ May 27-Jun 2 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 6-14-1883, p. 575.

— 6 “ June 3-9 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 6-21-1883, p. 599.

— 5 “ June 10-16 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 7-05-1883, p. 22.

— 3 “ June 16-23 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 7-05-1883, p. 24.

— 1 “ June 24-30 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 7-12-1883, p. 47.

— 3 “ July 1-7 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 7-19-1883, p. 72.

— 3 “ July 15-21 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 8-09-1883, p. 142.

— 1 “ July 29-Aug 4 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 8-16-1883, p. 167.

— 2 “ Aug 19-25 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 9-06-1883, p. 239.

— 1 “ Sep 16-22 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 10-4-1883, p. 335.

— 1 “ Oct 14-20 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 11-01-1883, p. 431.

— 1 “ Nov 11-17 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 12-06-1883, p. 550.

Montana ( 10)

–10 Little Shell camp of the Turtle Mountain Chippewa, by Feb 5.[78]

New Jersey ( >1)

–1 Camden November Philadelphia Inquirer. “Camden’s Danger,” 11-13-1883, 3.[79]

New Mexico ( >4)

—>4 Silver City. By Nov 9 Daily Optic, NV. “An Official Contradiction.” 11-9-1883, 2.

New York ( 18)

–18 Blanchard tally from locality breakouts below.

— 3 Brooklyn March & May. Fourth Annual Message of Mayor of Brooklyn. 1895, p495

— 1 Brooklyn , March 25-31 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 4-12-1883, p. 359.[80]

— 3 Buffalo Jan-Dec Buffalo Sanitary Bulletin. “Smallpox Epidemics,” 5-31-1922, p. 19.

–1 Buffalo Feb 25-Mar 3 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 3-15-1883, p. 263.

–1 “ April 22-28 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 5-10-1883, p. 456.

— 1 New York City Feb 4-10 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 2-22-1883, p. 191.[81]

— 1 “ Feb 11-17 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 3-01-1883, p. 215.[82]

— 1 “ Feb 25-Mar 3 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 3-15-1883, p. 263.

— 1 “ March 4-10 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 3-22-1883, p. 287.[83]

— 1 “ March 11-17 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 3-29-1883, p. 311.[84]

— 1 “ March 18-24 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 4-05-1883, p. 335.[85]

— 2 “ March 25-31 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 4-12-1883, p. 359.[86]

— 1 “ April 1-7 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 4-19-1883, p. 383.

— 1 “ April 22-28 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 5-10-1883, p. 456.

— 2 “ Apr 29-May 5 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 5-17-1883, p. 479.[87]

Ohio (189)

–189 Cincinnati The Year Twitchell. “The Prevention of Smallpox.” 1906, p. 693.

— 2 “ Late May NYT. “The Cincinnati Small-Pox Cases.” 5-27-1883.

— ? Sunbury, Delaware Co. Dec. Rochester Tribune, IN. 12-28-1883, p. 4, col. 2. [15 cases]

Oregon ( 1)

–1 Weston, by Feb 23. (Weekly Corvallis Gazette, OR. “General News.” 2-23-1883, p. 3.)

Pennsylvania (186)

–186 Blanchard tally based on locality breakouts below.

— ? Girardville late Nov-mid-Dec. Bradford Era, PA. 12-14-1883, p. 2, col. 4.[88]

— ? Lancaster

–173 Philadelphia The Year City of Philadelphia Annual Report (V. III), 1907, p. 100.[89]

–170 Philadelphia The Year Blanchard tally from breakouts below.

— 4 “ Dec 31-Jan 6 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 1-25-1883, p. 71.[90]

–~10 “ Jan 7-13. Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 1-25-1883, p. 95.[91]

— ~7 “ Jan 14-20 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 2-01-1883, p. 119.[92]

— 6 “ Jan 21-27 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 2-08-1883, p. 143.[93]

–~16 “ Jan 28-Feb 3 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 2-15-1883, p. 167.[94]

— 7 “ Feb 4-10 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 2-22-1883, p. 191.[95]

— 2 “ Feb 11-17 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 3-01-1883, p. 215.[96]

— 5 “ Feb 18-24 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 3-08-1883, p. 239.[97]

— 6 “ Feb 25-Mar 3 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 3-15-1883, p. 263.

— 5 “ March 4-10 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 3-22-1883, p. 287.[98]

— 4 “ March 11-17 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 3-29-1883, p. 311.[99]

— 5 “ March 18-24 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 4-05-1883, p. 335.[100]

— 9 “ March 25-31 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 4-12-1883, p. 359.[101]

— 1 “ April 1-7 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 4-19-1883, p. 383.

— 2 “ April 8-14 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 4-26-1883, p. 407.[102]

— 2 “ April 15-21 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 5-03-1883, p. 431.[103]

— 5 “ April 22-28 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 5-10-1883, p. 456.

— 5 “ Apr 29-May 5 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 5-17-1883, p. 479.[104]

— 3 “ May 6-12 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 5-24-1883, p. 503.

— 2 “ May 13-19 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 5-31-1883, p. 527.

— 2 “ May 20-26 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 6-07-1883, p. 551.

— 1 “ May 27-Jun 2 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 6-14-1883, p. 575.

— 3 “ June 3-9 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 6-21-1883, p. 599.

— 2 “ June 10-16 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 7-05-1883, p. 22.

— 2 “ June 16-23 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 7-05-1883, p. 24.

— 2 “ June 24-30 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 7-12-1883, p. 47.

— 3 “ July 1-7 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 7-19-1883, p. 72.

— 3 “ July 8-14 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 7-26-1883, p. 95.

— 1 “ July 15-21 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 8-09-1883, p. 142.

— 1 “ July 22-28 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 8-09-1883, p. 144.

— 4 “ Aug 5-11 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 8-23-1883, p. 192.

— 1 “ Aug 19-25 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 9-06-1883, p. 239.

— 3 “ Aug 26-Sep 1 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 9-13-1883, p. 263.

— 4 “ Sep 2-8 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 9-20-1883, p. 288.

— 2 “ Sep 9-15 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 9-27-1883, p. 311.

— 3 “ Sep 16-22 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 10-4-1883, p. 335.

— 2 “ Sep 23-29 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 10-11-1883, p. 359.

— 1 “ Oct 7-13 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 10-25-1883, p. 407.

— 2 “ Oct 14-20 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 11-01-1883, p. 431.

— 2 “ Oct 20-27 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 11-08-1883, p. 455.

— 4 “ Oct 27-Nov 3 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 11-15-1883, p. 480.

— 2 “ Nov 4-10 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 11-22-1883, p. 504.

— 1 “ Nov 17-24 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 12-06-1883, p. 552.

— 2 “ Nov 25-Dec 1 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 12-13-1883, p. 576.

— 1 “ Dec 2-8 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 12-20-1883, p. 600.

— 2 “ Dec 9-15 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 12-27-1883, p. 624.

— 3 “ Dec 16-22 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 1-03-1884, p. 23.

— 4 “ Dec 23-29 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 1-10-1884, p. 47.

— 13 Pittsburgh Jan 1-May 5 Blanchard tally of breakouts below.

— 1 “ Dec 31-Jan 6 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 1-25-1883, p. 71.

— ~2 “ Jan 14-20 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 2-01-1883, p. 119.[105]

— 1 “ Jan 21-27 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 2-08-1883, p. 143.[106]

— 2 “ Jan 28-Feb 3 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 2-15-1883, p. 167.[107]

— 1 “ Feb 11-17 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 3-01-1883, p. 215.[108]

— 3 “ Feb 25-Mar 3 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 3-15-1883, p. 263.

— 1 “ March 11-17 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 3-29-1883, p. 311.[109]

— 2 “ March 18-24 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 4-05-1883, p. 335.[110]

— 1 “ Apr 29-May 5 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 5-17-1883, p. 479.[111]

Rhode Island ( >1)

–1 Providence Jan 28-Feb 3 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 2-15-1883, p. 167.[112]

South Carolina ( 1)

–1 Greenville, by Feb 16. The Landmark, Statesville, NC. “Matters of News.” 2-16-1883, p. 2.

Tennessee (164)

–103 Chattanooga (one month) Coggins. Tennessee Tragedies. 2011, p. 273.

— 14 Gadsden 1 week. Macomb Eagle, IL. 12-29-1883, p. 1, col. 2.

— 47 Nashville Dec 31, 1882-Nov 11. Blanchard tally of breakouts below.

— 1 Nashville Dec 31-Jan 6 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 1-25-1883, p. 71.[113]

— 2 “ Jan 21-27 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 2-08-1883, p. 143.[114]

— 4 “ Jan 28-Feb 3 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 2-15-1883, p. 167.[115]

— 1 “ Feb 4-10 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 2-22-1883, p. 191.[116]

— 1 “ Feb 11-17 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 3-1-1883, p. 215.[117]

— 1 “ Feb 18-24 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 3-8-1883, p. 239.[118]

— 3 “ Feb 25-Mar 3 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 3-15-1883, p. 263.

— 1 “ March 11-17 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 3-29-1883, p. 311.[119]

— 2 “ March 18-24 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 4-5-1883, p. 335.[120]

— 3 “ March 25-31 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 4-12-1883, p. 359.[121]

— 4 “ April 1-7 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 4-19-1883, p. 383.

— 5 “ April 8-14 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 4-26-1883, p. 407.[122]

— 2 “ April 15-21 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 5-3-1883, p. 431.[123]

— 2 “ April 22-28 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 5-10-1883, p. 456.

— 2 “ Apr 29-May 5 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 5-17-1883, p. 479.[124]

— 1 “ May 6-12 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 5-24-1883, p. 503.

— 2 “ May 13-19 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 5-31-1883, p. 527.

— 2 “ May 20-26 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 6-07-1883, p. 551.

— 2 “ June 3-9 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 6-21-1883, p. 599.

— 2 “ June 10-16 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 7-5-1883, p. 22.

— 1 “ Sep 23-29 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 10-11-1883, p. 359.

— 1 “ Sep 30-Oct 6 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 10-18-1883, p. 383.

— 2 “ Nov 11-17 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 12-06-1883, p. 550.

Texas (<10)

–10 Blanchard tally from locality breakouts below.

Breakout of smallpox deaths by locality:

–? Beaumont. June 13 report: “Small-Pox reported quite bad at Beaumont, Texas.”[125]

–? Calvert area, Anderson farm. “…the small-pox is prevailing to such an alarming extent…”[126]

–1 Denison, ~Jan 1. Evening Light, San Antonio, TX. “Another Case of Small-Pox.” 1-3-1883, 2.

–? El Paso. San Sabo News, TX. 1-6-1883, p. 2.[127]

–? Fort Worth. Cases reported at the Fort Worth jail in Feb 20 newspaper.[128]

–1 Galveston, Apr 28. Bettie Black, 38. Galveston…News. “The Small-pox Case.” 4-29-1883, 11.[129]

–1 Galveston,, May 22. Sallia Rankin, 27. Galveston…News. “The Death List.” 5-27-1883, 11.

–? Groesbeck area March 29. Four cases “six miles in the country…quarantined.”[130]

–? Hempstead. Case reported. Galveston Daily News, TX. “Hempstead.” 2-22-1883, p. 1.

–? Kingston area. Galveston Daily News, TX. “Greenville. Small-Pox Scare.” 1-17-1883, 1.[131]

–? New Braunfels. Two cases reported there in Galveston Daily News, TX. 3-20-1883, p. 1.

–1 San Antonio,[132] Jan 21. Evening Light, San Antonio, TX. “Small-Pox.” 1-22-1883, p. 4.[133]

–1 San Antonio, between Jan 21 and 28.[134]

–1 San Antonio, Jan 29, Andrew Brown, Rock Quarry Road.[135]

–1 San Antonio, Jan 30-Feb 8, Conductor Groell (previously reported as Crowell).[136]

–1 San Antonio, Fev 11. Woman by name of Franks or Franklin.[137]

–1 San Antonio area, Fritz Brown ranch, eight-mile hill, Feb 19. Young girl Mary Henderson.[138]

–1 San Antonio, Apr 28. Wallace child. San Antonio Light. “Died From Small-Pox.” 4-30-1883, 4.

–? San Saba. Case reported in Laredo Times, TX. “State News,” 4-12-1883, p. 3.

West Virginia (38)

–38 Mercer and Wyoming counties. West Virginia State Board of Health. 1883, p. 143.[139]

–19 Mercer County. West Virginia State Board of Health. 1883, p. 143.[140]

— 1 “ “ May 10. Find A Grave. “Council K. Walker.” (age 34) 3-23-2015 record.

— 1 “ “ Flat Top Mt. (young man). West Va. State Board of Health. 1883, p. 141.

— 1 “ “ Princeton, April, Anderson Via. WV State Board of Health. 1883, p141.[141]

–19 Wyoming County. West Virginia State Board of Health. 1883, p. 143.

— 9 Barkers Ridge District, Wyoming Co. Bowman. Wyoming Co., [WV] Epidemics.

Narrative and other Information

Alabama

April 18: “Seventeen of the twenty-five cases of small-pox at Greenport died, It was confined to the colored people.” (Daily Enquirer-Sun, Columbus, GA. “Alabama News.” 4-18-1883, p. 3.)

Colorado — Especially Leadville

Feb 4: “There is no necessity for a panic because a single case of small pox has appeared in this city. Get vaccinated, if you haven’t been within a year or two, and pay no more attention to the matter.” (Leadville Daily Herald, CO. 2-4-1883, p. 2.)

Feb 8: “Three cases of small pox have been discovered in Leadville during the week, and a pest house has been established. The disease has not spread any at Park and there is now no reason to fear an epidemic.” (Fairplay Flume, CO. 2-8-1883, p. 1, column 2.)

Feb 15: “One more case of the dread disease has been discovered and removed to the pest house. This, however, makes but five in all. The last is that of a man names Cline who was employed at the Little Rita mine until a short time ago. Lately he has been living on Carbonate hill and when taken ill was removed to a cabin about a hundred yards from his lodging house until the nature of his malady could be ascertained. Dr. Law was at last satisfied that the disease was small pox and sent Cline to the hospital provided for such cases. At that place the other patients are doing very well. It is now about twelve days since the first cases were discovered and time that any others which might then have been communicated unknowingly should develop. As a measure of prudence any one having reason to fear an attack would do well to consult a physician on the appearance of any disorder not easily explained.” (Leadville Daily Herald, CO. “The Small Pox.” 2-15-1883, p. 4.)

Feb 16: “One death from small pox, and four cases hanging on the ragged edge, are reported from Starkville [Las Animas Co.].” (Leadville Daily Herald, CO. “State Notes.” 2-16-1883, p.1.)

Feb 17: “This morning two more cases of small pox are announced. One is Peter Cutshall, one of the nurses at the pest house, and the other is a girl on Tenth street, who has, more properly speaking varioloid. For some reason, probably the return of cold weather, physicians seem to expect a spread of the disease. There is one preventive, and it is within the reach of all — get vaccinated.” (Leadville Daily Herald, CO. “The Small Pox.” 2-17-1883, p. 5.)

Feb 21: “A case of small-pox is reported at Ten Mile….Only one new case of small pox yesterday [at Leadville].” (Leadville Daily Herald, CO. “Pellets.” 2-21-1883, p. 4.)

Feb 24: “Denver, Colo., February 24.–Notwithstanding the most strenuous efforts to throttle it, small-pox appears to be getting the upper hand of the authorities in Leadville. The public schools have been closed, a new pest house is being built and alarm is becoming general. It is also reaching out into the surrounding towns and some of them are establishing quarantine. The Denver authorities are using every possible precaution to prevent the appearance of the disease here, and thus far have been successful.” (Leadville Daily Herald, CO. “Not so Bas as All That.” 2-25-1983, p. 1.)

Feb 25: “One of the most ridiculous features of the small-pox scare is the quarantining of Leadville by the city of Fairplay. To cap the smallpox, the authorities of that burg have now tabooed the mails. They may rest assured, however, that Postmaster Davis will fire everything received at his office for Fairplay into their hands, until it becomes evident that it is necessary to drop them from his circuit.” (Leadville Daily Herald, CO. “Painful Precaution.” 2-25-1983, p. 1.)

March 2: “Twenty-six cases of small-pox has been reported in Leadville.” (Boulder News and Courier, CO. “Colorado Condensed.” 3-2-1883, p. 1.)

March 8: “There were four cases of Small Pox recorded yesterday and two or three more which may develop into the disease. One case is in the neighborhood of the Iron mine.” (Leadville Daily Herald, CO. “Small Pox Report.” 3-9-1883, p. 4, col. 2.)

March 15: “The small-pox which broke out in Leadville, then spread to Alma, is reaching out to the surrounding towns for new victims. Two cases are reported at Salida. The greatest care should be exercised to prevent this loathsome disease from getting a foothold in Fort Collins.” (Fort Collins Courier, CO. “Editorial Comment.” 3-15-1883, p. 1, col. 2.)

March 22: “Three new cases of small pox were reported yesterday.”[142] (Leadville Daily Herald, CO. “Scraps.” 3-22-1883, p. 4, col. 2.)

March 24: “There was but one new case reported to Dr. Law yesterday–that of a woman on State street, who was in a very bad state. She will be moved to the pest house to-day.

“The board of health has taken a wise step in ordering all saloons, gambling rooms, etc., fumigated every night. Dr. Law notified a number of saloon keepers last night that they would be required to obey his instructions, and thought that the measure was reasonable and prudent. Other saloon keepers will be notified today. This fumigation is a very simple matter and consists merely of burning two or three pounds of sulphur in the room at a time when the place is closed. Such a precaution may assist materially in ridding the town of small pox.” (Leadville Daily Herald, CO. “Small Pox Report.” 3-24-1883, p. 4.)

April 13: “Pursuant to call a large number of prominent business and professional men assembled yesterday afternoon [12^th] in one of the halls of the Clarendon hotel to consult as to the best methods that could be adopted for the extermination of small pox….The following communication was read from the grand jury:

The undersigned grand jurors regularly empanelled in and for the county of Lake and now in session, earnestly recommend that

Whereas, The small-pox now exists in the city of Leadville, and the measures adopted for its eradication have not met with the desired success, therefore we

Recommend, That a supply station be erected in the vicinity of the small-pox hospital, at such a distance as to prevent danger of contagion and that all supplies for said hospital be ordered by telephone to be delivered to said station, and removed therefrom to the hospital by the wagon now in use, and that said wagon be prohibited from entering, passing through, or standing in any of the streets of the city, and that a covered wagon be procured to remove patients to the hospital, said wagon to be used exclusively for this purpose, said patients to be removed only between the hours of 12 m. and 2 p.m. and after 6 p.m.

“The grand jury, having been informed that the city, besides caring for small pox patients, have supplied the convalescent with new clothing gratis, thus incurring great expense; also recommend that a room be provided, in the vicinity of the hospital, for the purpose of disinfecting the clothing of patients; provided that in the opinion of the medical faculty of the city, such disinfection can be made so thorough as to prevent all danger of contagion.

“The grand jury also recommend that the vaccination of the teachers and scholars of the public schools and all public employes be made compulsory, and the same rule be enforced as far as practicable on the public generally, and if practicable the physicians, nurses and attendants employed at the small pox hospitals be prohibited from mingling with the public.

“The grand jury call the attention of the city authorities to the filthy condition of the streets and alleys of the city, and urge the immediate cleansing of the said streets and alleys; and we earnestly request the municipal authorities and the citizens generally to use all means in their power to carry out the above recommendations.

“All citizens are also urged to impress on their neighbors the necessity of immediate and thorough vaccination and to report to the authorities all whom they believe to have neglected this important precaution….

“Mayor Dougan being called for, responded by saying that he desired to refute all charges of negligence on the part of the city authorities, as everything within their power had been done to rid the city of the pestilence. In the first place when the first talk of establishing a pest house was made, it was found to be far more difficult than any private person could imagine, as the city officials were besieged by persons who did not want it in their neighborhood. This was natural enough, but it was necessary to have a pest house somewhere near the city. After the establishment of the hospitals the peculiar freedom from the disease of the localities in which they are situated has been noticed. Then again every day a score of people came to him to make complaints, entertaining needless fears and at the same time either unable or unwilling to substantiate their complaints in the proper courts. Minor diseases are reported as small pox, and a great hue and cry is made until the city physician makes a personal investigation and discovers it to be measles or some local disorder.

“The pestilence has been kept under control and at the present time there are only about thirty-five cases in the city and about five or six more in the county. Much of the feelings of fear, the speaker claimed, were due to the unwise advice given in the beginning by doctors who openly informed the public that it was not necessary to obey the quarantine laws, as there was not a single case of small pox in town. Then again it was charged by many that the small pox wagon was used to carry other persons, which was absolutely false, as the wagon was retained by the city solely for small pox business. Fears were expressed that the uninformed public would come in contact with the wagon, and in order to avoid this the small pox cards were pinned on it. This also was the subject of complaint, as some claimed the cards would scare people. Others thought that the wagon running through the streets was detrimental to the general welfare, expecting it to stop at the door of a patient and then fly in the air to the small pox hospital or perform some other impossible feat. There is no harm that can be contracted from the wagon, as the driver never goes into the pest house and does not come in contact with the disease except to take the victims away, and none of the wraps are ever permitted to remain in the wagon. In conclusion the mayor re-asserted that the city is doing all in its power that can be done and the authorities would be glad to have the help of the citizens in the work.

“Mr. Arthur Falkenau was the next speaker and looked at the matter from a business standpoint. He called attention to the great injury being done the city in consequence of the wild reports of the prevalence of the disease here, which, reaching the notice of moneyed men in the east had made them turn back after coming as far as Denver. Such cases have not been rare in the pst few weeks and several had come under his personal observation. In blaming the citizens for the spread of the disease the speaker said that the mayor virtually conceded that the council could not cope with it, and it was for that reason that the meeting had been called, so that the citizens could assist the council. Mr. Falkenau advised compulsory vaccination and a strict observance of the quarantine laws. He thought the citizens should unite with the incoming board of aldermen and do all in their power to exterminate the disease. He for one was willing to pay money toward the accomplishment of this end and was ready to pay an emergency tax or subscription (Applause.)

“To this Dr. Dougan replied that among citizens there was always a large amount of sentiment which frequently took the place of common sense in such emergencies. It was easy enough to talk about compulsory vaccination, but another to carry it into effect. It is not always the ignorant who refuse to be vaccinated, but sometimes men with ordinary intelligence, cranks, who thought they would as leave have the smallpox as the vaccination were found. He said he is one of the most earnest advocates of vaccination. There is no cause for a general alarm as in his opinion the disease is now on the wane.

“Mr. Harker said he would like to hear from the city physician. The citizen’s committee only wanted to work in harmony with the city and county and not to criticize [unclear]. They had not gathered together as alarmists, but simply to take the necessary precautions.

“Doctor Law said that there had been about three hundred and twenty-five cases reported to him and he thought there were about twenty-five or thirty more which had not been reported. Of this number there had been thirty-six deaths and only two of the fatal victims had been vaccinated, and that was when they were very young. The rumor which had been circulated as to his desire to have the disease continued was false, as he was anxious to have it suppressed as soon as possible and he was sure the mayor and council agreed with him. It has been kept in control, although it has not been suppressed. There are less cases now than there were three or even six weeks ago. There are twenty-two in the pest house, eight in the city and five or six in the county outside the city limits. There have been as many as fifty cases here. There have been more deaths in the last ten days then in any other ten days during the epidemic. It has assumed a more malignant form and in his opinion the only sure way to exterminate it was by a thorough and efficient vaccination. So far he and his partner have vaccinated almost nine hundred. He also warmly advocated thorough quarantine regulations.

“Dr. J. E. Meiere [unclear] was glad that the grand jury had taken notice of the disease and was sorry that they had not declared it a nuisance and thus given the authorities some tangible hold to grapple with it and compel the enforcement of their laws. He advocated the enrollment of special policeman to guard every house wherein was a case of small pox, in ordr to enforce the quarantine laws and then the appointment of a physician for every ward in the city, to visit every house and vaccinate free of charge.

“Mr. C. H. Reed, of the firm of Southard, Waller & Reed, thought it would be a good plan for every employer to discharge all men who would not be vaccinated.

“Mr. Harker asked the mayor if there was anything in his opinion that the meeting could do as citizens to assist in the arrest of the disease. Dr. Dougan replied that there was . ‘Cause everybody in your employ to be vaccinated and urge it on your neighbors. And make complaints in the police court wherever you see the quarantine regulations are not observed strictly.’

“Mr. Thomas Kendrick moved that the city council be requested to appoint a physician for each ward, to visit each house and report to the papers for publication the names of all parties who refuse to be vaccinated.

“Senator Weston in response to a question stated that he thought the city had a right to legislate for the enforcement of its own laws and that the council could pass an ordinance making vaccination compulsory.

“Dr. Dougan amended the motion of Mr. Kendrick, that a committee of six be appointed who shall solicit subscriptions to guarantee the council in the payment of the expense attending such appointment of physicians. The amendment and original motion were carried unanimously….

“Dr. Meiere moved that the board of health be requested to place a guard at the house of every person who was sick with the small pox. Carried.

“Mr. George W. Cook informed the meeting that…the passenger traffic into Leadville the last quarter was the lightest that it had ever been since the road came here, while the bullion exports had been much heavier than ever before….

“The meeting then adjourned….” (Leadville Daily Herald, CO. “The Citizens Meet…Small Pox.” 4-13-1883, p. 4.)

April 14: “It was half-past eight o’clock before Mayor Dougan called the special meeting of the council to order last evening [14^th]….The mayor announced the special meeting had been called by request of the citizens committee to take such steps as were deemed necessary for the complete suppression of the small pox. On motion of Alderman Taylor the rules were suspended. The clerk read the following ordinance:

The Small Pox Ordinance.

Ordinance No.____ An ordinance to prevent the spread of small-pox and providing for

compulsory vaccination within the city of Leadville.

Be it ordained by the city council of the city of Leadville.

Section 1. That the board of health of the city of Leadville may take such measures as they may from time to time deem necessary to prevent the spread of small-pox by issuing an order requiring all persons in the city, or any part thereof to be vaccinated within such time as they shall prescribe. And all persons neglecting or refusing to obey such order shall upon conviction be liable to pay a fine of not less than five dollars nor more than $200. Provided that it shall be the duty of the board of health to provide for the vaccination persons as are unable to pay for the same, at the expense of the city.

Sec. 2. All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby repealed.

Adopted April 14, A.D. 1883. . H. Dougan, Mayor.

C.C. Davis, City Clerk.

“….The mayor announced that the ordinance would hae to be published for five days, and before that time it could not become a law.

“Alderman Nuckolls suggested that there would have to be somebody to see that the law was enforced, as there are many who would not submit to vaccination.

“Mr. J.H. Monheimer asked if the board of health could not act on the suggestions of the ordinance without having it published for five days, so as to save time. The mayor thought the board of health had no such power….

“Alderman Jay thought it would be well to have the physicians go their rounds at the present time, and as soon as the five days had expired the police could arrest all who refused to be vaccinated.

“Alderman Chipley said that…the ordinance became a law as soon as it had been published once.

“The roll being called the ordinance was adopted unanimously.

“The mayor announced that the citizens’ committee were prepared to pay for the employment of all the physicians, and as the latter had to be clothed with the necessary authority he thought it would be well to have the city physician name the physicians and have the council confirm them….

“Alderman Day moved that a nurse be employed to attend to a case of a father and child on East Sixth street, who are unable to employ the necessary service. Carried….

“The mayor announced that the city physician had officially reported to him that there have been but five cases reported during the past week….

“The council then adjourned, and the board of health held a meeting to take the necessary steps.

“The mayor, Aldermen Jay and Rose constituted a quorum, and the first named offered the following orders, which were adopted according to number:

Ordered by the Board of Health:

Order No. 1.–That all persons residing in the city of Leadville who have not heretofore been successfully vaccinated shall submit to vaccination by any physician who may be appointed by the board of health or the council of the city of Leadville for the purpose, and on refusal shall be arrested and dealt with according to the provisions of ordinance No.____ adopted April 14, 1883.

Order No. 2.–That any one passing to or from an infected house contrary to the quarantine regulations as provided by ordinance be arrested and dealt with according to the provisions of the ordinance in such cases made and provided.

Order No. 3.–Than in houses wherein small pox has occurred, no one shall be permitted to enter or occupy the house or room previously occupied by a case of the disease or remove any article of clothing or furniture therefrom until the same shall have been inspected and disinfected by the city physician or some officer of the board of health.

“….In the further course of conversation Mayor Dougan stated that he desired the public to know that the physicians who would call at their houses would have no vaccine matter except that which was fresh from the cow and no humanized virus would be used.

“The board then adjourned.” (Leadville Daily Herald. “The Special Session.” 4-15-1883, p. 4.)

April 20: “The outlook is propitious for the speedy extermination of the small-pox from our midst. There are now in the city about twenty-one cases, and those reported within the past two or three days are only light attacks of varioloid. Up to last evening Dr. Bredia had vaccinated 39 persons in the first ward, Dr. Johns 50 in second, Dr. Whitehill 50 in the third, Dr. Rosanko 75 in the fourth, Dr. Meiere 59 in the fifth, and Dr. Moulton 30 in the sixth. Two cases of small-pox were reported to the city physician, Dr. Sears, this morning. One man named Daniel Le Cicero, was arrested yesterday afternoon [20^th] for the violation of an ordinance in refusing to be vaccinated. He will be given a hearing before Judge Rose tomorrow. Other arrests are expected to follow.” (Carbonate Chronicle, Leadville, CO. “Small-Pox Report.” 4-21-1883, p. 1.)

April 21: “….Dr. Law reported that during the past week there had been thirteen cases of small pox reported. Six had been discharged from the hospitals and two had died.” (Carbonate Chronicle, Leadville, CO. “The Old and New.” 4-21-1883, p. 3.)

April 28: “Only one case of small-pox was reported to City Physician Sears this morning. Since April 17, twenty-nine cases have been reported.” (Carbonate Chronicle, Leadville, CO. 4-28-1883, p. 3.)

May 12: “No new cases of small-pox have appeared in Leadville for over a week, and it is thought that the disease has had its run.” (Dolores News, Rico, CO. “State News.” 5-12-1883, 4.)

June 30: “The city physician’s report showed that but two cases of small-pox had been reported during the week just past. There are four cases at the hospital and four outside, but all but two of these are convalescent. One nurse has been discharged from the hospital. In a few days the town will be free from the disease…” (Carbonate Chronicle, Leadville, CO. “Petitions and Communications.” 6-30-1883, p. 5.)

Florida — Jacksonville

June 1: “There is a panic in Jacksonville, Florida, on account of a fresh and unexpected outbreak of small pox, which threatens to become epidemic. Eleven cases were reported one day last week.” (Fort Smith Elevator, AR. “News and Notes.” 6-1-1883, p. 1.)

Georgia

Feb 27: “There are 21 cases of small-pox in DeKalb county. Small-pox is at Roswell, Roswell Junction and Doraville.” (Banner-Watchman, Athens, GA. “Georgia Items.” 2-27-1883, p. 1.)

March 6: “The Carroll County Times speaks thus of the small-pox pestilence in Haralson county: ‘We learn that the small-pox in Haralson county is only confined to a certain locality, and that there is no danger of it spreading. So far it has been very fatal, as a goodly number have died from it in that neighborhood.’” (Daily Enquirer-Sun, Columbus, GA. “Georgia News.” 3-6-1883, p. 10.)

Idaho

April 28: “We are sorry to report that the small pox has made its appearance in this valley, it was to be desired that we might escape the epidemic but we understand it has broken out in the family of Joseph M. Phelps of Montpelier, and also in two other families in that settlement. We learn that the citizens and authorities of that place are trying to corral the disease by quarantining the neighborhood where it has broken out, and it is to be hoped thy may be able to prevent the further spreading of the contagion.

“Latest Report of Small-Pox in Montpelier.–Doctor Hoover telephones this morning (Thursday) hat the four cases of small pox in Montpelier are improving finely and are able to sit up. No new cases.” (The Democrat, Bear Lake, ID. “Small Pox.” 4-28-1883, p. 3.)

Kentucky

Jan 27: “Despatches from Shiloh, KY, states that small-pox is raging there. Stores are closed, business suspended, and whole families of the stricken citizens are fleeing. Several doctors have died, and the disease is universally powerful and fatal.” (San Saba News, TX. “General News Items.” 1-27-1883, p. 2.)

Early Summer: “…in the early summer of 1883 the smallpox prevailed in Bardstow to such an extent as to create the apprehension that it would spread over the county, and to require, in the opinion of the local board of health, prompt action to restrain it. That board directed the trustees of the town to erect a pesthouse, which was done. Ground was leased, necessary arrangement made and attendants employed. Those only were taken there and cared for who, being dependent on daily wages for daily bread, were left without any means of support when stricken down. Most of them lived in the town limits, some of them outside. Among them only two had been theretofore provided for by the county as paupers. An ordinance of June 20^th, amended June 22d, of a preventive character, required a general vaccination at the cost of the town, for those who were poor; an ordinance of June 25^th provided for a lease of ground for a pesthouse, erection of suitable buildings, employment of attendants, and levied an additional tax to meet the ‘heavy outlay of money’ caused by the outbreak of smallpox….” (State Board of Health of Kentucky. Bulletin of the State Board of Health of Kentucky. Biennial Report 1910- and 1911. Vol. II, No. II, March 1912. “Court Decisions Under Health Laws,” p. 530.)

Louisiana – New Orleans

“Deaths From Small-Pox in the City of New Orleans, During the First Eight Months of 1883.”

Months Deaths from Small-pox Total Deaths from Small-pox.

White. Colored. White & Colored.

January 24 52 76

February 48 83 131

March 72 147 219

April 102 159 261

May 80 95 175

June 53 96 149

July 44 40 84

August 31 36 67

(Jones, Joseph, M.D. Contagious and Infectious Diseases, Measures for Their Prevention and Arrest. Small Pox (Variola); Modified Small Pos (Varioloid); Chicken Pox (Varicella); Cow Pox (Variola Vaccinal)… Baton Rouge: Leon Jastremski, State Printer, 1884, p. 6.)

Maryland

Jan 18: “There are over two thousand cases of small-pox in the city of Baltimore. During last week [Jan 8 (Monday)-14?] there were 79 deaths from this terrible disease and on Thursday last, 49 new cases were reported. During the small-pox epidemic in that city in 1872, there were at least fifteen thousand cases and it is believed that during the time covered by the present epidemic there have been at least one-third more cases there. One hundred and seventy-five physicians are engaged in conducting the business of compulsory vaccination in that city.” (Iron Age, Birmingham, AL. “Generalities.” 1-18-1883, p. 4.)

Minnesota

June 7: “Dr. Pineaults, the attending physician at St. Michaels, reports the whole number of cases of small-pox at that place up to date as twenty-one; deaths three; and three or four more probably fatal. Mrs. Joseph Hetsch died on Friday and a child on Saturday. The Sister’s school and the Catholic church are closed; the stores and saloons quarantined, and strict means adopted and enforced by the town authorities to stop the spread of the disease.” (Freeborn Co. Standard, MN. 7-7-1883, p. 7, col. 2.)

Oregon

Feb 23: “”There are four cases of small-pox at the pest house at Weston, the family of the man who died a short while since.” (Weekly Corvallis Gazette, OR. “General News.” 2-23-1883, p.3.)

Texas

Jan 2: “Denison, Jan 2.–Another case of small-pox was sent to the pesthouse a few days ago, which has since died. To-day all the children in attendance at the public school, who have not been vaccinated, have been dismissed and notified that they must be vaccinated before they can be re-admitted.” (Evening Light, San Antonio, TX. “Another Case of Small-Pox.” 1-3-1883, p.2.)

Jan 19: “A bona fide case of small-pox has broken out in the city [San Antonio] and the victim is now under medical treatment in the pest-house. He is a stranger here and was a guest at a hotel, where he was taken sick. Dr. Amos Graves was called in and immediately pronounced the disease to be small-pox. Dr. Herff and Dr. R. Menger, the city physician, subsequently made an examination and confirmed Dr. Graves’ opinion, after which the patient was removed to the pest-house outside the city. It is also stated that a colored child is sick and suspected to be infected with the fell disease. Of this at present there is no confirmation, but Dr. Menger has gone to examine the child and to arrange for its proper care if the suspicion is correct. He carries with him the yellow flag, which, it is said, will be hoisted at the pest-house. The doctors are reticent in regard to the cases, but from what can be learned it appears that these are the only cases. The medical opinion is that the contagion to the guest of the hotel has been occasioned by baggage or clothing from the El Paso district, in which small-pox has been unusually prevalent.” (The Evening Light, San Antonio, TX. “Small-Pox In The City.” 1-19-1883, p. 1.)

Jan 20: “The city physician [San Antonio] is now cognizant of four cases of undoubted small-pox, and has reason to fear that death will ensue in at least two of the cases. The yellow flag has been hoisted at the pest house and at a house on the Rock quarry road where a colored boy lies infected with the disease. The places wherein the diseased persons were found were thoroughly disinfected with sulphur, clothing and every known effort was taken to prevent the extension of the out break. The physicians of the city do not appear to be alarmed at the outbreak but they admit that the cold weather will render the disease severe and will conduce to its extension.” (The Evening Light, San Antonio, TX. “Small-Pox.” 1-20-1883, p. 1.)

Jan 29: “[San Antonio Evening Light reporter]. How many cases are now known to you and are under treatment? Dr. Menger[143]–There are five cases, one at the Sunset depot, the conductor who arrived from Eagle Pass, and who now lies in the caboose there two, a colored man and woman, who are down with ‘variola discreta’ at the pest-house; a colored boy, aged 16, who is at a house on Rock quarry road, who has variola confluens and is in a dangerous condition, and an old negress, who suffers from varioloid at a house near Garden and Nueces street. This latter case has only just been discovered, and the patient is in a state of dissecation, i.e., final state of the disease and is doing well. She informs me that she had the same disease in 1871, when, at that time, she resided in New Orleans. The dwellings of those who are not at the pest-house are isolated, the yellow flag is put up and they are guarded.

“Commissioner [reporter]–It the two fatal cases reported, what was the cause of death? Dr. Menger–In the first case, that of a white man, the small-pox was complicated with heart disease. He was delirious and had to be put into a straight jacket for two days and two nights to prevent him getting out of the window. Poor Grandjean died from variola confluens, complicated with pneumonia….” (Evening Light, San Antonio, TX. “The Spotted Scourge.” 1-29-1883, p. 1.)

Virginia

Feb 5: “Lynchburg, Va., February 5.–The reports represent a panic throughout the southwestern counties of the state, owing to the prevalence of small-pox in this section. The scourge has abated at Salem, but the disease has made its appearance at Bristols, Rural Retreat, Central, and several other towns along the Norfolk and Western railroad, and the interior counties. The people are intensely excited.” (Banner-Watchman, Athens, GA. “Telegraphic Sparks.” 2-13-1883, p. 1.)

