lornajarrettblanchard

–3,542-3,584  Blanchard compilation based on sources below.

 

Summary of 1873 Yellow Fever Deaths from State Breakouts Below

 

Alabama         ( 153-159)       Aug 22-Nov 19           Primarily Montgomery (102-108)

Florida            (   77 – 78)       Aug 24-Nov 5             Primarily Pensacola       (  61 – 62)

Georgia          (        >17)       Sep-Nov                      Bainbridge

Illinois             (   17 – 18)                                           Cairo

Kentucky       (             5)       Sep 22-Oct 15             Louisville

Louisiana       (983-1017)    ~July 4-Nov 19             Especially Shreveport & New Orleans

Mississippi      (             9)

New York      (           18)                                           Especially NYC Quarantine Station

Tennessee       (    ~2,000)       Aug-Nov                     Memphis

Texas              (         265)       Oct 10-Dec 31                        Esp. Calvert; also Columbus, Marshall

 

Breakout of 1873 Yellow Fever Deaths by State and Locality

 

Alabama         (153-159)        Aug 22-Nov 19

–153-159  State                                              Blanchard tally from locality breakouts below.

—           1  Huntsville                                      Augustin.  History of Yellow Fever, 1909, 443.

—         14  Junction[1]                AL Genealogy Trails. AL Epidemic Hist.; Augustin 1909, 443.

—         35  Mobile, Aug 21 start.[2] AL Genealogy Trails. AL Epidemic History. “Yellow Fever.” 2013.[3]

–27      “          Aug 22-Nov 19[4]          Augustin 1909, 444; Toner 1873, 19.

–102-108  Montgomery                                  Blanchard tally from breakouts below.

–108    “          Aug 27-Nov 10           AL Genealogy Trails; Augustin 1909, 445.[5]

–102    “                                              Keating 1879, 92; Toner 1873, 19; Sternberg 1908, 719.

—   4     “          Oct 24                                     New York Times. “Yellow Fever.” 10-25-1873.

—        1  Oakfield, Sep 22 1^st case. Augustin 1909, 445; AL Genealogy Trails. AL Epidemic Hist.

—        ?  Pollard. AL Genealogy Trails. Alabama Epidemic History. “Yellow Fever.” 2013.[6]

 

Florida            (  77-78)          Aug 24-Nov 5

–77-78  State                                                  Blanchard tally of locality breakouts below

—       3  Fort Barrancas  Sep 26-Nov 25         Augustin.  History of Yellow Fever, 1909, 454.

—     13  Fort Jefferson               Aug 24-Oct 6           Augustin.  History of Yellow Fever, 1909, 454.

—     62  Pensacola Aug 6, 1^st reported case.[7]  Keating 1879, 92; Sternberg 1908, p. 719.

–61      “                                              U.S. Marine Hospital Service. 1896, 439.

 

Georgia          (     >17)          Oct-Nov[8]

–15  Bainbridge. By Oct 29 — named individuals from the “many” yellow fever fatalities.[9]

–1   “             Oct 29. Weekly Democrat, Bainbridge, GA. “Yellow Fever.”  10-30-1873.[10]

—>2  Bainbridge   mid-Nov. Philadelphia Inquirer. “Yellow Fever in Georgia.” 11-26-1873, 2.[11]

 

Illinois             (  17-18)

–18  Cairo. 11-19-1879 ltr. of Jas. Johnson to Dr. J. H. Rauch, Public Health Papers, V5, p. 196.

–17  Cairo                                                       Keating 1879, 92.

 

Kentucky       (             5)       Sep 22-Oct 15

—       5  Louisville       Sep 22-Oct 15             Augustin 1909, 472; Keating 1879, 92.

 

Louisiana       (983-1,017)     ~July 4-Nov 19

–983-1,017  State                                           Blanchard tally of locality breakouts below.

Breakout of 1873 Louisiana Yellow Fever deaths by locality:

—           ?  Coushatta                                       Carrigan. The Saffron Scourge. 1961, p. 178.[12]

—           4  Greenwood            Sep 29-Oct 29 Augustin 1909, p. 479.

—           ?  Mansfield                                       Carrigan. The Saffron Scourge. 1961, p. 178.

–220-226  New Orleans                                 Blanchard rage based on sources below

–226    “                                              Carrigan. The Saffron Scourge. 1961, p. 169.[13]

–226   “                                               New Orleans Public Library. Yellow Fever Deaths

–225   “                                               Keating 1879, p. 92; Sternberg 1908, p. 719.

–225   “                                               US Marine-Hospital Service. Report. 1896, p. 439.

–220    “          July 4-Nov 19             Augustin 1909, p. 489.

—  16    “          Sep 7                           Boston Med & Surgical Journal, Vol. 89, p. 543.

—  35    “          Sep 14                         Boston Med & Surgical Journal, Vol. 89, p. 543.

—  26    “          Sep 21                         Boston Med & Surgical Journal, Vol. 89, p. 543.

—  22    “          Sep 28                         Boston Med & Surgical Journal, Vol. 89, p. 543.

—  15    “          Oct 5                           Boston Med & Surgical Journal, Vol. 89, p. 543.

—  24    “          Oct 12                         Boston Med & Surgical Journal, Vol. 89, p. 543.

—  18    “          Oct 19                         Boston Med & Surgical Journal, Vol. 89, p. 543.

—  11    “          Oct 26                         Boston Med & Surgical Journal, Vol. 89, p. 543.

—  11    “          Nov 2                          Boston Med & Surgical Journal, Vol. 89, p. 543.

–759-787  Shreveport                                     Blanchard range based on sources below

—  787  “          Aug 20-Nov 13           New Harmony Register, IN. 12-6-1873, p. 3, c.1.[14]

–~759 “          late-Aug                      Carrigan. The Saffron Scourge. 1961, p. 169.[15]

—  759  “                                              Keating 1879, p. 92; Sternberg 1908, p. 720.

—    30  “          Sep 11.            Ouachita Telegraph. “Our…Sister City.” 9-13-1873, p. 2.

—    18  “          Sep 12.            Ouachita Telegraph. “Our…Sister City.” 9-13-1873, p. 2.

—      3  “          Oct 24 YF interments.            New York Times. “Yellow Fever.” 10-25-1873

 

Mississippi      (          9)

—  9  State                                           Harden, et al. Mosquito News. March 1967, p. 60.[16]

—  ?  Vicksburg                                   Sternberg. Rpt. on Etiology…Yellow Fever. 1890, p. 45.[17]

—  3        “                                            Daily State Journal, Richmond, VA. 9-24-1873, p.1, c. 6.

 

New York      (         18)

–18  New York                                   Keating 1879, p. 92.

 

Tennessee       (     2,000)        Aug-Nov

–1800-2K  Memphis  Carrigan. The Saffron Scourge. 1961, p. 179.[18]

–>2,100          “          Ottumwa Democrat, IA. 11-27-1873, p. 3, col. 2.

–>2,000          “          Ellis, John H. Yellow Fever & Public Health…New South. 1992, p. 32.[19]

—  2,000           “          Murphy 2003, 127; NYT  10-7-1888; TN Encycl. Hist.; Keating 1879, 92;

—  2,000           “          U.S. National Board of Health. Annual Report of…1879.  1879, p. 253.

—  1,500           “          Erskine. A Report on Yellow Fever…in Memphis, Tenn., in 1873. P. 389.[20]

—       24           “ Oct 23-24 (noon to noon)    New York Times. “Yellow Fever.” 10-25-1873.[21]

—          3          “ Nov 17-23.                           Weekly Pantagraph, Bloomington, IN. 12-5-1873.

—         1          “ last wk Nov.                         Weekly Pantagraph, Bloomington, IN. 12-5-1873.

 

Texas                          (265)    (Oct-Dec)

–229  Localities noted below:                        Blanchard tally.

–125  Calvert                                                  Sternberg 1908, p. 721.

–101  Columbus, Colorado Co., Oct 10-Dec 31. Dr. John M. Bowers ltr. in TX Med. Jour. V19, 166.[22]

–61  Columbus           By Dec 1         Galveston News. “From Columbus.” 12-2-1873, p2.[23]

—  1      “                     Dec 17 Galveston News. “From Columbus.” 12-18-1873, p2.[24]

—  ?      “                     Dec 25.            Report of a few lingering cases.[25]

—  2      “                      Dec 31             Dr. John M. Bowers ltr. in TX Med. Jour. V.19.

—    ?  Denison (prevailed)                              Pope. “Yellow Fever in Marshall…1873.” V6, 241.

—    2  Galveston                     Nov 15                        Galveston News. “Mortuary Report.” 11-23-1873, p. 3.

—    1         “                             Nov 19                        Galveston News. “Mortuary Report.” 11-23-1873, p. 3.

—  36  Marshall            Sternberg, “Yellow Fever,” Ref. Handbook of Med. Sciences V8, 1894, 589.

–3  “     Mrs. Bethea, two children.    Marion Star, SC. 12-3-1873, p. 2, col. 5.

 

Narrative Information

 

New Orleans

 

Jones: “The first case of yellow fever, officially reported [in New Orleans] was traced to the bark Valparaiso, which arrived at Quarantine from Havana, June 16^th, and after remaining the usual period…she was permitted to proceed up the Mississippi River to New Orleans…. On the 4^th of July, the mate of the Valparaiso…was taken sick with yellow fever…died on the 8^th, having had black vomit prior to death..”  (Jones 1874, 542)  Dr. Jones’ report includes the latest posting from the Mortuary Records of New Orleans – that of November 2 – indicating that 11 people died of yellow fever the previous week, for a total since early July of 200. (Jones 1874, 543)

 

“It is probable that the actual number of cases has been much larger; it is also probable that a number of deaths, referred to the various forms of malarial fever, were in reality caused by yellow fever.  If the total number of cases of yellow fever have not been fully and accurately reported to the Board of Health, the failure may be referred to two causes: 1^st. To the great prevalence of dengue, and the failure in many cases to distinguish the milder cases of yellow fever from this disease. 2d. To the decided opposition of many of the measures of disinfection practiced by the Board of Health.  The opinion is held by many that the carbolic acid so abundantly used as a ‘disinfectant,’ not only has no effect in arresting or eradicating the disease, but also acts injuriously upon the sick in those localities where it is fully employed.”  (Jones 1874, 546)

 

“The yellow fever of 1873 has not confined its attacks to the sea-coast, but has committed its ravages at various points in the interior, as at Shreveport, Louisiana; Memphis, Tennessee, Marshall and Calvert, Texas; Montgomery and Pollard, Alabama; and Bainbridge Georgia.  The extension of the disease along the lines of travel has spread alarm and dismay, and brought prominently to the attention of cities and States the question of efficient quarantine upon lines of railroad as well as upon the great water courses.”  (Jones 1874, 543)

 

NYT states:  “Florida and Charleston, S.C. suffered in 1871, and in 1873 another great epidemic of yellow fever swept along the Gulf Coast and up the Mississippi Valley, touching parts of Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, and Ohio.  The greatest mortality was at Memphis, where it reached 2,000.”

 

Marshall, Texas

 

Pope: “….The population, in September, 1872, was about 4000, nearly half being negroes. Up to this date there never had been an epidemic of yellow fever, and no special precautions had ever been used to prevent it….Twelve months, ending September, 1873, added to the population of Marshall about 2000 inhabitants, nearly all immigrants from the Northern States. Besides, the transient population would number several hundred, chiefly railroad laborers….

 

“At the outbreak of the yellow fever in Shreveport hundreds of the citizens of that place came pouring into Marshall and the country around.[26]….” (Pope, John H., MD. “Yellow Fever in Marshall, Texas in 1873.” The Texas Health Journal, Vol. 6, No. 10, April, 1894, pp. 238-241.)

 

New York City

 

Dec 4: “The New York Herald says that since the raising of the quarantine at that port there have been detected several cases of yellow fever among seamen belonging to the United States Navy, sent from New Orleans to the Brooklyn yard, and some of these have proved fatal. As announced by the Health Officer about a month since, over 60 cases of yellow fever reached that port during the season, and many of them, despite the care which they received, proved fatal.” (Galveston Daily News, TX. 12-4-1873, p. 2, col. 1.)

 

Shreveport

 

Carrigan: ‘At the close of Shreveport’s epidemic of 1873, the Shreveport Medical Society appointed a committee in investigate the origin and course of the recent scourge. The committee concluded that the disease had been imported from Havana to New Orleans, and thence transported to Shreveport by boatmen employed on the Red River packets. Since the population of Shreveport, approximately 12,000, had tripled since the last yellow fever epidemic in 1867, most of the citizens were susceptible to the disease. It was estimated that only about 4,500 persons remained in the city during the epidemic. Of that number at least 3,000 suffered attacks of the fever and about 759 died. Hence, the case fatality rate was almost twenty-six per cent. Of the population in the city at the time, approximately seventeen per cent died of yellow fever.” [p. 177]

 

Selected Sources

 

Alabama Genealogy Trails. Alabama Epidemic History. “Yellow Fever.” Submitted by K. Torp. 2013. Accessed 8-25-2013 at: http://genealogytrails.com/ala/epidemics.html

 

American Public Health Association. Public Health Reports and Papers, Volume V, 1879. Boston: Houghton, Mifflin and Co., 1880. Google preview accessed 5-7-2018 at: https://books.google.com/books?id=WHYCAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

Augustin, George.  History of Yellow Fever.  New Orleans:  1909; General Books reprint, Memphis, TN, 2010.

 

Boston Medical and  Surgical Journal, “Notes Upon the Yellow Fever of 1873, in New Orleans,” Vol. 89, p. 543. Boston: David Clapp & Son, Publishers, 1874. Accessed 5-8-2018 at: https://books.google.com/books?id=9TwBAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

Carrigan, Jo Ann. The Saffron Scourge: A History of Yellow Fever in Louisiana, 1796-1905 (Doctoral Dissertation). Louisiana State University, LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses, 1961. Accessed 3-11-2018 at: https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1665&context=gradschool_disstheses

 

Daily State Journal, Richmond, VA. “Yellow Fever Scourge,” 9-24-1873, p.1, col. 6. Accessed 5-8-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/richmond-daily-state-journal-sep-24-1873-p-1/

 

Ellis, John H. Yellow Fever & Public Health in the New South. University Press of Kentucky, 1992. Partially google digitized at: http://books.google.com/books?id=pqRcT7sFYYYC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

Erskine, John H. A Report on Yellow Fever as it Appeared in Memphis, Tenn., in 1873. Accessed from the US National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, 5-6-2018 at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2272699/

 

Galveston Daily News. “From Columbus.” 12-18-1873, p. 2, col. 4. Accessed 5-7-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/galveston-daily-news-dec-18-1873-p-2/

 

Galveston Daily News. “Mortuary Report.” 11-23-1873, p. 3. Accessed 5-8-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/galveston-daily-news-nov-23-1873-p-3/

 

Galveston Daily News, TX. [Yellow Fever, Columbus TX] 12-25-1873, p. 4, col. 2. Accessed 5-7-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/galveston-daily-news-dec-25-1873-p-4/

 

Galveston Daily News, TX. [Yellow Fever, New York City] 12-4-1873, p. 2, col. 1. Accessed 5-7-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/galveston-daily-news-dec-04-1873-p-2/

 

Gilmore, J. T., M.D. “An Account of Yellow Fever as it Prevailed in Mobile and Vicinity in 1873.” Mobile, AL. Accessed 8-25-2013 at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2272663/pdf/pubhealthpap00028-0425.pdf

 

Harden, F. W., H. R. Hepburn and B. J. Ethridge. “A History of Mosquitoes and Mosquito-Borne Diseases in Mississippi 1699-1965, Mosquito News, Vol. 27, No. 1, March 1967, pp. 60-66. Accessed 5-8-2018 at: https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/content/part/JAMCA/MN_V27_N1_P060-066.pdf

 

Jones, Joseph.  “Notes upon the Yellow Fever of 1873 in New Orleans.”  Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 1874, p. 543.  Digitized by Google.  Accessed at:  http://books.google.com/books?id=9TwBAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

Keating, J. M.  A History of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1878 in Memphis, Tenn. Memphis, TN:  Howard Association, 1879. Google digitized at: http://books.google.com/books?id=WEIJAAAAIAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

Marion Star, SC. [Yellow Fever, Marshall, TX] 12-3-1873, p. 2, col. 5. Accessed 5-7-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/marion-star-dec-03-1873-p-2/

 

Medina County Gazette, OH. “Late News Items.” 12-19-1873, p. 2, col. 1. Accessed 5-7-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/medina-county-gazette-dec-19-1873-p-2/

 

Murphy, Jim.  An American Plague:  The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793.  New York:  Scholastic Inc., 2003.

 

New Harmony Register, IN. [Yellow Fever, Shreveport] 12-6-1873, p. 3, c.1. Accessed 5-7-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/new-harmony-register-dec-06-1873-p-3/

 

New Orleans Public Library, Louisiana Division. Yellow Fever Deaths in New Orleans, 1817-1905. Accessed 3-7-2010 at: http://nutrias.org/facts/feverdeaths.htm

 

New York Times. “Yellow Fever.” 10-25-1873. Accessed 5-7-2018 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/10/25/79053156.pdf

 

New York Times.  “Yellow Fever Retrospect.”  October 7, 1888.  Accessed at:  http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?_r=1&res=9D03EFD81F38E033A25754C0A9669D94699FD7CF&oref=slogin

 

Ottumwa Democrat, IA. 11-27-1873, p. 3, col. 2. Accessed 5-7-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/ottumwa-democrat-nov-27-1873-p-3/

 

Ouachita Telegraph. “Our Unfortunate Sister City.” 9-13-1873, p. 2, col. 2. Accessed 8-25-2013 at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/la/ouachita/newspapers/ot/1873/yellowfever1873.txt

 

Philadelphia Inquirer. “Yellow Fever in Georgia.” 11-26-1873, p. 2. Accessed 5-7-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/philadelphia-inquirer-nov-26-1873-p-2/

 

Pope, John H., MD. “Yellow Fever in Marshall, Texas in 1873.” The Texas Health Journal, Vol. 6, No. 10, April, 1894, pp. 238-241. Google preview accessed 5-7-2018 at: https://books.google.com/books?id=iYeCxYl_HwoC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

Quinn, Rev. D. A. Heroes and Heroines of Memphis, or Reminiscences of the Yellow Fever Epidemics that Afflicted the City of Memphis During th Autumn Months of 1873, 1878, and 1879… Providence, RI: E. L. Freeman & Son, State Printers, 1887. Google preview accessed 5-6-2018 at: http://books.google.com/books?id=Xu80AQAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

Sternberg, George M. (US Public Health Service, US Marine Hospital Service). Report on the Etiology and Prevention of Yellow Fever. Washington: GPO, United States Marine Hospital Service, Treasury Dept., 1890. Google preview accessed 3-15-2018 at:

https://books.google.com/books?id=LpYaAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

Sternberg, George M. “Yellow Fever,” pp. 39-72 in A Reference Handbook of the Medical Sciences (Vol. 8), Albert Henry Buck, (Ed.). NY: William Wood & Co., 1894. Google digitized: http://books.google.com/books?id=Jr00AQAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

Sternberg, George M. (US Public Health Service, US Marine Hospital Service).  “Yellow Fever:  History and Geographic Distribution.”  Pages 715-722 in Stedman, Thomas L., M.D. (Ed.) Appendix to the Reference Handbook of the Medical Sciences.  NY: William Wood & Co., 1908.  Google digitized:  http://books.google.com/books?id=3ezqX415M5wC&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_atb#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

Tennessee Encyclopedia of History and Culture. Yellow Fever Epidemics. (Entry by Christopher Caplinger, Georgia State University). Accessed 10-7-2008 at:  http://tennesseeencyclopedia.net/imagegallery.php?EntryID=Y002

 

Texas Medical Journal (Monthly), Vol. 19, No. 5, November 1903. Austin. Google preview accessed 5-7-2018 at: https://books.google.com/books?id=rqYCAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

Toner, Joseph M. (M.D., President, American Medical Association). “The Distribution and Natural History of Yellow Fever as it has Occurred at Different Times in the United States” (Paper read before the American Public Health Association, November 12, 1873). Washington, DC: 1873, 33 pages. Accessed 8-23-2013 at: http://cdm16313.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/compoundobject/collection/LSUBK01/id/10240/rec/19

 

United States Marine-Hospital Service, Treasury Department. Annual Report of the Supervising Surgeon-General of the Marine-Hospital Service of the United States for the Fiscal Year 1895 (Document No. 1811).  Washington:  GPO, 1896.  Digitized by Google at:  http://books.google.com/books?id=aTnxAAAAIAAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_atb#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

United States National Board of Health. Annual Report of the National Board of Health, 1879.  Washington, DC: GPO, 1879.  Digitized by Google at:  http://books.google.com/books?id=0SsgAQAAIAAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_v2_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

United States Senate. Index to the Senate Executive Documents for the Third Session of the Forty-Second Congress of the United States of America, 1872-ʹ73. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1873. Google preview accessed 5-6-2018 at: https://books.google.com/books?id=zI0FAAAAQAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

Weekly Democrat, Bainbridge, GA. “The Yellow Fever in Bainbridge.”  10-30-1873. Accessed 5-7-2018 at: https://gahistoricnewspapers.galileo.usg.edu/lccn/sn85034008/1873-10-30/ed-1/seq-3/

 

Weekly Journal, Logansport, IN. [Yellow Fever, Vicksburg] 9-31-1873, p. 2, col. 6. Accessed 5-8-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/logansport-weekly-journal-sep-13-1873-p-2/

 

Weekly Pantagraph, Bloomington, IN. “General News.” 12-5-1873, p. 2, col. 5. Accessed 5-7-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/bloomington-pantagraph-dec-05-1873-p-2/

 

Wisconsin State Journal, Madison. [Yellow Fever, Vicksburg] 9-26-1873, p. 2. Accessed 5-8-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/madison-wisconsin-state-journal-sep-26-1873-p-2/

 

Additional Source

 

Rogers, William Warren Jr. “‘Death has Been Busily at Work’: Yellow Fever at Bainbridge in 1873.” The Georgia Historical Quarterly, Vol. 84. No. 3, Fall 2000, pp. 410-433.

 

 

 

 

 

[1] Population 35.  (Augustin.  History of Yellow Fever, 1909, 443.)

[2] Sternberg. “Yellow Fever.” Reference Handbook of the Medical Sciences (Vol. 8), 1894, p. 589.

[3] Cites Time Magazine, 7-6-1925.

[4] Gilmore has the first case on August 21.  (Gilmore, J. T., M.D. “An Account of Yellow Fever as it Prevailed in Mobile and Vicinity in 1873.” Mobile, AL.)

[5] Citing Time Magazine, 7-6-1925, writes that infection was from Pensacola and that “The whole population of the city, except about 1,800 fled. There were 500 cases, with 108 deaths.”

[6] Cites as source: Time Magazine, 7-6-1925.

[7] Sternberg. Reference Handbook of the Medical Sciences (Vol. 8), 1894, p. 589.

[8] We use October as start month given a Oct 24 note from Savannah on yellow fever in Bainbridge printed in the NYT on Oct 25. This article notes “Physicians concur in the opinion that the disease which broke out there a week or more ago is yellow fever.”

[9] Bainbridge Democrat, GA. “The Yellow Fever Scourge.” “Never before has the shadow of death hung so darkly over our once bright and prosperous little city. Hardly can we realize it — never did we dream of such fatal affliction. For the past few weeks Death has been busily at work, cutting down without warning many of our citizens, who but a short while ago bid fair to live to old age….Immediately [after disease had been named yellow fever], as a precautionary measure, most of the women and children of our city were sent away. Those who remained did so from choice, not wishing to be separated from members of their families who could not leave. Since our last issue we have to chronicle the deaths of a child of the lamented H.J. Swearengen, Mrs. Wm. Painter, Mrs. Spear, wife of Mr. H. H. Spear, Hon. B. F. Bruton, who died last Wednesday morning, and Mr. Frank Green, and Mrs. Geo. W. Pearce, who died last night; and also a negro named Wallace Donalson, who died in the early part of the week….There are at this writing many cases in town, some of which are very dangerous, perhaps hopeless. Col James Wilson, died at his place below this city, yesterday, it is supposed of the fatal disease…” Notes other names.

[10] “…there is not much improvement in the yellow fever at Bainbridge. Three new cases — all negroes — were reported yesterday, and one death. There are twenty-off cases in all, ten of them dangerous….we have no hope of an abatement of the disease until a black frost shall spread its chilling mantle over the plague-smitten city….” Notes in column one” “During the continuance of the Yellow Fever scourge in our city, we shall issue only a half-sheet of the Democrat, for the reason that business has almost entirely suspended, and our inability to procure sufficient means to publish a full-sheet during its prevalence.”

[11] “Mayor Stokley [Philadelphia] was yesterday in receipt of the following letter: ‘Clerk’s Office, Supreme Court, Bainbridge, Ga., Nov 19, 1873. Mayor Stokley — Dear Sir — The yellow fever is still raging in our city, but is on the decline slowly. All business suspended; has been for months. I am in charge of the court and county records, and have remained all the while at my post. Our mayor and his wife died last week. There is considerable destitution and embarrassment in our city. Can we (through you) get some aid from your citizens and city for our people? If so, telegraph me and send the contributions to Messrs. Dickinson & Stigall, bankers, Bainbridge, Ga. Our people will appreciate a contribution from your city highly. I am, very respectfully, T. F. Hampton, One of the Relief Committee and clerk of the Supreme Court, Decatur county, Ga.”

[12] Carrigan: “According to a resident of Coushatta, the pestilence had made ‘sad havoc’ in the entire area of the Red River Valley. ‘The country looks desolate,’ he wrote; ‘worse than ever it looked during and after Bank’s raid through Red River.’ For a distance of at least fifty miles through the valley south of Coushatta, the area was practically deserted.” Cites, in footnote 31, p. 178: Picayune, 10-2-1873.

[13] “The Saffron Scourge probably caused more deaths in New Orleans than the reports indicate. According to the Board’s report, about half the population suffered cases of ‘Dengue’ during the epidemic season, some of which finally ‘assumed the appearance’ of yellow fever and terminated in death. Although seldom fatal, dengue fever is easily confused with the yellow pestilence in its early stages. Probably a number of cases, and especially the deaths, reported as dengue fever were actually caused by yellow fever.” (Cites; Report of the Louisiana State Board of Health for 1873, pp. 9 and 55.

[14] “From August 20^th to November 13^th, seven hundred and eighty-seven persons died of yellow fever in Shreveport.”

[15] The numerous cases began to attract considerable attention in late August, and by the first of September the Shreveport epidemic was well under way. Of a population numbering from 10,000 to 12,000 it was estimated that over half fled the city. By mid-September most business establishments had shut down and the streets were almost empty. The community had been completely quarantined by all neighboring towns, and the telegraph served as the only means of communication.” Cites, in footnote 21, p. 170: Report of the Committee appointed by the Shreveport Medical Society on the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1873 at Shreveport, Louisiana (Shreveport, 1874), pp. 12-13; Henry Smith, Report of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1873, Shreveport, Louisiana… (New Orleans, 1874), p. 3.

[16] From: Table 1. — The major yellow fever epidemics for the 19^th and 20^th centuries.

[17] Report is of locations in MS which have experienced yellow fever epidemics and the years. A newspaper article dated Sep 13 notes “yellow fever prevails as an epidemic at Vicksburg.” (Weekly Journal, Logansport, IN. 9-31-1873, p. 2, col. 6.)

[18] “In 1873 out of a winter population of 50,000 only about 15,000 persons remained in the city during the epidemic, of which 7,000 had the fever and from 1,800 to 2,000 died.” Cites: New Orleans Medical & Surgical Journal, New Series, I (May 1874), pp. 791-793; L (May, 1898), p. 636.

[19] Ellis writes that” “Following its outbreak in August 1873, the most disastrous yellow fever epidemic in Memphis to that time caused more than two thousand deaths in about seven thousand cases, the chief victims being poor Irish inhabitants of a waterfront slum.”

[20] “Memphis claims a population of 50,000; of these 20,000 fled the city. Out of the 30,000 remaining, 1,500 died of the fever.” (pp. 388-389.) Quinn wrote that the population was “some sixty thousand. Of these, about one-third belonged to the colored race…” (Quinn. Heroes and Heroines of Memphis, pp. 1-2.)

[21] “….Out of 55,000 inhabitants only about 10,000 remain. Of these more than 1,000 are now sick. Two thousand newly-made widows and orphans are dependent on charity, and even though the scourge were to cease at once these helpless people must be assisted during the coming Winter. The relief associations are without funds, and unless substantial aid is furnished the poor and sick must die of neglect or succumb to hunger and want.”

[22] Dr. John M. Bowers, who practiced in Columbus at the time, later wrote Dr. Co. O. Weller, of Austin, on his recollection. Dr. Bowers wrote that  a man from Shreveport, who stopped at McDonald’s boarding house, sick, first introduced yellow fever to Columbus. “He was for six or seven days without physician or attention” when Dr. Bowers, who “was well acquainted” with yellow fever, saw him. The man died the same day, which he recalled “was the tenth day of October, 1873.” He notes” “The last two cases occurred on Christmas day, a Mr. Shuttlewurse and mulatto boy, both of whom died on the thirty-first day of December, 1873. Many people took the disease after they had fled the town, and some eight or ten deaths occurred among these, but in no instance was the fever communicated to those with whom they stayed. The total number of deaths was one hundred and one.”

[23] “Columbus, Dec 1. Since my last to you on Saturday [Nov 29], there have ten new cases of yellow fever, and five relapses and four deaths. George Billort died on Sunday, and today W. T. S. Compton and his daughter Mary, and City Marshal J. W. Fields fell victims to the disease. There have been sixty-one deaths to date, and thirty cases are now under treatment, several of which are doubtful…”

[24] “Columbus, Dec 17. Two new cases of yellow fever are reported since yesterday morning, and one death to-day. Sixteen cases are under treatment. The cases are more malignant…>Fred, Barnard and Ben. Baker, editors of the Colorado Citizen , are very sick.”

[25] Galveston Daily News, TX. 12-25-1873, p. 4, col. 2.

[26] Marshall is about 42 miles west of Shreveport, LA (which is on the Red River).

Document created by Wayne Blanchard Dec 2008; revised Aug 2013, and Dec 2019 for website: Deadliest American Disasters and Large-Loss-Of-Life Events. https://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

 

–5,814-6,519              Blanchard tally based on State totals below.[1]

—          3,825              Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873 in the United States.  1875, p. 32.

—        <3,800              Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873 in the United States.  1875, p. 34.^[2]

 

Summary of State Breakouts Below

 

Alabama        (  165 – >196)  Especially Birmingham (130) and Huntsville (62) ~June-Aug

Arkansas        (    76 –     77)  Especially Perkins Plantation

Dakota Territory (      >12)

Florida           (               >3)

Georgia          (               >3)

Illinois            (   427 –  478)  Chicago esp. (116); May 24-Sep 20       esp. late July-early Aug

Indiana           (   289 –  309)  Esp. Mt. Vernon (83) and Indianapolis (48); ~June to mid-Aug

Iowa                (   120 –  134)  Davenport esp. (80-94) June 20-Sep 14, esp. late Aug to mid-Sep

Kentucky       (   940-1,143) Esp. Paducah, Millersburg (76), Franklin (72), West Point.

Louisiana       (   420 –  488) New Orleans especially (244-300)                                 Feb-July

Minnesota      (              5-8)                                                                                            July 8-22

Mississippi     (               58) Esp. Hinds (42), Jackson (23), Vicksburg (13)             May-July

Missouri         (    733 – 850)              St. Louis esp. (529)                         May-Sep, especially July-Sep

New York       (               >2)  New York City

Ohio               (    330 – 371)  Esp. Cincinnati (215), Columbus/45-69                June 14-Oct 18

Pennsylvania (                 7)  Pittsburgh and Philadelphia

River Boats    (                 8)

South Dakota (            >34)   Yankton (33)

Tennessee       (2,072-2,223) Esp. Nashville (~1000), Memphis (300), Chattanooga. May-Aug

Texas              (               81) Denison (80)                                           Aug 8 and Sep 20-Oct 10

Utah Territory (           4-6)  Kelton

Virginia          (               >3)

West Virginia (          22-25) Especially Wheeling (22)                                   ~June 9-early Sep

 

            Totals:  5,814-6,519

 

Breakout of 1873 Cholera Fatalities by State and Locality (where known by us):

 

Alabama        (>165-196)      Especially Birmingham (130) and Huntsville (62) ~June-Aug

–165-196  Statewide                          Blanchard compilation based on numbers below.

—       181        “                                  Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, p. 35.

Breakout of AL cholera fatalities by locality:

–120-130  Birmingham, Jefferson County.

–130    “                            Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, p. 176.

–130    “  June 1-July 18. Van Deman. “Cholera in Chattanooga…South.” 1875, 256.

–128    “  June 12-Aug.    Peoples. “Birmingham Cholera…of 1873.” 3-14-2013.^[3]

–120    “  June                  NYT. “The Cholera…Session of…Health Assoc.,” 11-12-1873, 5.

—         1  Eufaula.                               Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, p. 225.

—  42-62  Huntsville, Madison County.

–62     “                                  Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873…  1875, 389-396.

–55     “                                  NYT. “The Cholera…Session of…Health Assoc.,” 11-12-1873, 5.

–42    “                                  Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, p. 225.

—     >3  Montgomery.                        New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-2-1873, p. 5.[4]

–1  Montgomery.                   Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873…  1875, 414-15.

 

Arkansas        (76-77)                                    Especially Perkins Plantation

–76-77  Statewide                              Blanchard compilation based on numbers below.

—     74       “                                        Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, p. 35.

Breakout of Ark. deaths by locality

—       4  Chicot                                    Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, p.128-29.

—       6  Helena                                   Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, p. 134.

–15-16  Little Rock                Little Rock Health Board. “Cholera in Little Rock…” 1875, pp. 257-258.

—     15        “                                       Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, p.131-133.

–1   “   July 2                          New York Times. “Cholera.” 7-3-1873, p. 5.

–1   “   July 9                          New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-10-1873, p. 1.

—     20  Osceola                                 Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, p. 130.

—     27  Perkins plantation.                Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, p. 133.

—       4  Pine Bluff                              Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, p. 130.

 

Dakota Terr.  (    >12)

–12  Territory                                     Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, p. 35.[5]

 

Florida               (   >3)

—>1  Cedar Keys.                               Judson. “Report upon…Course of Cholera…” 1875, p226.^[6]

—  1  Gainesville.                                Judson. “Report upon…Course of Cholera…” 1875, p. 226.

—>1  Elsewhere.                                 Judson. “Report upon…Course of Cholera…” 1875, p. 226.

 

Georgia          (        >3)

—  1  Atlanta, Fulton County.             Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873. Pp. 35, 437-438.

—  1  Calhoun County.                        Judson. “Report…the Course of Cholera…” 1875, p. 226.^[7]

—  1  Dalton, Whitfield County.         Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873.  1875, p. 35, 439.

 

Illinois            (427-478)                    Chicago esp. (116) May 24-Sep 20, esp. late July-early Aug

–427-478  State.                                 Blanchard tabulation based on locality breakouts below.

—       256  State.                                 Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, p. 35.

Breakout of deaths by locality:

—      5  Addieville, Washington Co. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873…  1875, 235.

—      4        “                   “                   Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, 245.^[8]

—    15  Big Muddy, Jackson County. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873…U.S.  1875, 221.

—      3  Bluffs, Scott County.             Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873… 1875, p. 231-232.

—       6  Cairo, Alexander County.^[9]    Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873… 1875, p. 212-213.

–18-34  Carmi, White County.

–34 “                                     Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873… 1875, p. 227-229.

–18 “                                     NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, p. 5.

—  2 “  July 23                       New York Times. “The Cholera in the West.” 7-24-1873, 5.

