lornajarrettblanchard

—  34-36  Blanchard range[1] compiled in 2015 for: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com

–60-120  Kotar and Gessler. The Steamboat Era. 2009, p. 124.

—   <100  Cincinnati paper dated Apr 23, 1850 in Kotar and Gessler. The Steamboat Era, 124.

—   ~100  Friends’ Review, Vol. 3, No. 33, May 4, 1850.  “Summary of News,” p. 528.

–50-100  Telegraph, Harrisburg, PA. “Awful Steamboat Disaster…” 5-1-1850, in Parthermore.

—     >80  Cincinnati Dispatch, Apr 25, 1850; in Kotar and Gessler. The Steamboat Era, 123.

—       80  Stryker’s American Register & Magazine (V4). “Disasters to Steamers,” July 1850, 148

—       60  Adams Sentinel, Gettysburg, Pa. “Awful Steamboat Accident.” 4-22-1850.

—  35-50  Hunter and Hunter. Steamboats on the Western Rivers. 1994, p. 282.[2]

—       37  Daily Sanduskian. “Belle of the West,” April 29, 1850.

—       36  Collins and Collins. Collins’ Historical Sketches of Kentucky (Vol. I). 1882, p. 60.[3]

—       35  Lloyd’s Steamboat Directory and Disasters on the Western Waters.  1856, p. 246.[4]

—       35  U.S. Congress, House Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee Hearings. 1935, 246.

—       35  Way’s Packet Directory, 1848-1994: Passenger Steamboats…MS River Sys. 1994, 45.

—       34  Berman, Bruce D.  Encyclopedia of American Shipwrecks. 1972, p. 273.

—       34  Mitchell (Ed.). Merchant Steam Vessels of the United States 1790-1868. 1975, p. 245.

—       34  Nash, Jay Robert. Darkest Hours. 1977, p. 681.

—       33  Twaintimes. “1846-1856.”[5]

 

Narrative Information

 

Lloyd: “Burning of the Belle of the West.

 

“The Belle of the West was burned to the water’s edge, near Florence island, on the Ohio river, April 22d, 1850. Only an imperfect report of this disaster has been preserved.

 

List Of The Killed.—Jeremiah Bamberger; John Anders and wife; Frederick Bretz, wife and three children; (two children belonging to this family were saved 😉 Mr. Keller, wife and three children; a lady, name unknown; a man, wife and six children, names unknown; three children of Mr. Waggoner ; two German deck passengers; and a family, consisting of two men, two women, and four children. Wounded — John Bamberger; Levi Yerdz; Miss Yerdz; and three or four others, names unknown.

 

“A brave little boy, twelve years old, leaped into the river, and while swimming to the shore, saw his mother on board, overburdened with two small children, and trying to make her escape. He made her understand by gestures, that he wished her to throw one of the children into the water. She did so, and he swam with it to the shore. The mother escaped with the other child, and thus the whole family was saved. Several other families were less fortunate. A Mr. Waggoner, one of the passengers, was accompanied by his wife and eight children. Three of the children were drowned. Mr. Waggoner was emigrating to Iowa, having with him money, with which he intended to purchase land; but every dollar of it was lost. About fifty German Moravians, some of them with families, were on board. Many of these people perished in the flames, or in the water.”  (Lloyd’s Steamboat Directory and Disasters on the Western Waters.  1856, p. 246.)

 

Mitchell: “Belle of the West…exploded…4 23 1850…Warsaw, Ky. … 34 [killed].” (Mitchell, C. Bradford (Editor). Merchant Steam Vessels of the United States 1790-1868, “The Lytle-Holdcamper List. 1975, p. 245.)

 

Nash: “1850, Apr, 23. Belle of the West. 34 [deaths]. The 249-ton Mississippi steamboat, built in 1841, exploded at Warsaw, Ky., on the Ohio River.” (Nash, Jay R. Darkest Hours. 1977, p. 681.)

 

246. S. Congress: “Apr. 22, 1850…Belle of the West…35 [deaths]…Burned…Ohio River…” (U.S. Congress, House Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee. Safety of Life and Property at Sea Hearings, 1935, p. 246.)

 

Way: “Belle of the West.  SW p wh b [Sidewheel packet, wood hull, built] Cincinnati, Oh., 1841.  249 tons.  Ran Cincinnati-New Orleans, Capt. David Whitten.  Burned on the Ohio River near Florence, Ind., Capt. D.S. James, Apr. 22, 1850, with loss of 35 lives.” (Way’s Packet Directory, 1848-1994: Passenger Steamboats…MS River Sys. 1994, 45.)

 

Newspapers and Periodicals of the Time

 

April 22: “Cincinnati, April 23. A terrible steamboat accident, attended by fearful loss of life, occurred this morning at about 1 o’clock.  The splendid steamer, Belle of the West, which cleared from this port, loaded with California bound emigrants for St. Louis, had gone but a mile below Warsaw, Ky., when her boiler bursted.  It is confidently asserted that not less than one hundred persons were burnt to death and drowned.  The scene that followed the explosion is represented as having been the most awful ever witnessed on the western rivers.  The officers saved their lives by immediately jumping overboard, and swimming ashore. The Belle of the West was owned in this city…She is said to be totally lost.

 

“Second Dispatch. Madison, April 23.  Another Account of the Steamboat Disaster. An eye witness to the horrible scent attending the destruction of the Belle of the West, (which it appears was burnt, instead of having collapsed her boiler,) gives facts in connection with the calamity.  He says that the fire was discovered at about 12 o’clock, in the hold, when she was immediately run ashore, where she was made fast, and stage planks run out. Up to this moment the flames had not burst forth.  The after-hatch was then raised for the purpose of getting water into the hold, but such was the pressure of the flames, that all efforts to quell them were of no avail. The total number of passengers is estimated at 400, among whom were two companies of California emigrants, and about thirty families removing westward.

 

“It is ascertained from the register that over sixty souls perished, and probably as many more have been lost whose names were not enrolled.  Such was the progress of the fire that, before the passengers could get out of the state rooms, all communication between the after cabin and forward part of the boat was cut off, and all either were compelled to jump overboard or perish in the flames.”  (Adams Sentinel, Gettysburg, PA. 4/22/1850.)

 

April 23 and 28 papers in Kotar and Gessler: “Two other articles on the disaster bear inspection.  The first, dated ‘Cincinnati, April 23, 1850,’ states:

 

It is confidently asserted that not less than one hundred persons were burnt to death and drowned….The officers saved their lives by immediately jumping overboard, and swimming ashore. The Belle of the West was owned in this city, and was insured for $8,000.  She is said to be totally lost.

 

“And the second, dated ‘Madison, April 28, 1850,’ gives the report of an eyewitness, who states the boat appears to have been burned rather than being destroyed from the collapse of her boiler.  In addition:

 

The fire was discovered at about 12 o’clock, in the hold, when she was immediately run ashore, where she was made fast, and stage planks run out.  Up to this moment the flames had not burst forth. The after-hatch was then raised for the purpose of getting water into the hold, but such was the pressure of the flames, that all efforts to quell them were of no avail. The total number of passengers is estimated at 400, among whom were two companies of California emigrants, and about thirty families removing westward.

 

It is ascertained from the register that over 60 souls perished, and probably as many more have been lost whose names were not enrolled. Such was the progress of the fire that, before the passengers could get out of the state rooms, all communication between the after cabin and forward part of the boat were cut off, and all either were compelled to jump overboard or perish in the flames. At the time the deck fell in, a lady and gentleman, with a child in his arms, were standing between the chimneys.

 

A large number of horses and cattle were nearly all burnt to death.”

 

(Kotar and Gessler. The Steamboat Era, 2009, p. 124.)

 

April 25: “….As near as we can discern, the lives lost will number over eighty. None of the crew were lost. A portion of the goods were brought to this city in a damaged state. Over thirty of the dead and dying are at Florence. The boat was fully insured in this city, and we learn from good authority that a protest was issued yesterday.

 

“The watchman is of the opinion that the fire originated in the hold from a large box of matches taken on board here….The captain, after he discovered the fire, immediately gave the alarm, and hastened to a forward hatch where a keg of powder had been stored, and threw (it) overboard, saving in all probability, a dreadful explosion.” (Cincinnati Dispatch, Apr 25, 1850; in Kotar and Gessler. The Steamboat Era, 123.)

 

April 29: “We are favored by Mr. Parks of the Express for the Cincinnati Daily Times of Saturday evening [April 27] which contains what purports to be full particulars of the disaster to the boat, as given by D. James, the captain.  From this we make the following extracts:

 

When opposite Florence, Ia., I discovered smoke issuing through the joints of the forward hatch, which gave me some uneasiness, when I called one of the deck hands, who was standing near, to raise the hatch to see if the cause was below.  The appearance of more smoke proved my suspicion to be correct, and I immediately ran to the hurricane deck and ordered the pilot to land the boat, that there was a fire in the hold.  Next returned to said hatch and found two men had gone down with the hose. I ordered them up to get aft and get all the passengers on deck forward, while I went through the cabin, assisted by the second clerk and steward, to wake up the passengers….

 

There were a large number of passengers on deck, and some in the cabin, whose names were not registered.  It will therefore be impossible to give a full list.  The number known to be lost or missing is thirty-seven…”

 

(Daily Sanduskian.  “Belle of the West,” April 29, 1850.)

 

May 1: “The Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Telegraph, of Wednesday morning, May 1, 1850, contains the following account from, the Cincinnati, O., Daily Dispatch, of the burning of the above boat.

 

“Our city was thrown into gloom on yesterday afternoon, by the arrival of the heart-rendering intelligence that the steamer “Belle of the West,” on her way to St. Louis, from this port, was burned to the water’s edge, on Monday night about 12 o’clock, two miles below Warsaw, Ky., and in all probability from fifty to one hundred persons had perished in the flames.

 

The Belle had on board one hundred registered cabin passengers, not including a number of children attached to families, whose names were not registered, and on deck there were about one hundred emigrants and others, whose names had not been taken down. The boat was fully freighted, and had on the luggage and moveables of numbers of emigrants, and some forty or fifty persons on their way to California.

 

The fire was discovered in the hold by the smoke issuing from aft the hatchway, and is supposed to have been occasioned by carelessness in leaving a candle burning. Prompt efforts were made to suppress the flames without giving the alarm, but the fire gained so fast that the officers and crew were compelled to yield to it. The engineer called to the pilot, through the trumpet, to run the boat ashore, which was immediately done and the alarm given. The greater portion of the passengers being asleep in their rooms, the officers of the boat rushed into the cabin, into which fire and smoke had already commenced pouring, and those who could not be awakened by the alarm were dragged from their beds. The doors were burst open; numbers who were insensible from fright were carried out by the crew, and, in fact, as we have it from an eye witness, all connected with the boat periled their lives to save those on board.

 

The boat was totally enveloped in flames, fore and aft, in less than four minutes, and amidst the crackling roar of consuming fire, the shrieks of the helpless, the doomed to certain death, were distinctly heard—the voices of men, women, and children; mothers, fathers, and offspring—mingling in the roar of death and horror. The steamers Hermann and Useter brought up a number of the survivors, and a portion of the freight that was saved. The houses in Florence were filled with the sufferers, and every attention to their comfort was bestowed by the citizens.

 

The register of the boat was saved, but the contents of the iron safe, including the money, etc., were destroyed. The Belle of the West was commanded by Capt. James. Mr. Salsbury, of Hanging Rock, who was on board—a deck passenger—says he knows of two families, one consisting of four and the other of seven persons, who perished; they were from Pennsylvania. Numbers leaped over board and were drowned, while others were awakened too late to escape the horrid death which surrounded them.

 

The scene, as described by Mr. Thomas Rutherford, of this city, who, in company with Thomas Lawsen, had retired to his berth but a short time before the alarm was given, was awful and heart-rending. The officers of the boat repairing to the cabin, upon the first alarm aroused the passengers by knocking at each state-room door.  In a moment all was confusion and disorder beyond description.  Shriek upon shriek broke upon the midnight air.  Mothers in their night dresses, with babes pressed for safety to their breasts, rushed to and fro in frantic agony in search of other loved ones of their flock, whom they sought to save.  Every part of the boat was filled with the dense and suffocating smoke which had been so long pent up in the hold, where the destroying element was preying on the vitals of the ill-starred steamer. The lurid flames shot up through the thick smoke in tortuous windings like fiery serpents enveloping their victims, amid whose agonizing cries the demoniac crackled and laughed in mad mockery and direful derision.

 

Many in the insane fright of the moment leapt into the water from the hurricane deck, their egress being cut off below, preferring to stem the current of water to the current of flame; others jumped overboard from the guards and the afterpart of the boat; some saved themselves by swimming ashore, while others only escaped the fire to perish in the water. The bow of the boat only struck the shore, the stern swung round, the boat struck, and the only chance was in reaching the shore by the bow. So great was the rush of deck and cabin passengers that many were prevented from saving themselves through that channel. Many were jostled and trampled upon, and so rapid was the progress of the fire that, notwithstanding the communication with the shore, it is estimated that not less than from fifty to one hundred passengers perished by fire and water.  (Telegraph, Harrisburg, PA. “Awful Steamboat Disaster…” 5-1-1850.)

 

May 4, Friends’ Review: “A disastrous fire occurred on the morning; of 23d ult., on board the Steamboat Belle of the West, on the passage from Cincinnati to St. Louis. The number of passengers is said to have been nearly four hundred; of whom about one hundred are supposed to have been lost.  Many of the passengers were emigrants on their way to California.  The fire was discovered about half an hour after midnight, when the boat was immediately run ashore, but the progress of the flames was so rapid, that access to the land was soon cut off from the hinder part of the boat.  Many of the passengers were therefore compelled to jump into the water, or perish in the fire. Thirty-one bodies are reported to have been recovered from the wreck. The number drowned appears uncertain.” (Friends’ Review, Vol. 3, N33, May 4, 1850. “Summary of News,” p. 528.)

 

Parthermore: “The Louisville Journal says: “We have heard some thrilling incidents attending the great calamity. Of a family of a man named Amon Waggoner, of Virginia, consisting of himself, his wife, and eight children, three children were lost,—a daughter of 17, another of 13, and a little son of 4.  They were on their way to Iowa and lost all they had. About 50 German Moravians from near Lancaster, Pa., were on board, and many of these lost children and other relatives.”

 

“A young lady in her endeavor to escape, had gained the hurricane deck, and was observed clinging on to the casing of one of the chimes, but unable to retain her clasp, she sank down amid the flames, and was seen no more.” (Parthermore, E.W.S.  Genealogy of the Ludwig Bretz Family, 1750-1890 (Vol. 1). 1890, 67-68.)

 

July, Stryker’s: “23d, Disasters to steamers. – The steamboat ‘Belle of the West’ took fire near Warsaw, Ind., having on board 400 passengers, and burnt with such rapidity that many lives were lost.  It is believed that 80 persons perished, and a large number of horses on board were mostly all burned to death.” (Stryker’s American Register & Magazine (V4). “Disasters to Steamers,” July 1850, 148.)

 

Sources

 

Adams Sentinel, Gettysburg, PA. “Awful Steamboat Accident, One Hundred Lives Lost.” 4-4-1850. At: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/PdfViewerTags.aspx?img=3107972&firstvisit=true&src=search&currentResult=0

 

Berman, Bruce D. Encyclopedia of American Shipwrecks. Boston: Mariners Press Inc., 1972.

 

Collins, Lewis and Richard H. Collins. Collins’ Historical Sketches of Kentucky. History of Kentucky By the late Lewis Collins, Judge of the Mason County Court. Revised, Enlarged Four-Fold, and Brought Down to the Year 1874, by his son Richard H. Collins (Vol. I). Covington, KY: Collins & Co., 1882. Accessed 2-16-2015 at: https://books.google.com/books?id=xMM6AQAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

Daily Sanduskian, OH. “Belle of the West.” 4-29-1850. Accessed at:  http://www.newspaperarchive.com/cache2/9847870.pdf

 

Friends’ Review, Vol. 3, No. 33, 5-4-1850. “Summary of News” [Belle of the West], p. 528. Google digitized at: http://books.google.com/books?id=fjErAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=true

 

Hunter, Louis C. and Beatrice J. Steamboats on the Western Rivers: An Economic and Technological History. NY: Dover Publications, Inc., 994, 684 pages.

 

Kotar, S. L. and J. E. Gessler. The Steamboat Era: A History of Fulton’s Folly on American Rivers, 1807-1860. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Co., Inc., 2009. Partially digitized by Google:  http://books.google.com/books?id=JVNZSTgHhdgC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

Lloyd, James T. Lloyd’s Steamboat Directory and Disasters on the Western Waters. Cincinnati, Ohio: James T. Lloyd & Co., 1856. Digitized by Google. Accessed at:  http://books.google.com/books?id=JlYqAAAAYAAJ

 

Mitchell, C. Bradford (Editor). Merchant Steam Vessels of the United States 1790-1868, “The Lytle-Holdcamper List. The Steamship Historical Society of America, 1975. Google Snippet accessed 3-23-2015 at: https://books.google.com/books?id=fcFQAQAAIAAJ&q=%22belle+of+the+west%22+1850&dq=%22belle+of+the+west%22+1850&hl=en&sa=X&ei=BogQVfCdM4WkgwS7u4DQAg&ved=0CC4Q6AEwAw

 

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.

 

Parthermore, Winfield Scott. Genealogy of the Ludwig Bretz Family, 1750-1890 (Vol. 1). Harrisburg, PA: Harrisburg Publishing Co., 1890. Digitized by Google at:  http://books.google.com/books?id=y3ItAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

Stryker’s American Register & Magazine (Vol. 4). “Disasters to Steamers,” July 1850, p. 148. Google digitized at:  http://books.google.com/books?id=ympBAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

Twaintimes.  1846-1856. Accessed at: http://twaintimes.net/page3.html

 

United States Congress, House of Representatives, Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee. Safety of Life and Property at Sea Hearings. Washington, DC: GPO, 1935. Google Snippet accessed 3-23-2015 at: https://books.google.com/books?id=l9xH_9sUuVAC&q=%22belle+of+the+west%22+1850&dq=%22belle+of+the+west%22+1850&hl=en&sa=X&ei=BogQVfCdM4WkgwS7u4DQAg&ved=0CD0Q6AEwBg

 

Way, Frederick Jr. (Compiler). Way’s Packet Directory, 1848-1994: Passenger Steamboats of the Mississippi River System Since the Advent of Photography in Mid-Continent America (Revised Edition). Athens OH: Ohio University Press, 1994-1999.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[1] There were newspaper stories of 50-120 deaths. We use lower estimates found in government and later writings.

[2] Has the loss due to a fire.

[3] Has the date as April 22.

[4] Dates the explosion April 22.

[5] Dates the explosion April 22.

–18-22 Blanchard estimated death-toll.*

— 29 Thompson, Mark L. Graveyard of the Lakes. 2004, p. 105.
— 22 Case Western Reserve Univ. Encyclopedia of Cleveland History. “Maritime Disasters.”
— 22 Great Lakes & Seaway Shipping News Archive. Report News (March 2009).
— 22 Mansfield, John Brandts. History of the Great Lakes (Vol. 1). 1899, pp. 660, 894.
— 22 Nash, Jay Robert. Darkest Hours. 1977, p. 681.
— 22 Ratigan, William. Great Lakes Shipwrecks & Survivals (2nd Ed.), 1969, p. 194.
— 22 Swayze, David D. Shipwreck!…Directory…Shipwrecks…Great Lakes. 1992, p. 234.
–18-19 Daily Sanduskian, OH. “Further Particulars from the Steamer Troy.” 3-25-1850, p2, c5.
— 7 named fatalities
— 1 named missing
— ~3 “several” unknown/unnamed drowned (we convert “several” into “about three.”)
— 1 named “fatally scalded.” (six others noted as scalded or “badly scalded.”)
— 3 unnamed cabin boys “killed.”
–3-4 unnamed men working as deckhands to pay for their passage. “killed.”
— 15 Lloyd. Lloyd’s Steamboat Directory. 1856, p. 292.
— 14 McNeil. “Troy (Steamboat), burst boiler, 25 Mar 1850.” Maritime History…Great Lakes.
— 12 Brooklyn Daily Eagle, NY. “Explosion of the Troy…Loss of Life.” 3-27-1850, p. 3, c.3.
–7 passengers
–5 crew

* Blanchard estimated death-toll. We employed a word search in a newspaper archive with a result of dozens of papers noting this loss starting with coverage shortly after the explosion and running through the end of the year. We cite and use some of these which are not repetitive or provide new detail. The highest death-toll we see in any of these dozens of papers is the 18-19 we cite in the Daily Sanduskian of March 25, 1850.

We have no idea how the number of twenty-two fatalities came about. The oldest source we have located is Mansfield in his 1899 book. It is not unusual for such a source to be picked up and repeated time after time in other published works down the years. While we are skeptical of the reporting of twenty-two deaths, it is possible that several of the injured people onboard reported as badly scalded died later, though we have not found notices of such deaths.

Thus, for the low-end of our estimated fatality range we choose to use the low end (18) of the 18-19 deaths reported by the Daily Sanduskian of March 25, 1850. And, for the high-end of our estimated death toll range, we will use the number of 22 deaths reported by the six sources noted above. We are not comfortable including in our range the estimate of 29 deaths reported by Thompson. His treatment of this loss is within a caption of a drawing of the Troy exploding. There is no source citation, and from numerous accounts we have followed in the press of the time, the Troy did not immediately sink, which brings into question his statement that many died when the “mortally wounded ship quickly plunged to the bottom.”

Narrative Information

Case Western Reserve University: “The year 1850 proved to be particularly horrendous. On 23 Mar., off Cleveland, and 18 Apr., off Vermilion, the boilers of the Troy and the Anthony Wayne burst, killing 22 and 40.” (CWRU. Encyclopedia of Cleveland History. “Maritime Disasters.”)

Great Lakes & Seaway Shipping News: “On 23 March 1850, TROY (wooden side-wheel passenger/package freighter, 182 foot, 546 tons, built in 1845, at Maumee, Ohio) exploded and burned at Black Rock, New York. Up to 22 lives were lost. She was recovered and rebuilt the next year and lasted until 1860.” (Great Lakes & Seaway Shipping News Archive. “Today in Great Lakes History – March 23.” Report News (March 2009).)

Lloyd: “Troy. – The steamer Troy exploded on Lake Erie, at the mouth of Niagara river, March 19th, 1850. Fifteen persons were killed. The only names given are, John Buckley, Thomas Gant, William Allen, William Worthington, Nicholas Leland and Peter Leland.”

Mansfield: “1850….Many Lives Lost on the Troy. – The steamer Troy, commanded by Capt. Thomas Wilkins, exploded her boiler on her way to Black Rock and opposite Bird island pier, near that place, on March 23. A number were killed outright, with others jumped overboard and were drowned, besides several who died from injuries. Twenty-two perished.” (Mansfield, John Brandts (Ed. and Compiler). History of the Great Lakes (Vol. 1). Chicago: J.H. Beers & Co., 1899, p. 660.)

Ratigan: “The season of navigation on Lake Erie for the year 1850 opened at Cleveland on March 2. On March 23 the steamer Troy, en route to Black Rock near Buffalo, exploded her boiler. A number were killed outright, others jumped overboard and were drowned, several died of injuries. A total of twenty-two perished.” (Ratigan 1969 (2nd ed.), p. 194.)

Swayze: “Troy. Passenger and package freight steamer of 546 t. [tons] and 182 ft., launched in 1845 at Buffalo. Lake Erie: Black Rock, near the eastern end of the lake was the site of the demise of this steamer on March 23, 1850. On that date she was carrying a cargo of general freight and a number of passengers when her boiler exploded, catching the vessel afire. Most sources say 22 persons died in the blaze. The vessel was later recovered.” (Swayze, David D. Shipwreck!…Directory…Shipwrecks on the Great Lakes. 1992, p. 234.)

Thompson: “…the boilers on the steamer…exploded near Buffalo. Twenty-nine aboard the Troy were either killed by the explosion or died when the mortally wounded ship quickly plunged to the bottom.” (Thompson, Mark L. Graveyard of the Lakes. 2004, p. 105.)

Newspapers

March 23: “Buffalo, March 23. The steamer Troy blew up while entering the mouth of the river, on her way to Black Rock, about two or three o’clock to-day. She was opposite Black Rock at Bird Island. Several persons are supposed to be killed. Her smoke pipes were blown off and one was otherwise badly damaged. She is now moored at Black Rock…

Later.

“The clerk of the steamer Troy says there are certainly 6 or 10 killed and many burned.

Further Particulars.

“Dr. Lewis has kindly furnished us with the following list of persons injured and killed by the explosion of the Steamer Troy:

Nicholas Zand, a small boy, was killed instantly.

“The following is a list of those so badly injured that they cannot recover:

L. L. Post, engineer.
John Buckly.
Lyman Harris, colored, very doubtful.
William Worthington, Kirtland, O., slightly injured.
Thomas Evans, seaman, Toledo.
Nelson Converse, Maumee.
Eli Freeling, Manhattan, O.
Patrick O’Haran, Maumee.
T. B. Bailey, Genesee Valley.
Several small children badly scalded.”

(Daily Sanduskian, OH. “Steamer Troy Blown up!” 3-23-1850, p. 2, col. 2.)

March 24: “An extra from the office of the Daily Republic, at Buffalo, dated on Sunday [24th], at 3 o’clock, gives full particulars of a dreadful accident in Buffalo. It says:

“The steamer Troy, from Sandusky and other ports on Lake Erie, attempted, at half-past two o’clock this afternoon, to put into our harbor, but being obliged to desist by the strength of the ice, steered for Black Rock, to land her passengers.

“When just entering Niagara River off the head of Black Rock pier, her boiler exploded with a terrible report, which must have been heard for miles, blowing a part of her upper machinery and sundry of her passengers, the most of whom were gathered upon her upper deck, overboard.

“It is not possible to know how many are scalded of the passengers, as all who could help themselves left the boat as soon as she was moored along side the dock. Some came up to the city, and others sought the nearest shelter they could find, where they could get aid and assistance.

“Of the number lost overboard, nothing certain can be ascertained. Gentlemen who witnessed the explosion from the shore say that they saw a number in the water. The deck immediately over the boilers, was filled with passengers, and many must have fallen in the water. Only five, that we can learn, were rescued.

“The whole number of dead as ascertained, is.
Passengers…7
Crew……….5
Total………12

“Some of the names of the dead are Dr. Rial Wright of Syracuse; L. L. Post, first engineer; Andrew Martin; Thomas Gant, fireman; Wm. Warthington, deck hand; J. Buckley, co. [ditto] Three ladies were seen from the shore to drown, names not known.

“The badly scalded were Zuman Harris, Daniel Bouckly, George Leland, Daniel Kennedy, Patrick O’Herinn [unclear], Thomas Evans, Michael Luman.

“There are six at the Rock, lying in houses under the charge of Dr. Stephenson, all of whom are badly scalded, and one or two of them fatally so.

“A German from Syracuse, by the name of Sieland, had three sons with him on board the Troy. – One of them was scalded to death, one killed, and the other is now lying in great pain, having been badly scalded on the face and hands.

“How many others shared the fate of Dr. Wright will never be known, as there is no probability of recovering the bodies, the current being swift and filled with floating ice from the Lake. – The bodies with the ice will find their way over the falls.” (Brooklyn Daily Eagle, NY. “Explosion of the Troy – Deplorable Loss of Life.” 3-27-1850, p. 3, col. 3.)

March 25: “The following is a list of the killed and injured.

Killed.

Levi Post, engineer. [died at about 9 o’clock from scalding injuries]
Nicholas Leland. [12 years-old, instantaneous death]
Peter Leland [eight years-old; died hours later from scalding]
William Worthington, Kirtland, O. [passenger from Chicago; died 7:00]
Daniel Buckley. [Irish passenger, scalded face and throat]
Thomas Gant. [fireman from Toledo; scalded face and neck]
Andrew Martin. [fireman from Maumee, scalded face and neck]

Missing.

Rial Wright, of Syracuse, N.Y. [Another article lists the name as Andrew Martin Ryol. ]
Several are drowned – cannot tell how many.

Injured.

Benjamin Bailey, Genesee Valley, badly scalded, but will recover.
Lyman Harris, colored cook, fatally scalded. [Or Reuben Harris; died later.]
Michael Forman, waiter, badly scalded.
Thomas Evans; Toledo, fireman, badly scalded.
Patrick O’Haran [or O’Herron ], Maumee, fireman, scalded.
Daniel Kennedy, deck hand, scalded.
Nelson Converse, Maumee, bar-keeper [on the Troy], scalded.
Three boys in the cabin and 3 or 4 men, whose names are unknown, and who were employed about the deck working their passage, were killed….”

(Daily Sanduskian, OH. “Further Particulars from the Steamer Troy.” 3-25-1850, p. 2, col. 5.)

March 25: “John M. Miller, of Toledo, was on the Troy at the time of her late explosion. In the following letter to the editor of the Buffalo Courier, he gives an account of the catastrophe, as well as of his own wonderful escape from death:

“Black Rock, March 25th.

“That my acquaintance may know all that I know in regard to the late disaster on the Steamer Troy, I state: — I am one of the firm of Miller & Hathaway, forwarding merchants at Toledo, Ohio. I took passage on Thursday last at Toledo, on the steamer Troy, Capt. Wilkins, for Buffalo. There were about 35 passengers after the boat left the port of Erie, that being the last port she made. The steamer was in the current of the Niagara River on Saturday last P.M., and about two miles above the ferry at Upper Black Rock, when her machinery was stopped for a few minutes. I was then standing on the upper deck a little forward of the wheelhouse with four or five others standing within a few feet of me and ten or fifteen others standing on different parts of the same deck, when I heard a loud noise and felt a jar which seemed to me as if the boat had gone on something like rocks and was crushed. I was raised in the air perhaps eight or ten feet or more and pitched head foremost into the current and went down, striking my head either against ice or some other hard substance. I rose and saw a floating door about five or six feet long and two or three feet in width, and saw also the wheel of the steamer approaching me, and fearing the motion and the force of the wheel and desirous of reaching the door, but being no swimmer I kicked and struggled to avoid the danger of the wheel and to obtain the safety of the door which I seized and tried to place under me, but the current carried the door away from my grasp and I sank again and rose a second time, and again seeing the same door which was whirling in the eddy towards me, I seized it and held it from five to ten minutes floating on it, when a large cake of ice struck me and my door and deprived me of it, and I went down again strangling and taking in much water, but rose a third time when I saw the same floating about two feet from me then nearly exhausted. I seized it a third time and so I floated among splinters and masses of ice, frequently struck by the latter, and whirled around several times in the eddy together with the ice. In this way I floated about a mile and a half or two miles, when a yawl boat came to my relief… I saw several other persons floating about me. The steamer also floated past me and when it had floated some distance below, enveloped in steam I saw the pipes and the condition thereof and for the first time I knew that the boiler had exploded…. John W. Miller.” (Fort Wayne Times, IN. “Narrow Escape.” 4-11-1850, p. 3, col. 7.)

March 28: “We learn from the Buffalo Courier the following in relation to…. The cause of the accident…

“The boiler was nearly full of water when it exploded, and the head of steam was not high. The fracture happened in the bottom plate, which is rather thin. It is a boiler said to have been taken from the steamer Fulton, several years since, rather old but said to be perfectly safe….” (Daily Sanduskian, OH. “More of the Troy Explosion.” 3-28-1850, p. 2, col. 1.)

March 30: “On Saturday afternoon last [23rd], out city [Buffalo] was thrown into the greatest consternation by the report of the explosion of the steamer Troy, in the Niagara river, opposite the head of Bird Island Pier, about two miles from this city and the probable loss of ten or twelve lives.

“The Troy was on her first trip this spring from Toledo to this city, and had on board some twenty or twenty-five cabin, and perhaps forty deck passengers from Toledo, Cleveland and Erie. She was sailed by Capt. Thomas Wilkins, a veteran Master on the Lakes. The engineer in charge was Lens L. Post, an experienced engineer who was temporally employed on the Troy while on his way to this city with the majority of the hands on board, to join the steamer Griffith; neither engineer or men belonging to the regular season crew of the Troy.

“The Troy had been in sight of our city several hours, trying to work a passage through the ice to the mouth of the creek; but being unable to do so, was on her way to Black Rock. Immediately before the accident, she had been backing, and Capt. Wilkins had just rung the bell for her to go ahead, when after making one revolution the boiler burst with a tremendous explosion, the report of which was distinctly heard at the distance of several miles. Her main and upper decks were completely demolished, from the wheel house as far forward as the mast, some four feet abaft the pilot house; and many of the passengers and crew in that part of the boat were terribly scalded by the escape of steam or frightfully bruised by the flying fragments of engine and timbers; while several were thrown by the explosion into the cold and swift current of the river, among pieces of the boat and the floating ice. It is impossible as yet to ascertain the number of those thrown overboard. Several were picked up by small boats which were soon at the scene of the disaster, but is morally certain that some must have found a watery grave, though the number is not so great as was at first supposed. From the most reliable information we could get we think that two men were certainly drowned – one a very old man thought by a gentleman who saw him in the water and recognized him, to be about eighty years of age and said to be from Cleveland. Another was seen to sink a short distance from the bow of the steamer Union – no description given.

“The current and the wind brought the steamer to the dock outside Black Rock pier, and as she came alongside she presented a most melancholy spectacle of suffering and confusion. The maimed and scalded uttered the most hear-rendering groans and shrieks of pain and anguish; while scarcely less affecting was the grief of the relatives and friends of the dead and dying. Among the deck passengers were a German family named Seland, from Louisville going to Syracuse, and consisting of father, mother, three boys, and two girls. One of the sons was killed, the others dreadfully scalded, and parents and sisters were almost frantic with sorrow.

“Nicholos Seland aged twelve years was standing at the arches warming himself at the moment of the accident and was instantly killed – his body blown in pieces and crushed by the ruins. George Seland aged about eighteen or twenty, was supposed to have been drowned, but about seven o’clock in the evening he was discovered to be one of those who were most severely scalded in his face, lying nearly insensible at Lyon’s tavern. His life is despaired of. – Peter Seland, eight years old, badly scalded on the face, hands and feet. This little fellow behaved like a perfect stoic, maintaining the utmost composure while in intense pain and surrounded by his grief-stricken friends. Levi L. Post, the Engineer, was a sight most pitiful, scalded as he was from head to feet, lying some part of the time insensible and at other times in most excruciating pain. He was carried to Lyon’s where he had every attention which his case admitted till his death, which took place about nine o’clock. Wm. Worthington, a passenger from Chicago, was carried to Fox’s Canal Boat in the agonies of death and expired at 7 o’clock. Dan Buckley, an Irish passenger, scalded about the face and throat died at Lyon’s about eleven o’clock. Andrew Martin, fireman from Maumee, scalded in the face, and neck, life despaired of. Holmer Hutchinson, of Utica, known to many of our citizens as an engineer upon the canals of this State, was severely scalded upon the right shoulder, and hip, but is doing well and will probably recover. Thomas Gant, Fireman, from Toledo, was badly scalded in the face and neck – Life despaired of. Nelson Converse, Maumee City, kept a saloon on the Steamer is severely scalded about the head and hands – getting well. Wm. Allen, of St. Clair, badly scalded in the face but not thought dangerous. Michael Fernan, 2d Steward, face and hands scalded – Recovering….Reuben Harris, colored cook, terribly scalded in the face and neck – since died….It is said some went to the Poor House but who or how many is unknown….

“….Yesterday (Sunday) a Coroner’s Jury was called to investigate the cause of the accident….

“The following is a list of those ascertained to be killed: Levi Post, Nicholas Seland, Peter Seland, Wm. Worthington, Dan Buckley, Thomas Gant, Andrew Martin. Peter Seland died about 3 o’clock Sunday morning; Andrew Martin Sunday morning; Thos. Gant on Saturday evening, and Dan Buckley on Saturday evening. ….We do not include in the killed the name of Dr. Ryal Wright, of Syracuse, who has not been found. He was probably thrown into the river and drowned. – A persons answering to his description was seen clinging to a cake of ice, and soon after went down. – Buffalo Daily Courier.” (Erie Observer, NY. “Explosion of the Steamer Troy.” 3-30-1850, p. 2, col. 2.)

April 1: “The coroner’s jury on the bodies of those who were killed by the explosion of the steamboat Troy, near Buffalo, have found that the explosion was occasioned by a lack of water in the boilers, owing to the omission of Levi L Post, the deceased engineer, to employ competent and attentive assistants; and that Thomas Wilkins, master, and his officers, are not responsible.” (Boston Post. “Steamboat Explosions.” 4-1-1850, p. 2, col. 1.)

April 1: “We learn from the Buffalo Express, of the 25th, ult., that the steamer Troy burst her boiler the day before, on Lake Erie, killing and wounding about twenty persons.” (Daily Banner, Madison, IN. “Explosion,” 4-1-1850, p. 2, col. 2.)

April 25: “At half-past 2 o’clock P.M., on Saturday week, the steamer Troy, Captain Wilkins, from Sandusky, attempted to enter Buffalo harbor, but ice preventing, steered for Black Rock. When just entering Niagara River, off the head of Black Rock pier, the boiler exploded, with a terrible report, blowing a part of her upper machinery and sundry of her passengers overboard. The whole forward part of the boat above the boiler was made a mass of ruins. There was about forty passengers on board; those in the cabin at the moment were not injured, but none of those above or near the boiler escaped. The wreck floated down to Black Rock pier, and was secured near the ferry landing. Small boats at once went to the succor of passengers blown overboard, some of whom sat upon cakes of ice and floated down the river till they were taken off. Physicians immediately went on board to relieve the sufferers. Among those seriously injured was Holmes Hutchinson, Esq., President of the Syracuse and Oswego Railroad.” (Minnesota Pioneer, Saint Paul, MN. “Dreadful steamboat disaster at Buffalo.” 4-25-1850, p. 2, col. 6.)

Sources

Boston Post. “Steamboat Explosions.” 4-1-1850, p. 2, col. 1. Accessed 1-21-2021 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/boston-post-apr-01-1850-p-2/

Brooklyn Daily Eagle, NY. “Explosion of the Troy – Deplorable Loss of Life.” 3-27-1850, p. 3, col. 3. Accessed 1-20-2021 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/brooklyn-daily-eagle-mar-27-1850-p-3/

Case Western Reserve University. Encyclopedia of Cleveland History. “Maritime Disasters.” Accessed 7-2-2009 at: http://ech.case.edu/ech-cgi/article.pl?id=MD

Daily Banner, Madison, IN. “Explosion,” 4-1-1850, p. 2, col. 2. Accessed 1-21-2021 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/madison-daily-banner-apr-01-1850-p-2/

Daily Sanduskian, OH. “Further Particulars from the Steamer Troy.” 3-25-1850, p. 2, col. 5. Accessed 1-21-2021 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/sandusky-daily-sanduskian-mar-25-1850-p-2/

Daily Sanduskian, OH. “More of the Troy Explosion.” 3-28-1850, p. 2, col. 1. Accessed 1-20-2021 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/sandusky-daily-sanduskian-mar-28-1850-p-2/

Daily Sanduskian, OH. “Steamer Troy Blown up!” 3-23-1850, p. 2, col. 2. Accessed 1-19-2021 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/sandusky-daily-sanduskian-mar-23-1850-p-2/

Erie Observer, NY. “Explosion of the Steamer Troy.” 3-30-1850, p. 2, col. 2. Accessed 1-20-2021 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/erie-observer-mar-30-1850-p-2/

Fort Wayne Sentinel, IN. “Dreadful Steamboat Explosion at Buffalo.” 4-6-1850, p. 2, col. 4. Accessed 1-21-2021 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/fort-wayne-sentinel-apr-06-1850-p-2/

Fort Wayne Times, IN. “Narrow Escape.” 4-11-1850, p. 3, col. 7. Accessed 1-21-2021 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/fort-wayne-times-apr-11-1850-p-3/

Great Lakes & Seaway Shipping News Archive. Report News (March 2009). Accessed at: http://www.boatnerd.com/news/archive/3-09.htm

Lloyd, James T. Lloyd’s Steamboat Directory and Disasters on the Western Waters. Cincinnati, Ohio: James T. Lloyd & Co., 1856. Digitized by Google. Accessed 1-19-2021 at: http://books.google.com/books?id=JlYqAAAAYAAJ

Mansfield, John Brandts (Ed. and Compiler). History of the Great Lakes (Vol. 1). Chicago: J.H. Beers & Co., 1899. Google digitized. Accessed at: http://books.google.com/books?id=iHXhAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_v2_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q=&f=false

McNeil, William R. “Troy (Steamboat), burst boiler, 25 Mar 1850.” Maritime History of the Great Lakes. Accessed 1-21-2021 at: https://images.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca/47100/data?n=4

Minnesota Pioneer, Saint Paul, MN. “Dreadful steamboat disaster at Buffalo.” 4-25-1850, p.2, c. 6. Accessed 1-21-2021 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/saint-paul-minnesota-pioneer-apr-25-1850-p-2/

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.

Ratigan, William. Great Lakes Shipwrecks & Survivals (New Revised and Enlarged Edition). Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 1969.

Swayze, David D. Shipwreck! A Comprehensive Directory of Over 3,700 Shipwrecks on the Great Lakes. Boyne City, MI: Harbor House Publications, Inc., 1992.

Thompson, Mark L. Graveyard of the Lakes. Detroit, MI: Wayne State University Press, 2004.

–39-41 Blanchard estimated death toll.*

— 100 U.S. Congress. House. Hearings. “Safety of Life and Property at Sea.” 1935, p. 246.
— 70 Gould. Fifty Years on the Mississippi. 1889, p. 467.
— 70 Lloyd’s Steamboat Directory and Disasters on the Western Waters. 1856, p. 207.
— 41 Berman, Bruce D. Encyclopedia of American Shipwrecks. 1972, p. 184.
— 41 Lytle and Holdcamper. Merchant Steam Vessels of the [U.S.] 1807-1868. 1952, p. 252.
— 41 Nash, Jay Robert. Darkest Hours. 1977, p. 681.
— 41 Way’s Packet Directory, 1848-1994: Passenger Steamboats…MS Riv. Sys.. 1994, 358.
— 40 Curren. The Wreck of the Orline St. John, Jan 2010.
— 40 Wilcox County Chamber of Commerce. Off the Path in Wilcox County.
–39-41 Fort Wayne Sentinel, IN. “Burning of the Orline St. John.” 3-30-1850, p. 1, col. 5.
— 30 Lossing. Harper’s Encyclopedia of United States History…to 1902. 1902, p. 454.
— 30 Simonds. The American Date Book. 1902, p. 98.

* Blanchard estimated death toll. While the death toll seems to us to be forty-one, as noted by Lytle and Holdcamper and others, we also take into account the Fort Wayne Sentinel article of 3-30-1850, which notes 39-41 deaths. We have seen no detailed information which would support the accounts of seventy or one hundred deaths.

Narrative Information

Curren: “The Orline St. John was a side-wheel steamboat built in 1847 at Louisville, Kentucky. The packet boat ended its short life in 1850 on the banks of the Alabama River. The boat burned and sank with some forty lives lost. Men, women, and children passed away. Some of the bodies were found downstream as far as seventy miles. The wreck of the steamboat was found by two fishermen in 1955.” (Curren. The Wreck of the Orline St. John, Jan 2010.)

Lloyd: “The steamboat Orline St. John left Mobile for Montgomery, Ala., on Monday evening, March 2d, 1850. On the fourth of the same month, when within four miles of her place of destination, she was discovered to be on fire on the larboard side, near the boilers. In less than three minutes from the time at which the first alarm was given, the whole cabin was enveloped in a sheet of flame.

“There were about one hun¬dred and twenty human beings on board, and it is reported that not more than fifty of that number survived the destruction of the boat. As soon as the fire was discovered, the pilot steered for the shore, which the steamer fortunately reached before the tiller-ropes were severed by the flames. The boat was run ashore in a dense cane-brake on which her bow and waist rested, while the stern projected into the river. A few persons who happened to be on the forward part of the boat were landed without any difficulty, but the greater number of passengers ran aft, with the hope of getting into the yawl. But the deck passengers and a part of the crew had got possession of this small boat, and had already left the steamer. More than one hundred people were now collected at the stern, which, as mentioned above, projected into the deep water, which effectually cut off all means of es¬cape in that quarter; and to go forward was now impossible, as the whole of the middle of the boat was completely wrapped in flame. To make the situation of these people still more critical, the cabin threat¬ened to fall on them….