Sources — Books and Periodicals

American Journal of the Medical Sciences, New Series, Vol. 88. Philadelphia: Henry C. Lea’s Son & Co., 1884. Google preview accessed 4-27-2018 at: https://books.google.com/books?id=7vFGAQAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

Boston Medical and Surgical Journal. Vol. CVIII, Jan-June 1883. Boston: Houghton, Mifflin and Co., 1883. Google preview accessed 4-26-2018 at: https://books.google.com/books?id=8pwEAAAAQAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

Boston Medical and Surgical Journal. Vol. CIX, July-December 1883. Boston: Houghton, Mifflin and Co., 1883. Google preview accessed 4-27-2018 at: https://books.google.com/books?id=Dp0EAAAAQAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

Boston Medical and Surgical Journal. Vol. CX, Jan-June 1884. Boston: Houghton, Mifflin and Co., 1883. Google preview accessed 4-28-2018 at: https://books.google.com/books?id=KZ0EAAAAQAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

Bowman, Mary Keller. “Smallpox Epidemic Plagued County in 1883.” Wyoming County, West Virginia Epidemics. Accessed 2-15-2015 at: http://www.genealogytrails.com/wva/wyoming/news_epidemics.html

Buffalo Sanitary Bulletin. “Smallpox Epidemics,” 5-31-1922, p. 19. Accessed 7-1-2019 at: https://books.google.com/books?id=joQ3AQAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

California Department of Public Health. Eighth Biennial Report of the State Board of Health of California, for the Years of 1882 and 1883. Sacramento: James J. Ayers. Supt. State Printing, 1884. Google preview accessed 4-29-2018 at: https://books.google.com/books?id=K3IXAQAAIAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

City of Philadelphia. First Annual Message of John E. Reyburn, Mayor of the City of Philadelphia with the Annual Reports of the Departments of Public Health and Charities, Supplies, Public Education, Law, City Controller, City Treasurer, Commissioners of the Sinking Funds, Receiver of Taxes, and Board of Revision of Taxes for the Year Ending December 31, 1907 (Vol. III). Philadelphia: Dunlap Printing Co., 1908. Google digitized. Assessed 12-5-2012: http://books.google.com/books?id=0ihNAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

Coggins, Allen R. Tennessee Tragedies: Natural, Technological and Societal Disasters in the Volunteer State. Knoxville: University of Tennessee Press, 2011. Google partially digitized at: http://books.google.com/books?id=SfK6aBuqohQC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

Cordell, Eugene Fauntleroy, M.D. The Medical Annals of Maryland 1799-1899. Baltimore: Press of Williams & Wilkins Co. for the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of the State of Maryland, 1903. Google digitized. Accessed 1-15-2015 at: http://books.google.com/books?id=Wx8SAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

District of Columbia Health Officer. Report of the Health Officer of the District of Columbia, 1902. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1903. Google preview accessed 4-27-2018 at: https://books.google.com/books?id=QixIAQAAIAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

Hall, Wesley E. The Hall Tree: An American Family History. San Jose, NY, Lincoln, Shanghai: Writers Club Press, 2002. Google preview accessed 7-2-2019 at: https://books.google.com/books?id=U3QMCbNx33QC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

Illinois State Board of Health. Sixth Annual Report of the State Board of Health of Illinois. Springfield, IL: H. W. Rokker State Printer and Binder, 1884. Digitized by Google at: https://books.google.com/books?id=-TVKAQAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

Jones, Joseph, M.D., President of the Board of Health of the State of Louisiana. Contagious and Infectious Diseases, Measures for Their Prevention and Arrest. Small Pox (Variola); Modified Small Pos (Varioloid); Chicken Pox (Varicella); Cow Pox (Variola Vaccinal): Vaccination, Spurious Vaccination Illustrated by Eight Colored Plates (Circular No. 2, Prepared for the Guidance of the Quarantine Officers and Sanitary Inspectors of the Board of Health of the State of Louisiana.). Baton Rouge: Leon Jastremski, State Printer, 1884. Accessed 2-12-2015 at: https://books.google.com/books?id=3VTboPycbBgC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

Litoff, Judy Barrett and Judith McDonnell (eds.). European Immigrant Women in the United States: A Biographical Dictionary. New York & London: Garland Publishing, 1994. Google preview accessed 4-28-2018 at: https://books.google.com/books?id=1ZyYa0cAPbkC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

Mayor of Brooklyn. Fourth Annual Message of…Mayor of Brooklyn. Brooklyn: 1895. Google preview accessed 7-4-2019 at: https://books.google.com/books?id=zoI-AAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

Merritt, Webster. A Century of Medicine in Jacksonville and Duval County. Gainesville, FL: University of Florida Press, 1949. Accessed 4-25-2018 at: http://ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00103093/00001/51x

Michigan Secretary of State. Nineteenth Annual Report Relating to the Registry and Return of Births, Marriages, and Deaths, in Michigan, For the Year 1885, by the Secretary of State of the State of Michigan. Lansing: Thorp & Godfrey, State Printers and Binders, 1887. Google preview accessed 5-29-2018 at: https://books.google.com/books?id=m-_PAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover&hl=en#v=onepage&q&f=false

Scharf, J. Thomas. History of Delaware: 1609-1888 (Vol. 1). Philadelphia: L. J. Richards & Co., 1888. Google preview accessed 2-28-2015 at: https://books.google.com/books?id=9wd5AAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=true

State Board of Health of Kentucky. Bulletin of the State Board of Health of Kentucky. Biennial Report 1910- and 1911. Vol. II, No. II, March 1912. “Court Decisions Under Health Laws,” p. 530. Google preview accessed 7-3-2019 at: https://books.google.com/books?id=-WE3AQAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q=early%20summer&f=false

State of Mississippi. Biennial Reports of the Departments and Benevolent Institutions of the State of Mississippi For the Years 1884-ʹ85. Jackson, MS: J. L. Power, State Printer, 1886. Google preview accessed 4-28-2018 at: https://books.google.com/books?id=EbsPAQAAIAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

The Medical News (A Weekly Journal of Medical Science), Vol. XLIII, No. 1, July-Dec, 1883. Philadelphia: Henry C. Lea’s Son & Co., 1883. Google preview accessed 4-28-2018 at: https://books.google.com/books?id=1gtYAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q=nevada%20city&f=false

West Virginia State Board of Health. First, Second and Third, Annual Reports of the Secretary of the State Board of Health of West Virginia for the Years Ending December 31^st, 1881, 1882, 1883. Wheeling: Chas. H. Taney, State Printer, 1883. Google preview accessed 4-28-2018 at: https://books.google.com/books?id=m4E3AQAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

Newspapers and Websites

Atchison Globe, KS, “The News In Brief.” 2-5-1883, p. 1. Accessed 7-2-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/atchison-globe-feb-05-1883-p-1/

Banner-Watchman, Athens, GA. “Georgia Items.” 2-13-1883, p. 3. Accessed 7-2-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/athens-banner-watchman-feb-13-1883-p-3/

Banner-Watchman, Athens, GA. “Georgia Items.” 2-27-1883, p. 1. Accessed 7-2-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/athens-banner-watchman-feb-27-1883-p-1/

Banner-Watchman, Athens, GA. “Georgia Items.” 5-22-1883, p. 1. Accessed 7-2-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/athens-banner-watchman-may-22-1883-p-1/

Banner-Watchman, Athens, GA. “Guarding Small Pox Bodies.” 3-6-1883, p. 4. Accessed 7-2-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/athens-banner-watchman-mar-06-1883-p-4/

Banner-Watchman, Athens, GA. “Telegraphic Sparks.” 2-13-1883, p. 1. Accessed 7-2-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/athens-banner-watchman-feb-13-1883-p-1/

Banner-Watchman, Athens, GA. “Telegraphic Sparks.” 2-27-1883, p. 4. Accessed 7-2-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/athens-banner-watchman-feb-27-1883-p-4/

Barnum, C. W. Louisiana History and Genealogy. 2011. Accessed 7-4-2019 at: https://laahgp.genealogyvillage.com/Bigraphicalmemoirs13/winnparishbh.html

Boulder News and Courier, CO. “Colorado Condensed.” 3-2-1883, p. 1. Accessed 7-1-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/boulder-news-and-courier-mar-02-1883-p-1/

Boulder News and Courier, CO. “Personal, Town and County News.” 3-2-1883, p. 3. Accessed 7-1-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/boulder-news-and-courier-mar-02-1883-p-3/

Buena Vista Democrat, CO. 3-22-1883, p. 3, col. 3. Accessed 7-1-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/buena-vista-democrat-mar-22-1883-p-3/

Carbonate Chronicle, Leadville, CO. “‘Angel of Death.’ List of Deaths…First Six Months…” 7-21-1883, p. 2. Accessed 7-2-2019: https://newspaperarchive.com/leadville-carbonate-chronicle-jul-21-1883-p-2/

Carbonate Chronicle, Leadville, CO. “Death List of Leadville…” 4-14-1883, p. 6. Accessed 7-1-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/leadville-carbonate-chronicle-apr-14-1883-p-6/

Carbonate Chronicle, Leadville, CO. “One More Pioneer Gone.” 5-26-1883, p. 6. Accessed 7-2-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/leadville-carbonate-chronicle-may-26-1883-p-6/

Carbonate Chronicle, Leadville, CO. “Petitions and Communications.” 6-30-1883, p. 5. Accessed 7-2-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/leadville-carbonate-chronicle-jun-30-1883-p-5/

Carbonate Chronicle, Leadville, CO. [Smallpox.] 3-10-1883, p. 4, c. 1. Accessed 7-1-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/leadville-carbonate-chronicle-mar-10-1883-p-4/

Carbonate Chronicle, Leadville, CO. [Smallpox.] 4-28-1883, p. 3. Accessed 7-2-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/leadville-carbonate-chronicle-apr-28-1883-p-3/

Carbonate Chronicle, Leadville, CO. “Small-Pox Report.” 4-21-1883, p. 1. Accessed 7-2-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/leadville-carbonate-chronicle-apr-21-1883-p-1/

Carbonate Chronicle, Leadville, CO. “That Byrne Benefit.” 6-9-1883, p. 5. Accessed 7-2-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/leadville-carbonate-chronicle-jun-09-1883-p-5/

Carbonate Chronicle, Leadville, CO. “The Old and New.” 4-21-1883, p. 3. Accessed 7-2-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/leadville-carbonate-chronicle-apr-21-1883-p-3/

Colorado Transcript, Golden, CO. 3-7-1883, p. 1, col. 2. Accessed 7-1-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/golden-colorado-transcript-mar-07-1883-p-2/

Daily Enquirer-Sun, Columbus, GA. “Alabama News.” 3-21-1883, p. 3. Accessed 7-2-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/columbus-sunday-enquirer-mar-21-1883-p-3/

Daily Enquirer-Sun, Columbus, GA. “Alabama News.” 4-18-1883, p. 3. Accessed 7-2-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/columbus-sunday-enquirer-apr-18-1883-p-3/

Daily Enquirer-Sun, Columbus, GA. “Georgia News.” 3-6-1883, p. 9. Accessed 7-2-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/columbus-daily-enquirer-sun-mar-06-1883-p-9/

Daily Optic, NV. “An Official Contradiction.” 11-9-1883, p. 2, col. 1. Accessed 4-28-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/las-vegas-daily-optic-nov-09-1883-p-2/

Daily State Journal, Lincoln, NE. “Smallpox.” 12-12-1883, p. 4, col. 3. Accessed 4-28-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/lincoln-daily-nebraska-state-journal-dec-12-1883-p-4/

Decatur Review, IL. “Late News Items.” 10-3-1883, p. 2, col. 5. Accessed 4-28-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/review-oct-03-1883-p-2/

Dolores News, Rico, CO. “The Small-Pox Contagion,” 7-7-1883, p. 2. Accessed 7-2-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/rico-dolores-news-jul-07-1883-p-2/

Dolores News, Rico, CO. “State News.” 5-12-1883, p. 4. Accessed 7-2-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/rico-dolores-news-may-12-1883-p-4/

Dubuque Times, IA. [Smallpox, Louisville] 12-2-1883, p. 5, col. 3. Accessed 4-28-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/dubuque-times-dec-02-1883-p-5/

Evening Gazette, Monmouth, IL. “Smallpox in Louisiana.” 12-28-1883, p. 2, col. 5. Accessed 4-27-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/monmouth-evening-gazette-dec-28-1883-p-2/

Evening Light, San Antonio, TX. “Another Case of Small-Pox.” 1-3-1883, 2. Accessed 7-2-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/san-antonio-evening-light-jan-03-1883-p-2/

Evening Light, San Antonio, TX. “Exit Small-Pox.” 2-12-1883, p. 4. Accessed 7-3-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/san-antonio-evening-light-feb-12-1883-p-4/

Evening Light, San Antonio, TC. “Light Sparks.” 2-3-1883, p. 4. Accessed 7-3-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/san-antonio-evening-light-feb-03-1883-p-4/

Evening Light, San Antonio, TX. “Small-Pox.” 1-22-1883, p. 4. Accessed 7-2-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/san-antonio-evening-light-jan-22-1883-p-4/

Evening Light, San Antonio, TX. “Small-Pox.” 1-30-1883, p. 4. Accessed 7-3-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/san-antonio-evening-light-jan-30-1883-p-4/

Evening Light, San Antonio, TX. “Small-Pox News.” 2-9-1883, p. 4. Accessed 7-3-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/san-antonio-evening-light-feb-09-1883-p-4/

Evening Light, San Antonio, TX. “The Spotted Scourge.” 1-29-1883, p. 1. Accessed 7-3-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/san-antonio-evening-light-jan-29-1883-p-1/

Evening Observer, Dunkirk, NY. “Spread of Two Dire Contagions in the South.” 10-10-1883, p. 1, col. 4. Accessed 4-28-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/evening-observer-oct-10-1883-p-1/

Fairplay Flume, CO. 2-8-1883, p. 1, column 2. Accessed 7-1-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/fairplay-flume-feb-08-1883-p-1/

Find A Grave. “Council K. Walker.” 3-23-2015 record. Accessed 4-28-2018 at: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/144083297/council-k.-walker

Fort Collins Courier, CO. “Editorial Comment.” 3-15-1883, p. 1, col. 2. Accessed 7-1-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/fort-collins-courier-mar-15-1883-p-1/

Fort Collins Courier, CO. “Editorial Comment.” 3-22-1983, p. 1, col. 2. Accessed 7-1-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/fort-collins-courier-mar-22-1883-p-1/

Fort Smith Elevator, AR. “News and Notes.” 6-1-1883, p. 1. Accessed 7-1-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/fort-smith-elevator-jun-01-1883-p-1/

Freeborn Co. Standard, Albert Lea, MN. 2-22-1883, p. 3. Accessed 7-2-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/standard-feb-22-1883-p-3/

Freeborn Co. Standard, MN. 7-7-1883, p. 7, col. 2. Accessed 7-2-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/albert-lea-freeborn-county-standard-jun-07-1883-p-7/

Freeborn Co. Standard, Albert Lee, MN. 6-28-1883, p. 9. Accessed 7-2-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/albert-lea-freeborn-county-standard-jun-28-1883-p-9/

Freeborn Co. Standard. “Casualties of the Week.” 3-29-1883, p. 4. Accessed 7-2-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/albert-lea-freeborn-county-standard-mar-29-1883-p-4/

Galveston Daily News. “Calvert.” 3-7-1883, p. 1. Accessed 7-4-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/galveston-daily-news-mar-07-1883-p-1/

Galveston Daily News, TX. “Dallas.” 2-20-1883, p. 1. Accessed 7-3-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/galveston-daily-news-feb-20-1883-p-1/

Galveston Daily News, TX. “Greenville. Small-Pox Scare.” 1-17-1883, 1. Accessed 7-2-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/galveston-daily-news-jan-17-1883-p-1/

Galveston Daily News, TX. “Groesbeck. Small-pox Cases–Court.” 3-29-1883, p. 1. Accessed 7-4-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/galveston-daily-news-mar-29-1883-p-1/

Galveston Daily News, TX. “Hempstead.” 2-22-1883, p. 1. Accessed 7-4-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/galveston-daily-news-feb-22-1883-p-1/

Galveston Daily News, TX. “Mortuary Report.” 5-6-1883, p. 11. Accessed 7-4-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/galveston-daily-news-may-06-1883-p-11/

Galveston Daily News, TX. “San Antonio.” 2-20-1883, p. 1. Accessed 7-3-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/galveston-daily-news-feb-20-1883-p-1/

Galveston Daily News, TX. “San Antonio…More Small-pox.” 2-9-1883, p. 1. Accessed 7-3-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/galveston-daily-news-feb-09-1883-p-1/

Galveston Daily News, TX. “San Antonio…Rumored Small-Pox…” 3-20-1883, p. 1. Accessed 7-4-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/galveston-daily-news-mar-20-1883-p-1/

Galveston Daily News, TX. “Small-Pox Among the Indians.” 3-17-1883, p. 11. Accessed 7-4-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/galveston-daily-news-mar-17-1883-p-11/

Galveston Daily News, TX. “Small-pox Prevailing on the Border.” 2-22-1883, p. 1. Accessed 7-4-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/galveston-daily-news-feb-22-1883-p-1/

Galveston Daily News. “The Death List.” 5-27-1883, p. 11. Accessed 7-4-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/galveston-daily-news-may-27-1883-p-11/

Galveston Daily News. “The Small-pox Case.” 4-29-1883, p. 11. Accessed 7-4-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/galveston-daily-news-apr-29-1883-p-11/

Illinois Daily Courier, Jacksonville, IL. “Small Pox.” 10-12-1883, p. 4, col. 2. Accessed 4-28-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/jacksonville-illinois-daily-courier-oct-12-1883-p-4/

Iron Age, Birmingham, AL. “Generalities.” 1-18-1883, p. 4. Accessed 7-1-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/birmingham-iron-age-jan-18-1883-p-4/

Laredo Times, TX. “State News,” 4-12-1883, p. 3. Accessed 7-4-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/laredo-times-apr-12-1883-p-3/

Leadville Daily Herald, CO. 2-4-1883, p. 2. Accessed 7-1-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/leadville-daily-herald-feb-04-1883-p-2/

Leadville Daily Herald, CO. “Facts.” 4-8-1883, p. 4, c. 1. Accessed 7-1-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/leadville-daily-herald-apr-08-1883-p-4/

Leadville Daily Herald, CO. “Miscellaneous.” 4-19-1883, p. 4. Accessed 7-2-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/leadville-daily-herald-apr-19-1883-p-4/

Leadville Daily Herald, CO. “Mortuary Notes.” 3-13-1883, p. 4. Accessed 7-1-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/leadville-daily-herald-mar-13-1883-p-4/

Leadville Daily Herald, CO. “News Notes.” 3-30-1883, p. 4. Accessed 7-1-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/leadville-daily-herald-mar-30-1883-p-4/

Leadville Daily Herald, CO. “Not so Bas as All That.” 2-25-1983, p. 1. Accessed 7-1-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/leadville-daily-herald-feb-25-1883-p-1/

Leadville Daily Herald, CO. “Nuggets.” 4-7-1883, p. 4. Accessed 7-1-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/leadville-daily-herald-apr-07-1883-p-4/

Leadville Daily Herald, CO. “Painful Precaution.” 2-25-1983, p. 1. Accessed 7-1-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/leadville-daily-herald-feb-25-1883-p-1/

Leadville Daily Herald, CO. “Pellets.” 2-21-1883, p. 4. Accessed 7-1-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/leadville-daily-herald-feb-21-1883-p-4/

Leadville Daily Herald, CO. “Scraps.” 3-22-1883, p. 4, col. 2. Accessed 7-1-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/leadville-daily-herald-mar-22-1883-p-4/

Leadville Daily Herald, CO. “Short Items,” 4-14-1883, p. 4, col. 1. Accessed 7-1-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/leadville-daily-herald-apr-14-1883-p-4/

Leadville Daily Herald, CO. “Small Pox Report.” 3-9-1883, p. 4, col. 2. Accessed 7-1-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/leadville-daily-herald-mar-09-1883-p-4/

Leadville Daily Herald, CO. “Small Pox Report.” 3-24-1883, p. 4. Accessed 7-1-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/leadville-daily-herald-mar-24-1883-p-4/

Leadville Daily Herald, CO. “Small-Pox Report.” 3-31-1883, p. 4, col. 3. Accessed 7-1-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/leadville-daily-herald-mar-31-1883-p-4/

Leadville Daily Herald, CO. “Small-Pox Report.” 4-1-1883, p. 1. Accessed 7-1-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/leadville-daily-herald-apr-01-1883-p-1/

Leadville Daily Herald, CO. “State Notes.” 2-16-1883, p. 1. Accessed 7-1-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/leadville-daily-herald-feb-16-1883-p-1/

Leadville Daily Herald, CO. “Stray Shots.” 3-27-1883, p. 4, col. 2. Accessed 7-1-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/leadville-daily-herald-mar-27-1883-p-4/

Leadville Daily Herald, CO. “The Canister, Filled With Material Taken From the Courts and Streets.” 4-17-1883, 1. Accessed 7-1-2019: https://newspaperarchive.com/leadville-daily-herald-apr-17-1883-p-1/

Leadville Daily Herald, CO. “The Citizens Meet…Small Pox.” 4-13-1883, p. 4. Accessed 7-1-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/leadville-daily-herald-apr-13-1883-p-4/

Leadville Daily Herald, CO. “The Last and First.” 4-17-1883, p. 4. Accessed 7-1-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/leadville-daily-herald-apr-17-1883-p-4/

Leadville Daily Herald, CO. “The Small Pox.” 2-15-1883, p. 4. Accessed 7-1-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/leadville-daily-herald-feb-15-1883-p-4/

Leadville Daily Herald, CO. “The Small Pox.” 2-17-1883, p. 5. Accessed 7-1-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/leadville-carbonate-chronicle-feb-17-1883-p-5/

Leadville Daily Herald, CO. “The Special Session.” 4-15-1883, p. 4. Accessed 7-1-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/leadville-daily-herald-apr-15-1883-p-4/

Macomb Eagle, IL. [Smallpox Gadsden TN] 12-29-1883, p. 1, col. 2. Accessed 4-27-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/macomb-eagle-dec-29-1883-p-1/

New York Times. “Small-Pox Terrors in St. Louis.” 4-3-1883. Accessed 4-28-2018 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1883/04/03/102814947.pdf

New York Times. “The Cincinnati Small-Pox Cases.” 5-27-1883. Accessed 4-29-2018 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1883/05/27/102824513.pdf

Philadelphia Inquirer. “Camden’s Danger,” 11-13-1883, p. 3, col. 3. Accessed 4-28-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/philadelphia-inquirer-nov-13-1883-p-3/

Portsmouth Times, OH. “News of the Week,” 10-20-1883, p. 2, col. 1. Accessed 4-28-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/portsmouth-times-oct-20-1883-p-2/

Rochester Republican, IN. [Smallpox, IN] 12-27-1883, p. 4, col. 3. Accessed 4-27-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/rochester-republican-dec-27-1883-p-4/

Rochester Tribune, IN. [Smallpox, Sunbury, OH] 12-28-1883, p. 4, col. 2. Accessed 4-27-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/rochester-tribune-dec-28-1883-p-4/

San Antonio Light. “Died From Small-Pox.” 4-30-1883, p. 4. Accessed 7-4-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/san-antonio-light-apr-30-1883-p-4/

San Antonio Light, TX. “Telegraphic News Boiled Down.” 6-13-1883, p. 2. Accessed 7-4-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/san-antonio-light-jun-13-1883-p-2/

San Sabo News, TX. 1-6-1883, p. 2, column 1. Accessed 7-2-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/san-saba-news-jan-06-1883-p-2/

San Saba News, TX. “General News Items.” 1-27-1883, p. 2. Accessed 7-3-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/san-saba-news-jan-27-1883-p-2/

Terre Haute Express, IN. “Small-Pox.” 9-30-1883, p1, col. 7. Accessed 4-28-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/terre-haute-daily-wabash-express-sep-30-1883-p-1/

The Democrat, Bear Lake, ID. “Small Pox.” 4-28-1883, p. 3. Accessed 7-2-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/paris-bear-lake-democrat-apr-28-1883-p-3/

The Democrat, Bear Lake, ID. “Small Pox.” 6-2-1883, p. 3. Accessed 7-2-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/paris-bear-lake-democrat-jun-02-1883-p-3/

The Evening Light, San Antonio, TX. “Small-Pox.” 1-20-1883, p. 1. Accessed 7-2-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/san-antonio-evening-light-jan-20-1883-p-1/

The Evening Light, San Antonio, TX. “Small-Pox In The City.” 1-19-1883, p. 1. Accessed 7-2-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/san-antonio-evening-light-jan-19-1883-p-1/

The Landmark, Statesville, NC. “Matters of News.” 2-16-1883, p. 2. Accessed 7-2-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/statesville-landmark-feb-16-1883-p-2/

The Review, Decatur, IL [Smallpox, IL] 11-4-1883, p. 5, col. 3. Accessed 4-28-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/review-nov-04-1883-p-4/

Weekly Corvallis Gazette, OR. “General News.” 2-23-1883, p. 3. Accessed 7-2-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/corvallis-gazette-feb-23-1883-p-3/

[1] Daily Enquirer-Sun, Columbus, GA. “Alabama News.” 3-21-1883, p. 3.

[2] “Washington, March 16.–General Crook, commanding the Department of Arizona, yesterday reported to the commissioner of Indian Affairs that there were fifteen Indians sick with small-pox at Peach Springs, near the Atlantic and Pacific railroad. The commissioner directed the physician at the San Carlos agency to attend to the medical wants of the Indians, and notified General Crook accordingly….Commissioner Price, this afternoon, telegraphed General Crook, informing him that there is no fund from which he can purchase supplies for these Indians…about 800 in number…” (Galveston Daily News, TX. “Small-Pox Among the Indians.” 3-17-1883, p. 11.)

[3] “Five more deaths from small-pox were reported in Denver yesterday. The disease seems…peculiarly malignant.”

[4] “E.P. Slade, editor of the Park County Bulletin, died last Wednesday of small pox. He contracted the disease by carelessly wearing the overcoat of a medical friend who had been visiting patients, and who warned him of possible results. By this act of bravado Park county loses a good citizen, and the fraternity of a genial friend.”

[5] “The city physician submitted a report, of which the following is an extract:….The first case of small pox was reported to him on February first. Within two weeks afterwards there were twelve cases. The total number of cases to date is 330. Number of deaths, 41. Number taken to hospital, 83. Died, 19. Discharged, 51. Remaining in hospital, 12….Not one of the patients who had died in hospitals had been vaccinated. Quarantine regulations have been enforced where patients were not removed. There are less cases now than at any time since the small pox began.”

[6] Statement of Dr. Law at meeting of citizens on the smallpox problem. “Doctor Law said that there had been about three hundred and twenty-five cases reported to him and he thought there were about twenty-five or thirty more which had not been reported. Of this number there had been thirty-six deaths.”

[7] “Perry Younker, a former resident of this place, died of small pox at Leadville, Tuesday last. He was landlord of the Pacific Hotel. He was a brother of Mrs. Bloomfield of this county.”

[8] “Mrs. Crawford of No. 231 East Chestnut…died of the disease in the morning and was buried later in the day.”

[9] California Gulch is Leadville area.

[10] The Leadville Daily Herald on April 1^st reported the death as that of Edwin B. Giles. The age of E.B. Giles is provided by: Carbonate Chronicle, Leadville, CO. “Angel of Death” 7-21-1883, p. 2.

[11] Age from Carbonate Chronicle, CO. “‘Angel of Death.’ List of Deaths…First Six Months…” 7-21-1883, p. 2.

[12] List the deaths of H. McGiles at 126 East Tenth as well as E. B. Giles. Possibly two deaths in family or a mistake.

[13] “Ollie Murray died of small pox at the pest house on Sunday, and was buried the same day.”

[14] Carbonate Chronicle, Leadville, CO. “That Byrne Benefit.” 6-9-1883, p. 5.

[15] “Little Bridget Flannery, aged twelve years, died from small pox yesterday morning at her home, near the Arkansas smelter. This is the fourth fatal case in this unfortunate family and another one of the members is said to be almost beyond hope of recovery.”

[16] Leadville Daily Herald, CO. “Miscellaneous.” 4-19-1883, p. 4. Notes she was fifth of Flannery family to die.

[17] Also: Leadville Daily Herald, CO. “Nuggets.” 4-7-1883, p.4

[18] “There were two deaths from small pox yesterday–that of a girl named Flannery and of W. W. Herald, aged thirty-five, a native of Virginia.”

[19] “S.D. Quaintance…died of small pox in Montrose Tuesday.”

[20] Dolores News, Rico, CO. “The Small-Pox Contagion,” 7-7-1883, p. 2.

[21] “Reported Mortality for the Week Ending February 10, 1883.” Notes 86 deaths, 1.16% from smallpox.

[22] “Reported Mortality for the Week Ending March 31, 1883.” Notes 80 deaths, 1.25% from smallpox.

[23] Began in March. Merritt 1949, p. 131. “By mid-June, about three months after it began, the epidemic was virtually at an end.” Merritt 1949, p. 138.

[24] Banner-Watchman, Athens, GA. “Georgia Items.” 5-22-1883, p. 1.

[25] Daily Enquirer-Sun, Columbus, GA. “Georgia News.” 3-6-1883, p. 9. In that we do not know how many people constitute “a goodly number” we translate this phrase into “at least three.”

[26] Banner-Watchman, Athens, GA. “Guarding Small Pox Bodies.” 3-6-1883, p. 4.

[27] “Reported Mortality for the Week Ending January 6, 1883.” Notes 218 deaths, 9.16% from smallpox.

[28] “Reported Mortality for the Week Ending January 13, 1883.” Notes 220 deaths, 2.28% from smallpox.

[29] “Reported Mortality for the Week Ending February 10, 1883.” Notes 206 deaths, 1.94% from smallpox.

[30] “Reported Mortality for the Week Ending February 17, 1883.” Notes 220 deaths, 1.36% from smallpox.

[31] “Reported Mortality for the Week Ending February 24, 1883.” Notes 200 deaths, .5% from smallpox.

[32] “Reported Mortality for the Week Ending March 10, 1883.” Notes 170 deaths, 1.16% from smallpox.

[33] “Reported Mortality for the Week Ending March 31, 1883.” Notes 250 deaths, 1.2% from smallpox.

[34] Took smallpox after opening coffin of relative sent from Cincinnati for burial.

[35] “There was smallpox in 31 counties and of a total of 644 cases there were 213 deaths. In Indiana it is shown that deaths are slightly below the average.”

[36] “Small pox is prevalent at Louisville, Ky.”

[37] “During the first eight months of 1883, 1164 persons perished from smallpox; and during that year nearly one-fourth of all the deaths which occurred in New Orleans resulted from that terrible yet preventable disease.”

[38] “Dec 27.–Advises received from Assumption Parish, La., report smallpox epidemic. Many deaths have occurred, the victims being generally persons of the best society, the most prominent being Mrs. Jane Acosta…Every effort is being made to prevent the plague from spreading.” We translate “many” into approximately five for tally purposes.

[39] :Little Rock, Ark., February 21.–Advices were received here to-day bringing the intelligence of the prevalence of small-pox in an alarming degree in the town of Natchitoches, La. One of the most prominent physicians says the force of men employed by the Board of Health is inadequate to meet the work, and that in January there had been 300 cases and 75 deaths. The number of cases is less now. The unwillingness of the colored people to be vaccinated, this doctor thinks, is the principal cause of the spread of the pest.” (2-21-1883, p. 1.)

[40] Page 6 in: Jones, Joseph, M.D., President of the Board of Health of the State of Louisiana. Contagious and Infectious Diseases… 1884. [See Louisiana in Narrative section for table.]

[41] “Reported Mortality for the Week Ending January 6, 1883.” Notes 163 deaths, 6.74% from smallpox.

[42] “Reported Mortality for the Week Ending January 13, 1883.” Notes 120 deaths, 10.83% from smallpox.

[43] “Reported Mortality for the Week Ending January 20, 1883.” Notes 158 deaths, 15.88% from smallpox.

[44] “Reported Mortality for the Week Ending January 20, 1883.” Notes 116 deaths, 11.18% from smallpox.

[45] “Reported Mortality for the Week Ending February 17, 1883.” Notes 147 deaths, 14.28% from smallpox.

[46] “Reported Mortality for the Week Ending February 24, 1883.” Notes 144 deaths, 27.76% from smallpox.

[47] “Reported Mortality for the Week Ending March 10, 1883.” Notes 145 deaths, 17.55% from smallpox.

[48] “Reported Mortality for the Week Ending March 17, 1883.” Notes 172 deaths, 32.5% from smallpox.

[49] “Reported Mortality for the Week Ending March 24, 1883.” Notes 179 deaths, 36.78% from smallpox.

[50] “Reported Mortality for the Week Ending March 31, 1883.” Notes 188 deaths, 36.57% from smallpox.

[51] “Reported Mortality for the Week Ending April 14, 1883.” Notes 175 deaths, 44% from smallpox.

[52] “Reported Mortality for the Week Ending April 21, 1883. Notes 153 deaths, 30.04 from smallpox.

[53] “Reported Mortality for the Week Ending May 5, 1883.” Notes 119 deaths, 29.08% from smallpox.

[54] “During the fall of 1883 the smallpox extended into this parish. Dr. J. F. Kelly was appointed executive officer of the board of health; quarantine was established, and $100 granted for the relief of sufferers from the epidemic.” Transcribed from the book by C. W. Barnum, 2011, for AHGP Louisiana.

[55] “Reported Mortality for the Week Ending January 6, 1883.” Notes 241 deaths, 32.77% from smallpox.

[56] “Reported Mortality for the Week Ending January 13, 1883.” Notes 270 deaths, 30.71% from smallpox.

[57] “Reported Mortality for the Week Ending January 20, 1883.” Notes 300 deaths, 30.36% from smallpox.

[58] “Reported Mortality for the Week Ending January 27, 1883.” Notes 252 deaths, 29.25% from smallpox.

[59] “Reported Mortality for the Week Ending February 3, 1883.” Notes 114 deaths, 29.67% from smallpox.

[60] “Reported Mortality for the Week Ending February 10, 1883.” Notes 225 deaths, 18.56% from smallpox.

[61] “Reported Mortality for the Week Ending February 17, 1883.” Notes 204 deaths, 24.99% from smallpox.

[62] “Reported Mortality for the Week Ending February 24, 1883.” Notes 171 deaths, 14.6% from smallpox.

[63] “Reported Mortality for the Week Ending March 10, 1883.” Notes 188 deaths, 7.98% from smallpox.

[64] “Reported Mortality for the Week Ending March 17, 1883.” Notes 199 deaths, 5.53% from smallpox.

[65] “Reported Mortality for the Week Ending March 24, 1883.” Notes 190 deaths, 6.84% from smallpox.

[66] “Reported Mortality for the Week Ending March 31, 1883.” Notes 182 deaths, 2.2% from smallpox.

[67] “Reported Mortality for the Week Ending April 14, 1883.” Notes 167 deaths, 4.19% from smallpox.

[68] “Reported Mortality for the Week Ending April 21, 1883. Notes 155 deaths, 3.88% from smallpox.

[69] “Reported Mortality for the Week Ending May 5, 1883.” Notes 156 deaths, 3.85% from smallpox.

[70] “Reported Mortality for the Week Ending March 31, 1883.” Notes 15 deaths, 6.66% from smallpox.

[71] “Reported Mortality for the Week Ending May 5, 1883.” Notes 11 deaths, 9.09% from smallpox.

[72] Table 69. Deaths in Michigan from some of the Prominent Zymotic Diseases during…Twelve Years, 1874-1885.

[73] Freeborn Co. Standard, Albert Lea, MN. 2-22-1883, p. 3.

[74] Notes there were out of twenty-one cases, that Mrs. Joseph Hetsch died on Friday and a child on Saturday. Three or four more deaths expected.

[75] Freeborn Co. Standard. “Casualties of the Week.” 3-29-1883, p. 4.

[76] The Standard, Albert Lea, MN. 2-22-1883, p. 3.

[77] “Notwithstanding the great efforts made to control the outbreak of small-pox in Warren county reported in 1883, it continued into this year.”

[78] “Small pox has become epidemic in the camp of Little Shell, of the Turtle Mountain Chippewas [Montana tribe]. Ten deaths have already occurred, but nothing has been done for the relief of the new patients.” (Atchison Globe, KS, “The News In Brief.” 2-5-1883, p. 1.)

[79] “Camden is alarmed over the increase of small-pox. The first case was on Liberty street, above Fourth…Sixth ward, and was caused by the carelessness of a nurse, who came from a Philadelphia hospital where she had been nursing a small-pox patient. The disease has spread to other sections of the city, though but one patient has died.”

[80] “Reported Mortality for the Week Ending March 31, 1883.” Notes 286 deaths, .35% from smallpox.

[81] “Reported Mortality for the Week Ending February 10, 1883.” Notes 618 deaths, .16% from smallpox.

[82] “Reported Mortality for the Week Ending February 17, 1883.” Notes 623 deaths, .16% from smallpox.

[83] “Reported Mortality for the Week Ending March 10, 1883.” Notes 669 deaths, .15% from smallpox.

[84] “Reported Mortality for the Week Ending March 17, 1883.” Notes 739 deaths, .14% from smallpox.

[85] “Reported Mortality for the Week Ending March 24, 1883.” Notes 734 deaths, .14% from smallpox.

[86] “Reported Mortality for the Week Ending March 31, 1883.” Notes 727 deaths. .26% from smallpox.

[87] “Reported Mortality for the Week Ending May 5, 1883.” Notes 703 deaths, .28 from smallpox.

[88] Notes: “Small-pox has again broken out here and three young girls are sick.”

[89] Table entitled “Deaths from Smallpox from 1807 to 1907, inclusive, and Rate per 1,000 of Population.” Notes smallpox death rate of 0.2 per 1,000 population, compared to previous year death rate of 0.3 per 1,000.

[90] “Reported Mortality for the Week Ending January 6, 1883.” Notes 409 deaths, .98% from smallpox.

[91] “Reported Mortality for the Week Ending January 13, 1883.” Notes 390 deaths, 2.56% from smallpox.

[92] “Reported Mortality for the Week Ending January 20, 1883.” Notes 407 deaths, 1.88% from smallpox.

[93] “Reported Mortality for the Week Ending January 27, 1883.” Notes 398 deaths, 1.51% from smallpox.

[94] “Reported Mortality for the Week Ending February 3, 1883.” Notes 417 deaths, 3.80% from smallpox.

[95] “Reported Mortality for the Week Ending February 10, 1883.” Notes 371 deaths, 1.89% from smallpox.

[96] “Reported Mortality for the Week Ending February 17, 1883.” Notes 367 deaths, .54% from smallpox.

[97] “Reported Mortality for the Week Ending February 24, 1883.” Notes 353 deaths, 1.46% from smallpox.

[98] “Reported Mortality for the Week Ending March 10, 1883.” Notes 433 deaths, 1.16% from smallpox.

[99] “Reported Mortality for the Week Ending March 17, 1883.” Notes 400 deaths, 1.01% from smallpox.

[100] “Reported Mortality for the Week Ending March 24, 1883.” Notes 420 deaths, 1.19% from smallpox.

[101] “Reported Mortality for the Week Ending March 31, 1883.” Notes 425 deaths, 2.12% from smallpox.

[102] “Reported Mortality for the Week Ending April 14, 1883.” Notes 417 deaths, .48% from smallpox.

[103] “Reported Mortality for the Week Ending April 21, 1883. Notes 387 deaths, .52% from smallpox

[104] “Reported Mortality for the Week Ending May 5, 1883.” Notes 388 deaths, 1.29% from smallpox.

[105] “Reported Mortality for the Week Ending January 20, 1883.” Notes 69 deaths, 2.50% from smallpox.

[106] “Reported Mortality for the Week Ending January 27, 1883.” Notes 61 deaths, 1.64% from smallpox.

[107] “Reported Mortality for the Week Ending February 3, 1883.” Notes 78 deaths, 2.56% from smallpox.

[108] “Reported Mortality for the Week Ending February 17, 1883.” Notes 93 deaths, 1.08% from smallpox.

[109] “Reported Mortality for the Week Ending March 17, 1883.” Notes 69 deaths. 1.96% from smallpox.

[110] “Reported Mortality for the Week Ending March 24, 1883.” Notes 79 deaths, 2.53% from smallpox.

[111] “Reported Mortality for the Week Ending May 5, 1883.” Notes 65 deaths, 1.54% from smallpox.

[112] “Reported Mortality for the Week Ending February 3, 1883.” Notes 56 deaths, 1.78% from smallpox.

[113] “Reported Mortality for the Week Ending January 6, 1883.” Notes 34 deaths, 2.94% from smallpox.

[114] “Reported Mortality for the Week Ending January 27, 1883.” Notes 18 deaths, 11.11% from smallpox.

[115] “Reported Mortality for the Week Ending February 3, 1883.” Notes 23 deaths, 17.36% from smallpox.

[116] “Reported Mortality for the Week Ending February 10, 1883.” Notes 21 deaths, 4.76% from smallpox.

[117] “Reported Mortality for the Week Ending February 17, 1883.” Notes 20 deaths, 5% from smallpox.

[118] “Reported Mortality for the Week Ending February 24, 1883.” Notes 18 deaths, 5.55% from smallpox.

[119] “Reported Mortality for the Week Ending March 17, 1883.” Notes 16 deaths, 6.25% from smallpox.

[120] “Reported Mortality for the Week Ending March 24, 1883.” Notes 21 deaths, 9.52% from smallpox.

[121] “Reported Mortality for the Week Ending March 31, 1883.” Notes 40 deaths, 9% from smallpox.

[122] “Reported Mortality for the Week Ending April 14, 1883.” Notes 27 deaths, 18.52% from smallpox.

[123] “Reported Mortality for the Week Ending April 21, 1883. Notes 18 deaths, 11.11% from smallpox.

[124] “Reported Mortality for the Week Ending May 5, 1883.” Notes 32 deaths, 6.25% from smallpox.

[125] San Antonio Light, TX. “Telegraphic News Boiled Down.” 6-13-1883, p. 2.

[126] Reported to be six miles below Calvert on the Brazos River. (Galveston Daily News. “Calvert.” 3-7-1883, p. 1.)

[127] “Small pox is prevailing at El Paso. Several visitors in the city have taken it.”

[128] Galveston Daily News, TX. “Dallas.” 2-20-1883, p. 1.

[129] Age is from Galveston Daily News, TX. “Mortuary Report.” 5-6-1883, p. 11.

[130] Galveston Daily News, TX. “Groesbeck. Small-pox Cases–Court.” 3-29-1883, p. 1.

[131] “Greenville, January 16.–Our citizens had quite a scare to-day, on account of the small-pox near Kingston, in this county. There are six cases of small-pox about two miles from Kingston, brought there by the Shield brothers, the Texan giants, who have been in Barnum’s at New York. Official measures have been taken by the city and county authorities to prevent its further spreading.”

[132] Litoff and McDonnell (Eds.), in European Immigrant Women (1994, p. 55), write: “In an 1883 letter, Cinquin [Mother Jeanne Pierrette Cinquin] described a smallpox epidemic which had broken out in San Antonio.”

[133] Although prompt, effectual means have been taken to prevent the spread of the small-pox epidemic, another case has been found on Alamo street, and is now being treated. One of the patients already under treatment dies last night, and was buried this morning. Four clear cases are now under treatment without the city limits, and it is feared that other deaths will occur.”

[134] Evening Light, San Antonio, TX. “The Spotted Scourge.” 1-29-1883, p. 1. One of the deaths between Jan 21 and 29 was that of Mr. D. J. Crouch. (Evening Light, San Antonio, TC. “Light Sparks.” 2-3-1883, p. 4.)

[135] Evening Light, San Antonio, TX. “Small-Pox.” 1-30-1883, p. 4; Galveston Daily News, TX. “San Antonio…More Small-pox.” 2-9-1883, p. 1.

[136] On Jan 29 the conductor was reported as sick from smallpox and in a caboose at the train station. A Feb 9 article notes that the man who nursed conductor Groell, who had died, was now sick from smallpox. (Evening Light, San Antonio, TX. “Small-Pox News.” 2-9-1883, p. 4.)

[137] Evening Light, San Antonio, TX. “Exit Small-Pox.” 2-12-1883, p. 4.

[138] Galveston Daily News, TX. “San Antonio.” 2-20-1883, p. 1.

[139] “There were…nineteen deaths in each county, and the aggregate number attacked in the two counties with the disease was one hundred and twenty-five.”

[140] Special Paper. “Small-Pox in Mercer and Wyoming Counties,” by Hon. Isaiah Bee, MD. On p. 142 it is written that “The disease was, almost without exception, fatal to infants, and I am not aware that a pregnant woman who had small-pox escaped with her life.”

[141] He had previously gone to Flt Top Mt. to buy a cow, spending the night in Eli Blankenship home, one of the families later struck with smallpox.

[142] Making sixty in all. Fort Collins Courier, CO. “Editorial Comment.” 3-22-1983, p. 1, col. 2.

[143] Dr. R. Menger, San Antonio City Physician.

19th Century

1882 — Dec 6, steamer Morning Star flue collapse/boiler bursts, MS Riv., below N.O., LA–15-17

lornajarrettblanchard December 6, 1882

–15-17 Blanchard estimated death-toll range.*

— 17 McCarty, L.P. (Ed.). McCarty’s Annual Statistician 1885, Vol. 9. “Chronology,” p. 85.
— 16 Galveston Daily News. “New Orleans…Steamboat Boiler Explosion.” 12-7-1882, p1.
— 16 New York Times. “The Morning Star Explosion.” Dec 8, 1882, p. 2.
— 15 Lake Charles Commercial, LA. [Morning Star] 12-9-1882, p. 2, col. 1.
–13-15 Steubenville Weekly Herald, OH. “Boiler Explosion.” 12-8-1882, p. 1, col. 10.
–13 reported dead (10 by drowning, 1 by explosion and 2 from scalding
— 2 “…whose injuries ae reported as fatal.” (Frank Howard and Charles Traites.)
— 14 Centralia Sentinel, IL. “Chronology. Record of the Year 1882.” 12-28-1882, p. 6, col. 4.
— 12 Quincy Daily Herald, IL. “River Calamity…Propeller Morning Star…” 12-7-1882, p. 1.
— 10 Supervising Inspector-Gen. of Steam-Vessels. An. Rpt. [FY] Ended June 30, 1883. p.17.