—  8 “  July 30-31 (24-hrs.). New York Times. “The Cholera.” 8-2-1873, p. 1.

–14 “  Up to July 31.            New York Times. “The Cholera.” 8-2-1873, p. 1.

—  2 “  Aug 5                         New York Times. “The Cholera.” 8-6-1873, p. 5.

–11-17  Caseyville, St. Clair County.

–17   “                                  Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, 245.^[10]

–17   “                                  NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, p. 5.

–11   “                                 Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873…U.S. 1875, 224.

—       9  Chapin, Scott County.           Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873… 1875, 232-233.

—   116  Chicago, Cook County.         Chicago Hist. Soc. Encyclopedia of… “Epidemics.”[11]

–116 “                                  NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, p. 5.

–116 “                                  Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873… 1875, 213-217.

—  4  July 6.                 Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873 in the U.S. 1875.

—  ?  July 27-Aug 2     New York Times. “The Cholera.” 8-7-1873, p. 5.[12]

–42  By Aug 15          New York Times. “The Cholera.” 8-16-1873, p. 5.

—        5  Chouteau Slough, Madison Co.  Judson. “Report…Cholera…” 1875, p. 246.^[13]

–15-20  Clear Creek Precinct, Alexander County.

–20   “                                  Judson. “Report…Cholera…” 1875, p. 246.^[14]

–15   “                                  NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, p. 5.

—       1  Cobden, Union County.        Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873…U.S.  1875, 221.

—       7  Delhi, Jersey County.            Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873…U.S.  1875, 226.

–14-26  Exeter, Scott County.

–26   “                                  Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873… 1875, 229-231.

–14   “                                  NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, p. 5.

—       4  Fayette County.                     Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, p. 246.^[15]

—       1  Galesburg, Knox County.     Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873…U.S.  1875, 236.

—        9  Goose Island, Alexander Co.           Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873… 1875, 212.

—      11  Grafton, Jersey County.       Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873… 1875, 225-226.

—        5  Grand Tower, Jackson Co.  Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873… 1875, 219-221.

—    5-6  Jacksonville, Morgan County.

–6     “        Aug 13-21.        Judson. “Report…Cholera…” 1875, p. 246.

–5     “                                  NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, p. 5.

—       5  Jonesboro area, Union Co., Griffith family. NYT. “The Cholera in Illinois.” 9-7-1873, 1.

—     23  Lebanon, Saint Clair County. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873…. 1875, 222-223.

—   ~20  Litchfield, Montgomery Co. Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, 247.^[16]

—       7  Little York, Warren County.  Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873…U.S.  1875, 237.

—    7-8  Makanda area, Jackson Co. Judson. “Report…Cholera…” 1875, p. 247.^[17]

—       1  Monmouth, Warren County.  Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873…U.S.  1875, 237.

—       8 Murphysboro, Jackson Co.    Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, p. 247.

–8      “    Sep 4 (24 hrs.)       Logansport Journal (IN). “News of…Week,” 9-13-1873.

—     20  Nebo vicinity, Pike County. Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, p. 247.^[18]

—     18  Odin, Marion County.           Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, p. 247.^[19]

–18   “                                  NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, p. 5.

—  ?    “                                  Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873… 1875, 222-223.^[20]

–30-40  Okawville, Washington, County.

–40   “                                  Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873… 1875, 233-235.

–30   “                                  NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, p. 5.

—       1  Richview, Washington Ct.    Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873…U.S.  1875, 235.

—       1  Rock Island, Rock Island Co. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873…U.S. 1875, 236-37

—     11  Sugar Creek, Logan County.  Alton Telegraph (IL). “News Items,” Oct 3, 1873, p. 1.

—       1  Villa Ridge, Rock Island Ct.  Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873…U.S.  1875, 237.

—       3  White Hall, Greene County.  Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873…U.S.  1875, 222.

 

Indiana           (289-309)        Esp. Mt. Vernon (83) and Indianapolis (48); ~June to mid-Aug

–289-309  Statewide                          Blanchard tabulation based on data below.

—       164  Statewide                          Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875,  35.

Breakout of deaths by locality:

—     11  Aurora, Dearborn County.    Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873…  1875, 383.

–11    “          “                      Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, p. 248.^[21]

–11    “          “                      NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, p. 5.

—     32  Cumberland, Marion Co.      Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873…  1875, 228, 381.

—       2  Delaware, Ripley County, Aug 2. Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, p. 248.

–22-26  Evansville, Vanderburgh County.

–26   “                                  Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, p. 248.^[22]

–25   “                                  Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873…  1875, 377-379.

–22   “                                  NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, p. 5.

—  2  “ Aug 1  (mill hands)  New York Times. “The Cholera.” 8-2-1873, p. 1.

—  >20  Gibson County.          King. “Cholera Epidemics in Gibson County,” in Stormont, 271.[23]

–14-16  Princeton area, Gibson County.[24]

–14     “                        Judson. “Report…Cholera…” 1875, p. 249.^[25]

–10     “   July 18-22. NY Times. “The Cholera in the West.” 7-23-1873, p. 1.[26]

—  8     “                      NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, p. 5.

Princeton area breakout by cases.

—  1  Mrs. Seabrooks, apparently from washing clothes of a cholera case.[27]

—  6  Henry Weatherly family on Indian Creek.[28]

—  4  Jesse Weatherly (brother of Henry) family members (wife and 3 children).[29]

–6-7  Wheeling vicinity, Washington Township, Gibson County. King 1914, p. 275.

—    5  Hartwell family.           King 1914, p. 275.

–1-2  Names unknow.                        King 1914, p. 275.

–39-48  Indianapolis, Marion County.

–48   “                                  Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873…  1875, 379-380.^[30]

–39   “                                  NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, p. 5.

—  3  July 27 (in one family). New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-28-1873, p. 5.

—  2  Aug 2                           New York Times. “The Cholera.” 8-4-1873, p. 1.

—     24  Lawrence, Marion County.   Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873…  1875, 381.

—     22  Lizton, Hendricks County.    Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873…  1875, 384-385.

—     83  Mount Vernon, Posey Co.    Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, p. 249.^[31]

—   83 “                                  NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, p. 5.

— ~30  July 8-16                   New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-17-1873, p. 1.

–9  July 11                  NYT. “The Cholera in Mount Vernon.” 7-22-1873, p. 3.

–9  July 12                  NYT. “The Cholera in Mount Vernon.” 7-22-1873, p. 3.

–6  July 13                  NYT. “The Cholera in Mount Vernon.” 7-22-1873, p. 3.

–5  July 14                  NYT. “The Cholera in Mount Vernon.” 7-22-1873, p. 3.

—   30  July 17-23                 NYT. “The Cholera at Mount Vernon.” 7-25-1873, p. 8.

–8-10  July 17            New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-19-1873, p. 1.

—     2  July 23             New York Times. “The Cholera in the West.” 7-24-1873, 5.

—   40  Within a week.                      New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-19-1873, p. 1.

—   22                                     Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873.  1875, 233, 372-73.

–22-24  New Elizabeth, Hendricks County.

—  24 “                                  Judson. “Report…Cholera…” 1875, p. 249.^[32]

—  24 “                      “          NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, p. 5.

–~22 “                        “        Daly 2008, “The Black Cholera…the Central Valley…”

—       1  North Vernon, Jennings Co. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873…  1875, 382.

—       2  Terre Haute, Vigo County.   Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873…  1875, 382.

—       2  Wabash, Wabash County.     New York Times. “The Cholera.” 8-4-1873, p. 1.

—  7-12  Washington, Daviess County.

–12   “                                  Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873…  1875, 386-387.

—  7   “                                  NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, p. 5.

 

Iowa                (120-134)  Davenport esp. (80-94) June 20-Sep 14, esp. late Aug to mid-Sep

–120-134  Statewide.             Blanchard tabulation based upon totals below.

—         19  Statewide  Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873 in the United States.  1875, 35.

Breakout of deaths by locality:

—   ~38  Burlington, Des Moines County.   Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, 244.^[33]

–38 “             NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, p. 5.

–80-94  Davenport, Scott County.

—  94 “          Cantwell, in Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873. 1875, p. 455-457.

—  85 “         Farquharson, in Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, p. 457

–~80 “         Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, p. 244.^[34]

—  80 “           NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, p. 5.

—  2  on Aug 28.  Logansport Journal (IN). “News of the Week,” 9-6-1873, 2.

—  4  on Sep 3. Dubuque Herald (IA). “Summary of News,” Sep 5, 1873, p. 1.

–12  on Sep 6.  Logansport Journal (IN). “News of the Week,” 9-13-1873, 2.

—      2? Stuart, Adair County.  Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, p. 244.^[35]

 

Kentucky       (940-1,143)     Esp. Paducah, Millersburg (76), Franklin (72), West Point.

–940-1,143  Statewide                                   Blanchard compilation from breakouts below.

—          855  Statewide.                                   Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, 35.

—          719      “        (June 3-Sep 29).           McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875, 223.^[36]

Breakout of 1873 Kentucky cholera deaths by locality:

—     20  Ballard County.                     NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, p. 5.

–16  Ballard Co. RR Labor Camp.  Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. 1875, 278.

—       2  Bardstown, Nelson County.              Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. 1875, 311.

—       1  Beech Fork, Washington County.     Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, 240.^[37]

—       1  Bordley, Union County.                    Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. 1875, 274.

—           Boston — see Nelson County.           Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. Pp. 310-311.

–71-73  Bowling Green & vicinity, Warren Co. Blanchard range from McClellan & Woodworth.

–73  “                      “                      McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875, p. 4.[38]

–71  “                      “                      Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. 1875, 265.

–67   “          65, June 19-Aug 10    McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875, p. 4.

—  1   “          June 3                          McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875, p. 3.

—  1   “          June 14                        McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875, p. 3.

—  2  “          June 19                        McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875, p. 4.

—  ?    “ June 19-Aug 10 “became epidemic.”          “

—       3  Boyle County.                                   Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. 1875, 324.

–1  Danville area (6 miles); Sep 5. Male, 45, servant of Winfrey House victim.[39]

—       1  Bryantsville, Garrard County.           Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, 236.^[40]

—       1  Burkesville, Cumberland County.    Judson. “Report…Cholera…” 1875, p. 236.^[41]

—       4  Cadiz, Trigg County.                        Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. 1875, 272.

—           Campbellsville – see Taylor County.

—       1  Cane Valley, Adair County.              Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. 1875, 316.

—       1  Casey’s Creek, Adair County.          Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. 1875, 316.

—       1  Casey’s Mines, Union County.         Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. 1875, 274.

—       8  Caseyville & vicinity, Union Co.     Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. P. 273-74.

—       4  Clinton County.                                 McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. 21-22.

–1       “              Late June. Gentleman just returned from Nashville.[42]

–1       “              Sep 12~. Owner of house (Mr. K.) where cholera victim was taken.[43]

–2       “          Sep 13-14? Members of Mr. K’s family.[44]

–23-27  Columbia, Adair County.                 Blanchard, using McClellan, NYT, Woodworth.

–27   “   McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875, 20-21. [Blanchard counting.]

–25   “                                  NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, p. 5.

–23   “                                              Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. P. 314-318.

–5  Aug 30~                           McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875, p20.[45]

–1  Aug 31. J.C. Winfrey.      McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. p. 20.

–8  Aug 31/Sep 1; Winfrey house boarders. McClellan. “An Account…” 1875. 20.

–2  Sep 1. Recent Winfrey House boarders. McClellan. “An Account…” 1875. 20.

–1  Sep 1. Dr. H. Owens, whose office was opposite Winfrey stable yard.[46]

–1  Sep 1. Person who had nursed an Aug 31 victim.[47]

–1  Sep 2. Man, 70, who nursed a Winfrey House victim.[48]

–1  Sep 3~. Man, 50, who had used Winfrey House privy.[49]

–1  Sep 7~. Sick 7 days.         McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. p. 20.

–1  Sep 10. Elderly male; no known connection to Winfrey House.[50]

–3  Sep 20-Sep 23. All connected to Winfrey House.[51]

–1  No date; man who used Winfrey privy; at his home on Green River, 14-hrs.[52]

–1  No date; daughter of man who died Aug 30.[53]

—     25  Covington, Kenton County.             Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. P. 275-276.

—       2  Cross-roads, McCracken County.     Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… P. 263.

—       1  Dekoven, Union County.                  Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, 236.

—     29  Elizabethtown and area, Hardin Co. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. 1875, p.283.

–29   “                      “          “          McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. p. 7-8.

—  1  July 8                                        McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. p. 7.

—  1  July 10                                      McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. p. 7.

–22  July 11-Sep 24 “epidemic”      McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. p. 7.

—  4  Aug 26~, area 6 miles SE.       McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. p. 7.

—  1  No date. Elizabethtown man visited friend 3 miles away; friend died next day.[54]

–72-74  Franklin & vicinity, Simpson County. Blanchard range using McClellan & Woodworth.

–74   “          “                                  McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875, p. 4-5.

–72   “          “                                  Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. P. 265-266.

—  1  June 14, daughter of Dr. who had treated cholera victims. McClellan 1875, p. 4.

—  1  June 18, male, 40.                    McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875, p. 4.

—  1  June 22, man from Gallatin.    McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875, p. 4.

—  1  June 25, “a white man died.”   McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875, p. 4.

—  2  June 27                                     McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875, p. 4.

—  2  June 28                                     McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875, p. 4.

—  7  July 1                                        McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875, p. 4.

–50  July 2-16                                  McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875, p. 4.

—  1  July 20                                      McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875, p. 4.

—  1  July 28                                      McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875, p. 4.

—  1  Aug 4                                       McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875, p. 4.

—  1  July 3  Six miles east of.          McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875, p. 4.

—  1 ~July 7 Mother-in-law, same house.     McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” p. 5.

—  2  after July 7, visitor and child, same house. McClellan. “An Account…” 1875, p. 5.

—  1  No date, four miles west of town.        McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” p. 5.

—  1  No date, wife of county jailer.             McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” p. 5.

–11-13  Glasgow and vicinity, Barren County. Blanchard range using NYT and Woodworth.

–13     “                                  NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, p. 5.

–11     “                                              Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. P. 295-296.

—     20  Grayson & vicinity, Carter County. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. P. 274-275.

—       1  Green River, Lincoln County.          Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. 1875, 316.

—       1  Griffin Springs, Adair County.         Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. 1875, 316.

—     10  Hardin’s Bottom & area, Henry Co. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. 1875, 280.

—       1  Harrodsburg, Mercer County.           Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. 1875, 325.

—     35  Henderson, Henderson County.        Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. P. 268-272.

–13-16  Henry County.                                  Blanchard range using NYT and Woodworth.

–16     “                                  NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, p. 5.

–13     “                                              Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. P. 280-81.

—      3  Hickman, Fulton County.                  Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, 238.

—    11  Hopkinsville, Christian County.        Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, 238.^[55]

–11    “                                  NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, p. 5.

—  3    “                                              Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. 1875, 295.

—  3    “  Aug 6                                  New York Times. “Cholera.” 8-8-1873, p. 5.

—  1    “  Aug 7                                  New York Times. “Cholera.” 8-8-1873, p. 5.

—       5  Jamestown, Russell County.             Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. 1875, 324.^[56]

—       2  Lacona, Jefferson County.                Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. 1875, p.267.

–15-20  La Grange, Oldham County.             Blanchard range using Judson, NYT, Woodworth.

–20     “                                  NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, p. 5.

–18     “                                              NYT. “The Cholera in the West.” 7-24-1873, p. 5.

–18     “          “          “                      Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. 1875, 282.

–15     “          “          “                      Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, 238.^[57]

–15     “          “          “                      McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. p. 8.[58]

–2  July 26 (new breakout)    New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-28-1873, p. 5.

–3  July 27                              New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-28-1873, p. 5.

—       2  Lafayette, Christian County.             Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, 238.^[59]

–33-35  Lancaster, Garrard County.

–35   “      & vicinity.                      Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. P. 300-305.

–34   “                                  NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, p. 5.

–33  “                                              Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, p. 239.^[60]

–33   “  McClellan. “An Account…cholera…summer of 1873…Kentucky.” 1875, 16-17.

—  1  Aug 14. Man who waited on Bewley during 10-day illness. McClellan p. 16.

—  1  Aug 15. Father-in-law of Bewley.  McClellan. “An Account…” 1875, p. 16.

—  1  Aug 16. Woman.                        McClellan. “An Account…” 1875, p. 16.

—  1  Aug 17. Woman; lived ~Bewley house. McClellan. “An Account…” 1875, 16.

—  1  Aug 19. Woman; seeking to leave “infected district.” McClellan 1875, p. 16.

—  5  Aug 19-20. Group living on same street as Bewley.  McClellan 1875, p. 16.

—  1  Aug 20. Man, 25.                         McClellan. “An Account…” 1875, p. 16.

—  1  Aug 20. Mother of Aug 16 victim. McClellan. “An Account…” 1875, p. 16.

—  1  Aug 22. Mr. Bewley.     McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875, p. 15.

—  1  Aug 22. Man at boarding house above RR depot. McClellan 1875, p. 17.

—  1  Aug 22/23. Elderly man in infected district.     McClellan 1875, p. 17.

—  1  Aug 23. Soldier.                         McClellan. “An Account…” 1875, p. 17.

—  1  Aug 24. Wife of soldier.            McClellan. “An Account…” 1875, p. 17.

—  1  Aug 25. Woman; had nursed Bewley. McClellan. “An Account…” 1875, 17.

—  1  Aug 26. Man; two had died in house. McClellan. “An Account…” 1875, p.17.

—  1  Aug 26. Woman, 21, house where there had been a previous cholera case.[61]

–12  Aug 27-Sep 6. Out of sixteen new cases. McClellan. “An Account…” 1875, 17.

—  1  Sep 22. Elderly woman who occupied room Bewley died in.[62]

—        3  Larue County.                                  Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, p. 239.^[63]

–84-89  Lebanon and vicinity, Marion County. Blanchard range using NYT and McClellan.

–89   “          “                                  Blanchard count from McClellan 1875.

–84   “          “                      Blanchard tally from NYT on Lebanon and Lebanon vic.

–26   “                                  NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, p. 5.

–20  “                                             Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873.1875, 305-10.^[64]

—  1   “ Aug 19, male, 35.                 McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875, p. 12.

—  1   “ Aug 25, male, 45.                 McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875, p. 12.

—  1   “ Aug 25, man in town center. McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875, p. 12.

—  1   “ Aug 30, after County Fair    McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875, p. 13.

—  1   “ Sep 8, child of army soldier. McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875, 13.[65]

—  1   “ Sep 10, soldier, father of child. McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875, 13.

–58  Lebanon area outside Lebanon.    NYT. “The Cholera…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, 5.

—  1  Six miles from Lebanon, July 19. McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875, 11.

—  1  Woman living between RR and river, Aug 11. McClellan. “An Account…” 1875. 11.

—  1  Dr. who cared for unrecorded cholera victims, Aug 11-18. McClellan. 1875, p. 11.

–11  Marion County fair-goers, ~Lebanon. McClellan. “An Account…” 1875, p.12.[66]

—  6  County, Aug 28-29.                 McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875, p. 13.

—  7  County, Sep 1.                          McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875, p. 13.

–56  Marion County, Sep 2-Oct 1.   McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875, p. 13.

–28-30 Logan County.

–30   “                                  NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, p. 5.

–28   “                                              Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, p. 239.^[67]

—    6-7  Long’s Mines, Union County.          Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. 1875, 274.

–26-29  Louisville, Jefferson County.           Blanchard, using McClellan and Woodworth.

–29  Louisville (Blanchard count)   McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. p. 5.

–26          “                                       Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. 1875, 267.^[68]

–22          “                           NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, p. 5.

—  1 “  June 8, Evansville refugee. McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” p. 5.

—  1 “  June 12, RR conductor. McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. p. 5.

–21 “  June 12-Aug 16           McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. p. 5.

—  1 “  July 30                         New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-30-1873, p. 1.

—  1 “  Aug 1                           New York Times. “The Cholera.” 8-17-1873, p. 1.

—  1 “  Sep 4 (Mrs. G. sister)  McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. p. 6.

—  1 “  Sep 6 (same house)     McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. p. 6.

—  1 “  Sep 7 (same house)     McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. p. 6.

—  1 “  Sep 8. Dr. J.P. Warren. McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. p. 6

—      1  Mackville, Adair County.                  Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. 1875, 318.

—   6-8  Maysville, Mason County.                Blanchard, using McClellan, NYT, Woodworth.

–8      “     June 29-July 25                McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. p. 6.[69]

–7      “                                  NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, p. 5.

–6      “                                              Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. 1875, 279.

—       2  Meade County.                                  Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. 1875, 300.

—       1  Middletown, Bourbon County.         Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, 239.^[70]

–65-76  Millersburg, Bourbon County.

–76   “                                              Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. P279, 284-288.^[71]

–70   “          (Blanchard count)       McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. p. 9.

–65   “                                  NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, p. 5.

“ —  8  1^st wave           NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, p. 5.

“ –57  2^nd wave          NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, p. 5.

Date breakouts where noted:

—    6             July 11-13                   McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. p. 8.

—    1             Aug 26                        McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. p. 9.

–~30             Aug 28-Sep 1              New York Times. “The Cholera.” 9-2-1873, p. 1.[72]

—  6     Aug 28.                       McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. p. 9.

—  8     Aug 29                         McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. p. 9.

—  49 Aug 30-Sep 7                         McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. p. 9.

–18     Aug 31-Sep 1 (24 hrs.) New York Times. “The Cholera.” 9-2-1873, p. 1.

—      4  Mississippi Central RR extension six miles below Cairo. NYT. “Cholera.” 7-3-1873, p. 5.

—      ?  Muldraugh’s Hill (2 waves).  NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, p. 5.

—    20  Nelson County                                   Blanchard, from Woodworth, NYT, McClellan.

–?  Bardstown. “…infected to some extent…impossible…to obtain the records.”[73]

–9  Boston                                         Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. Pp. 310-311.

–6  Sep 2-8, all from same house.                                          McClellan 1875, p.14.

–3  Sep 9, from same house as Sep 2-8 deaths.                     McClellan 1875, p.14.

–6  New-Haven                     NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, p. 5.

–5             “                                       Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic. 1875, 310.

–1  “   Aug 20; young man, 6 miles northeast of New Haven. McClellan 1875, 14.

–2  “    Aug 21; mother and brother of young man of Aug 20. McClellan 1875, 14.

–1  “    Aug 25; female, 60, living in same house.                 McClellan 1875, p.14.

–1  “    Sep 4~; New Haven vicinity.                                     McClellan 1875, p.14.

—        6  Newport and Licking River sawmill vicinity, Campbell County.  Judson 1875, p. 240.^[74]

—        3 ~North Bend, Boone Co.                  Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, 236.

—        1 ~North Fork, Boyle County.             Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. 1875, 321.

—        2  Oddville, Harrison County.              Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, 240.^[75]

—     6-9  Owensboro, Daviess County.

–9    “                                  Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873.1875, pp. 297-98.^[76]

–6    “                                  NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, p. 5.

–78-180 Paducah, McCracken County

–180 “                                  McClellan. “An Account…Epidemic of Cholera…”[77]

—  78 “                                 NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, p. 5.

—>14 “                                 Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, p. 260-63.

—  1  May 21 (shipping clerk) McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…”, p. 3.

—  1  June 3 (female from Memphis). McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…”, 3.[78]

—  1  June 4 (Bechtold)           New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-15-1873, p. 1.

—  1  June 8 (Engle)                New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-15-1873, p. 1.

—  1  June 11 (deckhand)        New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-15-1873, p. 1.

—  1  June 14 (Fletcher)          New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-15-1873, p. 1

—  1  June 21 (Cobb)               New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-15-1873, p. 1.

—  1  June 21 (deckhand)        New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-15-1873, p. 1.

—  1  June 22 (deckhand)        New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-15-1873, p. 1.

—  2  June 23 (Donovan and Ursula)  NY Times. “The Cholera.” 7-15-1873, p. 1

—  ?  “raged” June 14-July 29. New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-15-1873, p. 1.^[79]

—       4  Paint Lick, Garrard County.             Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. 1875, 305.

—     >1  Paris, Bourbon County.                    New York Times. “The Cholera.” 9-2-1873, p. 1.

—       1  Parksville, Boyle County.                 Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. 1875, 321.

—       1  Pleasant Run, Washington County.  Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, 240.^[80]

–10-29              Princeton, Caldwell County.            Blanchard range based on Woodworth and NYT.

–29   “                                              Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. 1875, 276.

–10   “                                  NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, p. 5.

—       2  Providence, Webster County.           Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. 1875, 300.

—       1  Raywick, Marion County.                 Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. 1875, 308.

—       8  Rock Castle, Trigg County.              Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. 1875, 272.

—     22  Round Hollow, Hardin Co.              Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. 1875, 283.

—       4  Saint Mary, Marion County.             Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. 1875, 308.

—   8-9  Springfield, Washington County.

–9      “                                              Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. 1875, 317.

–8      “                                  NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, p. 5.

–8      “                                              McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…”, 1875, p. 22.

“ –1  Sep 1. Male, 20, living within a few miles of Springfield.[81]

“ –3  Sep 2. Males; Pleasant Run district within 36-hours.[82]

“ –1  Sep 4. Physician “had been in constant attendance upon cholera cases.”[83]

“ –1  Sep 7. Daughter of Dr. Logan “attacked,” and died in 72-hours.[84]

“ –2  Sep 9? Servants of Dr. Logan household (died within a few hours).[85]

–17-21  Stanford, Lincoln County.                Blanchard range from McClellan and Woodworth.

–21   “                                              Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. 303, 312-13.

–16   “                                  NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, p. 5.

–17   “                                              McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. p. 18.

–1 ~Aug 23, young man near town. McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. 18.

–5  Aug 29, Maxville area.    McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. p. 18.

–5  Aug 30, Maxville area.    McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. p. 19.

–2  Aug 31, Maxville area.    McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. p. 19.

–3  Sep 1-12 (out of nine cases). McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. 19.

–1  Sep 28. Woman.               McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. p. 19.

—     13  Taylor County including Campbellsville. Blanchard using McClellan & Woodworth.

–13   “                                              Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. 1875, p.294.

–11 Campbellsville and County      McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. p9-10.

—  2   “ Tunnel workcamp. July 17. McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. p. 9.[86]

—  1   “ Near workcamp.    Aug 1.    McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. p. 10.

—  1  “ Along RR line.    ~Aug 4.    McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. p. 10.

—  1  “ Same area  “          Aug 5.    McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. p. 10.

—  1   “ Stage driver.        ~Aug 17.  McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. p. 10.

—  1   “ RR contractor, 25, Sep 8.     McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. p. 10.

–4  Campbellsville, Taylor County.  McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. p. 10.

–1     “          ~July 22                     McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. p. 10.

–1     “ hotel, ~Aug 18.                    McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. p. 10.

–1     “                                              McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. p. 10.

–1     “ Mr. Henry Creele, Sep 2-3. McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. p. 10.

—       3  Trigg Furnace, Trigg County.           Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. 1875, 272.

—       1  Washington County. Aug 31. Man who had attended the Marion County Fair.[87]

–45-60  West Point area, Hardin County.      Blanchard range using Judson and McClellan.

–50-60         “                                  McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875. p. 8.

—   ~45  West Point area RR workers.        Judson 1875, p. 240.^[88]

—     20  West Point area      NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, p. 5.

—       2  Wolf’s Creek, Russell County.         Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. 1875, 324.

–10-25 Woodburn, Warren County.

–25   “                                              Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. 1875, 265.^[89]

–10   “                                  NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, p. 5.

—      5  Woodville, McCracken County.        Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873… 1875, 263.

—      6  Worthville, Carroll County.              Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873… 1875, 295.

 

Louisiana       (420-488)        New Orleans especially (244-300)   Feb-July

–420-488  State.                                             Blanchard tally based on estimates below.^[90]

—       307  State.                                             Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, 35.

Breakout of 1873 Louisiana cholera deaths by locality:

—    12-24  Delta, Madison Parish

–19-24    “                                    Judson.  “Report upon…Cholera…” 1875, p. 225.^[91]

—     12    “   NYT. “The Cholera. Evening Session…Health Assoc.,” 11-12-1873, p. 5.

—           ?  Lafourche. Cases by May 17. Peters. “The South Western Cholera, 1873.” Sept. 1873.

—         85  Monroe, Ouachita Parish. Judson.  “Report upon…Cholera…” 1875, pp. 224-225.^[92]

–2  US Infantry at Monroe.          Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873… 1875, 475.

–244-300  New Orleans, Orleans Parish.

–~300       “                      White. “Report of Cholera in New Orleans…” 1875, 194^[93]

—  259       “                      Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, p. 194.

—  244       “ by June 22    Peters. “The South Western Cholera, 1873.” Sept. 1873.[94]

–103      Blacks

–141      Whites

—  232       “                       NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.” 11-12-1873, p. 5.

—  232       “                      Remiss. Editorial. New Orleans Med. & Surg. Jour., Sep 1873.

—  3  Feb         Remiss. New Orleans Medical and Surgical Journal, Sep 1873.

–17  Mar         Remiss. New Orleans Medical and Surgical Journal, Sep 1873.

—  82  Apr       Remiss. New Orleans Medical and Surgical Journal, Sep 1873.

—  90  Apr       Hubbard, in Woodworth, Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, 474.

–125  May      Hubbard, in Woodworth, Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, 474.

–108  May      Remiss. New Orleans Medical and Surgical Journal, Sep 1873.

—  18  June      Remiss. New Orleans Medical and Surgical Journal, Sep 1873.

—    4  July       Remiss.  New Orleans Medical and Surgical Journal, Sep 1873.

—        3  Providence, East Carroll Parish. Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, p.225.^[95]

—    >10  Raceland.                             Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, p. 116.[96]

—    ~50  Thibodeaux, Lafourche Parish.   Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, p.225.^[97]

—      16  Vidalia, Concordia Parish.          Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, p.225.^[98]

 

Minnesota      ( 5-8)   (July 8-22)

—   5  Statewide                                           Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, p. 35.

—   8  Crow River, Kandiyohi Ct., July 10. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, p440.

–5-8  Kandiyohi County, July 8-22.           Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, 245.^[99]

 

Mississippi     (  58)   Esp. Hinds (42), Jackson (23), Vicksburg (13)                   May-July

—  33  State.                                        Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, p. 35.

—  42  Hinds, Warren and Washington Counties

–11  Hinds County                 Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, p.122-123.

–17  Warren County               Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, p.121-122.

–14  Washington County       Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, p.123-124.

—    3  Holly Springs, Marshall Co.    Judson. “Report upon…Course of Cholera…” 1875, 225.^[100]

—  23  Jackson, Hinds County.           Judson. “Report upon…Cholera…” 1875, p. 225.^[101]

—    1  Meridian, Lauderdale County. Judson. “Report upon…Course of Cholera…” 1875, 225.^[102]

—  13  Vicksburg, Warren County.     Judson. “Report upon…Course of Cholera…” 1875, 225.^[103]

 

Missouri         (733-850)                    St. Louis esp. (529) (May-Sep, especially July-Sep)

–733-850  Statewide                          Blanchard tabulation based upon totals below

—       601  Statewide                          Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, p. 35.

Breakout of 1873 Missouri cholera fatalities by locality:

—     21  Clarkesville, Pike County.    Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, p.252-253.

—       4  Columbia, Boone County.    Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, p. 241.^[104]

–40-53  Fayette, Howard County.

–53     “                                 Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873…U.S.  1875, p. 257.

–40     “                                  Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, 241.^[105]

–40     “                                  NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.,” 11-12-1873, p. 5.

—  7    “ vicinity                     Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, 241.

–22-100 Hannibal, Marion County.

–100 “                                 Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873… 1875, p. 250-251.

—  22 “                                 NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.,” 11-12-1873, p. 5.

—      2-3  Hogan Mountain, Iron County.  Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, 241.

—        5  Iron Mountain, St. Francois County.  Judson. “Report…Cholera…” 1875, p. 241.^[106]

—     4-7 Jefferson City, Cole County.

–7    “                                  Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873…U.S.  1875, 254.

–4    “                                  NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.,” 11-12-1873, p. 5.

–21-28 Louisiana, Pike County.

–187   “          “         “            Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873…U.S.  1875, 252.^[107]

–~50   “  by July 22                NY Times. “The Cholera in the West.” 7-23-1873, p. 1.[108]

—  28   “  by July 22                NY Times. “The Cholera in the West.” 7-23-1873, p. 1.[109]

—  27  “                                  Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, 242.^[110]

—  27   “                                  NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.,” 11-12-1873, p. 5.

—  21   “          “         “            Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873…U.S.  1875, 251.

–8  on July 20             NY Times. “The Cholera in the West.” 7-22-1873, p. 1.

—    3-4  Mill Spring, Wayne County.

–4       “                                  Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, 242.^[111]

–3       “               “           “     Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873…U.S.  1875, 253.

–13-51  Pilot Knob, Iron County.

—  51 “                                  NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.,” 11-12-1873, p. 5.

—>13 “                                  Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, 242.^[112]

–16-30  Poplar Bluff, Butler County.

–30   “                                  Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, 242.^[113]

–30   “                                  New York Times. “The Cholera.” 8-2-1873, p. 1.[114]

–20   “                                  NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.,” 11-12-1873, p. 5.

–16   “                                  Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873.  1875, 253-54.

–25-30  Portage Des Sioux, Saint Charles Co.  Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic.  1875, 256.

—   529  St. Louis,^[115] Saint Louis Co.             Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873.  1875, 239-47.^[116]

–110   “                                  NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.,” 11-12-1873, p. 5.

—    3  May (cholera morbus)  Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873…U.S.  1875, 247.

—  35  June  (cholera morbus) Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873…U.S.  1875, 247.[117]

–210  July  (cholera morbus)  Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873…U.S.  1875, 247.

–67  July 6-12 (cholera morbus). NY Times. “The Cholera.” 7-12-1873, p. 1.[118]

–36  July 27-Aug 2      New York Times. “The Cholera.” 8-3-1873, p. 1.

–109  Aug (cholera morbus)   Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873…U.S.  1875, 247.

—  80  Aug  (cholera)               Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873…U.S.  1875, 247.

–18  Aug 3-9 cholera            New York Times. “The Cholera.” 8-10-1873, p. 5.

–37     “         cholera infantum   “

–30     “         cholera morbus      “

–19  Aug 10-16 cholera.        New York Times. “The Cholera.” 8-17-1873, p. 1.

–26     “         cholera morbus      “

—  50  Sep  (cholera morbus)   Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873…U.S.  1875, 247.

—  12  Sep  (cholera)                Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873…U.S.  1875, 247.

—       2  Sturgeon, Boone County.        Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, 243.^[119]

–15-50  Troy and vicinity, Lincoln County.

–50   “                                  New York Times. “Cholera In Missouri.” 7-22-1873, p. 5.

–23  “                                  Judson. “Report…Cholera…” 1875, 243.^[120]

–15   “                                  NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.,” 11-12-1873, p. 5.

—     11  Versailles, Morgan County.^[121]  Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873…U.S. 1875, 257.

 

New York       (        >2)         New York City

–2  New York City. Mr. Richard W. Hall of No. 38 King St.; Mrs. Welch, No. 304 Eleventh.[122]

 

Ohio               (330-371)        Esp. Cincinnati (215), Columbus/45-69; June 14-Oct 18

–330-371  Statewide                          Blanchard tally based on locality breakouts below.

—       354  Statewide                          Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, p. 35.

Breakout of deaths by locality:

—           5  Burlington, Lawrence County. Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, p. 250.

—           9  Carthage & vic., Hamilton Co. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873. 1875, 355-58.

–201-215  Cincinnati

–215     “                                       Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, 353.