“If the yawl had been brought back, all might have been saved; but the deck bands who had taken possession of it, ran it ashore in the cane-brake; and before the captain and second mate could bring it back, all who remained on the steamer, without a single exception, were drowned or burned to death. Every woman and child who had been in the boat was lost; the only persons saved were those few who escaped over the bow when the boat struck, and the five or six deck hands who ran off with the yawl. There were a number of returned California gold diggers on board; such of them as saved their lives lost all the produce of their toils. No property of any kind was saved, ex¬cept a trunk belonging to Col. Preston, which his servant threw over the bow into the cane-brake.” (Lloyd 1856, p. 207-209.)

Way: Orline St. John. Sidewheel wood-hull packet, built in Louisville, KY, in 1847, at 349 tons. “Burned and lost at Bridgeport, Ala., with loss of 41 lives, Mar. 4, 1850.” (Way’s Packet Directory, 1848-1994: Passenger Steamboats of the Mississippi River System…(Revised). 1999, p. 358.)

Wilcox County: “The Orline St. John, a 349 ton side-wheel steamboat ended its short life on March 4, 1850, near Bridgeport Landing, north of Camden, taking the lives of 40 passengers and crew. Sparks, likely from her own boilers, set fire to her cargo of highly flammable pine logs. The captain steered for the western shore of the river as passengers leapt into the cold, muddy waters to escape the flames. Many drowned or were burned by the fire that sank the ship a short time later.

“In 1954, in the late summer and during a dry period that caused the water level of the river to fall, local fisherman spotted a section of the boat’s hull protruding from the waters of the river. They eventually recovered many artifacts from the sunken vessel. Though it is thought that millions in gold may have gone down with the steamer, more than one salvage operation has failed to produce any valuables.

From a maritime newspaper article:

“Details of the Burning of the St. John:

The following narrative of the disaster to the steamer Orline St. John was communicated to the Herald by Mr. Bass, of the Astor-place theatre, who was a passenger on board at the time of the fire: The Orline St. John steamboat left Mobile on Monday, the 4th inst., at 5P.M., for Montgomery, Alabama. The boat ran well, averaging about fifteen miles against the current till half past four o’clock P.M., on the 5th inst., when the startling cry of “fire!” aroused nearly everyone on board to a sense of the perilous situation of the boat and all on board. The large quantities of pitch pine wood, about fifty cords, stowed near the boilers, and on the boiler deck had ignited, and in the course of two minutes has enveloped the cabin portion of the boat above the boilers.

”The consternation was general, and it was only by the caution of those who escaped that their lives were preserved. Many leaped into the stream, and were swept under the boat, and down by the current, almost instantaneously losing their lives by this dreadful casualty, and their anxiety to preserve their lives. Others saved themselves by catching floating fragment thrown from the deck, with which they were buoyed down the stream, and finally, to safety. Mr. Bass hoped to save Mrs. Hall and daughter, a beautiful girl of ten years of age, but Mrs. Hall returned to the cabin to assist another lady and the whole party, except Mr. Bass, were lost, the flames flashed upon every part of the boat, and adding terrors to the scene, already awfully painful from the sacrifices of valuable lives.

”It is supposed that there was not a living being in the boat after the lapse of two minutes from the alarm, though many had jumped into the water and some were clinging to the rudder. In this short space of time, human energy was exerted to its utmost, both by the officers of the boat and the engineers. Captain Meaher and his brother, the first mate, exerted themselves to the utmost to save the lives of the passengers. Mr. Benjamin Pearce, the pilot, stood at the wheel till the vessel was run ashore on the Western bank of the river.

“The engineers with remarkable presence of mind, attended to the boilers, and opened all the valves in an instant, and thereby prevented the loss of life that might have resulted from an explosion. The promptitude of Mr. Pearce, who ran the boat ashore while she was about the distance of four lengths off, is highly commended, as he was only enabled to escape from the wheel by leaping into the water through a sheet of fire. When the boat struck, she ploughed into the shore about four feet deep, and thus those on the bow were preserved. For those on the rudder, who were cut off by the flames from this means of escape, there was still great danger.

”The flames were over their heads, and they were driven down to hold by the rudder till they could be assisted….”

(Wilcox County Chamber of Commerce. Off the Path in Wilcox County.)

Newspapers

March 30: “Immense Loss of Life. – The Montgomery Journal of the 8th inst. Brings us detailed accounts of he awful incidents connected with the burning of the steamer Orline St. John, already noticed, by telegraph, accompanied with terrible loss of life. A letter from a passenger says:

“The steamboat Orline St. John. Capt. T. Meaher, left Mobile on Monday evening, for Montgomery, and when about four miles above this place, was discovered to be on fire on the larboard side, near the boilers. In less than three minutes from the time it was first discovered, the cabin was an entire sheet of flame. There were about 120 souls on the boat at the time, and I have not seen more than fifty persons since I came ashore. As soon as the fire was discovered, the pilot steered her towards the shore, which she reached before her wheel ropes burnt off. She ran ashore in a very dense cane brake, her bows on and her stern standing out in the river.

“Those who were on the front part of the boat got ashore, who were but few – the greater part of the passengers ran to the stern of the boat to get in the yawl, but the deck hands and firemen had taken possession of it, and had left the boat; to go forward was now impossible, as the boat was one sheet of fire, and there was great danger of the cabin’s falling on them. As the fire spread aft, the scene was terrible; ladies and children had gathered in the extreme after part of the boat, and their cries for help can never be erased from my memory. If the yawl had been brought back they might all have been saved; but the deck hands who had taken it, ran it ashore in the cane brake, and before the Captain and his brother, the first Mate, could return with it to the burning wreck, they were all burned or drowned without exception.

“It never will be correctly ascertained how many lives were lost, as none of her books were saved. But one thing is sure, neither lady nor child remains to tell the tale. There was a passenger on board who had a life-preserver and could swim, but refused to give it to a lady who asked it for her child. All the ladies were willing to sacrifice their own lives for the preservation of their children….

“Passengers Lost – [We break paragraph into separate lines.]
Mrs. Hall and daughter of Augusta, Ga.;
Mrs. and Miss Vaughn and
Mrs. McCain, of S.C.,
Mrs. Haley,
Mrs. Wright,
two other ladies and
two children, names unknown;
Messrs. T. B. Carson and son, of Dallas county;
Thomas Stephens, printer, of Camden;
Judge Tindsley, of Mobile;
Hugh Hughes, ed mate, of Mobile;
Peter Upson Steward and wife, Mobile;
second cook,
two white deck hands and
eight negroes –
some ten or twelve other cabin passengers names unknown.

“Edward Maul, second clerk of the Farmer, and a Californian, seriously burned and bruised….”

(Fort Wayne Sentinel, IN. “Burning of the Orline St. John.” 3-30-1850, p. 1, col. 5.)

Sources

Berman, Bruce D. Encyclopedia of American Shipwrecks. Boston: Mariners Press Inc., 1972.

Curren, Caleb. The Wreck of the Orline St. John, Jan 2010. Accessed 10/1/2010 at: http://archeologyink.com/Orline.htm

Fort Wayne Sentinel, IN. “Burning of the Orline St. John.” 3-30-1850, p. 1, col. 5. Accessed 10-13-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/fort-wayne-sentinel-mar-30-1850-p-1/

Gould, E. W. Fifty Years on the Mississippi; or, Gould’s History of River Navigation. St. Louis: Nixon-Jones Printing Co., 1889, 750 pages. Digitized by Google. Accessed 2008 at: http://books.google.com/books?id=udyywXOVBvsC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

Lloyd, James T. Lloyd’s Steamboat Directory and Disasters on the Western Waters. Cincinnati, Ohio: James T. Lloyd & Co., 1856. Digitized by Google. Accessed at: http://books.google.com/books?id=JlYqAAAAYAAJ

Lossing, Benson John (Editor). Harper’s Encyclopedia of United States History from 458 A.D. to 1902. NY: Harper & Brothers Publishers, 1902. Digitized by Google at: http://books.google.com/books?id=fnwQAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_v2_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false

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=8&size=125

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.

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

United States Congress, House of Representatives. Hearings Before the Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries, United States Congress (74th Congress, 1st Session). “Safety of Life and Property at Sea.” Washington: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1935. Accessed 8-9-2020 at: https://www.google.com/books/edition/Safety_of_Life_and_Property_at_Sea/l9xH_9sUuVAC?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq

Way, Frederick Jr. (Author and Compiler), Joseph W. Rutter (contributor). Way’s Packet Directory, 1848-1994: Passenger Steamboats of the Mississippi River System Since the Advent of Photography in Mid-Continent America (Revised). Athens OH: Ohio University Press, 1999.

Wilcox County Chamber of Commerce. Off the Path in Wilcox County.

—  54  US Census. Mortality Statistics of the Seventh Census of the [US], 1850. 1855, p. 19.[1]

 

Breakout from Census Survey of 31 States, District of Columbia, and four Territories[2]

 

Alabama                     1          US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. p. 57.

Delaware                     1          US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. p. 63.

Iowa                            3          US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. p. 95.

Louisiana                    4          US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. p. 101.

Maryland                    1          US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. p. 121.

Michigan                    1          US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. p. 139.

Missouri                   18          US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. p. 157.

New Jersey                 1          US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. p. 169.

New Mexico Ter.        5          US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. p. 299.

New York                   4          US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. p. 187.

Ohio                            5          US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. p. 221.

Pennsylvania              1          US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. p. 237.

South Carolina            1          US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. p. 253.

Virginia                      4          US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. p. 293.

 

Narrative Information

 

Costa: “Scurvy is the name for a vitamin C deficiency. It can lead to anemia, debility, exhaustion, spontaneous bleeding, pain in the limbs, and especially the legs, swelling in some parts of the body, and sometimes ulceration of the gums and loss of teeth.

 

“Scurvy has been known since ancient Greek and Egyptian times. It is often associated with sailors in the 15th to 18th centuries, when long sea voyages made it hard to get a steady supply of fresh produce. Many died from the effects. t also occurred during the Irish potato famine in 1845 and the American Civil War. The most recent documented outbreak was in Afghanistan in 2002, following war and a drought.

 

“Modern cases of scurvy are rare, especially in places where enriched breads and cereals are available, but it can still affect people who do not consume enough vitamin C….

 

“Symptoms of scurvy result from severe vitamin C deficiency.

 

“They include bleeding sores, tooth loss, anemia, and a reduced rate of healing for injuries.

 

“It can be fatal if left untreated.

 

“Scurvy is treatable with oral or intravenous vitamin C supplements….” (Costa, Peter. “Everything you need to know about scurvy.” Medical News Today, 12-5-2017 update.)

 

Sources

 

Costa, Peter. “Everything you need to know about scurvy.” Medical News Today, 12-5-2017 update. Accessed 7-2-2018 at: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/155758.php

 

United States Census. Mortality Statistics of the Seventh Census of the United States, 1850…of the Persons Reported to have Died in the Twelve Months Preceding the First of June of that Year. Washington: A. O. P. Nicholson, Printer, 1855. Google digitized. Accessed 1-6-2015 at: https://books.google.com/books?id=PP4gXA-H0CoC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

[1] Out of US Census population of 23,191,876, and 323,026 deaths from all causes (p. 19)

[2] Compiled by B. Wayne Blanchard, Nov 2019 for upload to website: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com

 —             31,506  U.S. Census. Mortality Statistics of the Seventh Census…1850., p. 19.[2]

–14,158-14,637  Blanchard tabulation[3] based on State and locality breakouts below.

—              1,636  Cholera deaths just in the Spring of 1850 (ending June 1). U.S. Census. 1850.

 

Summary of State and District of Columbia Breakouts Below[4]

 

               54     Arkansas

1,274-1,663     California, esp. Sacramento (800-1000) and San Francisco (311-500)

                 1     Connecticut                           2  Delaware

               49     District of Columbia             7  Florida       1  Georgia     

      351-352     Illinois , esp. Chicago (314), Galena (20), Looking Glass (14), Springfield (3-4)        

      543-548     Indiana, esp. Evansville (150), Indianapolis (50), Newbury-Maysville canal workers (150)

           ~115     Iowa, Burlington (100)          3  Kansas      

             225     Kentucky, especially Frankfort (23) and Louisville (137)

          2,181     Louisiana, esp. New Orleans & Lafayette (1517), Madison Par. (147), Tensas Par. (142)

                 8     Maine                                     8  Maryland   6  Massachusetts

               19     Michigan, especially Kalamazoo (17)                       1  Minnesota Territory

             183     Mississippi

     883-953      Missouri                                 9  New Jersey

                 3     New Mexico Territory

               94     New York                               3  North Carolina

        ~2,037     Ohio, especially Cincinnati (1,200-1,500), Columbus (199) and Sandusky (405)

• Pennsylvania 2  Rhode Island         1  South Carolina

             363     Tennessee

               78     Texas                                      6  Utah Territory      1  Vermont

               18     Virginia

           >100     West Virginia (Harpers Ferry)

             363     Wisconsin, especially Milwaukee (>300)

      107-119     Maritime (See California for others within that State)

        ~5,000     Emigrants going west.

                 ?     Native Americans (we have included small “tip-of-the-iceberg” numbers in CA)

Breakout of 1850 Cholera Fatalities by State land Locality (where data is available)

 

Arkansas                    (      54)

— 54  State, Spring.    U.S. Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. 1855, p. 53.

—   2  Bradley Co., Missouri F. Dorman, 4; William Dorman, 54.[5]

— ~7  Chicot Co., Honeycut plantation. Sacramento Transcript. “Cholera in Arkansas.” 9-26-1850.[6]

—   9        “                   Craig plantation

—   3        “                   elsewhere.

—   1  Independence Co., May. Rufus S. Young, 40 (one day ill).[7]

—   4  Union Co., Ziegenmeyer, Barb (contributor). “1850 Mortality Index.” Union County, AR.

–Jan.  Reding Stokes, 53.

–Feb.  Harriet Stokes, 48.

–Mar. Martha T. Bradley, 40.

–May. John A. Bradley, 43.

 

California                  (1,274-1,663)

–1,274-1,663  Blanchard tally from locality breakouts below.[8]

—             0   U.S. Census. Mortality Statistics of the Seventh Census, 1850, p. 57.[9]

—             1  Alviso, just north of San Jose.[10]

—             ?  American River mouth vicinity near Sacramento, Native American village.[11]

—           17  Barque Splendid, Oct 28-Nov 8, Sacramento to San Francisco.[12]

—             1  Beale’s Bar, North Fork, American River, Oct 28. Dyer J. Bottom, 22, Vermont.[13]

—             2  Benicia, Nov 5, barque William and Henry. Daily Alta California. 11-6-1850, p. 2.

—             8  Brig Christiana, from Sacramento to New York of the Pacific (Pittsburg, CA).[14]

—             1  Brighton (now in Sacramento), Oct 29. Mr. A. Davis Adams, 31, Roxbury, MA.[15]

—             ?  Coloma. Sacramento Transcript. “Cholera in the Mines.” 11-9-1850, p. 2, col. 5.[16]

—           >5  Coyote Creek Native village ~San Jose. Early Nov.[17]

—             ?  Marysville (case noted). Sacramento Transcript. “Cholera Above.” 11-2-1850, 2.[18]

—             ?  Mining communities in gold fields and emigrants overland from the east.[19]

—          >5  Mission Dolores (today part of San Francisco). Christianized Native Americans.[20]

—             ?  Nevada City.[21]

—             5  Nicolaus vicinity, Native village opposite Nicolaus, Oct 25.[22]

—          >5            “                             “                                          Nov 1 report.[23]

—             1  Nicolaus,  Sutter Co. (NE of Sacramento), Nov 4, Mr. Uriah Davis, architect.[24]

—             7  Ophir, early Dec. Sacramento Transcript. “Cholera in the Mines.” 12-19-1850, p2.[25]

—      1,250  Sacramento & San Fran.             Wendt (Ed.).  A Treatise on Asiatic Cholera. 1885, p. 29.[26]

–600-1000           “                 “          Secrest and Secrest 2005, 13[27]

–800-1000  Sacramento                   Blanchard estimated range.[28]

—      1,000              “                           Chambers, J. S. The Conquest of Cholera. 1938, p. 242.

—    ~1,000              “                          Gibbons. “The Cholera in California in 1850.” 10-5-1865.

—    >1,000              “ Oct 1-Nov 30. McClellan. “A History of the…Cholera…”  1875, 620.

–800-1000              “  Oct 8-29.         Old City Cemetery Committee. “1850 Cholera…” 2005.[29]

—  800-900              “                          Sacramento Transcript. “A Very…” 11-22-1850, p. 2.[30]

—         514              “  Cholera and cholera-like deaths mentioned by name in press. Blanchard.[31]

—         451              “  Cholera specified deaths mentioned by name in the press.  Blanchard tally.

–2-18       “ Oct 13-19        Sacramento Transcript. “Report of Mortality.” 10-21-1850.[32]

—     5       “   by Oct 21        Sacramento Transcript. “The Cholera.” 10-22-1850, p. 2.[33]

–364         “  Oct 19-Nov 13. Logan. “On the…Diseases of Cal.,” SMR, 1851, 463.

–58      “   Oct 20-26        Sacramento Transcript. “Report of Mortality.” 10-28-1850, 2.[34]

–2-6 “      Oct 20         Sacramento Transcript. “Cholera.” 10-24-1850, p. 2, c.1.[35]

—   5 “      Oct 21          Sacramento Transcript. “Cholera.” 10-24-1850, p. 2, c.1.[36]

— 13 “      Oct 22          Gibbons. “The Cholera in California in 1850.” 10-5-1865.[37]

–7-9 “      Oct 23         Sacramento Transcript. “Cholera.” 10-24-1850, p. 2, c.1.[38]

–9-13“     Oct 24         Sacramento Transcript. “Mortality Report.” 10-25-1850, 3.[39]

— 15 “      Oct 25         Gibbons. “The Cholera in California in 1850.” 10-5-1865.[40]

— 21 “       Oct 26         Gibbons. “The Cholera in California in 1850.” 10-5-1865.[41]

–194        “  Oct 27-Nov 2. Blanchard tally of breakouts below.[42]

–126        “  Oct 27-Nov 2. Sacramento Transcript. “Report of Mortality.” 11-4-1850, 2.[43]

–32 “       Oct 27         Gibbons. “The Cholera in California in 1850.” 10-5-1865.[44]

—  4 “      Oct 28         Sacramento Transcript. “Mortality Report.” 10-30-1850, 2.[45]

–15 “      Oct 29         Sacramento Transcript. “Mortality Report.” 10-30-1850, 2.

—  3 “      Oct 29         Sacramento Transcript. “Mortality Report.” 10-31-1850, 2.[46]

–23 “      Oct 30         Sacramento Transcript. “Mortality Report.” 10-31-1850, 2.[47]

–54 “       Oct 31         Sacramento Transcript. “Mortality Report.” 11-1-1850, 2.[48]

–29 “        Nov 1         Sacramento Transcript. “Mortality Report.” 11-2-1850, 2.[49]

–34 “        Nov 2         Sacramento Transcript. “Mortality Report.” 11-4-1850, 2.[50]

–36-40        “  Nov 3              Sacramento Transcript. “Mortality Report.” 11-4-1850, 2.[51]

–15-19        “  Nov 4              Sacramento Transcript. “Mortality Report.” 11-5-1850, 2.[52]

–35-36                    “  Nov 5              Sacramento Transcript. “Mortality Report.” 11-6-1850, 2.[53]

–18-20        “  Nov 6              Sacramento Transcript. “Mortality Report.” 11-7-1850, 2.[54]

—     24        “   Nov 6              Sacramento Transcript. “The Late Epidemic.” 11-13-1850, 2.

–12-15                    “ Nov 7              Sacramento Transcript. “Mortality Report.” 11-8-1850, 2.[55]

–11-12        “ Nov 8              Sacramento Transcript. “Mortality Report.” 11-9-1850, 2.[56]

—    6-8        “  Nov 9              Sacramento Transcript. “Mortality Report.” 11-11-1850, 2.[57]

—     10        “   Nov 10            Sacramento Transcript. “Mortality Report.” 11-11-1850, 2.[58]

—       8        “  Nov 11       Sacramento Transcript. “The Last of the Cholera.” 11-15-1850, 2.[59]

—    5-7        “  Nov 11            Sacramento Transcript. “Mortality Report.” 11-12-1850, 2.[60]

—    7-8         “  Nov 12             Sacramento Transcript. “Mortality Report.” 11-13-1850, 2.[61]

—       4         “ Nov 13            Sacramento Transcript. “Mortality Report.” 11-14-1850, 2.[62]

—    2-3         “ Nov 14            Sacramento Transcript. “The Last of the Cholera.” 11-15-1850, 2.[63]

—       2         “  Nov 15            Sacramento Transcript. “Othello’s…” 11-16-1850, p.2, c.1.

—       1         “ Nov 16-17 (24 hrs to 1:00), Cholera Hospital. Francis Harbeson, 34, MS.[64]

—       1?       “ Nov 23            Sacramento Transcript. “Mortality Report.” 11-29-1850, 2.[65]

—   1-5          “ Nov 24             Sacramento Transcript. “Mortality Report.” 11-29-1850, p2.[66]

—       1         “  Nov 25-26       Sacramento Transcript. “Coroner’s Inquest.” 11-27-1850.[67]

—       4?       “  Nov 25-26       Sacramento Transcript. “Mortality Report.” 11-29-1850, p2.[68]

—       2?       “  Nov 28            Sacramento Transcript. “Mortality Report.” 11-29-1850, p2.[69]

—       1?       “  Nov 29            Sacramento Transcript. “List of Deaths.” 12-7-1850, p.3.[70]

—    1-3         “ Nov 30            Sacramento Transcript. “List of Deaths.” 12-7-1850, p.3.[71]

—       1?       “  Dec 1               Sacramento Transcript. “List of Deaths.” 12-7-1850, p.3.[72]

—       2?       “  Dec 2               Sacramento Transcript. “List of Deaths.” 12-7-1850, p.3.[73]

—    1-2         “ Dec 3               Sacramento Transcript. “Died.” 12-4-1850, p. 2, col. 6.[74]

—       2?       “ Dec 4               Sacramento Transcript. “List of Deaths.” 12-7-1850, p.3.[75]

—       1  Salem Bar, South Fork, Nov 1. Elijah W. Serine, Bridgeport, Conn.[76]

—       1  Salmon Falls Oct 31            Sacramento Transcript. “Died.” 11-4-1850, p. 2, col. 6.[77]

–311-500  San Francisco, Oct-Dec  Blanchard range.[78]

–~500            “           Oct-Dec 9       Daily Alta California. “Cholera.” 12-9-1850, p. 2, c. 5.[79]

—  393            “            Oct 1-Dec 29  Blanchard tally; cholera & cholera-like victims in press.[80]

—  311            “           Oct 1-Dec 29  Blanchard tally; cholera victims noted in press at the time.

–~250            “           Oct-Dec 25     Gibbons. “The Cholera in California in 1850.” 10-5-1865.

—  250            “            Oct-Dec          McClellan. “A History…Cholera…America.”  1875, 620.

–1-2   “           ~Oct 1             Gibbons. “The Cholera in California in 1850.” 10-5-1865.

15?  “          Oct 2-13          Fifteen dysentery and diarrhoea deaths (not included).[81]

—   1   “            Oct 5               Caesar Brillett, black, age not noted.[82]

—   1   “            Oct 8               B. Montgomery, aged 3, Ohio (Caroline passenger?).[83]

—   1   “            Oct 9               Aaron Thompson, 44, of Ohio (Caroline passenger?)[84]

—   1   “            Oct 9               M. F. Deslaver, 30. Western Isls. (Hawaii).[85]

—   2   “            Oct 9   Daily Alta California. “Another Case of Cholera.” 10-10-1850, 2.[86]

—   1   “            Oct 11             Wm. McCurley, 40, of Baltimore, MD.[87]

–123  “     Oct 20-Nov 12       Sacramento Transcript. “Mortality in [SF].” 11-14-1850, 2.[88]

—   4   “ 24 hrs., Oct 20-21     Daily Alta California. “City Items.” 10-23-1850, p.2, c.2.[89]

—   2   “         ~Oct 22              Kanaka natives near Bush Street.[90]

—   2   “         ~Oct 22              Kanaka boatmen from the schooner G. H. Montague.[91]

—   1   “            Oct 22             Captain G. H. Montague of Schooner bearing his name.

—   1? “            Oct 24             Captain Alexander Irving, 32, at Marine Hospital.[92]

—   3   “            Oct 24             Sacramento Transcript. “Died.” 10-28-1850, p. 2., c. 6.[93]

—   1   “            Oct 25             Kanaka native known as “Bill.”[94]

—   1   “            Oct 25             T. O. French.[95]

—   1  “             Oct 28             Joseph Parker, 27, of Newton Corner, Newton, MA.[96]

—   1  “             Oct 28             Mrs. Ellen O’Brien, 40, Ireland.[97]

— 15  “             Oct 29-31        Daily Alta California. “Died.” 10-31-1850, p. 2, col. 4.[98]

–12“             Oct 29             Daily Alta California. “Mortality Report.” 11-1-1850, 2.[99]

—  1“            Oct 30             Charles Naron, fireman, steamer Hartford, from NY.[100]

— 15  “            Oct 31-Nov 1  Daily Alta California. “Died.” 11-2-1850, p. 2, col. 4.[101]

—      1 “           Nov 1              Unidentified man, corpse found on Pacific Street.[102]

—      1 “          Nov 2              Captain James M. Howard, 33, of Schooner Emmeline.[103]

—   >7  “          Nov 2              Daily Alta California. “Cholera.” 11-4-1850, p. 2, c. 3.[104]

—      1 “          Nov 3              Mr. Galland of the firm “Galland, Hart & Co.”[105]

—    10 “          Nov 3              Daily Alta California. “Cholera.” 11-4-1850, p. 2, c. 3.[106]

—       7 “         Nov 3-4           Sacramento Transcript. “Health…San Francisco.” 11-7-’50.[107]

—    5-7 “         Nov 5              Daily Alta California. “Mortality.” 11-6-1850, p. 2, c. 2.[108]

–13-17 “         Nov 6              Daily Alta California. “Mortality.” 11-7-1850, p. 2, c. 3.[109]

—     17 “          Nov 7              Daily Alta California. “City Items.” 11-8-1850, p.3, c.4.[110]

—  8-10 “         Nov 8              Daily Alta California. “Mortality.” 11-9-1850, p. 2, c. 3.[111]

—    4-9 “         Nov 9              Daily Alta California. “Mortality.” 11-10-1850, p. 2, c.3.[112]

—    5-7 “         Nov 10            Daily Alta California. “Mortality.” 11-11-1850, p. 2, c.4.[113]

–11-17            “         Nov 11            Daily Alta California. “Mortality.” 11-12-1850, p. 2, c.4.[114]

—     17 “          Nov 12            Sacramento Transcript. “Mortality in [SF].” 11-14-1850, 2.[115]

–12-14            “         Nov 12            Daily Alta California. “Mortality.” 11-13-1850, p. 2, c.4.[116]

—     20 “         Nov 13            Gibbons. “The Cholera in California in 1850.” 10-5-1865.[117]

—    3-5 “         Nov 13            Sacramento Transcript. “Mortality in [SF].” 11-16-1850, 2.[118]

—  7-10 “         Nov 14            Daily Alta California. “Mortality.” 11-15-1850, p.2, c.3.[119]

—     >7 “         Nov 14            Sacramento Transcript. “Board of Health.” 11-16-1850, 2.[120]

—    7-8 “         Nov 15            Daily Alta California. “City Items.” 11-17-1850, p.2, c.3.[121]

—      10 “         Nov 16            Sacramento Transcript. “Cholera.” 11-19-1850, p.2, c.2.[122]

—  6-10 “         Nov 17            Daily Alta California. “List of Deaths.” 11-18-1850, p.2.[123]

—    3-7 “         Nov 18            Daily Alta California. “List of Deaths.” 11-19-1850, p.2.[124]

—       1 “          Nov 19 , Cholera hosp.    Daily Alta California. 11-20-1850, p. 2, col. 3.[125]

—    2-4 “         Nov 20            Gibbons. “The Cholera in California in 1850.” 10-5-1865.[126]

—        4 “         Nov 21-22       Sacramento Transcript. “Cholera at the Bay.” 11-25-1850.[127]

—        3 “         Nov 24            Daily Alta California. “List of Deaths.” 11-25-1850, p.2.[128]

—      29 “      Nov 25-29         Daily Alta California. “Cholera.” 11-30-1850, p. 2, c. 5.[129]

—   1“         Nov 26            Daily Alta California. “List of Deaths.” 11-27-1850, p.2.[130]

–6-7“        Nov 27            Daily Alta California. “List of Deaths.” 11-28-1850, p.2.[131]

–3-6“        Nov 28            Daily Alta California. “Deaths.” 11-29-1850, p.2, c.3.[132]

— 16“ Nov 28-29 (24 hrs) Daily Alta California. “Cholera.” 11-30-1850, p. 2, c. 5.[133]

—        3 “         Nov 30            Daily Alta California. “List of Deaths.” 12-1-1850, p.2.[134]

—     4-5 “        Dec 1               Daily Alta California. “List of Deaths.” 12-2-1850, p.2.[135]

—        9 “         Dec 2               Daily Alta California. “List of Deaths.” 12-3-1850, p.2.[136]

—        3 “         Dec 3               Daily Alta California. “List of Deaths.” 12-4-1850, p.2.[137]

—        3 “         Dec 4               Daily Alta California. “List of Deaths.” 12-5-1850, p.2.[138]

—        1 “         Dec 4               Ex-Alderman John Maynard, Philadelphia.[139]

—        1 “         Dec 5               Daily Alta California. “Death.” 12-6-1850, p. 2, col. 4.[140]

—        4 “         Dec 6               Daily Alta California. “List of Deaths.” 12-7-1850, p.2.[141]

—     3-4 “        Dec 7               Daily Alta California. “Deaths…” 12-8-1850, p. 2, c.2.[142]

—        3 “         Dec 7               Daily Alta California. “Interments.” 12-31-1850, p.2, c2.[143]

—        6 “         Dec 8               Daily Alta California. “Cholera.” 12-9-1850, p. 2, c. 5.[144]

—     3-5 “        Dec 9               Daily Alta California. “Deaths.” 12-8-1850, p. 2, c. 5.[145]

—        1?“        Dec 10             Daily Alta California. “Interments.” 12-31-1850, p.2, c2.[146]

—        1?“        Dec 11             Daily Alta California. “Interments.” 12-31-1850, p.2, c2.[147]

—     1-4 “        Dec 13             Daily Alta California. “Deaths…” 12-14-1850, p. 2, c.3.[148]

—     1-2 “        Dec 14             Daily Alta California. “Deaths.” 12-1-1850, p. 2, c. 3.[149]

—         1 “        Dec 15             Daily Alta California. “Interments.” 12-31-1850, p.2, c2.[150]

—         3 “        Dec 16             Daily Alta California. “List of Deaths.” 12-17-1850, p.2.[151]

—      2-4 “       Dec 17             Daily Alta California. “List of Deaths.” 12-18-1850, p.2.[152]

—         4 “ Dec 17-18 (24 hrs) Daily Alta California. “Cholera.” 12-19-1850, p. 2, c. 3.[153]

—      1-5?“      Dec 19             Daily Alta California. “List of Deaths.” 12-20-1850, p.2.[154]

—         1?“       Dec 21             Daily Alta California. “Interments.” 12-31-1850, p.2, c2.[155]

—         1  “       Dec 23             Daily Alta California. “List of Deaths.” 12-24-1850, p.2.[156]

—         1?“       Dec 24             Daily Alta California. “Interments.” 12-31-1850, p.2, c2.[157]

—      2-4?“      Dec 25             Daily Alta California. “List of Deaths.” 12-28-1850, p.2.[158]

—         1? “      Dec 26             Daily Alta California. “Interments.” 12-31-1850, p.2, c2.[159]

—         2? “     Dec 28             Daily Alta California. “Interments.” 12-31-1850, p.2, c2.[160]

—      4-7?“      Dec 29             Daily Alta California. “Deaths.” 12-30-1850, p. 2, c. 3.[161]

—     >2  San Jose       Recent days.   Sacramento Transcript. “Health of San Jose.” 12-3-1850, 2.[162]

—       2        “               Dec 8 & 10     Daily Alta California. “San Jose Intelligence.” 12-16-1850, 2.[163]

—       ?        “ Natives Esp. Nov.        McClellan. “A History…Travels of…Cholera…” 1875, 620.[164]

—   >10  Santa Barbara, Dec? Sacramento Transcript. “From Santa Barbara.” 12-27-1850. p.2.[165]

—       2  Santa Clara    late Oct?          Shea. California Pioneers of Santa Clara County. 2012.[166]

—       1  Sausalito       Nov 2              Sacramento Transcript. “Letter From the Bay.” 11-8-1850, 2.[167]

—       5        “               Late Dec         Daily Alta California. “Sausalito.” 1-4-1851, p.2, col. 2.[168]

—       7  Schooner G. H. Montague, Sacramento City to San Francisco, Oct 18-22.[169]

—       1  Schooner James Franklin, Oct 27, on way from Sacramento to San Francisco.[170]

–6  Schooner Montague. Oct 18-22. Logan. “On…Diseases of Cal.,” SMR, 1851, p. 463.

—       1  Steamer Linda, Sacramento to New York of the Pacific (Pittsburg, CA), late Oct. (engineer).[171]

—       1  Stockton, Oct 30, Mr. Aaron Crawford, ~28, Franklin Co., KY.[172]

—     12        “         Nov 3 (Mexicans). Sacramento Transcript. “Cholera at Stockton.” 11-8-’50. 2.

—       5        “          Nov 4            Sacramento Transcript. “Cholera at Stockton.” 11-8-1850, p2.[173]

—     ~3  Sutterville vicinity, “several Indians have died at the village below Sutterville.”[174]

—       ?  Webberville. Sacramento Transcript. “Cholera in the Mines.” 11-9-1850, p. 2, col. 5.[175]

—       1  Wilton Springs [?], Nov 1, Franklin T Phillips, 30, formerly of Willfleet, MA.[176]

—       ?  Yuba City. (case reported). Sacramento Transcript. “Cholera Above.” 11-2-1850, 2.

— >50?  California Native Americans.  Blanchard guesstimate.[177]

 

Connecticut               (        1)

— 1  State, Spring. U.S. Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. 1855, p. 59.

 

Delaware                    (         2)

— 2  State, Spring. U.S. Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. 1855, p. 63.

 

District of Columbia (       49)

—  3  Washington, up to July 16.[178] Huron Reflector, Norwalk OH. “Cholera, July 16, 1850, p. 2.

—  3                 “    Spring. U.S. Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. 1855, p. 57.

–49  1850 Washington DC Mortality Schedule – transcribed for Christine’s genealogy website.[179]

–1       “          Feb      A. Mahoney, age 10

–1       “          Mar     R. Davidson, 29, male

–1                   May     Lois Evans, 3, female

–1       “          May     J. Randolph, 70, male

–1       “          June     R. W. Bates, 7 months, male

–1       “          June     Henry Blackstone, 28

–1       “          June     William Bowman, 33

–1       “          June     L. Cook, 17, male

–1       “          June     Thomas Crowley, 46

–1       “          June     F. Redin, 19, female

–1       “          June     R. H. Redin, 24, male

–1(?)   “          July     Charles Bishop, 24

–1       “          July     Charles Butler, 7

–1       “          July     William Clarke, 1, male

–1       “          July     Thomas Corcoran, 3 months

–1       “          July     J. Dowling, 33, male

–1       “          July     Magruder Douglass, 2, male

–1       “          July     W. Duer, 10, male

–1       “          July     W. Gibson, 45, male

–1       “          July     Ann Holland, 63

–1       “          July     J. Howell, 63, male

–1       “          July     M. Y. Jackson, 1 female

–1       “          July     Jane Parker, 1

–1       “          July     Charles Shepard, 46

–1       “          July     James Smoot, 3 weeks

–1       “          July     Margaret Stone, 40

–1       “          July     Mary Stone, 1 month

–1       “          July     F.S. Swann, 3 months, female

–1       “          July     R. F. Thomas, 11 months, male

–1       “          Aug     Mary Anderson, 9 months

–1       “          Aug     Sarah Ballinger, 80

–1       “          Aug     M. E. Beckett, 11 months, female

–1       “          Aug     E. W. Burgess, 1, male

–1       “          Aug     Eliza Farr, 49

–1       “          Aug     G. Harrison, 56, male.

–1       “          Aug     Francis Leary, 1, female

–1       “          Aug     Phillip Lee, 29

–1       “          Aug     Richard Lever, 30

–1       “          Aug     Ann Robertson, 9 months

–1       “          Sep      James Coxen, 2

–1       “          Sep      John Dent, 2

–1       “          Sep      Noble Dunn, 1, male

–1       “          Sep      Virginia Rowe, 1

–1       “          Sep      Anna West, 5 months

–1       “          Oct      Fanny Latham, 5 months

–1       “          Oct      Margaret Leary, 22

–1       “          Unk     Emma Arnol, 1 year

–1       “          Unk     John Mills, 3 months

–1       “          Unk     Sarah Thomas, 8 months

 

Florida                       (           7)

— 7  State, Spring. U.S. Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. 1855, p. 65.

 

Georgia                      (          1)

— 1  State, Spring. U.S. Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. 1855, p. 75.

 

Illinois                        (351-352)

–351-352  State                      Blanchard tally based on breakouts below.

—         77  State, Spring.         Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. 1855, p. 87.

—       314  Chicago.                Peters.  “General History of the Disease…up to 1885,” p. 29.

–11 “      July 23         Alton Telegraph. “By Magnetic Telegraph.” 7-26-1850, p. 3, c.7.

—  9 “       July 24        Alton Telegraph. “By Magnetic Telegraph.” 7-26-1850, p. 3, c.7.

–16 “      July 29         Huron Reflector, Norwalk, OH.  “Cholera,” Aug 6, 1850, 2.

–25 “      Aug 15         Alton Telegraph, IL. “Cholera in Chicago.” 8-16-1850, p3, c3.[180]

–14 “      Aug 20         Daily Sanduskian, OH. “Cholera.” 8-23-1850, p. 2, col. 2.[181]

—    ?  Freeport            , Stephenson Co. Freeport Journal, IL. “Health of Freeport.” 7-30-1850, 2.[182]

–~20  Galena, Jo Daviess Co. Alton Telegraph, IL. [Cholera, Galena] 8-23-1850, 3. col. 3.[183]

–~14  Looking Glass Twp., Clinton Co., ~Aug 10-21. Alton Telegraph. “Cholera.” 8-23-1850, 3.[184]

—    ?  Peoria. Alton Telegraph and Democratic Review, IL. 7-19-1850, p. 1, col. 6.[185]

—    2  Quincy, Adams Co., July. Alton Telegraph and Democratic Review, IL. 7-19-1850, p.1.[186]

— 3-4  Springfield, Sangamon Co., July 28-29. Alton Telegraph. “Springfield, Ill.” 8-2-1850, 2.

 

Indiana                       (544-549)

–554-559  State                                  Blanchard tally based on breakouts below.

—         43  State, Spring. U.S. Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. 1855, p. 91.

—           3  Aurora vic., Dearborn Co., Apr.   Sutton. Report on Cholera. 1853, p. 118.[187]

—           4        “             July 1-9.        Sutton. State Med. Society Cholera Rpt. 1853, p. 119.[188]

—        >3  Brookville, Franklin Co.    Sutton. State Med. Society Cholera Rpt. 1853, p. 128-29.[189]

—     >6  Cumberland, Marion Co., Aug 6-24. Sutton. Report on Cholera. 1853, p. 141.[190]

—   150  Evansville, Vanderburgh Co., Summer. Sutton 1853, p. 157, cites Prof. G. B. Walker.[191]

—       2  Greenville, Floyd Co., ~Apr 30. Sutton 1853, p. 155, citing Dr. Girdner of Greenville.[192]

—       6  Harrison County        May     Mount Carmel Register, IL. “Cholera.” 6-5-1850, p. 2.[193]

—   >50  Indianapolis, late July-Sep 30. Sutton, 1853, p. 144, citing Prof. J. S. Bobbs, p. 146.[194]

–3    “              late July-early Aug. Sutton, 1853, pp. 142-143, citing Prof. J. S. Bobbs.[195]

–1    “             Aug 3              Sutton, 1853, p. 144, citing Prof. J. S. Bobbs.[196]

–1    “              Aug 15            Sutton, 1853, p. 145, citing Prof. J. S. Bobbs.[197]

–1    “              Nov 13            Sutton, 1853, pp. 147-148, citing Prof. J. S. Bobbs.[198]

—     28  Jefferson Twp., Clark Co., IN State Penitentiary. IN State Auditor Report, 1850, p111.[199]

—  15  “                      “          “                           Defiance Democrat, OH. 8-24-1850, 2.

—       1  Jeffersonville, Clark Co. Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Indiana.” 9-26-1850, p. 2.

—       ?  Madison Co. “Epidemic for of diarrhea and dysentery prevailed very extensively…”[200]

—       3  Marion Co. (except Indianapolis), Aug 30-Sep 1. Sutton, 1853, 147, cites J. S. Bobbs.[201]

—     28  Mt. Sterling, Switzerland Co. Sutton. State Med. Society Rpt. on Cholera, 1853, p132.[202]

—   ~30  New Albany, Floyd Co., Sum-Fall. Sutton 1853, p. 153, citing Dr. J. Sloan.[203]

–9     “                               Daly 2008, citing Diary of Dr. Asahel Clapp of New Albany.

—   150  Newbury-Maysville Canal construction laborers. Auditor of…State of IN. 1850, 109.[204]

—     11  Petersburg, Pike Co. Goodspeed Bros. History of Pike…Dubois Counties. 1885, 340.[205]

—     ~3  Rising Sun, Ohio County. Sutton. State Med. Society Rpt. on IN Choler. 1853, p. 131.[206]

—     >3  Rockport, Spencer Co., June-Sep. Sutton 1853, 156, cites Drs. Morgan, DeBruler, & Crooks.[207]

–15-20  Shelbyville, Shelby Co., July. Sutton 1853, p. 136, cites Dr. Milton Robins, Shelbyville.

–11     “                        Indiana State Sentinel, Indianapolis. “Shelbyville.” 7-25-1850, 2.[208]

—       1  Terre Haute, Vigo Co.          Sutton 1853, p. 151, citing Dr. Ezra Read of Terre Haute.[209]

—       7  Vernon, Jennings Co., early Dec.  Sutton 1853, p. 134, cites Dr. J. C. Burt of Vernon.[210]

—   ~30  Vincennes, Knox Co., Jul 15-Aug 15.[211] The Gazette, Vincennes. “Gratifying.” 8-8-1850, 2.[212]

—   >40  Washington, Daviess Co.[213] Scudder, in Woodworth. Cholera Epidemic.…  1875, 386.

—        1  German emigrant, steamboat on OH River – Buried between Utica and Madison, IN.[214]

 

Iowa                            (~115)

—     15   State, Spring. U.S. Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. 1855, p. 93.

— ~100  Burlington, July 4-Aug 8. Alton Telegraph and Democratic Review, IL 8-30-1850, 3.[215]

 

Kansas                       (     3)

— 1  Four Mile Creek, May 22, unidentified emigrant. Werner. “Emigrant Graves…”

— 1  Hiawatha vic., “branch of Wolf River” May 18, John Herlinger. Werner. “Emigrant Graves.”

— 1  Unstated location, “Dr. Clark’s Train.” Werner. “Emigrant Graves…”

 

Kentucky                   (  225)

–225  State                             Blanchard tally based on Census and locality breakouts below.[216]

—  97  State, Spring.                Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. 1855, p. 96.