* Blanchard estimated death-toll range. Given a range of 10-17 deaths reported in sources cited above we have attempted to compile a listing of fatalities found at the end of the Newspapers section. There are eight named fatalities. There the apparent certainty ends. Depending on the source, there were seven to nine deaths of black roustabouts who jumped or were thrown into the river when the boiler burst and scalding water and steam escaped. Several others were said to have gone overboard but did not drown. If we were to accept and use the lower number of seven unidentified roustabout drownings the death-toll would be fifteen. This is the number we use as the low-end of our death-toll estimate. It is also the death-toll announced by the Lake Charles (LA) Commercial on Dec 9, the day before engineer and part-owner Mark Pennywitt succumbed to his scalding injuries.

If we were to accept the reports of nine unidentified black roustabout drownings, the death-toll would be seventeen.

It should also be noted that H. Mennier, a young married man, who was reported to have been aboard, was reported missing and presumed dead several days after the event.

Additionally, two people, Frank Howard and Charles Traites were noted in early reporting to have been (or so it was thought) fatally injured. We, however, have not seen additional reporting of the deaths of either of these men.

Thus, from our compilation effort we are drawn to the conclusion that 15-17 people probably died due to this event. Several quoted sources report similar numbers – either a range of 13-15, or 15, or 16 or 17 (McCarty).

It is possible that we are mistaken and that the estimate of the Supervising Inspector of Steam Vessels was correct in reporting ten deaths, but for this to be the case, then far fewer than the seven to nine black roustabout drowning deaths took place. We should also note that we have “investigated” several hundred maritime events wherein ten or more people died which are noted in the various yearly Supervising General of Steam Vessel reports (as well as preceding and succeeding organizations) and find that this service was not always a reliable source when it comes to fatalities.

Narrative Information

Supervising Inspector-General of Steam-Vessels (U.S.): “December 6. – The steamer Morning Star collapsed a flue in her boiler, whereby eight passengers and two of her crew lost their lives.”
(Supervising Inspector-General of Steam-Vessels (U.S.). Annual Report of…Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 1883. 1883, p. 17.)

Newspapers

Dec 6: “Special Telegram to The News. New Orleans, December 6. – The Morning Star is a small steamboat commanded by Captain H. W. Pennywitt, which has been making daily trips to Magnolia plantation, below the city, and return. This morning she left Magnolia plantation at 5 o’clock on her up trip. On board were twenty-one passengers. After running for a little over an hour Belair plantation was reached. Shortly afterward, without any warning, the boat’s boilers exploded, both fore and aft literally parting. The noise of the explosion was not loud. In an instant everything was in confusion. The hot, scalding water was thrown in all directions. Those who escaped scalding jumped overboard, preferring to take their chances of life in that way. There were thirteen of these, ten of whom were drowned. These were Jack Johnson…fireman, and nine negro roustabouts, names unknown.

“The steamboat Sunbeam was at the time of the disaster about 100 yards in front of the Morning Star. As soon as possible she was turned round and headed for the ill-fated boat, rescuing as many people as she could pick up. Among those taken from the water were Engineer Pennywitt, John Ryan and another…man… Pennywitt and Ryan were badly scalded by the escaping steam. Henry Kaiser…was killed by the explosion, and Joseph Simoderin [Simederin ] a…child, and Nancy Gardner [or Gardiner ], colored, were so badly scalded that they died while en route to the city. Among those badly scalded were Mary Miller…passenger, Frank Holt and Wm. Fratz, of the boat’s crew, Nancy Young…and Charles Traites and Frank Howard…passengers. Of these, Howard and Traites are fatally, and Mary Miller dangerously, scalded. Except Frank Howard, all the killed and wounded belong in and around the city….Captain Pennywitt…came up to the city on the Sunbeam, but almost immediately returned to the scene of the disaster in a tugboat. A rumor is current that the two boats were racing when the explosion occurred, but it cannot be traced to an authentic source. It is said that the pressure of steam was so great that the boiler blew out at both ends. The Morning Star was a propeller, about 110 feet long, and was built at Marietta, Ohio. She was owned by the Pennywitt Brothers, one of whom commanded her. One was pilot and the other engineer.” (Galveston Daily News. “New Orleans…Steamboat Boiler Explosion.” 12-7-1882, 1.)

Dec 6: “Boiler Explosion. Ten People Drowned – A Sad Accident.

“New Orleans, December 6. – At 6 o’clock this morning the Morning Star, engaged in the lower coast trade, while coming up the river, and near Bellaire plantation, exploded her boiler. The escaping steam at once enveloped the boat and drove 13 of the crew into the river, and although the bank was not over one hundred yards away, 10 of them were drowned. Engineer Pennywitt, John Ryan and a white passenger, name unknown, were rescued by the crew of the steamer Sunbeam, which fortunately was but a short distance ahead of the Morning Star when the explosion occurred, and immediately came to the relief. The sufferers, Pennywitt and Ryan, were both badly scalded.

“When the confusion attendant upon the explosion had measurably subsided it was found that those who remained on the boat, Henry Kaiser (white) had been killed outright, and an infant, a grandchild of Charles Tratus, and Nancy Gardner, a colored passenger had been so badly scalded that they survived but a short time.

“Among those whose injuries are reported as fatal are Frank Howard and Charles Traites. Upon the arrival of the Sunbeam here, they are sent to the Charity Hospital. Among the badly scalded are Mary Miller and Nancy Young, colored, and Frank Holt and William Frantz, employes of the boat. Of the 10 persons who jumped into the river and were drowned, was Jack Johnson, a white fireman. The others were negro roustabouts.

“There were 21 passengers in all on the Morning Star. Those who were uninjured describe the scene at the time of the explosion as heartrending. Had it not been for the escaping steam, which drove so many of the crew into the river, the list of casualties would have been much reduced, as the explosion was not followed by fire.

“The Morning Star was built at Marietta, O., and was about 110 feet long. She was owned by the Pennywitt brothers, of Manchester, O., one of whom was captain, one pilot and the other the engineer.” (Steubenville Weekly Herald, OH. “Boiler Explosion.” 12-8-1882, p. 1, col. 10.)

Dec 7: “Morning Star Disaster. Caused by Racing With Another Steamer.

“Exclusively to Herald by Associated Press.

“New Orleans, Dec. 7. – Passengers saved from the steamboat Morning Star, which exploded her boilers yesterday, state that she was racing with the Sunbeam when the disaster occurred.” (Steubenville Weekly Herald, OH. “Morning Star Disaster.” 12-8-1882, p. 1, col. 10.)

Dec 7: “New Orleans, Dec. 7. – Frank Holt, of Chattanooga, William Froitus, and Sarah Young…who were badly scalded by the explosion on the Morning Star and were sent to the Charity Hospital, have since died. Of 21 persons on board at the time of the accident only five are now living. It was stated this morning that the Star was racing with the Sunbeam when the explosion occurred.” (New York Times. “The Morning Star Explosion.” Dec 8, 1882, p. 2.)

Dec 9: “Last Tuesday morning, thirty miles below New Orleans, a flue of the boiler of the steamboat Morning Star collapsed scalding five persons to death, ten reported drowned, two badly hurt and a great many injured by scalding.” (Lake Charles Commercial, LA. [Morning Star] 12-9-1882, p. 2, col. 1.)

Dec 9: “A Missing Married Man. Special to The Constitution.

“New Orleans, December 9. – H. Mennier, a young married man, who took passage at Point a la Hache, on the steamer Morning Star, has been missing since the disaster, and is supposed to have perished.” (Atlanta Weekly Constitution, GA. “A Missing Married Man.” 12-12-1882, p. 2, col.2.)

Dec 16: “Mr. Mark Pennywitt, engineer and one of the owners of the little steamer Morning Star, died in New Orleans last Sunday morning [Dec 10] of the injuries he received when the Star collapsed a flue at Belair plantation on Tuesday of last week. A number of our readers became acquainted with the three Messrs. Pennywitt, captain, pilot and engineer of the Star, when the boat was running as a mail packet between Donaldsonville and Baton Rouge, and all who knew them will deeply regret the sad fate that has overtaken one of these estimable and popular gentlemen. The body of the unfortunate engineer has been taken to Cincinnati by his brother, Capt. H. W. Pennywitt, for interment.” (Donaldsonville Chief, Donaldsonville, LA. “Local Jottings.” 12-16-1882, p. 3, col. 2.)

Dec 28: “December….6. – Fourteen persons killed by the bursting of a boiler on the steamer Morning Star near New Orleans.” (Centralia Sentinel, IL. “Chronology. Record of the Year 1882.” 12-28-1882, p. 6, col. 4.)

Fatalities from the Morning Star as Identified in Sources Cited Above

1. Froitus, William, 16 ; died of scalding injuries at Charity hospital, New Orleans.
2. Gardner (or Gardiner), Nancy. Black passenger; died of scald injuries on way to hospital.
3. Holt, Frank, of Chattanooga; died of scalding injuries at Charity hospital, New Orleans.
4. Johnson, Jack Morning Star fireman; jumped overboard and drowned.
5. Kaiser, Henry; “killed by the explosion.”
6. Pennywitt, Mark. Morning Star engineer and part owner; died from scald injuries Dec 10.
7. Simoderin (or Simederin), a child; died of scald injuries on the way to NOLA hospital.
8. Young, Sarah; died of scalding injuries at Charity hospital, New Orleans.
9. Unidentified Morning Star black roustabout, one of nine drowned after going overboard.
10. Unidentified Morning Star black roustabout, 2nd of nine drowned after going overboard.
11. Unidentified Morning Star black roustabout, 3rd of nine drowned after going overboard.
12. Unidentified Morning Star black roustabout, 4th of nine drowned after going overboard.
13. Unidentified Morning Star black roustabout, 5th of nine drowned after going overboard.
14. Unidentified Morning Star black roustabout, 6th of nine drowned after going overboard.
15. Unidentified Morning Star black roustabout, 7th of nine drowned after going overboard.
16. Unidentified Morning Star black roustabout, 8th of nine drowned after going overboard.
17. Unidentified Morning Star black roustabout, 9th of nine drowned after going overboard.

Noted as Missing and Presumed Dead

1. Mennier, H. Missing, presumed dead. Young married man, boarding at Point a la Hache.

Listed as Thought to be Fatally Injured

1. Howard, Frank
2. Traites, Charles.

Sources

Atlanta Weekly Constitution, GA. “A Missing Married Man.” 12-12-1882, p. 2, col. 2. Accessed 1-24-2021 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/atlanta-weekly-constitution-dec-12-1882-p-2/

Centralia Sentinel, IL. “Chronology. Record of the Year 1882.” 12-28-1882, p. 6, col. 4. Accessed 1-23-2021 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/centralia-sentinel-dec-28-1882-p-6/

Donaldsonville Chief, Donaldsonville, LA. “Local Jottings.” 12-16-1882, p. 3, col. 2. Accessed 1-24-2021 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/donaldsonville-chief-dec-16-1882-p-3/

Galveston Daily News, TX. “New Orleans…Steamboat Boiler Explosion.” Dec 7, 1882, 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=42531957

Lake Charles Commercial, LA. [Morning Star] 12-9-1882, p. 2, col. 1. Accessed 1-24-2021 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/lake-charles-commercial-dec-09-1882-p-2/

Library of Congress. “Belair Plantation, Belair, Plaquemines Parish, LA.” Photo, Print, Drawing. Accessed 1-24-2021 at: https://www.loc.gov/item/la0564/

McCarty, L.P. (Ed.). McCarty’s Annual Statistician 1885, Vol. 9. “Chronology,” pp. 51-94. San Francisco and New York City, 1885. Digitized by Google. Accessed 1-22-2021 at: http://books.google.com/books?id=DXsZAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

New York Times. “The Morning Star Explosion.” Dec 8, 1882, p. 2. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=19724818

Quincy Daily Herald, IL. “River Calamity. The Propeller Morning Star Explodes Her Boiler Near New Orleans. A Dozen Killed, and Many More Severely Injured.” 12-7-1882, p. 1. Accessed 1-24-2021 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/quincy-daily-herald-dec-07-1882-p-1/

Savannah Morning News, GA. “Scalded or Drowned. Explosion on a Mississippi Propeller.” 12-7-1882, p.1, c.4. Accessed 1-24-2021 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/savannah-morning-news-dec-07-1882-p-1/

Steubenville Weekly Herald, OH. “Boiler Explosion.” 12-8-1882, p. 1, col. 10. Accessed 1-23-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/steubenville-weekly-herald-dec-08-1882-p-1/

Steubenville Weekly Herald, OH. “Morning Star Disaster.” 12-8-1882, p. 1, col. 10. Accessed 1-23-2021 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/steubenville-weekly-herald-dec-08-1882-p-1/

Supervising Inspector-General of Steam-Vessels. Annual Report of the Supervising Inspector-General of Steam-Vessels (U.S.) to the Secretary of the Treasury for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 1883 (dated 10-9-1883). Washington: Government Printing Office, 1883. Accessed 1-22-2021 at: https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=nnc1.cu09189980&view=1up&seq=169&q1=vernon

The Advertiser-Courier, Hermann, MO. “News Of The Week.” 12-13-1882, p. 1, col. 2. Accessed 1-24-2021 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/hermann-advertiser-and-advertiser-courier-dec-13-1882-p-1/

The Somerset Herald, PA. “A Steamboat Horror.” 12-13-1882, p. 2, col. 4. Accessed 1-24-2021 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/somerset-herald-dec-13-1882-p-2/

19th Century

1882 — Dec 1, steambarge R.G. Peters fire/sinks, storm, mid-Lake MI, MI bound/owned-13-14

lornajarrettblanchard December 1, 1882

–13-14 Blanchard estimated death-toll.* Blanchard on location of loss.**

— 14 Historical Great Lakes Vessel Accident Database, 1992.
— 14 Northern Tribune, Cheboygan, MI. “Detroit papers.” 12-9-1882, p. 8, col. 2.
— 14 Swayze, David D. Great Lakes Shipwrecks P.
— 14 Supervising Inspector-Gen. of Steamboats. Report…Year Ended June 30, 1883. 1883, p16.
— 14 Swayze. Shipwreck!…Directory of…3,700 Shipwrecks on the Great Lakes. 1992, p. 188.
— 14 Wisconsin Historical Society Shipwreck Database. “R.G. Peters.”
— 14 Wisconsin Shipwrecks. “R. G. Peters (1880).” Accessed 1-6-2021.
— 13 Boston Daily Globe. “Thirteen Lives Lost.” 12-4-1882, p. 1, col. 6.
— 13 National Republican, Washington, DC. “Lost in Lake Michigan.” 12-4-1882, p. 4.)
— 13 St. Paul Sunday Globe, MN. “Burned on the Lake.” 12-3-1882, p. 8, col. 6.

* Blanchard estimated death-toll. While all of the post-1882 accounts, with the exception of the Inspector of Steamboats Report (of 1883), note 14 deaths, we have looked through dozens of newspaper accounts at the time and with the exception of the Cheboygan Northern Tribune of Dec 9, all note thirteen deaths. We cite three of these in that each added information not noted in other papers. Thus, we choose to show a range of 13-14 deaths.

**The R.G. Peters was by most accounts in the middle of Lake Michigan approximately 40 miles to the east of Milwaukee. The west side of the Lake is within Wisconsin waters and the eastside is in Michigan waters. The vessel was Manistee, MI owned and according to the Wisconsin Shipwrecks website, was on a trip from one Michigan port to another. Thus, within the State data document, this loss will be placed in the Michigan section.

Narrative Information

Supervising Inspector-General of Steamboats: “December 1. – The barge ‘R. G. Peters’ was entirely destroyed by fire, on Lake Michigan, resulting in the death of fourteen persons.” (Eighth District. 1883, p. 16.)

Swayze: “R.G. Peters
….
“Type at loss: propeller, wood, bulk freight ‘steambarge’
“Build info: 1889, Milwaukee Ship Yard, Milwaukee
“Specs: 386 t [tons]
“Date of loss: 1882, Dec 1
“Place of loss: about 40 miles off Milwaukee
“Lake: Michigan
“Type of loss: storm/fire
“Loss of life: 14 (all)
“Carrying: in ballast
“Detail: She burned in a blizzard-gale and foundered while bound for Manistee, MI from
Chicago. No wreckage or bodies were ever identified, but the accident was reported by her consort, the schooner A.W. LUCKEY. Owned by L. Sands of Manistee. All but one of the crewmen were from that city.” (Swayze, David D. Great Lakes Shipwrecks Beginning with the letter P. Accessed 9-7-2009.)

“She burned and foundered while bound for Manistee, MI. No wreckage or bodies were ever identified, but the accident was reported by her consort, the schooner A.W. Luckey.” (Accessed 1-5-2021.)
“Owned by L. Sands of Manistee.”

Swayze: “R G Peters. Steam barge of 386 t. [tons]

“Lake Michigan: The lake alone knowns the location of the remains of the steamer R G Peters and the 14 persons who were with her on December 1, 1882. On that date, she was travelling the normal course between Racine and Milwaukee when she simply sailed off the map. No wreckage or sightings of the vanished ship ever shed light upon her final whereabouts.” (Swayze. Shipwreck! A Comprehensive Directory of Over 3,700 Shipwrecks on the Great Lakes. 1992, p. 188.)

Wisconsin Shipwrecks:

Built: 1880
Sank: 1882
Lives Lost: 14
Vessel Type: Steam screw
….
County: Milwaukee
….
Builder: Milwaukee Shipyard Co.
Owners: John Canfield, Manistee, Michigan.
Final owner: Louis Sands, Manistee
Home Port: Grand Haven, MI

“….Final Voyage: December 2, 1882: While en route from St. Joseph [MI] to Manistee [MI], the steamer R.G. Peters with the schooner barge Luckey in tow, burned to the waterline and sank about 40 miles off Milwaukee. A heavy gale and snowstorm was blowing when the crew of the Luckey saw the Peters burst into flame early in the morning of 12/2/1882. Being partially disabled with a split mainsail and dysfunctional centerboard, the Luckey was unable to save any of the 14 persons aboard the steamer. Ole Swansen, a mate on the Luckey said ‘It was a tough sight to see the steamer burn right before our eyes and not be able to life a hand to save the poor fellows aboard of her’ Several theories explaining the origin of the fire were advanced. It may have been the result of a defective boiler or the Peters’ fuel supply of wood slabs may have caught fire.” (Wisconsin Shipwrecks. “R. G. Peters (1880).”)

Newspapers

Dec 2: “Chicago, Dec. 2. – A tug this evening picked up the lake barge A. W. Luckey, ten miles down the lake in a disabled condition and towed her into port. The captain of the Luckey stated that the steam barge R. G. Peters was towing the Luckey last night when suddenly the Peters caught fire forty miles off Milwaukee, and before aid could be rendered sank stern first with Capt. Olsen, Mate Larsen and eleven others, comprising the crew. The Luckey tried to assist them, but the wind was high and the barge became unmanageable. The Peters was a nearly new vessel, valued at $32,000, owned by L. Sands, of Manistee, ranks first class, and was insured.” (St. Paul Sunday Globe, MN. “Burned on the Lake.” 12-3-1882, p. 8, col. 6.)

Dec 3: “Chicago, December 3. – Thursday night [Nov 30] the steam barge R. G. Peters, having in tow the sail barge A. W. Lucky, encountered a terrible storm in the middle of the lake off Milwaukee while bound from Chicago to Manistee [MI] for lumber. In the midst of the storm the Peters caught fire and burned like tinder. The line was burned off and the Lucky drifted, unable to render assistance to the crew of the Peters, who could be seen rushing around frantically trying to launch a boat. The Peters soon gave a lurch and went down. Captain John Larsen and crew, mostly Swedes, thirteen in all, perished. The sea was running frightfully high and the crew of the Lucky were compelled to witness the terrible disaster without being able to render any assistance. The Lucky was disabled by the storm, but, with a piece of sail, finally arrived near Chicago, and was towed in last night. The Peters was owned by Sands of Milwaukee, and valued at $32,000.” (Boston Daily Globe. “Thirteen Lives Lost.” 12-4-1882, p. 1, col. 6.)

Dec 4: “Chicago, Dec. 3. – The captain of the barge A.W. Luckey, one of the consort of the steamer R.G. Peters, has arrived here, bringing news of the loss of the Peters with all on board. The Luckey was sighted ten miles down the lake Saturday afternoon by the tug Tom Brown. She was in a disabled condition, and was drifting with the wind. On arriving at the port the captain of the Luckey gave the details of the loss of the Peters substantially as follows: At 2:30 o’clock this morning the Peters, with the Luckey in tow, was in the center of Lake Michigan, heading for Manistee, when she suddenly took fire, but from what cause the captain of the Luckey could not ascertain. She was going at a moderate rate of speed, and the Luckey was some distance in her wake. The night was dark, and a blinding snow storm was in progress. Suddenly the crew of the Luckey saw a mass of flames about up and then all was dark again. A few seconds afterward there was another blinding glare, and the crew of the Peters could be seen for an instant struggling with the flames nd manning the life-boats. The sea was running very high and both vessels were rolling violently. After another brief interval of darkness, the flames broke out with great fury, and were seen to be amidships. The crew of the Luckey lost no time in attempting to get nearer the burning steamer, but the gale was so strong that they were unable to reach her. After burning brightly for ten or fifteen minutes the Peters was struck by a heavy wave, which seemed to sweep her decks from one end to the other. She was for a moment on the crest of another billow, gave a lurch to one side, and disappeared. The Luckey drifted about in the vicinity until daylight in the hope of finding some of the crew, but not one could be seen. All the crew had evidently perished. There were thirteen all told, including the captain.” (National Republican, Washington, DC. “Lost in Lake Michigan.” 12-4-1882, p. 4.)

Dec 4: “Chicago, Dec. 4. The lake barge A. W. Luckey, one of the consorts of the steam-barge R. G. Peters, arrived here at a late hour Saturday night, bringing news of the loss of the R. G. Peters with all on board….

“The Peters was commanded by Capt. Chas. Smith, of Manistee, a man aged about 40 years and a very careful and competent man. He was unmarried, but had relatives living at Manistee. The mate was John Larsen, aged about 42 years, and one of the best known and well-liked steamboatmen on the waters of Lake Michigan. His home was in Milwaukee, where he leaves a wife and several children. The first engineer was George Mullin, a resident of Manistee, where his relatives reside. The second engineer was named Finan. He was a resident of Manistee, but formerly lived at Oak Creek, Wis. The names of the balance of the crew are unknown.” (Logansport Daily Pharos, IN. “In Raging Seas…the Burning of the Steam-Barge R. G. Peters.” 12-4-1882, p. 1, col. 4.)

Dec 9: “Detroit….The season of navigation wound up with several very serious disasters, a number of lives being lost. The steam barge R. G. Peters, which has loaded a number of times at this port, was burned on Lake Michigan last week, and the entire crew, fourteen in all, were lost. She had her consort, The A. W. Lucky, in tow but it is claimed the latter’s center board was gone, which made her unmanageable so that her crew could do nothing, they claimed, to save the unfortunate crew of the Peters. The Lucky reached Chicago all right and the officers and men are severely censured for not making an effort to save the crew that perished.” (Northern Tribune, Cheboygan, MI. “Detroit papers.” 12-9-1882, p. 8, col. 2.

Sources

Boston Daily Globe. “Thirteen Lives Lost.” 12-4-1882, p. 1, col. 6. Accessed 1-5-2021 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/boston-daily-globe-dec-04-1882-p-1/

Historical Great Lakes Vessel Accident Database. 1882 Search Results. Accessed at: http://www.ship-wreck.com/shipwreck/wreckdb/wreckdbresults.php [Broken link; 1-5-2021.]

Logansport Daily Pharos, IN. “In Raging Seas…the Burning of the Steam-Barge R. G. Peters.” 12-4-1882, p. 1, col. 4. Accessed 1-6-2021 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/logansport-pharos-tribune-dec-04-1882-p-1/

National Republican, Washington, DC. “Lost in Lake Michigan.” 12-4-1882, p. 4. Accessed 1-6-2021 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/national-republican-dec-04-1882-p-4/

Northern Tribune, Cheboygan, MI. “Detroit papers.” 12-9-1882, p. 8, col. 2. Accessed 1-6-2021 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/the-northern-tribune-dec-09-1882-p-15/

St. Paul Sunday Globe, MN. “Burned on the Lake.” 12-3-1882, p. 8, col. 6. Accessed 1-5-2021 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/saint-paul-daily-globe-dec-03-1882-p-8/

Supervising Inspector-General of Steamboats. Report of the Supervising Inspector-General of Steamboats to the Secretary of the Treasury for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 1883. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1883. Accessed 1-5-2021 at: https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=nnc1.cu09189980&view=1up&seq=23

Swayze, David D. Great Lakes Shipwrecks P. Accessed 1-5-2021 at: http://www.boatnerd.com/swayze/shipwreck/p.htm

Swayze, David D. Shipwreck! A Comprehensive Directory of Over 3,700 Shipwrecks on the Great Lakes. Boyne City, MI: Harbor House Publications, Inc., 1992.

Wisconsin Historical Society. Wisconsin Historical Society Shipwreck Database. “R.G. Peters (1880).” Accessed 1-28-2009 at: http://www.maritimetrails.org/research_shipwrecks_details.cfm?VESSELID=517

Wisconsin Shipwrecks. “R. G. Peters (1880).” Accessed 1-6-2021. Accessed 1-6-2021 at: https://www.wisconsinshipwrecks.org/Vessel/Details/517?region=LowerLakeMichigan

19th Century

1882 — Sep 30, steamboat Rob’t. E. Lee burns, Miss. River, Yucatan Landing, LA — 22-30

lornajarrettblanchard September 30, 1882

— 22-30 Blanchard estimated death-toll range.*
— 30 Bragg. Historic Names… Places…Lower Miss. River. “Yucatan Cutoff,” 1977, p. 172.
— ~30 Way. Entry 4778. Rob’t. E. Lee. P. 398. in Way’s Packet Directory.
— ~25 Ohio Democrat, New Philadelphia. “Another Steamboat Disaster,” Oct 5, 1882, p. 2.
— 22 Janesville Daily Gazette, WI. “The Lee Burning…Fastest River Boat…,” 10-2-1882, 1.
— 22 Supervising Inspector-Gen. Steam-Vessels. An. Rpt.…Year Ended June 30, 1883, p.16.
–14 crew
— 8 passengers

* Blanchard estimated death-toll range. We are not comfortable discounting either the Supervising Inspector-General of Steam Vessels 1883 report of 22 fatalities nor Way’s estimate of about thirty. Thus we resort to the use of a range of fatalities, incorporating both as the low and high ends of an estimated death toll range.

Narrative Information

Bragg: “Yucatan Cutoff. Mile 407.3 AHP….A boat with a famous name had met with a misfortune in Yucatan Bend in 1882. The steamer Robt. E. Lee, successor to the famous racing steamer of the same name, was rounding the point at Yucatan on October 30, 1882, when a fire broke out. Thirty of her passengers died in the holocaust that followed, and the 315-foot steamboat was a total loss. She had been built in 1876 and had carried some fantastic cargoes of cotton in her career, but by the time she went down at Yucatan the steamboat trade was virtually at an end.” (Bragg. Historic Names and Places on the Lower Miss. River. “Yucatan Cutoff,” 1977, 172.)

Supervising Inspector-General of Steam-Vessels (U.S.): “Tenth District….September 21 [sic]. – The steamer Robert E. Lee was destroyed by fire, thirty miles below Vicksburg, whereby eight passengers and fourteen of her crew were lost.” (Annual Report of the Supervising Inspector-General of Steam-Vessels (U.S.)…for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 1883, p. 16.)

Way: Sidewheel packet, wood hull. “Rob’t. E. Lee…b. [built] Jeffersonville, Ind, by Howard, 1876: 314 x 48.5 x 10.5. Engines, 40’s- 10 ft. Nine boilers, each 42” by 32 ft. Paddlewheels 40 ft. dia. working 17 ft. buckets. Much equipment of the former Rob’t E. Lee went into her construction….designed for the New Orleans-Vicksburg trade….She was downbound from Vicksburg at 3:30 A.M. Sept. 30, 1882, at Yucatan Plantation, when fire was discovered. Witnesses said she ‘went up like gunpowder,’ with loss of some 30 lives….” (Way’s Packet Directory, 1848-1994, pp. 397-398.)

Newspapers

Sep 30: “Vicksburg, Miss., September 30.—The palatial steamer Robert E. Lee was burned to the water’s edge at an early hour this morning, at a point about forty miles below the city, while on her first trip for the season from New Orleans. The news of the disaster has caused the wildest excitement here, as many residents of this city and a large number of prominent passengers were known to be on board. The boat was one of the finest and fastest of the floating palaces on the lower Mississippi and was valued at $160,000. No complete list of the lost can yet be made, but it is known that many of the passengers and crew were fatally burned, while scores of others lost their lives in the water after jumping from the burning vessel….The books of the boat and the United States mail were lost, together with her cargo of 500 bales of cotton.” (Boston Daily Globe. “The Robert E. Lee Burned,” Oct 1, 1882, p. 1.)

Oct 1: “Vicksburg, Oct. 1.—The steamer R. E. Lee, one of the most noted boats on the Mississippi river, was burned to the water’s edge yesterday morning about thirty-five miles below Vicksburg. Twenty-one persons were lost. The boat had been freshly painted, and the flames spread rapidly. One of the passengers said: ‘She burned like gunpowder.’ The Mississippi boats at best are frail and inflammable structures, but this one was particularly fitted to burn quickly and carry as many as possible of the passengers to their graves. She was not only freshly painted, but loaded with 500 bales of cotton, which added fuel to the flames. She was the crack boat of the Mississippi river, here celebrated race with the Natchez being still the favorite topic of river gossip, and an invaluable reminder of the days when river traffic in the south was more important than the railroad competition.

“She left Vicksburg Friday evening for New Orleans with 500 bales of cotton and a good list of passengers. While opposite Point Pleasant, at 3:30 a.m., she was discovered on fire, and was immediately headed for the Louisiana shore and landed at Yucatan plantation, thirty-five miles below Vicksburg. In a few minutes she was completely enveloped in flames.

“Twenty-one persons are believed lost, including many of the crew. The steamboat J. M. White passed the wreck about 5 a.m., and took the remaining passengers and crew to Vicksburg….The fire, it is supposed, originated in the pantry room. So rapidly did the flames spread that it was impossible for passengers or officers to save anything except what they had on at the time. Capt. W. S. Cannon states that the steamer was owned by the estate of his father, John W. Cannon, and her commander, Capt. William Campbell. The crew was composed almost entirely of men who had been on the river twenty or thirty years. The boat, besides supply pumps, had a new fire-pump with a fourteen-inch cylinder and 700 feet of hose. There were always three watchmen on deck.

“The Lee left this city last Tuesday on the first trip for five months….

“Mr. Ovid Bell, second clerk of the Lee, who was up at the time the accident occurred, stated: ‘I never saw anything burn so quick. I was aft at the time, and when I heard the alarm, knowing my partner and other officers were in the texas and in great danger, I rushed up to awaken them. The fire followed me so fast that by the time I had them all up my partner had his hair singed in getting down stairs from the hurricane roof, and I was forced to climb over the rail….

“Mr. Bell and a passenger who was interviewed think the fire originated in the pastry-room of the cookhouse, ‘though I don’t see,’ said the former, ‘what the fire was doing in there so early, as the cooks are not called before 4 o’clock.’….

“Mrs. Dan Scarls, with heroic presence of mind and motherly devotion, grasped her sleeping infant, and arranging a life-preserver in her state room about her person, jumped boldly into the water. By disarrangement of her life preserver she was thrown upon her back and lost her grasp upon her child….

“The saved owe their lives to the admirable courage of Pilot John Stout. He stood at the wheel and gave hope to all by his firmness, and as the steamer rounded at Yucatan Landing the flames were fast enveloping the brave man in the pilot-house, who, despite the fire around him, with almost the last hope of escape gone, remained at his post until he gave word to the engineer that the boat had made the shore. Not until this was done did he for one minute take his hand from the wheel. He made his escape by the hurricane roof down the hog-chain to the lower deck, and from there ashore….

“Much credit is given William S. Perkins, who was in charge of the engines at the time of the disaster. He stood nobly at his post until the boat landed and Pilot Stout told him he could go….

“She was 315 feet long and forty-eight feet beam, had nine steel boilers each thirty-two feet long and forty-two inches in diameter, forty-inch cylinders, and ten-foot stroke. She had storage room for 9,000 bales of cotton. She left this city last Tuesday on her initial trip of the season, after laying up seven months, during which time she was thoroughly repaired and overhauled at an outlay of many thousand dollars….While the hull that has just burned was not the one that made the fast and famous trip to St. Louis, the machinery is, and the same master mind conceived the more recent model, transferred the great name, and the pubic were wont to look upon the boat as one and the same…The Robert E. Lee was built in Jeffersonville, Ind., in 1879. She was of 1,470 tons….She was inspected by Messrs. Butler & Applegate, United States assistant inspectors…on the 5th of September….

“The Captain’s Statement.

‘We left Vicksburg about 6 o’clock on Friday evening with about…thirty passengers, and a crew of about ninety or one hundred, including officers. We first discovered the fire just below Brooks Landing, Miss., about thirty-five miles below Vicksburg. The fire was first seen in the kitchen a little after 3 o’clock Saturday morning. Pilot Stout, Engineer Perkins, the second mate, R. E. Patrick, Clerks Hall, Wells, and Bell, and myself were on watch at the time. I shouted to the pilot to land the boat as quick as he could, which he did. We ran a line out, made the boat fast, and lowered the stage. All persons forward got ashore safely. Those aft were cut off from the stage by the fire and smoke, and went to the stern of the boat to save themselves. Some were saved and some were lost. The yawl was lowered and picked up many persons in the river who sprang overboard to escape the flames. All my men did their duty as long as the flames allowed them to. One lady from Pittsburg, going to Natchez, saved herself and seven children….All the cabin boys who were lost gave up their lives in trying to save those of others….The hose was worked, but all to no purpose….The flames spread quicker than I can tell. When the shore was reached the flames had already wrapped some portions of the boat. In an hour the boat was burned to the water’s edge. We gathered up all we could and waited for the dawn of day….At about 6 o’clock in the morning the J. M. White came along and took the whole crew on board….”

(Janesville Daily Gazette (WI). “The Lee. Burning…Fastest River Boat…,” 10-2-1882, 1.)

Sources

Boston Daily Globe. “The Robert E. Lee Burned,” Oct 1, 1882, p. 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=161875033

Bragg, Marion. Historic Names and Places on the Lower Mississippi River. Vicksburg, MS: Mississippi River Commission, 1977. Accessed 9-15-2020 at: ftp://ftp.library.noaa.gov/noaa_documents.lib/NOAA_related_docs/US_Army/Mississippi_River_names_1977.pdf

Janesville Daily Gazette, WI. “The R. E. Lee. Burning of the Fastest River Boat that Ever Turned a Wheel. A Mississippi Horror Linked With the Career of the Noted Vessel,” 2Oct1882, p. 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=53210175

Ohio Democrat, New Philadelphia, OH. “Another Steamboat Disaster” [Robert E. Lee], 10-5-1882, p. 2. At: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=16223976

Way, Frederick Jr. (Author and Compiler), Joseph W. Rutter (contributor). Way’s Packet Directory, 1848-1994: Passenger Steamboats of the Mississippi River System Since the Advent of Photography in Mid-Continent America (Revised). Athens OH: Ohio University Press, 1999.

19th Century

1882 — Aug 7, Steamer Gold Dust boiler explosion/fire, Miss. River near Hickman, KY–>24

lornajarrettblanchard August 7, 1882

–>24 Blanchard estimate.*

— 31 dead/missing. St. Landry Democrat, Opelousas, LA. “Another Steamboat Disaster.” 8-19-1882, 4.
— 24 Memphis Daily Appeal, TN. “Another Horror….The Very Latest…” 8-8-1882, p. 1.
— 24 New York Times. “The Gold Dust Disaster,” August 9, 1882, p. 1.
— 24 The Locomotive. “Boiler Explosions…August, 1882.” Hartford: Vol. IV, N2, Feb 1883, 41.
— 21 Cairo Daily Bulletin, IL. 8-11-1882. Notes another death at Hickman and 4 on City of Alton.
— 20 US Office Supervising IG of Steamboats. Annual Report of… FY 6-30-1883, p. 14.
— 17 Bragg. Historic Names and Places on the Lower Mississippi River. 1977, p. 55.
— 17 Chappell. “Missouri River Steamboats.” 1906, p. 190.
— 17 Memphis Daily Appeal, TN. “Another Horror. Seventeen Lives Lost…” 8-8-1882, p. 1.
— 17 Way’s Packet Directory, 1848-1994: Passenger Steamboats…[MS Riv. Sys.]… 1999, 190.
— 14 Cincinnati Commercial, OH. “Gold Dust Disaster.” 8-9-1882, p. 5.
— 13 AP. “Fatal Explosion on the Steamer Gold Dust.” Titusville Herald, PA. 8-9-1882, p. 1.

* Blanchard on fatalities: Our listing of fatalities at the end of the “Narrative Information” section shows twenty-eight fatalities. Four of these, however, were reported (as it seemed to us) as having taken place on the City of Alton as it was taking wounded upriver to St. Louis. In that we have but one source on this and in that it is possible we misunderstood the sentence or that it was not clearly written, we choose not to include these four possible fatalities in our death toll. That would bring the death toll to twenty-four, which three sources note as the death toll.

In our opinion, however, even not including the four unclear “deaths” on the City of Alton after leaving Cairo, there quite possibly were more than twenty-four deaths. A number of sources indicate a large number of missing. The number ranged from twenty-two reported missing in the Memphis Appeal of Aug 7 to twenty reported as still unaccounted for in the Cairo Bulletin of Aug 9. The explosion threw a number of people into the river who were rescued. It is quite possible that the explosion threw others into the river who did not survive and sank in the river (the body of one such person was found several days later and reported in a paper we could access). Additionally, we have been unable to find information on several people who were reported as badly scalded, and we do not know the fate of over a dozen injured who were taken to cities other than Cairo. Thus we think that at least twenty-four people died at the time or later from injuries, and perhaps more.

Narrative Information

Bragg: “About three months after Twain’s trip on the Gold Dust, the old steamer exploded her boilers near Hickman, Kentucky, killing 17 persons outright and injuring about 50 more….” (Bragg 1977, 55)

Chappell: “Gold Dust…Came out in Louisville-New Orleans trade…Soon went to St. Louis-New Orleans trade…She was under the management of the Anchor Line when she exploded boilers near Hickman, Ky., Aug 7, 1882, with loss of 17 lives…Mark Twain rode this boat while preparing manuscript for Life on the Mississippi.” (Chappell 1906, p. 190.)

U.S. Steamboat Inspection Service: August 7. – The steamer ‘Gold Dust’ exploded her boiler, or boilers, near Hickman, Ky., setting fire to the vessel, which burned to the water’s edge and sank. In this disaster there is supposed to have been twenty lives lost.” (Sixth District. p. 14.)

Way: Gold Dust. Sidewheel wood-hull packet, built in Jeffersonville, IN, in 1877, measuring 245 x 40 x 7. “Four boilers. Came out in Louisville-New Orleans trade, Capt. R. H. Woolfolk, with E. W. Gould, Jr., clerk. Soon went to St. Louis-New Orleans trade, Capt. E. W. Gould. She was under the management of the Anchor Line when she exploded boilers near Hickman, Ky., Aug 7, 1882, with loss of 17 lives. Capt. John McCord was master. Mark Twain rode this boat while preparing manuscript for Life On the Mississippi.” (Way’s Packet Directory, 1848-1994: Passenger Steamboats…[MS Riv. Sys.]… 1999, p. 190.)

Newspapers

Aug 7, Memphis Daily Appeal: “Cairo, Ill., August 7. – The steamer Gold Dust blew up, burned to the water’s edge, and sank 200 yards north of Hickman, Ky. Seventeen were killed and forty-seven injured. The captain was wounded slightly. A tug with physicians left here at 8 o’clock p.m. for the scene of the disaster….

Third Dispatch.

“St. Louis, August 7….Wm. Ingram, third clerk, was scalded to death….

The Latest.

“Nashville, August 7. – The American’s Hickman (Ky.) special says: ‘The steamer Gold Dust exploded her boiler at 3 o’clock, just after leaving Hickman. Forty-seven persons were scalded and seventeen are missing. The boat was landed just above town, and through the exertions of the citizens the cabin passengers, officers and part of the crew and deck passengers were taken ashore and removed to hotels and residences. Two of the injured were lying in Halcomb’s dry goods store, where they received every attention before being removed to more comfortable places….

“…Ten deck passengers and Mrs. Thompson, cabin passenger, are severely scalded. D. Dunham, second mate; P. Dietrich, freight clerk; James Monahan, sailor-man; James Nicholas Baker, third cook; Mrs. Baker; then one cabin passenger, one deck passenger, one fireman, two coal-passers, eight roustabouts, four cabin-boys, and James Lawson, first cook, are missing. The boat was run to the shore, made fast, took fire and burned to the water’s edge. The books and safe and baggage were lost. Bill Ingram, William Travis, Pat, the cabin watchman, H. P. Coleman, deck passenger, and John Joy, roustabout, have died.

The Very Latest.

“Hickman, Ky., August 7. – The exact number of killed and wounded are not known, but it is estimated that twenty-four are killed and forty-eight wounded. The names of the missing are not known, as the books are lost….” (Memphis Daily Appeal, TN. “Another Horror. Seventeen Lives Lost…by the Explosion of the Steamer Gold Dust, near Hickman, Ky…” 8-8-1882, p. 1.)

Aug 8, NYT: “Hickman, Aug. 8. — The exact number of killed and wounded by the explosion of the boiler of the steamer Gold Dust last evening is not yet known, but is estimated at 24 killed and 18 wounded….In addition…18 missing….The names of the missing are not yet known, as the books were lost….

“Cairo, Ill. Aug. 8.—The steamer City of Alton, of the Now Orleans Anchor Line, arrived here at noon to-day from Hickman, Ky., with the wounded persons from the steamer Gold Dust. She arrived at Hickman at 12:30 last night, and remained there until 7 o’clock this morning. Capts. Able and Shields are doing everything possible to relieve the suffering as representatives of the Anchor Line Company. Up to the time of leaving Hickman 13 persons had died….Twelve wounded persons were left at Hickman, as they could not be removed at present….