–207     “ June 14-Oct 18. Greve. Centennial History of Cincinnati…, V1. 1904, 876.^[123]

–207     “               Quinn. “Cholera in Cincinnati in 1873,” in Woodworth 1875, 336.

—  1 “ May 22             Peters. “The South Western Cholera, 1873.” Sep 1873, p. 5.

–12 “ June 30.            New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-1-1873.[124]

—  7 “ July 1.               New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-2-1873, p. 5.

–10 “ July 2.               New York Times. “Cholera.” 7-3-1873, p. 5.

—  4 “ July 3.               New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-4-1873, p. 1.

—  1 “ July 4.               New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-6-1873, p. 1.

—  9 “ July 5.               New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-6-1873, p. 1.

—  6 “ July 6.               New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-7-1873, p. 1.

—  7 “ July 7.               New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-8-1873, p. 1.

—  4 “ July 9.               New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-10-1873, p. 1.

—  3 “ July 12              New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-13-1873, p. 1.

—  3 “ July 13              New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-14-1873, p. 1.

—  2 “ July 14              New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-15-1873, p. 1.

—  2 “ July 15              New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-16-1873, p. 1.

—  1 “ July 17              New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-18-1873, p. 8.

—  3 “ July 18              New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-19-1873, p. 1.

—  2 “ July 19              New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-20-1873, p. 1.

—  3 “ July 20              New York Times. “The Cholera in the West.” 7-21-1873, 1.

—  3 “ July 21              New York Times. “The Cholera in the West.” 7-22-1873, 1.

—  3 “ July 22              New York Times. “The Cholera in the West.” 7-23-1873, 1.

—  1 “ July 23              New York Times. “The Cholera in the West.” 7-24-1873, 5.

—    2-3  Cleveland, Cuyahoga County. Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, p. 250.^[125]

–45-69  Columbus, Franklin County.

–69   “                                  Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873…. 1875, 360-364.

–45   “                                  NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.,” 11-12-1873, p. 5.

–18  “July 5-Aug 7 (in city) New York Times. “Cholera.” 8-8-1873, p. 5.

—  1  July 20              New York Times. “The Cholera in the West.” 7-21-1873, 1.

—  1   “  Aug 11 (8-hrs illness) New York Times. “The Cholera.” 8-11-1873, p. 1.

—  1  “  Aug 15                    New York Times. “The Cholera.” 8-16-1873, p. 5.

—  1   “  Aug 22                    Dubuque Herald, IA. “Cholera.” 8-23-2019, p. 1.

–7-10  Dayton, Montgomery County.

–10     “                                  Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, p. 251.^[126]

—  9    “                                  Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873.  1875, 358-360.

—  7     “                                  NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.,” 11-12-1873, p. 5.

–4-5 “ July 27-Aug 2          New York Times. “The Cholera.” 8-3-1873, p. 1.

—     9  Longview Asylum, Hamilton Co. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873. 1875, 355-58.

—   21  Ohio Penitentiary, Columbus.^[127] Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873.  1875, 364-368.

–2  July 16                              New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-17-1873, p. 1.

–7  July 17 (avg. sickness 8 hrs.) New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-18-1873, p. 8.

–3  July 20                              New York Times. “The Cholera in the West.” 7-21-1873, 1.

–1  July 21                              New York Times. “The Cholera in the West.” 7-22-1873, 1.

–1  Aug 1                               New York Times. “The Cholera.” 8-2-1873, p. 1.

—     3  Portsmouth, Scioto County.    Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873.  1875, 368-369.

—   19  Saint Bernard, Hamilton Co. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873.  1875, 354-55.

—     8  Springfield, Clarke County.^[128]            Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873.  1875, p. 360.

—     1  Steubenville, Jefferson Co., June 19.  Judson. “Report…Cholera…” 1875, p. 251.

 

Pennsylvania (      7)                         Pittsburgh and Philadelphia

—   7  Statewide                                  Blanchard tally from locality breakouts.

—   5  Statewide                                  Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873…U.S. 1875, p. 35.

—   2  Philadelphia.                             Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… U.S.  1875, 445.

–4-5  Pittsburgh, Allegheny County.

–5       “                                  NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.,” 11-12-1873, p. 5.

–4       “   Aug 4-8.                 Snively. “Report on Asiatic Cholera.” 1875, 303.^[129]

–4       “                                  Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, 443-445.

 

River Boats (   8)                   Especially Mississippi River, but also Missouri River

–1  Steamboat Camelia, Nashville to Mount Vernon, IN. Work-gang member upon arrival.[130]

–3  Steamboat John Kilgour, New Orleans to Cincinnati, May 13-23. Woodworth 1875, 331.^[131]

–1  Steamboat S. H. Long, St. Charles, MO, July 31.  Judson. “Report…Cholera…” 1875, p.242.

–2  Steamboat J. D. Parker.  Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, p. 239.

–1  Unidentified steamboat from Evansville, IN to Bowling Green, KY (prior to June 13).[132]

 

South Dakota (  >34)             Yankton (33)

—  33  Yankton, Yankton County [SD].  Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, 462-63.

—    1  Vermilion, Clay County, SD.  Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, 245.^[133]

 

Tennessee       (2,072-2,223) Esp. Nashville (~1000), Memphis (300), Chattanooga. May-Aug

–2,072-2,223  State.                          Blanchard tally based on locality breakouts below.

— 852  State.^[134]                                   Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, p. 35.

Breakout of fatalities by locality:

—         2  Bellevue (July 1), Davidson, Co.  Atlanta Constitution. “Cholera,” July 6, 1873, p. 1.

—         3  Big Spring District, Rutherford Co. Judson. “Report…Cholera…” 1875, 232.^[135]

—         8  Blue Springs (DeKalb Co.?) NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.,” 11-12-1873, p.5.

—         1  Brownsville, Haywood Co.  Judson. “Report…the Course of Cholera…” 1875, 226.^[136]

—         6  Carter’s Station, Washington Co. Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, 226.^[137]

–86-144 Chattanooga, Hamilton County

–144   “          June 20-July 20 Wight. “Observations…Cholera…Chattanooga…” Woodworth 178.[138]

–60               “               “     (Officially recognized as cholera deaths.)

–70               “               “     (“Cholera-related” deaths.)

–14   1^st half of Aug.     “     (Cholera deaths in second outbreak.)

—  87  “                                  Van Deman. “Cholera in Chattanooga…” Woodworth, 174.[139]

–~60  Residents, duration. Van Deman. “Cholera in Chattanooga…” Woodworth, 174.[140]

—  17 “  Residents who fled and died elsewhere.     “          “ [141]

—  86   “                                  NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.,” 11-12-1873, p.5.

–70  1^st outbreak      NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.,” 11-12-1873, p.5.

–16  2^nd outbreak, Aug 4. NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.,” 11-12-1873, 5.

Other Chattanooga reporting:

–15  July 6-7 (48 hours).        New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-8-1873, p. 1.

—  1  July 9                              New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-10-1873, p. 1.

—  0  July 10                            New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-11-1873, p. 1.

—  2  Aug 7                             New York Times. “Cholera.” 8-8-1873, p. 5.

—  5-10  Clarksville, Montgomery County.

–10     “          “                      Judson. “Report…the Course of Cholera…” 1875, 227.^[142]

—  5     “          “                      Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873…U.S.  1875, 170.

—       2  Clinton, Anderson Co.          Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, p. 200-01.

—      ~10  Ducktown, Knox County. Judson. “Report…the Course of Cholera…” 1875, 227.^[143]

—          1  Elizabethtown, Carter Co.  Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, p. 209.

—   23-28  Erin, Houston County.

–28  Erin, Stewart [sic] Co. Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, p. 227.^[144]

–24  Erin, Houston County. Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, p 186-187.

–23  Erin (two waves)          NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.,” 11-12-1873, p.5.

—           6  Farmington, Marshall Co.^[145] Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873… 1875, 171-72.

—        2-3  Flat Creek Village, Williamson Co. Judson. “Report …of Cholera…” 1875, p. 227.^[146]

—           6  Fountain Head [Sumner Co.].  Judson. “Report upon…Cholera…” 1875, p. 227.^[147]

—           ?  Franklin, Williamson Co. Cases. NYT. “The Cholera in Tennessee,” 7-11-1873, 3.

–104-120  Gallatin, Sumner County.

–120 “                                  Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873…U.S. 1875, p. 162.

–104 “                                  Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, p. 227.^[148]

–104 “                                  NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.,” 11-12-1873, p.5.

—        22  Goodlettsville, Sumner Co.           Atlanta Constitution. “Cholera,” July 6, 1873, p. 1.

–22 “                    “            Judson. “Report…the Course of Cholera…” 1875, p. 227.

—  4  “                    “            Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875. 157-159.

—     ~50  Greene Co. other than Greenville. Judson. “Report…Cholera…” 1875, p. 227-28.^[149]

—  40-49  Greeneville, Greene County.

–49     “              “                  Judson. “Report upon…Cholera…” 1875, pp. 227-228.^[150]

–49     “                                  NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.,” 11-12-1873, p.5.

–40     “              “                  Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, p. 181-84.

—       12  Greenville, Hamilton Co.^[151]  Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873…U.S.  1875, 176.

—       8 ~Hartsville, Sumner Co.        Judson. “Report…the Course of Cholera…” 1875, 228.^[152]

—       1  Huddleston’s Cross Roads, Wilson Co. Judson. “Report…Cholera…” 1875, p. 230.

—       3  Jefferson Turnpike, near Murfreesboro. Judson. “Report…Cholera…” 1875, p. 233.^[153]

—     34  Jonesboro, Washington County.     Judson. “Report…Cholera…” 1875, p. 228.^[154]

–34     “          “                      NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.,” 11-12-1873, p.5.

–30     “          “                      Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873…. 1875, 202.

–18-21  Knoxville, Knox County.

–21     “          “                      Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873…  1875, 188-200.

–20     “          “                      NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.,” 11-12-1873, p.5.

–18     “          “                      Judson. “Report upon the Course of Cholera…” 1875, 229.

–26-29  Lebanon, Wilson County.

–29     “          “                      NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.,” 11-12-1873, p.5.

–28     “          “                      Judson. “Report upon…Course of Cholera…” 1875, 230.^[155]

–26     “          “                      Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, 169-170.

—       9  Lebanon vicinity other.         NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.,” 11-12-1873, p.5.

—       1 ~Loudon, Roane County.       Judson. “Report…the Course of Cholera…” 1875, p. 230.

—       ?  McMinnville, cases noted.    NY Times. “The Cholera in Tennessee,” 7-11-1873, p. 3.

— >300  Memphis, Shelby County.    Ellis. Yellow Fever & Public Health…South. 1992, p. 30.^[156]

–500   “          “                      NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.,” 11-12-1873, 5.[157]

–276   “                                  Annual Report…National Board of Health, 1879.  P. 253.

—  15   “   June 16                   Peters. “The South Western Cholera, 1873.” Sep 1873, p. 3.

—  10   “   June 17                   Peters. “The South Western Cholera, 1873.” Sep 1873, p. 3.

—  11   “   June 18                   Peters. “The South Western Cholera, 1873.” Sep 1873, p. 3.

—  19   “   June 19                   Peters. “The South Western Cholera, 1873.” Sep 1873, p. 3.

—  17   “   June 20                   Peters. “The South Western Cholera, 1873.” Sep 1873, p. 3.

—  14   “   June 21                   Peters. “The South Western Cholera, 1873.” Sep 1873, p. 3.

—    ?    “   June 22-27 “and so on.” Peters. “The South Western Cholera, 1873.” p. 3.

—>10   “   June 28                   Peters. “The South Western Cholera, 1873.” Sep 1873, 3.[158]

—    6   “   July 2 interments from cholera. New York Times. “Cholera.” 7-3-1873, p. 5.

—    7   “   July 4  Five interments, two deaths. NY Times. “The Cholera.” 7-6-1873, p. 1.

—    6   “   July 6.                     New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-7-1873, p. 1.

—    3   “   July 7.                     New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-8-1873, p. 1.

—    1   “   July 8.                     New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-9-1873, p. 1.

—    3   “   July 9.                     New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-10-1873, p. 1.

—    0   “   July 10 (one case). New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-11-1873, p. 1.

—    2   “   July 12 (interments)  New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-13-1873, p. 1.

—     12  Midway vic., Greene Co.      Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, 230.^[159]

—       8  Mosheim, Greene County.    Judson. “Report…the Course of Cholera…” 1875, 227.^[160]

–41-53  Murfreesboro, Rutherford County.

–53     “                      “          Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873… pp. 166-167.^[161]

–41     “                      “          NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.,” 11-12-1873, p.5.

–14     “ (24-hrs/July 31)       New York Times. “The Cholera.” 8-2-1873, p. 1.

—     30  Murfreesboro, outside of.     NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.,” 11-12-1873, p.5.

–1,000  Nashville, Davidson Co.       Barnes. “Cholera-Epidemic…1873…US Army.” 1875, 478.

–1,000 “                                 Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873… 1875, p. 157.[162]

— ~750 “  May-July 1.            NY Times. “The Cholera in Nashville.” 7-5-1873, p. 3.[163]

—   750 “                                 NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.,” 11-12-1873, p.5.

—   701 “  June 7-July 10        Blanchard tally from date breakouts below.[164]

—   653 “          “                      Judson. “Report…Cholera…” 1875, p. 234.

—   647 “  June 7-July 1.         NY Times. “The Cholera in Nashville.” 7-5-1873, p. 3.[165]

—   603 “  June 7-29.               Peters. “The South Western Cholera, 1873.” Sep 1873, 4.[166]

–21     June 7              NY Times. “The Cholera in Nashville.” 7-5-1873, p. 3.

–18     June 8              NY Times. “The Cholera in Nashville.” 7-5-1873, p. 3.

–18     June 9              NY Times. “The Cholera in Nashville.” 7-5-1873, p. 3.

–11     June 10                        NY Times. “The Cholera in Nashville.” 7-5-1873, p. 3.

–15     June 11            NY Times. “The Cholera in Nashville.” 7-5-1873, p. 3.

–11     June 12            NY Times. “The Cholera in Nashville.” 7-5-1873, p. 3.

–15     June 13            NY Times. “The Cholera in Nashville.” 7-5-1873, p. 3.

–12     June 14            NY Times. “The Cholera in Nashville.” 7-5-1873, p. 3.

–25     June 15            NY Times. “The Cholera in Nashville.” 7-5-1873, p. 3.

–14     June 16            NY Times. “The Cholera in Nashville.” 7-5-1873, p. 3.

–44     June 17            NY Times. “The Cholera in Nashville.” 7-5-1873, p. 3.

–32     June 18            NY Times. “The Cholera in Nashville.” 7-5-1873, p. 3.

–30     June 19            NY Times. “The Cholera in Nashville.” 7-5-1873, p. 3.

–72     June 20            NY Times. “The Cholera in Nashville.” 7-5-1873, p. 3.

–59     June 21            NY Times. “The Cholera in Nashville.” 7-5-1873, p. 3.

–53     June 22            NY Times. “The Cholera in Nashville.” 7-5-1873, p. 3.

–37     June 23            NY Times. “The Cholera in Nashville.” 7-5-1873, p. 3.

–29     June 24            NY Times. “The Cholera in Nashville.” 7-5-1873, p. 3.

–25     June 25            NY Times. “The Cholera in Nashville.” 7-5-1873, p. 3.

–24     June 26            NY Times. “The Cholera in Nashville.” 7-5-1873, p. 3.

–20     June 27            NY Times. “The Cholera in Nashville.” 7-5-1873, p. 3.

–12     June 28            NY Times. “The Cholera in Nashville.” 7-5-1873, p. 3.

–24     June 29            NY Times. “The Cholera in Nashville.” 7-5-1873, p. 3.

–10     June 30            NY Times. “The Cholera in Nashville.” 7-5-1873, p. 3.

–16     July 1              NY Times. “The Cholera in Nashville.” 7-5-1873, p. 3.

—  6     July 2              New York Times. “Cholera.” 7-3-1873, p. 5.

—  5     July 3              New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-4-1873, p. 1.

—  9     July 4              New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-6-1873, p. 1.

—  4     July 5              New York Times. The Cholera.” 7-6-1873, p. 1.

—  7     July 6              New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-8-1873, p. 1.

—  0     July 7              New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-8-1873, p. 1.

—  3     July 10            New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-11-1873, p. 1.

–~20  Nashville Penitentiary Peters. “The South Western Cholera, 1873.” P. 3.[167]

—       6  Old Union, Shelby Co.          Judson. “Report…the Course of Cholera…” 1875, p. 234.

—       6  Ooltewah, Hamilton Co.       Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873…  1875, p180-181.

—     12  Palmyra, Montgomery Co.  Judson. “Report…the Course of Cholera…” 1875, p. 234.

—       ?  Pulaski, cases noted.             NY Times. “The Cholera in Tennessee,” 7-11-1873, p. 3.

—       4  Richland, Sumner County.    Judson. “Report…the Course of Cholera…” 1875, p. 234.

—       3  Rogersville, Hawkins Co.     Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873…U.S. 1875, 209-10.

—       3  Russellville, Hamblen Co.    Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873…U.S. 1875, p. 202.

—     23  Rutherford Co.^[168]  Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873 in the U.S.  1875, p. 168-169.

—       1  Sharp’s Settlement, Campbell Co. Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, 234.

–50-64              Shelbyville, Bedford County.

–64     “          “                      Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, p. 235.^[169]

–50     “          “                      NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.,” 11-12-1873, p.5.

–46     “          “ (by July 3)    Atlanta Constitution. “Cholera,” July 6, 1873, 1.

–14     “          “                     Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, p. 162.

—       4  Shop Springs, Wilson Co.     Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, p. 170.

—       1  Silver Spring, Wilson Co.     Judson. “Report…the Course of Cholera…” 1875, p. 230.

—     13  Springfield, Robertson Co.   Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, p. 235.^[170]

—       1  ~Taylorsville, Wilson Co.     Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, p. 230.

—       1  Telford’s Station, Washington Co.  Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, 235.

—     12  TN State Prison Camp, Shelby Co.  Woodworth 1875, 163-165.

–28-51  Union City, Obion County.

–51     “          “                      Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, p. 235.^[171]

–51     “          “                      NYT. “The Cholera…Session…Health Assoc.,” 11-12-1873, p.5.

–29     “ and area one week.   New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-30-1873, p. 1.

–28     “                                  Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, p. 200.

—       6  Union County.                       Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, p. 209.^[172]

—   5-6  Wallace Cross-Roads, Anderson County.

–6       “                                  Bailey. “Cholera in Knoxville…” 1875, p. 286.^[173]

–5       “                                  Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic….  1875, 201.^[174]

—       4  Wartrace, Bedford Co.          Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, p. 165.

—       2  Whitesburg, Jefferson Co.    Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, p. 235.^[175]

—       3  Wilson Co.^[176]                        Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, p. 169.

—       2  Winchester, Franklin Co., July 27.  Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, 235.

—       3  Wolf River.                           Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, p. 235.^[177]

 

Texas              (  81)   Denison (80)                                                  Aug 8 and Sep 20-Oct 10

—  20  Statewide                            Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873 in…U.S. 1875, p. 35.

—  80  Denison, Grayson County.  Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873 in the U.S. 1875, 449.

—  81        “              “            “        Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, p. 243.^[178]

 

Utah Territory (4-6)             Kelton

—  6  Kelton, Box Elder County.        Judson. “Report…Course of Cholera…” 1875, 245.^[179]

—  4  Kelton, Box Elder County.        Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873…  1875, p. 461.

 

Virginia          (   >3)

— 1  Abingdon, Washington County, June 13. Judson. “Report…Cholera…” 1875, p. 251.

— 2  Gish’s Mills, Roanoke County, ~Aug 12. Judson. “Report…Cholera…” 1875, p. 251.

 

West Virginia (22-25)           Especially Wheeling (22)      ~June 9-early Sep

— 25                                        Blanchard tally from locality breakouts below.

— 22  Statewide                      Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873 in the U.S. 1875, p. 35.

Breakout of 1873 West Virginia cholera fatalities by locality:

—   3  Huntington.^[180]               Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873…  1875, p. 436.

— 22  Wheeling, June 9-Sep. Jepson. “Cholera in Wheeling, West Va., in 1873.” 1875, p.274.^[181]

–22  “    and vicinity.  Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873…  1875, p. 354, 421-435.

—  1  “    July 23.         New York Times. “The Cholera in the West.” 7-24-1873, p. 5.

—  1  “    July 24.         New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-26-1873, p. 1.

—  1  “    July 25.         New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-26-1873, p. 1.

—  3  “     Aug 3.          New Albany Ledger Standard, IN. “Cholera at Wheeling.” 9-1-1873, p.1.

—  3  “    Sep 4-5.        Dubuque Herald (IA). “Cholera,” Sep 6, 1873, p. 1.

 

Narrative Information — General

 

McClellan: “During the year 1873, cholera prevailed throughout the entire valley of the Mississippi.  The early cases of the disease occurred at the city of New Orleans.  From that city, the disease was carried northward, when it became epidemic at all points attacked…. The occurrence of this epidemic gave rise to a most extended discussion in medical circles, during which there was a greater diversity of opinion expressed than had been occasioned by any disease which had appeared upon the American continent during the past century.

 

“The vast majority of the medical men of the United States who were engaged in combating the disease during the progress of the epidemic, both in hospitals and in private practice, are unanimous in pronouncing it to have been Asiatic cholera of foreign origin; making use, in their reports of cases, of the synonym which was individually most acceptable, namely, cholera, cholera epidemica, cholera spasmodica, cholera asphyxia, serous cholera, malignant cholera, etc….

 

“From the study of this demonstration of the disease, in which the writer has been engaged almost constantly since August, 1873, during which time the records of some seven thousand cases have been obtained from physicians at all portions of the field of infection, he does not hesitate in announcing the disease to have been malignant epidemic cholera.  During the entire season, the epidemic was governed by the same well-defined laws that have been presented by all other demonstrations of the same disease. That the intensity of the epidemic was modified and its advance checked at most points was due to the general diffusion of sanitary knowledge throughout the country during the lost few years, and not to any change of type in the disease itself; but, at the same time, it is shown that whenever the infection of cholera found a fitting and unmolested nidus,^[182] then and there the disease exhibited its fatal malignancy. The truths upon which this assertion is based were most vividly impressed upon the mind of the writer by the direct contact in which, from the necessities of his work, he was placed with a very large number of the medical gentlemen residing in the great valley of the Mississippi; and the fact that the disease did not assume its accustomed epidemic form in the larger cities, but that its malignant demonstrations were confined to the smaller towns and villages…

 

“The narrative demonstrates that cholera was present in the large cities of the Mississippi valley, but at the greater number of such points the virulence of the epidemic was controlled by the prompt and energetic action of the health-boards, assisted by the active co-operation of the medical profession and municipal authorities.”  (McClellan; in Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873 in the United States.  1875, p. 1)

 

“…it has been thought best…to present a history of the symptoms and general course of the epidemic, as it occurred in the Mississippi Valley from February to October, 1873.

 

“The clinical history demonstrates that no age, sex, color, or condition in life was exempt from its influences.  Fatal cases are recorded as having occurred at all ages, from that of one month to that of one hundred and eighteen years… The greatest mortalities are recorded between the twentieth and fortieth years of age.  Males suffered from the disease more severely than females, and, in proportion to their numbers, blacks than whites…. The disease was most malignant among the lower orders of each community, but the better classes were by no means exempt.  Many who lived in healthy localities, who obeyed all obvious sanitary regulations, suffered in their persons and families.”  (McClellan; in Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873 in the United States.  1875, p. 2)

 

“…there arrived at New Orleans, via Liverpool, Hamburg, and Bremen, during the months of December, 1872, and January, 1873, a total of nearly two thousand emigrants from cholera-infected districts of Europe.”

 

“While, in the absence of direct evidence to the contrary, it may be admitted that no person actually laboring under cholera was landed in New Orleans during the winter of 1872-’73, the unavoidable alternative is that the poison which caused the epidemic in the Mississippi Valley in the latter year was imported in the same manner as that which caused the later outbreaks at Carthage, Crow River, and Yankton, namely, in the personal effects of immigrants, sailing from healthy ports, in healthy vessels, and subjected to the usual sanitary requirements of the period.

 

“And this suggests the very obvious query, “Of what avail, then, is quarantine as a measure of protection for this country against cholera, if the cholera-poison may thus elude—as it admittedly did in each of these latter cases—the surveillance of a quarantine establishment ‘the best administered and most efficient in the world’…..

 

“…at times “a single case suffices to swiftly produce an epidemic or even a raging pestilence’.”  (Woodworth 1875, 12)

 

“The earliest cholera-record in the United States, of the epidemic of 1873, is to be found in the city of New Orleans, La., as having occurred upon the 9^th day of February.  The last and 259^th death in New Orleans happened in November.  (Woodworth 1875, 93)

 

“In the preamble to a joint resolution of the Forty-third Congress of the United States, adopted during its first session, and approved by the President March 25, 1874, it was set forth that  Epidemic Cholera had ‘prevailed during the year eighteen hundred and seventy-three in various parts of the United States, especially in the valley of the Mississippi, causing a deplorable mortality;’ and that it is highly important, whenever such epidemic occur, that ‘the facts concerning the spread of the disease and its mode of propagation should be ascertained as fully as possible with a view to the prevention or limitation of future outbreaks’.” (Woodworth 1875, 7)

 

“In 1873, three distinct outbreaks of the disease occurred at widely remote points in the United States, from poison packed and transported in the effects of emigrants from Holland, Sweden, and Russia.  These people and the vessels in which they were carried had been perfectly healthy, and the people remained so until their goods were unpacked at Carthage, Ohio, at Crow River, Minn., and at Yankton, Dak., respectively.  Within twenty-four hours after the poison-particles were liberated the first cases of the disease appeared, and the unfortunates were almost literally swept from the face of the earth.”  (Woodworth 1875, 10)

 

”…while cholera…existed at almost every European port of embarkation for emigrants – 107 cases in one week at Hamburg – there arrived at New Orleans, via Liverpool, Hamburg, and Bremen, during the months of December, 1872, and January, 1873, a total of nearly two thousand emigrants from cholera-infected districts of Europe.  “While…it may be admitted that no person actually laboring under cholera was landed in New Orleans during the winter of 1872-1873, the unavoidable alternative is that the poison which caused the epidemic in the Mississippi Valley in the latter year was imported in the same manner as that which caused the later outbreaks at Carthage, Crow River, and Yankton, namely, in the personal effects of immigrants, sailing from healthy ports, in healthy vessels, and subjected to the usual sanitary requirements of the period.”

“It is fortunately true that…no extended epidemic outbreak of the disease followed the liberation of the poison-particles on the banks of the Ohio, or in Minnesota, or in the Territory of Dakota.”  (Woodworth 1875, 12)

 

“…nothing is more clearly proved by the history of cholera than that epidemics of this dreaded disease can be controlled by vigorous hygienic measures.  The true remedy against cholera is preventive medicine.”  (Woodworth 1875, 19)

….

“The 7,356 cases at which full records have been collected, are presented as representing but a small portion of the actual number of cases which occurred during the course of the epidemic.”  (McClellan; in Woodworth 1875, 31.

 

“The cases which have been collected show that, in the treatment by calomel, in large and small doses, there was a mortality of 23 per cent; calomel and opium, there was a mortality of 31 per cent; calomel, opium, and acetate of lead, the mortality was 40 per cent; calomel, opium, and stimulants, the mortality was 50 per cent. In cases where stimulants alone were employed, the mortality was increased to 59 per cent…  In the 7,356 cases which have been collected, the mortality was 52 per cent.”  (Woodworth 1875, 32)

….

“The class of common carriers who, next to railway companies, are most actively employed in the transportation and diffusion of infectious diseases are the vessels of all descriptions which are engaged in the navigation of rivers and other inland lines of navigation.

 

“During the American epidemic of 1873 many striking and well-defined instances of their agency in the distribution of the cholera occurred. During the month of May, in that year, the disease was first brought northward along the line of the Mississippi River by infected boats; and during the ensuing months their agency was felt upon the Arkansas and Ohio Rivers, as well as streams of lesser magnitude. Nor was it in conveying the disease from the seat of original infection that their agency was evinced, for we find that the line of infection was turned, and that they conveyed the disease upon return trips to re-enforce the epidemic at the original point of departure. An inspection of one of the large steamboats that navigate the western waters will be all-sufficient to convince the most skeptical.”  (Woodworth 1875, 52)

….

“The epidemic in Central Kentucky furnishes a striking illustration of the power of drinking-water in disseminating the disease.  Several isolated cases of cholera had occurred in the town of Lebanon, near to a small creek which forms one of the drains of the town. A few days after their occurrence the Marion County Fair was held upon the grounds near Lebanon. As the water-supply was less than the demand, the deficiency was supplied from the town. Unfortunately a well was selected on low ground and quite near to the banks of this creek. On the second day of the fair a violent rain-storm deluged the country. The creek was filled to overflowing, and it was impossible that the surface-washings should not have infected this well. On the third and fourth days of the fair the water of this well was served as usual; and on the night of the last day (August 31) cholera, malignant in its type, was developed in all localities inhabited by those who had visited the grounds and drunk the water.”  (Woodworth 1875, 58-59)

 

“The occurrence of a case of cholera is almost invariably followed by a scene of terror and confusion….It is earnestly urged that a recognition of the infectiousness of cholera robs the disease of its terrors, and that by cleanliness and disinfection it may be stamped out. That where these precautions are adopted, the occurrence of a case of cholera will influence the health of the other inmates of a house to no greater extent than they would be by a case of intermittent fever.

 

“Smallpox is a contagious disease and the unprotected individual coming in contact with the disease is always liable to it. Cholera is an infectious disease, but this fatal power is developed only after the molecular matter contained in the excreta of the patient arrives at a certain stage of decomposition. Prevent this process of decomposition from taking place, and the disease is stamped out. What vaccination is to small-pox, disinfection is to cholera.” (Woodworth 1875, 61)

 

“That the importation of cholera in the persons of individuals may be prevented by proper precautions, or that the disease may be stumped out whenever importation is accomplished, is shown by the evidence collected to be most certain; but to secure the advantages which may be derived from this fact, concerted action is necessary. Of what avail is it that the most elaborate and costly defense is erected at all principal ports of entrance, if but a single opening be left unguarded?  It is true that the greater the port the greater the danger, and the more complete should be the precautions; but the neglect of a nation’s arming at all points has cost thousands of valuable lives. Of what avail is it that the health-officials at one point recognize the infectious properties of cholera, and concentrate their sanitary forces upon the disease whenever it may arrive at their gates and utterly stamp it out, when those of a sister city fail to attain to the same appreciation of the disease, open wide their gates, close their eyes to the entrance of the disease, and allow a focus of infection to be established from which pestilence and death stalk hand in hand. The results obtained by experienced observers demonstrate that the national means of precaution against a general epidemic of cholera are to be found in the quarantine of observation.”   (Woodworth 1875, p. 62.)

 

Peters: “Great mistakes and confusion have arisen in New Orleans, Memphis, Nashville, Cincinnati, and other places, because careful examinations into the origin of the disease were not instituted until weeks and months after cholera had commenced or even terminated in those cities; and then the fatal cases only were more or less accurately recorded.  It would be quite as impossible to trace the course of scarlet fever, if none but fatal cases were counted….When all the non-fatal cases are omitted it frequently happens that there is no apparent, or easily traceable connection between the fatal ones; and it seems like going back to the dark ages of medical research to parade lists of fatal cases only of cholera, and to refer to them as containing all, or even the principal part of the facts descriptive of an epidemic….”  (Peters. “The Origin and Spread of Asiatic or Bengal Cholera.” Public Health Papers and Reports, Amer. Public Health Assoc., p. 342 of pp. 336-342.)

 

Peters: “The late outbreak of Asiatic cholera in this country, which commenced in New Orleans in February, 1873, was preceded by a great prevalence of the. disease in North Germany, Poland, Hungary, and Austria for at least three years, viz: in 1870,1871, and 1872; and by extended outbreaks in Russia in 1869,1870,1871, and 1872; while it had also been present in Persia every year since 1865; and notably so in 1867, 1868, 1869. and 1870.”  (Peters; in Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873 in the United States.  1875, p. 75.)

 

Alabama

 

Peoples:  “Just two years after its founding, Birmingham, Jefferson County, was beset by a deadly cholera epidemic during the summer months of 1873 that killed 128 people. The disease spread rapidly throughout the city after it entered the water supply. As the death toll rose, people fearing for their lives flooded out of the city; many chose not to return.

 

“Cholera, an intestinal infection caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, is passed by contaminated food and water and causes severe diarrhea and dehydration. Birmingham was founded near profitable natural resources and not in the vicinity of a major water supply, a factor which greatly assisted the spread of the disease. The city’s residents had only one sanitary source of water in 1873, a creek’s reservoir located nearly two miles outside of the city. In contrast, ground wells were the city’s other option, but were located in the city’s lowest elevations and filled with groundwater that ran down from higher elevations, making them far less sanitary.

 

“The first reported case of cholera in Birmingham dates to June 12, 1873. The individual considered to be the first to carrier of the disease, known to history only as Mr. Y., had recently moved to Birmingham from Huntsville.  Mr. Y. was in Birmingham six weeks before falling ill with cholera, displaying symptoms three days after his bed and bed accessories arrived from Huntsville, which was suffering through its own epidemic at that time. Thus, the disease is believed to have arrived in Birmingham by way of Mr. Y.’s belongings. Mr. Y. died shortly after he began suffering from the vomiting and diarrhea associated with cholera. Local physician Mortimer H. Jordan suspected cholera, but his records indicate that the doctors who treated Mr. Y. did not identify the disease as the cause of death. Thus, doctors did not demand the proper disposal of Mr. Y.’s bodily fluids or bedding. Typically, bodies, body fluids, and other items contacted by cholera victims were disinfected with carbolic acid and buried, and bedding and clothing would have been burned. On June 17, two sisters came down with the disease and died shortly after falling ill. As with Mr. Y., no one properly disposed of the sisters’ body fluids.

 

“The impoverished, primarily African American neighborhood known as the “Baconsides” faced the greatest hardship during the first days of the epidemic. The sisters who contracted cholera after the death of Mr. Y. lived on the hill just above the Baconsides, and it is believed that their improperly managed body fluids contaminated the water supply in the community. Cholera was rampant in the neighborhood during the final days of June. After roughly 10 days of widespread deaths there, the disease migrated into the general population.

 

“None of the doctors in the Birmingham area had any direct experience with cholera, and they worked under several false assumptions. At the time, they thought that the disease plaguing the city was airborne in nature. Therefore, pots of tar were burned on street corners in the belief that the smoke would disinfect the air. On July 1, however, doctors acknowledged that the deaths were the result of cholera, which was known to be transmitted by water. After that, community leaders took steps to rid the city of the disease, including cleaning streets, draining and disinfecting city cesspools, and disinfecting and burying cholera-infected body parts and fluids.

 

“Many of the city’s doctors, including James B. Luckie and Jordan, remained in the city, as did a number of individuals who stayed and bravely attempted to aid the ill…. Such acts of selflessness, however, were overshadowed by a mass exodus of people who feared for their lives. Whereas approximately 4,000 people had settled in the city by June of 1873, only half that number remained by the end of the summer.

 

“The local economy was devastated by the loss of population and an accompanying sharp decline in property values. Further, a national economic depression arrived on the heels of the cholera epidemic, significantly adding to the city’s problems. One positive development arose out of the epidemic, however. City leaders, faced with the inadequacy of water services, improved sanitary systems and increased the capacity of the recently established Birmingham Water Works, and Birmingham eventually recovered.”^[183]  (Peoples, Jared. “Birmingham Cholera Outbreak of 1873.” Encyclopedia of Alabama (online). 3-14-2013 modification.)