—  23  Frankfort                      Collins and Collins. Historical Sketches of Kentucky. 1882, p. 60.

–137  Louisville                     Blanchard tally from breakouts below.

—    5       “       May 10-11   Weekly Courier, Madison, IN. “From Louisville.” 5-15-1850, 2.[217]

—    5       “       May 12-14   Weekly Courier, Madison, IN. “Cholera.” 5-15-1850, p. 2, c. 1.[218]

—    2       “       July 17         Defiance Democrat, OH. “Cholera in the West,” July 20, 1850, 1.

–113       “       July 23-31   Collins and Collins. Historical Sketches of Kentucky. 1882, p. 60.

—  45 “       July 25         Huron Reflector, Norwalk, OH. “Deaths of Cholera, 27 Jul 1850.

—  12 “       July 27         Zanesville Courier, OH. [Cholera in Louisville], Jul 27, 1850, 4.

—  10 “       July 31         Huron Reflector, Norwalk, OH.  “Cholera,” Aug 6, 1850, 2.

—    8       “       Aug 6-7  Daily Courier, Lafayette, IN. “More Cholera in Louisville.” 8-12-1850, 2.[219]

—  13       “       Aug 7-8?     Daily Courier, Lafayette, IN. “From Louisville.” 8-12-1850, p.2.[220]

 

Louisiana                   (2,181)

—   735  State, Spring.             Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. 1855, p. 108.

—     30  Avoyelles Parish       Year  Barton, “Report…Vital Statistics…Louisiana, 1851, p. 151.

—       6  Bienville Parish         Year  Barton, “Report…Vital Statistics…Louisiana, 1851, p. 151.

—     20  Bossier Parish           Year  Barton, “Report…Vital Statistics…Louisiana, 1851, p. 151.

—       5  Caldwell Parish         Year  Barton, “Report…Vital Statistics…Louisiana, 1851, p. 151.

—   122  Carroll Parish            Year  Barton, “Report…Vital Statistics…Louisiana, 1851, 151.[221]

—     47  Catahoula Parish [222]  Year  Barton, “Report…Vital Statistics…Louisiana, 1851, p. 151.

—       6  Claiborne Parish        Year  Barton, “Report…Vital Statistics…Louisiana, 1851, p. 151.

—     55  Concordia Parish       Year  Barton, “Report…Vital Statistics…Louisiana, 1851, p. 151.

—     18  DeSoto Parish           Year  Barton, “Report…Vital Statistics…Louisiana, 1851, p. 151.

—       4  Franklin Parish          Year  Barton, “Report…Vital Statistics…Louisiana, 1851, p. 151.

—     12  Jackson Parish           Year  Barton, “Report…Vital Statistics…Louisiana, 1851, p. 151.

—   147  Madison Parish         Year  Barton, “Report…Vital Statistics…Louisiana, 1851, p. 151.

—     12  Morehouse Parish     Year  Barton, “Report…Vital Statistics…Louisiana, 1851, p. 151.

—     19  Natchitoches Parish Year  Barton, “Report…Vital Statistics…Louisiana, 1851, p. 151.

–1,517  New Orleans             Year  Fenner, “Rpts…Louisiana.” Southern Med. Rpts, 1851, 37[223]

–1,517   “                                Year  Simonds, “On…Sanitary Cond…New Orleans,” 1851, 229.

–1,448   “                                Year  Peters.  “General History of the Disease…up to 1885,” p. 29.

—   129   “                                Jan   Fenner, “Reports…Louisiana.” Southern Med Rpts, 1851, 101

—   128   “                                Jan   Simonds, “On…Sanitary Cond…New Orleans,” 1851, 230.

—     98   “ (Charity Hosp.)     Jan   Fenner, “Reports…Louisiana.” Southern Med. Rpts, 1851, 15

—     30   “ & Lafayette           Feb  Fenner, “Rpts…Louisiana.” Southern Med. Rpts, 1851, 101

—     29   “                                Feb  Simonds, “On…Sanitary Cond…New Orleans,” 1851, 230.

—   424   “                                Mar  Fenner, “Rpts…Louisiana.” Southern Med. Rpts., 1851, 101

—   415   “                                Mar  Simonds, “On…Sanitary Cond…New Orleans,” 1851, 230.

—   363   “                                Mar  Fenner, “Reports…Louisiana.” Southern Med. Rpts, 1851, 20

—     80   “ & Lafayette           Mar  Fenner, “Rpts…Louisiana.” Southern Med. Rpts., 1851, 101

—     78   “                                Apr  Fenner, “Rpts…Louisiana.” Southern Med. Reports, 1851, 20

—     75   “                                Apr  Simonds, “On…Sanitary Cond…New Orleans,” 1851, 230.

—     77   “ & Lafayette           May Fenner, “Rpts…Louisiana.” Southern Med. Rpts., 1851, 101.

—     66   “                                May  Simonds, “On…Sanitary Cond…New Orleans,” 1851, 230.

—     54   “ & Lafayette           May  Fenner, “Rpts…Louisiana.” Southern Med. Rpts, 1851, 21.

—     49   “ & Lafayette           Jun  Fenner, “Rpts…Louisiana.” Southern Med. Rpts., 1851, 101.

—     44   “ & Lafayette           Jun  Fenner, “Rpts…Louisiana.” Southern Med. Reports, 1850, 22.

—     40   “                                Jun  Simonds, “On…Sanitary Cond…New Orleans,” 1851, 230.

—     19   “ & Lafayette           Jul  Fenner, “Rpts…Louisiana.” Southern Med. Rpts., 1850, 101.

—     13   “ & Lafayette           Jul  Fenner, “Rpts…Louisiana.” Southern Med. Reports, 1850, 23.

—     12   “                                Jul  Simonds, “On…Sanitary Cond…New Orleans,” 1851, 230.

—     12   “ & Lafayette           Aug  Fenner, “Rpts…Louisiana.” Southern Med. Rpts., 1850, 101.

—       8   “ & Lafayette           Aug  Fenner, “Rpts…Louisiana.” Southern Med. Reports, 1851, 27

—       8   “                                Aug  Simonds, “On…Sanitary Cond…New Orleans,” 1851, 230.

—   107   “                                Aug  McClellan. “A History of the…Cholera…” 1875, 619.[224]

—     47   “ & Lafayette           Sep   Fenner, “Rpts…Louisiana.” Southern Med. Rpts., 1851, 101.

—     45   “                                Sep   Simonds, “On…Sanitary Cond…New Orleans,” 1851, 230.

—     44   “ & Lafayette           Sep   Fenner, “Rpts…Louisiana.” Southern Med. Reports, 1851, 30

—   107   “ & Lafayette           Oct   Fenner, “Rpts…Louisiana.” Southern Med. Reports, 1851, 33

—   105   “ & Lafayette           Oct   Fenner, “Rpts…Louisiana.” Southern Med. Rpts., 1851, 101.

—   101   “                                Oct   Simonds, “On…Sanitary Cond…New Orleans,” 1851, 230.

—   376   “ & Lafayette           Nov  Fenner, “Rpts…Louisiana.” Southern Med. Rpts., 1851, 101.

—   367   “                                Nov  Simonds, “On…Sanitary Cond…New Orleans,” 1851, 230.

—   343   “ & Lafayette           Nov  Fenner, “Rpts…Louisiana.” Southern Med. Reports, 1851, 34

—   242   “ & Lafayette           Dec   Fenner, “Rpts…Louisiana.” Southern Med. Rpts., 1851, 101.

—   231   “ & Lafayette           Dec   Fenner, “Rpts…Louisiana.” Southern Med. Rpts., 1851, 35.

—   231   “                                Dec   Simonds, “On…Sanitary Cond…New Orleans,” 1851, 230.

—       6  Sabine Parish            Year  Barton, “Report…Vital Statistics…Louisiana,” 1851, p. 151.

—   142  Tensas Parish            Year  Barton, “Report…Vital Statistics…Louisiana,” 1851, p. 151.

—     11  Union Parish             Year  Barton, “Report…Vital Statistics…Louisiana,” 1851, p. 151.

—       2  Vermillion Parish      Year  Barton, “Report…Vital Statistics…Louisiana,” 1851, p. 151.

 

Maine                         (           8)

— 8  State, Spring.       Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. 1855, p. 117.

 

Maryland                   (           8)

— 1  State, Spring.       Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. 1855, p. 125.

— 7  Uniontown, July 29         Boston Post. “Uniontown, Md., July 29.” 8-3-1850, p. 2, col. 3

 

Massachusetts           (          6)

— 6  State, Spring.       Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. 1855, p. 133.

 

Michigan                    (         19)

—   2  State, Spring.     Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. 1855, p. 137.

— 17  Kalamazoo  Oct 3-14  Mack. “Cases…Cholera…Kalamazoo,” Boston Medical…Journal.

 

Minnesota Territory (          1)

— 1  Spring.                             Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. 1855, p. 297.

 

Mississippi                 (       183)

— 183  State, Spring.               Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. 1855, p. 153.

—     ?  Franklin County.         Marysville Daily Herald, CA. “Mississippi.” 10-22-1850, p. 3, c.1.

—     ?  Pike County.                Marysville Daily Herald, CA. “Mississippi.” 10-22-1850, p. 3, c.1.

 

Missouri                     (883-953)

—  953  St. Louis. May-Aug.  McClellan. “A History of the…Cholera…America.” 1875, 619.

—  883         “ The Year.         Moore. “Notes Upon the History of Cholera in St. Louis.” 1855, 47

—  883         “ The Year.          NPS. Year of Disaster… St. Louis…Cholera Epidemic of 1849.

—  883         “         “               Peters.  “General History of the Disease…up to 1885,” p. 31.

—  872         “                           Western Journal, St. Louis, Feb 1851, in Chappell, 1906, p. 264.

—    13         “        Jan             Moore. “Notes Upon the History of Cholera in St. Louis.” 1855, 47

—      4         “        Feb             Moore. “Notes Upon the History of Cholera in St. Louis.” 1855, 47

—      2         “        Mar            Moore. “Notes Upon the History of Cholera in St. Louis.” 1855, 47

—    12         “        Apr            Moore. “Notes Upon the History of Cholera in St. Louis.” 1855, 47

—    80         “        May           Moore. “Notes Upon the History of Cholera in St. Louis.” 1855, 47

—   2   “  ~May 5-6         Alton Telegraph, IL. “Cholera at St. Louis.” 5-10-1850, p. 2, c7.[225]

— 27   “    May 7-13       Freeport Journal, IL. “Cholera at St. Louis.” 5-20-1850, p3, c.1.[226]

—  174         “         June          Moore. “Notes Upon the History of Cholera in St. Louis.” 1855, 47

— 68   “    June 24-30     Alton Telegraph and Democratic Review, IL. 7-5-1850, p.3, c.2.[227]

—  458         “         July           Moore. “Notes Upon the History of Cholera in St. Louis.” 1855, 47

—  83  “    July 1-7         Alton Telegraph and Democratic Review, IL. 7-12-1850, p3, c.1.[228]

—  76  “    July 8-14        Alton Telegraph and Democratic Review, IL. 7-19-1850, p2, c.5.[229]

–210  “    July 17-23     Huron Reflector (Norwalk OH). “Deaths of Cholera, 7-27-1850.[230]

—  64  “       July 18        Huron Reflector (Norwalk OH). “Cholera,” July 23, 1850, p. 2.

—  69  “    July 23-29     Huron Reflector (Norwalk, OH).  “Cholera,” Aug 6, 1850, 2.

—  11  “       July 24        Alton Telegraph and Democratic Review, IL. 7-26-1850, p. 3.[231]

—  10  “       July 26        Huron Reflector (Norwalk OH). “Deaths of Cholera, 27 Jul 1850.

—    5  “    July 31           Alton Telegraph and Democratic Review, IL. 8-2-1850, p3, c.4.[232]

—    59         “         Aug           Moore. “Notes Upon the History of Cholera in St. Louis.” 1855, 47

—    25         “    Jul 30-Aug 5  Alton Telegraph and Democratic Review, IL. 8-9-1850, p. 3, col. 3

—    16         “         Sep            Moore. “Notes Upon the History of Cholera in St. Louis.” 1855, 47

—    21         “         Oct            Moore. “Notes Upon the History of Cholera in St. Louis.” 1855, 47

—    39         “         Nov           Moore. “Notes Upon the History of Cholera in St. Louis.” 1855, 47

—      5         “         Dec           Moore. “Notes Upon the History of Cholera in St. Louis.” 1855, 47

 

Nevada                       (       ?)

—             ?  Carson Valley, outbreak amongst immigrants.[233]

 

New Jersey                (       9)

— 9  State, Spring.       Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. 1855, p. 167.

 

New Mexico Ter.       (       3)

— 3  Territory, Spring.            Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. 1855, p. 209.

— ?  Santa Fe. Chambers (1938, 253) notes that cholera came into Santa Fe via Santa Fe Trail.

 

New York                   (      94)

— 94  State, Spring.     Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. 1855, p. 185.

 

North Carolina          (        3)

— 3  State, Spring.       Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. 1855, p. 199.

 

Ohio                           (~2,037)

–2,037  State                          Blanchard tally based on locality breakouts below.

—     95  State, Spring.             Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. 1855, p. 219.

–1,200-1,500  Cincinnati       Carroll. Observations on the Asiatic Cholera… 1854, p. 40.[234]

–1,200-1,500  Cincinnati       Mitchell. “History of Epidemics…” 1920, p. 11, citing Carroll.

–1,400  Cincinnati, June 1-Aug 15.  JAMA. “Asiatic Cholera…” V. XIX/No. 10, 9-3-1892, 294.

–1,400        “                           McClellan. “A History of the…Cholera…America.” 1875, 619.

–1,400        “                           Wynne. Abstract of Report on Epidemic Cholera… 1852, p. 23.[235]

–1,100        “          June 1-Aug 16[236]  Defiance Democrat (OH). Aug 24, 1850, p. 2.

—   851        “          July 1-Aug 13.     Carroll 1854, p. 40, citing Board of Health.[237]

—   649        “          July 1-23 Huron Reflector (Norwalk OH). “Deaths of Cholera, 27 Jul 1850.

—   246        “          July 1-8    Indiana State Sentinel. “Cholera in Cincinnati.” 7-11-1850, p. 3.[238]

—     65 (24 “ hrs.)  July 5-6    Indiana State Sentinel. “Cholera in Cincinnati.” 7-11-1850, p. 3.[239]

—     56 (24 “ hrs.)  July 6-7    Indiana State Sentinel. “Cholera in Cincinnati.” 7-11-1850, p. 3.[240]

—     48 (24 “ hrs.)  July 7-8    Indiana State Sentinel. “Cholera in Cincinnati.” 7-11-1850, p. 3.[241]

—     28        “          July 8       Defiance Democrat (OH). [Cholera Cincinnati] Jul 13, 1850, 2.

—     28        “          July 9       Zanesville Courier (OH). “Cholera Reports,” July 11, 1850, p. 2.

—     28        “          July 12     Huron Reflector (Norwalk OH). “Cholera,” July 16, 1850, p. 2.

—     17        “          July 15     Huron Reflector (Norwalk OH). “Cholera,” July 23, 1850, p. 2.

—     26        “          July 16     Huron Reflector (Norwalk OH). “Cholera,” July 23, 1850, p. 2.

—     32        “          July 17     Huron Reflector (Norwalk OH). “Cholera,” July 23, 1850, p. 2.

—     29        “          July 19     Huron Reflector (Norwalk OH). “Cholera,” July 23, 1850, p. 2.

—     27        “          July 20     Athens Messenger (OH). “Health of Cincinnati,” Jul 26, 1850, 3.

—     26        “          July 21     Indiana State Sentinel, Indianapolis. [Cholera] 7-25-1850, p. 2.[242]

—     23        “          July 23     Zanesville Courier (OH). [Cholera in Cincinnati], Jul 27, 1850, 3.

—     24        “          July 25     Huron Reflector (Norwalk OH). “Deaths of Cholera, 27 Jul 1850.

—       8        “          July 31     Boston Post. “Cincinnati.” 8-3-1850, p. 2, col. 3.[243]

—     15        “          Aug 1-2   Boston Post, MA. “Cholera” [Cincinnati] 8-5-1850, p. 2.[244]

—       6  Cincinnati country ~10 miles away. Carroll. Observations on…Cholera… 1854, 36.[245]

—   199  Columbus, July 8-Aug 25. Blanchard tally based on JAMA and Huron Reflector pre-July 24.

—   195        “           July 24-Aug 25.  JAMA. “Asiatic Cholera…” V. XIX/No. 10, 9-3-1892, 294.

—       2        “          July 8       Huron Reflector (Norwalk OH). “Cholera, July 16, 1850, p. 2.

—       2        “          Jul 15-21  Huron Reflector (Norwalk OH). “Cholera,” July 23, 1850, p. 2.

—     10        “          Jul 24-25 Huron Reflector (Norwalk OH). “Deaths of Cholera, 27 Jul 1850.

—       8        “          Jul 25-26 Defiance Democrat (OH). “Cholera,” Aug 3, 1850, 2.

—       8        “          Jul 26-27 Defiance Democrat (OH). “Cholera,” Aug 3, 1850, 2.

—       9        “          Jul 27-28 Defiance Democrat (OH). “Cholera,” Aug 3, 1850, 2.

—     10        “          Jul 28-29 Zanesville Courier (OH). Aug 1, 1850, 2.

—       7        “          Jul 29-30 Huron Reflector (Norwalk, OH).  “Cholera,” Aug 6, 1850, 2.

—       4        “          Jul 30-31 Huron Reflector (Norwalk, OH).  “Cholera,” Aug 6, 1850, 2.

—     10        “          Jul 31-Aug 1  Huron Reflector (Norwalk, OH).  “Cholera,” Aug 6, 1850, 2.

—     15        “          Aug 3-4   Zanesville Courier (OH). “Cholera in Columbus,” Aug 6, 1850, 2.

—       8        “          Aug 4-5   Zanesville Courier (OH). “Cholera in Columbus,” Aug 6, 1850, 2.

—       4        “          Aug 5-6   Zanesville Courier (OH). “Cholera in Columbus,” Aug 6, 1850, 2.

—       6        “          Aug 6-7   Zanesville Courier (OH). “Cholera in Columbus,” Aug 6, 1850, 2.

—       5        “          Aug 23     Zanesville Courier (OH). Aug 24, 1850, 2.

—     ~3  Dayton vicinity, Montgomery Co. Daily Courier, Lafayette, IN. 8-12-1850, p2, col. 2.[246]

—       ?  Middletown               Daily Sanduskian, OH. “Cholera.” 8-23-1850, p. 2, col. 2.[247]

—       1  Mt. Vernon, Knox Ct.  Athens Messenger (OH). “Death of J. Ridgway,” 30 Aug 1850, 2.

—   405  Sandusky, to Jun 1.   Daily Sanduskian (OH). “Population of Erie Co.,  12-27-1850, 2.

—       9  Steubenville, late Oct  Defiance Democrat (OH). “Cholera in Steubenville,” 11-2-1850.

—       1  Xenia         Jul 15      Defiance Democrat (OH). “Cholera in the West,” July 20, 1850, 1.

—   2-3  Zanesville, Aug 3-4   Zanesville Courier (OH). “Cholera in Columbus,” Aug 6, 1850, 2.

—       6         “     Aug 19-23.  Zanesville Courier (OH). Aug 24, 1850, 2.

 

Pennsylvania (    59)

—  9  State,  Spring.     Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. 1855, p. 235.[248]

—  8  Alleghany City, Aug 27. Sacramento Transcript, CA. “The Cholera.” 10-9-1850, p. 2.[249]

–11  Philadelphia, State, Spring. Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. 1855, 232

—  3  Pittsburgh  ~July 11[250]   Huron Reflector, Norwalk, OH. “Cholera, July 16, 1850, p. 2.

—  6          “           July 30       Boston Post, MA. “Cholera.” 8-5-1850, p. 2, col. 3.

–10          “           July 31       Boston Post, MA. “Cholera.” 8-5-1850, p. 2, col. 3.

–12  Uniontown   by Aug 23. Daily Sanduskian, OH. “Cholera.” 8-23-1850, p. 2, col. 2.[251]

 

Rhode Island (      2)

— 2  State, Spring.       Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. 1855, p. 239.

 

South Carolina (   1)

— 1  State, Spring.       Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. 1855, p. 251.

 

Tennessee       (  363)

–363  State.                            Blanchard tally based on locality breakouts below (and Census).

—  45  State, Spring.                Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. 1855, 265.[252]

—    ?  Columbia, Maury Co.  Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Health of the [US].” 9-26-1850, 2.[253]

—    2  Franklin vic., July 17, Peter P. Mayfield and Mrs. Porter Montgomery.[254]

—  >6  Gainesboro, Jackson Co., July. McGlasson (transcriber). History of Gainesboro. 1936.[255]

—    ?  Gallatin, Sumner Co.    Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Health of the [US].” 9-26-1850, p. 2.

—    ?  Hartsville, Trousdale Co. Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Health of the [US].” 9-26-1850, 2.

–301  Nashville, June 19-July 30 (epidemic form). Wynne 1852, p. 8.

—    3 “       June 23 burial of 3 slaves. Western Weekly Review, Franklin TN, 6-28-1850.

–120 “       July 4-7[256]            Huron Reflector (Norwalk OH). “Cholera, July 16, 1850, 2.

—  43 “       July 4        Defiance Democrat (OH). [Cholera at Nashville] Jul 13, 1850, 2.

—  29 “       July 5        Defiance Democrat (OH). [Cholera at Nashville] Jul 13, 1850, 2.

—  36 “       July 6        Defiance Democrat (OH). [Cholera at Nashville] Jul 13, 1850, 2.

—  27 “       July 11[257]  Defiance Democrat (OH). “Cholera in the West,” July 20, 1850, 1.

—  21 “       July 12      Defiance Democrat (OH). “Cholera in the West,” July 20, 1850, 1.

—  10 “       July 13      Defiance Democrat (OH). “Cholera in the West,” July 20, 1850, 1.

—  20 “       July 14      Defiance Democrat (OH). “Cholera in the West,” July 20, 1850, 1.

—    9  Winchester, Franklin Co. Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Health of the [US].” 9-26-1850, 2.

 

Texas              (     78)

— 78  State.                 Blanchard compilation of Census for Spring and Coffee Plantation.[258]

— 60  State, Spring.     Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. 1855, p. 275.

— 18  General Coffee Plantation, Brazos River. Smith. “On the Climate, Etc…of TX.” 1851, 455.

 

Utah Territory (  6)

— 6  Spring.                 Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. 1855, p. 301.

 

Vermont         (      1)

— 1  State, Spring.       Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. 1855, p. 277.

 

Virginia          (    18)

— 18  State, Spring.     Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. 1855, p. 291.

 

West Virginia (>100)

— 100  Harpers Ferry, Jefferson Co. Barry. The Strange Story of Harper’s Ferry. 1903, p. 34.[259]

—     3           “              July 30. Boston Post. “The Cholera at Harper’s Ferry.” 8-3-1850, p. 2.[260]

 

Wisconsin      (   363)

—  363  State               Blanchard tally based on locality breakouts below and Census for Spring.

—      4  State, Spring. Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. 1855, p. 295.

—    59  Dodgeville, Jun 25-Sep 28. WI Tribune, Mineral Point. “Deaths from Cholera in 1850.”[261]

–>300  Milwaukee, July-Sep. Willsey, Lewis. “Milwaukee,” Harper’s Book of Facts. 1895, 514.

—      9          “           Aug 19-20 (24 hrs.) Daily Sanduskian, OH. “Cholera.” 8-23-1850, p. 2.[262]

—  109          “           Aug 23-24. Alton Telegraph and Democratic Review, IL. 8-30-1850, p. 3.

 

Emigrants Going West (>5,000)

–>5,000  Corbin, J. “Cholera.” Kansapedia. Kansas Historical Society. June 2003, Feb 2013.[263]

–<5,000  Munkres. “Trail Facts. Questions & Answers About the Oregon Trail.” OCTA.[264]

—         8  Unruh, pulling from letter on one day in the life of Dr. Reuben Knox on the trail.[265]

—     250  Wagon trains to CA, June 1-15. Defiance Democrat, OH. Aug 17, 1850, 2.[266]

 

Maritime                   (107-119) (See California for others within that State)

— 30-40  Ouachita River, Steamer Dove.    Jan.         Fenner, Southern Med. Reports, 1850, 15[267]

— 13-14  Steamship Carolina, Panama to San Francisco, Sep 19-Oct 6, all U.S. emigrants.[268]

—        6  Steamer El Paso, from St. Louis up Missouri River. Alton Telegraph. 7-12-1850, 3.[269]

— 17-18  Steamer Falcon, Sep 12-17, Chagres, Panama to Havana Cuba (16 Americans).[270]

—    ~12  Steamer Missouri, from New Orleans to St. Louis, arriving May 2.[271]

—        4  Steamer Ohio, Havana, Cuba to NYC, Sep 18, (all American).[272]

—        1  Steamer Sea Gull, San Francisco to Oregon, Nov 10-~17.[273]

— 12-13  Steamer St. Louis, from New Orleans to St. Louis, arriving May 1.[274]

— 11-12  Unnamed boat, emigrants from Murray Co., GA to Texas, Vicksburg to Natchez.[275]

 

Native Americans, especially Plains

— ?  Mississippi Choctaw attempting to migrant west.[276]

— ?  Plains Native Americans.[277]

 

Panama (American Travelers): ( 4)[278]

–2  Panama, Sep 5-7. Benjamin F. Browne, of New York; and Randolph Scott of Texas.[279]

–1  Cruces, Panama, ~Sep 8-9. Sacramento Transcript. “Stray Leaves.” 11-25-1850, p.2, c.5.[280]

–1  Cruces vic.  “      ~Sep 8-9. Sacramento Transcript. “Stray Leaves.” 11-25-1850, p.2, c.6.[281]

 

California

 

Ahrens: “Cholera reached California simultaneously by sea and land. The arrival at San Francisco of the dead and dying on ships from Panama and around the Horn was perhaps more precisely recorded, but the overland route to Sacramento was strewn with the corpses of pioneers and native people known and unknown. On April 21, 1849, a large body of California emigrants arrived at rendezvous to prepare for the journey across the plains. There had been a cholera death on board the steamer that delivered them to St. Joseph, Missouri, ironically named the Sacramento. “Other infected steamboats followed,” the 1875 report stated,

 

On one of which, the Mary, over fifty deaths had occurred. By these emigrants cholera

was carried westward over the Platte route, and being taken up by succeeding emigrants,

the disease reached Sacramento in October, 1850, at almost the same time that it was

brought into San Francisco by the steamer Carolina from Panama.[282]

 

(Ahrens, Pete. “Cholera in the Time of Gold: The Sacramento Epidemic of 1850.” 6-4-2011 mod., p. 8.)

 

Chambers: “At Sacramento and San Francisco the cholera arrived at about the same time; at the one place by way of the California trail; at the other by way of the steamship Carolina from Panama. San Francisco lost only twenty-five of her inhabitants, but at Sacramento, out of 8,,090 citizens , 4000 fled and of the remainder 1000 died.[283] From these centers the disease spread to the gold fields where, because of its presence, wild confusion and panic prevailed.” (Chambers, J. S. The Conquest of Cholera — America’s Greatest Scourge. NY: Macmillan, 1938, p. 242.)

 

Fenner: “He [Dr. Thomas M. Logan] says, the great tendency to bowel complaints in California caused the most fearful apprehensions in regard to the introduction of cholera. This event took place on the 7th of October, when the steamer ‘California’ arrived at San Francisco from Panama, and was reported to have on board during her passage, twenty-two cases of cholera, of which number fourteen died. She was not quarantined. Contrary to expectation, the disease prevailed to but a limited extent in San Francisco; which Dr. Logan attributes to the favorable influence of the usually prevailing high winds.

 

“In Sacramento City no such happy influences were brought to hear, and the disease raged with almost unprecedented violence. The first case that occurred was on the 18th October; the second on the 19th; and from that time the epidemic was soon fully declared….”  (Fenner introduction to Logan, “On the Topography, Climate and Diseases of California,” 1851, 460.)

 

Gibbons: “In the latter part of September, 1850, and early in October, there was unmistakable evidence of the approach of the disease in California. This evidence consisted in the general prevalence of diarrhoea, which was noticed particularly in Sacramento, where it attracted the attention of physicians and of the city authorities. About the first of October, one or two deaths from cholera were reported in San Francisco. At this time the steamer Carolina arrived from Panama with several cases on board, three of which died after landing. At the same time the newspapers reported the disease at Carson Valley, hundreds of miles in the interior, where it was said to have broken out among the overland immigrants.

 

“A few sporadic cases continued to occur in San Francisco, but they were so few as not to awaken general attention. In Sacramento, however, the malign influence which had been exhibited, as before stated, in the form of epidemic diarrhoea, suddenly burst forth in the fullness of the Asiatic plague, about the 18th of October. On the 22d. nine deaths were reported: on the 25^th, fifteen; on the 26^th, twenty-one; and on the 27^th, thirty-two. Consternation seized the inhabitants, and all who could fled the city Of a population of eight thousand, only four thousand remained. The disease continued its ravages for more than a month, at a cost of about a thousand lives, and it subsided in the early part of December, almost literally for want of material. At the worst, the deaths exceeded forty in twenty-four hours, a mortality of one per cent per day.

 

The atmosphere of the metropolis offered greater resistance to the pestilential virus, and there the

disease increased very slowly until the first week of November. At that period the number of fatal cases rose to ten in twenty-four hours; and on the 13^th, it reached its acme of twenty. On the 20^th of November, four fatal cases were reported. An increase of deaths took place in the beginning of December, but by Christmas the plague had disappeared from San Francisco, having made a mortuary record of about 250, or one-fourth that of Sacramento, with more than treble the population of the latter city. The proportionate mortality in the two places was therefore, as 1:12. In the history of the epidemic very few cities on which it has fallen present a more melancholy record than Sacramento.

 

“Early in November, the cholera made its appearance in San Jose, fifty miles southeast from San Francisco, but without severity, its operations being confined mainly to the Mexican and native population in the suburbs.

 

“In subsequent years there was no return of the malady beyond a few sporadic cases; and even these were of doubtful character….

 

“In California, as in all parts of the world where the epidemic cholera has shown itself, the same invariable death-rate was observed, one-half the cases resulting fatally. Whether the cases be few or many in a given locality, this has been the rule, with scarcely an exception….” (Gibbons, Henry, M.D. “The Cholera in California in 1850.” Daily Alta California, San Francisco. 10-9-1865, p. 1 (“clipped” from Oct issue of Pacific Medical and Surgical Journal).

 

Logan: “Dear Sir: —According to the promise expressed in my last, of the 29^th October, I now proceed to give you some account of the Cholera which has ravaged our young city [Sacramento]. As I apprehended, our worst fears have been realized—for never, in the history of this cosmopolitan disease, since its first appearance in the Gangetie delta in 1817, and its subsequent progress around the globe, which it has at lust encompassed, has any visitation been so destructive and appalling. In the short space of twenty-eight days, i.e., from the 19th October, the day the first death was reported, to the 15th November, when the number of deaths had tapered down to only one or two per diem, and the subsidence of the epidemic now publicly announced in the papers, the cholera has carried off 364 victims, out of a population of 6000. The like mortality is unprecedented, and only to be surpassed by the Black Death and awful plagues of the fourteenth century.[284]  Even at Paris, in 1832, when I first encountered the disease, and where the mortality was regarded as excessive—amounting to 18,000 out of a population of 800,000, the proportionate number of deaths was not so great, by more than one-half: there, only 1 in 44 died; but in Sacramento City 1 out of every 17 inhabitants fell a victim to the scourge, and this, too, is a most moderate calculation, based solely upon the mortuary record of the two principal coffin-makers and undertakers. Doubtless many others were interred by friends of the deceased, whose names have never been published; for I know by experience that there was a greater demand for interments at one time than the undertakers could comply with. One of our city papers states that a friend, who has taken the pains to count the graves in the two cemeteries of this two-year-old city, makes the number 1170 — of which 700 were made during the late epidemic; and yet the total number of deaths from all diseases, as recorded, amounts to only 431, as follows: Deaths from cholera, 326; disease unascertained, 33; other diseases, 117. Many, therefore, must have died and been interred, of whom no record whatever was taken; so, surely, there can be no overshooting the mark, when I add the 38 deaths by disease unascertained to the 326, which were positively known to be by cholera. As regards the amount of the population, there can be no possible error, for the census was completed during the prevalence of the epidemic.”  (Logan. “On the…Diseases of Cal.,” SMR, 1851, 463.)

 

McClellan: “…it was not until the last of September, or about the first of October, that the disease arrived at San Francisco on board the steamer Carolina. Following the arrival of this vessel a few cases occurred in the city; but it was not until the first week in November that the explosion occurred, and this only after fresh arrivals from Panama. The epidemic lasted until about Christmas, when it disappeared. The total number of deaths was about two hundred and fifty.

 

In November cholera was carried from San Francisco to San Jose, fifty miles to the southeast, where its ravages were confined to the natives.

 

“About the time that the Carolina arrived at San Francisco, reports reached that city that cholera had broken out at Carson Valley, some hundred miles distant in the interior, where it occurred in the persons of overland emigrants.

 

“On the 18th of October the disease appeared at Sacramento, in the persons of overland emigrants, and rapidly spread. Consternation seized the inhabitants, and all who could do so fled from the city. Out of a population of eight thousand less than four thousand remained, and of these before December, when the disease subsided, over one thousand had died.” (McClellan. “A History of the…Cholera…”  1875, 620.)

 

Secrest and Secrest: “The cholera’s advance has sometimes been attributed to the steamer Carolina’s arrival in San Francisco’s harbor on October 7.  During its voyage from Panama, fourteen passengers on board were lost to the disease, and it was from that time that the cases reported began to increase.  However, an account published in the San Francisco Alta California…noted:  ‘About the first of October, one or two deaths from cholera were reported in San Francisco.  At the same time the newspapers reported the disease at Carson Valley, hundreds of miles in the interior, where it was said to have broken out among the overland immigrants.’….

 

“San Francisco’s mortality figures from the epidemic spread from the earliest part of October to just before Christmas.  The tents, boarding houses and hotels of the city were packed with victims, and given the poor condition of the streets (‘thickly covered with black rotten mud,’ as the Annals of San Francisco put it), the fact deaths were restricted to 250 or thereabouts was almost miraculous….

 

“In a year when Sacramento was hit by both severe flood and fire, the cholera epidemic became the worst disaster of all, claiming casualties which will never be ascertained accurately.  Local newspapers attributed no fewer than 325 deaths to the disease, with the actual total likely being even higher.  By the end of October and the beginning of November, Sacramento reached its mortality peak.  A temporary hospital for the indigent was set up… and the wails of the sick, dying and bereaved were audible throughout the city.  John Morse’s brief history of the early city said:  ‘As soon as the daily mortality became so great as to keep men constantly employed in carrying away the dead, the citizens began to leave town in every direction and in such numbers as to soon diminish the population to probably not more than one-fifth of its ordinary standard.’  According to the round figures available for the time, this meant that approximately 8,000 people had fled from the cholera’s onslaught…. practically all business and recreation in the city ground to a stop.” (Secrest & Seacrest 2005)

 

“At its height, more than forty people a day were succumbing to the disease.” (Seacrest 2005)

 

“Hardin Bigelow, the mayor of Sacramento, fell victim to cholera – while visiting San Francisco – and was taken back for burial on November 28, when the plague was at last on the wane at his home base.  A total of ninety physicians were practicing in Sacramento during the outbreak and, as noted in Dr. E. S. Fenner’s account of this episode, all stood their ground to minister to the victims and did not participate in the pell-mell exodus from the city….”

 

“Cholera also made inroads within other California towns and cities during this time …The December 26 Alta commented that ‘whole families have been swept away’ in Santa Barbara.  It was further reported that the disease hit Marysville and San Jose, particularly affecting the Mexican and Indian populations at the later city.” (Secrest and Secrest 2005, pp. 13-16)

 

Wendt: “From New Orleans it [cholera in 1850] was also carried back to Cuba and the Isthmus of Panama.  And thus the pestilence went to and fro as travel predominated.  No East, West, North or South was exempt from it.  San Francisco only lost 250; Sacramento suffered far more heavily, for out of 8,090 inhabitants, 4,000 fled, and of the remainder 2,000 died.” (Wendt, Edmund Charles (Ed.).  A Treatise on Asiatic Cholera. 1885, p. 29.)

 

Newspapers

 

Sep 26, Carson Valley: “The accounts received from gentlemen just in from Carson Valley, agree in the main with those we have published from Capt. Waldo, in regard to the immigrants on the Truckee route. There is a degree of suffering endured that is without parallel in the records of the past — starvation on the one hand, and cholera on the other! The supply of provisions at Carson Valley has been large enough for the demand of the past few weeks, but serious apprehensions are entertained in regard to those who will arrive in the Valley after this period, as traders are generally packing up and leaving. The traders afforded a large proportion of the means of support to those who came along without food, as the aid furnished by the Relief Committee of our city were inadequate to supply the heavy demands made upon them, and the closing up of the trading pests along the Valley is a matter of the most extreme regret, and will result most disastrously to the immigration in the rear….” (Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Intelligence from Carson Valley.” 9-26-1850, p. 2.)

 

Oct 7, San Francisco: “The Steamship Carolina…arrived from Panama early yesterday [Oct 7] and anchored off Rincon Point. She left Panama on the evening of the 16^th ult. [Sep] and stopped at Acapulco and San Diego…She brought up…210 passengers, and lost fourteen on the passage from Asiatic cholera. That disorder prevailed to a considerable extent on the Isthmus when the Carolina left, but there was note at Acapulco. [Lists names and dates of deaths of 13, as well as where they had lived prior, when known.]” (Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “Arrival of the Steamer Carolina!…The Cholera!” 10-8-1850, p. 2, col. 4.)

 

Oct 10, San Francisco: “There has been some little apprehension excited for a few days past, from the fact that steamers having arrived which had had cases of cholera on board and came from regions where the disease was known to have prevailed. We consider these apprehensions utterly groundless, however, although we should be last to endeavor to lull the public into a false security, if danger of an epidemic disorder absolutely threatened. But we can see no pretext for indulging in such an expectation. That cholera can exist here we have not the slightest doubt; but that it can be brought here by ships, we do doubt, for we are and always have been non-contagionists, and have always opposed the oppressive quarantine laws. The fact that there has been good deal of dysentery and diarrhea prevalent within the last few weeks, has been calculated to alarm people; but when it is well known that this fall there has been great quantities of fruit brought into the market, mostly but partially rice we do not consider this fact at all surprising or alarming. We have heard that there have been one or two cases very closely resembling cholera in the city, but the symptoms were similar to those exhibited in other diseases; and we do not believe there has been a single case which has come under the knowledge of any respectable physician here, unless it might have been some passenger who was sick on board the Carolina, which could be positively pronounced Asiatic Cholera. Still it is a subtle foe, and one to be guarded against, and it behooves people, while it is hovering over the continent with its poisonous, deadly breath, to be careful of their diet, and abstemious in their habits generally, for there is no knowing where it may appear, or when.” (Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “The Cholera.” 10-10-1850, 2, col. 2.) [Two columns over the cholera deaths the previous two days of two more Carolina passengers (two men from Ohio) in a hotel/boarding house in San Francisco are recorded.]

 

Oct 13, San Francisco: “The Medical Society held a meeting on Friday evening, and appointed Drs. Parker, Haine, White, Grover and Gilbert, a committee to investigate the health of the city, and to report upon the subject of proper regulations for the burial of the dead. A resolution was adopted to the effect that the Society cannot ascertain that there has been more than a single case of Asiatic cholera originating in the city, and consequently not sufficient to indicate the prevalence of this disease as an epidemic.” (Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “Cholera.” 10-13-2015, p.2, c.3.)

 

Oct 15, San Francisco: “A communication was received from the Medical Society of this City, stating that cholera does not exist in this city to require any further action, than that all cases should be reported to the Mayor. Received and sent to the other Board.” (Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “Cholera.” 10-15-1850, p. 2, col. 4.)

 

Oct 17, San Francisco: “We are glad to learn, from the report of the Medical Committee at the Bay, that the Cholera does not exist in that city to an extent to require any unusual measures to be taken by the public authorities. The committee recommend the cleansing and purifying of the streets. From an examination of the City Sexton’s record, from the 1st of September, it appears that there has been more sickness in the first three weeks than in the last three—there having occurred in the first period 75 deaths, and in the last, 57. The deaths from diarrhoea and dysentery in the first three weeks after the 1st of September were 30, and in the last three weeks, 24 from the same diseases. The record of the sexton shows one death from Asiatic cholera in the week ending the 5th, and four in the week ending the 12th of October. Three of the latter, however, were cases from the Carolina, which arrived at San Francisco the 6^th.

 

“The committee remark : “Dr. Hastings says in one of the morning papers, that the cholera has been among us for more than two weeks, and that he has seen a few cases, all of which have recovered. Dr. Smith reports two cases, one at the City Hospital, on the 9th instant, that died in five or six hours after he was received, and in which case a post mortem inspection was made. The other, in private practice, recovered. The last one occurred on the 10^th instant, since which time we cannot learn that there has originated a case in the city.”” (Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Health of San Francisco.” 10-17-1850, p. 2, col. 5.)

 

Oct 18, San Francisco: “`Although we have had one or two cases of undoubted Asiatic Cholera, originating in the City, we do not apprehend that it will get a foothold among us. The present is the most sickly season in San Francisco, and every case of sickness which has any resemblance to the Cholera, is set down as the real thing. The air is too pure, and the winds too strong in this region, to make it an abiding place for the scourge.’ S. F. Cour.” (Marysville Daily Herald, CA. “The Cholera.” 10-18-1850, p. 2, col. 3.)

 

Oct 22, Sacramento: “The City Physician stated last evening [Oct 21] to the Council, that seven cases of Cholera had come under his notice, five of which had proved fatal. A report was also presented from the Medical Society of the city, which recommends a proper degree of caution in habits and eating.

 

“We would remark that a difference of opinion exists in regard to the disease amongst us. We visited last evening an individual pronounced to have the Cholera by the City Physician, and the M. D. in company with us pronounced it a case of cholera morbus [non contagious]; and further, that if death should ensue, as was probable, it would be wholly attributable to a want of proper care when the person was first taken ill.” (Sacramento Transcript, CA. “The Cholera.” 10-22-1850, p. 2. c. 3.)

 

Oct 23, San Francisco: “We fear that our people may be so far affected by certain movements and reports respecting the cholera and its presence in California, that a panic may be the consequence, which in and of itself is more to be deprecated than the cholera itself. The disease may be treated and restrained and cured by judicious, early and faithful treatment. Not so the panic which usually accompanies it, more especially perhaps than any other disease. There is no reason in those affected with it. And the state of mind of those who become panic stricken is far worse than the cholera, because its tendency is inevitably and continually to reduce the body to the condition which the mind fears. Thousands and tens of thousands have died with the fear of cholera, whom the disease never attacked at all.

 

“The report of the disease on board the schooner Montague, published in another column, is likely to create additional fears in the minds of those who have believed the heretofore reported existence of the cholera among us. The physicians who visited the vessel at the request of His Honor the Mayor, Dr. P. Smith and Dr. Theo. Dimon, have emphatically pronounced it Asiatic Cholera. From description of the appearance of the subjects of it, and its symptoms, we are of opinion that they are correct in their opinion. The Placer Times [Sacramento] of Monday states positively that it exists in that city. This would seem to be an additional confirmation, accounting for the disease being onboard the vessel. It would seem that it must have previously existed in Sacramento or it could not have been onboard the schooner.

 

“We do not think however that these facts should dangerously alarm our citizens, because the city authorities, the health officer, &c. have acted promptly in the matter, putting the vessel under quarantine and not suffering the bodies of the deceased to pass through the city. If the disease be contagious – which we do not believe – these measures, we presume, must effectually prevent its spread, and ought also to set at rest the fears of those who have already begun to dread this terrible disease. More than this, we do not think our citizens have much if any cause of fear from the previous condition of the city. There may have been cases of cholera here, probably have been, some time since, but we have no reason to believe that there has been one real case of cholera here, beyond those of the passengers who came here by the steamer. Cases of cholera have been reported we allow, but we happen to know that some of them were not cholera – not even cholera morbus. Common and long continued diarrhea has been called cholera? We do not believe there has yet been one genuine case of Asiatic cholera in the city, except, as we said before, those which came by the steamer.