“The Gold Dust at the time of the disaster had 100 people on board, which includes passenger, officers, and crew. There are 18 missing, who are supposed to have gone down in the wreck…

“St. Louis, Aug. 8.—Capt. Shields, Superintendent of the Anchor Line at Cairo, who went down to Hickman last night to look after the dead and wounded by the disaster, telegraphs President Scudder from Hickman that Capt. Scudder is unable to account for the explosion. He says the Gold Dust was a good boat and in first-class condition, and that this is the first accident of the kind that has occurred to the company during the 23 years of its existence. There were 106 persons on the Gold Dust. Of those 61 are on-board the City of Alton, 13 are dead, 12 are badly burned and left at Hickman. And 17 are missing.

“Engineer Powers, of the steamer, states that at the time of the explosion he had just looked at the steam-gauge, which registered 140 pounds. The boat was allowed 166 [? Not totally legible] pounds. He had just tried the water gauge. The water was flush with the upper cock. He was in the blacksmith shop and intended to blow out the mud drum. There were two explosions in quick succession. One boiler remained in its place, one went off and stuck end up through the cabin floor, and the third stopped in the engine room lay with one end on each engine.

“The Gold Dust was built in 1878 by Capt. E. W. Gould at a cost of $59,000…was purchased a year later by…Anchor Line…valued at the time of the disaster at $35.000. The company carried no insurance and she is therefore a total loss.” (NYT. “The Gold Dust Disaster,” 8-9-1882, 1.)

Aug 8: “Cairo, Ill., August 8. – The City of Alton up, at noon, had a portion of the survivors from the wreck of the Gold Dust. Seventeen were left at Hickman, where they are well cared for. Among those are Clerk John Langlois, who is not dangerously hurt. Twelve out of the seventeen will hardly recover. Four wounded were left here, and one dead, the latter name is Thomas Jefferson, colored roustabout. Eleven dead were left at Hickman and two bodies brought up. One was that of Clerk Ingram, which was taken to St. Louis. The total number of people on board was one hundred and six, and the number of dead so far fourteen; wounded, forty-nine; unhurt, twenty-five; missing, fifteen. Many of the missing are known to be killed by the explosion and burned in the wreck.

“Zeeke Gardiner, undertaker at Hickman, was fatally injured while hauling the corpse of Clerk Ingram to the City of Alton. His horse ran away and threw the casket out and upon Gardiner, breaking both his legs and injuring him internally.

“All the wounded have the appearance of being burned by hot steam, and no profusion of water was noticed by anyone.

“Engineer Bowers was on watch, and reports the water flush with the upper-gage cock, and the steam at one hundred and forty pounds. He had just stepped into the blacksmith shop for a wrench, intending to blow out the mud-drum. He noticed the steam gauge as he passed. He declares the boilers were in a normal condition and full of water.

“Pilot Ed. Gray and his son, and Mis Hildah Smith, of Troy, Pa., were in the pilot-house. Pilot Lem. Gray was asleep in his room over the boilers. Ed Gray heard two keen reports and saw the forward part of the boat raise up. Then the pilot-house fell down in the wreck. All three in the pilot-house got out of it without a scratch. Lew Gray fell on top of a hot boiler. Both of his hands and both feet, and one leg were badly scalded and burned. Ed. Gray helped Lew Gray out of the wreck, and noticed that the other two boilers were away from their places. One had gone aft and struck one end through the cabin floor. One lay in the engine-room, one end resting on each engine. The third one was in place, but he could not say whether it exploded or not. Five ladies were on board, and only one hurt slightly.

“Although the engineer believed the boilers to have plenty of water, the character of the burns indicate they were really empty.

Further Details of the Gold Dust Explosion.

“Memphis, Tenn., August 8. – James McNichols, one of the crew of the Gold Dust, left Hickman by rail this morning at 8, and arrived home, here, this evening. He reports that the Gold Dust, exploded her starboard boiler while under full headway, three miles above Hickman, and two hundred yards from the Kentucky shore, at 3 o’clock yesterday afternoon. He was asleep at the time on deck by the side of the first boiler that let go, but was partially protected by a pile of lumber. He was blown into the river, and swam to a drift-pile in company with three others, and was taken off by a skiff an hour afterward. His hands and face are badly scalded, but he will not be disfigured. He says after the first boiler exploded the remaining two followed suit, and the entire middle part of the cabin, texas and pilot-house were wrecked and sunk to the deck.

“The boilers appeared to have blown overboard, though one of the flues fell on the afterdeck as flat as a plank. The wreck, after the blow-up drifted into an eddy, and went ashore on the Kentucky side, above the town, where the survivors were taken off, after which a fire broke out, and destroyed the boat. He says James Gansen, head cook, was taking his afternoon nap near him, and was blown against the…[unclear word] rails on the outer guard, then into the river and was lost. He has a wife and six children in St. Louis.

“The head engineer, Bowers, on watch at the time, was in the baker’s shop when she let go, and was not scratched. The entire cook-house side was blown off. Ed. Gray, pilot on watch sank with the pilot-house to the main deck, and was rescued with rather severe injuries.

“Two or three persons were blown into the river on the Missouri side and it is reported swam to the Missouri shore in safety. A lad named Frank, who has a father keeping a baker shop in Cincinnati, was in the pantry room rolling out bread, and was not hurt. He went to St. Louis on the City of Alton, which steamer arrived at Hickman near daylight this morning. Only eleven cabin passengers were aboard – five ladies and six gentlemen, and all are safe. One of the cabin crew took three ladies from the upper to the lower deck after the explosion, then started toward the stern of the boat to answer a call of distress; saw a large pool of blood on the deck, but thinking it best to save himself, turned and made his way to shore, and the crippled person or persons were burned with the wreck. The boat took no freight after leaving here, except a pile of lumber, and she had no cargo, but was pushing up the river at her best speed to catch up with the Maude, and lead her above Cairo to secure a cargo of wheat at way-landings.

“Several of the rescued were taken from the stern of the wreck by small boats after the boat was on fire. On another drift-pile, a short distance from the one McNichols and his three companions was on, three others of those blown into the river found safety, and were afterwards taken to shore by skiffs.” (Cincinnati Commercial, OH. “Gold Dust Disaster.” 8-9-1882, p. 5.)

Aug 8, AP in Titusville Herald: “St. Louis, August 8….

“The most complete list of those who died from the effects of their scalds and other wounds received by the accident, is as follows: [We break the original paragraph into separate lines.]

Wm. A. Ingram, third clerk;
John Lytle, second pantry man;
Wm. Travers, barkeeper (later noted as the book-keeper);
Peter Winter, second porter;
Jim Jerry, captain of the watch;
Walter Howard, roustabout;
Charles Williams, second barber;
Manuel Victor, deck passenger.

“The names of the missing are not known, as the books were lost, and the number may swell twenty or thirty more….

“Ten of the dead were buried at Hickman. The bodies of the clerk, Ingram, and book-keeper, Travers, are on board for St. Louis. While the undertaker was bringing the body of Mrs. [? Probably Mr.] Ingram to the Allen at Hickman, his team ran away and Gardner was fatally injured….

“The Golddust [sic.] at the time of the accident had 100 people on board, which includes passengers, officers and crew. There are eighteen missing, which are supposed to have gone down in the wreck….” (Associated Press. “Fatal Explosion on the Steamer Gold Dust.” Titusville Herald, PA. 8-9-1882, p. 1.)

Aug 9: “Cairo, Ill., Aug. 9. – A colored man, one of the victims of the explosion on board the steamer Gold Dust, died at Hickman this morning, and another is expected to die soon. Undertaker Gardner is still living, but is in a critical condition. The passengers and crew at Hickman under treatment are John Langlois, Mr. and Mrs. Thornton, L.P. Day, Frank Leibk, who are all doing well, and Henry Hayes, Thomas Gibson, Henry Washington, and James Washington, whose conditions are still bad.

“The names of those buried at Hickman are William Robinson, of Edwards, Miss.’ P. J. Fitzgerald, St. Louis; Newton Coleman, Ohio; Manuel Victor, St. Louis; Thomas Brenk, Warren County, Ohio; Henry Hays (colored), Memphis; George Washington, St. Louis; John Evans, William Hall, and Jeff Walker, Memphis; Jeff Thornton, Kansas City, Mo.; Walter Howard, Memphis; James Day and Sidney Drewrey, St. Louis.” (New York Times. “The Gold Dust Victims.” 8-10-1882, p1.)

[Compare the paragraph above with the Memphis Appeal list-form article below.]

Aug 9: Cairo, Ill., August 9. – At Hickman one colored man died this morning….

Dead Buried at Hickman:

Wm. Robinson, of Edwards, Miss.
P. J. Fitzgerald, of St. Louis.
Newton Coleman, of Ohio.
Marvel Victor, of St. Louis.
Thomas Break, of Warren county, Ohio.
Colored buried

Injured at Hickman.

Henry Hayes, Memphis.
George Washington, St. Louis.
John Evans, Memphis.
William Hall, Memphis.
Jeff Walker, Memphis.
Jeff Thornton, Kansas City.
Walker Howard, Memphis.
James Day, St. Louis.
Sidney Drewery, St. Louis.

“….John O’Neil, deck-hand, and another of the crew, name not obtainable died on the way up….” (Memphis Daily Appeal, TN. “Four More Deaths.” 8-10-1882, p. 1.)

Aug 9, Cairo Daily Bulletin: “The account of the explosion Monday night, near Hickman, Ky., of the boilers of the steamer Gold Dust, given in yesterday’s Bulletin, was confirmed so far as it went by the full developments of yesterday, about twelve o’clock, when the steamer City of Alton arrived at our wharf, having aboard nearly all that were saved from the catastrophe.

“When the tug Ariadne, having aboard Drs. Parker and Dunning, Capt. Shields and Mr. Sol. Silver and others, arrived at Hickman Monday night, they found everything in better condition than they had expected. The wrecked steamer was no more, having been destroyed by fire after the explosion, the dead and wounded, such as could be found, had all been taken ashore and give all possible care and comfort by the citizens of Hickman….

“The steamer Alton arrived at Hickman about 1 o’clock yesterday morning. She was not heavily laden and had but few passengers. Her cabin was cleared of the furniture, mattresses wre spread upon the floor and the wounded were carefully carried aboard to be conveyed to their homes in this city and in St. Louis. The boat came here, running very carefully and making no intermediate landings. She came in sight here about 11:30 o’clock and immediately people from every part of the city flocked to the levee. The flag on her jack staff was at half-mast. She came up very slowly without the usual long blowing of the whistle and landed about 12 o’clock, touching the wharf almost without a jar. Chief Myers and officers Martin, Mahanny and Wims were on hand and kept the crowd, which was by this time several thousand strong, from boarding the boat. And no efforts were made to get aboard. All crowded on the outer guard of the wharfboat, but stood there quietly; there was no bustling, no loud voices, no laughter, not a smiling face. Rough men talked in whispers – the horror of the occasion was reflected in every face in that great crowd, tears filled the eyes of some, deeply sympathy spoke in every movement.

“The boat lay here an hour and a half, receiving medicines, ice, provisions and other necessaries. While she lay here, three of the wounded were brought ashore and taken to the hospital. The names of three of them were William Hall, Al Hill and Jeff Walker – all negroes. They were badly scalded about the hands and arms, chests and heads. They were brought down from the cabin on litters, carefully laid in ambulances, of which over a dozen were in waiting, and conveyed to the marine hospital station. One of them, however, Jeff Walker, died before he reached the hospital. A fourth, whose name we did not learn, died before he was taken from the boat, was placed in the hands of the undertaker and was buried at the seven-mile graveyard yesterday evening. One of the two who were taken to the hospital, William Hall, col., has a family living here. He is very badly scalded about the face, neck and heard and seemed to be in greater mental agony that the others, for he groaned and raved almost incessantly.

“A view of the cabin of the Alton soon after she landed here, was heart rending. There were fifteen men lying in cots and upon mattresses on the floor. Nearly all as still as though dead, with eyes closed, faces bruised and red and swollen in come cases, almost beyond human semblance, hands and arms bandaged, and bodies covered with cloths and blankets saturated in liniments. But they were receiving the best of care. Two young ladies in particular – one of them on the passenger on the steamer Alton, a Miss Coffee, of St. Louis, the other one of the fortunate rescued from the ill fated Gold Dust, a Miss Smith, of Troy, Penn., deserve special mention in this connection. They moved about among the mangled, suffering men like ministering angels, dressing their wounds with gentle hands, cooling their fevered brows, giving water to the thirst, applying medicine and speaking words of cheer to those who could understand. The officers of the City of Alton are fervent in praise of those young ladies and with good cause.

“The names of the fifteen were as follows: James Gee, John O’Neil, Lem Gray, Stephen Stetson, Nathaniel Horrs, Patrick Fitzgerald, Thomas Beck, Henry Evans, James Welsh, Solomon Price, Henry Burdolf, Peter Randolph, Jefferson Walker, Albert Hill and William Hall. These fifteen were all helplessly injured, but their injures consisted almost exclusively of scalds, more or less extensive. Several were raw all over, and were unconscious and not expected to live. There were about an equal number of others on board, who were less severely injured, and who, with arms or heads or hands bandaged, were moving about the boat nursing themselves. The boat left here about 1:30 o’clock for St. Louis.

“At the time of the catastrophe there were on the boat 38 deck hands, 14 general officers, 16 cabin officers, 16 cabin passengers and 25 deck passengers – a total of 109 people. At Hickman were left 13 dead and 12 wounded; the Alton brought up 64 in all making a total of 89 and leaving 20 to yet be accounted for. Of the officers of the Gold Dust nearly all were more or less injured, and two, the barkeeper and third clerk were killed. Pilot Lem Gray who was off watch, Captain McCord, First Clerk Henry Deitrich, and second Clerk John Laugolis, were all scalded but not seriously, and second mate Garl Dunham was bruised about the arms and chest.

“The cause of the explosion is of course unknown as usual. The boilers were full of water, the steam was not above the general gauge, the boilers were in good condition, all who had charge of the craft’s boilers were on duty and had just inspected everything and ground all as it should be when the explosion occurred – nobody was to blame. When the explosion occurred the boat had left the wharf at Hickman but a few minutes. It was seen and heard by nearly every citizen there, all of whom gathered on the riverbank. To the fishermen at the bank is due the credit of bringing the wrecked and burning boat ashore and thus enabling nearly all the passengers to escape both flames and water. They took ropes out in skiffs, fastened them to the boat, and people standing on the shore caught the other ends and pulled the burning wreck into shore.” (Cairo Daily Bulletin, IL. “A Floating Hospital.” 8-9-1882.)

Aug 10, Quincy Daily Herald: “Cairo, Ill., August 10. – An unknown corpse was found near the wreck of the Gold Dust, by a fisherman, this afternoon. Undertaker Gardner, who was hurt by a casket falling on him, is doing well. Clerk Langlois will recover. No further deaths reported.” (Quincy Daily Herald, IL. “The Hickman Disaster…Later Items.” 8-11-1882, p. 1.)

Aug 11, Cairo Daily Bulletin: “A dispatch received yesterday [Aug 10] by Captain T. W. Shields here, from Dr. Farris, at Hickman, stated that of the twelve wounded men left there from the steamer Gold Dust, one died and the others were all in a fair way to recover. Of those on the steamer City of Alton, on her way up from here, four died on the way up. This swells the number of dead accounted for to twenty-one.” (Cairo Daily Bulletin. 8-11-1882.)

Aug 12, Cairo Daily Bulletin: “Two more victims of the Gold Dust were buried in St. Louis day before yesterday [10th]….

“A report from Hickman, concerning the condition of the victims of the Gold Dust explosion, says that of those remaining there, John Langlois, Mr. and Mrs. Thornton, L. P. Day, and Frank Libke, are all doing well. Henry Hayes, Thomas Gibson, Henry Washington, are still bad.

“The dead buried at Hickman are: William Robinson, of Edwards, Miss.; P. J. Fitzgerald, of St. Louis; Newton Coleman, of Ohio; Manuel Victor, of St. Louis; Thomas Brenk, of Warren County, Ohio.

“The colored buried at Hickman are: Henry Hayes, Memphis; George Washington, St. Louis; John Evans, Memphis; William Hall, Memphis; Jeff Walker, Memphis; Jeff Thornton, Kansas City, Mo.; Walker Howard, Memphis; James Day, St. Louis, Sidney Drewery, St. Louis.

“Of those who went to St. Louis on the City of Alton, Capt. McCord and two or three others were able to leave the boat alone and went to their homes, but the remainder of the badly hurt were carried ashore on stretchers and conveyed wither to the Marine of the City Hospital. Lem Gray, one of the pilots, was taken to the home of Capt. Carter, in the suburbs, where he will be carefully nursed. He is badly hurt, but will recover. The persons most seriously injured are Lem Gray, pilot Henry Evans, fireman; Thomas Beck, deck sweeper; Henry Stutsman, pantryman; Pat Fitzgerald, watchman; Sol. Price, mate; and James Welch, peter Rudolph, and two others names not give.

“John O’Neil, deck hand, and another of the crew not named, died on the way up.” (Cairo Daily Bulletin, IL. [Gold Dust Victims.] 8-12-1882.)

Aug 16: “Cairo, Aug. 16. – Ed. Com.: The City of Vicksburg yesterday brought up three colored men of the crew of the Gold Dust and a white deck passenger from Hickman to the Hospital. The white man, though in a bad fix, will get well, but it does not seem possible that the colored men can recover. Their condition is horrible, and it is a wonder they have not died ere this. Langlois is still at Hickman, and improving. He was burned pretty much all over, but managed to keep the steam out of his mouth. He did not think he was so badly hurt at first, and when a line was called for he picked one up and tried to hand it out. The flesh came off the inside of his hands in consequence. A few moments later he tripped over the same line, and the flesh was taken off both legs half-way below the knees. He fell, and the line caught him diagonally across the chest, and again the flesh was stripped off. These wounds are the sorest spots. His left eye is swelled shut, and it is not known whether the sight is injured or not.” (Cincinnati Commercial. “Special Correspondence. Cairo Letter.” 8-20-1882, p. 7.)

Aug 25: “The remains of poor Lem Gray, one of the pilots of the ill-fated Gold Dust recently blown up, were carried to their last resting place Wednesday, 23rd. Many friends paid sad duty to his death by attending his funeral, beautiful floral tributes to his memory were scattered around and over him, pilots of the Anchor line acted as pull horses. Lem Gray was one of the best pilots of the line to which he belonged, and his memory will remain fresh and green in the heart of his comrades. He was buried in the cemetery at St. Louis.” (Cairo Daily Bulletin, IL. 8-25-1882.)

Persons Identified as Killed in Sources Above

1. Brenk, Thomas From Warren County, OH; buried at Hickman.
2. Coleman, H. P. (Newton?) Deck passenger from Ohio; buried at Hickman.
Day, James. From St. Louis; buried at Hickman. Another report writes injured.
Drewrey, Sidney. From St. Louis; buried at Hickman. Another report writes injured.
Evans, John. From Memphis; buried at Hickman. Another report writes injured.
3. Fitzgerald, P. J. Buried at Hickman; noted that he was from St. Louis.
4. Gansen, James. Head cook.
5. Gray, Lem. Pilot; died after moved to Cairo, IL; buried in St. Louis, Aug 23.
Hall, William. From Memphis; buried at Hickman. Another report writes injured.
Hays/Hayes, Henry African-American from Memphis; buried (injured) at Hickman.
6. Howard, Walter. Roustabout.
7. Ingram, Wm. (Bill) A. Third clerk. Scalded to death; body taken to St. Louis.
8. Jefferson, Thomas. Roustabout; body taken to Cairo, IL.
9. Jerry, Jim. Captain of the watch.
10. Joy, John. Roustabout.
11. Lytle, John. Second pantry man.
12. Oat, Mr. Cabin watchman.
13. O’Neil, John. Deckhand; died on steamer City of Alton.
14. Robinson, William Buried at Hickman; noted he was from Edwards, Mississippi.
15. Say, Jas. Roustabout. (Have seen just one report noting this death.)
Thornton, Jeff. From Kansas City, MO; buried [injured] at Hickman.
16. Travers, William. Book-keeper/or barkeeper; body taken to St. Louis.
17. Victor, Manuel. Deck passenger from St. Louis; buried at Hickman.
18. Walker, Jeff. From Memphis; buried at Cairo. Another report writes injured.
Washington, George. From St. Louis; buried at Hickman. Another report writes injured.
19. Williams, Charles. Second barber.
20. Winter, Peter. Second porter.
21. Unnamed black man. Crew or passenger status not noted; was noted he died on Aug 9.
22. Unnamed man. Crewmember; died on the steamer City of Alton; buried in Cairo.
23. Unnamed man. One of 12 injured left behind in Hickman; died on Aug 10.
24. Unnamed man . 1st of 4 reported to have died on City of Alton, Cairo to St. Louis.
25. Unnamed man . 2nd of 4 reported to have died on City of Alton, Cairo to St. Louis.
26. Unnamed man . 3rd of 4 reported to have died on City of Alton, Cairo to St. Louis.
27. Unnamed man . 4th of 4 reported to have died on City of Alton, Cairo to St. Louis.
28. Unidentified corpse found by fisherman near the wreck Aug 10 (presumably buried in Hickman)

Three badly scalded deckhands brought to Cairo on City of Vicksburg, not expected to live

Identified as Missing

1. Baker, Nicholas; third cook.
2. Baker, Mrs.
3. Dietrich, P.; freight clerk.
4. Dunham, D.; second mate.
5. Lawson, James; first cook.
6. Monahan; sailor.
7. Unnamed cabin boy #1 of 4.
8. Unnamed cabin boy #2 of 4.
9. Unnamed cabin boy #3 of 4.
10. Unnamed cabin boy #4 of 4.
11. Unnamed cabin passenger.
12. Unnamed coal-passer #1.
13. Unnamed coal-passer #2.
14. Unnamed deck passenger.
15. Unnamed fireman.
16. Unnamed roustabout #1 of 8.
17. Unnamed roustabout #2 of 8.
18. Unnamed roustabout #3 of 8.
19. Unnamed roustabout #4 of 8.
20. Unnamed roustabout #5 of 8.
21. Unnamed roustabout #6 of 8.
22. Unnamed roustabout #7 of 8.
23. Unnamed roustabout #8 of 8.

Sources

Associated Press. “Fatal Explosion on the Steamer Gold Dust.” Titusville Herald, PA. 8-9-1882, p. 1. Accessed 9-8-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/titusville-herald-aug-09-1882-p-1/

Bragg, Marion. Historic Names and Places on the Lower Mississippi River. Vicksburg, MS: Mississippi River Commission, 1977. Accessed at: [Both links broken]
http://www.mvn.usace.army.mil/pao/history/MRnames/MissRiverNames.htm > Also at:
http://www.mvd.usace.army.mil/Portals/52/docs/MRC/MRnames%28Intro-end_final2%29.pdf

Cairo Daily Bulletin, IL. “A Floating Hospital.” 8-9-1882. Accessed 9-9-2020 at: https://sites.rootsweb.com/~ilgssi/Cairo/obits_1882.html

Cairo Daily Bulletin, IL. [Gold Dust Victims.] 8-11-1882. Accessed 9-9-2020 at: https://sites.rootsweb.com/~ilgssi/Cairo/obits_1882.html

Cairo Daily Bulletin, IL. [Gold Dust Victims.] 8-12-1882. Accessed 9-9-2020 at: https://sites.rootsweb.com/~ilgssi/Cairo/obits_1882.html

Cairo Daily Bulletin, IL. [Gold Dust Victim.] 8-25-1882. Accessed 9-9-2020 at: https://sites.rootsweb.com/~ilgssi/Cairo/obits_1882.html

Chappell, Phil E. “Missouri River Steamboats.” Transactions of the Kansas State Historical Society, 1905-1906 (Vol. IX). Topeka: State Printing Office, 1906. Accessed at: http://books.google.com/books?id=2dw7AAAAIAAJ&source=gbs_navlinks_s

Cincinnati Commercial, OH. “Gold Dust Disaster.” 8-9-1882, p. 5. Accessed 9-8-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/cincinnati-commercial-aug-09-1882-p-5/

Cincinnati Commercial. “Special Correspondence. Cairo Letter.” 8-20-1882, p. 7. Accessed 9-9-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/cincinnati-commercial-aug-20-1882-p-7/

Memphis Daily Appeal, TN. “Another Horror. Seventeen Lives Lost…by the Explosion of the Steamer Gold Dust, near Hickman, Ky…” 8-8-1882, p. 1. Accessed 9-8-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/memphis-daily-appeal-aug-08-1882-p-1/

Memphis Daily Appeal, TN. “Four More Deaths by the Gold Dust Disaster…” 8-10-1882, p. 1. Accessed 9-9-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/memphis-daily-appeal-aug-10-1882-p-1/

New York Times. “The Gold Dust Disaster,” August 9, 1882, p. 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=19723683

New York Times. “The Gold Dust Victims.” 8-10-1882, p. 1. Accessed 9-8-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/new-york-times-aug-10-1882-p-1/

Quincy Daily Herald, IL. “The Hickman Disaster…Later Items.” 8-11-1882, p. 1. Accessed 9-9-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/quincy-daily-herald-aug-11-1882-p-1/

St. Landry Democrat, Opelousas, LA. “Another Steamboat Disaster.” 8-19-1882, p 4. Accessed 9-9-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/saint-landry-democrat-aug-19-1882-p-4/

The Locomotive. “Boiler Explosions…August, 1882.” Hartford: Vol. IV, N2, Feb 1883, p. 41. Accessed 9-9-2020 at: https://books.google.com/books?id=NgjQAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

United States Office Supervising Inspector-General of Steamboats. Annual Report of the Supervising Inspector-General of Steamboats to the Secretary of the Treasury for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 1883. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1883. Accessed 9-8-2020 at: https://books.google.com/books?id=AD2E0KPaKAcC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

19th Century

1882 – July 16, Steamer John Wilson snags/sinks, Atchafalaya Riv., Richard’s Lndg, LA– 15

lornajarrettblanchard July 16, 1882

–15 Portland Daily Press, ME. “Struck on a Snag. Sinking of the John Wilson…” 7-21-1882, 1.
–15 Supervising Inspector-Gen. of Steam-Vessels. An. Rpt. …Year Ended June 30, 1883. p. 16.
–15 USACE, NOLA Dist. Cultural Resources Investigations…Atchafalaya Basin, [LA]. 1990, p. 41.

Narrative Information

Supervising Inspector-General of Steam-Vessels (U.S.): “Tenth District….July 16, 1882. – The steamer John Wilson struck a snag on the Atchafalaya river, and sunk, whereby three passengers and twelve of her crew were drowned.” (Annual Report of…Year Ended June 30, 1883. p. 16.)

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: “Several steamer lines serviced the Atchafalaya and Teche regions during the nineteenth century….Tragically in 1882 the John Wilson struck a snag and sank at Richards Landing on the Atchafalaya and 14 persons lost their lives.” (USACE, New Orleans District. Cultural Resources Investigations, cross Basis Channel Realignments, Atchafalaya Basin, Louisiana. December 1990, p. 41.)

Newspaper

July 20: “Struck On A Snag. Sinking of the John Wilson at Richards’ Landing, Tenn. [sic, LA ]. Fifteen Lives Lost – Details Of The Accident.

“New Orleans, July 20. — Clerk Charles Bachins and Captain Jobin, of the ill-fated Atchafalaya steamer John Wilson, reached here yesterday evening, and give the following particulars of the loss of the boat: The Wilson left Washington Sunday morning, and was just backing out from Richards’ Lauding that same night about half-past eleven o’clock when she struck a snag.

“Captain Jobin, who was in the cabin at the time, says the shock was so slight that he had no idea anything serious had occurred. Immediately after the cry was raised that the boat was sinking, and he hurried at once to the cabin with life preservers to assist a lady who had a number of children aboard. It was then announced that all danger had passed. Captain Jobin found the steamer careened over, and on reaching the boiler deck be was immersed waist deep in the water. Struggling through this he managed to reach the hurricane deck, and from there made his way to the paddle boxes. He could see nobody, as the night was very dark, but could hear the cries of those who were clinging to the wreck. In the meanwhile the line made fast to the shore parted and the steamer swung out into the stream.

“Every effort was made by the unfortunate passengers to reach the land. Some attempted to swim and must have been drowned. Others saved themselves by life-preservers, planks, doors, shutters, or anything they could get hold of. As the boat floated down stream she lay with her larboard side above water, and this was the means of saving many who otherwise would have been lost. Afterward two of the Wilson’s boats-were launched from the hurricane deck, and some skiffs came from the shore and rescued all that could be found on the wreck. The steamer floated down to the crossing of the Pacific railroad, a short distance above Churchville. and went to pieces against some trees.

“The officers of the boat stated that there were about one hundred persons all told on board at the time of the accident. There were about 20 deck passengers, and about 20 persons in the cabin. There were only two lady passengers aboard, and both are saved. One of these, Mrs. Leblanc, of Poplar Grove parish, St. Landry, had eight children with her, the oldest a boy not over 12 years of age. Six of the children were saved, and two lost: one a boy of about four years, and a baby girl only two and a half months old. The latter was last seen in the arms of the second chambermaid, who was holding it aloft and struggling, up to her shoulders in the water, determined, apparently, to save the child if she could. Both are among the missing and are undoubtedly lost. Besides these, the following are among the missing, and in all probability were drowned: B. F. Hess, the first engineer; Frank Henderson, colored cook; Edward Keed, roustabout; and one white deck passenger whose name is unknown. The body of the latter floated out of the boat a few minutes before she went to pieces. Four other bodies, not yet identified, have been discovered near the railroad crossing.

“Later. New Orleans, July 20. – The clerk of steamboat John Wilson, which stuck and sunk in Atchafalaya river Sunday night, reports a loss of 15 lives.” (Portland Daily Press, ME. 7-21-1882, p. 1.)

Sources

Portland Daily Press, ME. “Struck On A Snag. Sinking of the John Wilson at Richards’ Landing… Fifteen Lives Lost – Details Of The Accident.” 7-21-1882, p. 1. Accessed 1-23-2021 at: https://www.gastearsivi.com/gazete/portland_daily_press/1882-07-21/1

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District. Cultural Resources Investigations, cross Basis Channel Realignments, Atchafalaya Basin, Louisiana (Final Report). December 1990. Accessed 1-23-2021 at: https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a239448.pdf

19th Century

1882 — July 4, Steamboats collide, Scioto sinks, Ohio River, Mingo Junction, OH — ~70

lornajarrettblanchard July 4, 1882

— ~70 Blanchard estimated death toll.*

–50-150 Dover Weekly Argus, Canal Dover, OH. “Steamers Scioto and Loomis.” 7-6-1882, 1.
— >100 Boston Daily Globe. “The Ill-Fated Scioto.” 7-6-1882, p. 1.
— 60-75 Marion Daily Star, OH. “The Scioto’s Wreck.” 7-7-1882, p. 1.
— 50-75 Wheeling Intelligencer, 7-6-1882, p. 1.
— >70 Baily. “The Scioto Disaster.” West Virginia History, new series, 6/1, Spring 2012, 49.
— 70 Twaintimes, p. 6.
— ~70 Way’s Packet Directory, 1848-1994: Passenger Steamboats…[MS Riv. Sys.]… 1999, p421.
— 58 New York Times. “Victims of the Scioto.” 7-9-1882.
— 58 Supervising Inspector-General of Steamboats [US] to…[Treasury Sec.] 1883, p. 10.
— 57 Berman, Bruce D. Encyclopedia of American Shipwrecks. 1972, p. 262.
— 57 Boehm, Eric H. America, History and Life: Vol. 36, Issue 4, 1999.
— 57 Brooks, T. R. “A Pall of Egyptian Gloom: The Sinking of the ‘Scioto.’” July-Aug 1998.
— 57 Nash, Jay Robert. Darkest Hours. 1977, p. 688.
— 56 Fort Wayne Daily Gazette, IN. “The Scioto Wreck.” 7-11-1882, p. 3.

* Blanchard estimated death toll: Given the wide range of fatality estimates, including widely varying estimates by usually reliable sources, we sought to create a listing of fatalities from newspaper accounts, and later from an appendix of named fatalities found in Baily, who notes “over 70” deaths. Baily’s list does not add to 70 in that there were others unnamed who were lost.

Our listing, found after the Newspaper section and before the Sources section, adds to sixty-seven, including two unidentified. There is always a problem, however, in trying to create a list from newspapers, even with the assistance of Baily’s listing – mistakes such as misidentification or double listings based on the spelling of names, or reversing first and last names, or listing as dead, people who later were found to be among the living.

Thus, for us the fact that our listing comes to 67 does not persuade us that this is the correct number of deaths. Rather, given that Baily, who intensively studied the subject, writes that there were more than seventy deaths and Way notes that there were approximately seventy deaths, we are persuaded by our attempt at a list, that there were more than the 57-58 deaths noted by such sources as the Supervising Inspector-General of Steamboats, Berman, Brooks or Nash. Thus we conclude that there were probably something on the order of seventy lives lost in the sinking of the Scioto.

Narrative Information

Supervising Inspector-General of Steamboats: “The most serious single accident of the year was caused by the collision between the steamers ‘Scioto’ and ‘John Lomas, which occurred on the Ohio river, near a place called Mingo junction, on July 4, 1882, resulted in the loss of 58 lives. A lengthy investigation of this case by the local inspectors at Wheeling resulted in that board placing the blame upon Pilot David C. Keller, of the ‘Scioto,’ which decision was reversed by the supervising inspector of the seventh district upon appeal, who restored Pilot Keller and revoked the license of B. J. Long, pilot of the ‘Lomas.’ The latter appealed his case to the Board of Supervising Inspectors, which rendered an opinion exonerating Pilot Long and placing the whole fault on Pilot Killer, of the ‘Scioto.’

“The opinion of the Board was rendered February 2, 1883, and reads as follows:

Resolved, That it is the opinion of the Board of Supervising Inspectors of Steam-Vessels, after carefully considering the petition of B. J. Long, and the evidence taken before the board of local inspectors at Wheeling, W. Va., as to the cause that resulted in the sinking of the steamer ‘Scioto’ on the 4th day of July, 1882, that the evidence fully establishes, and the fact is conceded by all parties interested, that Pilot Long, of the descending steamer, ‘John Lomas,’ did sound the first signal, as provided by Rule One; that he exercised a proper and legitimate duty; that he signaled to go to the right, and was entitled, under said rule, to pass the steamer ‘Scioto’ on the right or Ohio side of said steamer, and that it was the clear and manifest duty of the pilot (Keller) of the steamer ‘Scioto’ to answer the signal of the pilot of the steamer ‘John Lomas’ in the affirmative, if he could do so without imperiling his boat, but that the evidence establishes, and the fact is admitted, that he responded by giving what is commonly known among professional steamboatmen as a ‘cross-signal,’ or, in other words, that he reversed the signal of the pilot of the descending steamer, an ct that is not provided for or contemplated by any of the rules prescribed by the Government for the navigation of steamers on waters flowing into the Gulf of Mexico. If, from any cause whatever, Pilot Keller considered his boat imperiled by the action of Pilot Long, of the descending steamer, under Rule 2 it was clearly and emphatically his duty to sound the alarm signal, and to stop and back his engines until the headway of his steamer was fully checked but under no circumstance was he justified in reversing the signal of the pilot of the steamer ‘John Lomas.’ It is clear to this Board that Pilot Long, in the case under consideration, acted in strict conformity with the rules established by the Government and in force at the time of the disaster, and it is therefore the opinion of this Board that his license should be restored to him, and that he should be reinstated as a pilot on that part of the Ohio river originally embraced in his license.

The Board is further of the opinion that David C. Keller, late pilot of the steamer ‘Scioto,’ failed to perform his duty, and that he ignored and disobeyed both Rules 1 and 2 for the government of pilots navigating western rivers, and that he is, therefore, clearly responsible for the disaster, and the Board therefore recommends that his license be revoked.

Mr. Tower moved the adoption of the report, and that the same be recorded in the journal as the judgment of the Board in this case, and the yeas and nays being called for and ordered, those voting in the affirmative were: Messrs. Bemis, Tower, Menshaw, Flower, Cook, Van Valkenburgh, and the Supervising Inspector General, being all the members of the Board present; Messrs. Burnett, Garrett, Norton, and Fehrenbatch being absent. – Proceedings of Board of Supervising Inspectors of Steam-Vessels, 1883, page 68.)

“A sad reflection in connection with the great loss of life in this case is the fact that, notwithstanding the sinking of the ‘Scioto,’ very few lives need necessarily have been lost, as the saloon-deck of the steamer, where most of the passengers were, was only submerged to a depth probably not exceeding two and a half feet, while the hurricane-deck was from four to five feet above the water’s edge. The great loss incurred must, therefore, be attributed to fright and panic natural to such accidents, causing passengers to throw themselves overboard as a lesser evil than remaining by the steamer, which to them, for the time being, became, as it were, the sole object of terror, and to escape from which their whole energy was directed.” (Supervising Inspector-General of Steamboats [U.S.] to the Secretary of the Treasury for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 1883. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1883, p. 10.)

Way: Scioto. Sidewheel wood-hull packet, built in Ironton, OH, in 1875, at 116 tons. “…Said to have been 122 ft. long….was sold to the Wheeling & Parkersburg Transportation Co. On July 4, 1882, in command of Capt. Thad Thomas, she was upbound with an excursion at Cross Creek, below Mingo Junction, Oh., when she came in collision with the downbound John Lomas…The Lomas struck her head-on on the port quarter at the boilers, stoving the hull, and she sand rapidly. The life-loss was around 70 persons, worst on the Upper Ohio. The confusion causing the collision was due to a recent reversal of whistle signals, ordered by the Supervising Inspector General in Washington, D.C., requiring the downbound boat to low the first signal of intention, thus reversing the time-honored rule. The pilot on watch on the Scioto, David Kellar, was found guilty on several counts, and was sentenced to a penitentiary and served time. The boat was raised, rebuilt, and renamed Regular…The whistle signals for the Western Waters were put back as they were in the first place, the upbound boat blowing the first signal of intent.” (Way. Way’s Packet Directory, 1848-1994: Passenger Steamboats of the Mississippi River System… (Revised). 1999, p. 421.)

Newspapers

July 5: “Shortly after 10 last night word reached the city that a terrible accident had occurred in the vicinity of Mingo Junction, caused by a collision between two excursion boats, the John Lomas, of Martin’s Ferry, and the Scioto, of Wheeling. The Scioto had brought an excursion down from Wellsville, Ohio, in the early part of the day, and was on her return trip; while the Lomas was on her way down with her excursionists. The news was of the most heartrending character, to the effect that the two boats had collided after dark and that a great number of passengers had been drowned….

“On account of a misunderstanding in signals the two boats collided in the middle of the river, the Scioto sinking in about fifteen feet of water, so that her pilot house can alone be seen. The Lomas is slightly disabled but still able to render assistance. The Scioto was passing up from Wheeling to East Liverpool with about five hundred excursionists on board, going home. The Lomas was going down….The stragglers coming in say that they cannot tell how many were lost, but think the number may be 50 to 75….

“The Scioto was coming up the river under a full head of steam. She whistled to give her the channel, and the Lomas so responded. The signal however did not seem to be understood, and the Lomas (coming from Brown’s Island) struck the Scioto under a full head of steam….

“I [Intelligencer reporter] have just seen Arthur McNally, who lives at Short Creek and who was an eye-witness of the whole scene, standing at his front door immediately opposite where the collision occurred. It was about 8 o’clock. The Lomas, in passing the Island chute, whistled for the preference of sides, and as near as I can judge, it was about three minutes before the Scotia answered, and neither of them appeared to shear off, and almost immediately the collision occurred. General confusion followed, and I then saw the people jumping from the hurricane deck and all parts of the steamer. As far as I could see the Lomas struck the Scioto forward, for the fire flew over the bow of the Scioto. The Scioto sunk almost instantly and the Lomas backed as soon as possible….The crew and officers of the Lomas exerted every effort to rescue the unfortunate passengers and succeeded in landing over 400, making several trips, and continued to work as long as there was any who desired to leave….

“Steubenville, July 5….Mr. Milholland [William Milholland of Wellsville, Oh — band manager] estimates the whole number on board at not less than 450 persons….Taking a survey of the position of the Scioto, the river and channel, one is almost forced to the conclusion that the pilots of both boats are neither of them blameless. While we were informed by experienced river men, that at that point, the ascending boat uniformly was given the Ohio side of the river, still one cannot imagine why the Scioto was so far out from the shore. Any boat running on the upper river could easily pass…and have room to spare…The river is wide at this point and a dozen such boats could go abreast. It is important that a searching investigation be had, leaving no stone unturned to find where the guilt belongs…. her [Scioto] papers only give permission to carry sixty passengers, yet there were not less than 450….” (Wheeling Intelligencer, July 6, 1882, p. 1)

[The Scioto was ferrying a youth band back home after a July 4th performance.]

July 6: “Still Searching for the Bodies of the Victims. Four More Recovered from the Water and Enough Known to Make the Number of the Drowned Sixty or Seventy-five.

“Special to the Dispatch. Mingo Junction, July 6, 1882. Up to this hour, 11 a. m., fourteen bodies have been recovered from the wreck of the steamer Scioto, sank on the 4th by collision with the John Lomas. The number of missing is variously estimated at from fifty to seventy-five, with the probability that they, too, have found a watery grave.

“Coroner Fagg, of Steubenville [OH] held an inquest on the fourteen bodies. Twenty-seven from Liverpool [OH] are missing; twenty-two from Wellsville [OH]; fifteen from the neighborhood. Mayor Burges of Liverpool places the loss at from fifty to seventy-five….

“The river men blame the pilot of the Lomas, Gus Veigh….

“Steubenville, July 6, 2:45 p.m. – Fifteen bodies have been recovered from the wreck of the Scioto up to this time. Forty more are missing from Liverpool and Wellsville. Only one was lost from here.

“By Associated Press. Mingo Junction, June 6. – There were found this morning the bodies of Charles Sweagener, of Kensington, O.; Daniel Thomas, the Captain’s son; E. P. Smith, of Wellsville; also a man by the name of Duahamer or Durhamer, from Wellsville, O….” (Marion Daily Star, OH. “The Scioto’s Wreck.” 7-7-1882, p. 1.)

July 7: “The terrible steamboat disaster on the Ohio river, near Mingo Junction on the evening of the 4th, is attributed to the fact that the steamer ‘Scioto’ was fearfully overloaded with human freight, and was guided by a stupid, drunken pilot.” (Daily Advocate, Newark, OH. 7-7-1882, p.1.)