 

Van Deman: Dr. Van Deman writes that ‘In Birmingham, Alabama…the mortality was the most fearful of any one city in the South. The first case appeared there about the first of June, 1873, shortly after its appearance in Nashville, and being upon the line of the North and South Railroad….it was plain to be seen that it culled its victims from the low and filthy portions of the place, where poverty and squalid wretchedness prevailed, and where the free use of limestone-water was indulged in by the people; and whilst the moderate use of vegetables did not seem detrimental, still it was noted that those who used them indiscriminately suffered most when attacked.  The mortality was here, as is usual in other places in the South, greater among the colored citizens than the whites; among males than females; amongst adults than children; greater where sanitary rules were disobeyed than among those who adhered to them strictly. The whole number of deaths from all causes in this city was, from June 1 to July 18 (from its outset to its subsidence), one hundred and seventy-five, while cholera claimed one hundred and thirty of that number, and this, too, in a population of less than four thousand inhabitants when all were at home; but as all but five or six hundred had left the place for more healthy climes, the mortality is fearful to contemplate.” (Van Deman, J. H., MD (Chattanooga Health Officer). “Cholera in Chattanooga, Tenn., and Cities South of Nashville, During the Summer of 1873.” Pp. 253-256 in: Public Health Papers and Reports (APHA). 1875.)

 

Arkansas, Little Rock

 

Little Rock Board of Health:  “The first case of cholera – recognized as such – occurred in this city on the 5^th day of July last, and ended fatally on the following day….Cholera prevailed in Memphis for ten days or two weeks before the first case was noticed in Little Rock….The victim in this case was that of a woman who had been recently confined, and had no communication whatever with persons coming from infected localities, that could be ascertained.  It is proper to add, with reference to this case, that the patient had in the same day that she was seized with the disease, eaten largely of ‘apple dumplings.’

 

“The second case, which occurred the next day (July 6), and which was likewise fatal, took place in a locality, which, in a hygienic point of view, was far less favorable than that under which the first case was observed.  The house in which the patient was found, stood in a low and damp situation, and almost immediately over a large uncovered sewer.  This case was that of a man, who, but a few days before was at work on a railroad embankment of the Cairo and Fulton Railroad, fifty miles north of Little Rock.  Feeling unwell he quit work, and shortly after came to this city, when he was almost immediately seized with the disease, and died of it in a few hours after.

 

“These two cases of deaths from cholera were perhaps the only ones which took place in the city proper, and probably no other well marked case was observed by any physician, but a large number of cases of cholerine and cholera morbus were reported and treated in all portions of the city.

 

“About the same day as that upon which the last case took place (July 6), the steamer Fort Gibson from Memphis, Tennessee, came into port, having on board a negro suffering with cholera, and in an almost moribund condition.  This patient was taken to what is known as the ‘County Poor House,’ where he died in a very few hours after.  This poor-house is a miserable establishment, composed of five poorly constructed wooden houses, which have for the past ten or twelve years been used for hospital purposes.  These buildings are situated in the western suburbs of the city, beyond ‘Capitol Hill,’ about three hundred or four hundred yards distant from the house in which the first case of cholera appeared.  The inmates of this institution, which is of itself a disgrace to civilization, are composed for the most part of inebriates, debauchees, vagrants, negroes, railroad hands, emigrants, and the poorest-fed and worst clothed portion of our population.  The sanitary condition of the poor-house up to the time of the outbreak of the disease, was as bad as could well be imagined; the floors were filthy, the clothing, bedclothing, and inmates themselves covered with vermin.  The food upon which they were fed, was notoriously improper and unhealthy.

 

“After the introduction of the case from Memphis, about seven cases took place in rapid succession, all of which proved fatal.  A number of cases of cholerine were also treated.

 

“Much credit is due to the kind and humane medical attendant, who upon the invasion of the disease exerted himself to the utmost to improve the sanitary condition of the entire premises, and to protect, if possible, the unfortunate inmates against this fell disease.  The diet was at once improved, the walls of the wards well whitewashed, the floors scoured, mopped with a strong solution of carbolic acid, and then sprinkled with lime.  Saucers containing chloride of lime were placed in the several wards.  The stools of every patient were disinfected, thrown into pits, and covered over with earth.  The attending physician visited daily the patients, instructing each, that in case the least laxity of the bowels should be experienced, to at once take to his bed and apply for medicine. In a few days after these measures were adopted, all appearances of cholera disappeared from our midst.

 

“Almost simultaneously with the outbreak of the disease in the poor-house, it made its appearance among the convicts confined in the State Penitentiary.  The hygienic condition of this institution was far better than that of the poor-house, but it was ascertained that the contractors of the penitentiary had only a few days previous to the appearance of the disease, purchased at auction a quantity of spoiled beef, and that the convicts were being fed upon it. The physician of the penitentiary was at once informed of this fact, who at once corrected this evil, and by adopting a sanitary regimen, not unlike that employed at the poor-house, the cholera ceased to exist.  Five or six deaths were reported as having taken place at the penitentiary. All the cases that occurred were fatal.

 

“We would also state that for several weeks prior to the advent of cholera in Little Rock, the Board of Health had been actively engaged in improving the sanitary condition of the whole city. Little Rock being very defective in sewerage, a large number of scavengers, with carts, were employed in cleaning up and carting off filth and garbage from the streets and alleys. These measures were continued up to the time of the appearance of the first case, when these operations were suspended.  Disinfectants, however, were copiously used upon everything which emitted an unpleasant odor. Cards from the Board of Health were published in the daily papers, instructing the people in the kinds and the methods of using disinfectants. In addition to these measures, sanitary policemen, under instructions of the Board of Health, visited every house in the city, notifying the owners or inmates thereof, to disinfect their privies and premises generally.”

 

(Little Rock Board of Health. “Cholera in Little Rock, Arkansas.” Pp. 257-258 in: Public Health Papers and Reports (American Public Health Assoc.), 1875)

 

Perkins Plantation: The Little Rock Board of Health, in an Addendum to the article cited above, notes that “The Perkins plantation is situated on the south bank of the Arkansas River, about sixteen miles below Little Rock….The ‘Quarter’ is situated immediately on the bank of the river. This is a collection of about a dozen cabins, composed of logs and boards thrown loosely together as if by hap-hazard. These have been occupied for a number of years by the average class of plantation negroes, a notoriously filthy and improvident set of beings, and the houses with their surroundings present about as inviting a prospect to infectious germs that seek pabulum whereon to feed as can well be imagined…About seventy-five souls have an existence in this ‘quarter,’ who are far from being supplied with the necessaries of life, and while being scantily and filthily clad are forced to subsist on short rations of bacon and bread, and as they fail to provide themselves with gardens of wholesome vegetable, when the season for such things arrives their cravings urge them to appropriate largely of unripe and unwholesome fruits….The first case occurred on the night of the 24^th of July….on the next day two other cases appeared [all died]…These were followed in quick succession during the next two days by seven (7) other cases…terminating fatally with all the recognized symptoms of cholera….The last case occurred on the night of the 27^th, and the last death on the evening of the 28^th….It is worthy of note that in 1866, cholera alighted on…these plantations and committed great havoc…Those who died…in 1866, were buried on the bank of the river above the ‘quarter,’ and the rise in the river last spring carried away these graves, and the bodies either floated down the river, or were taken from an eddy just above the ‘quarter’ and reinterred; while probably some remained buried in the sand at the bottom of the river. The water used by the inhabitants of the ‘quarter,’ at and before the outbreak of the cholera, was obtained from the river opposite the ‘quarter.’ The use of this water was discontinued.” (pp. 259-260)

 

Georgia:

 

Ellis: “Following the Mississippi Valley cholera epidemic in 1873, the state medical societies of Georgia and Tennessee worked successfully to secure the enactment of health legislation. On February 25, 1875, Governor James M. Smith of Georgia signed into law an act that provided for a state board of health, subordinate county boards, and registration of vital statistics by county ordinaries. The new agency was opposed from the beginning, however, by county politicians; by sectarian medical practitioners, who opposed the law’s discrimination of favor of regular physicians; and by the municipal authorities of Brunswick and Savannah, who resented the board’s investigative activity during the yellow fever epidemics in 1876. After 1877, when the legislature failed to made an appropriation for its support, the Georgia board became dormant until 1903.” (Ellis, John H. Yellow Fever & Public Health in the New South. 1992, p. 34.)

 

Illinois, Chicago:

 

Miller:  “During the summer of 1873, Chicago was visited…by this disease….During the epidemic of last summer, the disease struck hardest where sanitary laws were not observed. When the first cases occurred here, the department went to work quietly, and did what could be done, and the result will show for itself.

 

“The cases of cholera occurring in and about Chicago during the last summer, were principally in the Fifth Ward, south of Thirty-seventh Street and west of State Street, and in the adjoining town of Lake, which is a continuation of this district, being separated from the city by Thirty-ninth Street.

 

“The district is densely populated, principally by foreigners, consisting of Germans, Swedes, and Poles; the families living in small rooms poorly ventilated, and subjected at all times to the ill effects of overcrowding. The district is low, with sandy soil and poor surface drainage.  The water used, at the time of the first case, was procured from shallow wells, supplied with surface water….

 

“Many cases occurring in the beginning and, in fact, throughout the continuance of the disease, were reported as cholera morbus, as many physicians were loath to acknowledge the disease as cholera.  Many cases so reported, were identical with the cases reported as cholera.

 

“There were, outside of this district, thirteen cases reported as deaths from cholera, in different parts of the city, the most of them from two to four miles from the district in which the first cases occurred, and with one exception in locations where overcrowding and filth were prevalent.

 

“There were six cases in the Fifteenth Ward, two in the Third Ward, one in the Eighth, three in the Sixth, one in the Thirteenth, and one in the Twelfth Ward. After the disease broke out in the Fifth Ward, many persons fled to other parts of the city; however, no connection could be traced between the cases in the Fifth Ward and the cases in the wards mentioned above.

 

“The first case occurred on May 24, at No. 444 Arnold Street, in the person of John McFee, a bridge builder, who had been working near Memphis, and left on account of the cholera. When he arrived in Chicago he had diarrhoea, which remained unchecked, and after a week or ten days developed choleraic symptoms, and proved fatal.

 

“The second case was…on June 10….The third and fourth cases occurred at the same place, and in the same family, on June 12 and 14, both proving fatal after an illness of ten and twelve hours respectively. The fifth case at the same number, July 25, — sick nine hours. The sixth case occurred at No. 922 Butterfield Street, almost directly across the street. This person was the wife of the fifth case, and had lived at No. 945 Butterfield, and had assisted in nursing the patient at that place. The seventh case occurred on Arnold Street…in a woman who had nursed the patient at No. 922 Butterfield Street. The eighth case was…a persons who had nursed the woman on Arnold Street. The ninth case was at the corner of Arnold and Forty-first streets. The connection between this case and the last, was the same as in the others. The house in which the case occurred was on the west side of the street, and the stools of the patient were thrown out in the middle of the street. The tenth case was directly opposite on the east side of the street. From this point the disease spread over the southern portion of the district….

 

“From the beginning, active measures were taken by the officers of the Board of Health, Drs. Rauch and Reid. Thorough disinfection was prosecuted, and the people warned not to use the water from surface wells. The Board of Health recommended that water pipes be laid so that the district could be supplied with pure lake water, and ordered the well to be fouled with carbolic acid, so the that water could not be sued for drinking or culinary purposes.

 

“The Board of Public Works supplied the district with water as far south as Thirty-ninth Street, where public hydrants were placed by this Board for the benefit of the people in the town of Lake. Butterfield Street was supplied June 24; Burnside Street on July 13, and Arnold Street June 10 to 21….

 

“The Cholera Hospital was opened for patients, and all cases in boarding or tenement houses immediately taken there.  All cases of premonitory diarrhoea which could be found were promptly cared for. There were twenty-one  cases admitted to the hospital, many of whom were in the stage of collapse; these invariably died.  Of those removed early in the disease a large percentage recovered. Of the whole number admitted eleven died and ten recovered….

 

“On September 8, John Sheer was attacked with the disease on his arrival in this city, he having just come from Evansville Ind.  His case presented all the symptoms, and was in every respect similar to the cases that occurred here; the case terminated fatally after an illness of one day. After this time no cases occurred in the city….

 

“The effect of cleanliness on families and individual cases was marked. Those who observed sanitary laws, attended to the disinfection of stools, and who were prompt in calling a physician, with few exceptions recovered, and the occurrence of a second case in such families was rare. On the other hand, when the stools were not cared for, and the vomit permitted to remain on the floor, and the bedding (principally feather beds) used without having been properly cleaned, and where no attention was paid to ventilation or personal cleanliness, several cases would generally occur, and as a rule, prove fatal….

 

“Of the cases neglected in the beginning, fifty per cent. Died under all treatment; of the cases taken early in the premonitory diarrhoea before vomiting had occurred, ninety per cent. Were saved.”

 

(Miller, B.C., MD, Sanitary Superintendent of Chicago. “Cholera as It Prevailed in Chicago, Ill., in 1873.” Pp. 261-264 in: Public Health Papers and Reports (American Public Health Assoc.). Cambridge: Houghton (Riverside Press), 1875.)

 

Indiana

 

July 18: “Evansville, Ind., July 18. – A special dispatch from Mount Vernon, Ind., states that a panic prevails there on account of cholera. Forth deaths have occurred within a week, and eight or ten yesterday. The people are fleeing from the city….It has almost depopulated the town. All the people who could get away have left. Banks and business houses are closed, and the town seems without inhabitants. Resin, pine, tar, and coal have been burned in the streets, and in every house disinfectants have been placed. People who cannot leave are removing to the healthier parts of the city. Families are dwelling in warehouses, stores, &c. Every person in the place has had cholera symptoms, and in some large families only two members are left. There seems to be no apparent cause for the ravages of the epidemic, as the city is clean, and one of the highest points between Evansville and Cairo.” (New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-19-1873, p. 1.)

 

Kentucky — Lebanon, Marion County

 

McClellan in NYT, 1874: “….‘The first case of cholera in Kentucky last year, so far as ascertained, occurred at Paducah May 23. The investigation indicates that construction hands upon railroads were among the most active agents in spreading the disease. It was introduced in Memphis by a party of laborers on the Memphis and Paducah Railroad. Thence it was conveyed to Nashville by convicts from the Penitentiary that had been working upon the same road. From Nashville it spread to Chattanooga and East Tennessee, to Gallatin, Franklin, Bowling Green, &c. The first case in Central Kentucky was that of a negro laborer at Muldrough’s Hill, on the Cumberland and Ohio Railroad, who came from a construction party on a road in Tennessee.’” (Dr. Ely McClellan, U.S. Army. “Last Year’s Cholera Visitation.” NY Times, 7-10-1874, p. 8.)

 

Woodworth: “Lebanon, the county town of Marion County, is located upon the Knoxville branch of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad, situated nearly in the center of the county; it is not only tin- market-town, of the farming community, but is the base of supplies and shipping-point of several small towns and hamlets. The railroad passes through the center of the town, from east to west, upon low ground, following the course of a small stream, which, heading in a spring to the northeast, forms within the corporation limits two ponds for the use of the railroad company and a large flouring-mill. From these ponds the stream to which the name of Jordan has been given flows through the town in a southwest direction. The course of this stream is protected by stone walls, and the crossings of the several streets are securely covered. This stream is the receptacle of filth of all kinds. Flowing in rear of the buildings on the north side of the main street, the privy of every establishment facing upon the street is built over it.

 

“Upon the southeast of the town is a small stream, the head of Bardin’s Creek, fed by impure springs and the drainage from high ground. These two streams form the natural drainage of the town. The water supply of the town is obtained from wells, which are all more or less influenced by surface-washings. Some few dwellings are supplied with cisterns. The public water-supply consists of two wells, one of which, in front of the court-house, supplies the inhabitants of the center of the town; the other, upon lower ground, is used by…the lower classes almost exclusively. Both of these wells were in miserable condition, and through their defective walls surface-drainage gained access to each well….

 

“On the 19th of July, a negro man, thirty years of age, working upon the line of the Ohio and Cumberland Railroad, some six miles from Lebanon, was suddenly taken ill. His case presented all the symptoms of cholera, and he died after a few hours’ illness, perfectly collapsed….the case was at first rated as one of cholera morbus. The case of July 17, upon the railroad in Taylor County, having come to the knowledge of his physician, some pains were taken to ascertain if any contact had occurred between the two cases; when it was discovered that on the day previous to his attack he had been on a visit to the cabin in which the…[man] was sick….

 

“On the 11^th day of August, a negro woman, fifty-five years of age, living in the western district of Lebanon, between the line of the Louisville Railroad and the Jordan, was taken ill. She presented all the symptoms of cholera, and died collapsed after ten hours’ illness.

 

“It was ascertained that some days previous to her attack this woman had left her home in Lebanon to attend her son, who was sick on the line of the railroad in Taylor County, where it will be remembered the disease was in existence. When the man was convalescent his mother removed him to her home at Lebanon, and where she was attacked with the same disease the, following day. The excreta of this case were not disinfected, but were thrown upon the ground in rear of the hut. From the 11th to the 18th of August several cases are known to have occurred among the lower classes of the negroes, having symptoms more or less well marked. No record of these cases can now be obtained, from the fact that the physician in whose care they occurred died himself of the disease at a later date. These cases occurred in the vicinity of the case of the llth instant. In none of them were disinfectants used.

 

“August 18, a white man, fifty years of age, residing on the railroad opposite to the house in which the case of the 11^th  instant had died, was taken with cholera, and remained perfectly collapsed for nearly twenty-four hours, when he reacted, and made a tedious recovery. No disinfectants were used, and the excreta were thrown upon the’ ground in rear of the house.

 

“August 19, a young lady, eighteen years of age, living in the same vicinity, was attacked with a similar disease,, from which she made a slow recovery.

 

“It is of importance to note that the preceding cases were rated at the time as cholera morbus; each had been the subject of some imprudence, to which the violence of the symptoms were attributed, and it was only after a subsequent study of each case that its true status was determined.

 

“Upon the same day (August 19) a white man, thirty-five years of age, living in a high, well-drained portion of the town, was attacked with cholera. The symptoms were terribly violent; no relief could be obtained from the most active measures, and he died in ten hours from the inception of the disease. In this case the excreta were carefully disinfected, the clothing was washed in a strong solution of carbolic acid, and the mattress on which he died was burned. This death occurred upon ground which was high and well drained; the place of business of the man was equally well located; he had not been away from the town for months, and was thought not to have come in contact with the cases which had already occurred. It was, however, subsequently determined that be habitually passed a portion of each night with a female who lived in a house in the immediate neighborhood of those in which the disease had already occurred.

 

“August 25, a negro man, living in a small house built over Jordan, died of the same disease. This man had passed several days preceding his illness among the railroad hands at the section of the Cumberland and Ohio Railroad. In this case the excreta were not disinfected, but were emptied into the bed of Jordan, in which at the time no water was flowing.

 

“On the same day a white man having charge of the town cemetery died after a few hours’ illness, with symptoms almost identical with those presented by the preceding cases. In this case, however, the attack followed an immoderate use of iced water when overheated by great exertion.

 

“On the 26th of August the Marion County Fair was commenced upon the grounds near the town of Lebanon, and many visitors attended from Marion and the adjoining counties. So great had been the popular prejudice against announcing the fact that any cholera deaths had occurred in the town of Lebanon, that during the week preceding the opening of this fair a handbill was prepared, stating that cholera had not occurred at Lebanon, which circular was apparently signed by a number of the physicians resident in the town, among others the writer, who at the time the circular was issued was on duty at the town of Lancaster, some fifty miles distant, and who in no way authorized the use of his name. This handbill was extensively circulated in the counties adjoining Marion.

 

“The water-supply of the Marion County fair-grounds being limited, a contract had been made to carry water from the town to supply the deficiency. A well was selected in the western portion of the town, on low ground, and within 40 feet of Jordan, and in the immediate vicinity of the houses in which the cases of cholera had already occurred.  The individuals having this matter in charge selected this well because it was easy of access, and because they supposed the water to be pure, and to be far better than they could obtain from any other locality.  No suspicion of blame could be attached to them for this selection, for, even if they had recognized the fact that several cases of cholera had occurred in its immediate vicinity, they had been taught the theory of non-contagion by the laborious newspaper articles of individuals who were held as oracles.

 

“The well was old, having been dug in 1854, on what was formerly a drain leading from an elevation upon which is a grave-yard. It had been sunk through a shaly kind of mud-stone, and the first water that entered the well came in about 8 feet from the surface, and from the direction of Jordan.

 

“On the evening of August 27 a violent rain-storm deluged the country, the banks of Jordan were overflowed, and the well was filled flush. So great an amount of water fell that the surface of the ground was completely washed, and nothing but a direct interposition of Providence could have prevented the surface-washings from contaminating the water contained in the well.

 

“During August 28 and 29 the attendance upon the fair was large. The water from this well was served as upon the former days. No case of violent illness had occurred in the town since the 25th.  A fatal security seemed to possess all, but on the night of August 29, and the early hours of the 30th, the blow was struck, it might be said, simultaneously thirteen cases of cholera occurred, and within ten hours twelve had terminated fatally: one case lingered for nine days and then died. All of the individuals who were thus attacked had been in constant attendance upon the fair; the cases were not confined in any one locality, but were scattered over the entire town. At almost the same hour at which the Lebanon outbreak occurred four cases occurred at the town of Saint Mary, in the same county, and five miles distant from Lebanon, and one case occurred at Raywick, also of Marion County, and nine miles distant. These cases all terminated fatally; all had attended the fair.

 

“During August 30 cholera was epidemic in all portions of Marion County. Wherever individuals who had attended the fair and drank the water resided, there cholera was developed, no matter how isolated or how healthy the location. From August 30 to September 14, cholera was epidemic in Marion County, and isolated cases of the disease occurred until October 1, when it disappeared….”  (Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic…1873. 1875, 305-310.)

 

Missouri, St. Louis

 

Deaths from Bowel-affections in Saint Louis during the years 1872, 1873, and 1874, as published by the Board of Health.^[184]

1872    1873    1874

 

Deaths from diarrhoea                                    138      132      117

Deaths from dysentery                       144      132        97

Deaths from cholera                           …..      383          2

Deaths from cholera morbus                 53     147          2

Deaths from cholera infantum           255     439      349

Deaths from summer-complaint           68     112        63

Total…from bowel-affections           658    1345      656

 

Tennessee, Jonesborough

 

Sevier:  “….Two cases, both of which were refugees from Greeneville, occurred here some days prior to its actual development as an epidemic….The first case among our resident population was the wife of a gentleman who had waited constantly at the bedside of the first mentioned case from Greeneville, in the capacity of nurse.  The houses were a quarter of a mile apart. Those who believe the disease to be contagious impute the attack to the poison conveyed in the clothing of the husband. No other case occurred after that date (July 13), until the 24^th of the month, when it, at once, assumed an epidemic form. The period marked by the greatest fatality was from 29^th July to August 1, inclusive of both dates….

 

“The town was thoroughly policed a month or more beforehand.  Every privy, public and private, was either thoroughly renovated or disinfected. Old pits were filled up with fresh earth, when practicable, and new ones dug. Lime, chloride of lime, sulphate of iron, carbolic acid, etc., were freely used.  The disease, notwithstanding all this, was of an exceedingly malignant type; some of the patients who were of a naturally robust constitution died in from four to eight hours after the attack. It appeared alike indifferent to habits of personal cleanliness or filth. The discharges – ejections and dejections – of patients were always, at once, removed from the sick room and carefully covered with earth. Disinfectants also of almost every kind were diligently and liberally employed in the sick room and about the bed.

 

“The major part of our population trusted to the ‘strength of their legs,’ and sought safety by flight. A few, but very few, were attacked in their places of retreat….Our hotels were closed….”

 

(Sevier, W. R., M.D. “Report Upon Epidemic Cholera as it Appeared at Jonesborough, Tenn.” Pp. 279-281 in: Public Health Papers and Reports (American Public Health Assoc.). Cambridge: Houghton (Riverside Press), 1875. Google digitized at:

http://books.google.com/books?id=oyLQAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false )

 

Tennessee, Nashville

 

Van Deman: “In Nashville, the prevalence of cholera among the soldiers on duty, is an item of note. Upon its introduction into that city, Dr. D. G. Caldwell, the surgeon in charge, advised the removal of the troops to some high point, far distant from the city, which was accordingly done; and having pitched their camp some eleven miles distant on a beautiful grassy knoll, near splendid waters, and considerably elevated above the surrounding country, he proceeded to quarantine them there, endeavoring to protect them from all outsiders; and strict guards being set, no one was allowed to return to the city, and if from any cause whatsoever the order was disobeyed, the one violating it was not allowed to return to camp. Strict sanitary rules and regulations were laid down and enforced, and the result was just what we would foresee; that not a single case of cholera appeared from that day in the camp, while of the few who remained in garrison at Nashville, most of them were attacked, and some of them with fatal results.”  (Van Deman, J. H., MD (Chattanooga Health Officer). “Cholera in Chattanooga, Tenn., and Cities South of Nashville, During the Summer of 1873.” Pp. 253-256 in: Public Health Papers and Reports (American Public Health Assoc.). Cambridge: Houghton (Riverside Press), 1875. Google digitized: http://books.google.com/books?id=oyLQAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false )

 

Tennessee, State

 

Ellis:  “Following the Mississippi Valley cholera epidemic in 1873, the state medical societies of Georgia and Tennessee worked successfully to secure the enactment of health legislation….On March 26, 1877, Governor James D. Porter signed an act establishing the Tennessee State Board of Health. Yet for two years the fledgling bureau had but little authority and no financial appropriation.”  (Ellis, John H. Yellow Fever & Public Health in the New South. 1992, p. 34.)

 

Select Sources

 

American Public Health Association. Reports and Papers Published at the Meetings of the American Public Health Association in the Year 1873. New York: Hurd and Houghton, 1875.

 

Bailey, F. K., M.D. (Knoxville Health Officer). “Cholera in Knoxville, Tenn., and Vicinity, in 1873.” Pp. 282-289 in: Public Health Papers and Reports (American Public Health Assoc.). Cambridge: Houghton (Riverside Press), 1875. Google digitized at: http://books.google.com/books?id=oyLQAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

Barnes, J. K., Surgeon-General, War Department  “Cholera-Epidemic of 1873 in the United States Army.”  Chapter XXIII in The Cholera Epidemic of 1873 in the United States (Ex. Doc. No. 95., House of Reps., 43d Cong., 2d Sess.). Wash.: GPO, 1875.  Google digitized at:  http://books.google.com/books?id=RDUAAAAAQAAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_v2_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=true

 

Chicago Historical Society. “Epidemics.” The Electronic Encyclopedia of Chicago. 2005. Accessed 12-26-2008 at: http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/432.html

 

Daly, Walter J.  “The Black Cholera Comes to the Central Valley of America in the 19^th Century – 1832, 1849, and Later.”  Transactions of the American Clinical and Climatological Association, Vol. 119, 2008, 143-153. http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=2394684

 

Dubuque Herald, IA. “Cholera.” 8-23-2019, p. 1. Accessed 12-4-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/dubuque-herald-aug-23-1873-p-1/

 

Ellis, John H. Yellow Fever & Public Health in the New South. University Press of Kentucky, 1992. Partially google digitized at: http://books.google.com/books?id=pqRcT7sFYYYC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

Encyclopedia of Alabama (online). Accessed 8-9-2013 at: http://www.encyclopediaofalabama.org/face/Article.jsp?id=h-2607

 

Eversole, Theodore W. “The Cincinnati Cholera Epidemic of 1849.” Queen City Heritage, Vol. 41, Fall 1983, pp. 21-30. Accessed 3-20-2015 at: http://library.cincymuseum.org/starweb/journals/servlet.starweb

 

Genealogy Trails History Group. Posey County Indiana. The Cholera Epidemic of 1873. Accessed 12-4-2019 at: http://genealogytrails.com/ind/posey/cholera1873.html

 

Greve, Charles Theodore.  Centennial History of Cincinnati and Representative Citizens, Vol. 1. Chicago:  Biographical Publishing Co., 1904. Digitized by Google. Accessed at:  http://books.google.com/books?id=eJxABLtxX60C&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_v2_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q=&f=false

 

Jepson, S. L. M.D. (Wheeling Health Officer). “Cholera in Wheeling, West Va., in 1873.” Pp. 267-278 in: Public Health Papers and Reports (American Public Health Assoc.). Cambridge: Houghton (Riverside Press), 1875. Google digitized at: http://books.google.com/books?id=oyLQAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

Judson, Adoniram B (Sanitary Inspector of New York). “Report upon the Course of Cholera Through Two Hundred Towns and Cities in the Mississippi Valley, in 1873.” Public Health Papers and Reports (American Public Health Association), Vol. 1, pp. 224-252.  Cambridge: Houghton and Co. (Riverside Press), 1875. Google digitized at: http://books.google.com/books?id=oyLQAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

King, Roy P. “Cholera Epidemics in Gibson County.” Pp. 271-279 in Stormont. History of Gibson County, Indiana. 1914.

 

Little Rock Board of Health. “Cholera in Little Rock, Arkansas.” Pp. 257-258 in: Public Health Papers and Reports (American Public Health Assoc.). Cambridge: Houghton (Riverside Press), 1875. Google digitized: http://books.google.com/books?id=oyLQAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

McClellan, Ely (Assistant Surgeon U.S. Army). “An Account of the Epidemic of Cholera, During the Summer of 1873, in Eighteen Counties of the State of Kentucky.” Public Health Papers and Reports (American Public Health Association). Vol. 1, pp. 200-223. Cambridge: Houghton and Co. (Riverside Press), 1875. Google digitized at: http://books.google.com/books?id=oyLQAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

Also at: https://collections.nlm.nih.gov/bookviewer?PID=nlm:nlmuid-101665935-bk#page/4/mode/2up

 

McClellan, Ely (Assistant Surgeon U.S.A.). “History of the Cholera Epidemic of 1873 in the United States.”  Section A, Cholera Epidemic of 1873 in the United States.  Washington, DC:  War Department and Surgeon-General’s Office; printed by Government Printing Office, 1875.

 

McClellan, Dr. Ely, U.S. Army. “Last Year’s Cholera Visitation.” New York Times, 7-10-1874, p. 8. Accessed 12-5-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1874/07/10/79226059.html?pageNumber=8

 

Miller, B.C., MD, Sanitary Superintendent of Chicago. “Cholera As It Prevailed in Chicago, Ill., in 1873.” Pp. 261-264 in: Public Health Papers and Reports (American Public Health Assoc.). Cambridge: Houghton (Riverside Press), 1875. Google digitized at:

http://books.google.com/books?id=oyLQAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

New Albany Ledger Standard, IN. “Cholera at Wheeling.” 9-1-1873, p. 1. Accessed 12-4-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/new-albany-ledger-standard-sep-01-1873-p-1/

 

New York Times. “Cholera.” 7-3-1873, p. 5. Accessed 12-1-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/07/03/79037767.html?pageNumber=5

 

New York Times. “Cholera.” 8-8-1873, p. 5. Accessed 12-3-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/08/08/79042631.html?pageNumber=5

 

New York Times. “Cholera in Missouri.” 7-22-1873, p. 5. Accessed 12-2-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/07/22/90125392.html?pageNumber=5

 

New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-1-1873, p. 1. Accessed 12-1-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/07/01/113294481.html?pageNumber=1

 

New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-2-1873, p. 5. Accessed 12-1-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/07/02/79037647.html?pageNumber=5

 

New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-4-1873, p. 1. Accessed 12-1-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/07/04/79037839.html?pageNumber=1

 

New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-5-1873, p. 1. Accessed 12-1-2019: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/07/05/87386056.html?pageNumber=1

 

New York Times. The Cholera.” 7-6-1873, p. 1. Accessed 12-1-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/07/06/79038017.html?pageNumber=1

 

New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-7-1873, p. 1. Accessed 12-1-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com

 

New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-8-1873, p. 1. Accessed 12-1-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/07/08/79038288.html?pageNumber=1

 

New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-9-1873, p. 1. Accessed 12-1-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/07/09/79038437.html?pageNumber=1

 

New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-10-1873, p. 1. Accessed 12-1-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/07/10/79038588.html?pageNumber=1

 

New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-11-1873, p. 1. Accessed 12-1-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/07/11/113294630.html?pageNumber=1

 

New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-13-1873, p. 1. Accessed 12-2-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/07/13/79038729.html?pageNumber=1

 

New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-14-1873, p. 1. Accessed 12-2-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/07/14/79038857.html?pageNumber=1

 

New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-15-1873, p. 1. Accessed 12-2-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/07/15/79039026.html?pageNumber=1

 

New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-16-1873, p. 1. Accessed 12-2-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/07/16/79039158.html?pageNumber=1

 

New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-17-1873, p. 1. Accessed 12-2-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/07/17/79039289.html?pageNumber=1

 

New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-18-1873, p. 8. Accessed 12-2-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/07/18/79039553.html?pageNumber=8

 

New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-19-1873, p. 1. Accessed 12-2-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/07/19/79039579.html?pageNumber=1

 

New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-20-1873, p. 1. Accessed 12-2-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/07/20/79039708.html?pageNumber=1

 

New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-26-1873, p. 1. Accessed 12-2-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/07/26/79040312.html?pageNumber=1

 

New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-28-1873, p. 5. Accessed 12-2-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/07/28/79040694.html?pageNumber=5

 

New York Times. “The Cholera.” 7-30-1873, p. 1. Accessed 12-2-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/07/30/79040910.html?pageNumber=1

 

New York Times. “The Cholera.” 8-2-1873, p. 1. Accessed 12-3-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/08/02/79041552.html?pageNumber=1

 

New York Times. “The Cholera.” 8-3-1873, p. 1. Accessed 12-3-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/08/03/79041738.html?pageNumber=1

 

New York Times. “The Cholera.” 8-4-1873, p. 1. Accessed 12-3-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/08/04/79041895.html?pageNumber=1

 

New York Times. “The Cholera.” 8-6-1873, p. 5. Accessed 12-3-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/08/06/79042288.html?pageNumber=5

 

New York Times. “The Cholera.” 8-7-1873, p. 5. Accessed 12-3-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/08/07/79042457.html?pageNumber=5

 

New York Times. “The Cholera.” 8-11-1873, p. 1. Accessed 12-3-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/08/12/105198178.html?pageNumber=1

 

New York Times. “The Cholera.” 8-16-1873, p. 5. Accessed 12-3-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/08/16/79043511.html?pageNumber=5

 

New York Times. “The Cholera.” 8-17-1873, p. 1. Accessed 12-3-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/08/17/79043585.html?pageNumber=1

 

New York Times. “The Cholera.” 9-2-1873, p. 1. Accessed 12-3-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/09/02/82408910.html?pageNumber=1

 

New York Times. “The Cholera at Mount Vernon.” 7-25-1873, p. 8. Accessed 12-2-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/07/25/issue.html

 

New York Times. “The Cholera. Evening Session of the Health Association,” 11-12-1873, p. 5. Accessed 12-3-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/11/12/79055136.html?pageNumber=5

 

New York Times. “The Cholera in Illinois.” 9-7-1873, 1. Accessed 12-3-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/09/07/79046001.html?pageNumber=1

 

New York Times. “The Cholera in Mount Vernon.” 7-22-1873, p. 3. Accessed 12-2-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/07/22/90125310.html?pageNumber=3

 

New York Times. “The Cholera in Nashville.” 7-5-1873, p. 3. Accessed 12-1-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/07/05/87386088.html?pageNumber=3

 

New York Times. “The Cholera in Tennessee,” 7-11-1873, p. 3. Accessed 12-1-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/07/11/113294665.html?pageNumber=3

 

New York Times. “The Cholera in the West.” 7-21-1873, p. 1. Accessed 12-2-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/07/21/90631999.html?pageNumber=1

 

New York Times. “The Cholera in the West.” 7-22-1873, p. 1. Accessed 12-2-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/07/22/90125258.html?pageNumber=1

 

New York Times. “The Cholera in the West.” 7-23-1873, p. 1. Accessed 12-2-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/07/23/79039853.html?pageNumber=1

 

New York Times. “The Cholera in the West.” 7-24-1873, p. 5. Accessed 12-2-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/07/24/79040080.html?pageNumber=5

 

Peoples, Jared. “Birmingham Cholera Outbreak of 1873.” Encyclopedia of Alabama (online). 3-14-2013 modification. Accessed 8-9-2013: http://www.encyclopediaofalabama.org/face/Article.jsp?id=h-2607

 

Peters, John C.  “On the Origin and Spread of the Asiatic Cholera Which Reached the United States in 1873.”  Chapter IV of Cholera Epidemic of 1873 in the United States.  Wash., DC:  War Dept. and Surgeon-General’s Office; Gov. Printing Office, 1875.  Digitized by Google at:  http://books.google.com/books?id=RDUAAAAAQAAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_v2_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=true

 

Peters, John C., M.D. “The Origin and Spread of Asiatic or Bengal Cholera.” Public Health Papers and Reports (American Public Health Assoc.), pp. 336-342. Cambridge: Houghton, 1875. Google digitized at: http://books.google.com/books?id=oyLQAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

Peters, John C., M.D. “The South Western Cholera, 1873.” The Sanitarian, September 1873. Accessed 12-5-2019 at: https://collections.nlm.nih.gov/ext/cholera/PDF/101206232.pdf

 

Quinn, J. J. M.D., Cincinnati Health Officer. “Cholera in Cincinnati, Ohio.” Pp. 290-302 in: Public Health Papers and Reports (American Public Health Assoc.). Cambridge: Houghton and Co. (Riverside Press), 1875. Google digitized at: http://books.google.com/books?id=oyLQAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

Quinn, J. J.  “Cholera in Cincinnati in 1873,” pp. 329-344 in Woodworth, John M. (Supervising Surgeon U.S. Merchant Marine Hospital Service).  Cholera Epidemic of 1873 in the United States.  Wash., DC:  Treasury Dept., Supervising Surgeon’s Office, 1875.  Digitized by Google at:  http://books.google.com/books?id=RDUAAAAAQAAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_v2_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

Remiss, S. M.. Editorial [on cholera].  New Orleans Medical and Surgical Journal, Sep 1873; pp. 102-103 in Woodworth, John M..  Cholera Epidemic of 1873 in the United States.  Wash., DC:  Treasury Department, Supervising Surgeon’s Office, 1875. Digitized by Google at:  http://books.google.com/books?id=RDUAAAAAQAAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_v2_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

Sevier, W. R., M.D. “Report Upon Epidemic Cholera as it Appeared at Jonesborough, Tenn.” Pp. 279-281 in: Public Health Papers and Reports (American Public Health Assoc.). Cambridge: Houghton (Riverside Press), 1875. Google digitized at:

http://books.google.com/books?id=oyLQAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false )

 

Snively, W. (Physician to Pittsburg Board of Health). “Report on Asiatic Cholera.” Public Health Papers and Reports (American Public Health Association), Vol. 1, pp. 303-305.  Cambridge: Houghton and Co. (Riverside Press), 1875. Google digitized at: http://books.google.com/books?id=oyLQAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

Stormont, Gil R. History of Gibson County Indiana. Indianapolis: B. F. Bowen & Co., Inc., 1914. Accessed 12-5-2019 at: http://nativeamericansofdelawarestate.com/HistoryOfGibsonCounty.pdf

 

United States National Board of Health. Annual Report of the National Board of Health, 1879.  Washington, DC: GPO, 1879.  Digitized by Google at:  http://books.google.com/books?id=0SsgAQAAIAAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_v2_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

Van Deman, J. H., MD (Chattanooga Health Officer). “Cholera in Chattanooga, Tenn., and Cities South of Nashville, During the Summer of 1873.” Pp. 253-256 in: Public Health Papers and Reports (American Public Health Assoc.). Cambridge: Houghton (Riverside Press), 1875. Google digitized: http://books.google.com/books?id=oyLQAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

White, C. B. “Report of Cholera in New Orleans, LA.” Public Health Papers and Reports (American Public Health Association). Vol. 1, pp. 188-199. Cambridge: Houghton and Co. (Riverside Press), 1875. Google digitized at: http://books.google.com/books?id=oyLQAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

Wight, Dr. E. M. “Observations on the Cholera Epidemic at Chattanooga, Tenn., in the Summer of 1873.” Pp. 177-180 in Woodworth 1875.