 

“Yet, while we can see no reason for great alarm, we must also say that people cannot be too careful of their health. We are liable to cholera at any day, and the best way to avoid it, is as far as possible to banish the causes which are supposed instrumental in producing it. Cleanliness, regularity of habits, good and wholesome food, quietude of mind and fresh air by daylight, are to be sought. Sudden changes of food are more deleterious that a continuance of the usual and customary diet, even though it be not exactly what a physician would recommend. The night air, and especially that which is low, near the earth, and in damp and unventilated places, should be avoided. But above all, our experience has taught us that the very best preventative, in addition to others, is to think just as little as possible about it….” (Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “The Cholera.” 10-23-1850, p. 2, col. 1.)

 

Oct 23, San Francisco: “Our citizens were startled yesterday morning [Oct 22] by the report that a vessel had arrived in the harbor, having on board a large number of cases of cholera. The vessel proved to be the schooner G. H. Montague…She sailed from Sacramento City on Friday last [Oct 18], with 46 passengers, and a crew of seven in number and was bound to Panama. On the day after sailing from Sacrament City, a disease which has been pronounced to be the cholera, broke out among the passengers, and on that day Franklin Lamb, of Groton, Conn., died, and was buried at Benicia. Since 4 o’clock P.M. of Monday, the following named persons have died: George Woolcott, of Waltham, Mass.” Mrs. Holbrook, of North Adams, Berkshire county, Mass.; John Spencer, of Waltham, Mass.” Lemuel Fancs, of Warren, Rhode Island; Wm. Joyce, second mate, and John Reed. The Captain and four passengers are now sick on board. The bodies of the six persons mentioned as having died since Monday afternoon, were buried yesterday by the city. The vessel has been ordered into quarantine, and nurses sent on board to take care of the sick.”

 

“The Medical Society was called together last evening, at the request of the Mayor. In addition to the above [Schooner Montague deaths], four deaths from cholera were stated to have occurred in the city within twenty-four hours. One case was that of a lady, who died in eight hours after being infected; another was a sea captain, who died at the Marine Hospital; another a child, near the head of Washington street; and another a man who died at the Mission, after six hours sickness.

 

“A physician who was on board the G. H. Montague, on her passage down from Sacramento City, made a statement on the subject of the disease as it had manifested itself on board that vessel. The schooner was in good condition and clean. The morning after leaving Sacramento City, he was called to administer to a sick person. He found the man on the floor, with every appearance of cholera; the man died during the day. The next day seven cases were treated, and on Monday night there were six deaths. There are also two persons now on board, in the last stages of collapse. The greater portion of those who died were from the mining districts – hale, stout men, who on Monday morning ate their breakfasts as heartily as any on board. The cholera first made its appearance in the forward part of the vessel, and spread thence to the cabin.

 

“Two men who came ashore from the vessel yesterday morning, and put up at the Sacramento Hotel, are now sick with cholera. The physician had seen many cases of cholera in Louisiana, to which those of the G. H. Montague bore a close resemblance.

 

“Dr. Nott related many interesting facts in connection with cholera, s he had observed it in the Southern State. He was disposed to think that if quarantine was necessary – which he doubted – it should be applied more stringently to the river boats than to vessels coming from sea, for the reason that cholera generally developed itself on water courses to a greater extent than elsewhere.

 

“On motion of Dr. Harris, the following resolution was adopted:

 

Resolved, That although cases of cholera have occurred in San Francisco, yet, in the opinion of this Society, it does not exist at present in an epidemic form.

 

“On motion of Dr. Smith, a committee of five were appointed to investigate the condition of the health of the city, and report to the society this evening. Drs. Harris, Rogers, Parker, Sawyer, and Smith, constitute the committee, to whom also was submitted a resolution presented by Dr. Grover, recommending to the Council the establishment of a Board of Health.

 

“The Society will meet again this evening.” (Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “The Cholera.” 10-23-1850, p. 2, col. 2.)

 

Oct 24, Sacramento: “Our citizens are, as a general thing, exerting themselves to render the city as cleanly as possible. Night before last, J street, from Third to Eighth, was lit up by innumerable bon-fires. An immense quantity of rubbish was thus cleared away into heaps and consumed. The city presented, at a distance, every appearance of a general conflagration. To one standing on the levee and looking up J street, the sight was most splendid. The long line of houses on each side was lit up by the red glare, and volumes of thick smoke rolled off towards the south, while the figures moving among the fires, collecting together material, seemed like anything but earthly beings. Last night bon-fires were not only built upon J street, but upon Second, K, and generally throughout the city.

 

“The atmosphere last night was excessively light, so much so, that the smoke settled down upon the city, and rendered respiration any thing but agreeable to the olfactories.

 

“Although there can be little doubt that there have been several cases of cholera in our midst, yet it may be proper to state in this connection, that the Physicians of our city differ in their opinions as to the disease now prevalent; and deaths which some report as cholera, would be set down by others as cholera morbus or diarrhoea. We think there is little cause for alarm on the part of our citizens. For so far as we have been able to learn, the individuals who have been attacked are either such as have been irregular in their habits – exposed by sleeping in tents or in the open air, or such as have been afflicted for a day or two with diarrhoea, which they have neglected.

 

“We subjoin a list of those who have died in our city since the 20th inst. Previously to the 20th, there were two deaths reported to be of cholera. An individual was lying sick of the cholera yesterday in the Hospital who was convalescent.

 

“Considering the sanitary condition of our city, considering the habits of many of our citizens, who wantonly expose themselves, and indulge in every species of intemperance, we think our city is even now comparatively healthy, and that if our Physicians are correct in stating that the cholera is here, it has certainly made a very feeble beginning.

 

“It cannot but be noticed that yesterday there was a great falling off of deaths in comparison with the two days previous.” (Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Cholera.” 10-24-1850, p. 2., col. 1.)

 

Oct 24, Sacramento: “Dr. Spalding reported to the Council last evening, that his impression was that the cholera was not on the increase. During the previous 21 hours, five persons had been admitted into the City Hospital, and only one death had occurred.” (Sacramento Transcript, CA. “City Hospital.” 10-24-1850, p. 2., col. 5.)

 

Oct 24, San Francisco: “We are not prepared to say that this disease is increasing to any considerable extent, though a number of new cases were reported yesterday. Dr. Parker states that he has seen several marked case of cholera since Tuesday night [Oct 22] among the Kanakas[285] near Bush street, there have been two deaths, and five additional cases were reported last evening. Dr. Parker thinks that two of them will die during the night. At the meeting of the medical society last evening, Dr. Rogers stated that two kanaka boatmen, who had been on board the schooner G. H. Montague, had been attacked with cholera, and had died. Dr. Merritt had treated a case in Sacramento street, and with hopes of success. Dr. Stackpole reported ten cases from the schooner G. H. Montague. The captain of the schr. Died on Tuesday night. Dr. Stackpole said that if ever cholera existed in the United States it exists here now. Altogether eleven new cases were reported, and five deaths.

 

“The society held a protracted meeting, and among other things passed a resolution that the society recommend to the City Council the immediate establishment of a Board of Health, with power to act in all matters in any way connected with the public health.” (Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “City Items. Cholera.” 10-24-1850, p. 2. col. 3.)

 

Oct 26, Sacramento: “We invite the especial attention of our readers to the following interesting communication. It is from one of our first citizens, and its recommendations should, so far as possible, be carried out.

 

Messrs. Editors — That this mysterious disease is now in our midst, and that the causes that give it potency are here, no one can doubt who ever saw a case before, and takes the trouble to enter the City Hospital now. That there are, in the excitement connected with the existence of the disease, and in ignorance of its true character, many cases designated cholera that are entirely dissimilar, is evident. The slow progress of the disease should not lull us into fancied security, as its manner of approach is dissimilar in almost any given number of places which it has visited. Sometimes, like the sweeping flood, it bears all before it, and soon passes away; or it comes more stealthily, giving warning by taking but a few, as preparatory to its more severe inroads. Generally it follows the great thoroughfares of travel; at other times it leaps whole kingdoms, and returns to meet again

at some spot where it can revel without hindrance.

 

There are only two conditions of things that have had any evident effect in stopping its progress or lessening its fatality. They are, the extreme cold of winter; the other embraces those sanitary measures that make a city clean and the air pure, and that private hygiene that consists in regular habits, proper regimen, and a mind free from anxiety, or at ease.

 

We hear men talk of the winds of San Francisco driving away the disease, and driving it into the interior. Such are not aware that one of its most fearful marches was “up the Volga, in the last epidemic, when the wind blew without cessation from the north, while the pestilence proceeded in an opposite direction, from south to north.”

 

I believe that this city, and each person, have it in their power to say, as a general rule, “thus far shalt thou go and no farther.”

 

The course is a plain one. The city freed from impurities that give the disease power, and among which it strengthens itself for the work of death, and each individual cleanly –well fed — free from excess of every kind — heart firm and the mind easy, and you either stop its progress or so mitigate its power that it is as little to be feared as any other disease.

 

The city has a farther work to do than that noble one in which they are now engaged, in cleaning the city and providing a Hospital for the sick.

 

There are two other things more important, if possible. A public boarding house and Dispensary. A man passed my door a few days ago and picked up the bread thrown out with the refuse of the table — he was cared for afterwards. There are many more like him. Now let the city provide a house under the direction of a judicious person, where persons, poor and infirm, may have dispensed food and clothing – invite the public to donate provisions and articles for the comfort of such, and you can save many valuable lives who would be the victims of cholera.

 

There should also be place where the poor can get medicine at public cost. The cholera in most cases gives warning: for hours, and sometimes days. Then is the favorable moment; if passed, we are taught, by the most fearful lessons, it is nearly always fatal. By providing such a place, as is the case in nearly all our Eastern cities, under the direction of intelligent physicians, medicine and medical aid are promptly secured without cost to the patients, in the favored time for successful administration. No physician or intelligent man should lend his aid to the vender of nostrums as cures for this disease, or as preventives. Such take a fearful responsibility, that few would covet who understood the difficulty — yes, impossibility of correctly prescribing for any disease without seeing the patient and knowing his age, habits, constitution, and a variety of influences that enter into calculation in prescribing properly. No man who regards, the time-honored and useful profession of medicine can countenance such remedies. If they are preventives or cures, in humanity’s name publish them, that world-wide may be the benefits of such discoveries. Ex-Medico.” (Sacramento Transcript, CA. “The Cholera.” 10-26-1850, p. 2)

 

Oct 26, Sacramento: “Messrs. Editors: — As all sorts of quack nostrums and specifics against the cholera are now being puffed up, I think it right to caution the public against their use. The experience I had, whilst I was physician to the Cholera Hospital in St. Louis, led me to the conclusion that the indiscriminate use of these cholera specifics is as fatal as the epidemic itself. The reason is simply this. Most of these nostrums are composed of highly stimulating substances, such as cayenne, brandy, &c.; now it must be obvious to every one, that to administer these stimulants in every case of diarrhoea, accompanied as it more particularly is at the present moment, by inflammation of the bowels and stomach, is sufficient to ensure the destruction of the patient, and to place him in a short time beyond the hope of cure. Even during the prevalence of cholera, the greater number of cases of diarrhoea which occur, are of the common description, and could be easily arrested by proper treatment, but when submitted to the stimulating and inflammatory effects of these nostrums, they immediately assume a violent character, and probably take on the type of the prevailing epidemic. External warmth and friction, mustard poultices over the bowels, are the only means that I would advise to be had recourse to before a physician can be called in. In conclusion, I would caution the citizens generally, and particularly those who are at all indisposed, against eating salmon. I have frequently seen this taken, and I believe it has often been recommended as a light diet, but although in general boiled fish may be considered as such, yet salmon forms an exception, and is very apt to produce derangement of the stomach and bowels…James Blake, M.D., Professor of Anatomy in the University of St. Louis.” (Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Cholera Specifics.” 10-26-1850, p. 2, col. 5.)

 

Oct 26 article on Schooner Montague: “It has been ascertained, says the Courier, that this vessel, on which so many deaths occurred, was ballasted on surface soil, mingled with leaves and roots, and other decaying vegetable matter, which had been taken in at Sacramento. To this fact is attributed the appearance of Cholera, which carried off nine persons.” (Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Cholera on the Schooner Montague.” 10-26-1850, p. 2, col. 6.)

 

Oct 28, Barque Splendid departs Sacramento (Dr. W. Taylor narrative): “About the middle of October, 1850, we descended from the high granitic crest of the Sierra Nevada to the low alluvial valley of the Sacramento….On reaching Sacramento City, we found that that dread scourge Cholera, had just made its appearance, in more than an ordinarily malignant form. The panic was great, and well it might have been. For never, perhaps, was a city in a better condition to propagate an epidemic in all its malignancy. The situation of the town is low, and subject to [end of p.53] annual inundations; the streets were filthy in the extreme, and the alleys and back yards filled with decaying vegetable and animal matter. Sutter Lake, situated with the suburbs of the city, contained a vast amount of stagnant water, dead and putrid fish, and all manner of filth, which produced an intolerable stench….Altogether, the city presented all the conditions that one would think requisite for the disease to flourish in all its horrors and mortality….

 

“For the first few days after the onset of the epidemic, every case proved mortal; there was no instance of recovery for three or four days. The first case of the epidemic that I saw in the city, was a patient of my esteemed friend, D. W. G. Proctor, who died in about six hours after the attack. I treated several other cases afterwards before leaving the city, but with very limited success.

 

“In the meantime, I had engaged passage for Realejo, on the barque ‘Splendid,’ of Boston, Harding master, which was to sail on the 28^th of October. The master offered me the Surgeon’s place, which I accepted; but in doing so, little did I suspect the immense labor that I was assuming, or the melancholy sequel that was to follow.

 

“The day set apart for the sailing of the Splendid arriving, I left the city and boarded her in the capacity of Surgeon and Physician. The vessel was to have been towed down to San Francisco by steam, but owing to disappointment in getting a towboat…in consequence of the engineer of the towboat having died of Cholera, on the passage up the river, and the inability to get another in time to comply with the engagement. The result was that we had to float down by the current most of the way to Benicia.

 

“The Captain was ill of a mild form of the epidemic when we went on board, but the entire crew and all the passengers seemed to be in good health, and but little complaint amongst them, considering the evident insalubrious state of the atmosphere, and the known prevalence of the disease in the city. Under these circumstances, late on the evening of the 28^th, we weighed anchor and dropped down with the current, on our way to San Francisco; but we had scarcely gotten our anchor clear, when I was summoned in haste to the forecastle, to see the cook. On reaching him, I found him laboring under a severe attack of Cholera [end of p.54] – surface clammy and shrunk, great pallor, cramps, extremities cold, and almost pulseless. Wishing to avoid the ill effects of a panic, after giving him a heavy dose of anodyne[286] and carminative[287] medicine, I immediately went to the mate, and had him conveyed to the shore, and sent to the hospital, without letting the passengers know the nature of his malady. At the same time I ordered the chloride of lime to be freely used in the hold of the vessel. After this all went on well for about thirty-six hours, when I was called to see a man by the name of J., aged about 32 years, whom I found voiding every few minutes profuse rice colored discharges, features shrunk, surface cold and clammy, pulse quick and frequent, but almost imperceptible, and violent and excruciating cramps….After giving it [calomel, chloroform, etc.] to J. he revived, and seemed comparatively free from suffering for some hours, but eventually sank, and died after an illness of about twelve hours.

 

“But before this event occurred, there were a dozen other cases, and he panic with the passengers was complete; all was confusion among them; terror, dread and consternation were depicted in the countenance of the bold and firm, as well as the weak and timid. To such an extent were they frightened, that it was with the greatest difficulty that I could induce the well to nurse the sick, or give them any attention. To avoid a monotonous array of cases, I would merely observe, that my general practice throughout the entire course of the epidemic, was similar to that followed in the treatment of the case above alluded to, with what [end of p.55] success must be hereafter determined….

 

“Our vessel was eight or nine days floating and lodging on sand bars (not sailing) to San Francisco; and of her 130 passengers on board, not more than eight or ten escaped the disease, in some form or other; some experiencing it very slightly, while others had it more severely. Of the whole number attacked, seventeen died…. [p. 56]

 

“I remember one morning, after having been below in the hold all night with the sick, trying to administer to their wants, I came on deck, and found our vessel fast aground on a sand bar. The sun was obscured by the clouds, and the winds blew bleak and damp, pregnant with disagreeable odors from the dismal sloughs and marshes on either side of the river – all nature seemed to frown; and then, as if to add horror to the scene, and make despair complete, the ear was pierced every moment with the screams and groans of the dead and dying…. [p. 57]

 

“We reached San Francisco about the 7^th of November. On reaching the city, we made arrangements with the authorities as soon as possible to remove some of our sickest passengers to the City Hospital. We sent eight patients to it, three of whom died within twenty-four hours after their admission. These three are included in the seventeen, the sum total of the mortality, from the epidemic on the vessel.

 

“After reaching the Bay of San Francisco, and coming under the influence of the sea breeze, we had but few new cases of the epidemic. With the exception of myself and one or two others, there were none. I was taken quite violently with the disease the morning after we anchored in the port, but it yielded readily to medicine, and I was up again in a few days. What is remarkable in my case is that I should have exposed myself to the disease so constantly, and mingled with it so much, and yet be about the last to take it. My labor during the whole trip down the river was incessant – waiting on the sick day and night for ten days in succession, during which time I did not sleep, in the aggregate, eight hours.

 

“We remained in San Francisco until the 11^th of November, when we weighed anchor, unfurled our sails and cleared port, and were soon, once more, on the bosom of the Pacific, on our way to Realejo. We had no more of the epidemic on board after we got out at sea, but had several cases of Typhoid Fever, of which two passengers died, and several others escaped very narrowly.” [p. 58.]

 

(Taylor, W., M.D. “Cholera as it Appeared in California – Barque Splendid, &c.” New Orleans Medical and Surgical Journal, Vol. 8, Part First, July, 1852 pp. 53-58.)

 

Nov 3, San Francisco: “There appears to be no abatement of this disease. We made enquiries among the physicians yesterday [Nov 2] and they all unite in the opinion that the cholera is increasing in its ravages. In the Montgomery House, a large boarding house, between Montgomery and Pine streets, seven deaths from cholera have occurred, and the house is nearly deserted. Dr. Merritt informs us that he has treated five cases within the past two days, two of which have proved fatal.” (Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “The Cholera.” 11-3-1850, p. 2, col. 3.)

 

Nov 4, Sacramento: “On Saturday morning [Nov 2] we took the liberty of recommending the appointment by the Common Council of a Board of Health for Sacramento city. We made this recommendation, because we thought an emergency existed requiring decided action from some quarter, and as but little has been done in comparison with what might have been, towards improving the sanitary condition of the city, it appeared advisable to clothe a body of men with authority to take more effectual action towards driving the cholera from our midst. In the course of the same day, a committee from the Medico-Chirurgical Academy induced the President of the Common Council to call a meeting of that body in the evening, to take the subject of the establishment of a Board of Health into consideration. The evening came, but a quorum of the Council could not be got together, and the subject lies over till this evening. We trust there will be no further postponement.

 

“Our city just at this time, is strangely deficient in the number of her officers; at a time too, when the greatest vigilance and discretion are required. The resignation of Messrs. Strong, Petit and McDowell, the illness of Mr. Queen, and the duties of Dr. Spalding as City Physician, render it next to impossible to get a quorum of members in the Council Chamber. In this state of things it seems to us that no one will question the policy of giving a body of intelligent physicians and citizens the task of investigating the causes and progress of disease among us, as well as authority to act in the matter. With an efficient Board of Health to act in conjunction with the other city authorities, much may be done in a very short time, towards restoring health and prosperity to our city.” (Sacramento Transcript, CA. “A Board of Health.” 11-4-1850, p. 2, c. 1.)

 

Nov 5, Up-river from Sacramento: “The cholera rages in the up-river towns.” (Sacramento Transcript, CA. 11-5-1850, p. 2, col. 1.)

 

Nov 5, Sacramento: “There was a decided falling oft in the number of deaths by cholera yesterday. We learn that the number of new cases yesterday was comparatively small—most of the deaths were of those who had been previously attacked. Seven of those which we publish to-day occurred in the Sacramento and Cholera Hospitals.” (Sacramento Transcript, CA. “The Cholera.” 11-5-1850, p. 2, col. 3.)

 

Nov 6, Sacramento: “During the twenty-four hours ending at six o’clock last evening, four new patients were admitted into the Cholera Hospital on L street. There were six deaths in the same period. Twenty-one patients still remain, many of whom are convalescent. From the reports of mortality for yesterday, both in hospital and private practice, it will be seen that the cholera is still slowly decreasing.” (Sacramento Transcript. “Cholera Hospital.” 11-7-1850, 2.

 

Nov 7, San Francisco: “We do not think that there is so much cause of alarm as some of our citizens imagine. It is true the cholera is among us and deaths occur. But we have reason for saying that even including the deaths by cholera, there are not so many at the present time in proportion to our population as there were one year ago. The many improvements in accommodations, in medical appliances and attention, in nursing and hospitals and in persona cleanliness, have undoubtedly contributed to this result. We are not disposed to underrate the malignity of the terrible disease now among us. But at the same time we must say that reasonable persons have not sufficient cause for being panic struck, as the disease when first developed is easily manageable. We have heard of no such violently and immediately fatal cases as marked the marches and halts of this terrible host in the East Indies, and during its progress westward….” (Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “Sanitare.” 11-7-1850, p. 2, col. 2.)

 

Nov 7, San Jose: “A letter from San Jose, published in the Courier, says that the cholera has been hard at work among some Indians that live on Coyote Creek, about a mile from that town — a number of them have died. They live in such filth and wretchedness, however, that nothing else could be expected. As yet no case has occurred among the American population.” (Sacramento Transcript, CA. 11-7-1850, p. 2, col. 2.)

 

Nov 12, San Francisco: “Filth and the Cholera. These are the Siamese Twins of desolation, one in vitality, although two in name. By our report this morning of new cases of cholera and deaths, it will appear that the disease, which seemed almost extinct on Saturday, has recommenced its ravages with redoubled rage, and seems now suspending its withered and withering finger above our city with a terrible menace. We desire to speak the plain and simple truth in this matter as in all others, and have never heretofore endeavored to create alarm nor to give to the public any feeling of false security. Every case of death which we have been enabled to ascertain, and the cause, have been given, and the public has had the same information which we have had. Some meddling and foolish papers out of this city have seen fit, without a single particle of reason or truth, to give a contrary version of the story, but they are in such misrepresentations unworthy even of this notice.

 

“In connection with these reports from the Board of Health, we wish to say that, in almost every instance, the disease can be attributed immediately to the presence of filth and the absence of personal cleanliness. The intimate connection between filth and the cholera are so well known, that it would be supererogation to argue or attempt to prove it. We are assured by every physician with whom we have conversed, that filth and uncleanliness are the too evident cause. The neighborhoods where the most virulent cases have occurred for the whole time it has been here, and especially during the last day or two, are known to be pre-eminently filthy, or unventilated. The very ground on which these lazaret houses stand is in most instances made land, composed of offal, manure, torrent and decayed vegetables and animal matter, deposited in some cases in ponds, and thus sites for dwellings made, where men are finding a speedy passage to the grave.

 

“In view of these things, what should be done? We have a Board of Health, but that is not enough. We believe that Board is trying to do its duty, but that is not enough. The common council has appropriated $5000 to be used at the discretion of the Board, yet something, yea much more, is necessary. The whole city should become at once a voluntary Board of Health, each man and woman should consider each for himself, that an imperative duty is binding, and act accordingly. Every corner and nook and cranny should be examined and cleansed at once. This is a duty at all times, especially now while the destroying angel seems hovering just above our city with outspread wings, ready to pollute the atmosphere we breathe, to sprinkle the miasma of death in our cups and plates, turning the goodly face of day into gloomy horror, and threatening to make the grass grow in all the streets except that which leads to the grave-yard.

 

“Now all this, or a great part of it, may be prevented by a timely and unanimous effort on the part of our citizens. Not one should consider himself excused. Wherever there is an infecting spot, an infecting agent, this should be removed, and that purified by chloride of lime or some other disinfecting material. The Board of Health have only city scrip to pay with for the absolute necessities which they find themselves frequently under, in removing the sick, &c., and if they cannot use it for the purpose, their own funds must be expended, and city scrip alone taken in liquidation. This is not well, is not just. Cannot the authorities do something better and fairer than this? If not, cannot the citizens? The Council ought also to cause chloride of lime to be sprinkled broad-cast wherever are located any causes of epidemic or contagion which cannot be removed. Money cannot be better employed, nor can human labor…

 

“…Let nothing within mortal reach which is calculated to breed disease, remain. Let water and fire and other cleansing elements be put in requisition, and thus this death angel be banished from our atmosphere. It will not do to delay – the rainy season will soon be upon us – it will not do to put the labor upon others. Let us all take hold of the matter as humanity, prudence and wisdom dictate, and do our duty at once.” (Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “Filth and the Cholera.” 11-12-1850, p. 2, col. 1.)

 

Nov 13, Sacramento: “Now that the late epidemic which the 20^th of October ult., has stricken down hundreds of our citizens, is passing away, it is proper to take a calm review of its effects.  The full reports of mortality which have from day to day been published, enable us to speak understandingly on the subject.

 

“When the cholera broke out (the 20^th of Oct.,) our city was in the most prosperous condition. Business was brisk. Health and cheerfulness were almost universal. The purity of our climate and the remarkable freedom from mortality that had prevailed since early spring had lulled everyone into perfect security. During the summer few could complain of bodily afflictions, save the worn down immigrant just in from the plains. In our fancied security a heedlessness of the laws of health had become as universal as was health itself. The back yards to our numerous restaurants, hotels, stables and markets were strewn with the filth that had been accumulating since the first blow was struck to rear our city. Behind large groceries might be seen piles of fish barrels, meat casks, hoops, salt and all the filth that would naturally accumulate from the refuse matter of thousands of barrels of salted provisions which had been opened and retailed to our citizens, and to the tens of thousands of miners who purchased their supplies from us. Casks of spoiled meat, cheeses, &c., were emptied in the suburbs of the city and left to infect the atmosphere for miles around. Neither were the streets free from spoiled vegetables and matter wasting by the slow process of decomposition. Large numbers of men might be seen every night sleeping in the open air on the ground or upon boxes of merchandise. This portion of our citizens, as a general thing, paid little attention either to cleanliness or the wholesomeness of their diet. Strange to say, while this state of things continued through the summer, the number of deaths in our populous city seldom exceeded ten or twelve in a week. As a general thing, these deaths were the result of exposure, intemperance or over-exertion.

 

“But no Board of Health was in existence to give the alarm, and a day of retribution was at hand. We were not deserving of such security. In our recklessness we were preparing the way for the triumph of the fell destroyer; and on the 20^th day of Oct. the cholera in its most virulent form made its appearance in our midst. For a day or two its presence was disputed, but the mortality increased in five days to such an extent that it was impossible for the most stubborn not to be convinced of its presence. By Oct. 29^th, when our city scarcely contained a population of 16,000,[288] the mortality had reached the alarming height of from thirty to forty per day. Then it was that the panic spread abroad. Crowds flocked by every road from the city. The steamboats left the levee crowded with passengers. From one point alone, the Horse Market on K street, men left for upwards of a week at the rate of a hundred a day. Thus the city was soon deserted. Business was suspended. Nearly all the large saloons closed, and there could not have been at one time more than 3,000 people in Sacramento. Many of the fittest subjects for cholera, however, could not leave; those of abandoned habits, the newly arrived immigrant, the Sandwich Islander, the poor laborer but just arrived, the unclean and low lived, always to be found in cities, could not escape. Hence although large numbers left, the mortality did not abate in proportion.

 

“But the municipal authorities went to work, and after unnecessary delay, the city was finally put in a tolerably clean condition. A reasonable time after health began to return; and we now look upon the epidemic as having passed.

 

“The blow has been sudden, but awful. We cannot but think that in the last twenty-five days our population have been decimated. Our cemeteries look like newly ploughed fields. Our citizens are still clad in the habiliments of mourning. But we are happy to announce that a sense of security begins to manifest itself. People are returning to Sacramento, and business again evinces activity.

 

“By reference to the list of deaths, it will be seen that the mortality gradually increased from the 20^th of October to the 31^st, when it reached its maximum. From that time, there were about an equal number of deaths up to Nov. 6, when the list dropped from thirty one to twenty four. From that time to this, a gradual diminution has taken place; an we trust in a few days we shall not have a single case to report.” (Sacramento Transcript, CA. “The Late Epidemic.” 11-13-1850, p. 2, cols. 1-2.)

 

Elsewhere on this page in column 5, under “The News,” it is written that “….No laboring teams now block our thoroughfares. The constant did of hammers, betokening the rearing of a town, is no longer heard. At one time, business almost stopped. Music gradually ceased from the balcony of the Tehama, from the Empire, the Humboldt, the Oregon, the Bella Union, the Orleans, Lee’s Exchange, and one after another the larger saloons closed their doors. The sidewalks in front of them, where a month ago it was almost impossible at evening to elbow one’s way along through the crowd, instead of being brilliantly lighted up and thickly lined with ice-cream, fruit and coffee stands, are now dark and deserted. The Tehama Theatre was compelled to close its doors, and in general our streets present, in comparison with a month ago, when they teemed with a thick population, the appearance of a continual Sunday.

 

“Some of our best citizens have been victims to the epidemic. But the worst is over, and the disease has so decreased that we are warranted in stating it will not be many days before it shall have disappeared from our midst. Mean and teams re returning and business is resuming its old course. The effect of the panic upon our mercantile community has been disastrous; it will, however, be but temporary. The mines are but poorly supplied with provisions and so soon as the news of the present state of things reaches the placers, traders may be expected here once more for their supplies. On account of the limited demand for the past month, our markets have received comparatively few additions from below. As the demand increases here goods will come up from San Francisco, and in a week’s time affairs may be expected to assume that briskness usual in Sacramento. The whole manner of the appearance and disappearance of cholera here, has been in keeping with all else in California. It came upon us suddenly. The unexpected blow was overwhelming. It has left us as suddenly, as unexpectedly as it came; and not till it and its effects had passed have we had time for calm thought. As we look back upon it we shudder at the awfulness of the devastation.”

 

Nov 13: “The cholera has made its appearance to a limited extent in Marysville, Stockton, Nevada and other of the mining towns. It has also carried off a large number of Indians.” (Sacramento Transcript, CA. “The News.” 11-13-1850, p. 2, col. 5.)

 

Nov 14, Commentary on San Francisco: “The cholera is bound to meet with some resistance in Francisco, if human efforts can avail anything. A Board of Health, invested with the most unlimited power, is now in existence, and we hope the true condition of the city will soon be made public. Thus far, we have heard nothing that could be fully relied upon. The papers at the Bay give what purport to be correct and full reports of deaths in that city. We have not felt authorized to dispute their statements; but it is a misfortune for which we cannot account, that in times of epidemics newspaper reports are not relied upon. It was so in this city; notwithstanding, we know the press did its whole duty, and published as accurate reports of deaths as could have been made by any Board of Health, or any other means. The San Franciscans would not believe us, even when thirty or forty names were published daily in our mortality reports. So it is here, in regard to reports from San Francisco; and, from appearances, with better reason.

 

“For instance, we meet with gentlemen of the most undoubted veracity, who have passed days in San Francisco, and are assured by them that the cholera is now raging in that city at a most alarming rate, that but a small portion of the deaths — only such as reach the newspapers through accident — are published; and that the mortality is on the increase. Some of the accounts are doubtless exaggerated, but from a knowledge of the regulations of that city, we can readily see that the newspapers cannot learn all the deaths, without being to more trouble than they can afford. Hence, we shall not look for full reports until the Board of Health is thoroughly organized.

 

“The following extracts from the ordinance creating a Board of Health in San Francisco, will give some idea of its powers:

 

The Board of Health shall have power to direct the cleansing and fumigation of any vessel and its cargo in the port of San Francisco, and the destruction of any bedding, clothing, or portion of cargo of said vessel that they may deem infected and likely to spread disease in the city.

 

The Board of Health shall have power to authorize such officers to enter into and examine in the day time all vessels in the port, except vessels of war, and all building lots, and places of every description within the city, and to ascertain and report to the Board the condition thereof, so far as the public health may be affected thereby.

 

The Board of Health shall have power to give all such direction, and adopt all such measures as in their judgment may be necessary for cleansing and purifying all such buildings, lots, and other places, and to do or cause to be done every thing in relation thereto, which in their opinion may be proper to preserve the health of the city.

 

It shall be the duty of each Physician in the City of San Francisco to report to the Board of Health in writing, every patient he shall have laboring under malignant or contagious fever, or the Asiatic Cholera within twenty-four hours after he shall be satisfied of the nature of the disease, and to report to the same Board every case of death from such disease, within twenty-four hours after they shall have occurred.

 

It shall be the duty of every person keeping a boarding or lodging house in the City of San Francisco, to report in writing to the Board of Health, the name of every person boarding or lodging at his house, whom he shall have reason to believe to be sick with any malignant or contagious fever, or with the cholera, and any deaths occurring at his house from such disease.

 

The expenses incurred from carrying out the provisions of section 4 of this ordinance, shall be paid by the persons or property removed, or by the property subjected to sanitary

regulations in other respects, or by the City, as in the judgment of the Board of Health may in each case be deemed just and reasonable.” (Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Board of Health in San Francisco.” 11-14-1850, p. 2, col. 4.)

 

Nov 16, Sacramento: “The bill lately presented to the Common Council by Mr. Yeomans, City Undertaker, showed quite clearly that he had been doing a thriving business during the late epidemic. The fact is, he had his “hands full of business,” and employment for all the help he could hire, and even then he was obliged to turn off scores of “good customers.” Those were prosperous times for grave diggers. Twenty, thirty, and even forty graves to dig in a day, gave many a hard worker a chance to sing the song of ‘A pickaxe and a spade;’ so much had they become accustomed to such employment. But now, what a change! When we called last evening at the Undertaker’s office on Fourth street, to get the usual list of deaths, not the least evidence of business could be seen. The Undertaker himself was absent, but some of his late employees stood around, looking disconsolate, and it needed no words to convince one that they realized to the fullest extent the close of their business season.

 

“On looking at the Undertaker’s record we could only find two names registered, which we were assured was a complete list of the deaths for the day. We then went to the Cholera Hospital, and there learned that not a patient had been admitted into that institution for the past twenty-four hours. We conclude, therefore, that it is no longer necessary to publish daily reports of mortality; but shall continue, as formerly, to publish the Undertaker’s weekly statement.

 

“We cannot let this opportunity pass without returning thanks to Mr. Youmans for the many courtesies he has extended to us during the prevalence of the late epidemic, thus putting it in our power to keep the public informed of the commencement, progress, and decline of the cholera.”

(Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Othello’s Occupation’s Gone.” 11-16-1850, p. 2, col. 1.)

 

Nov 18, San Francisco: “A number of M.D.’s have been cited to appear before the Recorder this morning, for not complying with the ordinance which makes it their duty to report cases of cholera to the Board of Health. – (Alta Cal.).” (Sacramento Transcript, CA. “The Doctors in Court.” 11-16-1850, p. 2, col. 4.)

 

Nov 26, Sacramento: “Dr. Spalding reported that the Cholera Hospital had been closed. During the period it was open there were 162 admitted; 107 died; and 55 discharged.” (Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Proceedings of the Common Council.” 11-26-1850, p. 2, col. 4.)

 

Nov 28, San Francisco: “We believe the Board of  Health have ceased reporting cases of cholera. It was stated in the Board of Aldermen, a few days ago, that the Board of Health would cease to act, with reference to the cholera on Wednesday (yesterday). We are forced to believe that the disease still prevails to a considerable extent.” (Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “Cholera.” 11-28-1850, p. 2, col. 3.) [This was the same day that six cholera deaths were reported in the paper for the previous day.]

 

Nov 30, San Francisco: “Cholera. The Board of Health have renewed their daily reports of this disease. Between Monday noon [25th] and yesterday noon they report 54 cases of cholera and 29

deaths – of which number 24 cases and 16 deaths occurred within the 24 hours preceding 12 o’clock yesterday.” (Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “Cholera.” 11-30-1850, p. 2, c. 5.)

 

Dec 1, San Francisco: “Our own city also [had just written of Sacramento cholera epidemic], which was at one time rather shaken with fears of the cholera, and that we were to have a similar visitation with that of Sacramento, has suffered comparatively little from that cause. For although there have been quite a number of sudden deaths, still we have had no epidemic, and the deaths have not been as numerous in proportion to our population, as they were twelve months ago.” (Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “General Summary of Events.” 12-1-1850, p. 2, col. 1.)

 

Dec 4, San Francisco: “The Board of Health reports 13 new case of Cholera, and 8 deaths, for the 24 hours ending yesterday noon [Dec 3].” (Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “Cholera.” 12-4-1850, p. 2, col. 4.)

 

Dec 9, San Francisco: “Cholera. This disease has rapidly abated during the last four or five days, and we understand that the Board of Health will discontinue their reports after Tuesday of the present week [10th]. It has been estimated that about five hundred deaths have occurred from cholera since the disease first made its appearance in this city. The Board of Health have introduced some sanitary regulations which have proved to be very beneficial, and which the city government will find it necessary to continue in force, particularly the removal of house offal. The removal of offal has been done at an expense of about $150 per day.” (Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “Cholera.” 12-9-1850, p. 2, c. 5. Accessed 4-17-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection.)

 

Jan 1, 1851: “…We have…one item as pleasant to send to our friends in the states, as gratifying to us to be enabled to record. It is the entire cessation of the cholera. At one time it threatened us amazingly, but it has passed away not only from San Francisco but also from Sacramento City, where it raged most severely for a while.” (Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “Summary of Events for December.” 1-1-1851, p. 2, col. 2.)

 

INDIANA

 

Daly: “In 1850, the railroad between Madison and Indianapolis stopped running because of cholera. This was the only railroad in Indiana.” (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.)

 

LOUISIANA

Trinity

 

Placer Times: “The Natchez Free Trader of the 27th ult. announces the entire depopulation of the thriving village of Trinity [Catahoula Parish], in Louisiana, at the junction of the rivers Tensas, Black and Ouachita, thirty miles distant from Natchez. That awful scourge, the Asiatic cholera, descended upon the population with a fatality almost unheard of. Ten or twelve physicians resident there, or called in from the adjacent country, were scarcely able to save a patient who had been taken sick. Flight was the only safety for the well, and death only reigned in Trinity. Mr. Snyder, formerly a resident of Natchez, kept a boarding-house there with 25 or 30

boarders, all of whom, who did not run away, died. Mr. Snyder staid and took care of them, until the last one died, then descended to the mouth of Red River, and he too died on the steamer going to Natchez.” (Placer Times, CA. 5-1-1850, Vol. 1, No. 53, col. 4.)

 

MICHIGAN

Kalamazoo

 

Mack: “On the first day of the present month (October) a company of Hol­land emigrants arrived in this place [Kalamazoo] and put up at the Exchange Hotel. On their arrival here, they were all in the enjoyment of good health, with the exception of one little girl, who had the dysentery. From their statements it seems that there had been no sickness amongst them, during their journey, nor amongst the passengers with whom they were asso­ciated upon the route.

 

“On the 2d, they left the Hotel and moved into a house in the lower part of the village. On the 3d, one of their num­ber; a man about 28, was taken with vomiting and purging of an offen­sive watery fluid, accompanied with cramping, and coldness of the ex­tremities, blueness of the surface, with cold clammy sweats, a rapidly failing pulse, extreme nervous prostration, anxiety and oppression of the chest, with a painful burning sensation between the scrobiculis cordis and the umbilicus; a coldness of the tongue, and rawness of the ex­pired air, with rapidly-increasing prostration, followed in twelve hours by death.

 

“About the same time a girl, abt. 13, was taken in a similar manner, and died a few hours later. During the night of the 3d, four of the boarders at the Exchange, all citizens of the place, were taken with vomiting, purging, cramping, and other symptoms similar to those of the two emigrants, and in about twelve hours they all died. On the 4th, two others of the boarders were also taken and died—one in nine, the other in eleven hours. The greatest degree of excitement and alarm now prevailed throughout the community. The supposition of acci­dental poisoning generally prevailed. A coroner’s jury was summoned, and the physicians were ordered to make a post-mortem examination of the bodies of those who had died. This was done on the 5th.

 

“The appearances in every case examined were as follows. A pale­ness and exsanguination of the inner surface of the stomach and bowels; engorgement of the right side of the heart, and of the larger blood-ves­sels, with thick ropy blood; distension of the gall-bladder with black tarry bile; a perfectly empty and collapsed bladder, and a dried and shriveled appearance of the kidneys. The stomach and bowels con­tained a considerable quantity of watery fluid, similar to that which had  been ejected before death. The most rigid chemical analysis failed to detect in the contents of the stomach or in any of its tissues, the slightest trace of poison.

 

“Meanwhile, during the pending of the examination by the coroner’s jury, two other cases, of a precisely similar character with the ones pre­viously detailed, occurred in a house immediately back of the one into which the emigrant families had removed.  Both of these cases (a man about 50, and his daughter about 16) proved fatal in less than ten hours. Neither of these persons had ever been at the Exchange, nor had they been connected in any other way than by proximity with the Holland emigrants.

 

“About 9 o’clock on the morning of the 6th, a young man at the house of Mr. M., next adjoining the one in which the emigrants were living, was also taken in the same manner with the others. He had been boarding at the Exchange up to the time when the first cases occurred, immediately after which he left in great alarm.  For twenty-four hours previous to his attack, he complained of a slight diar­rhoea, but considering it as trifling he neglected to use any means for its arrest. About 10 o’clock, I was called to see him. I found him vomiting and purging. The evacuations were of a rice-water appear­ance, and so profuse as to completely deluge the room, presenting the appearance of water having been violently dashed over the floor.  There was a complete arrest of the urinary secretion. The tongue was moist and cold, with a whitish color; his breath was raw and chilly; there was constant and extreme thirst, with a burning sensation about the epi­gastrium; a rapid, feeble pulse; pale, wan features; sunken eyes, with a livid circle surrounding them; coldness and blueness of the surface, with clammy sweats; corrugation of the hands, the palms appearing as though long soaked in cold water; and spasms and crampings of the legs, occasionally extending to the abdominal and pectoral muscles. He was highly sensitive to all external applications, and was in the full possession of his mental faculties.  He expressed no fear, called for no­thing but water, and seemed wholly careless of or insensible to his ex­treme danger.  He died at 8, P. M., and for more than an hour thereaf­ter his body had to be held upon the couch, so violent were the spas­modic twitchings of the muscles. The surface, which at the time of death was of a dark-blue color, gradually resumed its natural appearance.

 

“On this day, the 6th, two more cases appeared in the emigrant fami­lies. One of them died in twenty-hours, the other lived five days, dy­ing ultimately of compression of the brain.  On the 7th and 8th, two cases occurred in a resident German family, living in the front part of the house occupied by the Hollanders. One of them died in six hours, the other recovered. From this time up to the 14th, seven more cases occurred, all confined to the emigrants. Two of them died, the others were saved. The symptoms and general appearances in all of these cases were so precisely similar to those already described, that a detail of each would be a work of supererogation. No further attacks from this disease took place after this time, nor were there any evident in­dications throughout the community of any generally-prevailing influence affecting others with symptoms in any way analogous to those manifested in these cases. I should here, however, mention that a gentleman, who stopped with his family at the Exchange over night on the 2d, went home (about thirty-five miles from this place) on the 3d, was taken during the night with vomiting, purging, cramping, &c., and died before morning. His wife and child, who sat with him at the Hotel table, were not affected.