July 8: “Steubenville, O., July 8. – The body of a young woman supposed to be Miss Culp, and the body of a little girl, from the Scioto disaster at Mingo Junction, were found last night. Three bodies were found near Wheeling, which are not yet identified. The total of those found is 24. Boats started this morning to drag the river from Mingo Junction to Wheeling.

“Wheeling, July 8. – Seven bodies of victims of the Scioto disaster on the night of July 4th, have been recovered in this vicinity, seventeen miles below the point where the collision occurred. Four more were recovered below and brought to the city on the steamer Telegram. It is reported that eight others were taken from the water at Short Creek, nine miles above here.

“At Bridgeport, opposite here, three women were caught. All the bodies have not, as yet, been identified. As fast as the bodies re recovered a coroner’s jury is empaneled and the work of identification is begun. Relatives missing parties are here examining bodies, in search of their friends. The Mayor of East Liverpool will be here this evening. Hundreds of people are out in skiffs searching for floaters all along the river….

“Each discovery increases the list of the drowned, as few of those identified were known to have been on board….” (Daily Advocate, Newark, OH. “More Bodies Recovered from the Steamboat Disaster.” July 8, 1882, p. 1.)

July 8: “Pittsburg, Penn., July 8. – A scene of activity and real interest took place at Mingo Junction to-day, near where the fatal steamboat collision occurred. Early in the morning 23 skiffs, filled with men provided with grappling hooks started down the river to hunt bodies, and soon reports began coming in that they were meeting with success. During the day 20 bodies were recovered at different points along the river, one being down as far as Moundsville. The following is a list of the drowned persons found to-day:

George E. Pinkerton,
John Stephenson,
Lotta Smith,
C. B. Armstrong, Wellsville [OH],
Bens Stebens,
Morris Dannahan,
Joseph Rahmman, East Liverpool [OH];
John Hart, Cleveland;
John D. Cumming, Salineville [OH];
Thomas Beardmore, East Liverpool;
Flora E. Culp, New Somerset [OH];
Maria Booch, Wellsville;
Michael Emmerling,
Wilson Paul, East Liverpool;
H. A. Hays, Wellsville;
Stewart Pipes, Wellsville.

“Four were unidentified. This makes 38 in all that have been recovered. The list of those still missing that are known is 20. It is estimated that the total loss will be 65 or 70. The work of raising the Scioto was commenced by the steamers Annie L., Belle, Prince, Nail City, and Welcome this morning. She is now about four feet further out of the water than last evening.” (NYT. “Victims of the Scioto.” 7-9-1882.)

July 10: “Mingo Junction, O., July 10. – The body of Mrs. Michael Emerling, was recovered this morning at Bridgeport, Ohio. The body of Lincoln Beardmore was found at Wheeling. A boy by the name of Sloan, from Cleveland is now reported missing.” (Daily Advocate, Newark, OH. “Bodies Recovered To-day from the Steamboat Disaster.” 7-10-1882, p.1.)

July 10: “Mingo Junction, July 10. – Warrants were issued on Saturday night for the arrest of the pilots of the Scioto and John Lomas.” (Atlanta Constitution, GA. “Warrants Issued.” 7-11-1882, 4.)

July 10: “Mingo Junction, O., July 10….The bodies of Stephen Kent, of East Liverpool, Ohio, and Arthur Hoagland, of Wellsville, have been recovered, leaving the missing Albert Snow, of East Liverpool, and two doubtful, Cornelius Palmer, of Washington, Pennsylvania, and F. Sloane, a boy seventeen years of age, of Cleveland, Ohio. The hull of the Scioto is partly out of water and Diver Earhart is patching up the hole made by the Lomas. To-morrow the boat can be raised and while raising the water will be pumped out. The boat is about one rod from the shore and should the river fall will leave the boat high and dry in a day or two. The river is falling. The total number of bodies found is fifty-six. Total missing, three — two of them doubtful.” (Fort Wayne Daily Gazette, IN. “The Scioto Wreck.” 7-11-1882, p. 3.)

July 12: “Wheeling, July 12. — In the investigation of the Scioto disaster to-day, Pilot B. J. Long and Engineer Moses McCann, of the Lomas, testified. The former said he was 800 yards from the Scioto when he blew the first whistle. The Scioto waited a minute and a half, and answered with two. Long answered with two, and rang for the engineer to back. The rudders were jerked around by the current, and her head thrown quartering toward the Scioto. Had the Scioto answered the first signal properly, there would have been no collision. He admitted, on cross-examination, that he had never steered the boat from Wheeling to Steubenville before, as a licensed pilot; he was not the regular pilot of the Lomas.

“Engineer McCann heard the Lomas’s first whistle, and looked out. The Scioto was on the port side, a good ways below. She delayed whistling so long that he was astonished; She then blew the cross whistle, which alarmed him. He sprang to the throttle, and obeyed the bell to stop. The go-ahead bell then rang. Before he could obey the gong and backing-bell rang. Her headway was almost stopped when she struck the Scioto. He has not told anybody since the accident that Long got the signals all mixed up, but did say he rang the go-ahead bell.

“The investigation was not concluded. The Board meets again to-morrow.

“Finding- of the Last Body — Rumors of Double Dealing by the Diver.

Mingo Junction, July 12. — At 3:30 this afternoon the body of Albert Snow, the last victim of the Scioto disaster, was recovered. It was found under the upper guard. His left leg had been crushed from the knee, one hand almost severed from the wrist, and there was a deep cut on the back part of the head on the right side.

“Sidney Burroughs, from East Liverpool, has not been seen since July 3. He told his sister he was going on an excursion on July 4, on the Scioto.

“No one can account for the body of Snow being found on the upper guards of the boat. A rumor was out last week that the diver Earhart was working in the interest of the boat, and that bodies were shoved out of the hole in the boat. The reports and actions seem to make this so, as bodies were found floating each day. Perhaps this can account for Snow being found where he was, as he could not be released. It was rumored that several bodies were in the boat when the diver made his first trip. The next trip it was contradicted. The bodies for several days were found not later than 8 a. m.” (Daily Advocate, Newark, OH. “Finding of the Last Body…Double Dealing…” 7-13-1882, p. 1.)

July 13: “C. W. Beans has filed a libel in the United States District Court at Wheeling, W.Va., to compel the owners of the steamer Scioto, sunk at Mingo Junction, on the Fourth of July, to forfeit $3,150 for carrying a greater number of passengers than authorized by her papers. The United States Statutes provide ‘that a steamer carrying a number of passengers in excess of that allowed by the Inspector, shall forfeit the passage money and ten dollars for each passenger in excess, half of which forfeit goes to the informant’.” (Richwood Gazette, OH. “At Home.” 7-13-1882, p. 1.)

July 28: “The investigation into the causes of the disaster to the Scioto at Mingo Junction, July 4, was begun at Wheeling on the 11th before Supervising Inspector Fehrenbatch and Local Inspectors Young and Wilson. Testimony seemed to prove that the pilot of the boat was not intoxicated as has been reported.” (Tipton Advocate, IN. 7-28-1882, p. 1.)

Sep 27: “Wheeling, W.Va., Sept. 27 – The local inspectors to-day signed the report of their decision in the matter of the collision between the John Lomas and the Scioto on the Ohio river, near Mingo, on the night of July 4th, by which over 50 lives were lost.

“They recommend that the license of Keller, pilot of the Scioto, be revoked; and as to that of Long, of the Lomas, they disagree. The matter was referred to the Supervising Inspector.” (Steamboat Scioto Wrecks.)

Listing of Fatalities Identified in Sources Cited Herein

1. Armstrong, C. B. Wellsville, OH (also listed in Baily.)
2. Bachman, Joseph East Liverpool, OH
3. Beardmore, Carrie East Liverpool, OH (listed by Baily as Carrie Beardman)
4. Beardmore, H. E., 21 (Harry?) East Liverpool, OH; worked in pottery.
5. Beardmore, Lincoln Body recovered at Wheeling, WV. (also in Baily, p. 68)
6. Beardmore, Thomas East Liverpool, OH
7. Booth, Maria Wellsville (or East Liverpool ), OH (also in Baily, p. 68)
8. Brandon, Belle, 17. East Liverpool, OH
9. Burke, E. P., 30 East Liverpool; stonemason. (Also listed by Baily, p. 68.)
10. Burroughs, Sidney East Liverpool; reportedly onboard, missing as of July 13.
11. Connor, Joseph, 15 (Wheeling Intelligencer, WV. “The Scioto Disaster…Death Roll.” 7-6-1882, p.1.)
12. Cristy, John (Baily. “The Scioto Disaster.” West Virginia History, new series, 6/1, Spring 2012, p. 68.)
13. Cross, Wesley Wellsville, OH
14. Culp, Flora E. New Somerset, OH
15. Cumming (or Cummins ), John D. Salineville, OH
16. Dannahan (or Danahee ), Morris
17. Davidson, Charles Wellsville, OH
18. Donniher, Morris (also reported in press as Duahamer or Durhamer of Wellsville, OH)
19. Duffy, Edward. (Baily. “The Scioto Disaster.” West Virginia History, NS, 6/1, Spring 2012, p.68.)
20. Elliott, Charles. (Baily. “The Scioto Disaster.” West Virginia History, new ser., 6/1, Spring 2012, p67.)
21. Emmerling, Michael East Liverpool (Jethro community) (Also in Baily, p. 68.)
22. Emmerling, Mrs. Sade East Liverpool, OH. Body recovered at Bridgeport, OH
23. Ewing, William (Baily. “The Scioto Disaster.” West Virginia History, NS, 6/1, Spring 2012, p.68.)
24. Farmer, Eugene East Liverpool, OH.
25. Fogo, David; 21 East Liverpool clerk
26. Fried, David (Baily and Brooks). Wellsville, OH (lists as David Fredd)
27. Grounds, George Wellsville, OH
28. Grounds, John East Liverpool, OH
29. Harper, Lewis (Baily. “The Scioto Disaster.” West Virginia History, NS, 6/1, Spring 2012, p.68.)
30. Hart, John Cleveland, OH (Also listed by Baily, p. 68.)
31. Hays, Henry A. Wellsville, OH
32. Hoagland, Arthur Wellsville, OH
33. Hunter, Samuel Jr. Wellsville.
34. Kent, Stephen East Liverpool, OH (Also listed by Baily, p. 68.)
35. Kiddy, Sarah (Miss Sallie), 16. East Liverpool, OH
36. Leith, Charles (Baily. “The Scioto Disaster.” West Virginia History, new series, 6/1, Spring 2012, p.67.)
37. Malone, W. H. Wellsville, OH
38. Manken, Henry. (Baily. “The Scioto Disaster.” West Virginia History, new ser., 6/1, Spring 2012, p.68.)
39. Marsh, John Wellsville, OH
40. Paul (or Paull ) P. Wilson East Liverpool, OH
41. Phamann, Joseph (Baily. “The Scioto Disaster.” West Virginia History, NS, 6/1, Spring 2012, p.67.)
42. Pinkerton, George E. (Baily. “The Scioto Disaster.” West Virginia History, NS, 6/1, Spring 2012, p68.)
43. Pipes, Stewart Wellsville, OH (also listed in Baily, p. 68.)
44. Prosser, John. (Baily. “The Scioto Disaster.” West Virginia History, NS, 6/1, Spring 2012, p.68.)
45. Rahmman, Joseph East Liverpool, OH
46. Rausenberger, Andrew (son of) Clarington, OH
47. Redman, Augustus Wellsville, OH
48. Riddy, Sarah. (Wheeling Intelligencer, WV. “The Scioto Disaster. Still Grappling…” 7-10-1882, p.1.)
49. Shannon, Dennis (or Dennis) Wellsville, OH
50. Shields, Miss. Mollie East Liverpool, OH
51. Smith, Ed. P. (boy) Wellsville, OH (Also listed by Baily.)
52. Smith, Ellis, 19 (Elijah P.?) East Liverpool, OH
53. Smith, Elmer. (Baily. “The Scioto Disaster.” West Virginia History, NS, 6/1, Spring 2012, p.68.)
54. Smith, Frank. (Baily. “The Scioto Disaster.” West Virginia History, NS, 6/1, Spring 2012, p.68.)
55. Smith, Lottie (or Lotta or Letta) (Baily. “The Scioto Disaster.” WV History, 6/1, Spring 2012, p.68.)
56. Snow, Albert East Liverpool, OH
57. Sprague, C. E, 25. (Baily. “The Scioto Disaster.” West Virginia History, NS, 6/1, Spring 2012, p.68.)
58. Stebens (or Stebbins ), Benjamin East Liverpool, OH
59. Stevens, John (also reported in press as Stephenson or Stevenson), John
60. Swearingin (or Sweagener), Charles. Kensington, OH
61. Thomas, Daniel (son of Scioto Capt. Thomas)
62. Thompson, Cummins (or Cummings ). East Liverpool, OH. (Also in Baily, p. 68.)
63. Tomlinson, John. (Baily. “The Scioto Disaster.” West Virginia History, NS, 6/1, Spring 2012, p.68.)
64. Woods, William Wellsville, OH
65. Wright, Lincoln. (Baily. “The Scioto Disaster.” West Virginia History, NS, 6/1, Spring 2012, p.68.)
66. Unidentified “little girl”
67. Unidentified man found “floating in the water, near the dry docks, on the Island side of the river, just opposite Eleventh street [Mingo?]

Sources

Atlanta Constitution, GA. “Warrants Issued.” July 11, 1882, 4. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=3792284

Baily, Kenneth R. “The Scioto Disaster.” West Virginia History, new series, Vol. 6, No. 1, Spring 2012, pp. 49-72. Accessed 10-28-2020 at: https://www.jstor.org/stable/43264913?seq=1

Berman, Bruce D. Encyclopedia of American Shipwrecks. Boston: Mariners Press Inc., 1972.

Boehm, Eric H. America, History and Life. Vol. 36, Issue 4, 1999. ABC-CLIO, 1999.

Boston Daily Globe. “The Ill-Fated Scioto.” July 6, 1882, p. 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=164149805

Brooks, Timothy R. “A Pall of Egyptian Gloom: The Sinking of the ‘Scioto.’” Originally published in Timeline (Ohio Historical Society), Vol. 15, No. 4, July-Aug 1998, pp. 18-25. Accessed 10-28-2020 at: http://www.eastliverpoolhistoricalsociety.org/scioto1.htm

Daily Advocate, Newark, OH. “Bodies Recovered To-day from the Steamboat Disaster.” 7-10-1882, p. 1. At: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=13810073

Daily Advocate, Newark, OH. “Finding of the Last Body. Rumors of Double Dealing by the Diver.” 7-13-1882, 1. At: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=13810203

Daily Advocate, Newark, OH. “More Bodies Recovered from the Steamboat Disaster.” 7-8-1882, p. 1. At: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=13810028

Daily Advocate, Newark, OH. [Steamboat Scioto disaster.] July 7, 1882, p.1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=13809983

Dover Weekly Argus, Canal Dover, OH. “Steamers Scioto and Loomis.” 7-6-1882, 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=3633559

Fort Wayne Daily Gazette, IN. “The Scioto Wreck.” 7-11-1882, p. 3, col. 3. Accessed 10-28-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/fort-wayne-daily-gazette-jul-11-1882-p-3/

Marion Daily Star, OH. “The Scioto’s Wreck.” July 7, 1882, p. 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=12376132

Nash, Jay Robert. Darkest Hours – A Narrative Encyclopedia of Worldwide Disasters from Ancient Times to the Present. New York: Pocket Books, Wallaby, 1977, 792 pages.

New York Times. “Victims of the Scioto.” 7-9-1882. Accessed at: http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=F00610FB3C5910738DDDA00894DF405B8284F0D3

Richwood Gazette, OH. “At Home” [Steamer Scioto] 7-13-1882, 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=80728321

Steamboat Scioto Wrecks. Accessed 7-10-2011 at: http://old.minford.k12.oh.us/mhs/history/PortsmouthHistory/RiverStories/SteamboatScioto.htm

Supervising Inspector-General of Steamboats [U.S.] to the Secretary of the Treasury for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 1883. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1883. Accessed 10-28-2020 at: https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=nnc1.cu09189980&view=1up&seq=23&q1=scioto

Twaintimes – A Time Line of Events in the Life of Samuel Langhorne Clemens – Mark Twain. Accessed 11/16/2008 at: http://twaintimes.net/page2.html

Wheeling Intelligencer. “Dire Disaster – Sinking of the Steamer Scioto.” 7-5-1882, p. 1. Accessed at: http://wheeling.weirton.lib.wv.us/history/bus/river/scioto1.htm

Wheeling Intelligencer, WV. “The Scioto Disaster.” 7-6-1882, p. 1. Accessed 10-28-2020 at: https://www.ohiocountylibrary.org/research/wheeling-history/2965

Wheeling Intelligencer, WV. “The Scioto Disaster. Still Grappling for the Dead.” 7-10-1882, p. 1. Accessed 10-28-2020 at: https://www.ohiocountylibrary.org/research/wheeling-history/2966

19th Century

1882 — March 30 steamboat Golden City burns, Mississippi River, Memphis, TN –28-32

lornajarrettblanchard March 30, 1882

–28-32 Blanchard estimated fatality range.*

–~50 Geifuss, John. “A Bluff City Bicentennial…” Memphis Commercial Appeal. 4-23-2019.
— 35 Coggins. Tennessee Tragedies: Natural, Technological, and Societal… 2011, p. 182.**
–~35 New York Times. “A Burning River Steamer…Loss of 35 Lives…” 3-31-1882, p. 1.***
— 32 Blanchard count of names or position identifiers of those listed as dead (28) or missing (4)
— 30 Way’s Packet Directory, 1848-1994: Passenger Steamboats…[MS Riv.]… 1999, p. 190.
— 28 Blanchard count of names (or position identifiers) in fatality list below.
— 26 Memphis Daily Appeal, TN. “Who Did It?” 4-1-1882, p. 13.
— 25 U.S. Office of Supervising Inspector-General of Steamboats. Report of… 1882, pp. 13-14.

* Blanchard estimated fatality range. As the low-end of our estimated range (26) we use the number used by the Memphis Daily Appeal of April 1, even though the list we show below includes twenty-seven names, or descriptions (deck hand or servant boy). Given that the great majority of bodies were carried down with the burned out wreckage, such notations as “three deck-hands” could be in error.

We use thirty-five as the high-end of our fatality range based on Coggins and the New York Times report. While not definitive, we believe this to be a very plausible number, in light of the four people reported as missing in addition to the twenty-seven reported as dead.

** On Coggins: We do not use in our estimated death toll range in that we see no supporting evidence and speculate this number was based on New York Times reporting of March 31, before it could be known how many went down with the ship, or similar reporting.

*** On New York Times report: Though published the day following the fire and sinking, the story was date-lined March 30. A firm death toll was never established. Though very close to what we believe to be a more defendable range of deaths, we are not inclined to use a day-of report as a fact, when we do not find that the local paper, the Memphis Daily Appeal, ever noted thirty-five deaths.

Narrative Information

U.S. Steamboat Inspection Service: “March 30. – The steamer Golden City was entirely destroyed by fire at Memphis, Tenn., while about to make a landing. This disaster resulted in the death of twenty-fiver persons, twenty-two of whom were cabin passengers, and asleep at the time the fire broke out.” (Office, Supervising Inspector-General of Steamboats. Report of the Supervising Inspector-General of Steamboats. Sixth District, pp. 13-14.)

Way: Golden City: Sternwheel wood-hull packet, built in Cincinnati, OH in 1876, measuring 280 x 40.5 x 6.3. “…ran Cincinnati-New Orleans….Capt. Sterling McIntyre was in command when she burned at President’s Island, below Memphis, Mar. 25 [sic., was 30th], 1882. She was upbound, a stiff wind blowing, when fire broke out in the tiller room disabling the rudders. Grounded on President’s Island. Many of the passengers jumped in the river and were drowned. The complete outfit of Stowe’s Circus was on board….The life loss in this catastrophe reached 30, including wife and three children of Capt. Louis E. Kouns. The wreck was visible into the early 1900s.”

Newspapers

March 30: “The Golden City destroyed by fire – flames spreading with terrible rapidity – the loss of life not definitely known – scenes on the burning boat.

“Memphis, Tenn., March 30. The Cincinnati and New Orleans packet Golden City, enroute from New Orleans to Cincinnati, was burned at the wharf at 4:30 o’clock this morning. It is believed that about 35 lives were lost, the victims being principally women and children. The steamer when approaching the wharf this morning at 4:30 o’clock, was discovered to be on fire by the second engineer, Albert Kelley, who immediately informed Capt. Bryce Purcell, Sr., the pilot on watch. The boat’s bow was at once headed for the shore, and in four minutes afterward she touched the wharf at the foot of Beale-street, where the coal fleet is moored. A line was hastily thrown and made fast to one of the coal barges, but the current being swift, it soon parted, and the burning steamer floated on down the river a mass of flames, with many of her passengers and crew aboard, who were unable to reach the shore and were lost.

“The Golden City left New Orleans last Saturday en route to Cincinnati. She carried a crew of about 60. She had on board 40 cabin passengers, 15 of whom were ladies, and 9 children. Her cargo consisted of 300 tons, among which was a lot of jute. The fire is said to have its origin in this combustible material. Among those known to have been lost are the following:

Bell, John, cigar man.
Boyd, Anna [or Mary], colored chamber-maid and her assistant [Amanda Atchison?]
Campbell, Miss., Burlington, IA.
Crary, Mrs., of Cincinnati.
Crary, Miss Luella, of Cincinnati.
Crone [or Cronk], J. C., owner of a side-show to Stowe’s Circus.
[Jones, John, deck roustabout. Body came to surface April 9.]
Kelly, Albert, second engineer. He it was who first discovered the fire and gave the alarm.
He remained at his post until out off by the flames.
Kounz, Mrs. L. E., and three children. Mrs. Kounz was the wife of Capt. Kounz, a well-
known steam boat owner.
Monahan, Dr., of Jackson, Ohio, and wife.
Percival, Mrs. Helen. [or “Mrs. Percival Mastin, Hawesville, Ky.”]
Smith, Mrs. Anna, of Massachusetts.
Stowe, W. H., wife and two children…. [Body of Mrs. Stowe came to surface April 9.]
Wood, Ollie, of Henderson, Ky., and his wife.
Three colored deck-hands and a negro servant boy….
[Unnamed German youth from New Orleans. Or “A German pop-corn dealer…”]

“Mr. Stowe was famous as a singing clown, and was on his way to New Orleans with his wife and two children, having just been released from Natchez, where they had been imprisoned by the floods. He came of a family of performers, and was also known as a lightning-change artist, performing in variety theatres during the Winter season. His last appearance in New York was at Bunnell’s Museum. He had traveled all over the world, having been connected with Barnum’s, Murray’s, and Forepaugh’s shows. In January, 1881 he joined Dan Rice, and they opened a show in New Orleans, but the firm was soon dissolved, and he became sole proprietor. He was traveling through the South when this accident occurred. His wife was Lizzie Marcellus, the famous pad rider, and his two children were 6 and 8 years old.

The books of the steamer were lost, so it is impossible to gather a complete list of the lost and saved. All of the officers of the steamer, except Second Engineer Albert Kelly and three roustabouts, escaped.

“Kelly it was who first discovered the fire and gave the alarm, remaining at his post of duty until cut off by the flames, for the fire spread like lightning, and he sacrificed his life to save others. The saved, so far as known, are: Capt. S. C. McIntyre, First Clerk W. F. McIntyre, Second Clerk James W. Vithlin, Third Clerk Frank Stern, Mate Dock Bondurant, Pilots Bryce Purcell, Sr., Marion Purcell, and Joseph Purcell, Jr.; First Engineer Mike Kelly, Miss Iona Maston, of Hawesville, Ky.; Willie McKinney of Hawesville, Ky.; James Myers New Orleans; Charles Ross, Jr., E. C. Underwood, St. Louis; H. B. Howell, Philadelphia; John H. Trewalla, business agent; Burt Stowe, brother to the proprietor, Frank Stowe; James Swift, John Filbert, John Mullane, J. C. Kimpel, John G. Glenroy, James Bloomfield, and James Burke, all members of Stowe’s Circus; W. C. Jewett, Point Pleasant, West Va., George W. Green, New Richmond, Ohio; A. B. Veatch, Evansville, Ind.; R. H. Chittenden, Carrsville, Ky.; W. H. Caruthers and J. B. Jordan, Ripley, Tenn. Nearly all the cabin and deck crew of the steamer saved themselves. Stowe’s Circus, which was taken on board at Vidalia, La. and six cages of animals and birds, together with the ticket and band wagons, tents, and horses, were lost.

“Marion Purcell, one of the pilots, was in the clerk’s office when the alarm was first sounded, and he rushed through the cabin, bursting open the state-room doors and awakening the passengers. So rapidly did the flames spread that within five minutes after the discovery of the fire, which broke out amidships, the aft part of the steamer was all ablaze, and those that were saved had to flee in their night-clothes. As near as can be ascertained there were 23 ladies on board the ill-fated steamer, only two of whom, so far as known, were saved. J. H. Cronk, connected with Stowe’s Circus, is missing, and supposed to be lost. John Devouse, his wife, and three children were all saved and are at the City Hospital; also Simon Black. Mr. Devouse is slightly burned on the hands. The steamer lies sunk about three miles below here in the chute near the Tennessee shore. When she floated off from the wharf about 20 of her passengers and crew jumped on board a barge, which floated downstream, but they were rescued by one of the harbor boats, which towed the barge in to the shore one mile below the city.

“The fire was caused by a watchman accidentally setting fire to a lost of jute which was stored amidships. The steam4r had just whistled to land, and the watchman went among the deck passengers to notify them that they were approaching Memphis, and that those destined for the city must get ashore, when the bottom of his lamp dropped in some jute, and before the flames could be extinguished that had spread all over the deck of the vessel….as quick as a flash the flames spread to either side of the steamer and up to the cabin. Haley ran upstairs to give notice to the head engineer, but by the time he reached the hurricane deck the flames had mounted almost to the pilot-house, and he was driven back by the heat. He then rang the alarm bell, and seeing that the boat was approaching the shore, he ran down the forward stairs and jumped on board the tug Oriole just as the Golden City struck her. Seeing that the tug was sinking, he spring aboard the steamer again and made his way to a coal barge lying alongside. Two negro deck-hands and a white deck passenger were killed when the tug was struck, as they were caught between the bow of the boat and the side of the tug. Anna Boyd, the colored chamber-maid, and her assistant were both lost. Mike Malloy and Patrick Kinney, firemen, were saved; also M. J. Whelan, second baker. Whelan says he jumped overboard from the stern of the steamer as she floated down stream. There were about 10 men on the fantail of the boat who must have been drowned, as when he leaped into the river he saw three men go overboard and drown. The others must have shared the same fate.

“….The body of an elderly white woman was found floating near the wreck, but she has not yet been identified….

“….J. H. Cronk, owner of a sideshow to the circus, is supposed to be lost. His room-mate, H. Hn. Akerman, says he dragged him out of bed to the foot of the stairs through the smoke, and is satisfied that he never arose from where he left him….

“Wash Smith, the colored Captain of the watch, was sent to jail this afternoon on a warrant charging him with murder, through his carelessness in causing the fire on the steamer. A diver will try, to-morrow, and recover the bodies that are supposed to be in the wreck of the ill-fated Vessel….” (New York Times. “A Burning River Steamer. A Loss of 35 Lives or More Near Memphis.” 3-31-1882, p. 1.)

March 31: “….Probably Lost.

John Jones, deck roustabout. [Body floated to the river surface and found April 9.]
____ Marshall, deck roustabout.
____ Wood, deck roustabout.
Mr. ____Williams, Alton, Ind.
J. C. Connels, Henderson, Ky.”

(Memphis Daily Appeal. “Done to Death…The Lost and Saved.” 3-31-1882, p. 15.)

April 1: “….So far the investigation has revealed the fact that the boat’s freight consisted of jut…about 108 bales; also, 100 barrels of oil, 600 sacks of oil mean, and other readily ignitable material. Considerable criticism was passed on the character of the cargo over which people were to sleep….

“Wash Smith has stated positively that he had no lantern when he went to wake up the men; that he left it forward while he was engaged in that duty….Mr. James Burke, a passenger, stated that someone with a lantern came around to wake up the roustabouts, and as that was the duty of Smith, it is supposed he was the man….” (Memphis Daily Appeal, TN. “Who Did It?” 4-1-1882, p. 13.)

April 4: “The news in the Golden City disaster is of the most unsatisfactory and unsubstantial character. No bodies have as yet been found. ….” (Memphis Daily Appeal, TN. “Golden City.” 4-4-1882, p. 13.)

April 11: “Sunday afternoon two bodies from the wreck of the Golden City were discovered near the floating docks moored in the neighborhood of Fort Pickering. About noon the steamer Commonwealth was coming up the river, and the action of her wheels caused two bodies to rise to the surface of the water. The bodies were seen near the shore, half a mile probably above the place where the wreck of the Golden City lies. As men were stationed along the banks to look for the bodies, the two floaters were soon discovered by them and skiffs started out and towed them ashore. The bodies were those of a negro man and a woman. The man was ascertained to be John Jones, the colored roustabout, although his features were decayed almost beyond recognition. The woman proved to be Mrs. W. H. Stowe. Her face was greatly discolored by the process of death, but her form was not much swollen. On her fingers were two rings which were blackened considerably, and gave evidence that the lady was scorched by the fire and jumped in the water, preferring that death to the more terrible one of burning. She was in her night robes when found, and besides the two diamond rings found on her were valuable ear rings. The body of Jones was interred in Elmwood cemetery Sunday afternoon, the expenses of burial being defrayed by Captain McIntyre. They body of Mrs. Stowe was taken to Walsh’s undertaking establishment Sunday night, and two men guarded it to keep it from being despoiled. Esquire Fleming held the inquest. Yesterday afternoon Chief Davis had the body sent on to New York to friends of the deceased. Captain McIntyre is doing all in his power to discover the bodies, and he has shown such pluck and willingness to face all consequences as have commended him to the admiration of everyone.”
(Memphis Daily Appeal. “Two Bodies.” 4-11-1882, p. 15.)

April 30: “The local inspectors forwarded their report of the investigation of the disaster to the steamer Golden City, to the supervising inspector-general April 18th [28th?] The following is a synopsis of the report: ‘At the time of the accident the vessel was provided with a full complement of licensed officers, and a crew sufficient at all times to manage the vessel, including the proper number of watchmen. She was fully equipped with the fire apparatus and life-saving appliances required by law, and the same was in good condition and ready for immediate use. Her cargo consisted of baled cotton, baled jute, junk, iron clippings, etc. The bales of jute were not covered with bagging or similar fabric, and were held together with rope; it was stored in the deck-room, and not thoroughly protected by covering as it should have been. Section 4472, Revised Statutes, provides that baled cotton and baled hemp shall not be carried on passenger steamers unless covered with bagging or similar fabric. The inspectors find that jute is a substance resembling hemp, a vegetable fibrous production of an inflammable [meant flammable in today’s usage] nature, and in the opinion of the inspectors it cannot be carried upon passenger steamers unless covered and protected in the same manner as baled cotton and hemp. They say it was the duty of the mate to have refused to receive the jute without bagging, an that in receiving and failing to have the same properly protected, he was guilty of negligence in the discharge of his duty as a licensed officer, and under the provisions of section 4450, Revised Statutes, they have revoked the licenses of J. N. Bondurant as mate. The fire originated in the deck-room, and was caused by a lighted lantern coming in contact with the jute. The lantern was in the hands of one Wash Smith, captain of the watch, but whether by carelessness or unavoidable accident the inspectors are unable to determine. The officers of the boat used every exertion to save the lives of the passengers, and no blame attaches to them for any failure to perform their duty after the boat took fire. The carrying of jute, in violation of section 4472, Revised Statutes, is reported to the United States attorney for this district for such action as he may think proper to take.’” (Memphis Daily Appeal, TN. “The Golden City Disaster.” 4-30-1882, p. 4.)

Sources

Coggins, Allen R. Tennessee Tragedies: Natural, Technological, and Societal Disaster in the Volunteer State. Knoxville: University of Tennessee Press, 2011.

Geifuss, John. “A Bluff City Bicentennial: From comic to tragic, here are 200 pieces of Memphis’ history.” Memphis Commercial Appeal. 4-23-2019. Accessed 9-10-2020 at: https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/local/memphis200/2019/04/17/memphis-bicentennial-history-trivia/3301701002/

Memphis Daily Appeal, TN. “Done to Death…The Lost and Saved.” 3-31-1882, p. 15. Accessed 9-10-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/memphis-daily-appeal-mar-31-1882-p-15/

Memphis Daily Appeal, TN. “Golden City.” 4-4-1882, p. 13. Accessed 9-10-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/memphis-daily-appeal-apr-04-1882-p-13/

Memphis Daily Appeal, TN. “The Golden City Disaster.” 4-30-1882, p. 4. Accessed 9-10-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/memphis-daily-appeal-apr-30-1882-p-4/

Memphis Daily Appeal, TN “Two Bodies.” 4-11-1882, p. 15. Accessed 9-10-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/memphis-daily-appeal-apr-11-1882-p-15/

Memphis Daily Appeal, TN. “Who Did It?” 4-1-1882, p. 13. Accessed 9-10-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/memphis-daily-appeal-apr-01-1882-p-13/

New York Times. “A Burning River Steamer. A Loss of 35 Lives or More Near Memphis.” 3-31-1882, p. 1. Accessed 9-10-2020 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1882/03/31/issue.html

United States Office of the Supervising Inspector-General of Steamboats. Report of the Supervising Inspector-General of Steamboats. Washington, DC: Treasury Department (Document No. 346. Steamboat Inspection). 10-31-1882. Accessed 9-10-2020 at: https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=nnc1.cu09189980&view=1up&seq=9&q1=golden%20city

19th Century

1882 — Smallpox, esp. Chicago/1292, Cincinnati/1249, PA/1111, Baltimore/551, NOLA >7,056

lornajarrettblanchard January 1, 1882

Document created by Wayne Blanchard Dec 2012; revised Oct-Nov 2013, Jan-Feb 2015; Dec 2019 for website: Deadliest American Disasters and Large-Loss-Of-Life Events. https://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

–7,035-7,056 Blanchard tally based on State, Territory and local breakouts below.^[1]

State and Selected City Fatality Summary

Arkansas ( 17) Forrest City especially Jan-May

California ( 24) San Francisco especially (21)

Colorado ( 1) May 28-Jun 3

Connecticut ( 1)

Dakotas ( 3)

Delaware ( 13) Wilmington Jan-May

District of Colum. ( 15) Jan-Apr

Georgia ( 63) Atlanta Apr 3-July 14 (ended) then Dec 14 outbreak

Illinois ( 1,492) Chicago (1,292) especially

Indiana ( 87) Fort Wayne especially (42) Jan-June and late 1882 esp.

Iowa ( 33) Davenport (11) and Keokuk (9) especially Jan-Sep

Kansas ( 53) Johnson County especially (26) Jan-Apr

Kentucky ( 23) Louisville (22) Jan-June

Louisiana ( 417) New Orleans (415)

Maryland ( 551) Baltimore (551)

Massachusetts ( 45) Jan-May

Michigan (159-175) The Year

Minnesota ( 52) Spring Hill especially (29) The Year

Mississippi ( 6) Feb-March

Missouri ( ~134) St. Louis (81) and Seneca (50) especially Jan-June esp.

Nebraska ( 16) Omaha Jan 22-May New Jersey ( 367) Hudson County (139) especially The Year

New York ( 313) NYC especially (259) Jan-Dec NYC

Ohio ( 1,328) Cincinnati (1,249) The Year

Oklahoma ( 40-45) Indian Territory, Osage Agency especially (20-25) July-Sep 12

Pennsylvania ( 1,111) Philly/314, Pittsburgh/300, Bethlehem/192, Allegheny/190

South Dakota ( 3) Bridgewater

Tennessee ( 535) Chattanooga/248, Memphis/Shelby County/165 Jan-June esp.

Texas ( 4) Jan-May

Vermont ( 2)

Virginia ( 110) Richmond (96) Jan-June esp.

West Virginia ( 1) Wheeling

Wisconsin ( 16) Milwaukee especially Jan-May 20

State and Locality Breakout

Arkansas ( 17) Forrest City especially (Jan-May)

— 1 Fayetteville Jan 1-11 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/30, 1-21-1882, p. 259.

–13 Forrest City Mar-May 8 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/47, 5-20-1882, p. 480.

–1 “ March National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/42, 4-15-1882, p. 409.

— 2 Linden vicinity March National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/42, 4-15-1882, p. 409.

— 1 Little Rock Jan 11 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/30, 1-21-1882, p. 259.

California ( 24) San Francisco especially (21)

–24 State Blanchard tally based on locality breakouts below.

— 1 Los Angeles Jan 8-14 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/31, 1-28-1882, p. 277.

— 1 Oroville, Butte Co. June ^[2] CA State Board of Health Secretary. “Review of 1882,” p.9

— 1 Red Bluff, Tehama Co., Dec^[3] CA State Board of Health Secretary. “Review of 1882,” p.9

–21 San Francisco Jan-June Blanchard tally from sources below.

–9 “ Jan CA State Board of Health Secretary. “Review of 1882,” p.9

“ –2 Jan 1-7 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/30, 1-21-1882, p. 265.

“ –1 Jan 8-14 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/31, 1-28-1882, p. 277.

“ –1 Jan 22-28 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/33, 2-11-1882, p. 305.

“ –3 Jan 29-Feb 4 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/34, 2-18-1882, p. 317.

–1 “ Feb 5-11 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/35, 2-25-1882, p. 331.

–1 “ Feb 12-18 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/36, 3-04-1882, p. 343.

–2 “ Feb 26-Mar 4 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/38, 3-18-1882, p. 363.

–3 “ Mar 5-11 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/39, 3-25-1882, p. 377.

–2 “ Apr 30-May 6 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/47, 5-20-1882, p. 477.

–1 “ May 7-13 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/48, 5-27-1882, p. 491.

–2 “ Jun 4-10 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/52, 6-24-1882, p. 531.

Colorado ( 1)

–1 West Las Animas, Bent Co. May 28-Jun 3. Nat. Board…Health Bulletin, 3/51, 6-17-‘82, 525.

Connecticut ( 1)

— 1 Waterbury Apr 9-15 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/44, 4-29-1882, p. 441.

Dakotas ( 3)

— 3 Bridgewater. June Saturday Herald, Decatur IL. “News in Brief.” 7-1-1882, 5

Delaware ( 13) Wilmington (Jan-May)

— 1 Wilmington Jan 8-14 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/31, 1-28-1882, p. 275.

— 1 “ Jan 15-21 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/32, 2-04-1882, p. 287.

— 1 “ Jan 22-28 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/33, 2-11-1882, p. 303.

— 1 “ Feb National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/38, 3-18-1882, p. 357.

— 1 “ Mar 5-11 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/39, 3-25-1882, p. 376.

— 1 “ Mar 12-18 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/40, 4-01-1882, p. 383.

— 1 “ Apr 9-15 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/44, 4-29-1882, p. 441.

— 1 “ Apr 16-22 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/45, 5-07-1882, p. 452.

— 3 “ May 7-13 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/48, 5-27-1882, p. 489.

— 1 “ May 14-20 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/49, 6-03-1882, p. 499.

— 1 “ May 21-27 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/50, 6-10-1882, p. 509.

District of Col. ( 15) (Jan-Apr)

–14 District of Col. Jan 1-Apr 1^[4]National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/42, 4-15-1882, p. 409.

— 1 “ Jan 8-14 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/31, 1-28-1882, p. 275.

— 3 “ Jan 29-Feb 4 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/34, 2-18-1882, p. 315.

— 2 “ Feb 19-25 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/36, 3-04-1882, p. 337.

— 1 “ Mar 5-11 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/39, 3-25-1882, p. 371.

— 5 “ Mar 19-25 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/41, 4-08-1882, p. 401.

— 1 “ Mar 26-Apr 1 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/42, 4-15-1882, p. 409.

— 1 “ Apr 16-22 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/44, 4-29-1882, p. 436

Georgia, Atlanta ( 63) Atlanta (Apr 3-July 14 (ended) then Dec 14 outbreak)

— 63 Atlanta Apr 3-July 14 Reed, Wallace P. (Ed.). History of Atlanta. 1899, p. 277-78

— 1 “ Apr 8 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/42, 4-15-1882, p. 409.

— 1 “ Apr 16-22 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/45, 5-07-1882, p. 452.

— 6 “ Apr 23-29 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/46, 5-13-1882, p. 461.

— 7 “ Apr 30-May 6 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/47, 5-20-1882, p. 477.

— 2 “ May 7-13^[5] National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/47, 5-20-1882, p. 480.

— 4 “ May 14-20 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/49, 6-03-1882, p. 501.

— 3 “ May 21-27 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/50, 6-10-1882, p. 511.

— 3 “ May 28-Jun 3 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/51, 6-17-1882, p. 523.

— 1 “ Jun 4-10 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/52, 6-24-1882, p. 533.

–17 “ after Dec 14 Reed, Wallace P. (Ed.). History of Atlanta. 1899, p. 278.

Illinois (1,492) Chicago (1,292) especially

–1492 State Blanchard tally from breakouts below.

— 2 Annawan, Henry County. Mar-Apr IL State Board of Health 1883, 233.

— 2 Aurora, Kane Co. Oct-Nov IL State Board of Health 1883, 234.

— 1 “ Feb 19-25 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/37, 3-11-1882, p. 353.

— 1 Barrington, Cook Co. Jan-Feb IL State Board of Health 1883, 232.

— 1 Benson, Woodford Co. Mar-Apr IL State Board of Health 1883, 239.

— 1 Bird Station, Lawrence Co. Jan 10-Feb 21 IL State Board of Health 1883, 235.

— 1 Birmingham Tp., Schuyler Co. Jan 8-Feb 8 IL State Board of Health 1883, 238.

— 1 Bloomingdale, DuPage Co. Jan 2-Mar 3 IL State Board of Health 1883, 233.

— 1 Bluff Precinct, Monroe Co. Jan IL State Board of Health 1883, 237.

— 2 Butler Tp., Vermilion Co. Mar-May IL State Board of Health 1883, 238.

— 3 Cable, Mercer Co. Jan-Mar IL State Board of Health 1883, 236.

— 26 Cairo, Alexander Co. Jan 1-Dec 31 IL State Board of Health 1883, 231.

— 1 Camden Tp., Schuyler Co. Feb-Mar IL State Board of Health 1883, 238.

— 1 Carrollton, Greene Co. Feb 17-Apr 13 IL State Board of Health 1883, 233.

— 1 Champaign, Champaign Co. Feb 3-Feb 20 IL State Board of Health 1883, 231.