 

Woodworth, John M. (Supervising Surgeon U.S. Merchant Marine Hospital Service).  Cholera Epidemic of 1873 in the United States. Washington, DC: Treasury Department, Supervising Surgeon’s Office, 1875. Digitized by Google at:  http://books.google.com/books?id=RDUAAAAAQAAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_v2_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

 

 

 

 

 

[1] This range, in our opinion, should be viewed as a floor, not a ceiling. From a reading of the sources below one can see the problem of identifying a cholera case and death from other types of death, such as diarrhoea, dysentery, and summer complaint. Additionally, one can see awareness that many cholera deaths went unreported to authorities.

[2] This number is too low, but is at least a derivable statistic, based upon statement of the 1875 Surgeon General’s report  (Woodworth 1875, 32) that of the 7,356 individual cases collected, representing but a fraction of fatalities, “the mortality was 52 per cent.”  Page 34 gives 3,800 deaths out of 7,356 reported cases.

[3] From Encyclopedia of Alabama (online).

[4] “Senator Spencer to-day [1^st] received private letters from Montgomery, Ala., stating that the cholera epidemic in that city is much more severe than has been represented, and that several persons have fallen dead in the streets.”

[5] Woodworth actually reports 46 deaths, but we are able to place 34 specifically in current-day South Dakota.

[6] “The ‘Jacksonville Union’ of July 1, mentions a death from cholera at Gainesville, and adds: ‘Fatal cases have also been reported at Cedar Keys, and elsewhere’ in the State.”

[7] “Calhoun County. The ‘Eufaula News’ states that a prominent lawyer of Eufaula died June 18 in Calhoun County, of ‘a very violent attack of cholera morbus.’” Judson also confirms the Atlanta and Dalton deaths.

[8] “…four miles east of Okawville, on railroad. The ‘Nashville (Illinois) Journal’ reports four fatal cases of cholera tat Addieville in the week ending September 20.”

[9] Judson notes population of 6,267; cites Paducah Kentuckian as to “four or five deaths from cholera on June 27.”

[10] “The ‘Missouri Republican’ says: ‘Up to Sunday evening last (August 3), seventeen fatal cases of cholera had occurred in the little mining town of Caseyville.’”

[11] Cites in Bibliography: Beatty, William K. “When Cholera Scourged Chicago.” Chicago History 11 (Spring 1982). Woodworth reports the same number. This may have been an underestimate, given the disinclination to name “Asiatic Cholera” as the cause of death as opposed to “cholera morbus,” which signified deadly diarrhea. For example, the NYT of July 23 reports: “Chicago, Ill., July 22. – At a meting of the Board of Health, this afternoon, the report of the Sanitary Superintendent was read, and showed that the deaths during the past week were 423, an increase of 107 over the previous week. Of the total number 243 were children under one year of age. One hundred and forty-nine deaths were from cholera morbus. All the latter were among recently arrived emigrants.”

[12] “Chicago, Ill., Aug. 6. –  There were 322 deaths in this city during the past week…There were ninety-six deaths reported from cholera infant,, eleven from cholera morbus, and twenty-six from diarrhea.”

[13] “…twelve miles above St. Louis, Mo. The ‘Alton Telegraph’ reports that in one family the father and three sons died of cholera, August 2, and a daughter on August 3, leaving only the mother and one son.”

[14] “…near Cairo. Population, 1,068. ‘The Cairo Bulletin’ reports thirty cases of cholera, and twenty deaths at Clear Creek Precinct, from July 10 to 13.”

[15] “…twenty-five miles north of Odin. The ‘Louisville Courier-Journal’ reports four deaths from cholera in Fayette County on August 19.”

[16] “…thirty miles east of Delhi. Population, 3,852. The ‘Union Monitor’ gives thirty deaths for August, of which twenty were from cholera morbus and cholera infantum. The ‘Missouri Republican,’ September 2, reports a number of cases of cholera at Litchfield on August 30; in one family, three cases and one death…”

[17] “Population, 1,680…‘Alton Telegraph,’ August 14, reports that a family of three persons, who had left Indiana to avoid the scourge, died of cholera, after twelve hours’ sickness, in a neighborhood ten or twelve miles east of Makanda. ‘Four or five relatives, who came to their assistance, in a few hours were taken down and soon died.’”

[18] “…sixteen miles east of Louisiana, Mo. A correspondent reports: “Twenty deaths have occurred in the region round about Nebo, Pike County, within the past month.” Notes four deaths in one family.

[19] “…Population 1,268. The ‘Missouri Republican’ reports that up to September 4, eighteen deaths from cholera had occurred at Odin.”

[20] Only 1 death is noted by date and name. Wrote: “From two to three cases occurred every week until the middle of September, when the authorities put a force of men to work cleaning the streets, when the disease suddenly disappeared.  The case that died were not seen by the physicians until in collapse.”  (Woodworth 1875, 222.)

[21] Notes that these occurred from roughly July 11 to Aug 11, citing The Independent. Notes population of 3,304.

[22] “…Population, 21,830. The ‘Daily Journal,’ June 4, reports a death from cholera morbus. The ‘Journal,’ June 23, says thirteen cases of cholera had been reported to the Health Officer in the preceding week. The ‘Louisville Courier-Journal’ states that seven of the thirteen cases above mentioned proved fatal. The ‘Journal,’ July 1, says twelve cases of cholera had been reported in the preceding week. The ‘Journal,’ July 8, says nine cases of cholera had been reported the preceding week, and that twelve deaths from cholera had occurred in the month of June.  The ‘Journal,’ July 21, reports three deaths from cholera on July 19, and six in week ending July 19. The same paper, of August 2, reports two; and August 12, three more deaths from cholera.”

[23] King writes that the known death tool was twenty, “but it is very probable that there were a few more.

[24] King (p. 275) writes: “Fourteen deaths are known to have occurred in the Weatherly neighborhood in less than two weeks, and many older people declare that, including the death of Mrs. Seabrooks in Princeton, there were sixteen victims.”

[25] “…Population, 1,847. Twenty-seven miles north of Evansville, on railroad. The ‘Princeton Weekly Democrat’ reports that from July 18 to August 2, thirteen deaths from cholera occurred about three miles from Princeton, upon what is known as Indian Creek.’ This number contained a husband, wife, and five children, and a mother and two children….The ‘Democrat’ also reports one death from cholera in Princeton the week ending July 19.”

[26] “Evansville, Ind., July 22. – Advices from Princeton, about twenty-five miles north of this city, report cholera in that neighborhood. Three or four miles east of Princeton, on Indian Creek, ten persons died since last Friday [18^th], and new cases are reported daily.”

[27] King. “Cholera Epidemics in Gibson County,” in Stormont, p. 274.

[28] King (p. 274) writes that Mr. Seabrooks’ clothing and bed linen was not burned, but instead taken to Indian Creek, about three miles northwest, and washed “thus infecting the water. Near this creek lived the family of Henry Weatherly, consisting of husband and wife and five children, and Indian creek was the source of their water supply…[all] members of the family succumbed in the space of a few days” except Margaret, about two.

[29] King. “Cholera Epidemics in Gibson County,” in Stormont, p. 275.

[30] Judson writes that 33 of the deaths occurred from July 25-Aug 11. (page 248)

[31] “…Population 2,880. The ‘Weekly Republican,’ of August 7, says: ‘We subjoin a list of the victims of cholera in this city, classified by date, which embraces every fatal case which occurred in the city from the first (June 7) to the last (August 5), a period of eight weeks and three days.’ [Total from table is 80.] “The ‘Republican,’ August 14, reports three deaths from cholera in the week ending August 14.” (pp. 248-249)

[32] “…The ‘Indianapolis Journal,’ September 6, 1873, reports twelve deaths from cholera at New Elizabeth in the preceding ten days. On September 13 the disease is reported as still prevailing. The ‘Indianapolis Sentinel” gives a list of names of the fatal cases of cholera that occurred at New Elizabeth. The list gives twenty-four names…”

[33] “…Population, 14,930. Cholera appeared in this city about June 20, and caused about thirty-eight deaths.”

[34] “…Population, 20,038. In a letter to E. Harris, M.D., from J. W. H. Baker, M.D., November 5, 1873, Dr. Baker says: at our boat landing by a steamboat from St. Louis…During the last week in August several residents of the city were attacked, and then for the first two weeks in September followed quite a cholera panic. Probably there were near two hundred cases of cholera…and out of this number about eighty died.’”

[35] Notes that The Weekly Locomotive “reports the death of two well-known residents on August 31 and September 1, from violent symptoms ‘similar to Asiatic cholera.’”

[36] McClellan, Ely. “An Account of the Epidemic of Cholera, During the Summer of 1873, in Eighteen Counties of the State of Kentucky.” Public Health Papers and Reports (Amer. Public Health Assoc.). Vol. 1, pp. 200-223. 1875.

[37] Sep 29, citing The Lebanon Standard.

[38] After noting sixty-seven Bowling Green deaths McClellan writes: “…as to the epidemic in the county…at a point some ten miles to the southeast of Bowling Green, to which place a refugee negro carried the disease. Six members of a white family were fatally attacked.”

[39] McClellan. “An Account of the Epidemic of Cholera…Summer…1873…Kentucky.” 1875, p. 23.

[40] Notes population of 2,656.

[41] Notes population of 2,774 and cites The Weekly Courier, as the source and the date of death as September 10.

[42] McClellan. “An Account of the Epidemic of Cholera…Summer…1873…Kentucky.” 1875, p. 22.

[43] McClellan. “An Account of the Epidemic of Cholera…Summer…1873…Kentucky.” 1875, p. 22.

[44] McClellan. “An Account of the Epidemic of Cholera…Summer…1873…Kentucky.” 1875, p. 22.

[45] “August 30, a negro man, the hostler in charge of the stables [Winfrey House hotel where boy became sick the day before], was attacked with cholera, and died in a basement room of the Winfrey House after an illness of forty-eight hours. The same day, the boy to whom attention has already been called, was found und4er a shed in rear of the stables, fully collapsed. He died within six hours. Later in the day, a daughter of Winfrey, aged twenty years, was attacked and died in ten hours; and a white man, fifty years of age…who was known to have used the stable privy on the 29^th, was taken ill and died in ten hours.” (The boy had worked at the Marion County Fair, which provided contaminated water to those who attended.)

[46] McClellan. “An Account of the Epidemic of Cholera…Summer…1873…Kentucky.” 1875, p. 20.

[47] McClellan. “An Account of the Epidemic of Cholera…Summer…1873…Kentucky.” 1875, p. 20.

[48] McClellan. “An Account of the Epidemic of Cholera…Summer…1873…Kentucky.” 1875, p. 20.

[49] McClellan. “An Account of the Epidemic of Cholera…Summer…1873…Kentucky.” 1875, p. 20.

[50] McClellan. “An Account of the Epidemic of Cholera…Summer…1873…Kentucky.” 1875, p. 20.

[51] McClellan. “An Account of the Epidemic of Cholera…Summer…1873…Kentucky.” 1875, p. 20.

[52] McClellan. “An Account of the Epidemic of Cholera…Summer…1873…Kentucky.” 1875, p. 20.

[53] McClellan writes that “The Winfrey House was closed; the stable was abandoned, after the privy had been disinfected and filled up with fresh earth.

[54] McClellan. “An Account of the Epidemic of Cholera…Summer…1873…Kentucky.” 1875. pp. 7-8.

[55] Hopkinsville, Christian Co., pop. 3,316. “The ‘Weekly New Era’ reports…‘There were five fatal cases resembling cholera up to July 21. There was [one] on August 4…two on August 6, and another, the date…not given. There were two deaths from cholera in the week ending August 15. The above cases occurred in Hopkinsville.’”

[56] Judson notes the population as 138 and the location about fifteen miles southeast of Columbia.

[57] “…Population, 612. First case, July 8. From July 8 to 29, there were thirty-one cases, fifteen of which were fatal.”

[58] Notes that there were a few cholera cases in the countryside around La Grange, but does not note deaths.

[59] “…fifteen miles southwest of Hopkinsville. Population, 215. The ‘Dover (Tennessee) Weekly Record’ reports the death, from cholera, of two colored women at Lafayette, August 24.”

[60] “Lancaster, Garrard County. Population, 741.  The ‘Weekly News’ gives mortuary reports from which the following table is compiled….[showing 33 deaths from Aug 15 to Sep 4].”

[61] McClellan. “An Account of the epidemic of cholera during the summer of 1873 in…Kentucky.” 1875, p. 17.

[62] McClellan. “An Account of the epidemic of cholera during the summer of 1873 in…Kentucky.” 1875, p. 18.

[63] “Larue County, between Lebanon and Elizabethtown.  The ‘Elizabethtown Weekly News’ reports the death of one negro, from cholera, at Marshall’s, and two at Goodin’s, August 5, in Larue County.”

[64] Judson notes a population of 1,925 for Lebanon and has the first fatality on July 19.

[65] McClellan notes that a U.S. Army company was stationed there and had a barracks on north side of town.

[66] McClellan writes that a contract was let to bring water to the fair grounds. The contractor brought water from a well within “a short distance of the houses in which three of the cases [cholera] had occurred,” and where “the excreta” were thrown out behind the houses and not disinfected. A rainstorm occurred on Aug 27, surface water filled the well, and drinking water was subsequently taken for the fair-goers.

[67] “Logan County, between Franklin and Hopkinsville. The ‘Russellville Herald’ gave the following…‘In South Logan, in the neighborhood of Red River Church, and around Shocco, near the [TN] border…cholera is prevailing to an alarming extent.’ In this [area], twenty-eight deaths, from cholera, are reported from July 17 to August 23.”

[68] Judson notes a population of 100,753 and infers, from a Courier-Journal article of July 4^th, that the epidemic started there with the arrival of the steamboat J. D. Parker “having had two deaths and several cases.” (page 239)

[69] Seven in one family.

[70] Middletown, Bourbon County. Population, 492. A death from cholera, at Middletown, was reported August 17.”

[71] Judson notes a population of 675 and has the first reported case on July 11. (page 239)

[72] This is second report in same paper that day. This one is based on a Sep 1 dated “letter from a prominent physician of Millersburg.” Quotes the doctor as writing: “The cholera is fearful here. There were fifteen deaths in town this morning, and several other persons will be dead presently. M

[73] McClellan. “An Account…Cholera…” 1875, p. 14.

[74] “Newport, Campbell County. (Opposite Cincinnati, O., and east of Covington.) Population, 15,087. The ‘Weekly Leader’ June 21, 1873, reports the prevalence of cholera morbus in Newport. ‘The Leader,’ August 9, says: ‘There is more sickness now among the hands at the Licking River saw-mill than there has been for years. There has been, on an average, for the last month, four men off, from sickness, every day; the disease being choler, cholera morbus, or whatever the severe current bowel complaint may be termed.  Within four weeks there have been six deaths by cholera within one square of the Licking River saw-mill.’”

[75] “`The Paris Kentuckian’ reports two sudden deaths, at Oddville, from cholera, July 10 and 13.”

[76] Judson notes population of 3,437; cites Weekly Monitor to effect that 9 deaths occurred from mid-Aug to Sep 7.

[77] “McCracken County. – The reports of the epidemic of cholera as it occurred in the city of Paducah are meagre, from the fact that no record was kept of the cases which occurred. It is estimated that one hundred and eighty cases died of cholera from May 23 until July 24. About two thirds of this number were negroes. The majority of the remainder were foreigners….” (p. 5 of 28).

[78] McClellan writes that the woman who nursed this victim, “was the next attacked, and from these two cases the epidemic was established, and continued in existence until July 24.”

[79] Writes: “In that portion of the city which is located upon alluvial soil….the disease was epidemic and raged with virulence. This portion of the city is inhabited by the middle and lower classes, Germans, Irish, and negroes, whose drinking-water was obtained from wells which could only be supplied by surface-water…”  Drayman Donovan and Sister Ursula on and about June 23. Narrative then notes that cholera raged from June 14 to July 29, “maintained undoubtedly by constant cholera arrivals from infected points both on the river and railroads.”

[80] Sep 30, citing The Lebanon Standard.

[81] McClellan. “An Account of the epidemic of cholera during the summer of 1873 in…Kentucky.” 1875, p. 22.

[82] McClellan. “An Account of the epidemic of cholera during the summer of 1873 in…Kentucky.” 1875, p. 22.

[83] McClellan. “An Account of the epidemic of cholera during the summer of 1873 in…Kentucky.” 1875, p. 22.

[84] McClellan. “An Account of the epidemic of cholera during the summer of 1873 in…Kentucky.” 1875, p. 22.

[85] McClellan. “An Account of the epidemic of cholera during the summer of 1873 in…Kentucky.” 1875, p.

[86] Notes that a man who had just left a cholera infected locality arrived and was given a job. A few days later he came down with “an acute diarrhoea…attended with great prostration and general constitutional disturbance.” McClellan relates that “His excreta were thrown out on the ground.” His cabin was amongst a cluster on a hillside. “Immediately below and in front…was a spring from which the families of the neighborhood obtained water. On the 14^th, 15^th, and 16^th of July, there was considerable rain-fall and the surface washings filled the spring to overflowing. July 17, two violent cases of cholera occurred in the cabins immediately adjoining the one in which the diarrhoeal patient was living.”

[87] McClellan. “An Account of the epidemic of cholera during the summer of 1873 in…Kentucky.” 1875, p. 22.

[88] “West Point, Hardin County. Population, 206. The ‘Shelby (Ky.) Courant,’ September 4, 1873, states that, ‘In Hardin County, near West Point, on Sunday week (August 24), eighteen railroad hands were buried; and on Monday (August 25), twelve more, all deaths from cholera; and some six miles further on, there were ten or fifteen more deaths last week.’ These deaths are said to have been among railroad laborers.”

[89] Narrative states that Woodburn “suffered most severely from the epidemic, over one hundred cases…occurred, a large number of whom died.  Using a conservative fatality rate of 25%, we derive an estimate of 25 fatalities.

[90] For the low range we take Woodworth’s 259 figure for New Orleans and add 19 (low range for Delta), 85 for Monroe, 3 for Providence, 50 for Thibodeaux and 16 for Vidalia.  For the high range we use White’s ~300 for New Orleans, 24 (the high range for Delta, and the other figures listed for the low range.  We do not use Woodworth’s figure of 307 for the State as our low range, given its focus on New Orleans, as well as emphasis on military deaths.

[91] “…‘The Weekly Journal’…‘A colored man died on the Crane plantation, of cholera, June 28. Up to July 1, there had been several deaths by cholera [we translate into 3] on the Utz plantation and quite a number [we translate into 4-7] on Roundaway Bayou.’ There was a death from cholera on Fortune’s Fork plantation, July 7, and in the week ending July 29 ten or twelve colored persons died of cholera on the Ballard place.” Thus we derive 19-24 figure.

[92] “…Population, 1749. The report of the sexton states that the first case of cholera occurred about May 25. In May there were sixteen deaths, and from June 1 to July 15, sixty-nine deaths.  Total deaths from cholera, eighty-five.”

[93] “The total number of cholera deaths, in the first six months of 1873, is two hundred and forty-four (244). During the same period, the cholera infantum deaths amounted to eighty-five.  As the average cholera infantum death-rate for the first six months of five successive years is about forty (40), it is probably just to attribute the increase of mortality this year to cholera sporadica, and estimate the total mortality by this last mentioned disease, at about three hundred (300).” (White, C. B. “Report of Cholera in New Orleans, LA.” Public Health Papers and Reports (American Public Health Association). Vol. 1, pp. 188-199. Cambridge: Houghton and Co. (Riverside Press), 1875. Google digitized at: http://books.google.com/books?id=oyLQAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

[94] Notes, as well, “80 deaths from cholera infantum…4 deaths from diarrhoea on Feb. 9^th; and 38 by June 22d; 57 fatal cases of acute diarrhoea, besides 41 of dysentery.”

[95] “Providence, Carroll Parish. Several deaths [we translate into “3” in order to count] from cholera are reported in the weekly paper the latter part of June.”

[96] Our number, for purpose of contributing to a tally, based on: “The primary outbreak of the epidemic [in Lafourche Parish] occurred among the employes on the Oak Grove plantation, near Thibodeaux, and upon the Bayou La Fourche. The first case occurred after contact with a trading boat directly from New Orleans. The epidemic was confined to four plantations near Thibodeaux and Raceland, and about one hundred cases occurred, the majority supposed to have been fatal.” Judson notes there were about 50 deaths in Thibodeaux.

[97] “Thibodeaux, Lafourche Parish. Population, 1,922. The ‘Weekly Sentinel’ [notes]: From May 10 to May 17, fifteen or more deaths from cholera occurred on the Oak Grove and Scudday plantations. In the latter half of May, seven deaths from cholera occurred on Mrs. Collins’, and two on Harang’s plantation. By…end of June there [were] forty to fifty deaths from cholera [we average at 45] in the Parish, and five more occurred the first week in July.”

[98] “…The ‘Weekly Herald’ states that from June 10 to June 21 there were ten deaths from cholera on the plantation of Mr. Lambden. Up to July 19, twenty-six cases and six deaths had occurred on Mr. David Miller’s place.”

[99] “Kandiyohi County, about one hundred miles west of Dt. Paul.  The annual report of the State Board of Health of Minnesota gives the following facts. Cholera occurred about July 8 in a house occupied by three Norwegian families (about eleven persons). Two of the families had just arrived via New York and Chicago. The first three cases occurred among those just arrived and were fatal. There were seven cases and five deaths up to July 22.”

[100] Holly Springs, Marshall County. Population, 2,406. The ‘Memphis Appeal’ reports three deaths from cholera on July 6, two of them being children in one family.”

[101] Jackson, Hinds County. Population, 4,234. The ‘Weekly Clarion’ reports ten white and thirteen colored deaths from cholera from May 20 to July 4.”

[102] “Meridian, Lauderdale County. A death from cholera July 14, and other cases rumored.”

[103] Vicksburg, Warren County. Population, 12,443. The sexton’s weekly reports give thirteen deaths from cholera in four weeks ending June 9, 1873.”

[104] “…twenty-five miles southeast from Fayette. Population, 2,236. The ‘Weekly Statesman’ September 19, reports that four deaths, after a brief and severe illness, occurred on September 13.”

[105] “Fayette, Howard County. Population, 518. The ‘Weekly Advertiser’ states that from July 17 to 31, there were seven white and nine colored deaths from cholera, and that ‘on Monday, August 18, the pestilence again broke out in a family which had returned to town. Four deaths occurred in this house in twenty-four hours.’ The ‘Advertiser’ of September 4, prints a letter from U.S. Wright, M.D.: “up to date there have been in this town forty deaths from cholera, with perhaps seven deaths occurring in the country within a few miles from town.’”

[106] “Iron Mountain, St. Francois County, five miles north of Pilot Knob, on the railroad. The ‘Ironton Weekly Enterprise’ states that five deaths from cholera occurred in one family at Iron Mountain, September 21 and 22.”

[107] “Dr. Jno. S. Pearson states…at least 250 cases of cholera occurred at Louisiana, 75 per cent of which were fatal.” Highlighted in yellow to denote we do not use – not in keeping with two other sources.

[108] “St. Louis, Mo., July 22. – Further advices from Louisiana, in Missouri, say that the cholera has abated there, but that some fifty persons altogether have died with it since it first broke out….” Yellow highlighted denotes not used.

[109] Same column as report of 50 deaths, but of a different dispatch when states that the cholera had subsided and “Only twenty-eight deaths had occurred in all.”

[110] “Population 3,639….The ‘Journal’ gives twenty-seven deaths from cholera up to July 26.”

[111] “…The ‘Ironton Weekly Enterprise’ reports…(July 3) that four cases [cholera] had proved fatal.”

[112] “Pilot Knob, Iron County. Population, 581. The ‘Ironton Weekly Enterprise’ reports that two fatal cases in adjoining houses occurred on August 7 and 8, that up to September 8, ‘between forty and fifty persons had fallen victims to the terrible destroyer;’ and that on September 10 and 11, five or six persons died each day. ‘Mrs. M_ was called upon to part with her husband and three children, leaving only herself and one child out of a family of six.’”

[113] “Poplar Bluff, Butler County. Population, 840. The ‘Ironton Weekly Enterprise’ reports that cholera was raging at Poplar Bluff the latter part of June; that three deaths occurred in one day in the week ending June 21, and fifteen deaths occurred the week ending June 28. The ‘St. Louis Dispatch’ states that thirty deaths occurred at Poplar Bluff. ‘The mortality was chiefly confined to railroad hands, but several citizens had died.’”

[114] “St. Louis, Mo., Aug. 1. – The Evening Dispatch learns from a gentleman just arrived from Poplar Bluff…Mo., that cholera has raged there violently. Thirty deaths had occurred out of a total population of less than 800. The mortality was largely confined to railroad hands, but several others had died. The disease has now nearly abated.”

[115] Judson notes a population of 310,864. Cites The Missouri Republican of July 7^th for a description of the affect on “a family on the Gravois Road, near Second Carondelet Avenue. ‘On Saturday night, July 5, the two children, a boy and a girl, aged seven and nine respectively, were taken sick, purging and vomiting. After six hours sickness they both died. The father and hired man then took sick…They both died in a few hours’ time, after suffering terribly. The mother then took sick, and at six o’clock last night she, too, died, leaving no one behind of the entire family.’ This family drew their drinking and cooking water from a filthy pool of stagnant water.”

[116] Number comes from city health officer who noted 392 cholera deaths and 137 “fatal cases of cholera-morbus,” a term used for non-epidemic (in eye of beholder) cholera, other gastro-intestinal diseases resembling cholera (particularly when one was unwilling to accept or pronounce a cholera death, and when uncertainty prevailed.  Cholera-like symptoms typically are severe diarrhea, vomiting, muscular cramps, and collapse.  Later the health officer notes “My own conviction is that all the deaths reported as due to cholera morbus were really cases of true cholera…Such a thing as nine deaths from cholera morbus between the 11^th of May and the 1^st of June, and thirty-two deaths from the same cause during the month of June was never before heard of in Saint Louis, and, I venture to say, will never occur again, except under similar influences, viz, an epidemic tendency. “  (Woodworth 1875, 243)

[117] A July 2 article stated: “Several of the most prominent physicians in this city deny that there is any choler here, or that there has been a single case so far this Summer. They say the cases reported were malignant cholera morbus.” (New York Times. “Cholera.” 7-3-1873, p. 5.)

[118] Notes an additional 43 cholera infantum and “Summer complaint” deaths, and notes: “One hundred and thirty children under five years of age are included in the list” [of 241 total deaths during the week].

[119] “Sturgeon, Boone County, twenty-five miles east of Fayette. The ‘Missouri Republican’ of September 13, reports the death from cholera of two of the best citizens of Sturgeon.”

[120] “…Population 703. The ‘Missouri Republican’ of July 21, reports that nineteen white and four colored persons had died from cholera at Troy and in the immediate vicinity.”

[121] Judson notes a population of 503 and writes: “The ‘Missouri Republican,’ August 28, reports the adjournment of ‘Circuit Court at Versailles on account of cholera.’”

[122] New York Times. “The Cholera. Two Cases Reported in The City.” 7-5-1873, p. 1.

[123] “The cholera…came this year beginning with a death on the 14^th of June.  Between that time and October 18^th, 207 persons died of this disease in the city.”

[124] Peters writes (p. 6) that “The Health Officer had no desire to go further back than June 16^th for the first case of cholera; he was…scientifically most grievously wrong. As it now is, nearly three weeks of the early history of cholera has been suppressed, either through prejudice, neglect, or obtuseness.”

[125] Reports 5 cases and “some deaths,’ which we translate into 2-3 in order to count.

[126] “…Population, 30,473. Thomas L. Neal, M.D., Health Officer, in a letter to J.C. Peters, M.D., gives the following table compiled from reports made to the Health Officer: [9 deaths, June 22 (one) and July 1-27]

[127] Judson reports 20 deaths July 12-Aug 1, and one the week ending Aug 15. (page 250)

[128] “A total of twenty-three cases are reported; of these cases eight were fatal.  This, however, does not embrace a full list of the cases that occurred, as some of the medical men of Springfield declined to render any assistance to the work of collecting the history of the epidemic.”  (Woodworth 1875, 360)

[129] Snively, W. (Physician to Pittsburg Board of Health). “Report on Asiatic Cholera.” Public Health Papers and Reports (American Public Health Assoc.), pp. 303-305.  Cambridge: Houghton and Co. (Riverside Press), 1875.

[130] The Camelia arrived July 21. (Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic of 1873… 1875, p. 374.)

[131] “Cholera made its appearance on the John Kilgour upon the second day after she left New Orleans. The first victim was Mr. John Schenck, a prominent citizen of this county [Hamilton, OH], who died about forty miles above Vicksburg; the second was a deck passenger, who died about fifty miles above Cairo, on the Ohio River, and was buried soon after death; the third, who was also a deck passenger, died twenty-five to thirty miles below Evansville, Ind., and was buried at Rome, one hundred miles below Louisville. The steamer was well washed and scrubbed.” (Quinn. “Cholera in Cincinnati, Ohio.” P. 291 of pp. 290-302 in: Public Health Papers and Reports. 1875.)

[132] McClellan. “An Account of the Epidemic of Cholera…Summer of 1873…in Kentucky,” in APHA, p. 200.

[133] “The ‘Weekly Republican’ reports the death from cholera on September 8 of a man living alone in a filthy log cabin, southeast of Vermilion.”

[134] It is to be noted that the fatalities discussed in the narrative text within Woodworth total significantly more.

[135] Judson notes that these are in addition to the 53 deaths at Murfreesboro [which Woodworth notes]. Also notes that this was 6-8 miles southeast of Murfreesboro, and occurred on August 5.

[136] Judson, Adoniram B (Sanitary Inspector of New York). “Report upon the Course of Cholera Through Two Hundred Towns and Cities in the Mississippi Valley, in 1873.” Public Health Papers and Reports (American Public Health Association), Vol. 1, pp. 224-252.  Cambridge: Houghton and Co. (Riverside Press), 1875. Google digitized at: http://books.google.com/books?id=oyLQAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

[137] “…twelve miles east of Jonesboro on the railroad.  IT is reported in Knoxville papers that six deaths had occurred at Carter’s Station from cholera, and that several persons (four in one family), were dangerously sick.”

[138] After noting 60 officially recognized cholera deaths, Dr. Wight notes, however, that the actual cholera death toll “should have been much larger, as false reports were often made by irregular practitioners, and several were unlawfully buried outside the city, of whom no report was made…” Also notes that the deaths during the June 20 to July 20 timeframe were “more than four times as many” as same timeframe in 1872. Thus, he concludes, “The whole increase of deaths for that month [30 days in June and July]…may be justly charged to the account of cholera, there being sixty killed by it directly and seventy indirectly.”

[139] Blanchard number based on statement: “the population of our city, at the outbreak of the disease, was supposed to be about twelve thousand inhabitants…we lost…by cholera alone one in every two hundred.” Thus we divided 12,000 by 200 to derive the number 60.

[140] Blanchard number based on statement: “the population of our city, at the outbreak of the disease, was supposed to be about twelve thousand inhabitants…we lost…by cholera alone one in every two hundred.” Thus we divided 12,000 by 200 to derive the number 60.