 

“The whole history of this matter is most mysterious and unaccounta­ble. Of the eight persons who within the first twelve hours fell victims to this fearful visitation, seven were men between the ages of 25 and 40, industrious, temperate and healthy. Six, who were boarders at the Exchange, were mechanics, and were at the house only at meal time and during the night. Not a member of the family, nor one of the persons constantly about the Hotel, was affected; and amongst all of the comers and goers, but one was taken.  Four persons were taken (three of whom died) who had never been at the Hotel, and whose only possible exposure must have been from their proximity to the house into which the Hollanders had removed; and yet many others were living as near, some nearer, and still escaped. The young man, whose case I have de­scribed in detail, although a boarder at the Exchange, was not taken until the fourth day after leaving there; which fact, taken in connection with the violent and sudden fatality of his attack, precludes the possi­bility of his having died from the effects of poison taken at that house.

 

“These facts, together with the characteristic symptoms of the cases, compelled me to testify, before the coroner’s jury, that I knew of no­thing else, that this disease could be, but the Asiatic cholera. That my first impression, in common with most others, had been that the per­sons who died at the Exchange were poisoned; but that the occurrence of subsequent similar cases, affording better opportunities for observation, had satisfied me in reference to the identity of the symptoms with those of the cholera ; that the post-mortem appearances were equally identi­cal—while the negative proof derived from not detecting, by chemical analysis, any poisonous agent, completed the evidence from which I had arrived at this conclusion.  In this opinion the members of the profession here very generally coincided.  Not so, however, with many of the wise ones amongst the community, who still, to the great injury of those who are implicated by such a supposition, declare their conviction that all of these persons came to their deaths in consequence of some poisonous article, partaken of by them, in their food or drink, at the Exchange Hotel. The coroner’s jury very wisely decided “that these individuals came to their death from the effects of some virulent disease, the cause of which is to this jury unknown.” A. W. MACK, M.D.  Kalamazoo, Mich., October, 1850.” (Mack. “Cases…Cholera…Kalamazoo,” Boston Medical…Journal, V43/N13, 1850, 249-251.[289])

 

Boston Medical and Surgical Journal: “The Sickness at Kalamazoo.—Dr. Mack’s report of the remarkable cases of sickness at Kalamazoo, in to-day’s Journal, will be read with much interest. We see it stated in the papers, within a few days past, that the ” mystery has been cleared up” by the discovery that a bottle of corrosive sublimate, instead of one of vinegar, had been used at the Exchange Hotel, in mixing some mustard that was eaten at the table. We do not think any dependence can be placed upon this statement, as the facts recorded by Dr. Mack do not exhibit a state of things which would be likely to be caused by an accident of that kind.  Until something more is learned respecting the “mystery” attached to the matter, we must believe that the conclusions drawn by Dr. Mack are correct.” (“Editorial.” Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, V43/N13, 1850, pp. 266-267.)

 

MISSOURI

St. Louis

 

St. Louis:  “During the next year, 1850, there were deaths from cholera in every month, the total being 883, of which 458 occurred in July.”  (Peters. “General History…,” 1885, 31.)

 

May 10 report: “Owing to the arrival of several large steamers, at St. Louis during the latter part of last week, crowded with emigrants, among whom several cases of the Cholera had occurred, the authorities established a quarantine on Arsenal Island below the city, and on Sunday morning [May 5] last dispatched a boat and health officers thither, with orders to enforce the quarantine regulations. It is hoped that the active measures taken by the present efficient Mayor and  Council will be the means of preventing the introduction of that fearful scourge to any great extent among the citizens of St. Louis, although we regret to say several have already fallen victims to it.” (Alton Telegraph and Democratic Review, IL. “Quarantine.” 5-10-1850, p. 2, c.7.)

 

May 10 report: “…several cases of Cholera have occurred at St. Louis since our last publication. The first deaths among the citizens took place on Sunday [May 5], and occasioned much alarm; but the very energetic measures promptly adopted by the Mayor and Council, gradually restored confidence; and the disease – which was doubtless introduced into the city by the mass of emigrants brought up from New Orleans – does not appear to be gaining ground. The following article from the Missouri Republican of yesterday furnishes the latest information which has reached us on the subject.

 

“Health of the City. – Some cases of the cholera still linger in the city. We heard of three or four cases in private practice yesterday, but there were none at the City Hospital, none at the St. Louis Hospital, nor at the Quarantine Station, reported to the Board of Health up to 4 o’clock last evening. Only two cases terminating fatally have been brought to our knowledge – one, of Mr. James Wiley, Jr., who resided at Newark, Mo., and who survived the attack only a few hours; and the other, a German in the Southern part of the city. The Board of Health have caused the following address to be published.

 

Board of Health Office, St. Louis, May 8^th…Up to this hour, since the 6th, no additional cholera cases have been reported from the City Hospital, the Charity Hospital, or the Quarantine Grounds.

 

There having been some few cases of cholera in the city last week, which created considerable alarm among our citizens, and gave rise to reports calculated to prevent persons from visiting the city, we feel called upon to made the above statements in regard thereto. We would also state that the steamboats St. Louis and Missouri landed during the last week at least twelve hundred emigrants, all of whom were taken off the ships just landed at New Orleans from a long trip across the ocean, and cast upon us without any notice in a filthy and destitute condition.

 

We would also state, the Mayor and he Board of Health have taken all necessary precaution to prevent the introduction of disease among us. We would respectfully call upon our fellow-citizens to report to us all causes of complaint that they may have against officers under control of the Board for neglect of duty; and, at the same time, we sincerely hope that it will not be necessary to enforce pay penalties for failing to comply with orders of the Board.

Louis DuUrevil, President of the Board of Health.” (Alton Telegraph and Democratic Review, IL. “Cholera at St. Louis.” 5-10-1850, p. 2, col. 7.)

 

OHIO

Cincinnati

 

Carroll: “As we have passed along we have occasionally adverted to the epidemic of 1850…. those districts which it visited with the greatest severity in ’49 were not generally the scene of its ravages in ’50. Indeed, few of the localities that suffered much in the former year, were revisited at all in the latter, I know of one house in which the disease appeared a second time, but which had, in the meantime, changed inmates. It is very certain that the German population suffered but very little in 1850, while the Irish were almost as great sufferers in the latter as in the former year. This may be owing to the fact that the immigration from Germany was much diminished in ’50, while that of the Irish was unabated, if not increased….we may mention Rittenhouse St., the Vine St. road, and the village at the top of the hill, the road leading to Mount Auburn, the valley of Deer Creek, the part of Front St. above the Creek, and all of the district between the Miami Canal and the hills to the north – in all of which places there was an alarming mortality in ’49, and in which there were but few cases in ’50…. [p.15]

 

“Dysentery. During the prevalence of cholera, both in 1849 and 1850, and for weeks after the subsidence of that malady, dysentery prevailed as an epidemic. This was especially the case in the latter year. Many cases of incipient cholera terminated in dysentery, and occasionally the second stage exploded into it….The more copious evacuations proved to us that its origin was, either remotely or directly related to that of cholera. [p.71]

 

(Carroll, Thos., M.D. Observations on the Asiatic Cholera, As It Appeared In Cincinnati in 1849-50 (reprinted from the Western Lancet for June, 1854). Accessed 3-16-2015 from the National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health)

 

Aug 24: “The Board of Agriculture have concluded to postpone the time for holding the Ohio State Fair (at Cincinnati) to the 2d, 3d, and 4^th days of October next.  The reasons for this change are, the probability that the fear of cholera many continue to excite apprehensions in the minds of some, especially when traveling or assembling in large crowds…”  (Defiance Democrat (OH). Aug 24, 1850, p. 2.)

 

TEXAS

 

“In the latter part of last May, I heard that cholera had broken out with much severity on General Coffee’s plantation, on the Brazos. I repaired thither as an amateur. When I arrived, I found nine deaths had occurred. There was at that moment a complete lull of the epidemic. It subsequently reappeared on the same plantation, and numerous cases occurred on other plantations in the vicinity. General Coffee brought from the Mississippi river, through New Orleans, to Texas, in the spring of 1849, a large force of negroes;—he reached the Brazos in July. These negroes remained in good health until May, 1850. At this time, Mr. L., son-in-law of General C, brought another large gang of negroes to the same plantation, and housed them, with their luggage… with General C.’s negroes. The second gang, or Mr. L.’s, were brought from the Mississippi river, through New Orleans and Galveston. Cases of cholera occurred among this gang on their way down the Mississippi river, on their voyage across the Gulf, and on their route from Galveston to the plantation. Three of these cases proved fatal. They arrived at General C.’s plantation on the 9th May; on the 15th following, the disease broke out among the old gang — hitherto healthy. When I was there about a fortnight afterwards, about thirty-seven cases had occurred, with nine deaths.  As no new cases had occurred for the preceding few days, it was hoped that the visitation had passed; and I remained but a short time. The disease had thus far been confined to General Coffee’s plantation. It subsequently prevailed to a greater or less extent on different plantations in the neighborhood….”   (Smith. “On the Climate, Etc…of TX.” 1851, 455.)

 

WESTWARD EMIGRANT TRAILS

 

Ahrens: “…Argonaut Doctor J.D.B. Stillman wrote that ‘Asiatic cholera, which had made its appearance in the Atlantic seaboard early in the winter, began its ravages on the parties moving by the southern routes….While encamped at the frontier towns, Independence and St. Joseph, the mortality was very great, and it followed the emigrants like wolves on the track of the buffalo: the camps were everywhere marked with hurriedly made graves.’[290] ….

 

“Doctor Henry Gibbons recalled in 1866 that there was the “unmistakable evidence” – the general prevalence of diarrhoea — of the approach of cholera in California by late September and early October 1850. Although it was far more likely to have been evidence, as Stillman had described, of the sequel to a heavy season of estivo-autumnal malaria, Gibbons was not wrong about cholera. ‘About the first of October,’ Gibbons wrote, ‘the steamer Carolina arrived from Panama with several cases on board, three of which died after landing.’ Gibbons was fully aware of cholera’s California Cannae, ‘At the same time the newspapers reported the disease at Carson Valley, hundreds of miles in the interior, where it was said to have broken out among the overland immigrants.

 

(Ahrens, Pete. “Cholera in the Time of Gold: The Sacramento Epidemic of 1850.” 6-4-2011 mod., pp. 8-9, 17.)

 

Unruh: “…George W. Davis, who estimated that he had prescribed for some 300 cases [previous reference was to cholera] during his trip across the plains, indicated that his medical work had so slowed his travel progress that he arrived in California too late to do much prospecting during the 1850 mining season. Another 1850 physician, W. R. Allen, estimated that he had attended over 700 cholera patients on the plains. Dr. Reuben Knox stated that he saw between twenty and forty patients daily.[291] Knox commanded an 1850 passenger train, but the account of a ‘typical’ day on the plains in the cholera regions which he sent to his wife demonstrates that he, like other physicians, spent days on end as a messenger of mercy among all emigrants within riding distance:

 

…one day started at 3 a.m., rode 3 miles from camp, missed my way in the fog and rode a mile in searching for the place, saw a man from Georgia dying, did not live more than half an hour…prescribed for 3 more sick in the same camp and some in two other camps on my way back to my own. Breakfasted at 5; got off at 5½ having two men awaiting my departure to conduct me to two camps a mile or two ahead…prescribed for two sick in one and three in the other, one nearly gone – before I joined the wagons, had another awaiting for me to come up who had a sick wife and child going along in  train ahead of ours, so rode up and administered medicine as the train was moving along. At about 8 called ¼ of a mile off to see a dying man from Arkansas, would not live an hour. The three remaining members of the company had just buried one of their number; gave medicine to them as one of them was quite unwell and the other two almost frightened to death. Kept away from the wagons by constant applications for advice, etc., along the road until 10 – found a man there wishing me to go off the road some distance to see a number of sick ones in a train of twenty three or four wagons filled with families from Independence and vicinity – they were burying the sixth – found another dying and 10 or 12 sick. Remained with them until my company had gone so far that I did not reach them until after lunch time and they were about harnessing the mules again. In a mile or so, was called off again. Some distance from the road found a lay from Illinois dying and a young man very sick; ½ a mile from thence and before I reached the road, saw a man dying and his wife quite sick – continuing along the road and the river bank among the camps about in the same way constantly trying to relieve the sick and galloping along until 6½ when we camped. Before the mules were harnessed two messengers came post haste for me, one to go two miles back and off the road, the other one mile ahead, in one found 4 sick, one of whom was cold purple and pulseless – but who revived about two hours after and…sent more medicine and started off in the morning at 3 ½, finding some out of danger and the other better.

 

“Knox indicated that on many nights he die not even get one hour’s rest.” (Unruh. The Plains Across: The Overland Emigrants and the Trans-Mississippi West, 1840-1860. 1993, p. 139-140)

 

Newspapers

 

June 6 report: “The Cholera. – The St. Louis Republican has a letter from one of the overland immigrants to California, dated ‘June 9^th,  110 miles west of Fort Kearny.’ The writer had witnessed most horrible havoc of that dread disease, cholera. He says:

 

That disease broke out about the same time in every train that was in Plumb Creek valley, from the 1st to the 7th of June. Up to this time I have counted forty graves in sixty miles’ travel, and we have passed several trains where from one to six were sick, and probably two-thirds of them are dead ere this.

 

A gentleman who overtook us yesterday states that on the 7^th, about fifteen miles west of Plumb Creek, he found a small train of three wagons, about half a mile from the main road, and but one man able to sit up; that there were originally twelve men in the train; that six were dead and buried; four were about dying of cholera, one had the measles, and the other well, but so fatigued from nursing that he could scarcely stand.

 

“In a second letter dated ‘June 16, 240 miles west of Fort Kearny,’ the same writer says:

 

During the past week we have witnessed a great amount of sickness and distress in different trains. In fact, I have not yet heard of a train that has escaped sickness, and in nearly all the monster Death has taken one or more victims. To give you some idea of the sickness in the plains this year, I will only mention a few cases that have come under my own personal observation. I visited a train on Tuesday last. Of the seventeen men composing it, sixteen were sick. Another train I passed buried seven at one time, five or six more sick, and one dying as I passed. In two instances I have passed trains where all but one had died. In one instance I saw at an encampment one tent left standing and another ‘struck,’ but lying on the ground; also, a barrel of crackers, several blankets, six or eight pairs of boots, hats, coats, shirts, &c, &c, and near by five graves. It was a sad spectacle.

 

Several gentlemen have passed us who left Fort Kearny four days after we did, and one has counted one hundred and fifty graves, but he neglected to take names. From all I can learn I have no doubt that at least two hundred and fifty immigrants have died within the last fifteen days, between here and Plumb Creek.”

 

(Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “The Overland Immigration – The Cholera.” 9-15-1850, p. 2, col. 4.)

 

Aug 31 report: “Capt. Wm Findley, who recently arrived from the plains, states that the cholera swept off more persons along the Platte and Sweetwater, than all other diseases combined. We don’t recollect of a single case of cholera along the Sweetwater, last year, although many were buried along the banks of the Platte from its ravages.” (Sacramento Transcript, CA. 8-31-1850, p. 2, col. 3.)

 

Sep 12 report: “The following letter from Capt. Waldo, who went out with the relief train on to the Truckee route, was received last night, having been brought 400 miles by express. The individual who brought it is a colored man, who had generously volunteered his services to go out to the valley with Capt. Waldo. The letter contains most important and exciting intelligence, and we will not detain our readers longer from its perusal:

 

Great Meadow, Humboldt River, 400 Miles from Sacramento City,

Sept. 12, 1850.

 

Sir – In obedience to the instructions of the Committee, I left Sacramento City on 24th August, came as far as Johnston’s Ranche, and there remained three days, awaiting the arrival of the trains promised from Marysville and Yuba City; but they having failed to come up, on the 27th, I left the Valley with the drove of American beef cattle. I set forward, and heard nothing more of the promised trains until I arrived at the summit. Here a runner overtook me, to let me know that Marysville had dispatched ten mules with one thousand seven hundred pounds of flour, and that the mules had failed, and could come no farther than Bear Valley. He stated that seven hundred pounds of the flour had been deposited at Steep Hollow, and one thousand pounds at Bear Valley. Consequently, you perceive, the Relief Committee have not a single pound of flour east of the Mountains. The Committee have, at the Lower Crossing on Truckee, at the terminus of the Great Desert, a sufficiency of good beef, ten fat horses and mules which I have turned over to the Committee, and which are now employed to aid the sick and destitute to cross the Desert.

 

I mentioned to you, when in the city, that several persons had volunteered their services to return with me without compensation, but on my departure no one made his appearance but George R. Elliott from St. Clair city, Mr.____ ,who is now in charge of the station on Truckee River, and Louis, a colored man from Boston. All others were and are at present employed at my individual expense.

 

From the Valley to the Desert, I met only about 400 emigrants, and none in a very suffering condition. Although some were living on the carcasses of such animals as had died of exhaustion, yet they enjoyed good health. I entered the Desert about 3 o’clock on the 7th instant. I met two men from New York about midway the same, who had given up to die; they stated to me that they had been reduced to the necessity of eating the putrefied flesh of such animals as they could find upon the road, which had produced sickness, and at that time they had not tasted food of any kind for three days. I gave such relief as I had at my command, which enabled them to reach the Relief station, as I have since learned. On the same day, two men died of starvation on the Carson Desert. From the Boiling Spring to this place, I have met with but few who have any provision at all, except the poor exhausted animals which have worked from the States. Footmen, who comprise nearly one-fourth the entire number now on the road, are not blessed even with such food as this; but are reduced to the necessity of subsisting on the putrefied flesh of such dead animals as so abundantly line the road. This has produced the most fatal consequences. Disease and death are now mowing them down by hundreds.

 

The Cholera on the 8th instant made its appearance in one small train, and carried off eight in the space of three hours, and seven others were attacked in the same train, who, it was thought, would die ere three hours more had elapsed. From the Sink to this place, it is cutting them down daily; in Carson Valley, near the Desert, I understand they are dying rapidly.

 

Sir, by the time this reaches you, I presume that you will need no evidence from me to satisfy you of the alarming and wretched condition of these people. It appears that the judgments of God have pursued them from the time they set out up to the present hour. First Cholera—then starvation—next, war, starvation, and Cholera. The day has now passed when any one will have the hardihood to say, that there is no suffering amongst the Overland Emigration — at least no one that is within 200 miles of this place will make such a declaration. No one now thinks of gold, but of bread. This is the cry of all. They appear to have lost their reckoning. When I tell them that they are yet 400 miles from Sacramento, they are astonished and horrified; many disbelieve me, as they were induced to believe, when at Salt Lake, that they were then within 430 miles of Sacramento city.

 

The Indians have stolen a great number of the emigrant stock, thereby many families have been left from four to six hundred miles from the settlements, without teams or means of conveyance, and the Indians are daily growing more hostile and daring. There is scarcely a day passes, that there are not more or less skirmishes between them and the whites. A few days since they stole a large number of stock. The emigrants collected sixty men and pursued them into the mountains for the purpose of recovering their stolen stock. They found the Indians encamped, numbering between four and five hundred. A battle ensued, in which the Indians proved victorious. Since then the depredations upon small parties have been more frequent.

 

Many women are on the road, with families of children, who have lost their husbands by cholera, and who never will cross the mountains without aid. I have met intelligent packers, who left the Missouri river on the first of July; they concur in the statement, that there are yet twenty thousand back of the Desert. Fifteen thousand of this number are now destitute of all kinds of provisions; yet the period of the greatest suffering has not arrived, if the supposition be correct, that twenty-five thousand are yet back of the Sink. It will be morally impossible for ten thousand of this number to reach the mountains before the commencement of winter; and the probability is, that they will then find these mountains covered with snow from five to twenty feet deep. All remember the fate of the Donner party.

Truckee River, Sept. 15^th, 1850.

 

Sir: I have just returned to this station. My object in returning here so soon, was for the purpose of dispatching an express to advise you of the wretched situation of the emigrants; unless they can be supplied with bread, thousands must die ere they reach California. The Cholera is killing them off, from this point to the head of Humboldt. This station is now surrounded by the sick, unable to proceed on their journey; they must have bread, as fresh meat without bread is considered exceedingly dangerous. We are now issuing at this station from five to eight hundred pounds of beef per day, and flour to such as are sick. I have sent back to Bear valley for the flour deposited there by the Marysville train, which will be here in a few days, and will perhaps afford relief to the sick until further aid can be offered by your committee. If the people of California wish to extend efficient relief to the emigrants, their supplies must be placed under the control of one agent. This agent, in the place of buying mules to pack over, should employ Spanish trains to do the packing, as they can be employed on better terms than the American; and then they understand the business far better. The supplies raised by the Feather river towns, have failed for want of system. If the committee have means at command, there should be a station established in the valley west of the summit. This one, and one there would be sufficient, unless supplies could be carried to the Great Meadow on the Humboldt; but this would be at an expense beyond the means of the committee.

 

No supply can be successfully carried to any distance up Humboldt, except that of mules and horses. I have sent for some fat mules and horses, which I intend driving up that river for the purpose of slaughtering when the emergency demands it, and that time is not far distant. I shall leave Messrs. Elliott and Story in charge of this station, and on to-morrow morning set out for the head of Humboldt, with the view of using my influence with all that are yet from four to six hundred miles back, to return to Salt Lake, and to ascertain the real condition of those that are too far advanced on their journey to return thither.

 

I now come to the question that should deeply interest Californians, and that is, will they extend any efficient relief to these perishing thousands — their equals in the scale of respectability. Five or ten mule loads will not relieve twenty thousand people, unless they could be fed as thousands once were, on a more extraordinary occasion. Ten thousand pounds of flour should be immediately forwarded to this station, and another station established near the Summit with the same amount of flour, and a small quantity of such other articles as are actually necessary for the sick.

 

Those emigrants that are yet back several hundred miles must receive relief, or they must die by starvation; and to whom can they look, but to the citizens of California for their salvation. The land of their homes is too far distant to render them any aid in this hour of distress and danger. — When I left your city, the scarcity of money was plead as an excuse for not contributing for the relief of the emigrants. If dust is scarce, finger-rings and breast-pins are not. There are enough of them in California to send bread to every starving emigrant between Green river and the Sierra Nevada mountains. And I would ask, is it possible for an American to wear a ring without blushing with shame every time his eye falls upon it, when he knows that so many of his countrymen —yes, in many instances, his school-mates, neighbors and kindred — and once brothers in Christ, are dying for bread?

 

I was at one time so little acquainted with human nature, that I supposed the demoniac spirits of hell could be operated upon to send relief to their companions under the present circumstances. But now, I promise these people but little from their kindred in California.

 

Should your committee still be unable to collect funds, I then ask that the committee, City Council, or some other body of men, advance to the amount of eight or ten thousand dollars, and forward the amount in flour and little articles for the sick, to this point and to the summit, for which I pledge my honor, if I live to return where it can be legally done, to set over all my right, title and interest to real estate in Sacramento City, that has cost me ten thousand dollars. This sum will send between twenty and twenty-five thousand pounds to the summit. This, in connection with the beef, horses, mules, and dead stock, that can be jerked before it putrefies, will save ten thousand human beings from starvation. A man can live very well upon half a pound of beef and a quarter of a pound of flour per day. I again repeat, that these people must be relieved, or they must die, and that by starvation.

 

Sir, if I were to attempt to describe all the cases of extreme suffering that have come under my observation in the last fifteen days, the account would occupy a quire of paper. Can you believe that the destitution is so general, that during an absence of six days from this station, I found but two trains of whom I could obtain a piece of bread and a cup of coffee? I have known a cup of soup, containing not more than one spoonful of flour, to sell for one dollar, and the buyer considered himself fortunate to get it on these terms.

 

Now, sir, I trust you will excuse me for mentioning an instance of extreme liberality extended to myself. On the 7th inst., I was attacked with the chills and fever, but not sufficient to prevent me from travelling, although with a good deal of fatigue to myself. On the 9^th I had travelled until I became exceedingly weak from the effect of fever, and want of something stimulating. You have travelled enough to know the effects of a cup of strong coffee to a sick and weary traveler. I tried a dozen different wagons, but no one could give me a cup, although I told them that the price was no consideration with me. I finally met with a Mr. L. from Boston, a gentleman of general intelligence. He very kindly told me that he could give me a cup of strong coffee and a little bread. I accepted of his kind offer relative to the coffee. After drinking the coffee, I threw down a dollar; he said he could not receive it in payment of the coffee, but if I insisted he would receive it as a gift. He then informed me that there were three men in his mess; that they had set out from the States with a fine outfit, that the Indians had stolen their stock, and at this time they had one half pound coffee, one pound of flour, not a dollar in money, or any thing else, and, yet four hundred miles from your city. I proposed to render him such relief as he demanded, but he positively refused to accept any thing from the relief committee, stating that there were many in a worse condition than himself, and amongst them a large portion of women and children. I finally, by much persuasion, induced him to accept a loan from me individually, which he stated would be ample to carry him and his companions to the settlements. Sir, I have written this with much difficulty, as I am laboring under the influence of chills and fever.

Your obedient servant,

1. WALDO

 

“In a postscript, Capt. Waldo states, under date of the 16th of September, that on the previous day ten persons had died of cholera while attempting to cross the Desert. Capt. W. also writes that he will be under the necessity of hauling water back on to the Desert for the relief of the emigrants and to assist many of the pedestrians in. He was to leave for the head of the Humboldt

on the morning of the 16^th.” (Sacramento Transcript, CA. “By Express. News from the Plains! 2,000 Men Yet Beyond the Desert. Mortality! – Starvation! Cholera! – Indian Hostilities!” 9-23-1850, p. 2, col. 4-6.)

 

Sep 26 report: “The accounts received from gentlemen just in from Carson Valley, agree in the main with those we have published from Capt. Waldo, in regard to the immigrants on the Truckee route. There is a degree of suffering endured that is without parallel in the records of the

past — starvation on the one hand, and cholera on the other!….” (Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Intelligence from Carson Valley.” 9-26-1850, p. 2, col. 1.)

 

Sources

 

1850 U.S. Federal Census Mortality Schedule, Bradley County, Arkansas. “Death Index.” Bradley Country Arkansas Genealogy Trails, contributed by Barb Ziegenmeyer. 2007-2010. Accessed 4-1-2015 at: http://genealogytrails.com/ark/bradley/deaths.html

 

Ahrens, Pete. Cholera in the Time of Gold: The Sacramento Epidemic of 1850. 6-4-2011 mod. Accessed 3-29-2015 at: http://www.nexialquest.com/Cholera%20in%20the%20Time%20of%20Gold.pdf

 

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Alton Telegraph and Democratic Review, IL. [Cholera, St. Louis] 7-19-1850, p. 2, col. 5. Accessed 3-27-2015 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/illinois/alton/alton-telegraph/1850/07-19/page-2?tag=cholera&rtserp=tags/cholera?psb=date&page=2&psi=37&pci=7&ndt=bd&pd=1&pe=9&pem=8&py=1850&pm=1&pey=1850

 

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Alton Telegraph and Democratic Review, IL. [Cholera, Steamboat El Paso] 7-12-1850, p.3. Accessed 3-27-2015: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/illinois/alton/alton-telegraph/1850/07-12/page-3?tag=cholera&rtserp=tags/cholera?psb=date&page=2&psi=37&pci=7&ndt=bd&pd=1&pe=9&pem=8&py=1850&pm=1&pey=1850

 

Alton Telegraph and Democratic Review, IL. “Large Arrivals of Emigrants.” 5-10-1850, p. 2, col. 5. Accessed 3-27-2015 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/illinois/alton/alton-telegraph/1850/05-10/page-2?tag=cholera&rtserp=tags/cholera?psb=date&page=4&psi=37&pci=7&ndt=bd&pd=1&pe=9&pem=8&py=1850&pm=1&pey=1850

 

Alton Telegraph and Democratic Review, IL. “Latest News” [Cholera, St. Louis]. 7-26-1850, p. 3, col. 5. Accessed 3-27-2015 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/illinois/alton/alton-telegraph/1850/07-26/page-3?tag=cholera&rtserp=tags/cholera?psi=37&pci=7&ndt=bd&pd=1&pm=1&py=1850&pe=9&pem=8&pey=1850&psb=date

 

Alton Telegraph and Democratic Review, IL. “Quarantine.” 5-10-1850, p. 2, c.7. Accessed 3-27-2015 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/illinois/alton/alton-telegraph/1850/05-10/page-2?tag=cholera&rtserp=tags/cholera?psb=date&page=4&psi=37&pci=7&ndt=bd&pd=1&pe=9&pem=8&py=1850&pm=1&pey=1850

 

Athens Messenger, Athens, OH. “Death of Joseph Ridgway.” 8-30-1850, p. 2. Accessed at:  http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=15398754

 

Athens Messenger, Athens, OH. “Health of Cincinnati,” 7-26-1850, p. 3. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=15398240

 

Auditor of the State of Indiana. Annual Report of The Auditor of State of the State of Indiana, showing the receipts and disbursements at the Treasury Department for the fiscal year ending October 31, 1850. Indianapolis: J. P. Chapman, State Printer, 1850. Accessed 3-24-2015 at:  https://ia700503.us.archive.org/3/items/documentaryjourn1850indi/documentaryjourn1850indi.pdf

 

Barry, Joseph. The Strange Story of Harper’s Ferry, With Legends of the Surrounding Country. Originally published by Thompson Brothers, Martinsburg, WV, 1903. Digital copy produced for Project Gutenberg, 3-2-2011 (EBook #35459), by Mark C. Orton and Louise Pattison. Accessed 4-1-2015 at: http://www.gutenberg.org/files/35459/35459-h/35459-h.htm

 

Barton, E.H.  “Report Upon the Meteorology, Vital Statistics and Hygiene of the State of Louisiana.” Paper read before Medical Society of the State of Louisiana, 7 March 1851. Article V in: Fenner. “Reports…Louisiana.” Southern Med. Reports, 1851, 107-151. Google digitized:   http://books.google.com/books?id=6NhXAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_atb#v=onepage&q&f=true

 

Boston Medical and Surgical Journal. “Cholera in Rhode Island.” Vol. 42, No. 2, 2-13-1850, pp. 29-31. Accessed 3-4-2015 at: http://www.nejm.org/doi/pdfplus/10.1056/NEJM185002130420201

 

Boston Medical and Surgical Journal. “The Sickness at Kalamazoo (Editorial).” Pp. 266-267 in Vol. 43, No. 13, 10-30-1850. Google digitized. Accessed 3-24-2015 at: http://books.google.com/books?id=ZwQHAAAAcAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

Boston Post, MA. “Cholera” [Cincinnati and Pittsburgh] 8-5-1850, p.2, col. 3. Accessed 3-24-2015 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/massachusetts/boston/boston-post/1850/08-05/page-2?tag=brookville+cholera&rtserp=tags/brookville-cholera?ndt=by&py=1850&pey=1850&psb=date

 

Boston Post, MA. “The Cholera at Harper’s Ferry.” 8-3-1850, p. 2, c.3. Accessed 4-1-2015 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/massachusetts/boston/boston-post/1850/08-03/page-2?tag=harper+ferry+cholera&rtserp=tags/harper-ferry-cholera?ndt=by&py=1850&pey=1850&psb=dateasc

 

Carroll, Thos., M.D. Observations on the Asiatic Cholera, As It Appeared In Cincinnati in 1849-50 (reprinted from the Western Lancet for June, 1854). Accessed 3-16-2015 at: http://collections.nlm.nih.gov/bookviewer?PID=nlm:nlmuid-34720360R-bk

 

Chambers, J. S., M.D. The Conquest of Cholera — America’s Greatest Scourge. NY: Macmillan, 1938.

 

Chappell, Phil E. “A History of the Missouri River.” Pp. 237-294, Transactions of the Kansas State Historical Society, 1905-1906 (Vol. IX). Topeka: State Printing Office, 1906. Accessed 3-24-2015 at: https://books.google.com/books?id=2dw7AAAAIAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

Collins, Lewis and Richard H. Collins. Collins’ Historical Sketches of Kentucky. History of Kentucky By the late Lewis Collins, Judge of the Mason County Court. Revised, Enlarged Four-Fold, and Brought Down to the Year 1874, by his son Richard H. Collins (Vol. I). Covington, KY: Collins & Co., 1882. Accessed 2-16-2015 at: https://books.google.com/books?id=xMM6AQAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

Corbin, Joyce. “Cholera.” Kansapedia. Kansas Historical Society. June 2003, modified Feb 2013. Accessed 3-28-2015 at:  https://www.kshs.org/kansapedia/cholera/12010

 

Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “Another Case of Cholera.” 10-10-1850, 2, col. 5. Accessed 4-2-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=DAC18501010.2.5&srpos=129&e=–1850—1850–en–50–101-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——#

 

Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “Arrival of the Steamer Carolina!…The Cholera!” 10-8-1850, p. 2, col. 4. Accessed 4-1-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=DAC18501008.2.6&srpos=121&e=–1850—1850–en–50–101-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “Cholera.” 10-13-2015, p.2, c.3. Accessed 4-2-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=DAC18501013.2.7&srpos=137&e=–1850—1850–en–50–101-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——#

 

Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “Cholera.” 10-15-1850, p. 2, col. 4. Accessed 4-2-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=DAC18501015.2.8&srpos=140&e=–1850—1850–en–50–101-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——#

 

Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “Cholera.” 11-4-1850, p. 2, c. 3. Accessed 4-5-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=DAC18501104.2.4&srpos=247&e=–1850—1850–en–50–201-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “Cholera.” 11-14-1850, p. 2, col. 3. Accessed 4-10-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=DAC18501115.2.8&srpos=369&e=–1850—1850–en–50–351-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——#

 

Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “Cholera.” 11-22-1850, p. 3, col. 4. Accessed 4-11-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=DAC18501122.2.7&srpos=443&e=–1850—1850–en–50–401-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “Cholera.” 11-26-1850, p. 2, col. 2. Accessed 4-11-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=DAC18501126.2.4&srpos=464&e=–1850—1850–en–50–451-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “Cholera.” 11-28-1850, p. 2, col. 3. Accessed 4-11-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=DAC18501128.2.4&srpos=481&e=–1850—1850–en–50–451-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——#

 

Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “Cholera.” 11-30-1850, p. 2, c. 5. Accessed 4-15-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=DAC18501130.2.7&srpos=502&e=–1850—1850–en–50–501-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “Cholera.” 12-4-1850, p. 2, col. 4. Accessed 4-15-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=DAC18501204.2.6&srpos=530&e=–1850—1850–en–50–501-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “Cholera.” 12-6-1850, p. 2, col. 4. Accessed 4-15-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=DAC18501206.2.5&srpos=547&e=–1850—1850–en–50–501-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “Cholera.” 12-9-1850, p. 2, c. 5.  Accessed 4-17-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=DAC18501209.2.6&srpos=572&e=–1850—1850–en–50–551-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——#

 

Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “Cholera.” 12-19-1850, p. 2, col. 3. Accessed 4-17-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=DAC18501219.2.6&srpos=638&e=–1850—1850–en–50–601-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “Cholera at Alviso.” 10-27-1850, p. 2, col. 5. Accessed 4-3-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=DAC18501027.2.9&srpos=183&e=–1850—1850–en–50–151-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “City Items.” 11-8-1850, p. 3, c. 4. Accessed 4-2-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=DAC18501108.2.4&srpos=300&e=–1850—1850–en–50–251-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “City Items. Cholera.” 10-23-1850, p. 2, col. 2. Accessed 4-2-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=DAC18501023.2.3&srpos=157&e=–1850—1850–en–50–151-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “City Items. Cholera.” 10-24-1850, p. 2. col. 3. Accessed 4-2-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=DAC18501024.2.9&srpos=161&e=–1850—1850–en–50–151-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——#

 

Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “Death.” 12-6-1850, p. 2, col. 4. Accessed 4-15-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=DAC18501206.2.5&srpos=547&e=–1850—1850–en–50–501-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “Death of Ex-Alderman Maynard.” 12-5-1850, p. 2, col. 4. Accessed 4-15-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=DAC18501205.2.5&srpos=546&e=–1850—1850–en–50–501-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “Death of Mayor Bigelow.” 11-28-1850, p. 2. col. 3. Accessed 4-12-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=DAC18501128.2.4&srpos=481&e=–1850—1850–en–50–451-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——#

 

Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “Deaths.” 11-29-1850, p. 2, c. 3. Accessed 4-12-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=DAC18501129.2.6&srpos=490&e=–1850—1850–en–50–451-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “Deaths.” 12-30-1850, p. 2, col. 3. Accessed 4-17-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=DAC18501230.2.6&srpos=665&e=–1850—1850–en–50–651-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “Deaths reported for the Alta California…” 11-20-1850, p. 2, col. 3. Accessed 4-11-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=DAC18501120.2.3&srpos=418&e=–1850—1850–en–50–401-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “Deaths reported for the Alta California by N. Gray, City Sexton…” 12-8-1850, p. 2. Accessed 4-17-2015, California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=DAC18501208.2.4&srpos=568&e=–1850—1850–en–50–551-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Daily Alta California. “Deaths reported for the Alta California by N. Gray, City Sexton…”12-14-1850, p. 2, c. 3. Accessed 4-17-2015, California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=DAC18501214.2.5&srpos=609&e=–1850—1850–en–50–601-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——#

 

Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “Died.” 10-27-1850, p. 2, col. 5. Accessed 4-3-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=DAC18501027.2.9&srpos=183&e=–1850—1850–en–50–151-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “Died.” 10-31-1850, p. 2, col. 4. Accessed 4-3-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=DAC18501031.2.7&srpos=207&e=–1850—1850–en–50–201-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “Died.” 11-2-1850, p. 2, col. 4. Accessed 4-4-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=DAC18501102.2.8&srpos=230&e=–1850—1850–en–50–201-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “Filth and the Cholera.” 11-12-1850, p. 2, col. 1. Accessed 4-9-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=DAC18501112.2.3&srpos=338&e=–1850—1850–en–50–301-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “General Summary of Events.” 12-1-1850, p. 2, col. 1. Accessed 4-9-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=DAC18501201.2.5&srpos=505&e=–1850—1850–en–50–501-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “Interments.” 12-31-1850, p. 2, col. 2. Accessed 4-17-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=DAC18501231.2.6&srpos=668&e=–1850—1850–en–50–651-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “List of Deaths.” 11-18-1850, p. 2, col. 3. Accessed 4-11-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=DAC18501118.2.5&srpos=404&e=–1850—1850–en–50–401-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——#

 

Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “List of Deaths.” 11-19-1850, p. 2. col. 3. Accessed 4-11-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=DAC18501119.2.4&srpos=408&e=–1850—1850–en–50–401-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——#

 

Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “List of Deaths.” 11-25-1850, p. 2, col. 3. Accessed 4-11-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=DAC18501125.2.5&srpos=456&e=–1850—1850–en–50–451-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “List of Deaths.” 11-27-1850, p. 2, col. 2. Accessed 4-12-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=DAC18501127.2.4&srpos=472&e=–1850—1850–en–50–451-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “List of Deaths.” 11-28-1850, p. 2, col. 3. Accessed 4-12-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=DAC18501128.2.4&srpos=481&e=–1850—1850–en–50–451-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——#

 

Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “List of Deaths.” 12-1-1850, p. 2, col. 3. Accessed 4-15-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=DAC18501201.2.5&srpos=505&e=–1850—1850–en–50–501-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “List of Deaths.” 12-2-1850, p. 2, col. 4. Accessed 4-15-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=DAC18501202.2.6&srpos=511&e=–1850—1850–en–50–501-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “List of Deaths.” 12-3-1850, p. 2, col. 5. Accessed 4-15-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=DAC18501203.2.4&srpos=519&e=–1850—1850–en–50–501-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “List of Deaths.” 12-4-1850, p. 2, col. 4. Accessed 4-15-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=DAC18501204.2.6&srpos=530&e=–1850—1850–en–50–501-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “List of Deaths.” 12-5-1850, p. 2, col. 4. Accessed 4-15-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=DAC18501205.2.5&srpos=546&e=–1850—1850–en–50–501-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “List of Deaths.” 12-17-1850, p. 2, col. 3. Accessed 4-17-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=DAC18501217.2.4&srpos=625&e=–1850—1850–en–50–601-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “List of Deaths.” 12-18-1850, p. 2, col. 3. Accessed 4-17-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=DAC18501218.2.5&srpos=635&e=–1850—1850–en–50–601-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “List of Deaths.” 12-20-1850, p. 2. Accessed 4-17-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=q&r=651&results=1&e=–1850—1850–en–50–601-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “List of Deaths.” 12-24-1850, p. 2, col. 3. Accessed 4-17-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=DAC18501224.2.4&srpos=654&e=–1850—1850–en–50–651-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “List of Interments.” 10-16-1850, p. 2, col. 5. Accessed 4-2-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=DAC18501016.2.10&srpos=146&e=–1850—1850–en–50–101-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “Mortality.” 11-6-1850, p. 2, col. 2. Accessed 4-5-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=DAC18501106.2.4&srpos=275&e=–1850—1850–en–50–251-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “Mortality.” 11-11-1850, p. 2, c. 4. Accessed 4-9-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=DAC18501111.2.4&srpos=335&e=–1850—1850–en–50–301-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “Mortality.” 11-12-1850, p. 2, c. 4. Accessed 4-9-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=DAC18501112.2.8&srpos=341&e=–1850—1850–en–50–301-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “Mortality.” 11-13-1850, p. 2, c. 4. Accessed 4-9-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=DAC18501113.2.7&srpos=351&e=–1850—1850–en–50–351-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “Mortality.” 11-15-1850, p. 2, col. 3. Accessed 4-10-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=DAC18501115.2.8&srpos=369&e=–1850—1850–en–50–351-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——#

 

Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “Mortality Report.” 11-1-1850, p. 2, col. 3. Accessed 4-4-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=DAC18501101.2.4&srpos=217&e=–1850—1850–en–50–201-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “Sacramento City, Sunday, Nov. 17, Cholera Report.” 11-18-1850, p. 2, c. 4. Accessed 4-11-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=DAC18501118.2.7&srpos=403&e=–1850—1850–en–50–401-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “Sacramento Intelligence.” 11-6-1850, p. 2, c. 3. Accessed 4-5-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=DAC18501106.2.4&srpos=275&e=–1850—1850–en–50–251-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “San Jose Intelligence.” 12-16-1850, p. 2, col. 4. Accessed 4-17-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=DAC18501216.2.7&srpos=624&e=–1850—1850–en–50–601-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “Sanitare.” 11-7-1850, p. 2, col. 2. Accessed 4-5-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=DAC18501107.2.3&srpos=286&e=–1850—1850–en–50–251-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——#

 

Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “Sausalito.” 1-4-1851, p.2, col. 2. Accessed 4-17-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=DAC18510104.2.5&srpos=9&e=01-01-1851-30-01-1851–en–20–1-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “Selfishness.” 11-2-1850, p. 2, col. 2. Accessed 4-4-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=DAC18501102.2.8&srpos=230&e=–1850—1850–en–50–201-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “Sickness on Shipboard.” 11-1-1850, p. 2, col. 1. Accessed 4-3-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=DAC18501101.2.4&srpos=217&e=–1850—1850–en–50–201-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “Summary of Events for December.” 1-1-1851, p. 2, col. 2. Accessed 4-17-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=DAC18510101.2.5&srpos=1&e=01-01-1851-30-01-1851–en–20–1-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——#

 

Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “The Cholera.” 10-10-1850, 2, col. 2. Accessed 4-2-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=DAC18501010.2.5&srpos=129&e=–1850—1850–en–50–101-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——#

 

Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “The Cholera.” 10-23-1850, p. 2, col. 1. Accessed 4-2-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=DAC18501023.2.3&srpos=157&e=–1850—1850–en–50–151-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “The Cholera.” 11-3-1850, p. 2, col. 3. Accessed 4-4-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=DAC18501103.2.3&srpos=243&e=–1850—1850–en–50–201-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——#

 

Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “The Overland Immigration – The Cholera.” 9-15-1850, p. 2, col. 4. Accessed 3-31-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=DAC18500915.2.6&srpos=91&e=–1850—1850–en–50–51-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——#

 

Daily Courier, Lafayette, IN. [Cholera, Dayton vic.]8-12-1850, p. 2, col. 2. Accessed 3-24-2015 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/indiana/lafayette/daily-lafayette-courier/1850/08-12/page-2?tag=brookville+cholera&rtserp=tags/brookville-cholera?ndt=by&py=1850&pey=1850&psb=date

 

Daily Courier, Lafayette, IN. “More Cholera in Louisville.” 8-12-1850, p. 2, col. 1. At: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/indiana/lafayette/daily-lafayette-courier/1850/08-12/page-2?tag=brookville+cholera&rtserp=tags/brookville-cholera?ndt=by&py=1850&pey=1850&psb=date

 

Daily Sanduskian, OH. “Additional California News,” 12-21-1850, 3, col. 1. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=6377877&sterm=cholera+news

 

Daily Sanduskian, OH. “Cholera.” 8-23-1850, p. 2, col. 2. Accessed 4-1-2015 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/ohio/sandusky/sandusky-daily-sanduskian/1850/08-23/page-2?tag=harper+ferry+cholera&rtserp=tags/harper-ferry-cholera?psb=dateasc&page=2&ndt=by&py=1850&pey=1850

 

Daily Sanduskian, OH. “Cholera in Sacramento City,” 12-28-1850, p. 2., col. 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=6378930

 

Daily Sanduskian, OH. “Population of Erie County.” 12-27-1850, p. 2. Accessed at:  http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=6378746

 

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

 

Defiance Democrat, OH. “Cholera,” Aug 3, 1850, 2, col. 1. Accessed at:  http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=4271099

 

Defiance Democrat, OH. [Cholera at Cincinnati and Nashville] 7-13-1850, p. 2. Accessed at:  http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=4269752

 

Defiance Democrat, OH. “Cholera in Steubenville,” Nov 2, 1850, p. 2. Accessed at:  http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=4274962

 

Defiance Democrat, OH. “Cholera in the West,” July 20, 1850, 1. Accessed at:  http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=4270241

 

Defiance Democrat, OH. [Cholera in wagon trains west], Aug 17, 1850, 2. Accessed at:  http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=4271778

 

Esarey, Logan. “Internal Improvements in Early Indiana,” pp. 43-158, Indiana Historical Society Publications, Vol. V, No. 2. (Indianapolis: Edward J. Hecker, Printer), 1912. Accessed 3-24-2015 at: https://books.google.com/books?id=UlNIAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

Fenner, E.D., M.D. “Reports From Louisiana.” Southern Medical Reports (Vol. II, 1850). New Orleans: D. Davies, 1851. Digitized by Google at:  http://books.google.com/books?id=6NhXAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_atb#v=onepage&q&f=true

 

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Freeport Journal, IL. “Cholera at St. Louis.” 5-20-1850, p. 3, c. 1. Accessed 3-27-2015 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/illinois/freeport/freeport-journal/1850/05-20/page-3?tag=cholera&rtserp=tags/cholera?psb=date&page=3&psi=37&pci=7&ndt=bd&pd=1&pe=9&pem=8&py=1850&pm=1&pey=1850

 

Freeport Journal, IL. “Health of Freeport.” 7-30-1850, p. 2. Accessed 3-27-2015 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/illinois/freeport/freeport-journal/1850/07-30/page-2

 

Gibbons, Henry, M.D. “The Cholera in California in 1850.” Daily Alta California, San Francisco. 10-9-1865, p. 1 (“clipped” from Oct issue of Pacific Medical and Surgical Journal).