— 3 Chemung Tp., McHenry Co. Apr-Jun IL State Board of Health 1883, 235.

— 2 Chenoa, McLean Co. Mar-Apr IL State Board of Health 1883, 236.

–1292 Chicago, Cook Co. Total for Year IL State Board of Health 1883, 252.

–1292 “ Nugent. “Epidemics,” Encyclopedia of Chicago, Historical Society of Chicago.

— 963 “ Nat. Board of Health. Annual Report…1883. 1884, p. 134.[6]

— 322 “ Jan-March National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/43, 4-22-1882, p. 433.

— 345 “ Jan (271 in city/74 in Chicago Hosp.)^[7] IL State Board of Health 1883, 252.

— 133 “ Jan National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/35, 2-25-1882, p. 321.

— 6 Jan 8. Decatur Review (IL). Jan 8, 1880, 4.

–29 Jan 15-21. National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/32, 2-04-1882, p. 289.

–40 Jan 22-28. National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/33, 2-11-1882, p. 305.

— 281 Chicago, Feb (224 in city/57 in Chicago Hosp.)^[8] IL State Board of Health 1883, 252.

–22 Jan 29-Feb 4. National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/34, 2-18-1882, p. 317.

— 3 Feb 5-11 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/35, 2-25-1882, p. 331.

–15 Feb 12-18 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/36, 3-04-1882, p. 343.

–35 Feb 19-25 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/37, 3-11-1882, p. 353.

–17 Feb 26-Mar 4 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/38, 3-18-1882, p. 363.

— 262 Chicago, Mar (201 in City/61 in Chicago Hosp.)^[9] IL State Board of Health 1883, 252.

–13 March 5-11 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/39, 3-25-1882, p. 377.

–22 March 12-18 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/39, 3-25-1882, p. 371.

–28 March 19-25 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/41, 4-08-1882, p. 403.

–20 March 26-April 1 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/42, 4-15-1882, p. 415.

— 150 Chicago, April (123 in city/27 in Chicago Hosp.)^[10] IL State Board of Health 1883, 252.

— 65 “ April National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/49, 6-3-1882, 496.^[11]

“ –13 Apr 2-8 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/43, 4-22-1882, p. 429.

“ –20 Apr 9-15 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/44, 4-29-1882, p. 443.

“ –13 Apr 23-29 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/46, 5-13-1882, p. 465.

— 111 “ May (88 in city/23 in Chicago Hosp.) IL State Board of Health 1883, 252.

“ –11 Apr 30-May 6 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/47, 5-20-1882, p. 477.

“ –10 May 7-13 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/48, 5-27-1882, p. 491.

“ –16 May 14-20 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/49, 6-03-1882, p. 501.

“ –15 May 21-27 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/50, 6-10-1882, p. 511.

“ — 6 May 28-Jun 3 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/51, 6-17-1882, p. 523.

— 49 “ June (34 in city/15 in Chicago Hosp.)^[12] IL State Board of Health 1883, 252.

“–11 Jun 4-10 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/52, 6-24-1882, p. 533.

— 24 “ July (16 in city/8 in Chicago Hosp.)^[13] IL State Board of Health 1883, 252.

— 4 “ Aug (3 in city/1 in Chicago Hosp.)^[14] IL State Board of Health 1883, 252.

— 5 “ Sep (4 in city/1 in Chicago Hosp.)^[15] IL State Board of Health 1883, 252.

— 21 “ Oct (16 in city/5 in Chicago Hosp.)^[16] IL State Board of Health 1883, 252.

— 19 “ Nov (15 in city/4 in Chicago Hosp.)^[17] IL State Board of Health 1883, 252.

— 21 “ Dec (15 in city/6 in Chicago Hosp.)^[18] IL State Board of Health 1883, 252.

— 4 Colchester, McDonough Co. Dec 24, 1881-Mar 17 IL State Board of Health. 1883, 235.

— 7 Commercial Pt., Alexander Co. May-Jul 16 IL State Board of Health 1883, 231.

— 1 Crooked Creek Tp., Cumberland Co. Mar 8-Apr IL State Board of Health 1883, 232.

— 2 Danforth, Iroquois County Feb 1-Mar 7 IL State Board of Health 1883, 234.

— 2 Dee Park Tp., LaSalle Co. Jan-Mar IL State Board of Health 1883, 235.

— 2 DeKalb, DeKalb County Apr-May IL State Board of Health 1883, 232.

— 2 Dongola, Union County Dec 1881-Mar 1882 IL State Board of Health. 1883, 238.

— 1 Dundee, Kane County Mar-Oct IL State Board of Health 1883, 234.

— 4 Dwight, Livingston County Jan IL State Board of Health 1883, 235.

— 8 Elgin, Kane County Blanchard tally from date breakouts below.

–1 “ Jan 15-21. National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/32, 2-04-1882, p. 289.

–7 “ Jun-Jul IL State Board of Health 1883, 234.

— 3 Elsah, Jersey County Aug-Sep IL State Board of Health 1883, 234.

— 1 Freeport, Stephenson Co. Jan 1-17 IL State Board of Health 1883, 238.

— 3 Galena, Jo Daviess County Dec `81-May `82 IL State Board of Health. 1883, 234.

— 2 Genesco, Henry County Mar-May IL State Board of Health 1883, 233.

— 2 Grand Tower, Jackson Co. May 20-Jul 20 IL State Board of Health 1883, 234.

— 4 Homer Twp., Will County Mar-May 16 IL State Board of Health 1883, 239.

— 1 Huntsville, Schuyler Co. Jan 1-25 IL State Board of Health 1883, 238.

— 20 Hyde Park Tp., Cook Co. Dec 15-Jun 30, `82. IL State Board of Health. 1883, 232.

— 1 Irishtown, Clinton County Feb 20-Feb 26 IL State Board of Health 1883, 232.

— 3 Joliet March National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/44, 4-29-1882, p. 437

— 1 Kings, Ogle County Nov 1-Nov 18 IL State Board of Health 1883, 237.

— 16 Lake Twp., Cook County Nov 2, 1881-May 30. IL State Board of Health. 1883, 232.

–2 Lake Jan 1-7 National Board of Health Bulletin. 3/29, 1-14-1882, p. 254.

–1 “ Jan 8-14 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/31, 1-28-1882, p. 275.

–1 “ Jan 15-21 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/32, 2-04-1882, p. 289.

–1 “ Feb 5-11 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/35, 2-25-1882, p. 322.

–1 “ Feb 12-18 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/35, 2-25-1882, p. 322.

–2 “ Feb 26-Mar 4 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/38, 3-18-1882, p. 363.

–1 “ Apr 9-15 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/44, 4-29-1882, p. 443.

–1 “ May 28-Jun 3 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/51, 6-17-1882, p. 523.

— 34 Lake View Twp., Cook Co. Nov `81-Mar `82. IL State Board of Health. 1883, 232.

— 1 Lanark, Carroll County Dec 22-Jan 9, 82` IL State Board of Health. 1883, 231.

— 2 Laona Twp., Winnebago Co. Dec 23 `81-Feb `82 IL State Board of Health. 1883, 239.

— 8 Lemont Twp., Cook Co. Aug `81-May 23, `82 IL State Board of Health. 1883, 232.

— 2 Lombard, DuPage County Feb-Mar 14 IL State Board of Health 1883, 233.

— 12 Macon, Macon County Feb-May IL State Board of Health 1883, 236.

— 1 Martinton Twp. Iroquois Co. Jan 1-19 IL State Board of Health 1883, 234.

— 4 Mattoon, Coles County Jun 3-Jul 11. IL State Board of Health 1883, 232.

— 3 Milton Tp., DuPage County Nov 1881-Jan 1882 IL State Board of Health. 1883, 233.

— 1 Moline, Jan 1-7 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/30, 1-21-1882, 263.

— 3 “ Jan 8-14 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/31, 1-28-1882, 275.

— 1 “ Jan 15-21 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/32, 2-04-1882, 289.

— 1 “ Jan 22-28 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/34, 2-18-‘82, 317.^[19]

— 2 Nevada Tp., Livingston Co. Apr 14-May IL State Board of Health 1883, 235.

— 2 New Windsor, Mercer Co. Jan IL State Board of Health 1883, 236.

— 2 Ocoya, Livingston Co. Jan-Apr 20 IL State Board of Health 1883, 235.

— 1 Odin, Marion Co. Nov `81-Jan `82 IL State Board of Health. 1883, 236.

— 1 Oglesby, LaSalle Co. Feb 13, Oct. IL State Board of Health 1883, 235.

— 1 Orion, Henry Co. Jan 5-Feb IL State Board of Health 1883, 233.

— 1 Palatine, Cook Co. Feb-Mar IL State Board of Health 1883, 232.

— 1 Palos, Cook Co. Feb IL State Board of Health 1883, 232.

— 1 Paxton, Ford Co. Aug 25-Sep 20 IL State Board of Health 1883, 233.

— 8 Penn Twp., Shelby Co, Apr 1-14. National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/42, 4-15-‘82, 406

— 1 Peotone, Will Co. Feb-Mar IL State Board of Health 1883, 239.

— 2 Peru, LaSalle Co. Jun 1-20 IL State Board of Health 1883, 235.

— 6 Prairie du Rocher, Randolph Co. Aug-Oct IL State Board of Health 1883, 237.

— 3 Quincy, Adams Co. Mar 18-May 29 IL State Board of Health 1883, 231.

–1 Apr 30-May 6 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/47, 5-20-1882, p. 477.

— 4 Renault, Monroe Co. Dec 3, `81-Mar `82 IL State Board of Health. 1883, 237.

— 6 Richfield, Adams Co. Jan 2-Feb 9 IL State Board of Health 1883, 231.

— 2 Rock Island, Rock Island Co. Jun 4-10. Nat. Board…Health Bulletin, 3/52, 6-24-‘82, 533

— 2 “ July IL State Board of Health 1883, 237.

— 3 Rockford, Winnebago Co. Mar-Aug 30 IL State Board of Health 1883, 239.

— 2 Serena, LaSalle Co. Jan IL State Board of Health 1883, 235.

— 2 Silver Creek Twp., Stephenson Co. Feb 1-Mar IL State Board of Health 1883, 238.

— 1 S. Henderson, Henderson Co. Dec 1881-Jan 1882 IL State Board of Health. 1883, 233.

— 2 Spring Creek Tp., Pike Co. Jan-Mar IL State Board of Health 1883, 237.

— 15 Springfield, Sangamon Co. May 1-Jun IL State Board of Health. 1883, 238.

— 1 Staton’s Island, Monroe Co. July-Sep IL State Board of Health 1883, 237

— 5 Streator, LaSalle Co. Mar 19-Apr IL State Board of Health 1883, 235.

— 2 Swedona, Mercer Co. Dec 20-Feb 15, `82 IL State Board of Health. 1883, 236.

— 1 Towanda, McLean Co. Jan 1-Feb IL State Board of Health 1883, 235.

— 5 Waukegan, Lake Co. Dec 14-Feb 23, `82 IL State Board of Health. 1883, 234.

— 2 Woodland, Iroquois Co. Dec 1881-Jan 1882 IL State Board of Health. 1883, 234.

Indiana ( 87) Fort Wayne especially (42) (Jan-June and late 1882 especially)

–87 IN State Board of Health. First Annual Report…Fiscal Year Ending October 31, 1882. 37.

–83 Blanchard tally of locality breakouts below.

— 6 Evansville^[20] Jan 1-Apr 26 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/46, 5-13-1882, p. 467.

–1 “ Apr 9-15 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/44, 4-29-1882, p. 443.

–1 “ Apr 16-22 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/45, 5-07-1882, p. 452.

–1 “ Apr 23-29 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/45, 5-7-1882, p. 449.

— 2 “ Apr 30-May 6 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/47, 5-20-1882, p. 477.

— 3 “ May 7-13 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/48, 5-27-1882, p. 491.

— 5 “ May 14-20 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/49, 6-03-1882, p. 501.

— 1 “ May 21-27 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/50, 6-10-1882, p. 511.

— 1 “ May 28-Jun 3 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/51, 6-17-1882, p. 523.

— 1 “ Jun 4-10 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/52, 6-24-1882, p. 533.

–42 Fort Wayne, late 1881-Feb 22 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/36, 3-4-‘82, p.337.^[21]

— 1 Indianapolis Jan 15-21 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/31, 1-28-1882, p. 277.

— 1 “ Jan 29-Feb 4 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/34, 2-18-1882, p. 317.

— 1 La Porte County, by Jan 28 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/32, 2-4-1882, p. 289.

— 1 Lawrenceburg May 28-Jun 3 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/50, 6-10-1882, p. 507.

— 1 Michigan City Apr 30-May 6 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/47, 5-20-1882, p. 477.

— 2 “ May 7-13 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/48, 5-27-1882, p. 491.

— 1 “ May 21-27 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/50, 6-10-1882, p. 511.

— 1 “ Jun 4-10 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/52, 6-24-1882, p. 533.

— 1 Monticello vic., Apr 2-8 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/44, 4-29-1882, p. 437.

— 1 Nyesville Mar-June Gillum in An. Rpt., IN State Board of Health, 1882, 30.^[22]

— 7 Rosedale, Parke Co., Mar-June Gillum in An. Rpt., IN State Board of Health, 1882, 30.

— 1 Terre Haute Jan 21-28 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/33, 2-11-1882, p. 305.

— 1 “ Feb 26-Mar 4 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/37, 3-11-1882, p. 354.

— 1 “ Apr 9-15 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/43, 4-22-1882, p. 434.

Iowa ( 33) Davenport (11) and Keokuk (9) especially (Jan-Sep)

–33 Blanchard tally from locality breakouts below.

— 1 Avoca ~March 11 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/41, 4-08-1882, p. 404.

— 2 Avoca countryside, Mar 11-25. National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/41, 4-08-1882, p. 404.

— 2 Clinton Jan 8-14 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/31, 1-28-1882, p. 274.

— 1 “ Feb 12-18 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/36, 3-4-1882, p. 344.

–11 Davenport Apr-19-Sep 4 Annual Report…National Board of Health, 1883. 1884, 132

— 9 Keokuk Iowa Pathways “Battling Smallpox.” Adapted from Frana.

–7 “ Jan National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/35, 2-25-1882, p. 322.

“ –3 National Board of Health Bulletin. 3/29, 1-14-‘82, 254.^[23]

“ –2 by Jan 4 New York Times. “Ravages of Small-Pox,” 1-6-1882.^[24]

“ –1 Jan 8-14 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/31, 1-28-1882, p. 277.

— ? Lake City, Carroll Co., 30 cases. New York Times. “Small-Pox in Iowa.” 7-26-1882, p. 2.

— 5 Le Mars Jan 1-Mar 20 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/40, 4-01-1882, p. 388.

— 1 Muscatine Mar 12-18 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/40, 4-01-1882, p. 387.

— 1 “ Mar 26-Apr 1 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/42, 4-15-1882, p. 411.

Kansas ( 53) Johnson County especially (26) (Jan-Apr)

— 53 State Blanchard tally based on locality breakouts below.

— 2 Douglas County Jan National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/33, 2-11-‘82, 299.^[25]

— 6 Gould vicinity, by Jan. 25. National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/32, 2-4-1882, p. 288.

— 4 “ Jan 26-Mar 10 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/40, 4-1-1882, 388.^[26]

— 7 Greenwood County

— 7 Severy. Cutler, Wm. History of…State of Kansas, “Greenwood County, Part 11.”^[27]

— 2 Co. countryside, Feb. National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/42, 4-15-1882, p. 409.

— 26 Johnson County

–13 Cedar Junction, by Jan 24. National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/32, 2-4-1882, 288.

— 7 De Soto Jan National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/33, 2-11-1882, 299.

— 4 Olathe Jan National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/33, 2-11-1882, 299.

— 2 locality? Feb 26-Mar 4 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/38, 3-18-1882, p. 365.

— 7 Lena Jan National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/35, 2-25-‘82, 321.^[28]

— 1 Rittersville Jan 2 Carbon Advocate, Lehighton, KS. 1-7-1882.

— 4 Topeka Jeb 1-Apr 20 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/46, 5-13-1882, p. 467.

Kentucky ( 23) Louisville (22) (Jan-June)
–23 Louisville Blanchard tally based on locality breakouts below.

— 1 Jan 1-7 NY Times. Suffering from Small-Pox,” 1-10-1882.^[29]

— 1 “ Jan 8-14 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/31, 1-28-1882, p. 277.

— 1 “ Jan 15-21 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/32, 2-04-1882, p. 289.

— 2 “ Apr 2-8 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/43, 4-22-1882, p. 434.

— 2 “ Apr 9-15 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/44, 4-29-1882, p. 443.

— 1 “ Apr 30-May 6 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/46, 5-13-1882, p. 467.

— 1 “ May 7-13 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/47, 5-20-1882, p. 480.

— 5 “ May 14-20 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/49, 6-03-1882, p. 501.

— 7 “ May 21-27 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/50, 6-10-1882, p. 507

— 1 “ Jun 4-10 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/52, 6-24-1882, p. 533.

— 1 Newport Apr 11-17 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/43, 4-22-1882, p. 434.

Louisiana ( 417) New Orleans (415)

— 1 Baton Rouge Apr 23-29 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/46, 5-13-1882, p. 465.

— 1 “ May 14-20 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/49, 6-03-1882, p. 501.

–415 New Orleans Year Baltimore Sun. “Small-pox in Baltimore, 1882-83.”

— 1 “ Jan 1-7 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/30, 1-21-1882, p. 265.

— 1 “ Jan 15-21 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/32, 2-04-1882, p. 289.

— 4 “ Jan 22-28 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/33, 2-11-1882, p. 305.

— 2 “ Feb 5-11 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/35, 2-25-1882, p. 331.

— 4 “ Feb 12-18 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/36, 3-04-1882, p. 343.

— 3 “ Feb 19-25 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/37, 3-11-1882, p. 351.

— 2 “ Feb 26-Mar 4 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/38, 3-18-1882, p. 363.

— 6 “ Mar 5-11 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/39, 3-25-1882, p. 377.

–24 “ Mar 12-18 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/40, 4-01-1882, p. 385.

–15 “ Mar 19-25 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/41, 4-08-1882, p. 403.

–17 “ Mar 26-Apr 1 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/42, 4-15-1882, p. 415.

–17 “ Apr 2-8 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/43, 4-22-1882, p. 429.

–17 “ Apr 9-15 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/44, 4-29-1882, p. 443.

–18 “ Apr 16-22 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/45, 5-07-1882, p. 453.

–16 “ Apr 23-29 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/46, 5-13-1882, p. 465.

–15 “ Apr 30-May 6 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/47, 5-20-1882, p. 477.

–15 “ May 7-13 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/48, 5-27-1882, p. 491.

–23 “ May 14-20 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/49, 6-03-1882, p. 501.

–10 “ May 21-27 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/50, 6-10-1882, p. 511.

–16 “ May 28-Jun 3 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/51, 6-17-1882, p. 523.

–25 “ Jun 4-10 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/52, 6-24-1882, p. 533.

Maryland ( 551) Baltimore

–1,184 Baltimore, Jan 1882-June 1883. Baltimore Sun. “Small-pox in Baltimore, 1882-83.”^[30]

— 551 Baltimore. Cordell, Eugene F. The Medical Annals of Maryland 1799-1899. 1903, p717.

— 76 “ Week ending 1-1-83. Galveston Daily News, “Smallpox…Baltimore,” 1-2-1883.

—315 “ Dec (last week). Cordell. The Medical Annals of Maryland 1799-1899. 1903, 717

Massachusetts ( 45)

–45 State Boston Medical…Surgical Journal. Vol. CIX, July-Dec 1883, 498-499.[31]

— 8 Boston Jan-March National Board of Health Bulletin, Vol. 3, No’s 30-39.

“ — 2 Jan 8-14 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/30, 1-21-1882, p. 259.

“ — 1 Jan 15-21 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/32, 2-04-1882, p. 287.

“ — 1 Jan 29-Feb 4 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/33, 2-11-1882, p. 299.

“ — 1 Feb 5-11 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/35, 2-25-1882, p. 329.

“ — 1 Feb 12-18 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/36, 3-04-1882, p. 341.

“ — 1 Feb 19-25 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/36, 3-04-1882, p. 337.

“ — 1 Mar 12-18 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/39, 3-25-1882, p. 371.

— 2 Fall River Apr 23-29 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/46, 5-13-1882, p. 463.

— 1 “ Apr 30-May 6 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/47, 5-20-1882, p. 475.

— 1 Holyoke Jan 8-14 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/31, 1-28-1882, p. 275.

— 1 “ Jan 22-28 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/33, 2-11-1882, p. 303.

— 1 “ Feb 5-11 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/35, 2-25-1882, p. 329.

— 1 “ Feb 12-18 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/36, 3-04-1882, p. 341.

— 1 “ Apr 16-22 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/45, 5-07-1882, p. 451.

— 1 “ Apr 30-May 6 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/47, 5-20-1882, p. 475.

— 1 Hyde Park Jan-Mar National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/43, 4-22-1882, p. 431.

— 1 North Adams Jan 8-14 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/31, 1-28-1882, p. 275.

— 1 Pittsfield Feb 5-11 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/35, 2-25-1882, p. 329.

— 1 “ Feb 12-18 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/36, 32-4-1882, p. 341.

Michigan (159-175) The Year

–159-175 Statewide. Year. Annual Report of the National Board of Health, 1883. 1884, p.132.

— 100 State. MI Sec. State. “Deaths from Small-pox in Michigan – Fourteen Years,” 269.^[32]

— 100 State. MI Sec. State. 19^th An. Rpt. Deaths…Michigan…1885. 1887, p. 143.^[33]

— 98 Blanchard tally based on locality breakouts below.

— 1 Allegan County. “ “

— 2 Antrim County. “ “

— 5 Calhoun County. “ “

–1 Battle Creek, Mar 19-25. National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/41, 4-08-‘82, 403.

–1 “ May 21-27. National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/50, 6-10-1882, p. 511.

–3 “ May 28-Jun 3. Nat. Board of Health Bulletin, 3/51, 6-17-1882, p. 523.

— 6 Genesee County. MI. “Deaths from Small-pox in Michigan – Fourteen Years,” 269.

— 9 Ionia County. “ “

— 2 Kalamazoo Co. “ “

— 3 Kalkaska County. “ “

— 22 Kent County. “ “

–2 Grand Rapids, Jan. National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/35, 2-25-1882, 321.

–1 “ May 28-Jun 3. National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/51, 6-17-1882, 523.

–1 “ Jun 4-10 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/52, 6-24-1882, p. 533.

— 4 Manistee County. MI. “Deaths from Small-pox in Michigan – Fourteen Years,” 269.

— 2 Mason County. “ “

— 21 Menominee Co.^[34] “ “ Mostly Native children.^[35]

— 2 Newaygo County. “ “

— 1 Oakland Co., Milford, Apr 2-8. Nat. Board of Health Bulletin, 3/43, 4-22-1882, p425.

— 3 Saginaw County. MI. “Deaths from Small-pox in Michigan – Fourteen Years,” 269.

–1 East Saginaw, May 14-20. National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/49, 6-03-1882, 501.

–2 Saginaw May 7-13. National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/48, 5-27-1882, 491.

— 2 St. Clair County, MI. “Deaths from Small-pox in Michigan – Fourteen Years,” 269.

— 1 Tuscola County. “ “

— 13 Wayne County. “ “ [Largest mortality was in July.]

–5 Detroit, Jan-Mar National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/43, 4-22-1882, p. 433.

“ –1 Feb National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/38, 3-18-1882, 355.

–1 “ May 14-20 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/49, 6-03-1882, p. 501.

–1 “ May 21-27 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/50, 6-10-1882, p. 511

–2 “ May 21-Jun 3 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/50, 6-10-1882, p. 507.

–1 “ Jun 4-10 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/51, 6-17-1882, p. 525.

Minnesota ( 52) Spring Hill especially (29) The Year

–52 State. Year MN State Board of Health. “Report…Small Pox.” 1883, 5.^[36]

— 1 Minneapolis May 14-20 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/49, 6-03-1882, p. 501.

— 1 “ Jun 4-10 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/52, 6-24-1882, p. 533.

— 1 “ Dec 16. Davenport…Gazette. “The Small-Pox in Minn. …” 12-18-1882, 1

–29 Spring Hill by Jan 6 [probably including Dec]. NYT. “Ravages of Small-Pox,” 1-6-1882

— 2 Stanchfield, Isanti County, by Aug 9. NYT. “Small-Pox in Minnesota,” 8-10-1882, p. 5.

Mississippi ( 6) (Feb-Mar)

— 1 Hernando Feb 26-Mar 4 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/38, 3-18-1882, p. 365.

— 4 “ Mar 5-11 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/39, 3-25-1882, p. 371.

— 1 Vicksburg Feb 26-Mar 4 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/38, 3-18-1882, p. 361.

Missouri ( ~134) St. Louis (81) and Seneca (50) especially (esp. Jan-June)

–134 State Blanchard tally based on breakouts below

–~50 Seneca, Newton Co. Find A Grave. “SW Missouri 1882 Smallpox Epidemic…”^[37]

— 1 St. Joseph May 21-27 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/50, 6-10-1882, p. 511.

— 1 “ May 28-Jun 3 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/51, 6-17-1882, p. 523.

— 1 “ Jun 4-10 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/52, 6-24-1882, p. 533.

— 81 St. Louis and vic., Jan-May 13. Blanchard tally from Nat. Health Board Bulletin, Vol. 3.

— 5 “ Jan 1-7 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/30, 1-21-1882, p. 259.

— 4 “ Jan 15-21 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/32, 2-4-1882, 289.^[38]

— 1 “ Jan 29-Feb 4 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/34, 2-18-1882, p. 317.

— 2 “ Jan 29-Feb 4, smallpox hospital six miles south of the city. Ibid, p. 318.

— 7 “ Feb 19-25 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/36, 3-4-1882, 339.^[39]

— 8 “ Feb 26-Mar 4 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/37, 3-11-1882, p.354.

— 5 “ Mar 5-11 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/39, 3-25-‘82, 373.^[40]

— 9 “ Mar 12-18 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/39, 3-25-‘82, 373.^[41]

— 9 “ Mar 19-25 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/42, 4-15-‘82, 410.^[42]

— 5 “ Mar 26-Apr 1. National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/42, 4-15-‘82, 410.^[43]

— 8 “ Apr 2-8 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/43, 4-22-1882, p. 434.

— 2 “ Apr 16-22 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/45, 5-07-1882, p. 453.

— 8 “ Apr 9-29 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/45, 5-07-‘82, 455.^[44]

— 8 “ May 7-13 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/47, 5-20-1882, p. 480.

Montana ( ?)

— ? Mills City ~Fort Keogh – 12 cases reported on Apr 28. NBH Bulletin, 3/46, 5-13-‘82, 467.

Nebraska ( 16) Omaha (Jan 22-May)

–16 Omaha Blanchard tally from date breakouts below.

— 1 Omaha Jan 22-28 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/33, 2-11-1882, p. 305.

— 4 “ Jan 29-Feb 4 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/34, 2-18-1882, p. 318.

— 2 “ Feb 12-18 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/36, 3-04-1882, p. 343.

— 2 “ Feb 19-25 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/37, 3-11-1882, p. 353.

— 1 “ Feb 26-Mar 4 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/38, 3-18-1882, p. 363.

— 2 “ Mar 26-Apr 1 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/42, 4-15-1882, p. 415.

— 1 “ Apr 2-8 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/43, 4-22-1882, p. 429.

— 1 “ Apr 9-15 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/43, 4-22-1882, p. 434.

— 2 “ Apr 30-May 6 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/47, 5-20-1882, p. 477.

New Jersey ( 367) Hudson County (139) especially (Year)

–367 State Year. NJ Board of Health. Annual Report…. 1907, p. 44.

— 1 Camden Feb 26-Mar 4 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/38, 3-18-1882, p. 357

— 1 “ Mar 26-Apr 1 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/42, 4-15-1882, p. 413.

— 1 “ May 21-27 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/50, 6-10-1882, p. 509.

–139 Hudson County, Jan-June 10 Blanchard tally based on breakouts below.

— 17 “ Jan 1-7 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/30, 1-21-1882, p. 259.

— 19 “ Jan 8-14 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/31, 1-28-1882, p. 275.

— 11 “ Jan 15-21 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/32, 2-4-1882, p. 287.

— 9 “ Jan 22-28 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/33, 2-11-1882, p. 303.

— 9 “ Jan 29-Feb 4 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/34, 2-18-1882, p. 315.

— 6 “ Feb 5-11 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/35, 2-25-1882, p. 322.

— 3 “ Feb 19-25 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/37, 3-11-1882, p. 351.

— 6 “ Mar 5-11 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/39, 3-25-1882, p. 375.

— 3 “ Mar 12-18 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/40, 4-01-1882, p. 383.

— 4 “ Mar 19-25 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/41, 4-08-1882, p. 401.

— 3 “ Mar 26-Apr 1 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/42, 4-15-1882, p. 413.

— 23 “ April National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/49, 6-03-1882, p. 496.

–1“ Apr 2-8 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/43, 4-22-1882, p. 425.

–6“ Apr 9-15 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/44, 4-29-1882, p. 441.

–4“ Apr 16-22 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/45, 5-07-1882, p. 451.

–5“ Apr 23-29 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/46, 5-13-1882, p. 463.

— 9 “ Apr 30-May 6 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/47, 5-20-1882, p. 475.

— 3 “ May 7-13 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/48, 5-27-1882, p. 489.

— 6 “ May 21-27 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/50, 6-10-1882, p. 509.

— 6 “ May 28-Jun 3 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/50, 6-10-1882, p. 507.

— 4 “ Jun 4-10 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/52, 6-24-1882, p. 531.

— 11 Newark Jan-Mar National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/43, 4-22-1882, p. 431.

–3 “ Jan 8-14 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/31, 1-28-1882, p. 275.

–2 “ Jan 29-Feb 4 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/34, 2-18-1882, p. 315.

–1 “ Mar 19-25 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/41, 4-08-1882, p. 401.

— 1 “ Apr 23-29 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/46, 5-13-1882, p. 463.

— 1 “ May 14-20 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/49, 6-03-1882, p. 499.

— 10 Paterson Blanchard tally from breakouts below.

— 6 Paterson By Sep 15. NYT. “The Paterson Small-Pox Cases.” 9-15-1882, p. 8.

—>1 Sep 5 burial. New York Times. “Small-Pox in Paterson.” 9-6-1882, p. 2.

— 1 Sep 6, woman, 88. NY Times. “Small-Pox in Paterson.” 9-7-1882, p. 8.

— 2 Sep 7-9 NYT. “Small-Pox Spreading in Paterson.” 9-10-1882, p. 13.

— 2 ~Sep 11 NY Times. “The Small-Pox in Paterson.” 9-6-1882, p. 8.[45]

— 2 Paterson, Sep 17 NY Times. “Two Deaths from Small-Pox.” 9-17-1882, p. 7.

— 2 Paterson, Sep 18-19 NY Times. “The Small-Pox in Paterson.” 9-19-1882, p. 8.[46]

New Mexico ( ?) (May)

–? Fort Wingate vic., May 11 rpt. “small-pox has made its appearance among the Navajo…”^[47]

New York ( 313) NYC especially (259) (Jan-June especially; Jan-Dec for NYC)

–313 State Blanchard tally based on breakouts below.

— 43 Brooklyn Jan-Feb 26 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/42, 4-15-‘82, 409.^[48]

–1 “ Jan 22-28 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/33, 2-11-1882, p. 299.

–1 “ Jan 29-Feb 4 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/34, 2-18-1882, p. 315.

–2 “ Feb 5-11 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/35, 2-25-1882, p. 329.

–1 “ Feb 12-18 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/36, 3-04-1882, p. 337.

— 2 Brooklyn Mar 5-11 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/39, 3-25-1882, p. 375.

— 1 “ Apr 16-22 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/44, 4-29-1882, p. 436.

— 1 “ Apr 30-May 6 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/47, 5-20-1882, p. 475.

— 1 Buffalo Jan 1-7 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/30, 1-21-1882, p. 263.

— 1 “ Feb 19-25 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/37, 3-11-1882, p. 351.

— 1 Flatbush, Long Island, Jan National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/35, 2-25-1882, p. 321.

— 1 “ Feb-Mar National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/43, 4-22-1882, p. 431.

— 1 Ilion by Jan 21 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/31, 1-28-1882, p. 275.

–259 NYC Year An. Rpt. Dept. of Health…City of [NY]…1911-1912., p.227.

–259 NYC Year NYC Health Dept. Pg. 15 in Plunket. Vital Statistics TN.^[49]

–176 NYC Jan-Mar National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/43, 4-22-1882, p. 431.

“ –12 Jan 1-7 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/30, 1-21-1882, p. 263.

“ –13 Jan 8-14 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/31, 1-28-1882, p. 275.

“ — 7 Jan 15-21 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/32, 2-04-1882, p. 287.

“ –90 [?] Jan 15-21 NYT. “City…Suburban News, New York,” 1-22-1882, 5.^[50]

“ –11 Jan 22-28 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/33, 2-11-1882, p. 303.

“ — 3 Jan 26 NYT. “City and Suburban News, New York,” 1-27-1882, 8.

“ –19 Jan 29-Feb 4 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/34, 2-18-1882, p. 315.

“ –21 Feb 5-11 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/35, 2-25-1882, p. 329.

“ –17 Feb 12-18 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/36, 3-04-1882, p. 341.

“ –18 Feb 27-Mar 4^[51] National Board of Health Bulletin, Vol. 3.

“ –11 Mar 5-11 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/39, 3-25-1882, p. 375.

“ –14 Mar 19-25 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/41, 4-08-1882, p. 401.

“ –12 Mar 26-Apr 1 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/42, 4-15-1882, p. 413.

— 8 “ Apr 2-8 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/43, 4-22-1882, p. 427.

— 5 “ Apr 9-15 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/44, 4-29-1882, p. 441.

— 8 “ Apr 16-22 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/45, 5-07-1882, p. 451.

— 6 “ Apr 23-29 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/46, 5-13-1882, p. 463.

— 8 “ Apr 30-May 6 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/47, 5-20-1882, p. 475.

— 4 “ May 7-13 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/48, 5-27-1882, p. 489.

— 7 “ May 14-20 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/49, 6-03-1882, p. 499.

— 9 “ May 21-27 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/50, 6-10-1882, p. 509.

— 4 “ May 28-Jun 3 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/51, 6-17-1882, p. 521.

— 4 “ Jun 4-10 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/52, 6-24-1882, p. 531.

— ? Port Jervis, Orange County New York Times. “Suffering from Small-Pox,” 1-10-1882.

— 1 Rochester Mar 5-11 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/39, 3-25-1882, p. 375.

— 1 “ May 21-27 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/50, 6-10-1882, p. 509.

Ohio (1,328) Cincinnati (1,249) The Year

–1,328 Blanchard tally based on breakouts below.

–1,249 Cincinnati, Hamilton Co. The year. Baltimore Sun. “Small-pox in Baltimore, 1882-83.”

–1,249 “ Year Mitchell. “History of Epidemics in Cincinnati.” 1920, 13-14.

–1,240 “ Year Twitchell. “The Prevention of Smallpox.” 1906, p. 693.

— 6 “ Jan 1-7 NY Times. “Suffering from Small-Pox,” 1-10-1882.^[52]

— 15 “ Jan 8-14 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/34, 2-18-1882, p. 309.

— 30 “ Jan 15-21 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/34, 2-18-1882, p. 309.

— 13 “ Jan 22-28 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/34, 2-18-1882, p. 309.

— 16 “ Jan 29-Feb 4 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/34, 2-18-1882, p. 317.

— 31 “ Feb 12-18 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/36, 3-4-1882, p. 343.

— 25 “ Feb 19-25 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/37, 3-11-1882, p. 353.

— 27 “ Feb 26-Mar 4 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/38, 3-18-1882, p. 363.

— 31 “ Mar 5-11 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/39, 3-25-1882, p. 377.

— 33 “ Mar 12-18 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/40, 4-01-1882, p. 385.

— 22 “ Mar 19-25 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/41, 4-08-1882, p. 403.

— 37 “ Mar 26-Apr 1 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/42, 4-15-1882, p. 415.

— 50 “ Apr 2-8 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/43, 4-22-1882, p. 429.

— 41 “ Apr 9-15 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/44, 4-29-1882, p. 443.

— 51 “ Apr 16-22 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/45, 5-07-1882, p. 453.

— 55 “ Apr 23-29 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/46, 5-13-1882, p. 465.

— 41 “ Apr 30-May 6 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/47, 5-20-1882, p. 477.

— 65 “ May 7-13 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/48, 5-27-1882, p. 491.

— 57 “ May 14-20 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/49, 6-03-1882, p. 501.

— 51 “ May 21-27 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/50, 6-10-1882, p. 511.

— 38 “ May 28-Jun 3 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/51, 6-17-1882, p. 523.

— 52 “ Jun 4-10 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/52, 6-24-1882, p. 533.

— 6 Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Jan 15-June 10 . Blanchard tally from breakouts below.

— 1 “ Jan 15-21 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/32, 2-04-1882, p. 289.

— 1 “ Apr 23-29 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/46, 5-13-1882, p. 465.

— 1 “ Apr 30-May 6 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/47, 5-20-1882, p. 477.

— 1 “ May 14-20 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/49, 6-03-1882, p. 501.

— 2 “ Jun 4-10 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/52, 6-24-1882, p. 533.

— 12 Dayton, Montgomery County, Jan 15-May 13. Blanchard tally from breakouts below.

— 1 “ Jan 15-21 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/32, 2-04-1882, p. 289.

— 1 “ Feb 5-11 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/34, 2-18-1882, p. 309.

— 1 “ Feb 26-Mar 4 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/38, 3-18-1882, p. 363.

— 4 “ Mar 26-Apr 1 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/42, 4-15-1882, p. 415.

— 1 “ Apr 9-15 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/44, 4-29-1882, p. 443.

— 1 “ Apr 23-29 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/46, 5-13-1882, p. 465.

— 1 “ Apr 30-May 6 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/47, 5-20-1882, p. 477.

— 1 “ May 7-13 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/48, 5-27-1882, p. 491.

— 11 Gallia Co., Morgan Twp., to Apr. 13. Nat. Board of Health Bulletin, 3/43, 4-22-1882, 434.

–9 “ Feb 26-Mar 24^[53] National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/39, 3-25-1882, p. 371.

— 1 Gallipolis, Gallia County. Feb 26-Mar 4. Nat. Board of Health Bul., 3/38, 3-18-1882, 363.

–~18 Licking County, by June 22. NY Times. “Deaths from Small-Pox.” 6-24-1882, 1.[54]

— 6 Massillon, Stark Co., Feb 19-May 20. Nat. Board of Health Bulletin, V3, No’s 32-52.^[55]

— 1 “ Feb 19-25 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/37, 3-11-1882, p. 353.

— 1 “ Mar 5-11 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/39, 3-25-1882, p. 377.

— 1 “ Mar 12-18 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/39, 3-25-1882, p. 371.

— 2 “ Apr 16-22 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/45, 5-07-1882, p. 453.

— 1 “ May 14-20 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/49, 6-03-1882, p. 501.

— 3 Pomeroy, Meigs County, Jan National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/34, 2-18-1882, p. 318.

— 1 “ Feb 5-11 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/35, 2-25-1882, p. 332.

— 1 Portsmouth, Scioto Co., Jan-March. Nat. Board of Health Bulletin, 3/43, 4-22-1882, p.433.

— 15 Rowlesville vicinity, Gallia Co., by Mar 24. Nat. Board of Health Bul., 3/42, 4-15-1882, 410.

— 1 Salem Twp., Meigs Co., to Apr. 13. Nat. Board of Health Bulletin, 3/43, 4-22-1882, 434.

— 3 Van Wert, Van Wert Co., June 11-17. Nat. Board of Health Bul., 3/52, 6-24-1882, p. 536.

— 1 Youngstown, Mahoning Co., Feb 26-Mar 4. Nat. Board of Health Bul., 3/38, 3-18-1882, 366.

Oklahoma, Indian Territory (40-45) Osage Agency especially (20-25) July-Sep 12

–45-45 Blanchard tally from locality breakouts below

— 5 Cherokee, Dec. Wellsboro Agitator (PA). “General Intelligence,” 12-19-1882, p. 2.

— >10 Muskogee, by July 4. NYT. “Small-Pox Epidemic in the West.” 7-5-1882, p. 2.[56]

— 5 Okmulgee, by July 4. NYT. “Small-Pox Epidemic in the West.” 7-5-1882, p. 2.

–20-25 Osage Agency. ^[57] Rpt., US Indian Agent L.J. Miles, 9-12-1882 to Comm. of Indian Affairs.^[58]

Pennsylvania (1,111) Philly/314, Pittsburgh/300, Bethlehem/192, Allegheny/190

–190 Allegheny (now in Pittsburgh)^[59] Jan-June 10. Blanchard tally from NBHB, Vol. 3.

— 17 “ Jan 1-7 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/30, 1-21-1882, p. 261.

— 14 “ Jan 8-14 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/30, 1-21-‘82, 259.^[60]

— 19 “ Jan 15-21 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/32, 2-04-1882, p. 285.

— 24 “ Jan 22-28 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/33, 2-11-1882, p. 299.

— 17 “ Jan 29-Feb 4 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/34, 2-18-1882, p. 309.

— 10 “ Feb 5-11 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/35, 2-25-1882, p. 332.

— 16 “ Feb 12-18 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/36, 3-04-1882, p. 344.

— 2 “ Feb 19-25 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/37, 3-11-1882, p. 349.

— 9 “ Feb 26-Mar 4 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/38, 3-18-1882, p. 366.

— 10 “ Mar 5-11 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/39, 3-25-1882, p. 378.

— 6 “ Mar 12-18 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/40, 4-01-1882, p. 387.

— 9 “ Mar 19-25 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/41, 4-08-1882, p. 404.

— 8 “ Mar 26-Apr 1 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/42, 4-15-1882, p. 411.

— 5 “ Apr 2-8 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/43, 4-22-1882, p. 425.

— 6 “ Apr 9-14 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/43, 4-22-1882, p. 434.

— 2 “ Apr 15-22 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/44, 4-29-1882, p. 436.

— 3 “ Apr 23-29 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/46, 5-13-1882, p. 470.

— 5 “ Apr 30-May 6 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/46, 5-13-1882, p. 461.

— 5 “ May 14-20 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/49, 6-03-1882, p. 504.

— 1 “ May 21-27 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/49, 6-03-1882, p. 504.

— 1 “ May 28-Jun 3 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/50, 6-10-1882, p. 507.