[141] Dr. Wight also notes the 17 deaths amongst Chattanooga residents who fled elsewhere and then writes “about half as many more died from other causes.” (p. 179)

[142] “…Population, 3,200. The ‘Weekly Chronicle’ gives details of ten fatal cases of cholera from June 21 to July 9.

[143] “Ducktown, Knox County. Between Knoxville and Clinton. The ‘Knoxville Chronicle,’ July 23, reports that ‘a very violent cholera morbus prevails at Ducktown,’ and that ‘a considerable number of deaths had occurred.’ (We translate “considerable number” into approximately “10” in order to count.)

[144] “Erin, Stewart County.  It is said that the first attack of cholera occurred June 24, and that the population is ordinarily about one hundred, of whom fifty left at the first rumor of the disease.  The ‘Dover Weekly Record’ states that up to July 2, there had been seven white and seven colored deaths from cholera, and that during the second attack of the disease there were fourteen deaths from cholera from August 5 to August 8.”

[145] “6” is my estimate based upon three deaths noted in addition to the statement “before the epidemic subsided sixty cases occurred, many of which proved fatal.”  I use “3” as a stand-in for “many of which proved fatal.”

[146] “Flat Creek Village, Williamson County. Population, 637. The ‘Shelbyville Commercial’ reports two or three deaths from cholera during the first week in August.”

[147] “Fountain Head, five miles from Knoxville. F. K. Bailey, M.D., in the ‘Nashville Medical and Surgical Journal,’ states that a family journeyed from Chattanooga to Knoxville and thence to Fountain Head.  At Knoxville a boy was taken sick with diarrhoea, and at Fountain Head six deaths occurred in this family and among the neighbors.”

[148] Notes a population of 2,123, and that the deaths were between May 31 and July 12.

[149] See next footnote for statement of “some fifty additional deaths through the county” other than Greeneville.

[150] “Greeneville, Greene County. Population, 1,039. The first fatal case of cholera in Greeneville reported by the Knoxville and Greeneville papers, died June 11, after an illness of two days.  In the following week there were thirteen deaths. The last fatal case reported occurred July 15. ‘National Union,’ July 31: ‘Below we give a full list of the cholera deaths in Greeneville, according to the most reliable records kept: Total white, thirty-two; total colored, seventeen; grand total, forty-nine.’  The following words are added: ‘We are acquainted with some fifty additional deaths through the county, se we think the grand total for our county would reach one hundred, that being a safe but not exaggerated estimate.’”

[151] This is but a poor stand-in estimate I provide knowing not the population of Greenville at the time, and based upon the statement the “Knoxville, Jonesborough, and Greeneville, in East Tennessee, suffered more or less from the pestilence, and in proportion to their sanitary condition, so their mortality-record shows.  In the latter place the mortality was fearful; at least one-half of the citizens there having contracted the disease, and their ration of deaths about the same as in other places – fully one in every five…”  (Woodworth 1875, 176)

[152] “Near Hartsville, Sumner County.  The ‘Gainsborough News,’ and ‘Louisville Courier-Journal’ report the appearance of cholera on Little Goose Greek, about five miles north of Hartsville, on July 7. Eight deaths occurred, chiefly in one family.”

[153] These are in addition to 53 deaths reported for Murfreesboro.

[154] Jonesboro, Washington County. Population, 1,445. Letter to E. Harris, M.D., from W R. Sevier, M.D., October 1, 1873. ‘Some four or five weeks elapsed from the time of its departure from Greenville before it assumed an epidemic form in our town. During this period quite a number of cases occurred in the intervening country, some of which were of very malignant character. Two cases, both of whom were refugees from Greeneville, occurred here some days prior to its actual development as an epidemic….The first case among our resident population was the wife of a gentleman, who had waited constantly at the bedside of the first mentioned case in the capacity of nurse….No other case occurred after that date (15^th) until the 24^th July, when it at once assumed an epidemic form.  The period marked by the greatest fatality was from 29^th July to August 1, inclusive of both dates.’….The ‘Jonesboro Herald and Tribune’ adds: ‘From July 15 to August 6, thirty-four deaths occurred from the disease, which, taking into consideration the fact that not more than one hundred people remained in town during the prevalence of the disorder, shows a death-rate scarcely ever equaled.’”

[155] Notes, at page 229, a population of 2,073 and that according to an article by Dr. J. L. Fite, “Cholera in Lebanon and Vicinity,” in the Nashville Medical and Surgical Journal, the disease was brought to Lebanon by two young men coming from Nashville on a train.

[156] Ellis writes” There were probably more than 300 deaths in better than 1,000 cases…”

[157] Highlighted in yellow to denote we do not use for tally purposes – much higher than other sources.

[158] Wrote there were double digit cholera deaths from the 22-27 “and so on up to June 28^th, when there were only 10-14 fatal cases per day.

[159] Since we noted above Greene County fatalities other than Greeneville, we are not counting these twelve in that they may be duplicative. Judson provides, however, detail:  “Midway, Greene County, nine miles west of Greeneville, on railroad. Population, 752. The following is quoted from the ‘Knoxville Chronicle’:  ‘Midway, Tenn., August 4, 1873….There have been only three or four cases of cholera immediately in the village, one only proving fatal, and that was a colored boy that was living with me. He was taken sick on the morning of the 18^th of July, and died within fourteen hours, of sporadic or Asiatic cholera.  To give you some idea of the fatality of the disease, I enclose a draft representing one square mile, including all the deaths from cholera in this immediate vicinity.  This includes a population of about eighty-five persons, all told, twelve of whom died of cholera within twenty-two days…The entire population of the families of whom these twelve died, number forty-eight persons.  On the 18^th and 19^th of July, five died of sporadic cholera, including the boy at my house, and the wife and three children of John G. Hahn, a tenant on my farm. Forty-eight hours from the time the first one was attacked all five were dead, and only thirty-four hours from the death of the first the fifth one was a corpse. The wife and two children were buried in one grave, the three dying within twelve hours.  Mr. Hahn and his only living child is at my hose.  The child is convalescent from cholera, and I think will recover…The enclosed drawing represents a small section of limestone country, including a branch heretofore known as the Seven Springs, but now known as Cholera Branch.  The citizens of Midway all use cistern water.  My work hands had been using water out of a freestone spring, but from some cause unknown, the colored boy and Mr. Hahn’s family drank out of Cholera Branch, in which it is said some cloths had been thrown from those that had died.  Two days after they had thus drunk the five were dead.’”

[160] Not counted in that Greene County fatalities are noted above.

[161] Judson notes, at page 232, that the population of Murfreesboro was 3,502.

[162] Woodworth draws upon the “Minutes of a meeting of the physicians of Nashville, Tenn., held December 16, 1874, at the rooms of the Board of Health; present about fifty gentlemen,” pp. 150-157. On page 157 it is noted that “Dr. Bowling has collected statistics showing that from June 7 to July 1 there had occurred 244 white deaths and 403 colored deaths, a total of 647 deaths….It is known that large numbers of negroes died who were buried by their friends, and of whom no record was made. This is especially true of the localities described as Rocktown and New Bethel. It is computed by parties who had every opportunity of obtaining full information that, from the inception of the disease to its close, at least one thousand deaths occurred….”

[163] Quotes from the Nashville Union & American of July 2: “In addition to these [647 deaths in a table] a considerable number of negroes died in the suburbs, and were buried in vacant lands near the city by parties of their own color without applying to our regular undertakers. We have heard of fifty-three being buried in one place; nor more than a fourth or third procured coffins from the undertakers. The cases thus occurring of which no account is had, added to those who died previous to the 7^th of June, it is thought will bring the number fully up to 750, thus showing that the mortality of this year has been fully equal in number to that of 1866, while the death-rate according to the population has been considerably larger.

[164] The numbers we count start with June 7 when “it was officially published that the deaths had not, on any one day exceeded 7; but it was soon found out that there had been 21.” (Peters. “The South-Western Cholera of 1873.”) Peters notes, though, that “Cholera commenced to prevail in Nashville in the latter part of May. On June 3d the city physician published a card that the recent sudden deaths were from cholera morbus, and on June 6^th some of the leading physicians publicly disclaimed the presence of real cholera, although there had been a number of serious (so serious as to be quickly fatal), of cholera morbus within the past week.” We add the Nashville Penitentiary deaths.

[165] Cites the Nashville Union & American of July 2 for a table of cholera deaths June 7-July 1.

[166] Peters notes there were other cholera deaths in Nashville not caught up in official records such as passengers from boats from New Orleans who were dropped off there and subsequently died. Peters was apparently referencing “Americans” as he then also writes “A few Germans also came up direct from New Orleans and died of cholera in Nashville…” Also “some negroes from New Orleans, by way of Memphis.”

[167] “I visited the Nashville Penitentiary, conversed with the physician and hospital steward, and with some of the convicts who had seen some 20 of their companions die in from 7 to 10 hours, with diarrhoea, cramps and vomiting; saw them become blue, cold and fatally prostrated.”

[168] Other than in Murfreesboro.

[169] “Shelbyville, Bedford County. Population, 1,719. The ‘Weekly Commercial’ gives the following facts in regard to cholera: ‘The first fatal case occurred about June 6, the second on June 17. Up to June 21 there were seven fatal cases, and from June 21 to July 11, there were (nineteen white and forty-three colored) sixty-two deaths from cholera.  The disease then almost entirely disappeared until the death, on August 2, of two well-known residents, members of the same family. They were taken sick at 10 P.M., and died early the next morning.”

[170] Notes population of 2,140 and cites the Weekly Record as noting the deaths were from June 18-30 and July 14.

[171] Judson notes population of 2,479. Cites 8-15-1873 edition of The Weekly Courier to the effect: “This fearful disease still lingers in our midst….It is now more than six weeks since the first case of cholera occurred in this city….The whole number of deaths from cholera in the city limits since its first appearance to date is fifty-one.”

[172] Judson notes three cholera deaths Aug 1 at Loy’s Cross Roads, population 468, in Union County. (page 230)

[173] Bailey, F. K., M.D. (Knoxville Health Officer). “Cholera in Knoxville, Tenn., and Vicinity, in 1873.” Pp. 282-289 in: Public Health Papers and Reports (American Public Health Assoc.). Cambridge: Houghton, 1875.

[174] Judson notes the population as 791 at page 235.

[175] “Whitesburg, Jefferson County, between Knoxville and Greeneville, on railroad. Population, 518. The ‘Knoxville Press and Herald’ reports the death from cholera of a resident of Whitesburg, the sickness of his child, and the death, on July 10, of his mother-in-law.”

[176] Other than Lebanon and Shop Springs

[177] “On Wolf River, near the Kentucky line, south of Columbia, Kentucky. The ‘Columbia (Kentucky) Spectator,’ July 3, 1873, reports several deaths from cholera.” We translate several into “3” in order to count.

[178] Denison, Grayson County. A letter from James Johnston, M.D., Denison, May 2, 1874, states: ‘The first fatal case of cholera that came under my notice in this place occurred about the 8^th August, 1873. Some few cases occurred occasionally up to the 20^th September, when it assumed greater violence, and in the next twenty days we had about eighty deaths in this town, which had a population at that time of about three thousand.  The disease subsided very rapidly, owing probably to change of weather and sanitary measures, and the last occurred about the 1^st of November. The proportion of deaths to cases amounted to about eighty per cent…The greater part of the cases that occurred manifested the symptoms of true Asiatic cholera. The patient was attacked with diarrhoea, followed by vomiting.  The discharge from the bowels was generally what has been called ‘rice-water,’ the skin growing cold by degrees, with cramps usually, collapse arriving with intense thirst, oppression in breathing, loss of voice, disappearance of the pulse, suppression of urine, cold, blue, and shrunken skin, sometimes bathed in sweat, and at last cold breath and tongue. Almost all the case I saw, and especially the fatal ones, were among the improvident and those who were in the habit of drinking bad whiskey.  They city at the time was in a very filthy condition, and the houses where the largest number of cases occurred were remarkable for the amount of filth that had accumulated on the back premises….”

[179] “…Population, 453. The ‘Corinne Reporter’ September 19, 1873, reports that ‘a sudden and fatal fever is perpetrating its ravages at Kelton, six deaths having already occurred from it. It generally proves fatal the same day of the attack. Considerable alarm prevails, and many people have left the town.’”

[180] Presented as questionable.

[181] Jepson notes that “During the summer…there occurred thirty-five cases and twenty-two deaths, giving a mortality of sixty-three per cent…” (Jepson, S. L. M.D. (Wheeling Health Officer). “Cholera in Wheeling, West Va., in 1873.” Pp. 267-278 in: Public Health Papers and Reports (American Public Health Assoc.). Cambridge: Houghton (Riverside Press), 1875. Google digitized at: http://books.google.com/books?id=oyLQAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false  )

[182] Latin for “nest” – used in medicine to refer to any structure that resembles a nest in appearance or function…” (www.medterms.com)

[183] Cites as Additional Resources:   Baggett, James L., ed. A Woman of the Town: Louise Wooster, Birmingham’s Magdalen. Birmingham: Birmingham Public Library Press, 2005.; Bennett, James R. Historic Birmingham &  Jefferson County. San Antonio, Texas: Historical Publishing Network, 2008; Caldwell, H. M. History of the Elyton Land Company and Birmingham, Alabama. 1892. Reprint, Birmingham: Southern University Press, 1972; Rosenberg, Charles. The Cholera Years. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1962. Cholera Epidemic of 1873 in the United States. The Introduction of Epidemic Cholera Through the Agency of the Mercantile Marine: Suggestions of Measures of Prevention. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1875.

 

[184] Note in the original:  “It should be observed that sufficient care in the nomenclature or diagnosis has not been observed – a large portion of those set down to summer complaint being cases of cholera infantum, and a large portion reported as cholera morbus were doubtless cholera.  Notwithstanding these inaccuracies, the report may be of some value as showing the increase of mortality from the epidemic influence.”  (Woodworth 1875, 248)

— 34 Alaska Shipwrecks. A Comprehensive Accounting of Alaska Shipwrecks…Losses of Life…
–>33 Wright (ed.). Lewis & Dryden’s Marine History of the Pacific Northwest. 1895, 204-205.
–12 passengers [named below]
–21 crew [named below]
— ? Lytle/Holdcamper. Merchant Steam Vessels of the United States 1807-1868. 1952, p. 264.

Narrative Information

Alaskashipwreck.com: “GEORGE S WRIGHT (1873) Five years after the purchase of Alaska the George S Wright became the first major shipwreck. The 116 foot steamer departed Sitka January 20, 1873 with officers of the garrison and other passengers aboard headed for Portland. The crew from captain to coal passers consisted of 21 souls and approximately 13 passengers were aboard. The steamer made stops at Tongass and Klawock sailing for Nanaimo January 25, 1873. It has been supposed that the vessel struck a rock somewhere near Cape Caution in the Queen Charlotte Sound about the 27th of January. One report states the vessel struck Devils Reef in the Sea Otter group. Wreckage of the George S Wright was found from Queen Charlotte Sound to Prince of Wales Island. Reports later surfaced that some survivors of the wreck had been captured and murdered by Haida Indians. Crewmembers lost with the George S Wright were captain Thomas J Ainsley, purser B F Weidler, chief engineer John Sutton, second engineer James Minor, first mate David Noonan, seaman P Clawson, seaman Owen McGough, seaman James Irwin, seaman Gus Proffe, seaman J Jansen, steward Chris Adam, cook Pedro Selvo, waiter C Hevenichi, pantryman Moses Batiste, an Indian messboy and two other Indians. Included in the passengers was paymaster Major John S Walker with his wife and son, U S Army Captain Henry C Dodge and George A Eades collector for the Port of Sitka. Captain Ainsley was engaged to be married to a young lady from Jackson, Michigan. The loss was a complete mystery. In the summer of 1875 the remains of paymaster Major John S Walker were found with a life preserver still attached on an island at the entrance to Port Bazan on Dall Island. In the spring of 1877 the Free Press of Nanaimo, British Columbia reported the arrest of several Wakena Indians for the murder of fifteen survivors of the wrecked George S Wright. A story had surfaced detailing the loss of the George S Wright. The vessel was said to have encountered a terrible storm in the Queen Charlotte Sound where intruding waves exploded her boiler. One Wakena Indian who had been employed as a coal passer on the steamer and fifteen others escaped into a life raft and made shore on one of two small islands near the disaster. A fire was built to warm the survivors which subsequently attracted a group of Wakena Indians. With the help of the Wakena coal passer all the rest of the survivors were massacred in their sleep. The story was substantiated with the arrest of the coal passer and two other Wakena Indians who were said to have confessed to the murders when arrested in 1877.

“Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska British Columbia Unknown

“Additional Information: Length 116.7, Breadth 25, Depth 10.5, Tonnage 214.94, Home Port San Francisco, ON 10743, SL HVFN, HP 125

“Sources: 1. Marine Disasters of the Alaska Routes (1916) Pg 23, 2. New York Times (August 5, 1877), 3. Lewis and Dryden Marine History of the Pacific Northwest (1961) Pgs 204-5, 4. Public Service and Resources of Alaska (1879) Morris, 5. The Press (October 13, 1875) “The Late Major John S Walker” Pg 1, 6. The Daily Citizen (March 15, 1877) “Shipwreck and Disaster”, 7. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1868) Pg 95.” (Alaskashipwreck.com. Alaska Shipwrecks. A Comprehensive Accounting of Alaska Shipwrecks and Losses of Life in Alaskan Waters.)

Lytle and Holdcamper: “George S. Wright…289 [tons]…(U) [unknown cause of loss]…1 27 1873…North Pacific…(U) [unknown loss of life].” (Lytle, compiler, Holdcamper, Editor, and Introduction by). Merchant Steam Vessels of the United States 1807-1868. 1952, p. 264.)

Wright: “Early in 1873 the steamer George . Wright disappeared while on a trip from Alaska to Portland [OR], and though strenuous efforts have been made to learn the exact fate which overtook the steamer, her crew and passengers, the mystery has never been fathomed, and, like many similar calamities of lesser importance, all that can be said is that she sailed away and no message ever came to quite the heartaches of those whose friends and relatives perished with her. The George S. Wright occupies a permanent place in Northwestern marine annals through having been a Puget Sound production and having spent her entire existence in the waters of the North Pacific. She was launched at Port Ludlow [WA] September 1, 1863, for John T. Wright, who named her in honor of his brother. She was one hundred and sixteen feet seven inches long, twenty-five feet beam, ten feet six inches hold….

“She sailed from Portland on her last trip early in January, coaled at Nanaimo, and proceeded to Alaska. Arriving at Sitka, she discharged her cargo and started on the return trip, having as passengers Major Walker and wife, Lieutenant Rogers and servant, Charles Waldron, Charles Kincaid, Mr. Sinsheimer, quartermaster’s clerk at Sitka, and an unknown cooper. At Tongas, John Williams of Victoria, S. Millotitch and a man named Hogan and his son were taken aboard [12 passengers].

“After leaving Sitka the steamer went to Kluvok, where Waldron had a fishing station. Here she loaded eight hundred barrels of salmon, one hundred barrels of oil, a few bundles of skins and furs, sailing for Nanaimo, January 25th. Her crew consisted of Thomas J. Ainsley, captain; B. F. Weidler, purser; John Sutton, chief engineer; James Minor, second engineer; Daniel Noonan, first officer; William Price, second officer; P. Clawson, Owen McGough, firemen; Edward Johnson, Archibald Dunn, James Irwin, Gus Proffe, J. Jenson, seamen; Chris Adams, steward; Pedro Salvo, Jewell Michels, cooks; C. Hevendehi, waiter; Moses Baptist, pantryman; Indian Jim, messboy; Indian Jack and Jim, coal-passers [21 crew]….

“The supposition has always been that she struck an unmarked rock near that point [Cape Caution] about January 27th, and that, if any of the passengers or crew reached shore, they were butchered by the natives….” (Wright (ed.). Lewis & Dryden’s Marine History of the Pacific Northwest. 1895, pp. 204-205.)
Sources

Alaskashipwreck.com. Alaska Shipwrecks. A Comprehensive Accounting of Alaska Shipwrecks and Losses of Life in Alaskan Waters. Accessed 10-31-2021 at: https://alaskashipwreck.com/shipwrecks-a-z/alaska-shipwrecks-g/

Lytle, William M., compiler, from Official Merchant Marine Documents of the United States and Other Sources; Holdcamper, Forrest H. (Editor, and Introduction by). Merchant Steam Vessels of the United States 1807-1868. “The Lytle List.” Mystic, CT: Steamship Historical Society of America (Publication No. 6), 1952. Accessed 8-16-2020 at: https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015018039084&view=1up&seq=7

Wright, E. W. (editor). Lewis & Dryden’s Marine History of the Pacific Northwest. “Chapter X, pp. 204-205. Portland, OR: The Lewis & Dryden Printing Co., 1895. Accessed 10-31-2021 at: https://www.google.com/books/edition/Lewis_Dryden_s_Marine_History_of_the_Pac/seRDAAAAYAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=%22george%20s%20wright%22

---

–2,201  Wayne Blanchard tally of breakouts below.[1]

Summary of State Breakouts Below

California                  (  >3)   Sacramento and San Francisco

Illinois                        (515)   Chicago

Kentucky                   (  <4)   Jackson County

Maryland                   (631)   Baltimore

Massachusetts           (668)   Boston especially

Michigan                    (  90)

New Jersey                (    ?)   Cases reported in Newark

New York                   (117)   New York City

Ohio                           (  64)   Cincinnati (48) and Cleveland (16)

Oregon                       (    ?)   Portland (to the extent a smallpox “pest-house” was built.

Pennsylvania             (  39)   Philadelphia

South Carolina          (106)   Charleston

Utah                            (    ?)   Cases reported in Salt Lake City and Sanpete County.

Breakout of 1873 Smallpox Fatalities by State and Locality (where known to us):

California                  (  >3)

–1  Sacramento, by July 12, from six cases. Weekly Trinity Journal, Weaverville, CA, 7-12-1873, 3.[2]

–?  San Francisco, Feb 21. “It is reported there are several cases of small pox in the city.”[3]

–?  San Francisco, June 27. “Several additional cases of small-pox are reported today.”[4]

–2  San Francisco, July 6-12.[5]

–?  San Francisco, Oct 13, cases noted and “a small-pox epidemic from the Chinese quarter.”[6]

Illinois                        (515)   Chicago

–515  Chicago, Jan-Dec. IL State Board of Health. Fifth Annual Report of… 1883, p. 332.

–515  Chicago. US National Board of Health. Annual Report of…1883, p. 134.[7]

Kentucky                   (  <4)

–>4  Jackson County. Notes man died from smallpox after burying three smallpox victims.[8]

Maryland                   (631)   Baltimore      

–631  Baltimore, Nov 1872-Nov 1873. Quinan. Medical Annals of Baltimore… 1884, p. 46.^[9]

Massachusetts           (668)   Boston especially

–668  State. Boston Medical and Surgical Journal. Vol. CIX, July-December 1883, p. 498-99.[10]

Boston:

–56  Jan 5-11. Mountain Democrat, Placerville, CA. “Current Events,” 1-16-1873, p. 2.

            –35  Jan-19-25. Boston Board of Health report, also noting 134 new cases.[11]

Michigan                    (  90)

–90  Michigan Secretary of State. Sixteenth Annual Report…for the Year 1882.p. 269.

New Jersey                (    ?)

–?  Newark. “There are no less than forty-seven cases now known to the authorities.” April 26.[12]

New York                   (117)   New York City

–117  Annual Report of Dept. of Health of the City of New York for Years 1911-1912, p. 227.

Ohio                           (  64)   Cincinnati (48) and Cleveland (16)

— 64  Blanchard tally from breakouts below.[13]

— 48  Cincinnati. National Board of Health Bulletin, Vol. 3, No. 28, 1-7-1882, p. 229.

— 48  Cincinnati. Twitchell. “The Prevention of Smallpox.” The Lancet-Clinic, 1906, p. 693.

— 16  Cleveland. 

–1  William Woodward, November.[14]

–1  Nov 22, young Irishman, at 16 Division Street. WPA. Annals of…1873, p. 174.

–4  Nov 25. At 16 Durson, 65 Garden, 90 Lorain and 58 Monroe streets. WPA, p. 174.

–1 ~Dec 1-2, at 258 Detroit Street. WPA, p. 174.

–1  Dec 6, at 287 Lorain Street. WPA, p. 175.

–2  Dec 9, on west side. WPA, p. 175.

–1  Dec 15. John Hannon of 246 Detroit Street. WPA, p. 175.

–1  Dec 25 report of death of George D. Phillips, 221 Woodland Avenue. WPA, p. 176.

–4  Dec 27 report to sanitary health police. WPA, p. 176.

Oregon                       (    ?)

–?  Portland. “The small-pox has appeared in an epidemic form in Oregon…Portland has suffered most.”[15]

Pennsylvania             (  39)   Philadelphia

–39  City of Philadelphia. Annual Report (Vol. III), 1907, p. 100.^[16]

South Carolina          (106)   Charleston

–106  Charleston. Jones. Contagious and Infectious Diseases. 1884, p. 205.^[17]

            –8 White        –98 Black

Utah                            (    ?)

–?  Salt Lake City. “There has been an increased number of cases of small-pox…in this city…”[18]

–?  Sanpete County. “…terrible state of affairs…owing to the ravages of the small-pox.”[19]

Narrative Information

Maryland

Quinan: “1786 cases of Smallpox in Baltimore, and 631 deaths from November 1, 1872 to November 1, 1873; vaccinations, for six months ending July, 1873, 67,576…”

Massachusetts

Jan 15: “Boston, Jan. 15….The gordian knot was cut today, and for the first time since the breaking out of the epidemic, which has carried off hundreds of the people of this city, we have a smallpox hospital and a Board of Health to insure the stoppage of the plague within its present limit….” (New York Times. “Boston…A Small-Pox Hospital.” 1-16-1873, p. 1.)

Jan 19: “Boston, Jan. 19. – The small-pox epidemic in Boston and vicinity is beginning to create grave apprehensions among the people of all classes. For months the disease has been on the increase, and the feeble efforts of the authorities to prevent its spread have amounted to nothing. The new City Government has grappled with it with an apparent determination to check its progress, but the disease has obtained such a firm foothold that it will be a long time before it can be wholly eradicated. It is probably no exaggeration to say that 3,000 cases now exist in this City, and the percentage of deaths is much larger than by all other causes combined. Nearly all the burials are made in the night, and from midnight until daylight there are very busy times in the various cemeteries surrounding the city.

“Two hospitals have been established for the treatment of Boston patients, and within two days after they were ready they were filled to their full capacity, and yet there are accommodations for only a fraction of the cases now existing and rapidly multiplying. The authorities, of course, endeavor to conceal the real state of affairs, and, until within a day or two, they have partially succeeded. The alarm now, however, is becoming general, and a great many families whose means allow it have removed from the city. There is probably not a single hotel of any class in the whole city but has had its quota of cases, but of course the patients have in every instance been promptly removed, and therefore no deaths have occurred in the public houses. Only last night Judge Colt, of the Supreme Judicial Court, was taken with the disease, and at midnight was taken from his hotel to one of the hospitals in the Highland District. His condition tonight is very critical, and it is probable he cannot recover. The epidemic has already begun to affect business, and its damage to the commercial interests of the city promises to be scarcely less than that occasioned by the November fire. Of the suburban cities most afflicted Charlestown is the most prominent.” (New York Times. “The Small-Pox in Boston.” 1-20-1873, p. 1.)

New Jersey

April 26: “The number of cases of small-pox in Newark is much larger than has been heretofore supposed. There are no less than forty-seven cases now known to the authorities, and doubtless there are others which have never been brought to their notice. There are thirteen cases in the hospital for contagious diseases, and the Board of Health finds it necessary to order an addition to the hospital, though the new structure will be only temporary, as new hospital buildings will be erected during the Summer.” (New York Times. “Small-Pox in Newark.” 4-26-1873, p. 2.)

New York

Jan 26: “The increase of immigration from Germany and other European countries in which small-pox prevails extensively, and the alarming spread of the disease in the sea-board cities of the United States, have necessitated the strictest measures to guard against the further progress of the epidemic in this country; not only that the Quarantine laws should be rigidly enforced, but that the inland authorities should remove every unhealthy medium by which the infection could be carried. The Times has repeatedly demanded the strict attention of the Municipal authorities to this, and the Board of Health, recognizing the importance of the subject, razed to the ground Gotham Court, and other hotbeds of disease in the more densely populated and poorer parts of the City.

“The Commissioners of Charities and Correction have just taken another step in the right direction, by the erection of a larger hospital for the reception of small-pox patients, previous to their being conveyed to the island hospital. A Times reporter inspected the building yesterday. Heretofore, when a case of small-pox was discovered by the Board of Health, the patient was placed in the ambulance and driven to Bellevue Hospital. There are five small huts for the reception of such patients, and their size only allowed 500 cubic feet of air to each patient. The hot and poisoned air from these huts passed away unrefined and deadly, endangering any citizen who might inhale it. And in these huts the small-pox patients had to be for hours before being removed to the proper institution on Blackwell’s Island. Seeing the danger of this, the Commissioners consulted, and the result is the erection of the present hospital, in which all the poisoned air is completely burned up, before leaving the building, a hygienic improvement in hospital construction hitherto unknown in any country. Messrs. Reawick and Sands, architects, of Wall-street, designed the structure, and Supervising Engineer Knapp invented the air-consuming apparatus, which he has patented….” (New York Times. “The Small-Pox,” 1-26-1873, p. 3.)

Feb 26: “The Board of Health met yesterday [26^th]….Owing to the marked decrease in the cases of small-pox in this City, the Sanitary Committee recommended that the services of the Vaccinating Corps be dispensed with on and after the 1^st of March, which recommendation was adopted.” (New York Times. “The Health Department. Decrease of Small-Pox…” 2-27-1873, p.2.)

April 3: “The attention of Dr. Otterson, the Health Officer of Brooklyn, having been called to the sanitary condition of the Eleventh Ward of the city, and the recurrence of cases of small-pox in certain localities, a thorough sanitary inspection of the suspected quarter was commenced yesterday [2^nd]. The district is bounded by Gold and Raymond streets and Dekalb and Park avenues, a small portion of the district being in the Fifth Ward. The locality is densely populated, chiefly by factory operatives living in tenement-houses. Cases of small-pox occurring there heretofore have been studiously concealed from the authorities for days together. On Thursday last a child died of the disease at No. 15 Boliva-street, and lay until Sunday, the parents being afraid to apply for a permit, and the case was at last discovered by one of the Health Officer’s subordinates. On Friday a boy six years of age died of small-pox at No. 68 Raymond street, and the body lay until Monday without burial. Only a few streets in the district were inspected yesterday, but the condition of affairs fully justified the representations made.

“The result of the day’s work was the discovery of eighteen cases of small-pox on the most virulent type. The small-pox wagon was sent for and over half the patients were removed to the hospital, some of the cases being of so aggravated a character as to render removal dangerous. The raid created great excitement in the neighborhood, and the relatives of the patients protested vigorously against the removal.” (New York Times. “Small-Pox in Brooklyn – Action of the Authorities.” 4-3-1873, p. 2.)

Oregon

Aug 30: “The small-pox has appeared in an epidemic form in Oregon, and the people are in a high state of excitement over it. As usual, it has attacked the larger towns most severely, and Portland has suffered most. The Bulletin, of that city, however, says there is no reasonable ground for panic, but ‘much room for the observance of a good deal more attention than has yet been given by either the city authorities, or others more immediately involved, to the means and measures required to prevent the spread of the contagion, or to give warning to the community of infected places. A pest-house in a remote and well-selected spot has been established, but it is notorious that not one-twentieth of the patients have been removed to it. Indeed, only a very few have been taken there. Also, the authorities have required that a flag should be conspicuously placed in front of any house in which small-pox patients are under treatment. Yet walk the city where one will, and nothing of the kind is visible, notwithstanding the number of cases known to be in various portions.’ Outside Portland, in the interior of the State, their chief city is given over to plague and destruction. A gentleman of this city went to Salem last Friday, but when it was found that he came from Portland he was refused sleeping accommodations, and had to return by the evening train.” (New York Times. “The Small-Pox in Oregon.” 8-30-1873, p. 2.)

Sources

Board of Health. Annual Report of the Board of Health of the Department of Health of The City of New York for the Year Ending December 31, 1912. NYC: 1913. Google preview accessed 11-26-2019: https://books.google.com/books?id=XqMGqwcyOp8C&ppis=_e&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q=1871&f=true

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

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

Hagerstown Herald and Torch Light, MD. 1-22-1873, p. 2. Accessed 12-1-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/hagerstown-herald-and-torch-light-jan-22-1873-p-2/

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

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

Kern County Weekly Courier, Bakersfield, CA. “Telegraphic Courier.” 2-22-1873, p. 2. Accessed 12-1-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/bakersfield-kern-county-weekly-courier-feb-22-1873-p-2/

Medina Gazette, OH. “Dead,” 12-5-1873., p. 3. Accessed 12-1-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/medina-county-gazette-dec-05-1873-p-3/

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

Mountain Democrat, Placerville, CA. “Current Events,” 1-16-1873, p. 2. Accessed 12-1-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/placerville-mountain-democrat-jan-18-1873-p-2/

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 York Times. “Boston…A Small-Pox Hospital.” 1-16-1873, p. 1. Accessed 12-1-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/01/16/79028705.html?pageNumber=1

New York Times. “Ravages of the Small-Pox in Utah…” 3-23-1873, p. 1. Accessed 12-1-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/03/23/79035591.html?pageNumber=1

New York Times. “Small-Pox in Brooklyn – Action of the Authorities.” 4-3-1873, p. 2. Accessed 12-1-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/04/03/79036507.html?pageNumber=2

New York Times. “Small-Pox in Newark.” 4-26-1873, p. 2. Accessed 12-1-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/04/26/82406992.html?pageNumber=2

New York Times. “Small-Pox in San Francisco…” 6-29-1873, p. 1. Accessed 12-1-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/06/29/90530105.html?pageNumber=1

New York Times. “The Health Department. Decrease of Small-Pox…” 2-27-1873, p. 2. Accessed 12-1-2019: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/02/27/79035260.html?pageNumber=2

New York Times. “The Small-Pox,” 1-26-1873, p. 3. Accessed 12-1-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/01/26/79031188.html?auth=login-google&pageNumber=3

New York Times. “The Small-Pox in Boston.” 1-20-1873, p. 1. Accessed 12-1-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/01/20/79029760.html?pageNumber=1

New York Times. “The Small-Pox in Boston.” 1-26-1873, p. 5. Accessed 12-1-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/01/26/79031220.html?pageNumber=5

New York Times. “The Small-Pox in Oregon.” 8-30-1873, p. 2. Accessed 12-1-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/08/30/79045155.html?pageNumber=2

Quinan, John R., M.D. Medical Annals of Baltimore From 1608-1880, Including Events, Men and Literature, to Which is Added A Subject Index and Record of Public Services. Baltimore: Press of Isaac Friedenwald, 1884. Google digitized. Accessed 1-14-2015 at: https://books.google.com/books?id=xNcRAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

Slabtown Tours. “Small Pox.” 8-27-2016. Accessed 12-1-2019 at: http://slabtowntours.com/tag/small-pox/

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

Weekly Trinity Journal, Weaverville, CA, 7-12-1873, p. 3. Accessed 12-1-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/weaverville-weekly-trinity-journal-jul-12-1873-p-3/

Weekly Trinity Journal, Weaverville, CA, “San Francisco Letter,” 7-19-1873, p. 2. Accessed 12-1-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/weaverville-weekly-trinity-journal-jul-19-1873-p-2/

Weekly Trinity Journal, Weaverville, CA, “San Francisco Letter,” 10-18-1873, p. 2. Accessed 12-1-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/weaverville-weekly-trinity-journal-oct-18-1873-p-2/

Works Progress Administration in Ohio, District Four – Cleveland Ohio. Annals of Cleveland, 1818-1935, Vol. LVI, 1873 Part I. (A Digest and Index of the Newspaper Record of Events and Opinions in Two Hundred Volumes.) Cleveland: Cleveland WPA Project 16492, 1937. Google preview accessed 12-1-2019 at: https://books.google.com/books?id=kM5YAAAAMAAJ&ppis=_e&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

---

[1] Document created by B. Wayne Blanchard in Feb 2015 and revised in April 2018 and Dec 2019 for incorporation in website: Deadliest American Disasters and Large-Loss-Of-Life Events. At: https://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

[2] On page 2 it is written that a “Chinawoman” died from smallpox in Sacramento on July 4.