 

Goodspeed Bros. & Co. History of Pike and Dubois Counties Indiana. Chicago: Goodspeed Bros., 1885. Accessed 3-31-2015 at: https://archive.org/details/historyofpikedub00good

 

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Huron Reflector, Norwalk OH. “Cholera,” July 16, 1850, p. 2. Accessed at:  http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=12373397

 

Huron Reflector, Norwalk OH. “Cholera,” July 23, 1850, p. 2. Accessed at:  http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=12373438

 

Huron Reflector, Norwalk, OH. “Cholera,” Aug 6, 1850, p. 2. Accessed at:  http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=2895293

 

Huron Reflector, Norwalk, OH. “Deaths of Cholera, 7-27-1850. Accessed at:  http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=2894884

 

Independence County, Arkansas 1850 Mortality Schedule (Year ending June 1, 1850). Transcribed by Velda Price. Accessed 4-1-2015 at: http://www.knology.net/~lizglenn/1850mortalityar.HTM

 

Indiana State Sentinel, Indianapolis. “Cholera in Cincinnati.” 7-11-1850, p. 3, col. 1-2. At: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/indiana/indianapolis/indianapolis-indiana-state-sentinel/1850/07-11/page-3?tag=brookville+cholera&rtserp=tags/brookville-cholera?psb=date&page=2&ndt=by&py=1850&pey=1850

 

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Journal of the American Medical Association. “Asiatic Cholera in Europe and America.” Vol. XIX, No. 10, 9-3-1892, pp. 293-295. From TN State Board of Health Bulletin. Google digitized at: http://books.google.com/books?id=AVDlAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

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Mack, A. W. “The Cholera at Kalamazoo,” Boston Medical & Surgical Journal, Vol. 43, No. 17, Nov 27, 1850, pp. 336-338. Digitized by Google at: http://books.google.com/books?id=ZwQHAAAAcAAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_v2_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q=&f=false

 

Marysville Daily Herald, CA. “Mississippi.” 10-22-1850, p. 3, col. 1. Accessed 4-2-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=MDH18501022.2.7&srpos=156&e=–1850—1850–en–50–151-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——#

 

Marysville Daily Herald, CA. “The Cholera.” 10-18-1850, p. 2, col. 3. Accessed 4-2-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=MDH18501018.2.5&srpos=149&e=–1850—1850–en–50–101-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——#

 

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Mitchell, E. W., M.D. “History of Epidemics in Cincinnati.” University of Cincinnati Medical Bulletin, Vol. 1, No. 1, November 1920, pp. 10-18. Accessed 3-15-2015 at: https://books.google.com/books?id=cvErAQAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

Moore, Robert. “Notes Upon the History of Cholera in St. Louis.” Pp. 41-47 in A Sanitary Survey of St. Louis, George Homan (Ed.), Concord, NY: Republican Press Association, 1855. Google digitized: http://books.google.com/books?id=cllNAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

Mount Carmel Register, IL. “Cholera.” 6-5-1850, p. 2, col. 3. Accessed 3-27-2015 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/illinois/mount-carmel/mount-carmel-register/1850/06-05/page-2?tag=cholera&rtserp=tags/cholera?psb=date&page=3&psi=37&pci=7&ndt=bd&pd=1&pe=9&pem=8&py=1850&pm=1&pey=1850

 

Munkres, Robert, Ph.D. “Trail Facts. Questions & Answers About the Oregon Trail.” Oregon-California Trails Association. Accessed 3-28-2015 at: http://www.octa-trails.org/learn/trail-facts

 

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Peters, John C. “General History of the Disease and the Principal Epidemics up to 1885,” Section I in Wendt, Edmund Charles (Ed.). A Treatise on Asiatic Cholera. NY: William Wood and Co., 1885. Digitized by Google at:  http://books.google.com/books?id=bk4gp1QXHM4C&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_v2_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q=&f=false

 

Placer Times, CA. 5-1-1850, Vol. 1, No. 53. Accessed from California Digital Newspaper Collection 3-30-2015 at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=PT18500501.2.11&srpos=17&e=–1850—1850–en–50–1-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——#

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. “A Board of Health.” 11-4-1850, p. 2, col. 1. Accessed 4-5-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501104.2.6&srpos=251&e=–1850—1850–en–50–251-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Sacramento Transcript. “A Very Gross Misstatement.” 11-22-1850, p. 2, col. 2. Accessed 4-11-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501122.2.4&srpos=438&e=–1850—1850–en–50–401-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. “All Gone” [Barque Abby Baker]. 11-13-1850, p. 2, col. 2. Accessed 4-10-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501113.2.9&srpos=356&e=–1850—1850–en–50–351-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Board of Health.” 11-16-1850, p. 2, col. 3. Accessed 4-10-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501116.2.5&srpos=385&e=–1850—1850–en–50–351-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Board of Health in San Francisco.” 11-14-1850, p. 2, col. 4. Accessed 4-10-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501114.2.3&srpos=359&e=–1850—1850–en–50–351-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. “By Express. News from the Plains! 2,000 Men Yet Beyond the Desert. Mortality! – Starvation! Cholera! – Indian Hostilities!” 9-23-1850, p. 2, col. 4-6. Accessed 3-31-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18500923.2.7&srpos=96&e=–1850—1850–en–50–51-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——#

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Cholera.” 10-24-1850, p. 2., col. 1. Accessed 4-2-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501024.2.4&srpos=162&e=–1850—1850–en–50–151-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——#

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Cholera.” 10-29-1850, p. 2, col. 4. Accessed 4-3-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501029.2.9&srpos=197&e=–1850—1850–en–50–151-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Cholera.” 10-31-1850, p. 2, col. 1. Accessed 4-3-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501031.2.8&srpos=210&e=–1850—1850–en–50–201-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Cholera.” 11-1-1850, p. 2, col. 5. Accessed 4-4-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501101.2.5&srpos=221&e=–1850—1850–en–50–201-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Cholera.” 11-7-1850, p. 2., col. 5. Accessed 3-30-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501107.2.8&srpos=1&e=–1850—1850–en–50–1–txt-txIN-cholera——#

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Cholera.” 11-19-1850, p. 2, c. 2. Accessed 4-11-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501119.2.3&srpos=411&e=–1850—1850–en–50–401-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Cholera” [San Francisco]. 11-28-1850, p. 3, col. 5. Accessed 4-12-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501128.2.5&srpos=485&e=–1850—1850–en–50–451-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. [Cholera, San Jose] 11-7-1850, p. 2, col. 2. Accessed 3-30-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501107.2.8&srpos=1&e=–1850—1850–en–50–1–txt-txIN-cholera——#

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Cholera Above.” 11-2-1850, p. 2, col. 4. Accessed 4-4-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501102.2.6&srpos=234&e=–1850—1850–en–50–201-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Cholera Among Indians.” 10-30-1850, p. 2, col. 4. Accessed 4-3-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501030.2.6&srpos=202&e=–1850—1850–en–50–201-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Cholera at Stockton.” 11-8-1850. p. 2. Accessed 4-5-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501108.2.4&srpos=303&e=–1850—1850–en–50–301-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Cholera at the Bay.” 11-25-1850, p. 2, col. 6. Accessed 4-11-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501125.2.8&srpos=459&e=–1850—1850–en–50–451-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Cholera Hospital.” 11-7-1850, p. 2., col. 4. Accessed 3-30-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501107.2.8&srpos=1&e=–1850—1850–en–50–1–txt-txIN-cholera——#

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Cholera in the Mines.” 11-9-1850, p. 2, col. 5. Accessed 4-9-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501109.2.6&srpos=317&e=–1850—1850–en–50–301-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——#

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Cholera in the Mines.” 12-19-1850, p. 2, col. 2. Accessed 4-17-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501219.2.4&srpos=640&e=–1850—1850–en–50–601-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Cholera on Board the Montague.” 10-24-1850, p. 2., col. 2. Accessed 4-2-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501024.2.4&srpos=162&e=–1850—1850–en–50–151-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——#

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. [Cholera on the Plains] 8-31-1850, p. 2, col. 3. Accessed 3-31-2015 at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18500831.2.4&srpos=78&e=–1850—1850–en–50–51-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——#

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Cholera on the Schooner Montague.” 10-26-1850, p. 2, col. 6. Accessed 4-3-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501026.2.9&srpos=176&e=–1850—1850–en–50–151-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——#

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Cholera Specifics.” 10-26-1850, p. 2, col. 5. Accessed 4-3-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501026.2.9&srpos=176&e=–1850—1850–en–50–151-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——#

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. “City Hospital.” 10-24-1850, p. 2., col. 5. Accessed 4-3-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501024.2.9&srpos=164&e=–1850—1850–en–50–151-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Coroner’s Inquest.” 11-1-1850, p. 2, col. 6. Accessed 4-4-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501101.2.5&srpos=221&e=–1850—1850–en–50–201-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Coroner’s Inquest.” 11-27-1850, p. 2, col. 3. Accessed 4-12-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501127.2.3&srpos=476&e=–1850—1850–en–50–451-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Coroner’s Inquisition.” 10-26-1850, p. 2, col. 4. Accessed 4-3-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501026.2.9&srpos=176&e=–1850—1850–en–50–151-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——#

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. [Death notice of Capt. Jer. Silvey, San Francisco] 12-9-1850, p. 3, col. 1. Accessed 4-17-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501209.2.10&srpos=576&e=–1850—1850–en–50–551-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——#

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Death of a Member Elect.” 11-2-1850, p. 2, col. 2. Accessed 4-4-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501102.2.6&srpos=234&e=–1850—1850–en–50–201-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Death of an Old Californian.” 11-4-1850, p. 2, col. 2. Accessed 4-4-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501104.2.6&srpos=251&e=–1850—1850–en–50–251-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Deaths in San Francisco, Nov. 16^th.” 11-19-1850, p. 2, col. 6. Accessed 4-11-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501119.2.3&srpos=411&e=–1850—1850–en–50–401-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Died.” 10-28-1850, p. 2., c. 6. Accessed 4-3-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501028.2.8&srpos=188&e=–1850—1850–en–50–151-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Died.” 10-30-1850, 2, col. 6. Accessed 4-3-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501030.2.6&srpos=202&e=–1850—1850–en–50–201-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Died.” 10-31-1850, p. 2, col. 6. Accessed 4-3-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501031.2.8&srpos=210&e=–1850—1850–en–50–201-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Died.” 11-4-1850, p. 2, col. 6. Accessed 4-5-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501104.2.6&srpos=251&e=–1850—1850–en–50–251-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——#

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Died.” 11-7-1850, p. 2, col. 6. Accessed 3-30-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501107.2.8&srpos=1&e=–1850—1850–en–50–1–txt-txIN-cholera——#

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Died.” 11-8-1850, p. 2, col. 6. Accessed 4-9-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501108.2.4&srpos=303&e=–1850—1850–en–50–301-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Died.” 11-9-1850, p. 2, col. 6. Accessed 4-9-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501109.2.6&srpos=317&e=–1850—1850–en–50–301-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——#

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Died.” 11-22-1850, p. 2, col. 6. Accessed 4-11-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501122.2.4&srpos=438&e=–1850—1850–en–50–401-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Died.” 12-4-1850, p. 2, col. 6. Accessed 4-13-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection.

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. “From Santa Barbara.” 12-27-1850, p. 2, col. 6. Accessed 4-17-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501227.2.11.1&srpos=660&e=–1850—1850–en–50–651-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Health of San Francisco.” 10-17-1850, p. 2, col. 5. Accessed 4-2-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501017.2.11&srpos=147&e=–1850—1850–en–50–101-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——#

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Health of San Francisco.” 11-7-1850, p. 2, col. 4. Accessed 3-30-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501107.2.8&srpos=1&e=–1850—1850–en–50–1–txt-txIN-cholera——#

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Health of San Jose.” 12-3-1850, p. 2, col. 3. Accessed 4-15-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501203.2.4&srpos=524&e=–1850—1850–en–50–501-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Health of Stockton.” 11-27-1850, p. 2, col. 4. Accessed 4-12-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501127.2.3&srpos=476&e=–1850—1850–en–50–451-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Health of the United States.” 9-26-1850, p. 2, col. 4. Accessed 3-31-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18500926.2.4&srpos=102&e=–1850—1850–en–50–101-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Intelligence from Carson Valley.” 9-26-1850, p. 2. Accessed 3-29-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18500926.2.4#

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA “Letter From the Bay. San Francisco, Nov 5, 1850.” 11-8-1850, p. 2, col. 4. Accessed 4-9-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501108.2.4&srpos=303&e=–1850—1850–en–50–301-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. “List of Deaths.” 12-7-1850, p. 3, col. 2. Accessed 4-16-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501207.2.13&srpos=563&e=–1850—1850–en–50–551-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Mortality in San Francisco.” 11-14-1850, p. 2, col. 4. Accessed 4-10-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501114.2.3&srpos=359&e=–1850—1850–en–50–351-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Mortality Report.” 10-25-1850, p. 3, col. 3. Accessed 4-3-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501025.2.6&srpos=167&e=–1850—1850–en–50–151-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Mortality Report.” 10-26-1850, p. 2, col. 6. Accessed 4-3-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501026.2.9&srpos=176&e=–1850—1850–en–50–151-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——#

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Mortality Report.” 10-28-1850, p. 2, col. 2. Accessed 4-3-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501028.2.8&srpos=188&e=–1850—1850–en–50–151-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Mortality Report.” 10-29-1850, p. 2, col. 5. Accessed 4-3-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501029.2.9&srpos=197&e=–1850—1850–en–50–151-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Mortality Report.” 10-30-1850, p. 2, col. 6. Accessed 4-3-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501030.2.6&srpos=202&e=–1850—1850–en–50–201-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Mortality Report.” 10-31-1850, p. 2, col. 4. Accessed 4-3-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501031.2.8&srpos=210&e=–1850—1850–en–50–201-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Mortality Report.” 11-1-1850, p. 2, col. 3. Accessed 4-4-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501101.2.5&srpos=221&e=–1850—1850–en–50–201-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA, “Mortality Report.” 11-2-1850, p. 2, col. 4. Accessed 4-4-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501102.2.6&srpos=234&e=–1850—1850–en–50–201-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA, “Mortality Report.” 11-4-1850, p. 2, col. 4. Accessed 4-5-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501104.2.6&srpos=251&e=–1850—1850–en–50–251-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Mortality Report.” 11-5-1850, p. 2, col. 3. Accessed 4-5-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501105.2.4&srpos=263&e=–1850—1850–en–50–251-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——#

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Mortality Report.” 11-6-1850, p. 2, col. 3. Accessed 4-5-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501106.2.5&srpos=279&e=–1850—1850–en–50–251-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Mortality Report.” 11-7-1850, p. 2, col. 5. Accessed 3-30-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501107.2.8&srpos=1&e=–1850—1850–en–50–1–txt-txIN-cholera——#

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Mortality Report.” 11-8-1850, p. 2, col. 5. Accessed 4-9-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501108.2.4&srpos=303&e=–1850—1850–en–50–301-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Mortality Report.” 11-9-1850, p. 2, col. 5. Accessed 4-9-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501109.2.6&srpos=317&e=–1850—1850–en–50–301-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——#

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Mortality Report.” 11-11-1850, p. 2, col. 4. Accessed 4-9-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501111.2.5&srpos=334&e=–1850—1850–en–50–301-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——#

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Mortality Report.” 11-12-1850, p. 2, col. 4. Accessed 4-9-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501112.2.8&srpos=346&e=–1850—1850–en–50–301-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——#

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Mortality Report.” 11-13-1850, p. 2, col. 5. Accessed 4-10-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501113.2.9&srpos=356&e=–1850—1850–en–50–351-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Mortality Report.” 11-14-1850, p. 2, col. 4. Accessed 4-10-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501114.2.3&srpos=359&e=–1850—1850–en–50–351-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Mortality Report.” 11-15-1850, p. 2, col. 6. Accessed 4-10-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501115.2.5&srpos=372&e=–1850—1850–en–50–351-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Sacramento Transcript CA. “Mortality Report.” 11-29-1850, p. 2, col. 6. Accessed 4-12-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501129.2.7&srpos=494&e=–1850—1850–en–50–451-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Mr. Galland.” 11-7-1850, p. 2, col. 4. Accessed 3-30-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501107.2.8&srpos=1&e=–1850—1850–en–50–1–txt-txIN-cholera——#

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Othello’s Occupation’s Gone.” 11-16-1850, p. 2, col. 1. Accessed 4-10-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501116.2.5&srpos=385&e=–1850—1850–en–50–351-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Panic Among the Mexicans.” 11-7-1850, p. 2, col. 5. Accessed 3-30-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501107.2.8&srpos=1&e=–1850—1850–en–50–1–txt-txIN-cholera——#

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Proceedings of the Common Council.” 11-26-1850, p. 2, col. 4. Accessed 4-11-1850 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501126.2.5&srpos=468&e=–1850—1850–en–50–451-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Report of Mortality in this City for the Week Ending Oct. 19^th.” 10-21-1850, p. 2, col. 5. Accessed 4-2-1850 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501021.2.6&srpos=154&e=–1850—1850–en–50–151-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——#

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Report of Mortality in this City for the Week Ending Oct. 26^th.” 10-28-1850, p. 2, col. 6.  Accessed 4-3-1850 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501028.2.8&srpos=188&e=–1850—1850–en–50–151-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Report of Mortality in the City for the week ending November 2d.” 11-4-1850, p. 2, col. 2. Accessed 4-5-1850 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501104.2.6&srpos=251&e=–1850—1850–en–50–251-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Sickness at the Mission Dolores.” 11-7-1850, p. 2., col. 5. Accessed 3-30-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501107.2.8&srpos=1&e=–1850—1850–en–50–1–txt-txIN-cholera——#

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Stray Leaves.” 11-25-1850, p. 2, c. 5. Accessed 4-11-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501125.2.8&srpos=459&e=–1850—1850–en–50–451-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——#

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Stray Leaves From the Note Book of a Homeward Bound Gold Digger, No. IV.” 11-26-1850, p. 2, col. 5. Accessed 4-11-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501126.2.5&srpos=468&e=–1850—1850–en–50–451-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Sudden Death.” 10-25-1850, 3. Accessed 4-3-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501025.2.6&srpos=167&e=–1850—1850–en–50–151-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. “The Cholera.” 10-9-1850, p. 2, col. 4. Accessed 4-1-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501009.2.8&srpos=128&e=–1850—1850–en–50–101-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——#

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. “The Cholera.” 10-22-1850, p. 2. c. 3. Accessed 4-2-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501022.2.6&srpos=155&e=–1850—1850–en–50–151-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. “The Cholera.” 10-26-1850, p. 2, col. 5. Accessed 4-3-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501026.2.9&srpos=176&e=–1850—1850–en–50–151-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——#

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. “The Cholera.” 11-5-1850, p. 2, col. 3. Accessed 4-5-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501105.2.4&srpos=263&e=–1850—1850–en–50–251-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——#

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. “The Doctors in Court.” 11-16-1850, p. 2, col. 4. Accessed 4-11-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501118.2.7&srpos=397&e=–1850—1850–en–50–351-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——#

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. “The Last of the Cholera.” 11-15-1850, p. 2, col. 6. Accessed 4-10-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501115.2.5&srpos=372&e=–1850—1850–en–50–351-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. “The Late Epidemic.” 11-13-1850, p. 2, col. 1. Accessed 4-10-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501113.2.9&srpos=356&e=–1850—1850–en–50–351-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Sacramento Transcript, CA. “The News.” 11-13-1850, p. 2, col. 5. Accessed 4-10-2015 from California Digital Newspaper Collection at: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ST18501113.2.9&srpos=356&e=–1850—1850–en–50–351-byDA-txt-txIN-cholera——

 

Scudder, J.A. “Account of the Epidemic of Cholera at Washington in 1873,” pp. 386-387 in Woodworth 1875.

 

Secrest, William B. Jr. and William B. Secrest Sr. California Disasters, 1812-1899: Firsthand Accounts of Fires, Shipwrecks, Floods, Epidemics, Earthquakes and Other California Tragedies.  Quill Driver Books, 2005, 368 pages. Partially digitized by Google. Accessible at:  http://books.google.com/books?id=FiOrJ47gno8C&dq=Belle+explosion+1852&source=gbs_summary_s&cad=0

 

Shea, Michael A., M.D. California Pioneers of Santa Clara County. Essay Contest, Adult Education Entry, 2012. Nineteenth Century Medicine in the Santa Clara Valley. Accessed 3-3-2015 at: http://californiapioneers.com/essay_contests/june_2012/19th%20Century%20Medicine.pdf

 

Shelby County, Indiana Newspapers through the years (website). Accessed 3-24-2015 at: http://www.shelbycountyindiana.org/historical_articles/history_newspapers.htm

 

Simonds, J. C. “On the Sanitary Condition of New Orleans, as Illustrated by its Mortuary Statistics.” Article 9 in Fenner, “Reports…Louisiana.” Southern Medical Reports, 1851, 204-46. Google digital: http://books.google.com/books?id=6NhXAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_atb#v=onepage&q&f=true

 

Smith, Ashbel. “On the Climate, Etc., of a Portion of TX,” Article I, “Reports From Texas,” in Fenner (Ed.), Southern Medical Reports, 1851, pp. 453-459. Digitized by Google at:  http://books.google.com/books?id=6NhXAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_atb#v=onepage&q&f=true

 

Sutton, George, M.D. “A Report to the Indiana State Medical Society, on Asiatic Cholera, as it Prevailed in this State in 1849-50-51-52.” Pages 109-175 in Proceedings of the Fourth Annual Meeting of the Indiana State Medical Society, held in the City of Lafayette, May, 1853. Indianapolis: Elder & Harkness-Steam Press Print, 1853. Accessed 3-1-2015 at: https://books.google.com/books?id=vykjAQAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q=sutton&f=true

 

Taylor, W., M.D. “Cholera as it Appeared in California – Barque Splendid, &c.” New Orleans Medical and Surgical Journal, Vol. 8, Part First, July, 1852 pp. 53-58. Accessed 4-5-2015 at: https://books.google.com/books?id=KuhDAQAAIAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

The Grizzly Bear, Los Angeles and San Francisco, CA. “Justice in the Early Day Mining Camps.” July 1912, Vol. 11, No. 3, p. 1. Accessed 4-9-2015 at: https://books.google.com/books?id=WsssAQAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

United States Census Office, Department of the Interior. Mortality Statistics of the Seventh Census of the United States, 1850. By J. D. B. De Bow, Superintendent United States Census. Washington: A. O. P. Nicholson, Printer, 1855. Accessed 2-23-2015 at: https://books.google.com/books?id=Aopc-5aHBjkC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

Unruh, John D. Jr. The Plains Across: The Overland Emigrants and the Trans-Mississippi West, 1840-1860. Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois, 1993. Google preview accessed 3-20-2015 at: https://books.google.com/books?id=hM2_IXMY3jQC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

Way, Frederick Jr. (Compiler). Way’s Packet Directory, 1848-1994: Passenger Steamboats of the Mississippi River System Since the Advent of Photography in Mid-Continent America (Revised Edition). Athens OH: Ohio University Press, 1994-1999.

 

Weekly Courier, Madison, IN. “Cholera.” 5-15-1850, p. 2, col. 1. Accessed 3-24-2015 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/indiana/madison/madison-weekly-courier/1850/05-15/page-2?tag=brookville+cholera&rtserp=tags/brookville-cholera?psb=date&page=2&ndt=by&py=1850&pey=1850

 

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Wendt, Edmund Charles (Ed.). A Treatise on Asiatic Cholera. NY: William Wood and Co., 1885. Digitized by Google at:  http://books.google.com/books?id=bk4gp1QXHM4C&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_v2_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q=&f=false

 

Werner, Morris W. “Emigrant Graves on the Oregon and California Trails in Kansas.” Pioneer Trails From U. S. Land Surveys. 1988-1989. Also: Kansas Heritage. Accessed 3-29-2015 at: http://www.kansasheritage.org/werner/emigrave.html

 

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[1] This reflects zero Plains Native American deaths, whereas the range of cholera deaths amongst Plains natives in 1849 was 5,600-6,500. We believe that there must have significant loss of life, but have just not located sources. Indeed the Census counted no Native Americans — it was limited to “…white, free colored, and slave.”

[2] Highlighted in yellow to denote we do not use this number. The Census did not represent the calendar year but reflected data on “those who died during the year ending June 1, 1850–white, free colored, and slave…” Since we have a separate file on the 1849 document we do not wish to duplicate here many of those deaths. The Summer, Fall, and most of the Winter (which for the Census included November), would have been in 1849. Only the latter part of Winter and all of the Spring could have been 1850 deaths. Even this is not a certainty, in that those reporting deaths to the Marshalls conducting the census, might have reported the death of a relative during the previous Spring (1849). Recognizing this problem, in order to use the data at all, we count only the deaths reported for the Spring.

[3] Compiled by B. Wayne Blanchard, April 2015 for inclusion in website: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com

[4] While we have transcribed thirty-odd pages of material below the State, Territory, and District of Columbia breakouts, there is a great deal of detail and information not there, but which can be accessed through our footnotes.

[5] 1850 U.S. Federal Census Mortality Schedule, Bradley County, Arkansas. “Death Index.” Bradley Country Arkansas Genealogy Trails, contributed by Barb Ziegenmeyer. 2007-2010.

[6] “The cholera is spreading to an alarming extent in Chicot county, Arkansas. On the plantation of Mr. Honeycut, a few miles above Columbia, every white member of the family, four in all have died, and several of he negroes; four corpses, three whites and one negro, being in the house at one time.” We translate “several” into “about” three.

[7] Independence County, Arkansas 1850 Mortality Schedule (Year ending June 1, 1850). Transcribed by Velda Price.

[8] The range has to do with the range of fatalities we note for Sacramento (800-1000) and San Francisco (311-500).

[9] At page 11 the Census, in table “Classified and aggregate deaths in the several States”  shows 905 deaths in California for all causes. There are 404 deaths shown for cholera, 0/Spring, 1/Summer, 206/Autumn, 194/Winter. In that the Census began in the summer of 1849 and concluded on June 1, 1850, only the Spring breakout (0), can be reliable looked at as representing 1850.

[10] Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “Cholera at Alviso.” 10-27-1850, p. 2, col. 5.

[11] “We were informed last night that the cholera had appeared among the Indians who have a village on the opposite bank of the American river a short distance above its mouth.” Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Cholera.” 11-1-1850, p. 2, col. 5. (The American River empties into the Sacramento River, Northside of Sacramento.)

[12] W. Taylor, M.D. “Cholera as it Appeared in California – Barque Splendid, &c.” New Orleans Medical and Surgical Journal, Vol. 8, Part First, July, 1852 pp. 53-58.

[13] Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “Died.” 11-2-1850, p. 2, col. 4.

[14] “The brig Christiana, Bennett master, left Sacramento city on Saturday, the 26^th ult., [Oct], with from forty to fifty passengers, in tow of the steamer Linda. She put into New York on Pacific [Suisun Bay] on Tuesday [Oct 29], the crew refusing to go farther. The engineer of the steamer [Linda] died with the cholera, and eight died on board the Christiana. Capt. Bennett then left for this place [San Francisco], six or seven others of the passengers having been taken with the disease. The balance of the passengers had left, except those who remained to take care of the sick.” (Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “Sickness on Shipboard.” 11-1-1850, p. 2, col. 1.)

[15] Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Died.” 10-31-1850, p. 2, col. 6.

[16] “We have been informed that one case of cholera has occurred in Coloma…within the past week.”

[17] Our number in order to add to a tally, based on: “A letter from San Jose, published in the Courier, says that the cholera has been hard at work among some Indians that live on Coyote Creek, about a mile from that town — a number of them have died.” (Sacramento Transcript, CA. 11-7-1850, p. 2, col. 2. Also, Gibbons wrote in “The Cholera in California in 1850,” reprinted in Daily Alta California (San Francisco, 10-9-1865, p. 1): “Early in November, the cholera made its appearance in San Jose…but without severity, its operations being confined mainly to the Mexican and native population in the suburbs.” Another paper writes” “Private accounts from San Jose speak of a great panic among the Mexicans, caused doubtless by the approach of the cholera. They were leaving in great numbers. (Herald).” (Sacramento Transcript. “Panic Among the Mexicans.” 11-7-1850, p. 2, col. 5.) We believe it probable that there were more than five deaths.

[18] On Nov 13 The Transcript wrote that “The cholera has made its appearance to a limited extent in Marysville…”

[19] “From these centers [San Fran. And Sacramento] the disease spread to the gold fields where, because of its presence, wild confusion and panic prevailed.” (Chambers, J. S. The Conquest of Cholera. 1938, p. 242.) We note, under locality headings, a small bit of information on mining community cholera deaths, however, it can be safely assumed that many mining community cholera deaths went unreported, or even recognized as such.

[20] In 1850 the Mission was a small farming community for Christianized native Americans, operating apart from San Francisco proper. Citing the Alta Californian (SF), it is written, without noting the date of the Alta article, that “We are informed that sickness prevails at the Mission Dolores, and that several deaths have occurred from Cholera. Two Indians died of this disease yesterday.” (Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Sickness at the Mission Dolores.” 11-7-1850, p. 2., col. 5.) We take it that “several” probably means approximately at least 3, and that the two deaths the day before should be added to the “several” – thus our figure of at least five.

[21] “…The cholera has made its appearance to a limited extent in…Nevada and others of the mining towns…” (Sacramento Transcript, CA. “The News,” p. 2, col. 5.)

[22] Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Cholera Among Indians.” 10-30-1850, p. 2, col. 4.

[23] Our guestimate number in order to add to tally. The previous report was that five natives died on Oct 25. This report writes that “The Indians are still dying opposite Nicolaus. There is no business doing at Nicolaus.”

[24] “…formerly of No. 11 Wall street, New York.” Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Died.” 11-7-1850, p. 2., col. 6.

[25] “A gentleman from the town of Ophir, in Sutter County, informs us that seven persons died of choler there, about a week since. The deaths were very sudden; the victims generally being taken in the evening, and dying early the following morning.”

[26] Not used in our tally.

[27] “While its duration was reasonably brief (about three months), the death toll of the 1850 cholera epidemic was nevertheless horrible – no fewer than 600 and perhaps in excess of 1,000.”  (Secrest and Secrest 2005, p. 13) Not used, though, in our tally.

[28] We choose to rely on the Old Cemetery Committee records in their “1850 Cholera…” website (which shows 800-1,000). We cite three others who use the 1,000 figure, one of whom, McClellan, we view as especially reliable. Even so, we believe that using a range is a more conservative approach. The Sacrament Transcript, not known for its forthrightness in stepping up to the reporting plate on cholera death reporting, estimates 800-900. We assert that not every death of a cholera victim was reported to the authorities (including cemetery sextons and undertakers). We also assert that not every Sacramento cholera victim was buried in a Sacramento cemetery. Some, we assert, were informally buried at or near where they died for convenience and/or economical reasons. For those found only after death, it would not always be clear to the finder or finders what the victim died of.

[29] “One of the worst epidemics of Asiatic Cholera anywhere occurred in Sacramento in 1850. On October 8, a passenger on the “New World,” a ship docked in Sacramento, emerged and collapsed on the wharf, sparking an epidemic that killed 800-1000 people in less than three weeks. Thousands fled in panic, leaving the stricken behind. Of the 40-80 physicians practicing here at the time, 17 died, making this the highest mortality on record for physicians caring for victims of an epidemic. With few exceptions, victims were buried in mass graves. There were several, the largest at the New Helvetia cemetery. Because of mass flooding, these burials were transferred to the City Cemetery where they are believed to be under military  graves. A monument was erected in 1852. The monument’s placement, however, has little bearing on the actual locations of cholera victims and, most likely, is placed atop an area originally sectioned off for the indigent. Of the 17 physicians who died of cholera while caring for the victims of the 1850 epidemic, only one of the 17 is notably buried in this cemetery. Records indicate that the other 16 physicians are buried under the City Cemetery, but the location is unknown.”

[30] Written in response to report from unidentified writer in the Daily Alta California to the effect that “there have been about 1500 buried in the two grave yards attached to this city [Sacramento] of that disease (the cholera)…. There is no doubt in my mind that the mortality here has reached the number of 2000 since the cholera made its appearance in this place. A large number, I am informed, upon the outskirts and suburbs of the city, were buried where they died.” Sacramento Transcript writes that even an “inflated estimate of the mortality in this city during the late epidemic, cannot exceed eight or nine hundred.”

[31] Seemingly co-incident with the outbreak of the cholera epidemic were spikes in other diseases which manifest some symptoms similar to cholera – diarrhea, dysentery, and inflammation of the bowels. We know from studying cholera epidemics elsewhere this year as well as in other years, there can be innocent mis-diagnoses, particularly at the beginning. In addition, we also know that there were pressures upon doctors to minimize the extent of cholera. And doctors themselves, who were advertising their ability to treat cholera, would, according to charges made by other physicians, label a death of a patient something else other than cholera, so as not to adversely impact their successful treatment statistics.

[32] In addition there were sixteen diarrhoea and dysentery deaths.

[33] “The City Physician stated last evening to the Council, that seven cases of Cholera had come under his notice, five of which had proved fatal.”

[34] Additional deaths: 13 diarrhoea and dysentery, one from inflammation of bowels, and 9 “disease unascertained.”

[35] One cholera death (John Deidrich, Chicago), two diarrhoea (Amos P. Pendleton, Westerly, NY; Geo Astley, IN), and three unascertained (F. Candus, Abbot Co., IN; Jacob Coates; and Henry Brown). Added later was Margaret Correll. (Sacramento Transcript. “Died.” 10-30-1850, 2, col. 6.)

[36] H. H. Train, ___ Stringer, and Wm Pitman, NJ. (Sacramento Transcript. “Cholera.” 10-24-1850, p. 2, c. 1.) Also: Edward Ray, 23, and Nathan Wood, 30. (Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Mortality Report.” 10-28-1850, p. 2, col. 2.)

[37] ___Davis, Boston; M. Frazer, Scotland; Rathbon M. Richmond, Syracuse, NY; Thos. Edwards, NYC; Smith Coman, Buffalo, NY; ___Kelly, Ireland; Edward G. Fowle, Boston; Alfred W. Rose; and John Saunderson, MO. (Sacramento Transcript. “Cholera.” 10-24-1850, p. 2, c. 1.) Also: George B. Harvey, 34, OH; Capt. S. W. Powers, 45, Philly; Chas Delany, 28; Capt. Cook, 35. (Sacramento Transcript. “Mortality Report.” 10-28-1850, p. 2., col. 2.)

[38] Two cholera (Geo Breston, MO; Davis B. McCune, Johnson Co., WI), one cholera morbus (Ely Myer, Iowa City), one diarrhoea (Jacob Getze, Ohio), and one unascertained (S. A. Bush, Ohio). Another article on same page (“Coroner’s Inquest”), notes that David B. McCune of Jefferson County, WI, died of cholera “brought on by exposure in sleeping out in the night air.” (Note that first name and Wisconsin counties differ.) The “Mortality Report” published on Oct 25 shows two more cholera deaths for the 23^rd (Angus McKenzie, NY; and Patrick Evans, Ireland), and one additional death from diarrhoea (Edmond D. Shackelford, of MO.). (Sacramento Transcript. “Mortality Report.” 10-25-1850, p. 3, col. 3.) Another report adds: Samuel Drake, 26, ME; Henry M. Lucas, 6; Jas. W. Campbell, 35. (Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Mortality Report.” 10-28-1850, p. 2., col. 2.)

[39] Three cholera deaths (Samuel Steoud, New London, CN; Jas Baldwin, NY; Joe (Kanaka, of Oahu); one “Inflamed Bowels death (Chas W. Crabb, St. Louis), and one diarrhoea death (Jesse Drake, Henry Co., MO). An updated report published on the 26^th adds four cholera deaths: ____ Grant; Isaiah Van Zandt, MS; Jas M. Cook, RI; and Wm. Thomas of England. Additionally there was one diarrhoea death – Chris Richardson of Howard Co., MO. A later report adds: Joseph Ripley, 32, NJ; and Capt. W. Rand, 57, MA (though the latter was noted as “unascertained”). Yet another adds James L. Frazier, Belmont Co., OH. (Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Died.” 10-28-1850, p. 2., c. 6.)

[40] Nine are named in “Mortality Report” printed in the Sacramento Transcript of 10-26-1850, p. 2, col. 6: George W. Hallenbeck, WI; Caleb Bartlett, MI; Jas. W. Camel, IL; Chas Williams, Franklin Co., MO; Jas Clark, Ireland; Henry Harden, England; Joseph Webb; Dr. Horatio S. Cobb, ~30, of Lee, Berkshire Co. MA; a Kanaka. Were five more from “diseases unascertained.” Four more cholera deaths are noted in a later report: S. R. March, Montpelier, VE; H. Leguire, Nelson Cornet, France; and Wm. H. Thomson, 46, Ireland. In addition, listed as an “unascertained” death is Jas Simons, 22, OH. (Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Mortality Report.” 10-28-1850, p. 2., c. 2.)

[41] Named in another source are eighteen people: Cholera deaths: David Pepper, 34, OH; Capt. Gage, 60, IL, Mr. Kelley; John Anslow, 50, Havana; Jessee Haycock, Boston, J. r. McLaughlin, 25, St. Louis, Jas W. Camel, 35; Dr. T. N. P. Whitlock, 26, IL; John Roslin, 32, Germany, Joseph Byron, 40 England. Diarrhoea deaths: Benj. Marcy, 24, WI; James Wonnack, 52, Philadelphia, Enoch Collet, 27, IN; James Ward, 45, NY. Dysentery deaths: Amida Smart, 14; and John Card, 53, NH. (Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Mortality Report.” 10-28-1850, p. 2., col. 2.)

[42] Quite a few deaths were noted in subsequent papers to this report on Nov 4^th, particularly the Sacramento Transcript “Mortality Report” on Nov 12, which notes deaths at the City and Cholera Hospitals from the 1^st to the 3^rd, for the first time. We also note that the great variability from one day to the next makes the numbers suspect.

[43] There were, in addition, thirty deaths from diarrhoea and dysentery, fourteen from “disease unascertained, one from cholera morbus, one from cholera infantum, and fourteen from fevers.

[44] Named as cholera deaths in another source are eleven people: Benj. F. Atwood, 32, MA; Mr. Northman, 26, Germany; son of J. March, 4, WI; John Haffarman, 26, Ireland; Jasper Wilcox, OR; P. H. Patterson, 55; David Drake, IA; Joseph Shook, 30, OH, George Faucett, 31, Ireland; Martin Rose, 26, IL; and John Lales, 40, OH. In addition were diarrhoea and dysentery deaths of: J. A. McCune, 26, WI; Leon Starzewsky, 42, Poland, Mrs. Young, 26, MO; Mr. Pandrose, 42, IA, Randall Fairchild, 22, KY; and Dilman Smith, 28, OH. (Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Mortality Report.” 10-28-1850, p. 2., col. 2.) A later paper lists eleven additional cholera deaths and two dysentery. (Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Mortality Report.” 10-29-1850, p. 2, col. 5.)

[45] The Oct 30 Mortality Report has 3 cholera deaths. The Oct 31 Mortality Report adds A. Davis Adams, 27, MA.

[46] These are additional to those noted the day before (John Wallace, 21, England; J. D. Wells, 21, N Albany {dysentery}, Mr. Kurtz, diarrhoea).

[47] From E. S. Youmans, Undertaker’s report: R. Jenkins, 30, NY; John Cling, NY; John Bates, 35, DC; A. Frenchman (?), 40; Maren Menda, Spaniard; James; John Howard, 30, KY; Duncan McPherson, 22, Scotland; Asher Kicher, 19, ME; Charlotte Saunders, 40; Joseph H. Pendleton, 24, Stonington; and Matthias Goram, 27, Boston. There were also two unascertained deaths, and one from diarrhoea (Mr. Jacob Sexton, 38, Ark.), who may well have been a cholera victim. From record kept by J. W. Hansel & Co., Undertakers: Edward A. Steele, 37, NY; E. Lodine, 28, DE; Carnot Woodruff, 45, NY; Inman Hall, 45, NY; Capt. Augustus Pratt, 25, ME; Enos Pratt, 21, ME; James Ingleman, 30, IN; Nathan Johnson, 30, ME. From “Died” column, same page, Chas. C. Griffith, 40, Albany, NY. To this number we add from the next day’s paper, Mr. Carter, 20 of MO (p. 2., col. 3.). Next day paper adds four more diarrhoea deaths: Daniel Rowe, 52, PA; J. Peely, 21, MA; R. Croach, 26, PA, and J. B. Williams, 43, IL. (Sacramento Transcript, CA, “Mortality Report,” 11-2-1850, p. 2, col. 4.)