— 2 “ Jun 4-10 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/52, 6-24-1882, p. 535.

— >2 Altoona. Lebanon Daily News, PA. 5-31-1882, p. 3, col. 3.^[61]

— 2 Bell Valley ~Erie, ~Mar 18-24 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/40, 4-01-1882, p387.

–192 Bethlehem. Detwiller. “Small-Pox in Bethlehem…1881-82.” 1882, 112

–25 S. Bethlehem, by Mar 20. National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/39, 3-25-1882, 369.

–10 “ Mar 21-22 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/40, 4-1-‘82, 388.^[62]

— 1 Easton ~Jan 1 NYT. Suffering from Small-Pox,” 1-10-1882.^[63]

— ? Ebensburg, Cambria County. Huntingdon Journal, PA. 5-12-1882, p. 3, col. 1.^[64]

— 1 Erie, Erie Co., Jan 8-14 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/30, 1-21-‘82, 259.^[65]

— 1 “ Feb 5-11 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/35, 2-25-1882, p. 329.

— 3 “ Apr 23-29 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/45, 5-7-1882, p. 449.

— 2 “ May National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/50, 6-10-1882, p. 507.

— 1 Harrisburg, Jan 31 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/35, 2-25-1882, p. 321.

— 1 “ Feb 17 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/35, 2-25-1882, p. 321.

— 1 “ May 28-Jun 3 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/50, 6-10-1882, p. 507.

— 1 Meadville May 7-13 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/47, 5-20-1882, p. 480.

— 4 Mount Holly Apr 16-22^[66] National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/44, 4-29-1882, p. 436.

— 1 Mount Union, Huntingdon Co., Feb. Nat. Board of Health Bulletin, 3/42, 4-15-1882, 409.

–314 Philadelphia Year City of Philadelphia. Annual Rpt. (Vol. III), 1907, p. 100.^[67]

–314 “ Jones. “Small-Pox and Vaccination in Philadelphia.” 196

–170 “ Jan-March National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/43, 4-22-1882, p. 431.

–167 “ Jan-March National Board of Health Bulletin, Vol. 3, No’s 30-42.

— 23 “ Jan 1-7 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/30, 1-21-1882, p. 263.

— 9 “ Jan 8-14 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/31, 1-28-1882, p. 275.

— 23 “ Jan 15-21 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/32, 2-4-1882, p. 287.

— 18 “ Jan 22-28 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/33, 2-11-1882, p. 303.

— 12 “ Jan 29-Feb 4 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/34, 2-18-1882, p. 315.

— 15 “ Feb 5-11 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/35, 2-25-1882, p. 329.

— 17 “ Feb 12-18 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/36, 3-04-1882, p. 341.

— 7 “ Feb 19-25 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/37, 3-11-1882, p. 351.

–11 “ Feb 26-Mar 4 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/38, 3-18-1882, p. 361.

— 7 “ Mar 5-11 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/39, 3-25-1882, p. 375.

–10 “ Mar 12-18 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/40, 4-01-1882, p. 383.

–11 “ Mar 19-25 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/41, 4-08-1882, p. 401.

— 4 “ Mar 26-Apr 1 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/42, 4-15-1882, p. 413.

— 11 “ Apr 2-8 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/43, 4-22-1882, p. 427.

— 8 “ Apr 9-15 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/44, 4-29-1882, p. 441.

— 3 “ Apr 23-29 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/46, 5-13-1882, p. 463.

— 4 “ Apr 30-May 6 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/47, 5-20-1882, p. 475.

— 6 “ May 7-13 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/48, 5-27-1882, p. 489.

— 6 “ May 14-20 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/49, 6-03-1882, p. 499.

— 6 “ May 21-27 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/50, 6-10-1882, p. 509.

— 7 “ May 28-Jun 3 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/51, 6-17-1882, p. 521.

— 2 “ Jun 4-10 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/52, 6-24-1882, p. 531.

— 1 Philipsburg, June 16. Huntingdon Journal, PA. “Local…Personal.” 6-23-1882, 3.

–300 Pittsburgh Year Baltimore Sun. “Small-pox in Baltimore, 1882-83.”

–300 “ Year Corn. “Social Response…Disease…Pittsburgh.” 1973, 61.

–231 “ Jan-Mar National Board of Health Bulletin, Vol. 3, No’s 30-42.

–35 Jan 1-7 National Board of Health Bulletin. 3/29, 1-14-1882, p. 254.

–24 Jan 8-14 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/30, 1-21-1882, p. 259.

–20 Jan 15-21 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/31, 1-28-1882, p. 277.

–28 Jan 22-28 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/34, 2-18-1882, p. 318.

–14 Jan 29-Feb 4 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/34, 2-18-1882, p. 315.

–27 Feb 5-11 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/34, 2-18-1882, p. 318.

–22 Feb 12-18 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/35, 2-25-1882, p. 322.

–11 Feb 19-25 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/36, 3-04-1882, p. 339.

–19 Feb 26-Mar 4 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/37, 3-11-1882, p.354.

— 4 Mar 5-11 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/38, 3-18-1882, p. 365.

–11 Mar 12-18 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/39, 3-25-1882, p. 371.

— 8 Mar 19-25 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/41, 4-08-1882, p. 401.

— 8 Mar 26-Apr 1 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/42, 4-15-1882, p. 413.

— 11 “ Apr 2-8 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/43, 4-22-1882, p. 427.

— 5 “ Apr 9-15 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/44, 4-29-1882, p. 441.

— 6 “ Apr 16-22 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/44, 4-29-1882, p. 437.

— 1 “ Apr 23-29 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/46, 5-13-1882, p. 463.

— 6 “ Apr 30-May 6 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/46, 5-13-1882, p. 467.

— 2 “ May 7-13 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/48, 5-27-1882, p. 489.

— 5 “ May 14-20 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/49, 6-03-1882, p. 499.

— 4 “ May 21-27 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/50, 6-10-1882, p. 509.

— 4 “ May 28-Jun 3 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/50, 6-10-1882, p. 513.

— 2 “ Jun 4-10 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/52, 6-24-1882, p. 531.

— 1 Reading Apr 9-15 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/44, 4-29-1882, p. 441.

— 19 Scranton, Lackawanna Co., Jan. National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/35, 2-25-1882, 322.

— 2 “ Feb National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/37, 3-11-1882, p.354

— 2 Summit Twp. ~Erie, Apr. 2 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/43, 4-22-1882, p. 434.

— 1 Titusville Jan 29-Feb 4 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/34, 2-18-1882, p. 309.

— 1 “ Feb 5-11 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/35, 2-25-1882, p. 332.

— 1 “ May 14-20 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/49, 6-03-1882, p. 504.

— ? York. Huntingdon Journal, PA. “State Splinters, Collated with Care.” 8-25-1882, p. 1.

South Dakota ( 3) Bridgewater

–3 Bridgewater. NYT. “Small-Pox Decreasing in Dakota.” 7-2-1882, p. 2.

Tennessee (535) Chattanooga (248) and Memphis/Shelby County (165) Jan-June esp.

–535 State Year Blanchard tally of locality breakouts below.

— 4 Brownsville Mar 5-Dec 31 TN State Board of Health, p. 343.

— 2 Centennial Isl. Aug 5 TN State Board of Health, p. 343.^[68]

–248 Chattanooga Year Sims. Report of Secretary. Board of Health, 4-3-‘83, 43.^[69]

— 1 “ ~Jan 15-21 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/32, 2-04-1882, p. 288.

— 1 “ Jan 29-Feb 4 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/33, 2-11-1882, p. 299.

— 3 “ March Sims. Report of Secretary. Board of Health, 4-3-1883, p.43.

–1“ March 5-11 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/39, 3-25-1882, p. 377.

–1“ March 19-25 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/41, 4-08-1882, p. 403.

— 0 “ April Sims. Report of Secretary. Board of Health, 4-3-1883, p.43.

— 14 “ May Sims. Report of Secretary. Board of Health, 4-3-1883, p.43

–1“ May 14-20 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/49, 6-03-1882, p. 501.

–7“ May 21-27 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/50, 6-10-1882, p. 511.

–2“ May 28-Jun 3 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/51, 6-17-1882, p. 523.

— 21 “ June Sims. Report of Secretary. Board of Health, 4-3-1883, p.43.

–4“ June 4-10 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/52, 6-24-1882, p. 533.

— 17 “ July Sims. Report of Secretary. Board of Health, 4-3-1883, p.43.

— 9 “ August Sims. Report of Secretary. Board of Health, 4-3-1883, p.43.

— 8 “ September Sims. Report of Secretary. Board of Health, 4-3-1883, p.43.

— 15 “ October Sims. Report of Secretary. Board of Health, 4-3-1883, p.43

— 48 “ November Sims. Report of Secretary. Board of Health, 4-3-1883, p.43.

–102 “ December Sims. Report of Secretary. Board of Health, 4-3-1883, p.43.

— ? Cleveland [Reported there]

— 9 Davidson Co. as of Oct 1 TN State Board of Health. Second Report…, 1885, 184.^[70]

— 36 Davidson Co. Small-pox Hospital. May 31-Dec 31. TN State Board of Health, p. 343.^[71]

— 5 De Sota County, up to Mar 31 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/42, 4-15-1882, p. 409.

— 8 Franklin Co. Oct-Nov W. M. Clark in TN State Board of Health, p 184.

— 4 Graveston Jan 15-21 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/31, 1-28-1882, p. 277.

— 1 Huntingdon Feb 12-18 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/35, 2-25-1882, p. 322.

— 6 Knoxville Nov 15-Dec 31. TN State Board of Health, p. 343.

— 29 Memphis Jan-Sep Thornton. “Negro Mortality of Memphis,” Nov ‘82, 414^[72]

–27 “ Jan 22-June 3 National Board of Health Bulletin, Vol. 3.

–1 “ Jan 22-28 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/33, 2-11-1882, p. 305.

–2 “ Feb 19-25 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/37, 3-11-1882, p. 353.

–2 “ Feb 26-Mar 4 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/38, 3-18-1882, p. 363.

–1 “ Mar 12-18 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/40, 4-01-1882, p. 385.

–2 “ Mar 19-25 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/41, 4-08-1882, p. 403.

–2 “ Mar 26-Apr 1 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/42, 4-15-1882, p. 415.

–2 “ Apr 2-8 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/43, 4-22-1882, p. 429.

–2 “ Apr 9-15 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/44, 4-29-1882, p. 443.

–2 “ Apr 16-22 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/45, 5-07-1882, p. 453.

–2 “ Apr 23-29 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/46, 5-13-1882, p. 465.

–2 “ Apr 30-May 6 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/47, 5-20-1882, p. 477.

–3 “ May 7-13 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/48, 5-27-1882, p. 491.

–3 “ May 14-20 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/49, 6-03-1882, p. 501.

–1 “ May 28-Jun 3 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/51, 6-17-1882, p. 523.

— 9 Milan vicinity Jan 1-7 National Board of Health Bulletin. 3/29, 1-14-‘82, 254.^[73]

— 1 “ Jan 21-28 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/32, 2-4-1882, p. 289.

— 1 “ vicinity Jan 29-Feb 4 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/33, 2-11-1882, p. 305.

— ? Morristown Reported there.

— 11 Nashville June-Dec Mitchell report to State Board of Health, 486.^[74]

–165 Shelby Co. hosp. Year. TN State Board of Health, p. 345.^[75]

–142 Shelby Co., including Memphis. Year? Thornton in TN Board of Health, 189.^[76]

— 1 Trenton, Gibson Co., Feb 5-11 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/35, 2-25-1882, p. 331.

— 4 Williamson Co. Oct-Nov W. M. Clark in TN State Board of Health, p. 184.

Texas ( 4) (Jan-May)

— ? Cases reported by U.S. Army Assistant Surgeon in El Paso in early Jan.^[77]

— 1 Dallas Feb 5-11 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/35, 2-25-1882, p. 331.

— 1 Fort Worth Apr 28-May 5 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/47, 5-20-1882, p. 480.

— 1 Galveston Jan-Mar National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/43, 4-22-1882, p. 433.

— 1 Terrell Mar 14-20 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/40, 4-01-1882, p. 388.

Vermont ( 2)

— 2 Jan 27 report. NYT. “The Spread of Small-Pox,” 1-28-1882, p. 1, col. 6.

Virginia ( 110) Richmond (96) (Jan-June especially)

— 110 Blanchard tally from locality breakouts below.

— 1 Amherst May 22 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/49, 6-03-1882, p. 504.

— 3 Liberty Mar 15-24 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/39, 3-25-1882, p. 371.

— 1 Lynchburg May 7-13 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/48, 5-27-1882, p. 489.

— 2 “ May 21-27 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/50, 6-10-1882, p. 509.

— 3 “ May 28-Jun 3 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/50, 6-10-1882, p. 507.

— 1 “ Jun 4-10 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/52, 6-24-1882, p. 533.

— 1 Norfolk Jan 22-28 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/33, 2-11-1882, p. 303.

— 96 Richmond Year Baltimore Sun. “Small-pox in Baltimore, 1882-83.”

–93 “ Jan-Mar National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/43, 4-22-1882, p. 431.

“ –52 Jan National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/35, 2-25-1882, p. 322.

“ –16 Jan 1-7 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/30, 1-21-1882, p. 263.

“ — 6 Jan 8-14 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/31, 1-28-1882, p. 275.

“ — 2 Jan 15-21 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/32, 2-04-1882, p. 287.

“ –21 Jan 22-28 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/32, 2-04-1882, p. 292.

“ –12 Jan 29-Feb 4 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/34, 2-18-1882, p. 315.

“ — 5 Feb 12-18 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/36, 3-04-1882, p. 341.

“ — 4 Feb 19-25 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/36, 3-04-1882, p. 339.

“ — 5 Feb 26-Mar 4 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/37, 3-11-1882, p. 354.

“ — 2 Mar 5-11 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/39, 3-25-1882, p. 371.

“ — 7 Mar 12-18 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/39, 3-25-1882, p. 371.

“ — 5 Mar 19-25 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/41, 4-08-1882, p. 401.

“ — 3 Mar 26-Apr 1 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/42, 4-15-1882, p. 413.

“ — 3 Apr 23-29 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/46, 5-13-1882, p. 463.

“ — 1 Apr 30-May 6 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/46, 5-13-1882, p. 467.

“ — 1 May 14-20 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/49, 6-03-1882, p. 499.

— 1 Winchester, Jan 22-28 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/33, 2-11-1882, p. 301.

— 1 “ Feb 19-25 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/37, 3-11-1882, p. 349.

West Virginia ( 1)

— 1 Wheeling, April 16-22 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/45, 5-07-1882, p. 452.

Wisconsin ( 16) Milwaukee especially Jan-May 20

— 1 Beloit Apr 2-8 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/43, 4-22-1882, p. 429.

— 2 Fond du Lac Jan-March National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/43, 4-22-1882, p. 433.

–1 “ Feb 19-25 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/36, 3-04-1882, p. 337.

— 1 Kenosha Mar 12-18 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/40, 4-01-1882, p. 387.

— 1 Milwaukee Jan 8-14 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/31, 1-28-1882, p. 275.

— 1 “ Jan 15-21 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/32, 2-04-1882, p. 289.

— 1 “ Jan 29-Feb 4 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/33, 2-11-1882, p. 305.

— 1 “ Feb 12-18 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/36, 3-04-1882, p. 343.

— 1 “ Feb 26-Mar 4 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/38, 3-18-1882, p. 363.

— 1 “ Mar 5-11 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/38, 3-18-1882, p. 365.

— 3 “ Mar 12-18 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/39, 3-25-1882, p. 371.

— 2 “ ~April 14 Annual Report…National Board of Health, 1883. 1884, 132

— 1 “ Apr 16-22 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/45, 5-07-1882, p. 453.

— 1 “ May 14-20 National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/49, 6-03-1882, p. 501.

Narrative Information –General

Jan: The National Board of Health declared smallpox epidemic in the United States. (National Board of Health Bulletin, Vol. 3, No. 31, 1-28-1882, p. 273.)

Jan 5 (NY and NJ): “The recent prostration of Samuel W. Pierce, of Edwin Booth’s company, with small-pox has aroused the members of the theatrical profession in this City to the necessity of being vaccinated. Yesterday the operating rooms of the Vaccinating Bureau could have been mistaken for the office of a dramatic agent, as they were visited by many well-known actors and actresses, who were vaccinated….

“Six cases of small-pox went to the Riverside Hospital yesterday. Two patients were of a family of Bohemian cigar-makers…The infant child of Dr. Wolferman…died recently of small-pox, he having contracted the disease from a patient…sent to the hospital. Dr. Wolfermann did not vaccinate the child, although he knew that it was exposed to contagion.

“I. Lorenzo brought the disease from Newark, slept at No. 26 Greenwich-street, a crowded hotel, and delivered himself up at the reception hospital at Sixteenth-street and the East River yesterday.

“The child of a canal boatman sickened of the disease on the boat last Tuesday. It was then lying at the foot of West Forty-second-street. The father had the boat taken over to Jersey City, and he moored it among a fleet of boats and vessels. The Jersey City authorities learned of the case and hoisted a yellow flag on the canal-boat and ordered it away. On Tuesday night men on the boats near the infected canal-boat cut it adrift and it stranded on a mud bank. Yesterday a tug took it off and towed it to the Riverside Hospital, where the child was landed and the boat disinfected and fumigated.

“Another of the cases was that of Joseph Pokarney, aged 3 years, who went to the hospital with his mother. Another of Mrs. Pokarney’s children died on the 21^st of December at No. 246 East Third-street. The case was concealed and Joseph was vaccinated too late. A week ago, when the eruption appeared, he was hurried away to Lakeland, Long Island, and was kept there until the disease assumed a dangerous pustular form. On Tuesday he was brought to New York by rail, ferry, and cars, and no precautions were taken to keep the child away from persons who were liable to infection. It is in this way that the germs of small-pox are distributed, and the sanitary authorities favor legislative action that will enable them to severely punish persons who are responsible for such offenses.” (New York Times. “The Spread of Small-Pox,” 1-5-1882.)

Jan 5 (PA, MN, IA, NJ): “Washington, Jan. 5. – Reports received at the Post Office Department indicate that the small-pox is still spreading throughout the country. A letter received at the department from a Postmaster in Pennsylvania says that the disease has appeared in his town, and a doctor who is treating a number of cases persists in calling at the office for his mail matter. Many citizens have informed the Postmaster that they will refuse to receive their mails if these visits are allowed, and the officer is in a quandary, and asks for advice. He has been informed that he has no power to prevent persons from calling for their mail, and under these circumstances the matter must be mutually arranged between the citizens and the doctor.”

“St. Paul, Minn., Jan. 5. – Dr. J. A. Dubois, of St. Paul, who was sent to Stearns County by the State Board of Health as a special Commissioner from that body to take such measures as he deemed proper to check the spread of small-pox, has returned to the city. He has had a hard time, and reports that the condition of affairs, especially in Spring Hill, Stearns County, was appalling when he first reached there. The population is largely made up of foreigners, and of the most ignorant sort. They were not for a long time amenable to reason, and had a rooted prejudice against vaccination. For some time their priests abetted their opposition to this preventive, being themselves believers in the tenets of the German school of physicians who ridicule Dr. Jenner and his discovery. But the spiritual guides were converted at length and did excellent service in inducing the flocks to submit to what they at one time considered an awful ordeal. Dr. Dubois says he is more and more thoroughly convinced that vaccination is all essential and absolutely excellent as a prevention. He cites numberless instances, and his own case is well in point. The first night he reached the district he slept in a bed just quitted by a small-pox patient, and has been constantly exposed to contagion for weeks. A rigid quarantine was established and has been kept up and Dr. Dubois says a cordon of vaccination has proved the most effectual of methods to prevent the spread. The disease is thoroughly checked, and alarm has subsided. Springhill was the worst affected, there being 163 cases therein, and only three in the adjoining townships of Lake Henry and Lake George. There have been 29 deaths all told. With the manner of like most of the sufferers are accustomed to, and with the superstitious fancies which had to be combated, it was found impossible to use collodion to prevent pitting, and much difficulty was experienced in introducing the use of cosmoline^[78] as an alleviative. (NYT. “Ravages of Small-Pox,” 1-6-1882.)

Atlanta, Georgia

Reed: “While this vaccination was in progress [smallpox; due to news of smallpox in the north] there were a great many cases of sickness thought to be smallpox, but upon investigation no smallpox was discovered until April 3, 1882, when a case was found at a notorious resort for negroes, on Ivy street, known as the ‘Beaver Slide.’ The victim was Myra Tate, colored, fourteen years of age. It was subsequently ascertained that she contracted the disease from infected clothing belonging to an inmate of the house who had recently come to this city from Chattanooga, where the disease was then prevailing. Myra Tate had never been vaccinated. The next day after the appearance of the disease she was taken to the hospital, and the sixteen inmates of the house were thoroughly vaccinated and removed to the quarantine station outside of the city and near the smallpox hospital. The city physician for the fourth ward, in which the case developed, Dr. M. C. Martin, gave the case the necessary attention until the girl died April 8.

“The next case occurred on April 16, in the person of a negro woman who was a frequent visitor at the ‘Beaver Slide,’ where it was thought she contracted the disease. On the 17^th there were four other cases, all of them traceable to the original source. On the 18^th there was one case, on the 20^th, two; on the 21^st, four; on the 22d, three; on the 23d, one; on the 28^th, four; on the 29^th, six, and so on until May 5, on which day twelve cases, all negroes, were sent to the hospital with fully developed smallpox. From that time the daily average declined until July 14, on which day the last case for that outbreak was sent to the hospital.

“From April 3 to July 20 there were 110 cases of smallpox, white, 1, colored, 109. Of the colored cases, 44 proved fatal. The subjects of the disease would, as a general thing, when first taken, conceal the presence of the disease or subject themselves to the most unnecessary exposure, and this is the main reason for there being so many fatal cases. Besides the above cases, which were treated in the hospital, there were six other cases, four white and two colored. These all remained at their homes, maintaining at their own expense the quarantine prescribed by the board. Two of these cases resulted fatally, the others recovered.

“With reference to the effect of smallpox on the children in the public schools, it should be stated that at the time of the first appearance of the disease in the city, there were in attendance more than 4,250 pupils. The rules with regard to vaccination were rigidly enforced, about 3,000 of the children being subjected to this operation. No child in attendance upon the public schools, white or colored, had the small pox or even varioloid, nor did the schools lose a day on account of there being smallpox in the city.

“A second outbreak of smallpox occurred in Atlanta in the following December, the first case occurring on the 14^th of that month; and as before, the disease was again imported from Chattanooga. During the prevalence of the disease this second time, there were 55 cases – white, 29, colored, 26. The entire number treated in the hospital was 34 – white, 9, colored, 25. The number quarantined at their homes was 21 – white, 20, colored, 1. Of those treated at the hospital, 11 died – white, 5, colored, 6. Of those quarantined at home, 6 died, all white. The last case of this second outbreak occurred February 23, 1883. During the second outbreak the whole number of persons vaccinated was 3,604 – white, 2,034, colored, 1,570.

“The vital statistics for the year 1882 were as follows: Total number of deaths, 924….” [63 of these were smallpox deaths.] (Reed, Wallace P. (Ed.). History of Atlanta, Georgia. 1889, pp. 277-278.)

District of Columbia

Jan 12: “Washington, D.C. Jan 12—Reports from all directions show an alarming spread of small pox. No pupils are admitted to public schools here without a certificate that they have been vaccinated. The result is very little small pox here.” (Alton Daily Telegraph, IL). “Small Pox Spreading,” 1-13-1882, p. 2.)

Illinois

1881-1882 (IL): “Small-pox invaded 77 out of the 102 counties of the State during its epidemic prevalence, causing an aggregate of 8,850 cases and 2,973 deaths, and involving a cost of nearly four and a half millions of dollars, exclusive of the value of human life lost and the disabled condition of many of the survivors. As early as March, 1881, when the disease had appeared at less than half a dozen points in the State outside of Chicago, the Board issued its first circular, calling attention to the indications of a wide-spread epidemic, and urging the necessity of vaccination and revaccination as the only means of security.

“Little heed was paid to this first warning, and the fact that only seven new localities were infected during July, August and September, still further diminished its effect. Study of the situation, however, and past experience confirmed the view first taken; and in November of that year the Board issued an order providing for the vaccination of all public-school children before the 1st of January, 1882, and supplemented this by efforts to secure the vaccinal protection of different classes of the community, through circulars, orders and instructions, addressed to State, county, township and municipal authorities, corporation officers, superintendents, managers and other employers.

“These efforts were finally attended with such success that, on the 24th of January, 1882, the Secretary was able to say, “I doubt if the people of any other State of equal age are as well protected against small-pox as those of Illinois at the present time”; and the degree of vaccinal protection thus secured, (mainly within sixty days), coupled with a general familiarity with the Board’s instructions as to the methods of dealing with an outbreak, warranted the prediction then made, to-wit: That the epidemic, although more widely spread than at any previous time, was practically under control. As a matter of history it is now known that this was the culminating point of the epidemic, and within twenty days after the various agencies set in operation by the Board had fairly begun to act, there was a decline of nearly 39 per cent, in the number of cases, whereas the average reduction, from , the highest point reached in other epidemics for 82 years previous, had been only a little over 15 per cent. As is elsewhere shown, this implies a constructive saving of 820 lives, 1.517 cases, and over two and three-quarter millions of dollars.!”

“In the hundred and fifty-odd pages devoted to this subject, will be found a succinct history of the inception and progress of the epidemic in Illinois; the measures employed for its suppression; the details of local outbreaks; and the lessons taught by a study of the vast mass of facts and figures contributed by numerous observers in all parts of the State. Forming a portion of this section of the report is a paper demonstrating the connection of unprotected immigrants with the origin and continuance of small-pox epidemics; and urging the sanitary surveillance of immigrant travel from the port of arrival to the point of ultimate destination; such surveillance to consist of repeated inspections, vaccination of the unprotected, systematic observation of suspicious sickness, prompt isolation of discovered small-pox or other contagious disease, and enforcement of the necessary measures to prevent its further spread— the system to be under the control of, and the expense to be borne by, the National Government.

“From June to December, 1882, such a system was in operation in the area of country between the Canadian frontier and the port of Baltimore, and extending westward to the Mississippi river. It was inaugurated by the National Board of Health, as a result of the Small-Pox Conference, held in Chicago in June, 1881, at the instance of this Board; and the Secretary of the Board acted as Supervising Inspector of the Western District, embracing the States of Indiana, Illinois and Missouri. An aggregate of 115,057 immigrants, arriving in the District during the seven months, were inspected, and 21,618 were here vaccinated or revaccinated, in addition to 28,408 vaccinated or revaccinated by the Eastern inspectors. In other words, 47 per cent, of all immigrants landed in this country during the year 1882—and the vast majority direct from smallpox localities in Europe—were susceptible to the disease, capable of conveying the contagion into the communities among which they might settle, and of becoming its victims themselves. Including Chicago, there had been 57 separate importations of small-pox into Illinois by immigrants during the seven months preceding the inauguration of this Service. With one solitary exception, early in June, there was no further immigrant introduction of the disease into the State during the succeeding seven months—although many cases were discovered in transit and removed from the trains direct to hospital, in every instance without further spread of the disease. The same results were obtained throughout the rest of the Northwest, only one other outbreak from immigrants being reported —namely, in Minnesota-during the month of August.

“Want of means compelled the National Board to order the service discontinued on the 15th of December; but, in the hope that Congress would make the necessary appropriation for its further maintenance, the inspectors were induced to remain on duty until the close of the year. Congress has, however, failed to make any provision for such a system in the future, notwithstanding its demonstrated value. The Secretary of this Board visited Washington twice in the interest of the Service, and appeared before the House and Senate committees to explain its details and benefits, not only to Illinois and the Northwest, but to the entire country; urging that its operation, or some equivalent, was indispensable to the exclusion of imported contagion in the absence of a uniform administration of maritime and boundary quarantines. Alike in the prevention of the spread of yellow fever or Asiatic cholera from one State to another, as in the exclusion of small-pox, an authority independent of State lines, but co-operating with, and aiding State and local health organizations is essential to the perfection of the sanitary defense of the Nation. A summary of his argument is given in the report of the proceedings of the Sanitary Council of the Mississippi Valley, pages 526-28 of the Appendix. The Board has formally memorialized Congress to the same effect, and has sought to interest the Illinois Senators and Representatives in the matter, feeling assured that, whatever the specific agency employed—whether the National Board of Health, or the medical departments of the Government—the only adequate authority is the National authority, as the only proper support is the National Treasury. This Board is firmly convinced that, sooner or later, the United States Government must not only assume plenary control of exterior quarantine, but also provide for a permanent system of co-operation with State and local governments in the administration of inter-State quarantine in order, on the one hand, to prevent the introduction of exotic epidemic diseases—small-pox, yellow fever and cholera—and, on the other, to prevent their spread from State to State, along the great intra-national highways of travel and commerce.” (IL State Board of Health 1883, x-xi.)

Jan 8: “Fourteen new cases of small-pox and six deaths are reported in Chicago.” (Decatur Review, IL. 1-8-1882, p. 4.)

Jan 12: “Cases of small pox have been reported to the Illinois State Board of Health from 61 places in this state. The counties in the western part of the state, near the Mississippi river, seem to be the field in which the disease is spreading most rapidly at present.” (Daily Republican, Decatur, IL), 1-12-1882, p. 3.)

Jan 24: “On the 24th of January—up to which time from January 1, 1881, there had been 133 outbreaks reported—the Secretary summed up the situation, as follows, in a letter to Dr. Stephen Smith, of the National Board of Health, in response to a request for such information:

‘Since November, small-pox has been introduced from Chicago, St. Louis, Kentucky, Iowa (Keokuk Medical College), and the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, into nearly one hundred different localities in this State. Outside of Chicago and Cook county, the disease has been confined to the first cases, except in four instances. Chicago and Cook county are practically the same, and in that territory it has not seemed desirable or necessary that the State Board should interfere. In the four instances outside of Cook county, where the disease has spread beyond the first cases, the result is as directly attributable to the failure to carry out the instructions of the State Board as its limitation—its practical ‘stamping-out’—in the remaining ninety-odd places is due to the observance and enforcement of these instructions and precautions. To-day, in a population of nearly three million souls (exclusive of Cook county), there are not, at the outside, five hundred cases of small-pox and varioloid. For three days we have had reports of no new points of infection, and have every reason to believe that, in the State at large, we have control of the disease.

As a result of our School-Vaccination Order, the State Superintendent of Public Instruction agrees with me in the estimate that about 600,000 school children have been efficiently vaccinated— mainly with bovine virus—by competent physicians, who have been obliged to certify to the result of their work, and not merely that they have performed the operation. This, in itself, constitutes a new departure in vaccination in this country, where the requirement (for school purposes) has usually been complied with in a careless and perfunctory manner. In only two instances, out of the 12,i03 in the State, are schools now closed on account of the disease, although in very many instances they were closed on the first appearance of the contagion, but were immediately re-opened under advice from this office that an enforcement of vaccination was the best and only safeguard….

‘Much of this work has been pioneer, and all of it educational. I doubt if the people of any other State of equal age are as well protected against small-pox as those of Illinois at the present time….” (IL State Board of Health. 1883, 213-214)

Jan 27: “Springfield, Ill., Jan. 27.—Eight new cases of small-pox were to-day reported from various parts of the State.” (NYT. “The Spread of Small-Pox,” 1-28-1882, p. 1, col. 6.)

Feb 9: “Small pox is raging at Leable, Mercer county [IL].” (Decatur Review (IL). “Local Paragraphs,” Feb 9, 1882, p. 4.)

April 1 report: “Advices from Illinois state that small-pox is still spreading in the State, the following named places having become infected since April 1:

“In Paris, Edgar County, one case, that of an immigrant, has been reported. In Annawan, Henry County, one case of varioloid has occurred, the patient having come from Iowa. Two cases of varioloid have been reported, one at Cropsey and one at Ancler. In these cases the disease was contracted in Chicago. Two deaths from small-pox and six from varioloid are reported in Penn Township, Shelby County. Two cases are reported in Rock Island. These cases occurred in a German family. Relatives of the family arrived from Germany, via the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, three weeks ago. A few days after their arrival an eruption appeared upon them, so slight as simply to cause uneasiness. The cases were not reported to the authorities, and the patients recovered without the attendance of a physician. The two cases of small-pox are the result of the cases of the immigrants. Two immigrants arrived in Chicago, via Baltimore, with small-pox, making four instances of the kind which have occurred within one week.” (“Small-Pox in Illinois.” National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/42, 4-15-1882, p. 406.)

April 13-15 Report: “The following extracts from the minutes of the regular quarterly meeting of the Illinois State board of health, held in the city of Chicago April 13-15, 1882, have been furnished for publication in the Bulletin:

The secretary’s report showed that during the interval since the last session, namely, March 2-3, 1882, small-pox had appeared at twenty-six new points, making a total of 168 infection centers in sixty-two counties during the past five months, or since the disease was declared epidemic. It has been reintroduced into seven places where he first outbreaks had been suppressed; into one point, Elgin, four separate times, and in each instance had been confined to the cases first discovered. In Rock Island and Ottawa, and the village of Paris, Edgar County, it was imported by emigrants from Europe, who landed from the Bremen steamer Hermann at Baltimore, March 12. At Ottawa the disease appeared in the eruptive stage, among these passengers, on the 17^th, and cases also developed in Chicago soon after, among passengers from the same vessel. As there was no sickness reported on board on her arrival at quarantine, the origin of the cases is attributed to infection in the vessel herself. Obviously, vaccination of these emigrants before embarking would have prevented these fresh introductions of the disease into this State.

To the neglect of the board’s order, concerning the compulsory vaccination of tramps and kindred persons, are due the groups of cases in Macon and Shelby Counties, and he reintroduction of the disease into Galena.

Outside of Chicago the disease still lingers in thirty-one different localities, but the material for its further spread is believed to be steadily diminishing. In the majority of instances the cases are confined to those first attacked. Where it spreads beyond these it may always be traced to failure, neglect, or refusal to vaccinate – causes which operate more generally in the country than in towns and cities, and which fact accounts for the majority of the new infection points of the past six weeks being in the former rather than in the latter localities.

If vaccination had been as general and thorough in the country and in all cities and towns as it has been in those localities where the appearance of small-pox forced the measure upon the attention of the community, further outbreaks of the disease would be hardly possible. But there are still probably 1,000,000 persons in the State who have not been recently protected, and a large majority of these are undoubtedly liable to contract the disease upon exposure.

(National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/43, 4-22-1882, p. 421.)

June: “At the date of last report, June 30, there had been a total of 190 cities, towns and villages in which small-pox had appeared since November 1, 1881, of which number twenty-two had occurred in the preceding quarter, and there were still cases remaining at nine points. Since then there have been cases at Paxton, in Ford county, near Prairie du Rocher, in Randolph county, and on an island in the Mississippi river opposite Harrisonville, Monroe county. The disease has also been re-introduced into Jersey county through a suit of second-hand clothes bought in St. Louis.

“The Paxton cases originated with a stock-dealer and importer of horses, who contracted the disease en route from France in the stock-boat Friga, on board of which was a mild case of varioloid. The boat, it is said, escaped inspection at quarantine in New York, and as Hefner, the importer, did not travel on an immigrant train in this country, he also escaped the inspection service. The disease was confined to Hefner’s house, but his wife, son and daughter were attacked, and the son died.

“The Monroe and Randolph county cases are believed to have originated from an infected mattress, supposed to have been thrown into the river and washed ashore on Staton’s Island. Owing to failure of prompt recognition of the disease, a hired man who had been exposed was allowed to go to Randolph county, near Prairie du Rocher, where, together with himself, there have been in all nine cases, with five deaths. The disease seems to have been of a very mild type on Staton’s Island, no deaths occurring out of the ten cases….

“It is worth while calling attention, in this connection, to the markedly different results obtained in counties under township organization and in those where, in the absence of town boards, the county commissioners are charged with the duties of health authorities. While, of course, the most efficient work is done and the disease is most promptly “stamped out” in localities where there are regularly organized boards of health, it is yet true that, as a rule, the town boards have been only less efficient, and the disease has been generally promptly mastered by their efforts. On the other hand, in counties where the county commissioners alone have charge, there has, as a rule, been delay in action or neglect, resulting in a spread of the contagion beyond the first cases or families and an undue prolongation of the disease. In Alexander county, for example, the first case near Commercial Point occurred in the latter part of April, and the contagion was not finally eradicated until the 20th of July. The recent outbreak and spread in Monroe and Randolph counties, are, to some extent, due to similar causes.” (IL State Board of Health. 1883, xxxiii)

Indiana

Oct 12 (IN): “Thad. M. Stevens, M.D., secretary of the State board of health, writes October 12, 1882: ‘Small-pox has appeared in ten or twelve different localities, and in a majority of cases was introduced by immigrants’.” (Annual Report…National Board of Health, 1883. 1884, 132.)

Gillum, Nov 27: “The following is a report of the small-pox epidemic which occurred at the towns of Rosedale and Nyesville, in the county of Parke, during the months of March, April, May, and June last: The first case that occurred was that of John Lytton, who was taken sick at Rosedale, March 27, 1882. He, doubtless, contracted the disease from a man in the cars [rail], going from Rosedale to Terre Haute…after his return to Rosedale, he was taken sick with the malady, and called on Dr. Hensely of that place, at the same time concealing the fact of his having been exposed to the contagion. The doctor, a gentleman having no previous experience with the disease, diagnosed it hives. The case went on, and others contracted it from him, when another physician of the place was called in, who pronounced it a very malignant and contagious type of ‘chicken-pox.’ Others continued to take it…until the last doctor called…found it to be small-pox, and telegraphed me. I immediately went to the town, and found twelve cases; and, also, that a majority of the citizens had innocently and ignorantly exposed themselves to the contagion. There was a disposition among the people to resist all authority, owing to the panic among them. They paid no attention to anyone until I arrived, and in the name and authority of the Health Department of the State, established a quarantine. As soon as the people became aware that I was a regularly appointed Health Officer, and that the Health Board was organized for their protection, they yielded a respectful obedience to my quarantine order, and not one person took the disease after the quarantine was laid, except those who had already been exposed.

“But for the Health Board, no such restrictions could have been enforced as were instituted and enforced, to prevent the spread of the contagion.

“There were at Rosedale, which is a village of about three hundred inhabitants, forty-four cases of small-pox. Of this number, seven died. There was no case died that had been vaccinated. The duration of the disease, in those cases where vaccination had been resorted to was short, averaging only five to ten days, while those cases that had not been vaccinated, were all of a violent type, and those among the unvaccinated that recovered, did so only after a long and indescribably severe sickness, and were greatly disfigured. Vaccination appeared to be all that is claimed for it in this epidemic. Cases that had been vaccinated during infancy, and that were from forty to fifty years of age when they took the disease, received as much benefit as those that had been recently vaccinated. And in six cases that had already been exposed to the contagion of small-pox and were awaiting the culmination of the poison in the actual disease, we tried vaccination, and the vaccine virus and the small-pox poison took effect about the same time, and five of the cases proved to be only varioloid. We also vaccinated one case after the chill initiatory of the disease, and the case was made one of varioloid only. Most of the cases that had been successfully vaccinated remained up during the attack of the disease upon them.

“At Nyesville, located on the Terre Haute & Logansport Railroad, fourteen miles north of Rosedale, we had eight cases. The first one contracted the disease at Rosedale and carried it to Nyesville. He recovered after a severe attack, never having been vaccinated. We quarantined him as well as his family, and vaccinated all who were in contact with him. The virus ‘took’ on all of them, except one child. It, however, took the disease. Of these eight cases, one died. It took the disease before being vaccinated.

“From the above epidemics it is evident that but for the health regulations under the new law, the death rate would have been largely in excess of what it was. The damage to business would have been immensely greater, and the cost to the county at least two or three thousand dollars more than it was.

“I believe that at least one-half of what is annually appropriated (five thousand dollars) for the prosecution of the health business of the State, was saved to Parke county alone by the law in those two epidemics, to say nothing of the saving of life and to business interests.

“We do not now fear an epidemic, and why? Because pretty much everybody is vaccinated. I believe vaccination was fought as hard by the people of Parke county as any county in the State, prior to this epidemic of small-pox. In several school districts the citizens held indignation meetings, and notified me that they would fight rather than obey the order of the Health Board, and especially were they opposed to it at Rosedale. But now they all agree that it is the thing that ought to be enforced above all others. The people of the county without, so far as I can learn, a single exception, are enthusiastic in support of the Board of Health, whereas, prior to the epidemic, they thought it a great imposition.” (Letter of Parke County Health Officer W. H. Gillum, M.D., to IN State Health Officer Thad. M. Stevens, M.D., in: Indiana State Board of Health. First Annual Report of the Secretary of the Indiana State Board of Health for the Fiscal Year Ending October 31, 1882. 1883, pp. 30-32.)

Iowa

Iowa Pathways, IPTV: “If you lived in Keokuk in 1881, Christmas day was unforgettable. Smallpox broke out in this southern Iowa city on that day. One of the most contagious diseases of this period in history, smallpox was a killer. It was passed from one person to another—quickly. It was a disease spread only through human contact. The disease did not affect animals or insects, nor could they transmit the virus. Sometimes a person could catch the disease by touching the skin lesions or wounds of an infected person. The virus could also be transferred through droplets of moisture from coughing or sneezing or by touching clothing, bedding or other objects used by someone with the disease.

“Smallpox affected people of all ages. Those who survived could be left blind or disfigured by ugly scars called pockmarks. Few diseases were so destructive to humans. It was a disease with no cure. The word “smallpox” brought fear to Iowans as the disease could easily spread through whole communities!

“The Keokuk epidemic had its start at a local medical college. The state’s oldest and largest medical school was located in Keokuk. A medical student nicked himself with a scalpel. The scalpel had come from a dead body infested with smallpox. The smallpox outbreak resulted in 71 cases being reported to the State Department of Health. There were nine confirmed deaths….

“Keokuk in 1882 was better prepared than some Iowa cities to wage war against smallpox and other diseases. The city was located along a low-lying area of the Mississippi and Des Moines rivers. It had previously experienced malaria, cholera and yellow fever epidemics. A pest-house was located in Keokuk. This was a small wooden shack on the outskirts of town. Sometimes when people suffered from contagious diseases like smallpox, they needed to be isolated from others. Those individuals were quarantined in the pest-house. Keokuk had better medical facilities than many other cities at the time too. It had a ready supply of doctors and medical students.