[3] Kern County Weekly Courier, Bakersfield, CA. “Telegraphic Courier.” 2-22-1873, p. 2.

[4] New York Times. “Small-Pox in San Francisco…” 6-29-1873, p. 1. The Times had previously reported on dead and alive small-pox victims arriving by boat from China and Japan.

[5] Weekly Trinity Journal, Weaverville, CA, “San Francisco Letter,” 7-19-1873, p. 2.

[6] Weekly Trinity Journal, Weaverville, CA, “San Francisco Letter,” 10-18-1873, p. 2.

[7] “Table of mortality from small-pox in the city of Chicago from 1851 to 1882, inclusive.”

[8] Hagerstown Herald and Torch Light, MD. 1-22-1873, p. 2.

[9] There is some overlap here with smallpox reporting for 1872 for Baltimore.

[10] “Registration Report of Massachusetts for the Year 1882.”

[11] New York Times. “The Small-Pox in Boston.” 1-26-1873, p. 5.

[12] New York Times. “Small-Pox in Newark.” 4-26-1873, p. 2.

[13] We believe there were other smallpox deaths elsewhere in the state – Cleveland and Cincinnati are on opposite ends of the state.

[14] Medina Gazette, OH. “Dead,” 12-5-1873., p. 3.

[15] New York Times. “The Small-Pox in Oregon.” 8-30-1873, p. 2. Another source notes “In 1873 the city of Portland built a pest house alongside Balch Creek to quarantine smallpox cases and possibly other illnesses such as leprosy.” (Slabtown Tours. “Small Pox.” 8-27-2016.)

[16] Table entitled “Deaths from Smallpox from 1807 to 1907, inclusive, and Rate per 1,000 of Population.” Notes smallpox death rate of 0.05 per 1,000 population. Previous year had been 3.83.

[17] Statistics proved by the Registrar.

[18] New York Times. “Ravages of the Small-Pox in Utah…” 3-23-1873, p. 1.

[19] New York Times. “Ravages of the Small-Pox in Utah…” 3-23-1873, p. 1.

–14-16 Swayze, David D. Great Lakes Shipwrecks.
–7-8 Jupiter. Great Lakes Shipwrecks Beginning with the letter J.
–7-8 Saturn. Great Lakes Shipwrecks Beginning with the letter S.
— 15 Thompson 2004, Graveyard of the Lakes. 1975, p. 61.
–7 Jupiter
–8 Saturn
— 15 Wolff. Lake Superior Shipwrecks: Complete Reference to Maritime Accidents… 1990, 19.

Narrative Information

Swayze: Jupiter
Type at loss : schooner-barge, wood, bulk freight
Build info : 1872, (Detroit?)
Specs : 400 t.
Date of loss : 1872, Nov 27
Place of loss : near Vermilion Point, Upper Peninsula
Lake : Superior
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : 7 or 8 [all]
Carrying : iron ore
Detail : Bound Marquette for Wyandotte, Mich., she was driven ashore and wrecked by
an arctic gale. Tow of steamer JOHN A. DIX with the schooner SATURN(qv),
when towline parted. The hull was probably recovered. Owned by Capt. Eber
Ward of Detroit. Master: Capt. Peter Howard(d). (Swayze. Great Lakes
Shipwrecks Beginning with the letter J.)

Swayze: Saturn
Official no.: 57662
Type at loss: schooner-barge, wood
Build info: 1872, New Jerusalem, Oh
Specs: 233 t.
Date of loss: 1872, Nov 27
Place of loss: just W of Whitefish Pt.
Lake: Superior
Type of loss: storm
Loss of life: 7 (8)[all]
Carrying: iron ore
Detail: Bound Marquette for Wyandotte, Mich., she was in tow of the steamer JOHN A.
DIX with sister JUPITER. She broke her towline in a gale and was driven
aground in the shallows, where she rapidly went to pieces.

Owned by E. B. Ward, Detroit. Master: Capt. Dick Stringleman(d). (Swayze. Great
Lakes Shipwrecks Beginning with the letter S.)

Thompson: “On the morning of November 27, 1872, the side-wheel steamer John A. Dix departed the ore docks at Marquette under the command of Captain Joseph Waltman and headed out onto Lake Superior. The Dix was towing the schooner-barges Jupiter and Saturn, a practice begun a few years earlier when Captain Eli Peck built the steamer R. J. Hackett and its barge consort, the Forest City. Winds and seas on Lake Superior continued to build as the convoy moved east toward Whitefish Point and the entrance to the St. Marys River. By suppertime, the three boats found themselves being buffeted by giant seas off Vermilion Point, still twenty miles west of Whitefish. The stout towlines connecting the two schooner consorts of the Dix were under great stress, fist slacking, then snapping taut as the ships rose and fell in the high seas. At about 5:30- p.m. the Jupiter’s towline snapped, and an hour later the towline to the Saturn also gave way. In the stormy seas, there was no way the lines could be reconnected, so the barges drifted away.

“While he was greatly concerned for the safety of the two schooner-barges, the worsening weather forced Captain Waltman to concentrate his complete attention on the welfare of the Dix. The captains and small crews on the two schooners would have to fend for themselves. Temperatures had plummeted to below zero, and as the towering seas swept across the deck of the steamer it was rapidly being encased in a heavy shroud of ice. In places the ice was already a foot thick, and if the Dix didn’t find shelter soon the heavy load of ice could sink her. Without hesitation, Waltman pointed the bow of the steamer in the direction of Whitefish Point and they eventually reached the protected waters of Whitefish Bay.

“With waves rolling over the decks of the Jupiter and Saturn, their crews were unable to set storm sails that might have allowed them to work their way along the shore to the shelter of Whitefish. They were adrift, and at the mercy of the wind and waves. In the terrifying blackness of that November night, the little schooners were eventually driven ashore. In the pounding surf, both broke apart. All seven crewmembers on the Jupiter and the eight on the Saturn died in the frenzied waters of Lake Superior. There was no way the fourteen men and one woman could have launched a lifeboat. Even if they had, it would surely have been capsized or wrecked in the pounding surf along the shore.” (Thompson 2006, 60-61)

Wolfe: “Worse was to follow 10 days later [after a Nov 12-13 gale] when a horrendous gale swooped down on Marquette, moving gradually eastward….The weather was immediately reinforced by more sinister blasts…the 400-ton-schooner-barges Jupiter and Saturn were loading iron ore in Marquette. They cleared port on the morning of November 27 in tow of the wooden side-wheel steamer John A. Dix under Captain Joseph Waltman….About 5 p.m. on November 27, the Dix and her tows were engulfed by enormous seas off Vermilion Point. In half an hour the Jupiter broke her towline and an hour later the Saturn broke hers. The Dix had to run for the shelter of Whitefish Point to save herself. Her decks were quickly covered with a foot of ice, as intense sub-zero temperatures accompanied the winds. The luckless schooner-barges were cast ashore; the Saturn three miles west of Whitefish Point and the Jupiter 12 miles further west of Vermillion Point. Apparently, both struck bottom, then were dragged by the undertow to deeper water, since only masts were visible. Their entire crews of 14 men and one woman were dead, either drowned or victims of exposure.” (Wolff, Julius F., Jr. Lake Superior Shipwrecks: Complete Reference to Maritime Accidents and Disasters. 1990, p. 19.)

Sources

Swayze, David D. Great Lakes Shipwreck Files. “Alphabetical Shipwreck List – J.” Accessed 10-29-2021 at: https://greatlakesrex.wordpress.com/j/

Swayze, David D. Great Lakes Shipwreck Files. “Alphabetical Shipwreck List – S.” Accessed 10-29-2021 at: https://greatlakesrex.wordpress.com/s/

Thompson, Mark L. Graveyard of the Lakes. Detroit, MI: Wayne State University Press, 2004.

Wolff, Julius F., Jr. Lake Superior Shipwrecks: Complete Reference to Maritime Accidents and Disasters. Duluth, MN: Lake Superior Port Cities, Inc., 1990.

–27-41  Boston Fire Historical Society. Boston’s Fire Trail.  2007, p. 88.[1]

–25-41  Blanchard range.[2]

—      30  Docema. Damrell’s Fire. “Boston Burnt: The Great Fire of 1872.”  2003.

—      25  Blanchard tally of fatalities and missing, presumed dead, noted below.

–13-20  Boston Fire Historical Society. Great Boston Fire of 1872 (webpage).[3]

—      20  FEMA/NETC/LRC.  “Great Boston Fire 1872.” Historic Fires. 2011.

—      14  History.com. Nov 9, 1872.

—      14  Lowell Sun, MA. “Fires and Fire Losses,” April 30, 1908, p. 16.

—      14  Safety Engineering. “Boston’s Lodging House Holocaust.” V26,  No. 6, Dec 1913, 425.

—      14  Willsey and Lewis.  “Massachusetts,” Harper’s Book of Facts. 1895, p. 492.

—      13  NFPA. “100 Conflagrations Since 1900.” NFPA Quarterly, V29, N1, Jul 1935, 145.

—      12  Nash, Jay Robert. Darkest Hours. 1977, p. 656.

 

Narrative Information

 

Boston Fire Historical Society (website): “This page contains basic information about the Great Boston Fire of 1872, which occurred on Saturday and Sunday, November 9 & 10, 1872. The fire destroyed 776 buildings across 65 acres of land, with the assessed value of the properties at nearly $13.5 million and personal property loss of $60 million dollars. The downtown area of Boston had undergone a rapid development in the years after the Civil War, but improvements, especially water mains, had not been upgraded during these years. The fire department at the time was dealing with an epizootic, a disease which affects equine animals, thus affecting the horses that pulled the heavy fire apparatus. The fire spread rapidly, creating its own energy or firestorm, due to the tremendous heat generated. Although many or most buildings were made of brick or stone, the window frames and other fixtures were made of wood, thus allowing the fire to communicate to nearby structures. During the course of the fire, which burned uncontrolled for more than 12 hours, buildings were blown-up using black gun powder in a controversial effort to create a fire break.

 

“The fire started in a building at 83-85 Summer Street, at the corner of Kingston Street, in the downtown area. The first alarm was received at 7:24PM from Box 52 located at Summer and Lincoln Streets. The fire had nearly total possession of the building of origin upon the arrival of the first fire engine, Engine Co. 7 from their quarters at 7 East Street, near South Station. Hose Company 2, from Hudson Street, is credited with getting the first water on the fire. Additional alarms were struck at 7:29, 7:34, 7:45 and 8:00PM. Further alarms were struck for Box 48 and Box 123. Urgent calls for help were sent by telegraph, but help was delayed due to many telegraph offices having closed for the evening. Nearly all the cities and town surrounding Boston sent help. Some cities sent steam engines by railroad, with many coming great distances, including from New Haven, CT. Chief Engineer John Damrell was in command at the fire, but his attention was frequently interrupted by city officials seeking meetings to discuss strategy and the political impact of the fire.

 

“The fire was finally stopped at corner of Washington and Milk Streets through the efforts of the firefighters to save the Old South Meetinghouse, on the opposite corner of Milk Street. The Old South, a fixture since colonial days, was (and remains) an important symbol of Boston’s heritage and every effort was made to save it.  Most accounts of the fire attribute credit for saving Old South to the Kearsarge Engine 3 of Portsmouth, NH, although that point is still debated. Despite the enormity of the fire, only two Boston fireman were killed, with the total deaths numbering between 13 and 20, depending on the source. Chief Damrell was heavily criticized and much of the blame for the fire was directed at him, despite his record of having sought improvements in the city’s fire safety infrastructure. By 1874, he was replaced with a Board of Fire Commissioners. He later served many years as the commissioner of the Boston Building Department.” (Boston Fire Historical Society.  Great Boston Fire of 1872.)

 

Boston Fire Historical Society (book): “….More than sixty acres and 776 buildings were devastated. The damage in today’s dollars would be close to $1 billion. Nine firefighters were killed fighting the ‘fire demon,’ as the inferno was dubbed. They were

 

William Farry [or Farril],[4] [or Farrie][5] foreman of Boston Hook and Ladder Company 4;

Daniel Cochrane, assistant foreman, Boston Hook and Ladder Company 4;[6]

Henry Rogers, volunteer, Boston Engine Company 6;

Lewis P. Abbott, ex-fireman and volunteer, Charlestown Fire Department;[7]

William S. Frazier, volunteer, Cambridge Fire Department;

Frank D. Olmstead, volunteer, Cambridge Fire Department;[8]

John Connelly, member, West Roxbury Hook and Ladder Company 1;

Walter S. Trombly, member, Malden Hose Company 2;[9] and

Thomas Maloney, member, Worcester Fire Department.[10]

 

“Two more firemen later died from their injuries:

 

Martin Turnbull, member, Charlestown Hose Company 3;[11] and

Albert C. Abbott, former member and volunteer, Charlestown Fire Department.[12]

 

“The exact civilian death toll was never determined, but it was probably sixteen to thirty people….” (Boston Fire Historical Society. Boston’s Fire Trail. 2007, p. 88.)

 

Commissioners Appointed to Investigate…Great Fire: “…on the 9th of November last, on a calm and mild evening, a fire broke out in the building numbered 83 and 85 Summer Street, and raged without control till the afternoon of the following day, spreading through the best business portions of Boston, covering sixty-five acres with ruins, destroying 776 buildings, assessed at the value of $13,500,000, and consuming merchandise and other personal property estimated at more than sixty millions of dollars.…

 

“It is conclusively proved that the fire began near the elevator in the rear of the basement of the building, and passed with great rapidity up the elevator to the upper stories. The positive testimony of the many witnesses who distinctly saw the fire in the basement first, and then saw it, in the language of one of them, “roaring up the elevator,” is not controlled by the negative testimony of those who from their position failed to see the flames in the lower part of the building, or of those who did not see the fire at all until it had mounted to the upper stories and the roof. The condition of the floor, after the ruin, shows that it probably began near the ceiling.

 

“To the more important question how the fire began, no answer can be given. There is no evidence whatever criminating any of the occupants of the building, nor is there anything to show that it caught from the furnace or the boiler, except the fact that it began in that portion of the building. And the condition of the boiler and its surroundings, after the lire and the excavations, as described by .witnesses, and as observed by members of the Commission, seem to show that it did not take from the heating apparatus, unless it took from some flue. Of this there is no evidence….

 

“The fire was first seen at 7:08 or 7:10 P. M. The first alarm was given at 7:24. The second alarm was at 7:29, followed by alarms at 7:34, 7:45, and at 8 P. M.  When first seen, the fire had made great headway, and yet there was a disastrous and strange delay of quarter of an hour in giving the alarm. We would call especial attention to the evidence of Messrs. Sargent and Brown, policemen of Charlestown, who saw the fire from Prison Point Bridge. We refer to their testimony, because they fix the time by a clock, and by a depot clock, which may well be supposed to have been accurate.  Their statement is, in general, confirmed by many persons present in Summer and Kingston Streets, and it leaves no doubt that, for fifteen minutes after the fire had become visible, even in a neighboring city, no steps were taken to call out the Fire Department of Boston….

 

“It is a remarkable fact that so little was done by the neighbors and bystanders towards giving the alarm. Some of them testify that they were criticizing the Fire Department, and wondering at their delay, while they, themselves, were neglecting to take the only means for calling them out. In this connection, we shall inquire, in another portion of our report, whether the city does not need more fire-boxes, freer access to them by the citizens, and a more general knowledge as to the places where keys are deposited. The annoyance of an occasional false alarm is not to be weighed against the dangers of delay.

 

“The rapid spread of the fire in the building first consumed was chiefly owing to this delay, and to the faulty construction of the elevator, which, like most other elevators in Boston, was sheathed with wood, and destitute of self-closing hatchways. If the proprietors of the building had procured automatic hatchways, such as are generally used in factories, and one of which was in use in a neighbor’s warehouse, our city would probably have escape this calamity, as the fire would not have reached the roof before the engines arrived.

 

Dangerous Architecture

 

“The uncontrolled spread of the conflagration from the first building through the great district swept by the flames, was principally owing to the delay of the apparatus in arriving, and to the general faulty construction of the buildings, and especially to the exposure of timber to the flames at a height which could not be reached by water, — an exposure which would deserve condemnation, even at a lower level. The dangers arising from this mode of building were greatly aggravated by the narrowness of the streets, and by the great height of the buildings.

 

“This danger had been foreseen, and our calamity had been foretold both here and abroad. There is sad interest in the statements of our State Insurance Commissioner, who tells us that just before the fire, English underwriters spoke to him, at Liverpool and London, of the probable fate of Franklin Street, Winthrop Square, and their surroundings, and proposed to cancel their policies, and to cease insuring in our city. While some of us were justly priding ourselves on the elegant architecture of this district, and boasting that if was practically fire-proof, English insurers were dreading a conflagration on this very spot, and preparing to withdraw their agencies from our city.

 

“These dangers had been brought to the attention of the public, and of our municipal authorities. The remarkable warning of Mr. Joseph Bird was given through the press in November, 1871. The members of the Fire Department protested in vain against the style of building; and the Chief Engineer, especially, declared, after the Chicago fire, that a similar disaster might occur in our own city, and on this very spot. It was plain to him and his associates that our style of building required larger provision for the extinction of fire than we had made.

 

“With this knowledge, the department should have taken all possible precautions, so that every fire might be met at the earliest moment. Seeing that our only salvation lay in confining every fire to the building where it began, no time should have been lost by the department in bringing all its available force to the scene of each fire.

 

Delay From Want of Horses.

 

“Unfortunately this was not done. During the prevalence of the horse distemper, the department relied upon hand-power to bring up the apparatus; and this error was one great cause of the terrible calamity that befell us on November ninth. It is no less our duty to censure this error, because rumor has greatly exaggerated the delays caused by it.  We know that many witnesses of the fire confounded the time that elapsed before the alarm with the time that elapsed after the alarm and before the arrival of the apparatus; and many added these two periods together in making up their charge against the department. We know that there is some difficulty in using untried horses in drawing steamers, but it was a difficulty which could be overcome, which has been overcome in other cases, and was overcome in some instances on that very night. The testimony shows that volunteers were enrolled in order to facilitate the arrival of engines, and that an order had been given to the police, designed to secure a more prompt alarm during the prevalence of the disease.  We admit also that the difference of speed between horse-power and hand-power is less than the general public suppose. But, with all these reasons for mitigating censure, the great fact remains; time was invaluable, and time was lost.

 

“The first piece of apparatus, Hose 2, came as soon as it could have come by horse-power. So did the first engine, No. 7. These were from the immediate vicinity. Engine 15 came as fast as it could have come by horse-power. Three engines were drawn by horses.  But all the other Boston apparatus was delayed from three or five minutes for the nearest, to forty minutes for the most distant.  No one can tell what was the cost of these minutes to our city.

 

“It will not be supposed that the horses were dispensed with from motives of humanity.  It is not denied by any one, however humane, that man has a right to overwork a beast in case of necessity, or to work a beast to death, if the need be sufficiently great. The horses of the department were not used, because they were generally unfit to be used, and could not have gone as fast as the men did.  Excepting, perhaps, a few that were convalescent, and excepting a few that were employed, they were rightly left in the stable or the hospital.  The fatal error lay in not having supplied their places with others able to do the work.  The evidence shows that at that time the disease had greatly abated; that horses were freely used on the omnibus and horse-railroad lines, and were in general use in the city, and before this time might readily have been obtained for the use of the Fire Department. There is no evidence that this occurred to any one, but it ought to have occurred to those whose especial duty it was to guard the community from the perils of fire.

 

“The fact that there was loss of time appears from the table of time (approximate) made by each piece of apparatus, printed in Appendix, and from the testimony of the officers who were all examined on this point.  It is the testimony of honest and heroic men, whose desires and feelings and prejudices would all lead them to uphold their department, and to protect their Chief, but who state facts as they occurred.

 

“We cannot but feel that the earlier arrival of aid, between 7:30 and 8 P.M., might perhaps have prevented the flames from crossing from Summer to Otis Street, both by throwing streams on the northerly side of Summer street, and by reducing the heat on the southerly side, which prevented such streams from being thrown on the opposite buildings. This was the “key of the fire” at its outset; and when it was lost, the flames became almost uncontrollable.  But even then, a larger force might, possibly, have checked the fire before it had crossed Franklin street. Whether the employment of horses would alone have achieved success at either of these points, it is impossible to form a definite opinion.

 

Want of Water in the Burnt District.

 

“The efforts of the firemen were greatly impeded by the want of water, especially in Summer street.  The demands of the Chief Engineer for larger mains, for more hydrants, and for the more efficient Lowry hydrant, had been unsuccessful. He had especially called attention to the exposed condition of this district; and his forebodings were fully realized. The insufficient supply of water was felt at the outset, and was, without doubt, one cause of the conflagration….

 

The Fire Department.

 

“The engines were generally in good order, and they continued to be so throughout the fire; the hose was generally excellent. Some difficulty arose in coupling, as the hydrant-couplings of different towns differ in size. This is not strange, and can only be remedied by a general law; but it does seem strange that Boston hydrant-couplings differ from each other, being of two sizes. Some of the Commission were surprised to learn that we have no engine of the largest size in Boston.  We need larger steamers, and in the city proper we need a larger number.  In the city proper we have but six engines. There are the same number in Ward 16.  The assessed value of the property of the city proper is $514,697,450.00. The assessed value of property taxed in Ward 16 is $31,395,300.00.

 

“In the most important element of a Fire Department — in its men — Boston has the best material. Words fail to describe the courage and devotion of our firemen. No battle-field ever witnessed nobler heroism than was seen in our streets. The story of the fire, as told simply and truthfully by the engineers, is a story of hardships endured and dangers braved in obedience to duty. More than one of our firemen has literally proved “faithful unto death.”…. The successful resistance of the firemen on the southern boundary of the district, and again in preventing the fire from crossing Washington Street, and finally on the northern line, when it was conquered, has left in the scorched and half-burned buildings now standing indisputable proofs of their great service.

The Chief Engineer.

 

“The Chief Engineer deserves all praise for his courage. He shrank from no exertion, and from no danger. Indeed, he sometimes exposed his life when it ought not to have been risked. He manifestly intended to do all that he could to subdue the flames. He is described as being cool, and, with perhaps one exception, as master of himself, of his temper, and of his faculties. But while seeing this, and while admiring his many good qualities, we cannot fail to see that there was a want of preparation for so great an emergency, a want of system when the emergency came, and especially the want of a leader capable of grasping the details of a great plan adapted to the terrible occasion. The fire was attacked piecemeal, as chances occurred. The heroism of individuals was too often wasted, because it was not directed by a master-mind.

 

“The Chief seems to have performed the duties of a fireman from time to time, now placing a ladder, now performing some act of humanity, now applying fire to a mine.  In a word, he tried to unite the services of a private with those of a commander-in-chief.  It seems to us that, at such a time, the Head of the Force should remain for the most part in some accessible place where he could command a view of the conflagration — a place known to his subordinates, where he could receive reports from them, and send them his orders. This would prevent much confusion; and orders would be issued more wisely and carried out more effectually than when the Chief is actually engaged in fighting the fire from place to place. For example, when aid from abroad was telegraphed for, the Superintendents of Railroads were not generally informed of this, nor were they requested to “give the track” to the coming engines. This necessarily delayed the coming of the desired aid. It is not strange that this did not occur to one who was risking his life in actual warfare with the flames. It would have occurred to one who was directing the contest, as a commander directs an army.

 

“Again: Mr. Damrell gave an excellent order to the Deputy Chief of Police, that a hundred officers should be detailed to combat the fire with wet carpets, or other woolen fabrics. This order was wholly ineffectual, because there were no men who could be so detailed. But there were thousands of good citizens in the streets — longing to be of some service — who would gladly have performed this duty under proper leaders. These would have been found if the Chief had allowed himself leisure to superintend the whole work, instead of spending his time and power in attending personally to details.  For the same reason, there was great lack of attention to the reception and disposition of engines from other towns. They were, no doubt, desirous of being directed by our Chief; and the law gave him nearly absolute power over all persons present. This power was by no means fully exercised….

 

“It is said…that great quantities of water were wasted by being thrown ineffectually against closed windows and granite fronts at the second and third stories, while the upper stories of the building were consumed by tho flames, and reached by no streams. This, undoubtedly, did occur, both early in the fire and afterward, when, from causes just mentioned, the roofs could not be reached by the men, who still desired to make some use, however slight, of the water and of the apparatus. A more thorough supervision of these men would have employed them and the engines in some better service….

 

Efforts of Citizens to Save Their Own Buildings.

 

“The occupants of some of…[the] buildings on Oliver Street have been summoned by the Commission, and have told their story modestly. Enough appears to show that they fought back the fire by their personal exertions, and put heart into the firemen by their example.  If the flames had passed this point, it is difficult to say where they could have been stayed. Thus a great service was rendered to the public. Like remarks apply to the owner and occupants of the store of Messrs. Hovey & Co., on Summer street. The story of their co-operation with the firemen, both at the great fire and at the renewal of that fire on Monday morning, deserves to be carefully read and remembered….

 

“The conduct of the gentlemen to whom we have referred as aiding the firemen by their personal exertions, was in marked contrast with the thoughtlessness of many spectators who crowded the streets, and greatly impeded the efforts of the department. In some cases violence was necessarily used toward these persons. Yet, many of them would have gladly joined in efforts to save property, if more well-directed efforts had been made to that end.

 

“We have received, and are compelled to publish, some evidence of misconduct by a few firemen, and by men who wore the badges of firemen. The instances were rare. We are glad to believe that much of the wrong-doing was by men who falsely represented themselves as belonging to the honorable body of firemen.  And we feel bound to condemn the grave mistake of those who gave away their stocks of goods when it was impossible to save them.  The motive was amiable, but the practice tended, to demoralize firemen and other citizens, to encourage theft by confounding thieves with honest men, and to bring about a time of plunder and confusion….

 

Dangers From Gas.

 

“The fire, like all great city conflagrations, was greatly aggravated by the escape of gas from the burning buildings.  The fall of heavy warehouses broke the main pipes, and on Monday morning, the escaped gas in the sewers exploded, and caused another fire, which destroyed a million of property, and cost two lives.  The officers of the Gas Company believed that their water-valves were sufficiently powerful to cut off the supply of gas, as they had proved to be hitherto, but found that the belief was an error.  The lack of valves properly constructed, and so placed as to isolate the burnt district, led to terrible loss, exposed us to the inconvenience and peril of total darkness during two nights, and endangered the whole city. The company have undertaken to repair this error by providing sliding-valves. The risk arising from the impossibility of isolating a burning district should never be incurred again.

 

Gunpowder.

 

“The peril from the combustion of gas was increased by the manner of using gunpowder. And this is only one of many dangers incurred by the unscientific use of explosives. The law governing the demolition of buildings by gunpowder, or otherwise, during a fire, is fixed by the statutes of the Commonwealth, and has been explained in several decisions. The power is given to three fire-wards, and in their absence, to other civil or military officers. In Boston, the power of fire-wards is given by statute to the Engineers; and the City Ordinance provides, that if the Chief is present, he must be one of the three Engineers consenting to the demolition of a building. When three fire-wards, or in Boston three Engineers, are present, no one else has by statute the right to destroy a building, in order to stay a fire. One fire-ward has no more right to do this than any other person, even when it is impossible, by reason of the fire, for three to be present; nor has one fire-ward a right to act, even when the Board has voted to grant the power to one, in case of an exigency. It is not enough, that three fire-wards concur that gunpowder must be used in general. No building can be destroyed, until it has been specially adjudged by the three there present, that the particular building must be destroyed. As the power to select a building for destruction cannot be delegated to one fire-ward, of course it cannot be delegated to any other person. It is necessary to state the law so far, in order to appreciate the action of various parties at this fire. For this reason we give in the appendix a statement of the laws and of the decisions in this Commonwealth.

 

“The common-law right, which exists independently of legislation, and which prevails every-where, to destroy a structure, in order to suppress a fire, is not taken away or superseded by the statutes of this state.

 

“There is a conflict of testimony as to the balance of good or evil arising from the use of gunpowder on November 9 and 10. It is less necessary to strike that balance accurately, because all witnesses agree, and all sane people will agree, that explosives never should he used again, as they were at that time, and that, if used at all, we should be prepared to employ them skillfully, carefully, and by a fixed plan. We have no word of censure for the citizens who volunteered to risk their lives in brave and energetic attempts to save the city. But they will all admit that the only justification for employing powder, as it was employed, is the fact that no proper provision had been made for the use of explosives; and they will concur with us, that the greatest wonder of that night was, that no life was lost, and no personal injury was incurred from the use of gunpowder.

 

“The Chief and his associates did not believe in explosives. They had studied the matter to some extent, and generally agree in condemning this method of attempting to check fires. This is one reason why no preparation had been made by storing a magazine, nor by providing means for confining powder when used, nor by drilling persons for its use. We were left to the chances of obtaining an inadequate supply at the shops, or of sending to a distant magazine, or of taking it from the powder boats. We were, also, left to the chances of finding skill and discretion to apply this dangerous remedy. Yet history had told us that gunpowder had often been used with good effect in staying great conflagrations. The story of the Fire in London was in the books of children. After the great Boston fire in 1678, the town was divided into four districts, each of which was provided with four barrels of gunpowder for use in case of fire. And in our own day the town of Nantucket had been saved from destruction, by the foresight and courage of one man, who prepared in advance to use gunpowder in the day of need, and who dared to use it when the day came.

 

“When it was at last decided to use powder, it was done by the Chief Engineer giving written authority to several public-spirited gentlemen to remove goods and demolish buildings. Some slight attempt at organization was made, but no proper system of action was devised; and in a short time the different parties were in confusion and at variance. Instead of three Engineers designating the buildings to be demolished, each man was left to act as he pleased. The Chief Engineer now heartily condemns his error in this respect, and we agree with him.  It is evident that he was still unconvinced of the wisdom of using powder, and that he yielded to the pressing demands made by many of our best citizens.

 

“The course actually pursued was objectionable, not because it was illegal, but because it was dangerous and inefficient. The action of the parties was not such as is provided by statute, nor such as is necessary to make the city liable for the property destroyed. But it by no means follows that it was unlawful. The courts of our own state and country, and of other states and countries have always held that, in case of necessity, it is lawful to demolish buildings, in order to stay the spread of a fire. And in our own state it has been distinctly declared that this right is not taken away by the statutes regulating Fire Departments. It was impossible to obtain the adjudication of three engineers, including the Chief, on each building selected for demolition. The assistant engineers could not be constantly withdrawn from their other duties without great injury to their work, nor was it possible for the Chief to be present at each building proposed to be destroyed. But it is to be deeply regretted that there was not a more thorough organization of the parties engaged in this service.

 

“The dangers of using gunpowder at a fire hardly need to be stated.  It demolishes the gas pipes, and thus creates a fierce fire when the gas is not shut off; it tends to scatter the flames; it drives back and discourages the firemen; and, above all, it causes long delay in attempting to quench a fire, when delay is ruinous. Added to this is the danger of premature and accidental explosions, especially when powder is carried in open kegs, as it was, at least in one case, at our fire.

 

Recommendations.

 

“Dangerous as explosives are, they must sometimes be used, and we suggest, as our first recommendation, that preparation be made for the future, for using a far more powerful and less dangerous explosive, and for training a number of men to use it skillfully.  The best explosive now known for this purpose is Dynamite, sometimes known as Giant Powder. It is ten times as powerful as gunpowder.  Its force as an explosive is so directed as to bring down a building, rather than to scatter its materials.  It does not, of itself, kindle any fire when exploded, nor does it explode when brought into contact with fire.  It may be dropped, or jarred in any way without danger; and cartridges containing it may be safely cut or broken; so that it is free from the peculiar perils that attend the use of other explosives, and especially of gunpowder.  It may be safely stored and conveyed to the midst of a fire. Some better article may be furnished by science; but, at present, this is clearly the best known material for the purpose under consideration.  A quantity of this material should be kept constantly in proper places.

 

“A portion of the force belonging to the Fire Department should be instructed in the use of it, and especially in the proper manner of using it at fires. These men might do other and ordinary work in the department; for it probably will not he thought expedient to keep a body of men exclusively for a service which may not be required for many years, and which we hope will never be required. They would act, of course, under the orders of the Chief Engineer, and the Chief, with some, or all. of his assistants, should be trained in the use of explosives.

 

“It seems to us that the law on this subject needs careful revision; and if general legislation is not desired, that a special Act should regulate the demolition of buildings in Boston in cases of fire, so as to secure more prompt action.

 

“MORE ENGINES. We need more fire apparatus, more men, and more powerful engines. It would probably be wise to procure a few larger steamers, and reserve them for great emergencies, as the lighter ones are more easily handled. We gladly record the construction of a powerful fire boat; and one member of the Commission has witnessed its successful use. The feasibility of using a self-propelling engine with advantage in our streets perhaps needs to be tested further.  In this connection we call attention to Richard’s Hose Elevator and Fire Escape, a sample of which is now attached to the Lawrence building, at West street. The new engines, or some of them, should be placed in the large districts still exposed and unprotected.

 

“WATER SUPPLY.  The city needs a better distribution of water, especially in the burned district. The six-inch pipe in Summer street was entirely inadequate to the needs of a street, which has changed its character, from a place of private dwellings to a street of great warehouses. Nor is this the only district where such a need exists.

 

“We also want more hydrants, and hydrants better adapted to the use of firemen. The Lowry hydrant, which is used in the neighboring towns, in the Highlands, in Ward 16, and in East Boston, is quite as necessary in the city proper. The evidence shows that while it is less liable to freeze than our hydrant, it will furnish four engines with two streams each. Such was the operation of the Lowry hydrant which was tried for a short time in Winthrop Square, in 1862, and its success then led to its adoption by Charlestown. This style of hydrant is attached to the main pipe, while ours are attached to four-inch branch pipes. It gives five times the supply of the Boston hydrant, which was fit only for the hand engines.  Abundant evidence has long shown that little or no trouble arises from the use of these hydrants during the season of snow, or at any time….

The Building Act.

 

“The Building Act passed at the extra session of the Legislature seems to us to need careful revision, aided by the testimony of skilful architects.  It is especially desirable that Elevators in warehouses should be forbidden, except such as are constructed with self-closing hatchways. Experience has shown that these can be made with little cost, and used without any inconvenience. They are not only a safeguard against the spread of fire, but they are of great value in preventing loss of life by accident.  If the existing law relative to fire-escapes could be extended to all warehouses, or, better still, to all buildings of a certain size, it would tend to save life, and to encourage firemen in their work.  It is well to consider whether every high warehouse ought not to have a permanent stand-pipe of iron capable of having hose attached to it….

 

Portable Apparatus.

 

“We would earnestly recommend the general use of Fire Extinguishers and Hand Pumps in every building. These would prevent many fires from becoming serious, and they would inspire confidence in cases of alarm of fire.

Finally.

 

“The Commission are unanimous in the opinion that His Honor Mayor Gaston intended to do his full duty, and labored faithfully to that end.  But Messrs. Philbrick and Firth hold that he failed to give that guidance, unity and efficiency to the efforts made to stay the fire, which the occasion required, and which the public had a right to expect from their Mayor.