[48] We have counted diarrhea deaths and so note. All others are listed in report as cholera deaths: Flora Donald, 50, Wales, diarrhoea; Wm. Carver 40, MO, diarrhoea; John Pearce, 30, diarrhoea; Mr. Barrett, 90, NY; Edmund Tay, Portugal; John S. Taylor, 30, Philadelphia; Frederick Folger, 15, Cincinnati; George Brooks, 40, Frankfort, ME, diarrhoea; Dr. George H. Mason, 23, Leicester, KY; David Blair, New Orleans; James Moore, MO, diarrhoea, Herman Silsby, 32, VE, diarrhoea; Capt Andy Barker, NY; John M. Norcross, 27, IL; John More, 40, Ireland, Isaac Howe, 29, NY, diarrhoea; Wm. Fields, 30, Mobile. Paper then notes, “Besides the above, there were five deaths at the Cholera Hospital…” In addition we add, from “Coroner’s Inquest” article, on the same page (col. 6), a Mr. Barrett, found dead in a tent near the American Fork, “cholera closing the scene of death.” Next day paper adds 30 deaths: J. M. Wood, MS; Levi Wilson, 37, TN; A. G. Cooper, TN; John Hunter, MO; E. Watt (or Wait), OH; S. Root, OH; Wm. Bertram, OH; John McGee, MO; Sydney Shaw, 30, NY; Wm. Corwin, Germany, Mr. Murphy, Ireland, John Gass, 38, MA; John Ellsley, 35, NY; George Vaughn, 21; a Frenchman; Sam’l Cox, 23, England; Henry Flind, 25, Germany; Jacinto Urrea, 21, Valparaiso (cholera morbus); Jackson Walker, 22, WI (Diarrhoea); L. F. Dunlap, 26, KY; Jas. Drew, 20, Philadelphia (diarrhoea); Samuel Foot, 44, NY; John Signer, 24, WI; Philip Bowers, 30, Germany; M. R. Patterson, 29, IL; J. Wilson, 24, IL; R. Keating, 27, MO; G. Meger, 22, IL (diarrhoea).

[49] Smith Hazen, 29, IN; John Swallow, 20, NY; Patrick Lynch, 40, Ireland; Henry Griffin, 48, NY; John Johnson, 44, NY; John Pearl, Mexico; John Thomas (diarrhoea); Abraham Winemiller, 18, MO; Mrs. Carpenter, OR; Dr. George Yearley, 36, Baltimore; William Pratt, 9, ME; Salorne Merced, 30, Mexico; George Haskell, 22, NH; a stringer; Jacob Apgar, 48, NJ; William Hicks, 30, TN; Albert Cooper, 25, TN.  From Friday’s paper we add William Daylor, “well known throughout California as the proprietor of Daylor’s Rancho” who “died in this city on Friday evening last, of the cholera.” (Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Death of an Old Californian.” 11-4-1850, p. 2, c. 2.) The “Mortality Report,” same date and page, adds for this date, Dr. Robert McNamer, 27, NY; Mr. Hilderbrand, 30, MO; Dr. Green, 42, MS; Bethnell Tomlinson, 24, MI; John E. Reed, MS; Wm. Fields, 30, Mobile; and 3 strangers, one a woman and one black. From “Died” column, same date and page, we add Wm. O. Dunham, NYC. The Sacramento Transcript “Mortality Report” of Nov 12 (p. 2, col. 4) adds Lewis Ranbo, 23, of IN. Also noted, though not counted in our tally is S. Goss, 22, Conn. (diarrhea).

[50] Wm. M. Crexim, 32, NJ; G. W. Kimball, 26; Nathan B. Taft, 24, MI; Truman Eggleston, 36, OH; Mr. Brver [unclear], 18, Germany; R. H. Hale, 26, TN; Mr. Nelson, IN; James Garey, New Zealand; J. M. Lowall, 40, TN; Hulbert, 28, OH; John Roachford, 30, IA; Hart Tomlinson, 22, MI; John Warbass, 21, NJ; Mrs. Harriet Wilcox, 21, OR; Wm. O. Funham, 31; E. L. Wheeler, 32, LI [Long Island?], Mrs. Amanda Kelly, 32, OR; Wm. W. Croton, 52, NY; John Ward, 30, OH, Mr. Strong, 30, IA; Walter Dickson, 30, Philadelphia. Elsewhere we note death of a Mr. Dunlap, Assembly member elect for Sacramento County. (Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Death of a Member Elect.” 11-2-1850, p. 2, col. 2.) The Sacramento Transcript “Mortality Report” of Nov 12 (p. 2, col. 4) adds: Alexander Mills, 21, Ireland; Wm. Graves, 22, VA;; Wm. Barton, 44, England; Nicholas Kennedy, 23, Ireland; James Boyd, 31, Ireland; Simon Heinrich, 28; Germany; Thomas Ward, 21, OH; John S. German, 46, PA; Wm. B. Boyd, 64, VA; Philip Bowers, 30, Germany; Frederick Kaster, 21, Germany; and Alexander Wilson, 26, IN.

[51] We include two diarrhea deaths (noted below); all others listed as cholera deaths. Wm. Jump, England; Benjamin Barker, 21, Boston; Francis Green, 22, MA; Miss Frederica Locke, 25, NY; Mexican stranger; F. H. Whittier, 38, Boston (diarrhea); Mr. Isaacs, 35, Poland (diarrhea); German stranger; Benjamin Martin, 48, OH; Henry Archdale, 35, MI; E. B. Cone, MO; Wm. Irwin, MO; William Heath, 40, England W. E. Shannon, 28, Steuben Co., NY; Michael Herman, 35, Albany, NY; Elizabeth McKibbon, 28; Dr. A. Holes, 47, IN; Frederick Caten, 21, Germany; Theodore McMahen, 27, OH. From “Died” column, same page, we add: Madison Pricket, 21, Ray Co., MO. There was but one other death listed – Thos. W. Moran, 40, MO, from “dropsy.” From next day’s paper we add: Wm. Saunders (black), 22, Mobile; Capt. J. M. Howard, 33, New London, CT; Edward Youngs, 25, NY; and Justice Bails, 35, MA. (Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Mortality Report.” 11-5-1850, p. 2, col. 3.) From The Transcript of Nov 8 (“Died,” p. 2) we add Cyrus Weatherbee, of Concord, MA, who died at the Bay State House “on the way to Dry Creek.” From a catch-up “Mortality Report” in the Sacramento Transcript of Nov 12 there are ten additional cholera deaths, and four addition diarrhea and dysentery deaths: Albert Schenket, 48, MO; John Hill, 18, OH; John Watson, 24, OH; Daniel Minard, 35 Itl [Italy?]; Justin Balls, 35, MA; Bartholomew Coyle, 40, WI; Daniel Melton, 25 (black), NC; George S. Jacobs, 37, CT; James A. Hill, 26, NY; Charles L. Wilber, 40, Prussia. In addition are the following possibly related deaths: Robert L. Ward, 26, IN (diarrhea), John Heenalnyer, 41, NY (diarrhea), John Saner, 40, MI (diarrhea) [though it is possible that these last two were meant to be shown as cholera – depending on how one reads the “do” for ditto column]; Wm. R. Kelley, 26, MO (dysentery). The Sacramento Transcript of Nov 13 (p. 2, col. 2) in article “All Gone” notes the death this day from cholera of “a Dutch boy belonging to the ship…” [the barque Abby Baker of Yarmouth, Maine.]

[52] John Mellen, 32, MA; Samuel Garrison, 28, Valparaiso; Mr. Beach, CT (Diarrhea); Washington Kennedy, 24, OH (diarrhea); Addison Clarendon, 32, MA; Christian Davis, 38, Sweden; Wm. Crittenden, 22, Canada; Oliver P. Gordon, NY; Joseph Messault, 40, Portugal; George Dale, 20, ME; A. P. Merrick, 27, VT; John Orr; Grove C. Hubbard, 44; Alexander Barroll, 17, NY; and Miss Mary Phillips, 24, VA (though cholera is not specifically noted for Miss Phillips). From next day paper are four more diarrhea deaths: James Harney, 28, Philadelphia, A. M. Houghton, 26, IL, Mr. Titus, 65 (black), MO; James Cluxton, IL. (Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Mortality Report.” 11-6-1850, p. 2, col. 3.)

[53] Twenty-four cholera and one diarrhea (so noted): John Keifer [or Keffer], OH; Timothy Kelley, 55, WI; John M. Christy, 30, St. Louis; Mr. Brown, 23, Poland; Henry Mason (black), Boston; J. W. Reed, 40, AL; Chas S. Van Cleave, 39, IA; David Booz, 40, IL; Thomas Dierson, Jr., 36, MA; Chas Bassin, 30, NY; R. Hatfield, 40, NY (diarrhea); Mr. Brown; Joseph Heinrich, 24, New Orleans; Norman S. Cole, 24, NY; J. Mollen Lascar, 23, Bengal; James W. Honeyman, 22, VA; Franklin Robinson, 15, MI; James Welsh, 25, Newfoundland; Edward T. Boyd, 25, NY; Abram Emerson, 50, MA; Chas. Bass, 34, NJ; John Ayr, 26, CT; J. D. Saddler, 29, RI; Mrs. Jane Pratt, 45; and Dr. Metcalf, 60. Next day paper adds: Richard H. Griffin, 32, of Baltimore; ____ Dodson of KY; ___ Leet; Wm. Kingsbury, 42, IL; : ___ Bell, 30, from Scotland; John D. Sterett, 23; James Nelson, 35, Salem, MA; John Ball, 25,; Henry C. Bruce, 24; and David B. Fernan, 23. The Transcript of Nov 8 (“Died,” p. 2) notes Reuben Young of NY.

[54] Chas. P. Parmeter, 24; Jas. O. Mason, 27, VA; Wm. Smith, 30, MO; Wm. J. See, 45, NY; Mr. Burke, 33, Ireland; John Pratt, 28, TN; Wm. Townsend, 20, WI; Juan Jaro, 26, Spain; Charles Jarvis, 50, DE; A. B. Cargle, IL. There  was also a Nov 6 interment of Mrs. Lawless, 50, of Ireland, who died of diarrhoea. To this list of interments on the 6^th we add, from the “Died” section on same page, the death “In this city last evening, of cholera, Samuel W. Gregg, of Boston, Mass., aged 22 years…” From The Transcript “Mortality Report” on Nov 8, we add: Augustus Daniel, 37, Scotland; John Fox, 21, Ireland; William Brown, 42, Scotland; John Campbell; Leven B. Mitchell, 50, MO; and Capt. David V. Souillard, 40, NY. In addition was the interment of Lawrence Wolfe, 23, IL (diarrhea). From Sacramento Transcript “Mortality Report,” of Nov 9 we add John Butterfield, 36, MA.

[55] David Winchel, 45, IN; Robert Wheeler, 27, OH; D. H. Brewer, 32, WI; William Armstrong, 53, KY; Michael Christian, 25, Boston; Hawson Miller, 24; Joseph Crape [unclear], 22, IN. From “Died” section same paper and page: William Glidden, 30, Boston. From Sacramento Transcript “Mortality Report of Nov 9, we add Wm. Glidden, 30, Boston; ____French, 30, VT; George Wood, 26, MA; and E. R. Walker. The high range number reflects our counting possible cholera deaths, diagnosed as diarrhea or dysentery of: Theodore Steinegral, 18 months, IL (diarrhea); George French, 52, Boston (diarrhea); and Charles R. White, 25, MA (dysentery). From “Died” column, same paper and page (col. 6) we add Dr. George W. Held, about 34, native of Russia, who moved to MS, then CA.

[56] Louisa Harris, 30, TN; John Pierson, 50, ME; Wm. Gray, 29, Canada; Daniel Morris, 22, PA, Jonathan Vanscoyoc, 27, IN; Joseph Cripe, 22; Henry Ruffin; and R. D. Farney, 36. The high range number reflects our counting as a possible cholera death, diagnosed as diarrhea of: J. W. Brown. From Sacramento Transcript “Mortality Report” of Nov 11 we add William H. Owens, 27, and George Snell, 40, PA.

[57] John Martin, 22, Switzerland; Henry R. Riggs, 6, MO; Manuel De Andes, 25, PA; Joseph Walker; William Brown, 35, Norway. The high range number reflects our counting as a possible cholera death, diagnosed as diarrhea of: Mr. Waterhouse, 33, IL, and Francis Koon, 27, OH (both of diarrhea). From Mortality Report of Nov 12 we add Samuel A. Padon, 23, Randolph Co., IL.

[58] Isaac Clayton, 30, OH; Francis Burke, 60, Calais, ME; Thomas Yanee, 35, England; Ferdinand Faiker, 37, France; Jos. Willard Carr, 29, CN; Dr. Henry F. Hess (or Herr), 26, Keosauqua, IA and Lebanon, PA; Sally Howarth, 22, MO; and George D. Butler, NY. From Nov 12 Mortality Report we add John Leggage, 32, NYC, and John Hardy, 21, Lorain Co., OH. No cause of death is shown from George D. Butler, 31, NY.

[59] “On Monday [Nov 11] there were 8 deaths from cholera…”

[60] Five cholera and two diarrhea (as noted): J. W. Wilson, Crawford Co., IL; Daniel Clark; George Martens; Wm. Mills; John H. Spies, 26, NYC; A. May (diarrhea); Jerome Durfee, 22, NY (diarrhea). There were additionally, four deaths with cause not noted and two deaths from congestive fever.

[61] Henry Myers, 23, Germany; Mary Ann Sammis, 19, IA; Chas. K. Weed, 22, IA; and Ebin Webber, 30, MA. “In addition…there were three deaths at the Sacramento Hospital…” Mortality report published on Nov 14 lists Cyrus Robinson, MA; W. A. Vincent, 30, Ark.; and Ellis Ferd, 28, OH. Noted as a dysentery death is Wm. Urie, 33, OH. Nov 14 paper notes six deaths. Difference probably has to do with fact that earlier report noted interments.

[62] Henry Hicks (black), 50, NY; Titus Craig, KY; ____Chance, 50, Ver.; ____Hays, 25.

[63] The Mortality Report, same paper, page and column, names the two as James Brown and John Davis, 50. It also notes that Wm. Strakan, 25 of Scotland died of diarrhea.

[64] Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “Sacramento City, Sunday, Nov. 17, Cholera Report.” 11-18-1850, p.2, c.4.

[65] Diarrhea death of James S. Cochran, 30, WI. There were cholera deaths reported on the 24^th and 26^th.

[66] Cholera: Anton Barrington, 25, Platte County, MO. Diarrhea: John Leighner, 37, MO; James Wilcoxson, 30, MO; Henry G. Dunkins, 24, MO; Augustin Barnford, IA. Dysentery: A. Eves, 27, Wilmington, DE. We have not included in our count James Wilcoxson, 30, MO, for whom no cause of death was noted, though his death was placed in the list between two diarrhea deaths.

[67] Coroner’s inquest was held on Nov 26. Date of death is not stated, but presumably Nov 25 or 26. The decedent was an unknown “American who died in the same tent where two Kanakas had died with the cholera within three weeks.” Though he had been “in the country some eighteen months,” “his name could not be ascertained.” Two days later, in the “Mortality Report” in The Transcript (p. 2, col. 6) one cholera death is noted for the two days, Nov 25-26, that of John Bassington, 50, VA, on Dec 26. (Perhaps these are references to the same death.)

[68] Diarrhea and dysentery deaths: John Divers, 19, MO, dysentery, Nov 25; John L. Keas, 22, 22, St. Louis, diarrhea, Nov 26; A. C. White, 23, OH, dysentery, Nov 26; Samuel Cooke, 32, Boston, diarrhea, Nov 26.

[69] Charles Henley, 23, KY, diarrhea; and J. S. Parker, 21, Calcutta, dysentery.

[70] A diarrhea death: Mathew Rodgers, 43, England.

[71] Cholera: John Black, 23, IA. Diarrhea: Edward Harrison, 32, Newark, NJ; and Mrs. M. Lacy, 37, Scotland.

[72] Inflammation of the bowels death of Alex Goodrich, of New Orleans.

[73] Diarrhea deaths of N. Bass, 30, IA; and George Phillips, 25.

[74] John Ayres, 60, Boston. Obituary writes he died of chronic diarrhoea, though nothing he had been attacked with cholera and was thought to have “recovered partially” before relapse and death. From “List of Deaths” on Dec 7 we note diarrhea death of Mr. Tirrel of Iowa.

[75] Inflammation of the bowels death of John D. Smith, 40, IL; and diarrhea death of William Martin, 21, MO.

[76] Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Died.” 11-8-1850, p. 2, col. 6. According to The Grizzly Bear (July 1912, Vol. 11, No. 3, p. 1), “On the South Fork of the American River, about three miles above Mormon Island, in 1853, was Salem Bar, so called because first settled and worked by people who came from a place of that name in Massachusetts.”

[77] Salmon Falls was a former settlement in El Dorado County, CA, on South Fork of American River 5.5 miles south-southwest of Pilot Hill. (Wikipedia. “Salmon Falls, California.”)

[78] We know there were at least 311 cholera deaths reported in the press at the time (usually by name, date of death, age, and previous home locality). The Daily Alta California (San Francisco), reported 500 cholera deaths up to Dec 9, and there were several other deaths afterwards. [See footnote above for Sacramento noting problem of relying only on officially recognized and reported cholera deaths, as well as cholera deaths labeled something else.]

[79] “It has been estimated that about five hundred deaths have occurred from cholera since the disease first made its appearance in this city.”

[80] As we noted for Sacramento, seemingly co-incident with the outbreak of the cholera epidemic were spikes in other diseases which manifest some symptoms similar to cholera – diarrhea, dysentery, and inflammation of the bowels. We know from studying cholera epidemics elsewhere this year as well as in other years, there can be innocent mis-diagnoses, particularly at the beginning. In addition, we also know that there were pressures upon doctors to minimize the extent of cholera. And doctors themselves, who were advertising their ability to treat cholera, would, according to charges made by other physicians, label a death of a patient something else other than cholera, so as not to adversely impact their successful treatment statistics.

[81] Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “List of Interments.” 10-16-1850, p. 2, col. 5.

[82] Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “List of Interments.” 10-16-1850, p. 2, col. 5. Provided Oct 14 to the paper by Nathaniel Gray, City Sexton and General Furnishing Undertaker.

[83] Daily Alta California. “List of Interments.” 10-16-1850, p. 2, col. 5. Several cholera deceased were from Ohio.

[84] Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “List of Interments.” 10-16-1850, p. 2, col. 5.

[85] Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “List of Interments.” 10-16-1850, p. 2, col. 5.

[86] “We announced the death from cholera yesterday (Oct 9) of a Mr. Montgomery of Ohio, who arrived here in the Steamer Carolina, on Monday last, and we are now called upon to record the death, from the same dreadful disease, of Mr. Erastus Belden, also from Ohio, and a passenger by the Carolina. The deceased was apparently in good health until twelve hours previous to his death, which occurred yesterday afternoon at 4, o’clock, at White Hall, Commercial street, the same building and the same room, we believe, in which Mr. Montgomery died. The deceased has left a wife and family in Ohio….”

[87] Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “List of Interments.” 10-16-1850, p. 2, col. 5.

[88] “The Picayune [a San Francisco paper] of Tuesday evening [Nov 12], contains the report of the Board of Health for that day, as follows: …number of burials from cholera, by Mr. Gray, City Sexton, since Oct. 20^th, 123.” As one can see from the numbers below, this number is not complete. Newspapers regularly published “catch-up” reports based upon information coming from other sources.

[89] “One case was that of a lady, who died in eight hours after being infected; another was a sea captain, who died at the Marine Hospital; another a child, near the head of Washington street; and another a man who died at the Mission, after six hours sickness.” Another paper notes that Margaret Correll, age 24, “late of Mobile, Ala.” died on Oct 20. Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “Died.” 10-27-1850, p. 2, col. 5.

[90] Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “City Items. Cholera.” 10-23-1850, p. 2, col. 2.

[91] In that this is in the next sentence after noting Kanaka deaths near Bush Street, they appear to be different people.

[92] “He had just returned from Sacramento in quite feeble health, and died soon after his admission into the hospital. Some features of his disease having resemblance to the Asiatic cholera, particular attention was paid to it; but the physician pronounces it cholera morbus (Herald).” (Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Sudden Death.” 10-25-1850, 3.)

[93] Daniel Brooks, Whitside, County, IL; Mr. Buel, CT; and Thomas Rolen, England.

[94] Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Coroner’s Inquisition.” 10-26-1850, p. 2, col. 4.

[95] Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Died.” 10-28-1850, p. 2., c. 6.

[96] Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “Died.” 10-31-1850, p. 2, col. 4.

[97] Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “Mortality Report.” 11-1-1850, p. 2, col. 3.

[98] George R. Radcliff, 26, South Danvers, MA; Capt. Henry Parker, 48, Auckland, New Zealand; Josiah Beach, 30, New Haven; Daniel Couch, 23, Salem, MA; Charles R. Tobey, 45, New Bedford, MA; Enoa P. Cook, 22, Bryon, NY (inflammation of the bowels); William Morrison, 45, Milwaukee; Henry, 30 (a Kanaka); Robert Castapher, 25; Henry Gorton, 39, Baltimore; Mr. Sterling; Allen L. Shaw, 27, Bath, ME; George Brown, 30, RI; William Lewis, Boston; ____ Hufstettlen.

[99] E. R. Oakley, 41, Ohio; John G. Colton, 25, Natchez; James Bertholf, 30, WI; George D. Corey, MA; Peter Graham, 24, NY; Charles Heath, 29, CT; J. W. Richards, 40, KY; Peter Roulas, Belgium; Wm. Goodrich, 50, MA; John H. Johnson, 26, AL; Henry Anson, 28, OH and Dr. George W. Noble, 30, Germany. Other possible cholera deaths were Thomas Dibble, 28, Ohio, diarrhea; and Thomas Massey, 39, NJ, diarrhea.

[100] Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Died.” 11-4-1850, p. 2, col. 6.

[101] John Freeman, 32, NY; Charles Brobbo (or Brobho), 45; James Willis, Pike Co., MO; Daniel T. Pearson, 22, Bradford, Essex Co., MA; James Rose, 24, Scotland; Thomas Graham, 25, Baltimore; Winslow Gould, 20; John Adams, 22, S.I. (Sandwich Islands?); Joseph Timer, 40; William H. Ford, 22, Pike Co., MO; Charles Wakely, 27, England; Andrew T. Bull, 25, Georgetown, D.C.; David Brown, 36, England; Charles Nason, 26, NY; J. Canvalen. (In addition are named without noting cause of death, seven men: F. T. Berry, 25; Lewis Denny; R. Duprey; George Barnin; Joshua Stone; Daniel Johnson, 45, Bristol, Halifax; and H. H. Melburn, 43, AL.

[102] “Investigation proved that the man had died from cholera in a neighboring house, and had been thrust into the street, wrapped up in a blanket, in order that the inmates of the house might be spared the trouble and expense of burial.” Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “Selfishness.” 11-2-1850, p. 2, col. 2.

[103] The Schooner was out of New London, CN, and had just arrived from the Sandwich Island (Hawaii). (Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Died.” 11-7-1850, p. 2, col. 6.)

[104] E. P. Hathaway, 37, Union Co., OH; Richard Naglee, 46, Ireland; Capt. Smith; Elijah Reese; Albert Rogers, 50, Lewistown Falls, ME; Margaret Taylor, 3½ months, San Francisco; Wm. Bodfish, 45, Gardiner, ME. In addition there were five dysentery deaths: Wm. Rowland; John Carn; Samuel B. Matthews, 32; Betsey Gould, 24, Lewiston Falls, MD. There was one diarrhoea death (Stephen Ludwich, 24), one death (Wm. B. Archer) from unstated cause.

[105] Sacramento Transcript. “Mr. Galland,” 11-7-1850, p. 2, col. 4, citing the San Francisco Picayune.

[106] James B. Floyd, 51, NJ; Norman Hewitt, 42, Kane Co., IL; Miss Aird, 25, England; Isaac F. Jones, 29, Utica, NY; Wm. M. Hoffman, 35, NY; Jas. McKnight, Greenwich, Scotland [see next footnote]; Jacob Harmann, 62, France; an infant child of Mr. Cornelius; Bragamonte, Mexico. From “Died” column, same page: “In this city, Nov 3, with the cholera, David T. Young, of New York city, aged 22.”

[107] We believe these are dates referenced. Article was published Thursday Nov 7, pulling from the Picayune [SF daily] a list of deaths “which occurred on Sunday and Monday last.” Previous Sunday and Monday were Nov 3-4. Deceased were Albert Raines, 24, of Lewiston Falls; James Ford, NY; B. T. Pierce, 32, New Bedford, MA; Chas H. Barnard, NYC; Wm Washington, 27, NY; E. P. Hathaway, 37, Union Twp., Union Co., OH; James McKnight, 26, Greenock, Scotland; Bragamonte, 26, Mexico; Joseph W. Palmer, 30, Machias, ME. (There could have been others, though from the way written not clear.)

[108] Peter Brown, 26, Mexico; Catharine Murray, 32; Mrs. Charles Brown; Wm. Washington, 27, NY; Robert Weir, 42, NJ; Wm. Morrison, 26, England (dysentery); John Lupton, 25, NY (diarrhea), two unknown men, cause of death not noted.

[109] Twelve cholera deaths and four related (as noted): Wm. Elliott, 50, Philadelphia; Josiah Eaton, Cambridge-port, MA; Mary Jones, 28, NY; Samuel Haight, 47, St. Catherines; David Taylor, AL; Edwin Ellis, Waterville, ME; Charles Slate, 37, NY; John Gordon, 29, Panama (dysentery); Mrs. Walkeen Ronced, 26, Mexico (dysentery); Elizabeth Meadows, 37, Charlestown, MA (dysentery); John Brown, 33, NY; James Kimson, 27, NY; Henry Carlisle, 39, NY; Henry Vue, 24 (diarrhea); Evelina Woodford, 30, Matagorda, TX; Samuel Moore Benison; William L. Lee (black), 28 Salem, MA. Another paper notes death of Isaac F. Jones, 30, of Dolgellan North Wales and then Utica, NY. Notes that Mr. Jones was a printer and worked for the Picayune [San Francisco paper] “from its first establishment until his death. When he left the office on Saturday evening last he was in perfect health…” (Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Cholera.” 11-7-1850, p. 2., col. 5.)

[110] “The whole number of deaths reported on the previous day was 29, of which number 17 were from cholera.” Names of eleven cholera death “interments yesterday” in the “Mortality” article, same date and page, are: J. H. Hammond, 19, MA; Joseph Scott, 35, New Orleans; A. G. Sylvester, 30, Charleston, SC; George Stedman, 32, CT; John Williams, 56, OH; William Pinckney, 23, NY; Charles Busby, 53, France; Thomas Sargent, 22, OH; William Charlton, 45, England; Mrs. Harris, 35, Glasgow; Antonio, 52, Brazil. Other notable deaths are Charles Comaro, 40, France (dysentery); Henry Winsell, 20, Framingham, MA (diarrhea) and Thomas Warren, 35, NY (diarrhea). Several interments do not list cause of death.

[111] James Kildurf, 28; Elizabeth Cressville, 36, Port Philip, N.S.W.; Mason Bunt; William Bailey, 23, NY; Edward Burtock, 21, Ireland; John Myers, 24, Canton, OH; George C. Marvin, AL; William B. Currin, 40, Louisiana. The high end of the range includes these deaths ascribed to other, but possibly misdiagnosed, causes: John A. Denman, 1 month, inflammation of the bowels; and J. Q. Robb, 35, dysentery.

[112] James Benmellick, Boston; Ralph Bell, Charleston, SC: Thomas Robinson, 57, England; and G. C. Anderson, 34, MO. The high end of the fatality range takes into account the following deaths: Hiram Stockham, 30, IL (dysentery); William Wally, 25, England (dysentery); Richard Davis, MO (inflammation of bowels); James W. Kingsley, 36, MD (dysentery); and Johnston Hughes, Auckland, NZ (dysentery). Not counted is the death of Capt. En N. Reed of the schooner Wilmington out of Baltimore, MD, who died of an overdose of laudanum, “taken by himself as a remedy for an attack of dysentery.”

[113] Wm. M. Henshaw, 31, Providence, RI; A. Glevens, 43, Cambridgeport, MA; Andrew Bradbury, 59, ME; G. C. Henderson, 35, MO; and David T. Hovey, 25, East Machias, ME. The high end of the range is from inclusion of dysentery deaths of Florence Newell, 2, Sandwich Islands (HI), and James N. Forintey, 36, MD. Causes of death not noted for Enoch H. Dorman (or Dormer), 36, Machias, ME; S. Jewett, 54, Middlebury VT; and a sailer, name unknown.

[114] Hugh McLever, 40, Scotland; Michael Dunn, 60, Ireland; Joseph B. Williams, Newburyport, MA; Christopher Nason, 31, Denmark; William Willis, 33, Dayton; Hall (or Hale) A. Evans, 18, Boston; Ephraim Kempton, Jr., 50, New Bedford;  Wm. Fatal, 30, Boston, MA; Warren Freeman (black), 26, Boston; Charles Hall, 13. Also six persons of whose names the sexton had made no record.” From Sacramento Transcript “Mortality in San Francisco,” (Nov 14, p. 2, col. 4) Henry S. Carr, 38, Newburyport, MA (cholera).

[115] “The Picayune [a San Francisco paper]of Tuesday [Nov 12] evening, contains the report of the Board of Health for that day, as follows: Cases of cholera in San Francisco reported since yesterday, 23; deaths 17…”

[116] Twelve cholera: John Kennely (or Kendely), 32, Ireland; Josiah Morgan, Syracuse, NY; Ephraim B. Stevens, 48, Montville, ME; W. Sterling, 27; Guadalupe Carraca, 22, Mexico; Patrick Flinn, 30, Ireland; Edward Quigley, 29, Boston; R. Mitchell, 45, Nantucket; “Also four deaths from cholera, the names of the deceased not ascertained.” Additionally James T. Paul, 45, New Bedford (chronic diarrhea), and A. Ashley, 22 (chronic diarrhea). There were four deaths with no cause noted (and not included in our tally).

[117] Seems out of keeping with newspaper reporting on cholera deaths.

[118] Twelve deaths are noted — three from cholera, two from diarrhea, and seven from other causes. Cholera deaths: Francis P. Reynolds, 24, ME; Peter Carno, 48, MA; and Dr. Charles Barnes, 35, Louisiana. Diarrhea: Andrew Abel and Thomas Davis, 26, Scotland. No cause of death is noted for two: John Donninem, 34, Ireland, and George Smith, 40, Nova Scotia.

[119] Six cholera and three diarrhea and dysentery (as noted). Cholera: Francis Dominguez, 40, Mexico; John Brown, Boston, 26; Joseph Perdue, Los Angeles, 38; John W. Stevens; Silas A. Rhodes; Capt. W. D. Chard, England, 37. John Dodds, 24, Scotland (dysentery); John Casey, 32, (dysentery); Ellen Tillman, 11 (diarrhea). No cause of death noted for four: Patrick O’Riley; Edward H. Mitchell, 29, Fall River, MA; John White; G. W. Stanfield, 26, IL. Other causes accounted for three other deaths. One of those for which no cause of death was noted must have been cholera in that under “Cholera” article, same column, it is noted that there were “7 deaths from cholera for the 24 hours ending yesterday noon. A portion of the physicians only had reported.”

[120] “The Picayune [San Francisco] of Thursday [Nov 14] contains the following from the Board of Health in San Francisco: Cases of cholera in San Francisco reported since yesterday [13^th?], 8; deaths 7. We are requested to state that the above is not correct, the physicians having failed to comply with the ordinance requiring them to report to the Board of Health.”

[121] Seven cholera and one diarrhea. Cholera: Edwin Hatch, 21, Bath, ME; Daniel Warren, 19, MA; Capt. H. B. Hicks, 37, VA; Charles Willock, England, 28; Boaifacio Avila, 30, Chile; Jacob Saiverly, 35, Germany; Michael McDonald, 32, MI; and Manuel Lopez, 50, Mexico. Diarrhea deal was Samuel Woodbury, 37, MA.

[122] Cites San Francisco Board of Health report for 24-hr period ending 16^th at noon; also reported 12 new cases. In “Deaths in San Francisco” article, col. 6, lists: James Oliver, 50. Auckland, NZ; George Watson, 40, England; Dr. Thomas, 40, England; John Severn, 17, Canada; John O’Donnell, 34, Sydney, N.S.W.; Felix Vanderhoeven, 40, Belgium; George Williams, Hanover; John Miller, 51, NY; Wm. M. Conroy, 38, MS; C. Salvar, 48, Chili.

[123] Six cholera and four possibly related. Cholera: John Eoday, 38, WI; H. R. Marr, 47, Scotland; Isaac Morgan, 29, CT; George Burns; F. Vera, 30, Chile; and ___Nelson, 23, NY. Others: Samuel V. Gurney, 34, MA (diarrhea); Charles Johnson, 26, ME (diarrhea); Edward H. Jones, 29, Gloucester (diarrhea); Wm. Sherman, 36, Nantucket (stomach inflammation).

[124] Three cholera deaths, four possibly related (as well as seven others for whom no cause of death is noted). Cholera: Levi Small, 35, ME; John Belcher, 39, England; Sarah Cooper, 53, Prince Edward, Island. Diarrhea and dysentery: Isaac B. Cushman, 25, MA (dysentery); Susan Hedges (diarrhea); Thomas Robinson (diarrhea; Henry Montgomery, 24 (dysentery). No cause noted: Louis Blain, 36, France; Capt. Jas. Hilton; Wm. Jackson; Wm. Adson, 37, England; James Pringle, 59, England; Ezra Thompson, and Henry Good, 25, PA.

[125] Apparently this was Peter F. Duffy, 23, NYC, who died in San Francisco of cholera on Nov 19, according to the Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Died.” 11-22-1850, p. 2, col. 6.

[126] Gibbons reports four. The Daily Alta California, San Francisco, “Deaths,” 11-21-1850, p. 3, col. 3, reports two: T. S. Marshal, 32, Boston; and Jonathan Wm. Miller, 28, MA. It also notes the deaths of Catherine Shultz, 3 mos., inflammation of bowels; and Jos. Dupray, 47, CT, dysentery. The 22^nd edition of the Alta “Cholera,” p.3, col. 4) notes eleven new cholera cases reported for 24-hrs ending noon of 21^st.

[127] “For the twenty four hours ending Friday noon [22^nd], the Board of Health reported five cases and four deaths.”

[128] Two cholera deaths: Gregorio Opace, 40, Chile; and Lewis Lincoln, 47, MA. From dysentery was Charles Papic, 45, France. Cause of death not noted for Francis Barker, 24; Mr. Bolcom; or Wm. P. Grenell, 53, New Bedford. The next day the Alta reported that the Board of Health, the day before announced nine ne cholera cases and three deaths for the preceding twenty-four hours. (Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “Cholera.” 11-26-1850, p. 2, col. 2.) Sacrament Transcript, citing San Francisco Board of Health, states that nine new cholera cases were also reported for this day. (Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Cholera.” 11-28-1850, p. 3, col. 5.)

[129] “Between Monday noon [Nov 25] and yesterday noon [Nov 29] they [Board of Health] report 54 cases of cholera and 29 deaths.”

[130] Susannah Davis, 70, England. Also notes death of a Mr. Strangman from England without noting a cause.

[131] Six cholera deaths, reported by N. Gray, City Sexton are: George Williams, 51, NY; Edward Hastler, 3, England; Hardin Bigelow (Mayor of Sacramento), 41, MI; Henry Fowler, 53 (black); Nathaniel L. Seaman, 28, ME; and Charles Connolly, 36. The seventh death we include is the diarrhea death of Moses Turner, 25, Monmouth.

[132] Three identified cholera deaths reported by N. Gray, City Sexton: George Schmeltz, 30, Germany; Francis Menanda, 27, Spain; and Robert F. Boyd, 32, Syracuse, NY. Additionally, Samuel E. Allen, 29, MA died of diarrhea. Of the five deaths for which no cause is noted, we take note of two: Mary and John Scullin in that two apparent family members dying on the same day during a cholera epidemic appear as quite possibly cholera.

[133] “Between Monday noon [25^th] and yesterday noon [29^th] they [Board of Health] report 54 cases of cholera and 29 deaths – of which number 24 cases and 16 deaths occurred within the 24 hours preceding 12 o’clock yesterday.” Under “List of Deaths” article same column, the following six cholera deaths are noted for Nov 29: Catharine Coffie, 29, Ireland; Col. Richard M. Lamb, 40, Cincinnati, OH; Mary Hastler, 34, England; James Neville, 45, Ireland; George Scott, 18; and Peter Meyer, 36, Hanover. For Nov 25-28 the cholera deaths are listed as: John Priam, 29, NY; Elijah Johnson, 42, NY; Francis Garcia, 29, Italy; Oliver M. Marcey, 29, Buffalo, NY; Mr. ___ Janson, 40, Hanover; Mrs. Mary Scullion, 26, New Zealand; Pietro Guisti, 38, Italy.

[134] Samuel Tucker, 26, NY; Philip Baynard, 19, England; William Abbot, 33, NY. Cause for two children not noted.

[135] Four cholera deaths: Louis Ellis, 22, Washington, DC: John S. Caldwell, 43, New Orleans; James Dougherty, 32, Ireland; and Celia Ann Seils, 34, Liverpool. One possibly related death: Lewis M. Easton, 32, NY, inflammation of the bowels. No cause of death is noted for two other people: Andrew Barker and S. C. Lawson.

[136] Richard S. McNamee, 45, PA; Martin Vega, 49, Chile; Marshall Root, 48, New Bedford; George Woodruff, 27, NJ; Wm. Smith, 32, England; Samuel Anderson, 26, NY; Alfred Sacay, 45; France; and James McAlister, 30, Liverpool. No cause of death noted for N. N. Collins, 42, NY, or a Mexican woman, 25.

[137] Allen Watson, 26, New Orleans; A. Burns, Ireland, Francis Martin, 36, France. No cause noted for four others.

[138] R. C. Matlack, 40, Baltimore; Henry Howison, 38, Washington, DC; Manuel Mandonck, 26, Chili; Wm. Carrarbey, 7, New Holland. There were also four other deaths for which no cause of death was noted.

[139] Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “Death of Ex-Alderman Maynard.” 12-5-1850, p. 2, col. 4.

[140] “The Board of Health report 10 new cases of cholera and four deaths, as having occurred within the twenty-four hours ending yesterday noon.” From “Death” note, same pg., one cholera death was William A. Woodruff, 29, NY.

[141] John M. Noyes, 20, Albany, NY: William McClelland, NY; Thomas Atkins, 21, IL; Charles Francois, 16, France.

[142] Three cholera deaths were: Oliver B. White, 48, NY; James Lennie, 25, Scotland; and Francisco Mayond, 35, Mexico. The death of Thomas H. Wells, 48, IA, was diagnosed as dysentery. No cause ascribed to two deaths.

[143] These are additional to those reported on Dec 8: “The annexed list of the interments from the 1^st of Dec. to date was kindly furnished to us by Messrs. Hong & Co., undertakers, Dupont street…It includes only those buried by the above firm.” Noted as cholera death interments are: Mrs. Newlan of Sydney; an unknown female; and George Mills.

[144] Our ascription of 6 deaths for Dec 8, based on: “The Board of Health report nine deaths from cholera, for the twenty-four hours ending yesterday noon [Dec 8]. We already note three deaths on the 7^th, thus now note six for 8^th. The Sacramento Transcript of the 11^th (p.2, col.5) names two as George B. Penfield, 37, NY; and Thomas Ash, 23, CT. Notes that Jean Jaquier, 38, France, died of dysentery. No cause of death noted for Matilda Wilson, 39, England; or George Plumeridge, 35, New Zealand (see next fn to see why we think this a possible cholera death). Our guess is one of the deaths was that of Capt. Jer. Silvey, “well known as the pilot of the Gold Hunter, and who had recently been appointed one of the harbor pilots at the bay. Capt. S. died of cholera.” Sacramento Transcript. 12-9-1850, p. 3, col. 1. Cites a new daily San Francisco paper named the Public Balance.

[145] Three cholera deaths: Daniel Scott, 34, Prince Edward Island; Francisco Santro, 34, Spain; and Peggy White of Ireland. Also reported was the dysentery death of John Smith, 45.

[146] Listed as a dysentery death: John Appleton of England.

[147] Listed as a dysentery death: H. D. Cook, 23, of Connecticut.

[148] The identified cholera death was Barton R. Manchester, 48, RI. A diarrhea death was James Flynn, 33, Ireland. A dysentery death was W. R. Earle, 30, NY. An unidentified cause of death was Catherine Plumeridge, 1, San Francisco. In that a namesake (George Plumeridge, 35, New Zealand) died the day before from an unidentified cause, it is quite possible these two were both victims of the cholera epidemic.

[149] Florence Mirandez, 27, Chile. There was also listed  on 31^st as a dysentery death: Samuel Shaffer, 39, Wisconsin.

[150] Cholera death listed as Honora M’Auliffe, 39, of Wisconsin.

[151] Florence Merandez, 27; Juanda Veos, 30, Valparaiso; Francis Perchart, 25, England. No cause of death for one.

[152] The two cholera deaths were Mr. Duchine, 47, New Orleans; and Joseph Rollins, 30, Alexandria. Two relatively young men are listed immediately under the cholera deaths without identifying cause of death: A. H. Tuplett, 28, MO; and John Crook, 29, ME.

[153] “The Board of Health reported 6 new cases of cholera and 4 deaths for the twenty-four hours ending yesterday noon [18^th].”

[154] Cholera death listed as Wm. P. Burdick, 60, Ithaca, NY. Also listed are John (or Col.) Mon, 54, VA, bilious cholic [sic]; Samuel Clark, 46, Scotland, dysentery; Chas Leget, 50, France, dysentery; and Henry M. Curtis, Otsego Co., NY, Cholera morbus.

[155] Noted as a dysentery death is Jacob D. Clark, 25, of Boston.

[156] George Griffith, 55.

[157] Noted as a dysentery death is Jas. W. Dougherty, 36, of Ireland.

[158] The two cholera deaths were Mrs. Griffith, 37, England; and John Johnson, 33, England. A dysentery death was Wm. R. Hitchcock, 18, of Maine. The “Interments” article of the 31^st adds Thomas Boulton, 22, NY, dysentery.

[159] Listed as a dysentery death is Jose Carlo Sassi, 31, of Italy.

[160] Listed as a dysentery death is Asal Rice, 28, of Vermont. Listed as a diarrhea death is John Wheeler, 23, Boston.

[161] Four cholera deaths were: Peter Von Lieu, 39, Ohio; Moses Jordin, 31, Ireland; Nathaniel J. Phillips, 22, Denmark; and Wm. M’Kinley, 25, Scotland. In addition, Edward Mow, 25, OH, is listed as having died of diarrhea and George W. Beam, 35, MA, and Margaret Farington, 42, England, are listed as having died of dysentery.

[162] “Very little sickness exists at San Jose, the cholera having very nearly disappeared. Two deaths only by the cholera have occurred for some days past.”

[163] We infer these as the correct dates based on: “On Saturday evening Dr. John Townsend, of this city, returned from San Francisco in tolerable health, was seized with the cholera a few hours afterwards, and died on Sunday morning. Mrs. Townsend was taken sick while her husband was in extremis, and she too died on Tuesday morning last…” This notice, pulled from the State Journal, is dated Monday, Dec 16. If Mrs. Townsend died the previous Tuesday, that would be the 10^th, and thus her husbands death would have been on the 8^th.

[164] “In November cholera was carried from San Francisco to San Jose, fifty miles to the southeast, where its ravages were confined to the natives.” (Ely McClellan, USA. “A History of the Travels of Asiatic Cholera…” 1875, p. 620.)

[165] Our made-up number in order to add to tally based on: “The cholera has been very fatal among the inhabitants of Santa Barbara and vicinity. Whole families have been swept away. At the last accounts it was rapidly abating.” If even two or three families were “swept away” then we assume at least ten people would have died. On 4-17-2015 we talked with and then emailed Michael Redmond, Director of Research at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum, seeking any additional information.

[166] Dr. John Townsend and his wife (p. 22). We posit late October in that the Sacramento Transcript of Oct 31, 1850 (“Cholera,” p. 2, col. 1) writes of a case in Santa Clara.

[167] “A few cases of cholera have occurred at Sausalito, one of which proved fatal, on Saturday last.” Sausalito is across today’s Golden Gate bridge to the north and just south of Marin City.