“A local board of health was quickly formed in Keokuk. Its first action was to close the medical school. The board quarantined all those suspected of exposure to the disease. During this time some area newspapers wrote articles that criticized the Keokuk health board for not being able to control the epidemic. The board began to vaccinate school children against the illness. By the end of February 1882 most of the city’s population had been vaccinated or revaccinated….” (Iowa Pathways, Iowa Public Television. “Battling Smallpox.” Adapted from Philip L. Frana. “Battling Smallpox State and Local Boards of Health.” Iowa Heritage Illustrated, Vol. 86, No. 2, Summer 2005. Iowa City: State Historical Society of Iowa.)

Jan 5: “Keokuk, Iowa, Jan. 5. – There are no new cases of small-pox in this city. One death from the disease occurred at the pest-house yesterday. The President of the Keokuk Board of Health, in a letter answering the inquiry of health authorities of neighboring towns, gives the following statement of the disease here: ‘There is a limited number of cases confined entirely to medical students, and there is as yet no assured tendency to spread among citizens outside. It originated from an infected cadaver within the Medical College. There are nine cases in all, four of which have been removed to the pest-house three miles from the city. Two died and three are in the city. The Medical College has been closed by order of the Board of Health. This may be relied upon as a true statement of the situation at this moment. Every means is being taken to head off the epidemic and stamp it out, and with good hope of success. Vaccination is generally resorted to.’”

Kansas

Jan: “Severy is located at the junction of the Howard Branch of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway with the St. Louis & San Francisco road, and was laid out on January 7, 1879, by the Arkansas Valley Town Company…. In January, 1882, the town received a severe blow in the presence of a virulent form of small-pox. This dreaded disease broke out in one of the hotels and spread rapidly. By March it had run its course and disappeared, but many vacant places told the story of its work. In the house of Mr. Wells four daughters died; in other points in town, Rev. I. N. Locke, pastor of the Congregational Church, Joseph Reed, a mason, and Alfred Berial, a carpenter. It is hard to picture the effect of such a scourge in a new and hopeful town. Trade was paralyzed, and even yet has not fully recuperated.” (Cutler, William G. History of the State of Kansas. Chicago: A. T. Andreas, 1883.)

Jan 24: “Washington, Jan 27.—The National Board of Health has received advices from Gaylord, Kan., under date of Jan. 24, that small-pox is epidemic at Cedar Junction, Johnson County, in that State. The number of cases is unknown, but the disease has proved very fatal, 13 deaths being reported. Vaccination is being generally enforced throughout the State.” (NYT. “The Spread of Small-Pox,” 1-28-1882, p. 1, col. 6.)

Maryland

Cordell: “1882….551 deaths from smallpox. – 52 extra Vaccine Physicians appointed….” [p. 717] “City Health Department has spent since January 1, $14,550 on account of smallpox (June 15)….Mayor approves ordinance of City Council making vaccination compulsory and requiring the report by physicians of cases of smallpox, cholera, yellow fever, malignant diphtheria or scarlet fever and varioloid within 24 hours after first visit (October 24)….315 deaths from smallpox for the past week (December 30). Total vaccinations for year, 94,993.” [p. 718]

University of Maryland: “From 1874 to 1881, Baltimore was almost free of smallpox, however, another epidemic broke out…in 1882 and lasted to 1883, during which time the disease killed more than 1,500 residents.^[79] During this period, the Commissioner of Health was given the power to require vaccinations, which were only voluntary during the 1872-1873 epidemic. As of July 1883, between 85 and 90 percent of Baltimore residents were vaccinated, and the rate of smallpox declined dramatically. Smallpox never again reached epidemic proportions in Baltimore…” (UMD. “Baltimore Smallpox Epidemic Collection.”)

Baltimore Sun, 1882-1883 review: “The statistical tables prepared by Dr. G. W. Benson, covering the entire duration of the smallpox epidemic from Jan. 1, 1882, to July 1, 1883, when the disease was thoroughly stamped out, gives the whole number of cases and death monthly in each ward – adults, minors, males, and females. By these it will be seen that the whole number of cases was 4,930, and of deaths 1,184. The deaths numbered a fraction less than one-fourth of all the cases. There was one case to 82 of the total estimated population, and one death to 374 of the whole population. Of all the cases 1,424 were adults and 3,506 were minors. The deaths among adults were 225, or 15.8 per cent. of cases; the deaths among minors 959, or 27.3 per cent. of cases.

Of the 4,930 cases, 2,853 supposed to have been vaccinated and 2,077 had not been vaccinated. Of the 2,853 supposed to have been vaccinated cases 327 died. Of the 2,077 unvaccinated 839 died. The death rate among those supposed to have been previously vaccinated was 115 to 1,000. Among those not previously vaccinated 404 to 1,000. There were 1,459 cases under five years of age. Of these 587 were supposes to have been vaccinated cases 73 died, being 1 in 8, or 124 to 1,000. Of the 827 not vaccinated 360 died, being 1 in 24, or 412 in 1,000.

“A comparison of the death-rate in the six cities where small-pox prevailed as an epidemic in 1882 is as follows: — In Cincinnati there were 1,249 deaths, 1 death to 224 of population, or 4.46 to 1,000; in Chicago there were 1,292 deaths, 1 death to 434 of population, or 2.30 to 1,0000; in New Orleans there were 415 deaths, 1 death to 538 of population, or 1.85 to 1,000; in Pittsburg there were 300 deaths, 1 death to 566 of population, or 1.76 to 1,000; in Richmond there were 96 deaths, 1 death to 708 of population, or 1.40 to 1,000; in Baltimore there were 551 deaths, 1 death to 741 of population, or 1.35 to 1,000. This shows that the death-rate was more than three times as high in Cincinnati as in Baltimore, and lower in Baltimore than in any of the cities….”

(Baltimore Sun. “Small-pox in Baltimore, 1882-83.” Reprinted in: The Vaccination Inquirer and Health Review, Vol. V, No. 59, Feb 1884, p. 221.)

Michigan

Sep 30: “Michigan.—From advance sheets of the report of the State board of health, kindly furnished by the secretary, Henry B. Baker, M.D., the following abstract is made:

‘During the year ended September 30, 1882, there were over 100 outbreaks of small-pox in sixty-one localities, with 589 cases and 159 deaths. Including one outbreak not accurately reported, there were probably over 600 cases and 175 deaths.

‘The source of the contagion, in all the first cases where the source was ascertained, was from outside the State. In twenty-one instances it came direct from Chicago. It was introduced by immigrants direct into Port Huron and Detroit twice each, and once each into two other points from which it was carried into seven other localities, causing 56 cases and 7 deaths (These latter introductions were made by immigrants from the same steamer which was the origin of the epidemic in Davenport, Iowa)’.

‘The steamship Cimbria sailed from Hamburg March 29,1882, arriving in New York on April 12, with a case of small-pox on board. Passengers on the Cimbria came to Michigan. One, Bettit, went to East Saginaw, where he had varioloid, and communicated the disease to others. In that outbreak there were 6 cases and 1 death. A friend from Saginaw City, who watched with the sick in East Saginaw, had smallpox. Another passenger, Gesa, went to Reed City, where he had varioloid, and gave it to four others, one of whom died. Among those who contracted it was a carpenter who went to Westwood, Kalkaska County, where he was taken sick. From him there were 11 cases in Mancelona, Antrim County; 3 cases in Custer, Antrim County; 29 cases and 5 deaths in Rapid River Township and Westwood Village, Kalkaska County’.” (Annual Rpt. National Board of Health, 1883. 1884, p. 132.)

Minnesota

Dec 16: “Minneapolis, Dec. 16…one of the actors at the Theatre Comique, this city, was taken sick Monday. Today the City Physician examined the case, and pronounced it varioloid. The place was at one closed, and the actors an employes, to the number of forth-five persons, placed under quarantine restrictions. There was one death from small pox at the pest house today.”

New Hampshire

Jan 27: “Dover, N.H., Jan. 27.—The small-pox scare is still at its height. It has been discovered that two persons who had visited Mr. Tibbett’s bedside previous to his death are now sick with varioloid of a mild type. The Secretary of the State Board of Health consulted with the local Board of Health, the City Physician, and other authorities yesterday, and the result is that no more public performances, balls, gatherings, &c., are to be permitted, at least for the present, within the city limits. An order has been issued by the agent of the Cocheco Manufacturing Company authorizing two surgeons to vaccinate all the operatives employed in the mill who are willing to submit to the operation….The County Commissioners have ordered the attending physicians at the county farm to vaccinate the inmates.” (NYT. “The Spread of Small-Pox,” 1-28-1882, p. 1, col. 6.)

New Jersey

Jan 3: “Clerk Gilbert P. Robinson, of the Jersey City Health and Police Boards, says that since Dec. 17 the county and city authorities have vaccinated over 10,000 persons. A committee of the City Health Board has been appointed to secure a site for a temporary small-pox hospital within the city limits. Under the existing state of affairs all small-pox patients are sent to the barracks at Snake Hill. It is a long distance away, and patients are frequently unnecessarily exposed while waiting for the ambulance to call for them. The Police Commissioners have also directed that until the subsidence of the epidemic, no ‘lodgers’ be given accommodations at the Police stations, and all the lodging rooms have been closed. Only one additional case of small-pox was reported yesterday.” (New York Times. “Small-Pox in Jersey City,” 1-3-1882.)

Jan 5: “Long Branch, N.J., Jan. 5. — Dr. Chattle stated this morning that the only case of the disease in the vicinity of this place is at Deal. The patient, a servant girl in the house of Maggie Mitchell, the actress, has been removed to a small house in the fields, some distance from any other dwelling, where she is receiving proper care.” NYT. “Ravages of Small-Pox,” 1-6-1882.)

New York

Jan-Feb: “Brooklyn, N.Y. – Dr. R. M. Wyckoff reports 5 cases of small-pox during the week ending April 8. He states also that 100 cases of small-pox occurred in Brooklyn between January 1 and February 26. Of this number 52 had never been vaccinated, of whom 31, or 58 per cent., died. Of the 47 who had been successfully vaccinated, 6, or 12 per cent., died. Among those who had been vaccinated 24 were adults who had not been vaccinated since infancy. Of these 3 died. Of the remaining 23, 20 had varioloid in mild form; 1, aged 3 years, who had been well vaccinated twice, once in infancy and again in 1880, died; two other children, aged 6 and 8 years respectively, members of the same family and having good marks of vaccination, died. The youngest person attacked with the disease was 3 months old, and the oldest, 60 years.” (National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/42, 4-15-1882, p. 409.)

Ohio

March (Gallia County): “Gallipolis, Ohio. – S. F. Neal, postmaster, transmits the reports of Drs. Sisson and Gardner, concerning an epidemic of small-pox in Gallia County, Ohio. The disease prevails in Morgan and Salem Townships, in Gallia County, and made its appearance in the latter part of January. In consequence of a mistaken diagnosis in the first case many persons were exposed to the contagion, and it was not until March 4, when 44 cases in 17 families were found to exist, that the real character of the disease became known. On that day Dr. Sisson was called for the first time to see a case which he pronounced confluent small-pox. Thus far 9 deaths have been reported. Such efforts as are possible are being adopted to stay the progress of the disease. The houses are being disinfected, and in cases of death everything that can propagate the disease is destroyed. A panic prevails in this part of the country, and it is impossible to secure the proper attendants for the sick. A well marked case of small-pox has recently been discovered in Meigs County, adjoining the townships in which the disease is prevailing t such an alarming extent, and two other members of the same family show premonitory symptoms of the malady.” (National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/39, 3-25-1882, p. 371.)

Dec 15 (Dayton): “Four cases of small-pox were reported to the board of health of Dayton, Ohio, yesterday. They are the first of the winter and all are children.” (Santa Fe Daily New Mexican. “Telegraphic Briefs,” Dec 16, 1882, p. 1.)

Oklahoma Indian Territory

June 23, Okmulgee, Indian Territory: “Little Rock, Ark., June 23. – Advices from the Indian Territory say that small-pox is raging with fatal effect among the Creek Indians. At Okmulgee there are 22 cases, many of which will likely prove fatal. The scourge is spreading rapidly, and the neighboring villages have been quarantined and general vaccination is progressing. At Okmulgee the medicine men are adopting a very unwise treatment, which kills many patients.” (New York Times. “Deaths from Small-Pox.” 6-24-1882, p. 1.)

July 4, Okmulgee: “”St. Louis, Mo., July 4. – A special dispatch gives an account of the ravages by small-pox in the Indian Territory. At Okmulgee there have been over 30 cases, 5 of which have been fatal and 10 are expected to be so. The adjacent country has suffered severely. Muscogee [Muskogee] reports over 200 cases, nearly all of which were fatal. There has been a great lack of physicians and nurses, and many deaths have resulted from this cause. In isolated localities the ravages of the disease have been simply fearful, old and young being swept away.” (New York Times. “Small-Pox Epidemic in the West.” 7-5-1882, p. 2.)

Dec 20, 1882 (Indian Territory): “The small-pox is raging with terrible violence among the Cherokees of the Indian Territory.” (Gettysburg Star and Sentinel, PA. “Current News,” 12-20-, 1882, p. 2.)

Pennsylvania

Ott on Bethlehem: “Dr. Isaac Ott, of Easton, Pa., furnishes the following report of the recent outbreak of small-pox in Bethlehem:

“Small-pox has prevailed to some extend in South Bethlehem and the neighboring towns along the line of the Lehigh Valley Railroad during all of the past winter. On Saturday, March 11, about 12 cases of the disease were known to exist in South Bethlehem; on Monday, March 13, 28 families were quarantined under the regulations of the board of health; by the 15^th the number of families quarantined on account of small-pox had risen to 75; on the 16^th, to 85; on the 17^th, to 91; 18^th, to 99; 19^th, to 100; and on Monday, March 20, 110 houses were under th strictest quarantine, and in nearly all of the cases the afflicted had never been vaccinated. Twenty-five deaths were reported to March 20. The origin of the epidemic is as yet unknown. During these days the cats and dogs found in the streets were killed, the saloons closed daily at 9 p.m., the houses were marked with placard announcing the presence of the disease, tar barrels were burned in the streets, and general vaccination restored to. Two pest-houses have been constructed; one by the town, the other by the iron company. The hospital connected with the county poor-house is now so full of small-pox cases that the authorities have been compelled to close the doors against applicants for admission….” (National Board of Health Bulletin, 3/39, 3-25-1882, 369.)

Detwiller on Bethlehem: “….There had been no cases of small-pox in the Bethlehems,^[80] since the spring of I872, until January 22, 1881, when the first case made its appearance in the borough of South Bethlehem, which was contracted in Philadelphia. From that time there were sporadic cases in the Bethlehems until March 13, 1882, when the disease appeared in the form of an epidemic, -over seventy cases developing in the course of thirty-six hours, all living in a small area.” (p.111)

Cases Deaths Population

Cases in South Bethlehem 457 136 5,125

“ Bethlehem 69 18 5,393

“ Old South and West Bethlehems 87 17 1,800

“ Saucon Township and University District 62 18 500

“ Salisbury Township 6 2 500

“ Hottlesville extension 4 1 200

Total 685 192 13,518 (p. 112)

“While we, dwelling in the Bethlehems and suburbs, had well-organized Boards of Health it was no small matter to bridge the numerous obstacles in the way of enforcing their orders, owing to the inadequate provision of the Legislature to confer any legal power upon Health Boards.” (p.113) (Detwiller, John W., M.D. “Small-Pox in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and Vicinity, in 1881-82.” Chapter XIII, in Public Health Papers and Reports, Vol. 8, 1882, pp. 111-113.)

Jan 7: “Matamoras, Penn., Jan. 7. – Owing to the prevalence of small-pox at Port Jervis [NY] the health officers of this place have stationed officers at the Barrett bridge to prevent travel between the two towns. One case is reported in this village, and great excitement prevails.” (New York Times. “Ravages of Small-Pox,” 1-87-1882.)

Jan 9: “Milford, Pike County, Penn., Jan. 9. – The Board of Health of Milford today passed an ordinance forbidding persons from Port Jervis and other towns where small-pox prevails removing to Milford. Should small-pox continue spreading in Port Jervis, all mails thence will be discontinued. Several cases of the worst type are reported at Matamoras, Pike County.

“Allentown, Penn., Jan. 9. – The semi-weekly report sows three new cases of small-pox and no deaths. Thirty-three cases are now existing in various stages. Two cases have appeared at Odenweldertown, near Eason, where a fatal case occurred last week.”

“Pittsburg, Penn., Jan. 9. – Small-pox is rapidly increasing here, 56 new cases being reported to the Board of Health today – 43 cases in this city and 13 in Allegheny City.” (New York Times. Suffering From Small-Pox,” 1-10-1882.)

Jan 27: “Wilkesbarre, Penn., Jan 27.—Several cases of small pox have been reported to the authorities in Plymouth, and several of the schools were closed today. At Buttonwood there is one family, 10 in number, who have all contracted the disease. It this city there are only five cases, all of which are under control.” (NYT. “The Spread of Small-Pox,” 1-28-1882, p.1, col. 6.)

March 14: “Philadelphia, March 14. – A special dispatch from Reading, Penn., says: ‘Telegrams from South Bethlehem this morning state that over 100 cases of virulent small-pox have developed since Sunday, and the excitement aroused yesterday continues unabated. On Saturday only three very light cases were known to the health authorities. On Sunday, within five hours, 14 houses were quarantined, and by Sunday night 50 cases suddenly broke out. This morning the cases are increasing in the most alarming manner. The air is thick with the fumes of tar. Twenty barrels are burning at as many different points. Special policemen are sworn in to compel the strictest quarantine, and the Fire Department is on duty constantly. Nearly all the cases are in an unexceptionably clear part of the town, and nearly all the victims had not been vaccinated.’

“South Bethlehem, Penn., March 14. – There are now 100 cases of small-pox here, 30 cases having been reported since yesterday. A man named Danfield escaped into the streets today while delirious from the effects of the disease, and was with difficulty returned to the house. The epidemic is attributed to the burning of infected bedding….

“Washington, March 14. – The National Board of Health to-day received reports showing that during the week ending march 11 there were 7 deaths from small-pox in Philadelphia, 1 case of varioloid and 1 case of small-pox in Moline, Ill., and 10 deaths in Allegheny, Penn.” (NYT. “Small-Pox Increasing.” 3-15-1882.)

Aug 17: “At the Alice mines, near Mount Pleasant, Westmoreland county, smallpox has become epidemic. The disease is spreading rapidly and much alarm exists in the southern portion of the county.” (Indiana Progress, Indiana, PA. 8-17-1882, p. 3.)

Tennessee

March 14: “Nashville, Tenn., March 14. – A Knoxville dispatch says small-pox has broken out in Sevier County, three miles west of Seviersville and twenty-five miles from Knoxville. Dr. N. B. Edwards visited the neighborhood and found 12 cases, which he pronounced semi-confluent small-pox. One will prove fatal. There are no cases in Knox County.” (NYT. “Small-Pox Increasing.” 3-15-1882.)

Vermont

Jan 27: “Boston, Mass., Jan 27.—A dispatch from Derby Line, Vt., says there were 20 cases of small-pox reported today at Holland, Vt., and 5 cases at Barnston, Quebec….

“North Troy, Vt., Jan. 27.—Several cases of small pox are reported in Holland and Derby, at first pronounced scarlet fever by the physicians. Two deaths resulted in the former town. The schools are closed. A great many persons have been exposed to the disease, and there are fears of an epidemic.” (NYT. “The Spread of Small-Pox,” 1-28-1882, p. 1, col. 6.)

Wisconsin

Apr 14 (Milwaukee): “A woman, sick on arrival, died eight days after, and two of her children soon took the disease, and one died.” (Annual Report…National Board of Health, 1883. p. 132.)

May 1 (Milwaukee): “Six Polish immigrants were taken down a few days after arrival, and a fortnight later 2 more cases in same house.” (Annual Report…National Board of Health, 1883. p. 132.)

May 27 (Milwaukee): “Three Germans taken sick immediately on arrival.” (Annual Report of the National Board of Health, 1883. 1884, p. 132.)

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Holder, A. B., M.D. “Diseases Among Indians,” Medical Record, A Weekly Journal of Medicine and Surgery, Vol. 42, No. 12, NY, 9-17-1892, pp. 329-331. Accessed 2-13-2015 at: https://books.google.com/books?id=9c8-AQAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

Iowa Pathways, Iowa Public Television. “Battling Smallpox.” Adapted from Philip L. Frana. “Battling Smallpox State and Local Boards of Health.” Iowa Heritage Illustrated, Vol. 86, No. 2, Summer 2005. Iowa City: State Historical Society of Iowa. Accessed 2-12-2015 at: http://www.iptv.org/iowapathways/mypath.cfm?ounid=ob_000329

Gettysburg Star and Sentinel, PA. “Current News,” 12-20-1882, p. 2. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=4350864

Illinois State Board of Health. Fifth Annual Report of the State Board of Health of Illinois. Springfield, IL: H. W. Rokker State Printer and Binder, 1883. Digitized by Google at: http://books.google.com/books?id=rR-086nb37cC&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_v2_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=true

Indiana State Board of Health. First Annual Report of the Secretary of the Indiana State Board of Health for the Fiscal Year Ending October 31, 1882. Indianapolis: Wm. B. Burford, 1883. Accessed 2-12-2015: https://books.google.com/books?id=WdorES0Ey1IC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

Michigan Secretary of State. Sixteenth Annual Report Relating to the Registry and Return of Births, Marriages, and Deaths in Michigan for the Year 1882. Lansing: W. S. George & Co., State Printers and Binders, 1884. Google digitized. Accessed 10-31-2013 at: http://books.google.com/books?id=X8sWAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

Miles, L. J., United States Indian Agent, Osage Agency, Indian Territory. Fourth Annual Report to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, 9-12-1882. Pp. 72-73 in: Annual Report of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs to the Secretary of the Interior for the Year 1882. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1882. Accessed 2-13-2015 in: https://books.google.com/books?id=AKsxAQAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

Mitchell, E. W., M.D. “History of Epidemics in Cincinnati.” University of Cincinnati Medical Bulletin, Vol. 1, No. 1, November 1920, pp. 10-18. Accessed 3-15-2015 at: https://books.google.com/books?id=cvErAQAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

National Board of Health. Annual Report of the National Board of Health, 1883. Washington, DC: GPO, 1884. Digitized by Google at: http://books.google.com/books?id=MtuxEGC1Vp4C&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_v2_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=true

National Board of Health. National Board of Health Bulletin. Vol. 3, Nos. 1-52, July 2, 1881-June 30, 1882. Washington, DC. Accessed 2-4-2015 at: https://books.google.com/books?id=jVdNqUEYLOQC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=true

New Jersey Board of Health. Thirty-First Annual Report of the Board of Health of the State of New Jersey, 1907, and Annual Report of the Bureau of Vital Statistics. Trenton: John L. Murphy Publishing Co., 1908. Google digitized at: http://books.google.com/books?id=XDAcX3uIVssC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

New York Times. “City and Suburban News, New York,” 1-22-1882, p. 5. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=19721842

New York Times. “City and Suburban News, New York,” 1-27-1882, p. 8. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=19721919

New York Times. “Deaths from Small-Pox.” 6-24-1882, p. 1. Accessed 12-11-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1882/06/24/102783574.html?pageNumber=1

New York Times. “Ravages of Small-Pox,” 1-6-1882. Accessed 11-1-2013 at: http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=F60D13F63E5F15738DDDAF0894D9405B8284F0D3

New York Times. “Ravages of Small-Pox,” 1-7-1882. Accessed 11-1-2013 at: http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=FA071EF63E5F15738DDDA10894D9405B8284F0D3

New York Times. “Small-Pox Decreasing in Dakota.” 7-2-1882, p. 2. Accessed 12-11-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1882/07/02/103414088.html?pageNumber=2

New York Times. “Small-Pox Epidemic in the West.” 7-5-1882, p. 2. Accessed 12-11-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1882/07/05/103414789.html?pageNumber=2

New York Times. “Small-Pox in Iowa.” 7-26-1882, p. 2. Accessed 12-11-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1882/07/26/103421173.html?pageNumber=2

New York Times. “Small-Pox in Jersey City,” 1-3-1882. Accessed 11-1-2013 at: http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=F10F12F63A581B7A93C1A9178AD85F468884F9

New York Times. “Small-Pox in Minnesota,” 8-10-1882, p. 5. Accessed 12-11-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1882/08/10/102923591.html?pageNumber=5

New York Times. “Small-Pox in Paterson.” 9-6-1882, p. 2. Accessed 12-11-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1882/09/06/102785358.html?pageNumber=2

New York Times. “Small-Pox in Paterson.” 9-7-1882, p. 2. Accessed 12-11-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1882/09/07/102785760.html?pageNumber=8

New York Times. “Small-Pox Increasing,” 3-15-1882. Accessed 10-31-2013 at: http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9D00E3D71331E03ABC4D52DFB5668389699FDE

New York Times. “Small-Pox Spreading in Paterson.” 9-10-1882, p. 13. Accessed 12-11-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1882/09/10/102786676.html?pageNumber=13

New York Times. “Suffering from Small-Pox,” 1-10-1882. Accessed 11-1-2013 at: http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=F10D14F73E5F15738DDDA90994D9405B8284F0D3

New York Times. “The Paterson Small-Pox Cases.” 9-15-1882, p. 8. Accessed 12-11-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1882/09/15/102787438.html?pageNumber=8

New York Times. “The Small-Pox in Paterson.” 9-6-1882, p. 8. Accessed 12-11-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1882/09/12/103421937.html?pageNumber=8

New York Times. “The Small-Pox in Paterson.” 9-19-1882, p. 8. Accessed 12-11-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1882/09/19/102788023.html?pageNumber=8

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New York Times. “The Spread of Small-Pox,” 1-28-1882, p. 1, col. 6. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=19721843

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Saint Louis. The Mayor’s Message with Accompanying Documents to the Municipal Assembly of the City of Saint Louis, at its Session, May 1882. Saint Louis: A. Ungar & C., 1882. Google digitized: http://books.google.com/books?id=koFOAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

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Thornton, G. B. M.D. “Negro Mortality of Memphis.” Mississippi Valley Medical Monthly, Vol. II, No. 11, Memphis, Nov 1882, pp. 413-426. Accessed 2-13-2015 at: https://books.google.com/books?id=LM9XAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

Twitchell, George B, MD (Cincinnati). “The Prevention of Smallpox.” Pp. 693-696 in The Lancet-Clinic (Weekly Journal of Medicine and Surgery). New Series, Vol. LVI. Cincinnati: Lancet-Clinic Co., Jan-June, 1906. Google preview accessed 4-29-2018 at: https://books.google.com/books?id=4RACAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

United States National Board of Health. Annual Report of the National Board of Health, 1883. Washington, DC: GPO, 1884. Digitized by Google at: http://books.google.com/books?id=MtuxEGC1Vp4C&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_v2_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=true

University of Maryland. “Baltimore Smallpox Epidemic Collection.” College Park, MD: University of Maryland Libraries, ArchivesUM (Finding Aids at the University of Maryland). Accessed 1-14-2015 at: http://digital.lib.umd.edu/archivesum/actions.DisplayEADDoc.do?source=MdU.ead.histms.0321.xml&style=ead

Wikipedia. “Hannahville Indian Community,” 12-26-2014 modification. Accessed 2-13-2015 at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hannahville_Indian_Community

[1] We put the “more than” sign (>) before our tally in that we believe we would find additional deaths in Volume 4 of the National Board of Health Bulletin and in that we know from information pulled from other sources that not all smallpox deaths were reported to the National Board of Health. Thus even Volume 3, underreports smallpox deaths.

[2] Or perhaps the death was in Camptonville in Yuba County. The report reads:
Two cases of smallpox were reported in June in Oroville, Butte County, and within a few days after two additional cases at Camptonville, Yuba County But one death.”

[3] A prisoner. A prisoner from El Paso, TX was brought by rail to Red Bluff. The next morning it was determined by a local doctor that he had smallpox. All prisoners were then taken to the local “pest-house” where two cases of “confluent” smallpox developed and three cases of “varioloid” smallpox. There was one death.

[4] The tally, recorded by the week below, comes to 13. Do not know why total reported differs by one.

[5] From the Wellsboro Agitator, PA, 5-16-1882, p. 3, col. 7: “It is announced that in consequence of small pox being prevalent at Atlanta, Ga., the session of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church called to meet there on May 28, will be held at Columbus, Ga.”

[6] “Table of mortality from small-pox in the city of Chicago from 1851 to 1882, inclusive.”

[7] Out of 1,038 smallpox cases reported for the month (748 treated in City and 290 treated in Chicago Hospital).

[8] Out of 809 smallpox cases reported for the month (594 treated in City and 215 treated in Chicago Hospital).

[9] Out of 638 smallpox cases reported for the month (461 treated in the City and 177 treated in Chicago Hospital).

[10] Out of 352 smallpox cases reported for the month (249 treated in the City and 103 treated in Chicago Hospital).

[11] This figure is from the Chicago Registrar, Dr. M. K. Gleason, to the Board. Cannot explain difference between the 1883 Illinois State Board of Health figures and these. The weekly breakouts in the National Board of Health Bulletin as reported by Chicago officials, seems to support the lower figure.

[12] Out of 150 smallpox cases reported for the month (94 treated in the City and 56 treated in Chicago Hospital).

[13] Out of 99 smallpox cases reported for the month (75 treated in the City and 24 treated in the Chicago Hospital).

[14] Out of 28 smallpox cases reported for the month (18 treated in the City and 10 treated in the Chicago Hospital).

[15] Out of 10 smallpox cases reported for the month (4 treated in the City and 6 treated in the Chicago Hospital).

[16] Out of 91 smallpox cases reported for the month (55 treated in the City and 36 treated in the Chicago Hospital).

[17] Out of 65 smallpox cases reported for the month (51 treated in the City and 14 treated in the Chicago Hospital).

[18] Out of 72 smallpox cases reported for the month (36 treated in the City and 36 treated in the Chicago Hospital).

[19] A local doctor wrote about these deaths in January that “in each instance the person was unvaccinated.”

[20] All reported deaths were from the small-pox hospital one mile from the city, to which all cases were taken.

[21] Some of these deaths probably occurred in late 1881. In that we have, in our 1881 smallpox file, no reported deaths in Fort Wayne, we are placing all here rather than create an arbitrary delineation. The report to the National Board of Health from Dr. H. S. Myers dated Feb 22 is “that small-pox appeared in epidemic form October 8, 1881, since which time there have been 200 cases and 42 deaths. Of the decedents 24 were adults and 18 children.”

[22] Dr. W. H. Gillum, Parke Co. Health Officer, Nov 27, 1882 letter to Dr. Thad. M. Stevens, State Health Officer.

[23] “Dr. D. B. Hillis, president of the board of health reports 2 deaths from small-pox among the students at the medical college, and states that the disease was contracted from an imported cadaver which was carelessly permitted to remain within the college building for several weeks.”

[24] Medical students. National Board of Health Bulletin, V3, N31, 1-28-1882, p. 277.

[25] We make the assumption these two deaths were in Jan 1882 and not late 1881. Dr. M. F. Leary, of Gaylord, KS, in a report to the National Board of Health printed in February weekly Bulletin, notes to deaths in January at Cedar Junction, that “the disease is supposed to have been imported into Cedar Junction by a person arriving from Douglas County; the death of the postmaster at that place and his wife from the disease lead me to suspect infection through the mails.” He then notes the development of a smallpox case in East Atchison on Feb 2. (National Board of Health Bulletin, V3, N33, 2-11-1882, p. 299.

[26] Specifically what is written on March 10 is that of 21 cases from the beginning of the outbreak there had been 10 fatalities. We have already noted six, which we subtract to obtain the four additional deaths recorded here.

[27] Also: “1882. There was a severe epidemic of smallpox in Gould City (Severy) – the city was under strict quarantine surveillance, business was at a standstill and schools were closed. Many deaths were reported. The disease was first discovered at the Pacific House Hotel.” (Eureka Herald, Ks. “A Century of Greenwood County, KS History.” 1968.)

[28] To be precise, what is written by Dr. A. M. Wassam from Eureka, KS, on Feb 13 is summarized as “sixteen cases of small-pox occurred during the months of December and January at Lena, a village of about 300 inhabitants, on the San Francisco Railroad, 15 miles south of Eureka. The disease was introduced by a brakeman on an emigrant train. Seven of the cases proved fatal. In one of these, a case of varioloid, the person had been vaccinated probably thirty years ago. So far as known the disease does not now appear to be spreading.” [In that we do not show any smallpox deaths in Lena, KS in our 1881 smallpox file, we place all seven deaths here.]

[29] Also: National Board of Health Bulletin, Vol. 3, No. 30, 1-21-1882, p. 265.

[30] Notes, as well, that the 1882 death toll was 551, as Cordell also reports.

[31] “Registration Report of Massachusetts for the Year 1882.”

[32] Michigan Secretary of State. Sixteenth Annual Report Relating to the Registry and Return of Births, Marriages, and Deaths in Michigan for the Year 1882. Lansing: W. S. George & Co., State Printers and Binders, 1884.

[33] Table 69. Deaths in Michigan from some of the Prominent Zymotic Diseases during…Twelve Years, 1874-1885.

[34] This, possibly, is a reference to twenty deaths in the Native American “Village of Hannahville or Cedar Creek, near the Mackinac Agency, Mich., 1n 1882 [where] there were twenty deaths out of a population of only two hundred.” (A. B. Holder, M.D. “Diseases Among Indians,” Medical Record, A Weekly Journal of Medicine and Surgery, Vol. 42, No. 12, NY, 9-17-1892, p. 329.). Today “Hannahville Indian Community is a federally recognized Potawatomi Indian tribe residing in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, approximately 15 miles west of Escanaba.” (Wikipedia. “Hannahville Indian Community,” 12-26-2014 modification. Accessed 2-13-2015.)

[35] “In the matter of health they [Natives within purview of Mackinac Indian Agency (p. 95)]…[experienced] a scourge of small-pox, which swept over the little village of Hannahville, or Cedar Creek, where out of some two hundred inhabitants as many as twenty died, the mortality being most among the children.” (Report of Edward P. Allen, United States Indian Agent, Mackinac Indian Agency, Ypsilanti, MI, dated 10-12-1882, to Commissioner of Indian Affairs. Pp. 95-96 in: Annual Report of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs to the Secretary of the Interior for the Year 1882. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1882.)

[36] Minnesota State Board of Health. Ninth Report of the State Board of Health of Minnesota, For the Years 1881 and 1882. Minneapolis: Johnson, Smith & Harrison, 1883. Google digitized at: http://books.google.com/books?id=10VNAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

[37] This is a reference to approximately fifty unidentified African American smallpox victims buried in unmarked graves in Kirk Cemetery, Seneca, MO, commemorated today with a plaque.

[38] Two in the city and two in smallpox hospital 6 miles south of the city, where they had been sent from St. Louis.

[39] One in the city and six in smallpox hospital 6 miles south of the city, where they had been sent from St. Louis.

[40] One in the city and four in smallpox hospital 6 miles south of the city, where they had been sent from St. Louis.

[41] One in the city and eight in smallpox hospital 6 miles south of the city.

[42] Two in the city and seven in the smallpox hospital 6 miles south of the city.

[43] All at the smallpox hospital.

[44] Specifically it is reported “that during the three weeks ending April 29, 22 cases of small-pox were sent to the hospital. Eight deaths occurred in the hospital and two in the city during the period covered by the report.” In that we had previously noted two deaths during a portion of this time-frame we just note eight here.

[45] “….A young man named Riley and a little girl named Mamie McCabe have died at the hospital, where two or three more deaths are expected within a few days…”

[46] “There was a revival of the small-pox excitement in Paterson, N.J., yesterday by the announcement that two of the patients at the City Hospital, who were thought to be recovering, had died from the disease and were buried at once. One of them was William G. Jacobus, aged about 39 years…The other patient was Reuben Ward, aged 18 years…”

[47] National Board of Health Bulletin, Vol. 3, No. 48, 5-27-1882, p. 487.

[48] “Brooklyn, N.Y. – Dr. R. M. Wyckoff reports…that 100 cases of small-pox occurred in Brooklyn between January 1 and February 26. Of this number 52 had never been vaccinated, of whom 31, or 58 per cent., died. Of the 47 who had been successfully vaccinated, 6, or 12 per cent., died. Among those who had been vaccinated 24 were adults who had not been vaccinated since infancy. Of these 3 died. Of the remaining 23, 20 had varioloid in mild form; 1, aged 3 years, who had been well vaccinated twice, once in infancy and again in 1880, died; two other children, aged 6 and 8 years respectively, members of the same family and having good marks of vaccination, died.”

[49] In Plunket is letter from John T. Nagle, M.D., Deputy Register of Records, Bureau of Vital Statistics, Health Department, City of New York, dated 2-1-1883, providing vital statistics for NYC for the year 1882, and asking for similar statistics from and for Tennessee.

[50] Not using in the tally – seems out-of-keeping with other reports.

[51] Page is blurry – the numbers re report are what we think we see.

[52] Also: National Board of Health Bulletin, Vol. 3, No. 30, 1-21-1882, p. 265.

[53] See “Ohio” narrative section below.

[54] “Columbus, Ohio, June 22. – Information received here from the adjoining County of Licking is to the effect that the small-pox has broken out again and is doing fearfully destructive work in the north-eastern townships of the county. There has already been 15 or 18 deaths reported from the infected districts, and this morning two more are reported, a Mr. Green and Mr. Tarlton. The precautions adopted appear to be powerless to prevent its spread.”

[55] If we had access to Vol. 4 covering July-December 1882, we imagine we would find additional fatalities.

[56] Our number for purpose of contributing in a minimal way to a tally based on statement: “Muscogee reports over 200 cases, nearly all of which were fatal.” May be accurate but we do not wish to guess at a number higher than ten.

[57] The agent writes “The reservation is situated south of and adjoining the State of Kansas; bounded on the east by the 96^th principal meridian, and on the west and south by the Arkansas River.” (p. 72)

[58] Miles notes the smallpox outbreak at “Black Dog’s and other camps on the Arkansas River” first came to his attention about July 8 – “Death followed quickly in a number of cases, and it was soon found to be rapidly spreading ….We at once made an effort to protect the Indians and employes by vaccination, but succeeded poorly from want of good virus. At the present writing from 20 to 25 have died, and a number of others are down with the disease.”

[59] Now part of Pittsburgh; was a city from 1788-1907, on north side of where the Ohio and Allegheny Rivers join, and northwest of downtown Pittsburgh today.

[60] The Huntingdon [PA] Journal (4-14-1882, p. 1, col. 7) writes that “During the past winter Allegheny City has had 985 small pox cases.”

[61] Writes that “Altoona has had another death from smallpox and a new case.”

[62] Our calculation. What is written on March 22, is that there had been 152 cases out of a population of 5,500, and that 35 had died. We have already noted 25 deaths up to March 20, thus we subtract these from the 35 to obtain 10.

[63] In addition, The Chester Times (May 23, p. 6) writes that “A case of small-pox in its worst form was found on a canal boat at Easton. The victim was the captain of the boat.”

[64] Writes that “Several cases of small pox are yet in Ebensburg.”

[65] Lebanon Daily News (PA), “Over the State,” 7-10-1882, p.1, col. 3, notes “A prominent Erie physician was convicted Saturday for concealing smallpox case.” Same paper, on July 8 writes that “new cases are reported daily.”

[66] The previous sentence dealing with deaths from pneumonia and rheumatism refers to the week ending April 22. Mount Holly is six miles to the east of Carlisle. There were twenty cases.

[67] Table entitled “Deaths from Smallpox from 1807 to 1907, inclusive, and Rate per 1,000 of Population.” Notes death rate of 0.4 per 1,000 population. Previous year death rate was 1.57.

[68] This “Epidemic and Contagious Diseases” report notes that Centennial Island “is in the Mississippi river about thirty mils above Memphis…”

[69] Dr. P. D. Sims was a member of the Chattanooga Board of Health as well as the TN State Board of Health. His report was made in Nashville during the April Quarterly Session.

[70] Clark, W. M. “Report of the Retiring Secretary.”

[71] Out of 112 cases.

[72] The deaths were eight white and twenty-one black. See Shelby County listing below. Memphis is in Shelby County and we do not include these numbers in the event (unclear) that they were included in the County report.

[73] In a later issue the Bulletin includes a note from Dr. M. D. l. Jordan to the effect that “The epidemic originated from a…man who arrived in town sick, having, as he stated, come from Cairo, Ill. The case was pronounced to be measles, and no precautions were taken to prevent the spread of the disease, and many persons were exposed before its true character was known. A small-pox hospital was then established, vaccination made compulsory, and every effort made to prevent the further spread of the disease.” He reported one additional death in the country in a Feb 4 note for the week preceding.

[74] Dr. Chas Mitchell, Nashville Health Officer report to J. B. Lindsley, M.D., Secretary of TN State Health Board. Appears to be a separate report from Davidson Co. report in that numbers do not rhyme if Davidson Co. report included Nashville figures. Mitchell reports 1 death in June, 4 in August, 2 in September and 4 in December.

[75] This is from the smallpox section of the report: “From the register of the Shelby county hospital [footnote puts location 4 miles south of Memphis on Mississippi River, and under charge of County Court appointed physician] the following is obtained: Total admissions for 1882, 365; white, 29; colored, 335; total deaths for 1882, 161; whites 8; colored, 153; vaccinated, 145; vaccinated and died, 28; not vaccinated, 133. Complications with small-pox: 2 died from pneumonia, 2 from dysentery, 1 premature birth.”

[76] Our calculation based on: “Dr. J. B. Thornton made a report of the cases of small-pox in Memphis in October, November and December, and also a full report for 1882. In Shelby county there were 365 patients admitted to the pest-house; of these, 220 had never been vaccinated, and the death rate among them was 61 per cent., while amongst those who had been vaccinated early in life, the death rate was only 26 per cent.” 61% of 220 is 134.2 (we round to 134). If we subtract the 220 never-vaccinated patients from 365 total we get 145, which we assume is the number in reference to the 26% death rate for those vaccinated early in life. If so, that number is 37.7 (which we round down to 37). This gives us 171. In that these numbers might apply to the full report for 1882 and not just Oct-Dec (an unclear point) we subtract the 29 Memphis deaths reported above during Jan-June 3, giving us 142.

[77] National Board of Health Bulletin, Vol. 3, No. 30, 1-21-1882, p. 259.

[78] “A kind of petroleum jelly…essentially the same as Vaseline.” (Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary. C. & G. Merriam Co., 1913. Accessed at: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Cosmoline )

[79] Cordell reports 633 smallpox deaths in Baltimore for first six months of 1883, when, reportedly “Smallpox epidemic ceases.” (p. 719)

[80] Old South Bethlehem, South Bethlehem and West Bethlehem.

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