 

“The majority had not supposed that a criticism of the Mayor [Gaston], favorable or otherwise, was expected from a Commission appointed….” (Commissioners Appointed to Investigate… Great Fire…  Report.  1873, iii-xxi.)

 

Docema: “Great fires plagued America’s cities during the 19^th century, such as the well-known fire in Chicago in 1871.  Most Bostonians today are not aware that a large swath of Boston’s commercial district was destroyed in a single fire just one year after Chicago.  The…fire spread north from Summer Street and raged on for 15 hours destroying 770 mostly commercial buildings in its path.

“Boston’s Great Fire started in the basement of a 5-story warehouse building at the corner of Kingston Street and Summer Street on Saturday November 9, 1872 just after 7PM.  No one was in the building when the fire began but early witnesses outside the building testified that the fire was first spotted in the basement windows. The exact cause of what started the fire was never determined but the common consensus is that coal spark from a steam boiler that powered an elevator in the building may have ignited dry materials stored near the boiler. Whatever started the fire became irrelevant as the blaze quickly spread from building to building, rooftop to rooftop, engulfing entire blocks of buildings that were commonly considered to be fire-proof.

 

Boston firefighters, led by Fire Chief John Damrell, were challenged by a coincidence of bad circumstances and bad politics:

“The Horse Flu: Boston’s fire department like any other at the time relied heavily on horses to pull fire engines, hose reels, coal carts, and ladder carts. However most of the horses in the Boston area were stricken by an epizootic flu forcing the fire department to organize teams of men to pull each piece of equipment to a fire. This added delays getting enough equipment to scene of the fire just after it began.

“The Water Supply: Boston’s fire chief John Damrell had warned the city officials that the water supplies in the commercial district were outdated and inadequate, and unfortunately this fire proved him right. In some areas firefighters stood helpless as blocks of buildings burned unable to find a hydrant with adequate water pressure to pump from.

“The Buildings: At the time of Boston’s Great Fire of 1872 building codes were mostly suggestive and seldom enforced. As a result, Boston’s downtown architecture although stately and ornate in appearance, was also mostly a fire hazard. The streets were narrow, the buildings often too tall to reach the upper floors with fire ladders and hoses, and the top floor of each building was often a wooden Mansard roof packed to the rafters with dry materials.

 

“The Gunpowder: During the fire a committee of concerned citizens gathered in city hall to lobby Mayor Gaston to permit the use of gunpowder to demolish buildings in the path of the fire. The idea was to form a break in the path of the fire to stop it from spreading further. Fire Chief Damrell at first objected strongly knowing the gunpowder would do more harm then good but eventually under political pressure Damrell relented and issued permits. Several improvised teams of people with no training or prior experience packed buildings with gunpowder kegs and lit a fuse. Soon the explosions were causing injury and flaming debris lighting adjacent buildings, Chief Damrell had to force a stop to the use of gunpowder.

“The Crowds: Boston firefighters struggled to do their job amongst streets jammed with spectators, looters, and panicked property owners. Crowds had to kept back from collapsing buildings, explosions, and fire hoses that were easily punctured by cart wheels and granite chucks falling off the cornices of buildings.

“After raging for 20 hours the fire was stopped short of Boston’s historic landmarks, including the Old South Meeting House, Faneuil Hall, and the Old State House. In the wake of the fire was the smoking rubble of bankrupted merchants, manufacturers, newspapers, and insurance companies.  Hundreds were made homeless and thousands jobless. Thirty people had died during the fire itself.

 

“Boston’s Great Fire has a lasting legacy in American history through the efforts of Boston’s Fire Chief John Damrell. Just after the fire, Damrell organized the National Association of Fire Chiefs, a key organization in establishing universal building safety codes. Damrell also became Boston’s inspector of buildings and made sure that building codes were legally enforceable.” (Docema. Damrell’s Fire.  “Boston Burnt: The Great Fire of 1872.”  2003.)

 

FEMA/NETC: “Fire started on November 9, 1872, in the basement of a commercial warehouse. Caused some 20 fatalities, destroyed 776 buildings and over $73.5 million in damage.” (FEMA/NETC, Learning Resource Center. “Great Boston Fire 1872.” Historic Fires. 2011.)

 

History.com: “On this day in 1872, a fire in Boston destroys hundreds of buildings and kills 14 people. In the aftermath, the city established an entirely new system of firefighting and prevention. The fire also led to the creation of Boston’s financial district.

 

“The fire began in the basement of a warehouse at the corner of Kingston and Summer streets. At the time, this area of the city contained a mix of residences and light industry. Its buildings and most area roofs were made mainly of wood, allowing the blaze to spread quickly as the wind blew red hot embers from rooftop to rooftop. In addition, as Boston streets were narrow, large flames from one structure could literally leap across them to nearby buildings.

 

“Firefighting units from Maine to New Haven, Connecticut, arrived to help, but efforts to fight the fire were plagued by difficulties. There was not enough water on hand to get the fire under control; the hydrant system did not work well because much of the equipment was not standardized; and even when firefighters got their hands on an adequate supply of water, the height of the buildings and the narrowness of the streets made it difficult to direct the water at the blaze from the optimum angle. Because a local equine epidemic had struck the city fire department’s horses, it was difficult to get the fire engines to the correct locations at the right times. In addition, some of the efforts were counter-productive. Explosions were used to attempt fire breaks, but this high-risk strategy was not executed with enough precision and served only to further spread the fire.

 

“The fire was finally stopped at the doors of Fanueil Hall the following morning, but it had already destroyed much of the downtown area. Boston’s officials realized that their fire-prevention efforts had been ineffective and, in the aftermath of the disaster, began to revise and strengthen all of the city’s fire laws and regulations. An inspection system was instituted and the local fire departments began to coordinate their efforts.

 

“The fire also helped fuel Boston’s growth. The business community saw the burned area as an opportunity to expand its presence downtown. The city’s financial district was established where the fire had hit hardest and Boston soon became a key business center of the late 19^th-century United States.”  (History.com.  This Day in History 1872: Fire Rips Through Boston)

 

Safety Engineering: “…the great fire of 1872…ten firemen and four citizens were killed.”

(Safety Engineering, “Boston’s Lodging House Holocaust.” Vol. 26,  No. 6, Dec 1913, p. 425.)

 

Newspaper

 

Nov 11: “There is nothing more remarkable in the dreadful calamity that has befallen our city than the awful rapidity that marked the progress of the flames. There is something appalling, too, in the contemplation of the success with which they persistently defied every means that were taken to conquer them. Whole blocks were literally mowed down by the flames like wheat before the reaper’s scythe. Granite was of no more avail against them than so much cardboard. No sooner did the heat touch it, than it began to crumble away piecemeal, and, gathering force and volume on its way, fell, crunching and thundering to the ground in huge masses, with the roar and resistless fury of an avalanche, blocking up the roads and blotting every trace of a street from view. The scene had more of the terrible than the grand in it. The sky was lighted up for miles around, and was disfigured by great patches of dun smoke, across whose discs burning fragments darted like angry meteors. Now it would be light as midday, and presently an ominous darkness spread like a pall across the heavens, and was only relieved by the lurid forks of flame that writhed tortuously through it, and disappeared in its depths.

 

“The air was filled with burning cinders that were hurled wildly above, where they hovered confusedly for a moment and then descended like a shower of gold to the earth, where they hissed, sputtered and crackled as though in malicious glee at the ruin of which they were a part. Every now and then a broad wave of light would suddenly show distant spires, sharp and clear against the dark sky, from which the next instant they would fade like specters, as the thick curling masses of smoke swelled upward and spread ghastly smears of black across the heavens….

 

“The march of the flames was as inflexible as fate, and as pitiless. There was no resisting them. Building after building, square after square, acre after acre was absorbed as steadily and as surely as the seconds swell into minutes and the minutes into hours. Men seemed stunned by the ruin that was so suddenly sown broadcast. Some, who a few hours before had enjoyed a full sense of that security which wealth bestows, and who were now beggared, stood gazing with a painful weariness and a listless apathy that were touching to look upon. Others shrugged their shoulders, lighted a cigar and went on their way with a true ‘Vive la Bagatelle’[13] air; though their pale faces and anxious brows told another story of the anguish they tried so hard to stifle.

 

“In the midst of all the bustle and confusion there suddenly started up without warning, numberless men, women and children bearing goods on their backs, in their arms, on their shoulders, and wagons filled with books and papers, thrown promiscuously in, burdened the roads. Here was to be seen a man carrying a trunk, and casting a look over his shoulder at the ruin from which he was hurrying away; and there, a number of boys carrying bushel baskets containing a curious mixture of odds and ends, hustled their way through the crowds that impeded them. People fought, struggled, cursed and stormed for the possession of wagons, carriages, hacks and even wheelbarrows. The sidewalks of the streets adjacent to the fire were heaped up with bedding, desks, furniture, boxes and goods of every description. The ‘birs of prey,’ who fatten on the calamities of their fellows, hovered about, eager to pilfer upon any opportunity that offered. They skulked in the shadows of the houses, watching with greedy eyes for a chance to gratify their rapacity. Well-dressed gentlemen were hustled by them with a view to watches and pocket-books. They crouched in dark niches, ready to dart forth and pounce upon any neglected trifle. They leered horribly in the faces of timid women, and uttered course jests in their hearing. Their brutal faces, low brows, small, snaky eyes, narrow lips and heavy jaws showed them to be the botchings of nature’s handiwork, and these distinctive and repulsive features were seen in distressing numbers in every direction. They grew so bold at last that the military were called in to keep them in check, and as the steady tramp of the soldiers was heard through the din, and their swords and bayonets reflected back the fire in cold and fitful flashes, this scum crept away to the dark holes from which they emerged, and gradually disappeared from the scene….

 

“The firemen seemed composed. They worked incessantly and with the most touching earnestness, but they were baffled completely, and were driven back step by step by the fire they sought to conquer. At length it was proposed to try the effect of powder in staying the progress of the flames.[14] A train was laid; the crowd was urged backward by the police to a position of safety. Some turned pale and fled, while others obstinately held their ground until they were compelled to retreat by main force. Then there was a moment or two of deathly silence, such as precedes a storm; then there is a low rumble, a trembling of the air, a lurid flash, and then the notes of thunder, accompanied by a deafening crash, a smothered shriek of alarm and a series of dull thuds in rapid succession as the heavy beams and blocks of stone struck the ground. The air is obscured by a thick cloud and tainted by a sickening odor. There is a momentary hope that the flames are stayed, but they break forth again in all their fury, apparently stimulated to fresh rage by the effort to thwart them. And these scenes are enacted over and over again with but little variation through the weary night, under the quiet sky and bright stars, till a faint gray of dawn imperceptibly creeps and swells into the broad glare of day, to find the swaying crowd, the battling firemen, the lapping flames, the hoarse cries of men, the sharp shrieks of engines, the wild confusion and the frightful havoc still at work, and a thick, blood-red cloud hovering over the city and filling the hearts of all with an ominous and indefinable mixture of terror and sadness.

Origin of the Fire and its Course

“The origin of this fearful calamity that has fallen thus heavily upon us was of so apparently trifling a nature that it is hardly possible, even now, with a full knowledge of the fact strong within us, to fully realize that results so awful in their magnitude could have arisen from so simple a beginning. The fire broke out in the large granite block on the southeast corner of Summer and Kingston streets, and was first discovered about a quarter-past seven o’clock on Saturday evening [Nov 9]. It began in the lower story, and probably caught from the engine. When the firemen arrived the flames had crept up to the fourth story, and the building being surmounted by a Mansard roof,[15] the fire soon sped upward and enveloped the woodwork. In a short time the whole building was in flames, and the adjoining blocks on Summer and Kingston streets, and also the blocks on the corner of Summer and Otis streets were almost completely enveloped.

 

“The building in which the fire originated was the first to fall, and soon after the block on the corner of Summer street and Otis place gave way. The flames ran rapidly up Summer street, pausing on the south side at Chauncy street, but on the other side, gaining force with every moment, it soon cleared the block between Otis and Arch, down which the flames poured as in a wind-fanned funnel, reaching Franklin square, some time before its course on Summer had swept to Hawley.

 

“From Arch street on Summer, the conflagration also moved through Devonshire, Federal, Purchase and Broad streets, with even greater rapidity than it did in the other direction, the buildings in its course being older, more inflammable and even closer together. As the buildings burned down Summer street each street opening into it became at once a funnel, through which the fire poured. Otis, Devonshire, Federal, High, Purchase and Broad became one after the other sheets of flame, which, leaping and licking from one side to the other, generally catching at the roofs, went roaring and cracking along the streets, wrapping block after block in flame….

 

“While the fire rushed down Summer to Broad, in a southeasterly direction, the main body of the fire swept through Arch into Franklin street, where…it acquired new force, as the fire which was then coming up Otis and Devonshire streets added force to its own movement, creating from each opening a motion which was almost a tornado, thus fanning the flames in Franklin street with the force of a hurricane. From this point the fire seemed to spread like a fan, the central pat of which was still Devonshire street to the new post-office building. Here the flames were checked for a time, and from that point it again spread out down Milk into Congress, Bath, Kilby and the adjacent streets. In the meanwhile Summer street had been swept to Broad street, while in its turn that was destroyed to Oliver, as the fire gained, passing up each street leading into the funnel, whose culminating portion was in the business blocks in and around the new post-office structure.

Summer Street.

 

“Summer street, beginning at Broad and extending towards Washington, presents a desolate appearance. On the entire north side there is but one house standing, that being at the corner of Washington… The walls of Trinity Church still stand, looking bare and grim enough, but everything perishable is seen only in the form of ashes. On the south side, the progress of the flames was stopped at Chauncy street, and even below that point there are two or three buildings still remaining. Yesterday afternoon, members of Company B, Ninth regiment, were guarding the ruins of the Freeman’s National Bank, No. 109, as the vault in falling had been burst in, and the contents were somewhat exposed. No injury has been done on the south side, above Chauncy street.

Franklin Street.

 

“Of Franklin street little can be said, except that of the magnificent buildings, by which, forty-eight hours ago, it was bordered, nothing now remains but huge piles of cracked and powdered stone and brick which cumber the street, making passage through extremely difficult, if not actually impossible. Not one of the many imposing edifices which were Boston’s pride, the Cathedral building, Donahoe’s block and others, now remains….” [Two further columns are devoted to street by street descriptions of damage.] (Boston Daily Globe, MA. “Devastation! A Terrible Conflagration in Boston.” 11-11-1872, p. 1.)

 

Nov 11, Boston Daily Globe from page 8: “The fate of the men who were in Walker & Co.’s on Federal street, is unknown.[16] The police say they cautioned them that they were in a dangerous position, but they did not heed the warning, and it is feared they perished in the building….

 

“Twenty-five thousand work girls were thrown out of employment by the fire….” (Boston Daily Globe, MA. “Devastation! A Terrible Conflagration in Boston.” 11-11-1872, p. 8.)

 

Nov 12: “Boston, Nov. 12.–This morning opened with a light but steady rain, which was the most welcome of all possible visitors, as it not only served to help quench the fire still smoldering in the ruins, but answered the equally happy purpose of keeping the streets clear of the curious crowds which yesterday impeded travel through the chief thoroughfares near the scene of the fire, and seriously interrupted business….

 

“To facilitate this business [of clean-up] the merely curious were strictly excluded from the limits, as was not the case yesterday, when any one was permitted to pass the lines uon his mere assertion that he had business within. Today, however, no one is allowed to enter without a pass signed by Gen. Burrill, commanding the military, and the ruins are thus kept free for the operations of those energetic merchants who already have gangs of men at work clearing away the debris…

 

“The buildings destroyed were so vast, and erected of such heavy material, that the whole space over which the fire swept is literally choked with broken blocks of granite, fallen iron columns and huge masses of bricks. In Chicago, where the streets are wide and the heat so intense as to crumble marble and brick into powder, the thoroughfares were cleared with comparatively little labor, where they were encumbered at all, which was seldom the case. But here the streets are narrow and crooked, and the buildings were composed of so much better material, that the wreck is much more difficult to get out of the way. All the streets are covered with the fallen ruins, so that it is impossible to take a horse and wagon anywhere in the burnt district, and the whole of the sixty acres are so thickly strewn with the debris that he who explores the area must clamber over granite blocks, hot piles of bricks, and stumble against the projecting ends of iron columns half buried in the mass of rubbish….

 

“Sunday morning two men, who were engaged in removing goods from one of the burning stores, were caught by the sudden fall of one of the side walls. One of these men was completely buried, and in all probability instantly killed, but the other was reserved for a more terrible fate, as he was caught only by the legs. He shouted for help, saying he was yet unhurt and if a few bricks were removed he could easily extricate himself. Several firemen, notwithstanding the heat was intense, and the danger from the other walls falling imminent, rushed to his assistance. While they were engaged in this work, the front wall fell, and not only was the first unfortunate buried under the ruins, but with him two of the noble firemen. As yet it is not positively known who these firemen were, but fears are entertained that Assistant Foremen William Ferry and Daniel Cochran, of Hook and Ladder No. 4, both of whom have been missing since that time. This afternoon a search will be made for these bodies….

 

Fault Finding.

 

“Considerable fault has been found with the manner in which the work of suppressing the fire was conducted. There are not wanting those who accuse the Mayor and Chief Engineer of vacillation and want of strength of character, in not taking means to blow up buildings before they did, and thus prevent the fire from spreading. It seems by the city statutes that the authority to do this is delegated wholly to the Chief Engineer, and as he appeared unwilling to assume this responsibility, the Mayor did not like to act in the matter. It is difficult to tell how far these officials are to be blamed. Certainly, in several instances the blowing up of buildings only added to the intensity of the fire; and the event proved that unless a large number were blown up under some system, and the shattered mass promptly drenched with water by the firemen, this means of prevention was worse than useless….

 

“Citizen soldiery are found here to answer the purpose of preserving the peace during a great crisis no better than they did during the days after the Chicago fire, and a public sentiment is forming on the subject which will probably compel their withdrawal, and remand the city to the police today or to-morrow. Several cases are reported where these soldiers were found intoxicated yesterday, with loaded muskets in their hands, and, besides their apparent uselessness as guards while in this condition, there was the constant danger that they would purposely or accidentally shoot somebody. There has been no such disorganization of society her as to call for the supersedure of the civil authorities, and the public will not patiently submit for another day to martial law. The police of the city has been happily managed, and shown admirable qualities during the crisis, so that the city runs no risk in giving them back their charge….” (New York Times. “Boston Alive Again.” 11-13-1872.)

 

Nov 13: “Boston, Nov. 13.–Today has been an extremely busy one among the ruins. The heavy rain of last night had entirely extinguished what little fire was left in the debris, and the gangs of workmen engaged in pulling down walls, clearing away the wreck, and digging for safes, worked with much greater facility than on the previous days. The streets are now almost entirely cleared, and a tour of the burnt district is no longer difficult….

 

“To-night the ruins are guarded by the militia as last night, and portions of the city are under martial law….” (New York Times. “The City of Boston…The Fire Entirely Extinguished by a Heavy Rain…” 11-14-1872.)

 

Nov 14: “Boston, Nov. 14.–It is now possible to make a list, nearly complete, of the loss of life and limb by the terrible conflagration. The following are the names:

 

Lewis C. Thompson, of Worcester, struck by a falling wall, and killed.

Frank Olmstead, of steamer No. 1, of Cambridge, fatally injured.

William Forry and Daniel Cochrane…steamer…4, buried under Weeks & Potter’s store.

Five unknown persons, also buried under Weeks & Potter’s store.

….

Joseph Burr and George Smith, the former of Dorchester and the latter of Neponsett, came in on Saturday evening [Nov 9] to see the fire; were last seen in the vicinity of Chauncy-street, and, it is feared, they have been killed by falling walls.

 

Walter F. Twombly, of Sheridan Hose Company No. 2, of Malden, has been missing since 3 o’clock Sunday morning. He was last seen on State-street, going toward Pearly-street. He was twenty-two years of age.

 

John Dillon, a machinist, aged eighteen, living at No. 122 Broadway, has been missing since 3 o’clock on Sunday.

 

Albert C. Abbott, an exempt fireman [volunteer], of Charlestown, lies in a very critical condition at the Massachusetts General Hospital from injuries received while at work at the site of the old Post-office, on Sunday afternoon. [Reported to have died.][17]

 

Lewis Porter Abbott, brother of Albert C., is missing, and is supposed to be buried in the ruins of Bradford & Anthony’s store, on Washington-street. He leaves three little children to the care of his aged and widowed mother at No. 11 Perkins-street, Charlestown. Albert was to have been married to a young lady of Charlestown on Thanksgiving Day, all the arrangements having been completed. His fiancée has been in attendance on him constantly since Sunday evening….” (NYT. “List of the Killed and Wounded…” 11-15-1872.)

 

Nov 16: “Boston, Nov. 16….The remains of two ladies taken from the ruins of the fire on Wednesday are in charge of an undertaker, and there is no way of identifying them except by patches of clothing. The remains of the mother of Miss Martha Hutchinson have been found among the ruins of Messrs. Shreve, Crump & Lowe’s store. Miss Hutchinson save herself by jumping from the window. Search continues for other bodies.” (New York Times. “Recovering from the Fire.” 11-17-1872.)

 

Nov 18: “Boston, Mass., Nov., 17….Recovering The Dead. The remains of Daniel Cochrane, late second foreman of Hook and Ladder Company No. 4, was exhumed from the ruins on Washington-street today. They were charred beyond recognition, but identified by a tag, with keys attached. He was thirty years of age, and leave a wife and two children. Shortly after finding Cochrane, Cat. William Farrie, of the same company, was exhumed and identified by a gold chain belonging to his wife. Michael Cuddy has been missing since Saturday night, and was last seen at the falling of the walls on Summer-street….” (New York Times. “Boston Yesterday…Two Dead Bodies Exhumed and Identified.” 11-18-1872.)

 

Nov 24: “Boston, Nov. 24.–This afternoon another body was taken from the ruins of the fire, but had not been identified up to a late hour. In the pockets of the pantaloons were some papers, but nothing to lead to identification of the body. A party of firemen from Cambridge have been searching throughout the day for the body of one of their own number, who is missing….” (New York Times. “Another Body Found in the Ruins of Boston–Search for a Missing Cambridge Fireman.” 11-25-1872.)

 

Summary of Deaths and Presumed Dead Noted Above

 

1. Abbott, Albert C. Volunteer firefighter and former member of Charlestown Fire Dept.
2. Abbott, Lewis Porter, ex-fireman and volunteer, Charlestown Fire Department.[18]
3. Burr, Joseph, of Dorchester. Last seen Chauncy St. area; thought killed by falling walls.
4. Cochrane, Daniel, assistant foreman, Boston Hook and Ladder Company No. 4.
5. Connelly, John, fireman, West Roxbury Hook and Ladder Company No. 1.
6. Cuddy, Michael. Still missing Nov 17 after last being seen at Summer St. falling walls.
7. Dillon, John, 18. Missing as of Nov 14. Resided at No. 122 Broadway.
8. Farrie/Farry/Farril/Forry, William. Foreman of Boston Hook and Ladder Company No. 4.
9. Frazier, William S., volunteer, Cambridge Fire Department.
10. Hutchinson, Mrs. (Identified as mother of Miss Martha Hutchinson.)
11. Maloney, Thomas. Firefighter, Worcester Fire Department.
12. Olmstead, Frank D., volunteer, steamer No. 1, Cambridge Fire Department.
13. Rogers, Henry, volunteer, Boston Engine Company No. 6.
14. Smith, George. Of Neponsett. Last seen Chauncy St. area; thought killed by falling walls.
15. Thompson, Lewis C., of Worcester, struck by a falling wall.
16. Trombly, Walter S., fireman, Malden Hose Company No. 2.
17. Turnbull, Martin. Firefighter, Charlestown Hose Company No. 3.
18. Unidentified female [body recovered wearing pantaloons] on Nov 24.
19. Unidentified female, body recovered Nov 16.
20. Unidentified female, 2^nd body recovered on Nov 16.
21. 1^st of five unknown persons buried under Weeks & Potter’s store.
22. 2^nd of five unknown persons buried under Weeks & Potter’s store.
23. 3^rd of five unknown persons buried under Weeks & Potter’s store.
24. 4^th of five unknown persons buried under Weeks & Potter’s store.
25. 5^th of five unknown persons buried under Weeks & Potter’s store.

 

Sources

 

Boston Daily Globe, MA. “Devastation! A Terrible Conflagration in Boston.” 11-11-1872, p. 1. Accessed 10-19-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/boston-daily-globe-nov-11-1872-p-1/

 

Boston Fire Historical Society. Boston’s Fire Trail: A Walk Through the City’s Fire and Firefighting History. Charleston, SC: The History Press, 2007.

 

Boston Fire Historical Society. Great Boston Fire of 1872. Accessed 10-18-2017 at:  http://bostonfirehistory.org/?s=great+boston+fire+of+1872

 

Docema LLC. Damrell’s Fire (DVD and website). “Boston Burnt: The Great Fire of 1872.” 2003. Accessed 10-18-2017 at: http://www.boston1872.docema.com/

 

Federal Emergency Management Agency. “Great Boston Fire 1872.” Historic Fires. 8-26-2011. Emmitsburg, MD: FEMA, National Emergency Training Center, Learning Resource Center. Accessed at: http://www.lrc.fema.gov/disasters_fires.html

 

History.com. This Day in History, Disaster, November 9, 1872. “Fire Rips Through Boston.”  http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history.do?action=tdihArticleCategory&displayDate=11/9&categoryId=disaster

 

Lowell Sun, MA. “Fires and Fire Losses,” April 30, 1908, p. 16. Accessed at:  http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=56171711

 

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.

 

National Fire Protection Association. “100 Conflagrations Since 1900.” Quarterly of the National Fire Protection Association, Vol. 29, No. 1, July 1935, pp. 129-156.

 

New York Times. “Another Body Found in the Ruins of Boston–Search for a Missing Cambridge Fireman.” 11-25-1872. Accessed 10-19-2017 at: http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=990CE0DE163BEF34BC4D51DFB7678389669FDE

 

New York Times. “Boston. Funeral of a Fireman Killed at the Great Fire.” 11-20-1872. Accessed 10-19-2017 at: http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9901E2DF163BEF34BC4851DFB7678389669FDE

 

New York Times. “Boston Alive Again.” 11-13-1872. Accessed 10-19-2017 at: http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9D07EFD61F38EF34BC4B52DFB7678389669FDE

 

New York Times. “Boston Yesterday…Two Dead Bodies Exhumed and Identified.” 11-18-1872. Accessed 10-19-2017 at: http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9E00E3DF163BEF34BC4052DFB7678389669FDE

 

New York Times. “List of the Killed and Wounded…” 11-15-1872. Accessed 10-19-2017 at: http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9D0CE0DA1439EF34BC4D52DFB7678389669FDE

 

New York Times. “Recovering from the Fire.” 11-17-1872. Accessed 10-19-2017 at:

http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9907E4DF163BEF34BC4F52DFB7678389669FDE

 

New York Times. “The City of Boston. Progress of the Merchants in Resuming Business. The Fire Entirely Extinguished by a Heavy Rain…” 11-14-1872. Accessed 10-19-2017 at: http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9506E7DF163BEF34BC4C52DFB7678389669FDE

 

Safety Engineering. “Boston’s Lodging House Holocaust.” (26/6, Dec 1913, p. 425). From: Vol. 26, No’s 1-6, July-December, 1913. NY: Safety Press, Inc., 1913. Accessed 10-18-2017 at: http://books.google.com/books?id=L9YMAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=editions:LCCNsc80000582&lr

 

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

 

 

 

[1] Nine firefighters fighting the fire and two later from injuries. “The exact civilian death toll was never determined, but it was probably sixteen to thirty people.” Thus, 11 firefighters plus 16-30 civilians comes to 27-41

[2] It appears from our listing of fatalities and missing/presumed dead below, that there were at least 25 deaths (and probably 27, as the Boston Fire Historical Society notes in Boston’s Fire Trail). We use as the high range of our estimate the figure of 41 also provided by the Boston Fire Historical Society notes in Boston’s Fire Trail, though our attempt to enumerate fatalities and presumed dead comes to only 25. (See footnote 1.)

[3] “Despite the enormity of the fire, only two Boston firemen were killed, with the total deaths numbering between 13 and 20, depending on the source.”

[4] “Farril” spelling is from New York Times. “Boston. Funeral of a Fireman Killed at the Great Fire.” 11-20-1872.

[5] New York Times. “Boston Yesterday…Two Dead Bodies Exhumed and Identified.” 11-18-1872.

[6] From New York Times: “The remains of Daniel Cochrane, late second foreman of Hook and Ladder Company, No. 4, was exhumed from the ruins on Washington-street today [Nov 17]. They were charred beyond recognition, but identified by a tag, with keys attached. He was thirty years of age, and leaves a wife and two children. Shortly after finding Cochrane, Capt. William Farrie, of the same company, was exhumed and identified by a gold chain belonging to his wife.

[7] Brother of Albert C. Abbott. (New York Times. “List of the Killed and Wounded…” 11-15-1872.)

[8] The Boston Daily Globe of Nov 11, page 8, notes: “Frank Olmstead, a fireman of Steamer 1 of Cambridge, about 10 o’clock Saturday night was in C. T. Walker & Co.’s carriage depository, 91 Federal street, getting out carriages with seven or eight men, when he was injured by a wall falling from the adjoining building striking him on the head. He was taken to the Second station, where Dr. Weston attended him, after which he was taken to the Massachusetts General Hospital on a stretcher, where he died from the effects of his injuries at two o’clock yesterday afternoon.”

[9] New York Times of Nov 15 notes he was last seen Nov 10 on State Street going toward Pearl.

[10] “Thomas Maloney…of Worcester, and twenty years of age, suffered the fracture of his ankle from…[falling of a wall], and is now lying at the City Hospital in a precarious condition. His only hope is amputation of the foot, which, however, he will hardly be able to endure and survive.” (Boston Daily Globe, 11-11-1872, p. 8.)

[11] “About eleven o’clock [9^th], Mark Turnbull, a member of Washington Hose Company No. 3 of Charleston, received an injury to his spine and head from the butt end of the hose which struck him knocking him down and also causing a compound fracture of two of his ribs. He was carried to the Second station, where Dr. Merriam attended him, when he was taken in a wagon to his home in Charlestown.” (Boston Daily Globe, 11-11-1872, p. 8.)

[12] The Boston Daily Globe of Nov 11, page 8, notes: “Albert C. Abbott, a member of Hose Company No. 1 of Charlestown, fell from a ladder, a distance of twenty-five feet, at the old post-office, about two o’clock yesterday afternoon, and was severely injured about the spine. He was taken to the Second station, and thence to the Massachusetts General Hospital.”

[13] In French “vive” means long lived, and “bagatelle” can mean something of trifling importance.

[14] Meaning to attempt to create a firebreak by dynamiting buildings at the edge of the fire.

[15] “Mansard roof, type of roof having two slopes on every side, the lower slope being considerably steeper than the upper.” (Britannica.com)

[16] Several paragraphs above, it is noted that a fireman, Frank Olmstead, was injured by a wall falling from an adjoining building into the one he “with seven or eight men” was in while trying to move carriages to safety. He later died. Presumably this reference is to the “seven or eight men” who were with him.

[17] Boston Fire Historical Society. Boston’s Fire Trail: A Walk Through the City’s Fire and Firefighting History.

[18] Brother of Albert C. Abbott. (New York Times. “List of the Killed and Wounded…” 11-15-1872.)

50-51  Blanchard tally from breakouts below.

 

New Orleans, LA      (39-40)                        July 11-Nov 19

–40      “          Galveston Tri-Weekly Civilian, TX. Yellow Fever at [N.O.] 11-29-1872, p. 4, c. 1.

–40      “                                  Kotar & Gessler. Yellow Fever: A Worldwide History. 2017,  274.

–39      “                                  Carrigan. The Saffron Scourge. 1961, p. 168.[1]

–39      “                                  New Orleans Public Library, Yellow Fever Deaths in [N.O.]…

—  0      “  July 11 rpt., 1^st case. Brownsville Banner, IN. “News of …week.” 7-11-1872, p. 2, c. 1.

—  5      “  Sep                          Galveston Tri-Weekly Civilian, TX. 10-16-1872, p. 4, col. 1.[2]

—  2      “  Sep 30-Oct 6.          Galveston News, TX. 10-11-1872, p. 2, col. 6.[3]

—  1     “  Nov 19 (last death) Galveston Tri-Weekly Civilian, TX. 11-29-1872, p. 4, col. 1.[4]

 

Galveston, TX           (    10)

–10  The year, out of 40 cases.           Galveston Daily News, 11-28-1873, p. 2, col. 4.[5]

 

Maritime                    (       1)             Trip from Mobile to Vineyard Haven, MA, ending Oct 18.

–1  Brig Shannon.       Trip from Mobile to Vineyard Haven (MA?), ending Oct 18.[6]

 

Sources

 

Brownsville Banner, IN. “News of the Week.” 7-11-1872, p. 2, col. 1. Accessed 5-6-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/brownstown-banner-jul-11-1872-p-2/

 

Carrigan, Jo Ann. The Saffron Scourge: A History of Yellow Fever in Louisiana, 1796-1905 (Doctoral Dissertation). Louisiana State University, LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses, 1961. Accessed 3-11-2018 at: https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1665&context=gradschool_disstheses

 

Daily State Journal, Richmond, VA. “Yellow Fever.” 10-18, 1872, p. 1, col. 7. Accessed 5-6-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/richmond-daily-state-journal-oct-18-1872-p-1/

 

Galveston Daily News, TX. [Yellow Fever, Galveston] 11-28-1873, p. 2, col. 4. Accessed 5-7-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/galveston-daily-news-nov-28-1873-p-2/

 

Galveston News, TX. 10-11-1872, p. 2, col. 6. Accessed 5-6-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/galveston-daily-news-oct-11-1872-p-2/

 

Galveston Tri-Weekly Civilian, TX. [Yellow Fever, New Orleans] 10-16-1872, p. 4, col. 1. Accessed 5-6-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/galveston-tri-weekly-civilian-oct-16-1872-p-4/

 

Galveston Tri-Weekly Civilian, TX. “Yellow Fever at New Orleans.” 11-29-1872, p. 4, col. 1. Accessed 5-6-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/galveston-tri-weekly-civilian-nov-29-1872-p-4/

 

Kotar, S. L. and J. E. Gessler. Yellow Fever: A Worldwide History. McFarland, 2017. Google preview accessed 5-5-2018 at: https://books.google.com/books?id=e1YQDgAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

New Orleans Public Library, Louisiana Division. Yellow Fever Deaths in New Orleans, 1817-1905. Accessed 3-7-2010 at: http://nutrias.org/facts/feverdeaths.htm

 

 

[1] Cites, in footnote 19, p. 168: Report of the Louisiana State Board of Health for 1872, p. 135.

[2] “The Board of Health report only five deaths from yellow fever in New Orleans, during the whole month of September.”

[3] “The whole number of deaths in New Orleans last week was ninety, against one hundred and three the week previous….two [died] of yellow fever….”

[4] “Yellow Fever at New Orleans. The whole number of deaths in New Orleans last week was 112, against 120 the week previous. Tone died…of yellow fever…There are now no cases of yellow fever under treatment in the city. The last death occurred on the 19^th inst., and all other cases have recovered. This year there have been eighty cases, of which forty resulted fatally. In 1871 there were fifty-four deaths, and in 1870 the bills of health show 587 deaths from this disease.”

[5] Cites the Texas Medical Journal.

[6] Daily State Journal, Richmond, VA. “Yellow Fever.” 10-18, 1872, p. 1, col. 7. There were two recovered cases.