[168] “We learn from Saucelito [sic] that the cholera has been raging to some extent in that place, and that five deaths have occurred within the last ten days. Capt. Benj. Hill, formerly commander of the ship Rhone, died on Monday [Dec 27]….Miss Margaret Belt, a relative of Capt. Hill, died at Saucelito on Saturday. Three natives of the Sandwich Islands have also died from cholera. The disease is now rapidly abating.”

[169] “Our citizens were startled yesterday morning [Oct 22] by the report that a vessel had arrived in the harbor, having on board a large number of cases of cholera. The vessel proved to be the schooner G. H. Montague…She sailed from Sacramento City on Friday last [Oct 18], with 46 passengers, and a crew of seven in number and was bound to Panama [and then on to NY]. On the day after sailing from Sacramento City, a disease which has been pronounced to be the cholera, broke out among the passengers, and on that day Franklin Lamb, of Groton, Conn., died, and was buried at Benicia. Since 4 o’clock P.M. of Monday, the following named persons have died: George Woolcott, of Waltham, Mass.” Mrs. Holbrook, of North Adams, Berkshire county, Mass.; John Spencer, of Waltham, Mass.” Samuel Fanes, of Warren, Rhode Island; Wm. Joyce, second mate, and John Reed. The Captain and four passengers are now sick on board. The bodies of the six persons mentioned as having died since Monday afternoon, were buried yesterday by the city. The vessel has been ordered into quarantine, and nurses sent on board to take care of the sick.”  (Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “City Items. Cholera.” 10-23-1850, p. 2, col. 2.) The Sacramento Transcript of Oct 24 (“Cholera on Board the Montague,” p. 2), notes that the first fatality, Mr. Lamb “had been sick for two weeks before he came on board the vessel.” Also notes that Samuel Fanes was “foremast hand.”

[170] Mr. James Wilson of Baltimore, within eight hours of becoming ill. (Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Cholera.” 10-29-1850, p. 2, col. 4.)

[171] Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “Sickness on Shipboard.” 11-1-1850, p. 2, col. 1.

[172] Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Died.” 11-7-1850, p. 2, col. 6.

[173] The Sacramento Transcript of Nov 14 (p. 2, col. 3) cites the Stockton Journal to the effect “that for the last few days there have been no new cases of cholera.” On Nov 27 it cites the Journal to the effect “That the Cholera has disappeared entirely…and hey have yet to learn of a single case occurring in any other portion of that district.” (Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Health of Stockton.” 11-27-1850, p. 2, col. 4.)

[174] Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Cholera Among Indians.” 10-30-1850, p. 2, col. 4. [Sutterville was a former settle in Sacramento Co., just south-southwest of Sacramento.]

[175] “We have been informed that one case of cholera has occurred in…Weberville [sic], within the past week.”

[176] Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Died.” 11-8-1850, p. 2, col. 6. Cannot find Wilton Springs via internet search, thus presume it was then in the Sacramento vicinity, in that it was reported in the Sacramento Transcript.

[177] I have not been able to locate a source for Native American cholera fatalities. From accounts of Native losses above, only one provides a number – five deaths at a Native village opposite Nicolaus on one day (Oct 25). We have noted other reports of cholera amongst Native Americans in the greater Sacramento area, and in the San Jose vicinity on the coast where it was written that “the cholera has been hard at work among some Indians that live on Coyote Creek, about a mile from that town – a number of them have died. Cholera would also have made an appearance from contact with places where emigrants from the East and stopped and died. It also would have been contracted through contact with mining camps. The Sacramento Transcript of Nov 13 (p. 2, col. 5) in speaking of cholera in mining camps to the west next notes “It has also carried off a large numbers of Indians.” How large we do not know, but from numerous examples of contagious diseases amongst Native Americans across the country and hundreds of years of contact with whites, we know that substantial reductions in populations have occurred. We suspect that many more than fifty Natives died, but have no source to anchor that suspicion.

[178] This number is an interpretative estimate based upon the statement:  “The telegraph announces a number of deaths of cholera at Washington.”

[179] Given large number of deaths of children under the five, particularly when appearing without the apparent deaths of relatives with the same last name, one suspects that some or many of these were “cholera infantum,” which was a sort of catch-all category for deaths of young children with acute intestinal disturbances – though noncontagious.

[180] “We learn that the cholera still prevails to a great extent in Chicago. The deaths range from fifteen to twenty daily. Twenty-five died on Thursday last. – Among the last victims reported are Dr. J. Jay Stuart, an eminent physician, who was sick but about four hours; Col. Richard I. Hamilton, for many years Clerk of the Circuit Court…and Hon. John J. Brown, a lawyer and orator without a superior in the country. He was once a member of the Legislature from Vermillion county…”

[181] “The Chicago board of health report on the 20^th of August, 14 deaths from cholera and 7 from other diseases.”

[182] “Rumors have gone abroad of the prevalence of the Cholera in this place. It is undoubtedly true that several cases have occurred, but in every instance its cause has been traced to want of care in diet. There can be no more danger from this disease existing here than in any other part of the country, and we have no doubt but that by proper precaution – cleanliness of person and temperate habits, an attack can be easily avoided.”

[183] “The upper Mississippi steamers report that the cholera has broken out badly at Galena – about forty cases having occurred there within the last few days; of which about twenty have had a fatal termination.”

[184] “…this fearful disease made its appearance in Looking-glass prairie, near Highland [~19 miles south] some ten or twelve days since. Up to last Wednesday, about 14 fatal cases had occurred, principally in the family and connections of Mr. James Dugger. No new cases had occurred at the last accounts.”

[185] “The Peoria Republican notices several cases of cholera as having occurred in that city, recently. The victims were strangers.”

[186] Cites the Quincy Herald, which notes that they were “recently arrived there.”

[187] “In the year 1850, Aurora was remarkably healthy, although we had a few cases of cholera. In April, a man landed at Aurora from a steamboat. He went to the residence of his father-in-law, about a mile and a half in the country; he was attacked with cholera and died. The second day, his father-in-law took the disease and died; and in six days from that time, their nearest neighbor was attacked with the disease and also died. Several children in these families were attacked severely with diarrhea, but recovered.”

[188] “About the 1^st of July, a man residing in Aurora was attacked with cholera and died. The next day his wife and four children were attacked – the woman and one child died, the other children were removed from the house and recovered. On the 9^th, another one of our citizens was attacked and died, after a few hours’ illness. The family was removed to the country, and with the exception of two of the children being unwell, the disease did not spread.”

[189] “Dr. Haymond, of Brookville…informs me that in 1849 and 1850, cholera prevailed to a considerable extent in that town….in 1850, cholera had the appearance of having been introduced…from Cincinnati….He states also that all died without exception, who were not treated until the pulse began to fail; and everyone recovered when treatment commenced during the diarrheal stage…” In order to tally we come up with “three or more” (>3).”

[190] From the following description, provided to Sutton, it appears that at least, and probably more, died of cholera: “Dr. W. R. Smith, of Cumberland, informs me that cholera made it appearance at that place on the 6^th of August, 1850, and disappeared on the 24^th of the same month. He writes that ‘the first case was a young Frenchman recently arrived. He had been at Indianapolis, and in communication with friends sick with cholera. He was attacked with diarrhea the evening of his return, I saw him the next evening, and found him in the collapsed stage of cholera. The next evening, the family where he was staying at, who were also French, recently arrived, ate a very hearty supper of meat and beans, and about two o’clock the following morning, two were attacked with diarrhea. I was not called until 10 o’clock, A.M., and both died, between 12 and 1 o’clock the same day; one was 45 years of age, the other his little son 8 years old. In this house, which was a small frame with two very small rooms, and badly ventilated, there were about twenty persons, all French; the whole of them eating and sleeping in this house. Nearly the whole number had cholera in its worst form. Besides these cases the French in the neighborhood who visited and attended on the sick, were very generally attacked. The native portion of the community mostly escaped the disease. There were several cases amongst the Germans; but they had also communication with the sick. I saw no case of this disease that had not communication with cholera patients. One case, a German, although living entirely out of the infected neighborhood, visited and attended on his brother until he died, and then helped to bury him – took the cholera the same night, and died before noon the next day. Dr. Edwards of Palestine, came up o see some of my cases, the Doctor never having seen a case of Asiatic Cholera; he returned home, took the disease that night and died.’ ” Sutton cites Dr. Smith to the effect that he “lost nearly 40 per cent of my cases of confirmed cholera…”

[191] “From Evansville, Prof. G. B. Walker writes, ‘that cholera has prevailed with considerable mortality in this city and its vicinity, for the last four years…during the summer of…1850 it prevailed in a distinctly epidemic form destroying about 150 of our citizens…or one and a half per cent.’ ”

[192] Sutton: “He [Girdner] writes that on the 25^th day of April, 1850 he was called to see Moses Scott, 65 years of age, who had just returned from Iowa. On the steamboat on which this man came up the river, there were a number of cases of cholera, and he was attacked with vomiting, purging, and cramps. The captain have him medicine, and when he arrived at New Albany, two days after his attack, he was able to be conveyed home, a distance of ten miles. When Dr. Girdner saw him he still had symptoms of cholera. Two days after his return home, at 1 o’clock in the night, two of his daughters were attacked with cholera. When the Doctor arrived next day at the house, which was 11 o’clock , one of the daughters was dead, and the other vomiting, purging, and cramped – she however recovered. Five days afterwards, the husband of the daughter that died, was attacked with the same symptoms; he recovered. The Doctor remarks, ‘that many persons visited the sick, and nearly all had more or less of the symptoms of cholera….The disease was confined to this family and those persons who visited there.”

[193] “The Corydon (Indiana) Gazette of the 28^th May, learns that six fatal cases of cholera have occurred in that county.” [Corydon is a town in Harrison Township in Harrison County, just north of the Ohio River.]

[194] After describing cases which started very late in July [pp. 142-145]: “During the month of August, the disease increased, was probably at its height about the first of September, and had pretty well ceased by the end of this month. Dysentery prevailed at the same time with the cholera, and as the season advanced, the former became epidemic…Among the native or long resident population, dysentery was very prevalent, and often fatal; but these were rarely seized with cholera, in comparison with those who had recently emigrated. These were mostly Germans, and a number of families having recently arrived, were crowded into other families already scantily provided with room, or huddled together in masses, without comforts, conveniences, or care. Probably over two-thirds of those who were ill, received their advice from irregular practitioners, and the mortality was very great among them, in some instances sweeping large families out of existence….We would suppose…fifty to be a moderate estimate [number of cholera deaths], nearly all of whom were among our foreign population.”

[195] “….The first summer month in 1850, was characterized by a marked predilection to involve the bowels in all the forms of disease which existed…During this time no marked cases of cholera were observed. …July 31, 1850…at 4 o’clock in the morning, I was called to see a German grocer [Mr. R.], living near the centre of town. Another physician had been previously summoned, and finding the patient verging on the collapsed stage of cholera, requested me to see him. The vomiting and purging were promptly arrested, the spasmodic contraction of the muscles were more protracted. He died at nine o’clock the same morning….A short time before this case occurred, a German emigrant, who had returned to Germany to bring his family, had arrived and shortly after was taken with cholera, with which he died. Some other emigrants who came with him, were also attacked. During his illness he remained with a German resident, C. H., who had not been absent. This man was subsequently attacked, and during his illness, and after his decease, the wife and a son of the grocer…were with him. Being intimated acquaintances, the sudden and unexpected death of C. H. greatly distressed and alarmed Mr. R., the grocer. No other member of either family were attacked.

[196] “August 3^rd. – Early in the morning was called to see this G.S. [gravel pit laborer, “northeast margin of the city”]. Found him in the collapsed state of cholera. He died before noon.”

[197] Mrs. G. R., “who had just removed to the South east suburbs of the city into a new house…[and] had been vomiting and complained of great distress of the stomach. Bowels lax and occasionally painful. She was greatly alarmed, as her residence was near those of a number of German emigrants, many of whom were said to have died, or were then ill with the cholera….Early in the morning of the 15^th of August, was sent for to see her. She had the usual symptoms of cholera, soon collapsed and died at noon.”

[198] “Visited Mr. V., member of the Legislature from Shelby co. [where there had been cases]. He had been troubled with diarrhea several days, when vomiting and cramps supervened, which induced him to send for me. He had taken a number of things to arrest the diarrhea at the suggestion of others; but without avail. He had all the symptoms of the disease, and the same night collapsed and died soon.”

[199] “We were visited in the State Prison, the past season, with the cholera. Twenty-six of the convicts died. The Warden, Col. Lemuel Ford, and his wife, fell victims to the disease…” The Physician’s Report to Warden D. W. Miller, dated 12-1-1850, in the same document, notes “In the month of July that awful scourge the cholera made a visitation and continued for six weeks, a portion of which time its violence was as great as ever characterized it at any point in this or any other county. Before it left us every convict was attacked with it in one form or other, and… about one-fifth of the whole number died…”

[200] Sutton (1853, p. 141), cites Dr. Clay Brown, of Anderson.

[201] “About the time the disease reached its height in the city [Indianapolis], occasionally cases were reported in the country about…August 28.—Visited J.H., about three miles from town, and found him with all the characteristics of cholera. His habits were dissipated. He had been in town a few days before he was attacked, but not where there was any cholera that he was aware of, although he believed he had contracted the disease there. He died on the 30^th. His wife was taken immediately after…His daughter…who resided in the city, visited her father…had all the characteristic symptoms of cholera…and death the night of the 2^nd of September.”

[202] Cites Mr. Joseph Pierson in Switzerland County to the effect “…that during the months of July and August, 1850, there were twenty-eight deaths from the disease at Mt. Sterling, a little village a few miles north of Vevay. There were a few other cases also in the county.”

[203] “From New Albany, Dr. J. Sloan writes, ‘….In 1850, the disease appeared in June, and occasional cases were reported during the summer and fall. There were about thirty deaths during the season…”

[204] In same document the Resident Engineer’s Report of 11-25-1850, Terre-Haute, to Chief Engineer J. L. Williams, notes at page 173: “The cholera first made its appearance on the Canal about the 20^th of May; apparently leaving for a time, it again appeared the 12^th of June, inducing many laborers to leave the line. By the 10^th of July it had attained such malignancy as to cause a total suspension of operations, which were not again generally resumed until after the 30^th of August. The cholera prevailed on the Canal for not more than two months, but the loss of time from this cause could not have been less than four months….The deaths amongst those engaged on the Canal amounted to about 150…” Also Logan Esarey, “Internal Improvements in Early Indiana,” p. 147 in Indiana Historical Society Publications, Vol. V, No. 2. (Indianapolis: Edward J. Hecker, 1912): “This year the cholera broke out among the workmen and killed 150 men. A panic set in ant the fleeing workmen carried the plague all over the country.”

[205] “In the summer of 1850 Petersburg was visited by that terrible scourge, cholera. The first death was that of the child of an Irishman who came from New Orleans to work on the canal. A few days later the man himself took the disease and died. From these cases the disease spread rapidly among the laborers on the canal, and large numbers of them died. The citizens of the town became panic stricken, and at one time Petersburg was almost depopulated, there being about only twelve families remaining….Only eleven residents of the town died. Among them were Malachi Merrick and two children, Mrs. Emiline Connelly and two children, George Barnett wd wife, and William Benjamin.” In that we have recorded canal laborer deaths elsewhere, we note here only the deaths of the citizens.

[206] Sutton cites Dr. D. H. Jessup, of Rising Sun, to the effect that cholera appeared again in 1850 [after 1849 outbreak] “but there were fewer cases, and the proportion of deaths smaller.” Thus we know there were some deaths. In order to contribute to a tally we come up with a “stand-in” figure of approximately (~) three.

[207] Our minimalist number, we think, in order to contribute to the tally, based on the following: “…cholera first appeared in Rockport in June, 1850; and the last case was in September…It prevailed in healthy and unhealthy localities alike…Intemperance appeared to increase its fatality. About one-third of the number of attacked died.”

[208] “We understand that there have been, altogether, eleven deaths from Cholera at Shelbyville. One of the last deaths was a young man, the son of Mr. Thatcher the editor of the Volunteer.” From Shelby County, Indiana Newspapers through the years (website), we see that that was a paper named the Shelby Volunteer.

[209] “A traveler died…[here] in 1850, having passed through some districts in Illinois where cholera was prevailing.”

[210] “On the night of the 30^th of November, a stranger from off the Ohio river, stopped all night at the house of Lanahan, an Irishman, living in the town of Vernon. In the night he had an attack of diarrhea, but was able the next morning to travel, and went off and was not heard of afterwards. In the afternoon of the next day, a child of Lanahan’s, ten years old, took the cholera, and died in twelve hours. In three days afterwards, Lanahan’s wife took the disease and died after two or three days’ illness. On the 7^th of December, three men – Burk, Doutherty, and Ford – all of whom had attended the wake of Mrs. Lanahan, were attacked and died in a short time. On the 9^th, Sally, who had waited upon Ford, was attacked, and lived about twelve hours. The next and last case was McManamie, who had visited Sally; he was attacked shortly after, and died after three days’ illness.”

[211] The dating is from Sutton (1853, p. 152), citing Dr. W. W. Hitt of Vincennes. Sutton’s summary of Hitt’s communication is that “cholera made its appearance in that city July 15^th, 1850, and disappeared about the 15^th of August following….At the house where the first case occurred, the yard was in a filthy condition…[then] prevailed in the different parts of the town. He writes that more than half of those attacked died.”

[212] This Editorial notes “…we have made a calculation, and find that the average mortality by cholera since its appearance amongst us, three weeks ago, is 1½ per day, showing fewer deaths in Vincennes, taking into consideration our population, than any other place in the United States where the cholera has had an existence.” We multiply 21 days times 1½ (31½), and round down to 30.

[213] “On the 8^th day of July, 1850, cholera again attacked the town [see 1849], and within eight days over forth deaths occurred.  The inhabitants again fled….”

[214] Sutton 1853, pp. 155-156, citing Dr. Girdner of Greenville.

[215] Amongst the victims: “…Ex-Governor James Clark, his lady, children, and other near relatives… Mr. C. was a printer by profession, and had owned and conducted the Burlington Gazette several years at the time of his decease.” (Alton Telegraph and Democratic Review, IL. 8-9-1850, p. 3, col. 3.)

[216] We use Census figure of 97 deaths up to June 1^st. Then we add only the deaths specifically dated afterwards. Thus we do not include the twenty-three Frankfort deaths in that some or all could have been in the Spring.

[217] “Louisville, May 11, P.M….There was five deaths in the same family – one yesterday and four to-day – supposed to be from cholera. The deceased were Irish emigrants who arrived a few days ago, nearly starved, and have lived upon charity since. The President of the Board of Health informs us that the city is very healthy.”

[218] “The Louisville Courier of yesterday reports five deaths from cholera in that city, since the report in its Saturday morning’s issue.”

[219] Writing on Monday, August 12: “the following paragraph from the Courier of Thursday [Aug 8]… ‘We understand that the cholera broke out night before last [Aug 6], on Jefferson street, between Jackson and Hancock streets, in the immediate neighborhood of a pond. Up to last night [Aug 7] there had been eight deaths, and several persons were then laboring under severe attacks….”

[220] “August 8^th, 1850. Interments for the last twenty-four hours, cholera, 13, other diseases 11.”

[221] Numbers are from Table E, “Statement of the number of Free and Slave Population, as well as the number of Deaths from Cholera and other Diseases, in the Parishes of the Western District of Louisiana, as taken by the Assistant Marshals, and returned to the United States Marshal’s Office, under the Census Act of 23d May, 1850.”

[222] Eight were from the town of Trinity.  Forshey. “On the Hydrography of…Miss. River…1850,”1851, 172.)

[223] Fenner does not include “cholera infantum” which registered 73 deaths.  Fenner, “Reports…Louisiana.” Southern Med. Reports, 1850, 101.

[224] Not using this number – far from Fenner number and might be mix-up with November number.

[225] “…several cases of Cholera have occurred at St. Louis since our last publication. The first deaths among the citizens took place on Sunday [May 5]….Board of Health Office, St. Louis…Up to this hour, since the 6^th, no additional cholera cases have been reported from the City Hospital, the Charity Hospital, or the Quarantine Grounds.”

[226] “St. Louis, May 13, 11 P.M. Two fatal cases of cholera reported today. Interments in twelve cemeteries for week ending this morning are 94, of which 27 were of cholera. Five cemeteries have not reported.”

[227] “The number of interments in the city of St. Louis, during the week ending on Sunday last [June 30], amounted to 106 – of which 104 were children of the age of five years and under, and 68 are reported as hiving died of cholera.”

[228] Out of 244 total deaths “of which 123 were children of the age of five years and under.”

[229] Out of 212 deaths for the week, “of which 117, or over one half, were of children of five years of age and under.”

[230] Another paper notes for this same week that there were 301 deaths in all “of which 159 were of children of five years and under.” (Alton Telegraph and Democratic Review, IL. 7-26-1850, p. 2, col. 7.)

[231] Out of 35 deaths that day, “of which 23 were of children of five years and under.”

[232] While the mortality ascribed to cholera had dropped, “The mortality among children of the age of five years and under, however, continues to be great – averaging twenty or upwards per day.” Many, we suspect, cholera victims.

[233] Ahrens, Pete. Cholera in the Time of Gold: The Sacramento Epidemic of 1850. 6-4-2011, p. 17.

[234] After noting that “the Catholic Irish, alone, lost 300 by cholera that summer…,” Carroll writes “It will probably be about correct to place the mortality of 1850 at from 1200 to 1500.” We choose to use 1,400 as number of deaths.

[235] Notes 1,355 “Other Deaths” for a total of 2,755.

[236] “Cincinnati, August 20. The Board of Health has concluded a report of mortality in the city from the commencement of cholera this summer, from June 1 to August 16, total deaths were 3,912 of which 1,100 were from cholera, and 1,390 were children under five years.”

[237] Carroll notes: “We feel sure, however, that the number of fatal cases during that year was greater than here set down; for the Catholic Irish, alone, lost 300 by cholera that summer.

[238] “The whole number of deaths from cholera in this city, since the first Bulletin of the Board of Health, which was published on the 1^st inst., [July] is 246. And this, some members of the Board, and other well informed citizens, do not believe to be much more than the half of those who have actually been carried off by this terrible disease.”

[239] “Bulletin No. 4. Office of the Board of Health, 5 o’clock, Saturday evening, July 6, 1850. The Board of Health report for the last twenty-four hours sixty-five deaths by cholera, and twenty-eight by other diseases. They would state the disease is not confined to any particular locality. The Board is fitting up a Hospital, and will have it ready as soon as required.”

[240] “Report of the Board of Health, Sunday, July 7, 1850. The Board met at 5 o’clock. The following interments were reported from 12 o’clock yesterday, until 12 M., this day, from the different Cemeteries: — Cholera 56; Other diseases 31.”

[241] “Cincinnati, July 8, 8 p.m. The Board of Health report eighty-seven deaths for the twenty-four hours ending this evening, forth-eight of which were from cholera.”

[242] “The Cincinnati Gazette of Monday [July 22] says, that the Board of Health reported fifty-one interments for the 24 hours ending as 12 M. on the day previous. Of this number 26 were from Cholera, and 25 from other diseases.”

[243] Cites Board of Health for “report for 24 hours ending last evening,” noting, as well, 35 deaths “other diseases.”

[244] “Cincinnati, August 2. The board of health reports for the past 48 hours 78 interments; 15 being cholera and 63 other diseases.”

[245] “A train of well-known circumstances occurred some ten miles from Cincinnati in 1850. A farmer by the name of Smith, who resided in a healthy location, came to town on business, went home the same day with a slight diarrhoea; during the night ensuing became worse, and in thirty-six hours, died. Two days after, a daughter took the disease, but recovered. In two days more, two other members of the family became ill, and soon died. Within a week from this time, there were three more fatal cases. Bu two of the family were left. One individual who extended humane attentions to the family during their afflictions died of Cholera….”

[246] “The Dayton (Ohio) papers say that that city is still free from cholera, though several deaths have occurred in the vicinity.” In order to tabulate we translate several into approximately (~) three.

[247] “The cholera has made its appearance at Middletown, O.”

[248] This page actually notes 20 Spring deaths, but we note herein that 11 of those were in Philadelphia.

[249] “Pittsburg, Pa., is entirely clear of it, while its neighbor, Alleghany City, had, on the 27^th August, eight deaths, three of which were physicians.”

[250] We have translated “several deaths of cholera” to the number 3.

[251] “There have been 49 cases and 12 deaths of cholera at Uniontown, Pa., but the place is now said to be free…”

[252] We add these deaths to our tally in that it appears that all the locality deaths are after June 1^st.

[253] “The cholera still lingers in and about Nashville, and prevails in many places in Middle Tennessee, Franklin, Columbia, Hartsville, Gallatin, etc. etc.”

[254] Western Weekly Review, 7-19-1850, abstracted by Jonathan K. T. Smith, 2004.

[255] “Cholera appeared in Gainesboro in July 1850, and soon became an epidemic…Some thought…it was brought here by a prisoner…who was brought here from Nashville and placed in Jail…The prisoner…was attacked by the Cholera and was released from the Jail while sick. He recovered. While in Jail he was waited on by Dave Gipson, a Negro slave of William Gipson’s. Dave was found sick in a cornfield…and was brought to town, where he died. The next victim …was William Hare…He died soon after being attacked…Mrs. Nep Montgomery, wife of Dr. Nathan Montgomery…soon afterwards other victims of the Cholera were Salee and his wife, Mary Ann Salee (nee Cowan), Sallie Cowan, Hense Cowan, Robert Cowan, most of whom died at this place…J. Kenner, a Negro slave of Dr. W. R. Kenner and Harriet Kinnard, a Negro slave of Russell M. Kinnard – the last victim was Josie Young… When the Cholera broke out she left town and went to…the north side of Cumberland River…She died at the home of her grandfather. Besides these…several others were attacked…but recovered. Soon after the cholera appeared the town was almost deserted by its inhabitants, only a very few remaining to take care of the town….”

[256] It is stated that most of the 120 interments were of cholera deaths.

[257] It is noted for the deaths on July 11-13 that “With few exceptions they were all cholera.”

[258] It is just our assumption that the Coffee Plantation deaths were not in the Spring. This, we think, is balanced from the lack of information elsewhere in Texas on cholera deaths other than in the Spring, up to June 1^st. We know, for example, that there were 111 cholera deaths in the State during the Winter of 1849-50, but cannot guess at breakout.

[259] “In the summer of 1850, the fearful scourge – the Asiatic cholera again made its appearance at the place [Harpers Ferry] and decimated the people. Although it is said that the ravages of this pestilence are mostly confined to people of dissolute habits, it was not so in this case, for it visited the homes of rich and poor indiscriminately, and all classes suffered equally. It is estimated that over one hundred people at the place perished by this epidemic and, the town having been deserted by all who could leave it, business, too, suffered severely.” From Sacramento Transcript, CA (“The Cholera,” 10-9-1850, p. 2) “The cholera…was for a brief period so fatal in its ravages at Harper’s Ferry, and at one or two other places in the neighborhood, has now almost entirely disappeared.” The Historical Jefferson County, WV website, in its “History: 1800’s” section, notes that cholera returned in that year (present in 1832). The Daily Sanduskian (“Cholera,” 8-23-1850, p.2, col.2) wrote: “The cholera has nearly disappeared from Harper’s Ferry, there having been but one case in four days, and that not fatal, which was in the cotton factory.”

[260] “Three of the operatives in the government works died from its effects on Tuesday, and five new cases were reported yesterday.”

[261] The article, transcribed for Roots Web by G. Clayton, provides the dates of deaths, and for most of the victims their name, also noting when the victims were children – of which there were many.

[262] Cites Milwaukee Board of Health in its report for 24 hours to 10 A.M. Aug 20.

[263] Writing about cholera, Corbin writes “The number of trail deaths is difficult to determine, however, there are estimates as high as 5,000 in 1849 alone. In 1850 the losses appear to have been greater. One Missouri newspaper estimated that along a stretch of the Overland Trail one person per mile died from the disease. Historian Merrill Mattes estimates the possibility of four graves per mile along the Platte River route.”

[264] Noting that something like 65,000 people were on the westward trails in 1850, this cite writes “This was the most disastrous of the migration years with perhaps 5,000 deaths, mostly caused by cholera.”

[265] Unruh. The Plains Across: The Overland Emigrants and the Trans-Mississippi West, 1840-1860. 1993, 139-140.

[266] “The Cholera has been committing great ravages on the Plains among the California emigrants. It is believed that at least two hundred and fifty deaths occurred during the first two weeks in June. Wagon trains were passed in which almost every individual was prostrated by disease, or already dead.” Another paper writes: “The Weston (Mo.) Reporter of Saturday [May 18]….reports that the cholera has broken out in the train of California emigrants led by Dr. Clark; one man having died, and two others being prostrated by the same disease.” Another source writes: “The Glasgow Banner [KY?] has a letter from Mr. G. S. Feazel, dated on the 6^th June, eighteen miles beyond Fort Kearny, which represents that the cholera had broken out among the emigrants and was making terrible ravages. In the short distance between Fort Kearny and the place where the letter was dated, he passed many companies encamped, to take care of the sick. The letter was brought to St. Joseph by an emigrant whose company of four persons had died.” (Alton Telegraph and Democratic Review, IL. “Cholera on the Plains.” 7-5-1850, p. 2, col. 6.)

[267] “There were some remarkable instances of the prevalence of this disease in an epidemic form on board of steamboats, and on plantations.  We were informed that the steamer ‘Dove,’ on a trip up the Ouachita river, lost thirty or forty passengers.”

[268] Article notes fourteen deaths, but lists the names and dates of deaths of the following thirteen. Sep 19: A. Schmitz, NY, P. H. Grimes, Washington, DC. Sep 20: T. F. Green, John P. Pierson, Lynn, CN. Sep 21: J. Day, C. R. Brinley, Howell, NJ, Wm. Hathaway, S. Dorr, Henry Pope. Sep 29: John C. Prentiss, Lynn, CN, Aaron Levi, NY. Oct 4: W. B. Reynolds, Bridgewater, MA. Oct 6: Francis Douglass, IL. (Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “Arrival of the Steamer Carolina!…The Cholera!” 10-8-1850, p. 2, col. 4.)

[269] Article notes that this news was received upon the return of the El Paso from its trip to the Milk river. Way’s Packet Directory 1848-1994 (1994, p. 103) notes that the El Paso was built in St. Louis and was the first steamboat to ascend the Missouri to the mouth of the Milk.

[270] One of the deaths had the footnote “died of chronic diarrhoea.” Victims named as: Capt. Barnabas Kirby, MA; Robert T. Lawrence, Brooklyn; Elias Orton, IA; Wm. Bral, MI; Ishmael Worthington, OH; ____ McGowen, NY: James H. Frye, MO; Capt. Elisha Clark, ME (diarrhea); Capt. Augustus Norton, ME; Solomon Joseph, Western Islands; John Pinchatich, Trieste, Austria; Capt. Richard Macy, ME; J. Spaulpaugh, NY; Wm. Maynard, CN; Crawford Riddel, Philly; James Campbell, Ireland; ____Downing, MO; ____Gates, IN. Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Stray Leaves From the Note Book of a Homeward Bound Gold Digger, No. IV.” 11-26-1850, p. 2, col. 5.

[271] “The Steamer Sea Gull which sailed hence for Oregon on the 10^th inst., after being out 24 hours, was caught in a heavy N.W. gale, which lasted three days, and was driven about 320 miles off the land. Her rudder was broken and the machinery damaged to such an extent, as to take three days to repair, and unfortunately the Chief Engineer was sick. On the gale abating, Capt. Crepy bore up under canvas. Shortly after, he was taken ill, from the effects of a violent cold, and is now confined to his bed. Six cases of cholera occurred on board during the week, but one death only took place (Mr. D. H. Oxford, of Rochfort, Illinois) – all are now convalescent.” Alton Telegraph and Democratic Review, IL. “Large Arrivals of Emigrants.” 5-10-1850, p. 2, col. 5.

[272] All died on 18^th: William Fields, Providence, RI; A. Spencer, East Greenwich, RI; George Howell, Sag Harbor, LI, NY; Capt. Ira Gould, Huntington, LI, NY. (Sacramento Transcript, CA. “Stray Leaves From the Note Book of a Homeward Bound Gold Digger, No. IV.” 11-26-1850, p. 2, col. 6.)

[273] Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “Memoranda.” 11-18-1850, p. 3, col. 1.

[274] Alton Telegraph and Democratic Review, IL. “Large Arrivals of Emigrants.” 5-10-1850, p. 2, col. 5.

[275] “The Natchez Courier of the 26^th ult. [previous month] says that a few days previous a boat landed above Natchez, densely filled with several families from Murray county, Ga., all belonging to one neighborhood, and nearly all related by marriage. They were on their way to seek a new home in Texas. The whole company numbered 48, including five negroes. The cholera developed itself among them this side of Vicksburgh, and on the 18^th ult. a negro man, belonging to a Mr. Barton died, then Mrs. Sally Barton, Abel Barton, son of James Barton, Eli Gentry, Miss Hannah  George, Jane Gentry, Jas. Green, John Green and Elizabeth Green, children, Mrs. Elizabeth George, and Miss Minerva Barton – in all, 10 whites and 1 black. At noon, on the 25^th, there were no hopes for the life of another infant.” (Placer Times, CA. 5-1-1850, Vol. 1, No. 53.)

[276] “A few small parties [Choctaw] aggregating four or five hundred, were got under way from the southern part of Mississippi during the winter and spring of 1850. Ineffectual efforts were continued through the spring and summer, but the extreme heat and cholera made the work difficult and caused great suffering among the Indians. After much sickness and many deaths among the emigrants, survivors wandered back to their old homes in Mississippi.” (Foreman. The Five Civilized Tribes. 1934, pp. 75-76.)

[277] It is notable that in 1849 there were something like 5,600 to 6,500 Plains Native American deaths from cholera, much of it from contact with emigrants going west. In 1850, when migration westward was much larger, and when there was again considerable cholera, we have not been able to find any material on Plains Native American mortality from cholera. While Native populations would have been down in 1850 because of the 1849 cholera mortality, and while there might well have been concerted efforts to avoid wagon trains of whites and their diseases, it would still be the case that the whites in the wagon trains, as train members died off, as well as for other reasons, abandoned along the trail huge stocks of material, which the surrounding Natives might have been drawn to. It is also undoubtedly the case that watering places were contaminated with cholera bacteria long after wagon trains passed through(cholera bacteria can survive for long periods in water and can go dormant for years). If a seriously cholera-infected person infected a watering place, as frequently happened, then anyone drinking from that watering place, days or even weeks afterwards, would be at risk to cholera infection. The blood type most vulnerable to the cholera bacteria is O. Native Americans predominantly have O blood type.

[278] We gather that there were many cholera deaths in Panama of Americans going from San Francisco to “the States” or vice versa, thus coming down with cholera in Panama, as opposed to carrying it from California. This account, however provides the names of the deceased.

[279] From letter to the Editor of Sacramento Transcript (“Stray Leaves,” 11-25-1850, p. 2) of a traveler from California to New York via the Columbus to Panama, who noted his arrival in Panama as Sep 5 and that during a 3-day stay two of his “fellow passengers died of Cholera.” Notes the death of the third cholera death (Thomas Robinson of IL) at Cruces, while traveling across the isthmus.

[280] Same writer of “Stray Leaves,” Notes the cholera death of a third American (Thomas Robinson of IL) at Cruces, while traveling across the isthmus.

[281] “Stray Leaves” writer notes cholera death of Col. Prigmore, Saline Co., MO, at a ranch eight miles from Cruces.

[282] Cites. J. D. B. Stillman. “Observations on the Medical Topography and Diseases (especially Diarrhoea) of the Sacramento Valley, California, during the years 1849, 1850.” The Edinburgh Medical and Surgical Journal, Vol. 78. (Edinburgh: Adam and Charles Black, 1852), pp. 281-282.

[283] Cites Wendt, Asiatic Cholera, p. 30.

[284] Fenner (Ed.) adds a footnote to the effect that “About the same fatality attended the cholera on its first outbreak in New Orleans, in 1832.  Dr. Halphen states that out of a population of about thirty-five thousand souls then in the city, upwards of six thousand (or more than one-sixth) were carried off in less than twenty days.” (p.463)

[285] Term referring to Pacific native peoples, such as “workers from Pacific Islands employed in British colonies and in North American fur trade and goldfields,” Polynesians, Hawaiians. (Wikipedia. “Kanaka.” 12-23-2014 mod.)

[286] Pain killing drug or medicine.

[287] “A drug or agent that induces the expulsion of gas from the stomach or intestines.” (Dorland’s Medical Dictionary for Health Consumers. 2007.

[288] The “6” is unclear because it has been marked through and a line drawn over to the left margin where the number “6” has been hand written.

[289] Dr. Mack fortifies his analysis in:  “The Cholera at Kalamazoo,”  Boston Medical & Surgical Journal, Vol. 43, No. 17, Nov 27, 1850, pp. 336-338.

[290] Cites: J.D.B. Stillman, Seeking the Golden Fleece: A Record of Pioneer Life in California, (San Francisco: A. Roman and Company, 1877; reprint, LaVergne, Tennessee: Kessinger Publications, 2010), pp. 27-28.

 

[291] Google does not include Unruh’s footnote. We suspect it is to A Medic Fortyniner: Life and  Letters of Dr. Reuben Knox 1849-’51. Unknown original binding, reproduced by McClure Press, 1974. Short biographical background can be found at Find A Grave. “Dr Reuben Knox.” Record # 74909683, 8-14-2011.

[292] Pete Ahrens (in this bibliography) cites Irma West, “Cholera and Other Plagues of the Gold Rush,” Golden Notes, Vol. 46, No. 1, Sprint 2000, Sacramento County Historical Society, p. 12, to the effect that the authors of this City Cemetery piece as Bettencourt and Mills. Ahrens does not provide a bibliography as such and does not provide the full names of Bettencourt and Mills. He does refer to Dr. Irma West as “Sacramento medical historian.”

–862  Blanchard tally based on Seventh Census (ended in May) and 97 for New Orleans, Aug-Sep.

–785  U.S. Census. Mortality Statistics of the Seventh Census…1850. 1855, p. 19.[1]

–785  U.S. Census. Preliminary Report on the Eighth Census 1860. Senate, p. 115.[2]

 

Alabama                     24        US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. p. 51.

Connecticut                  4        US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. p. 61.

Delaware                       1        US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. p. 64.

Florida                          3        US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. p. 65.

Georgia                         1        US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. p. 77.

Illinois                          3        US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. p. 89.

Indiana                                      3        US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. p. 91.

Louisiana                  677        Blanchard tally based on Seventh Census and Keating/USMHS.[3]

Louisiana      575        US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. p. 109.

–568  Jefferson and Orleans Parishes. US Census. Mortality Statistics…1850. p. 105.

–107  New Orleans. New Orleans Board of Health. “…Table…Deaths…” in SMR 1851, 67.

–102          “  July-Oct          Keating 1879, 87; Sternberg 1908, 719; USMHS 1896, 437

—  99          “   Fenner. “Reports…Louisiana.” Southern Med. Reports, 1851, 26, 30.

—    1  New Orleans. Jan 14. Fenner. “Reports…Louisiana.” Southern Med. Rpts., 1851.

—    1          “    Mar 27  Fenner. “Reports From Louisiana.” Southern Med. Reports, 1851.

—  64          “    Aug        Fenner. “Reports…Louisiana.” Southern Med. Reports, 1851, 26.

—  33          “    Sep        Fenner. “Reports…Louisiana.” Southern Med. Reports, 1851, 30.

Maine                            2        US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. p. 117.

Maryland                      6        US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. p. 121.

Massachusetts              9        US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. p. 135.

Mississippi                   2        US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. p. 153.

Missouri                       4        US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. p. 157.

New Jersey                   1        US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. p. 167.

New York                   16        US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. p. 185.

North Carolina              1        US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. p. 199.

Ohio                              5        US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. p. 221.

South Carolina          124        US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. p. 254.[4]

Tennessee                     1        US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. p. 265.

 

Narrative Information

 

Ellis: ““Originally brought to the Western Hemisphere by the African slave trade, yellow fever is an acute infectious disease transmitted in a man-vector-man cycle by the female Aedes aegypti mosquito. The vector acquires the virus by a blood meal from an infectious human, and following an incubation period of approximately twelve days, it can then transmit the disease throughout its lifetime. Yellow fever is characterized by sudden onset of headache, chills, and fever followed by nausea, muscular pain, prostration, and the appearance of jaundice. At this point, from three to five days after onset, the patient may hemorrhage from external orifices, throw up the black vomit caused by internal hemorrhaging, and die following convulsions or coma, or the person may experience a remission of symptoms and begin a course of slow convalescence….Survival of an attack confers a lifelong immunity on white and black alike, but blacks possessed a genetic resistance to the disease that took its greatest toll among whites.” (Ellis. Yellow Fever & Public Health in the New South. Univ. Press of Kentucky, 1992, p. 31.)

 

Sources

 

Ellis, John H. Yellow Fever & Public Health in the New South. University Press of Kentucky, 1992, p. 31. Partially google digitized at:

http://books.google.com/books?id=pqRcT7sFYYYC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

Fenner, E.D., M.D. “Reports From Louisiana.” Southern Medical Reports (Vol. II, 1850). New Orleans: D. Davies, 1851. Digitized by Google at:  http://books.google.com/books?id=6NhXAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_atb#v=onepage&q&f=true

 

United States Census Office, Department of the Interior. Mortality Statistics of the Seventh Census of the United States, 1850. By J. D. B. De Bow, Superintendent United States Census. Washington: A. O. P. Nicholson, Printer, 1855. Accessed 2-23-2015 at: https://books.google.com/books?id=Aopc-5aHBjkC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

United States Census Office, Department of the Interior. Preliminary Report on The Eighth Census, 1860 (Ex. Doc. No. 116, House of Representatives, 37^th Congress, 2^nd Session). Washington: GPO, 1862. Google digitized at: http://books.google.com/books?id=R08UAAAAQAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

[1] The Census was for the time period of June 1, 1849 to June 1, 1850.

[2] United States Census Office, Department of the Interior. Preliminary Report on The Eighth Census, 1860 (Senate, 37^th Congress, 2^nd Session). Washington: GPO, 1862.

[3] As noted the Census was for time-frame June 1, 1849-June 1, 1850. We use 575 noted for Louisiana and add 102 yellow fever deaths noted in New Orleans from July-Oct by Keating, Sternberg, and the U.S. Marine Hospital Svc.

[4] In that we show 125 yellow fever deaths in Charleston, SC, Aug-Nov, 1849, in a separate document, we presume the 124 deaths noted by the Census were all during 1849.

–2,352  US Census. Mortality Statistics of the Seventh Census of the [US], 1850. 1855, p. 19.[1]

–2,352  US Census. Ninth Census – Volume II. The Vital Statistics… 1872, p. xvii.

–2,352  US Census. Preliminary Report on the Eighth Census 1860. Senate, p. 115.

 

Breakout by 31 States, District of Columbia, and four Territories[2]

 

Alabama                       4        US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. p. 53.

Arkansas                     33        US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. p. 55.

California                     0        US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. p. 56.

Connecticut                17        US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. p. 61.

Delaware                       2        US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. p. 63.

District of Columbia   31        US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. p. 59.

Florida                          0        US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850.

Georgia                         0        US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850.

Illinois                        65        US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. p. 89.

Indiana                                  140        US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. p. 93.

Iowa                            36        US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. p. 95.

Kentucky                  150        US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. p. 99.

Louisiana                    57        US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. p. 111.

Maine                          29        US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. p. 119.

Maryland                  144        US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. p. 121.

Massachusetts           232        US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. p. 135.

Michigan                    26        US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. p. 139.

Minnesota Territory     0        US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. p. 297.

Mississippi                 12        US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. p. 155.

Missouri                     57        US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. p. 157.

New Hampshire          42        US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. p. 162.

New Jersey                 44        US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. p. 169.

New Mexico Territory 4         US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. p. 299.

New York                 276        US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. p. 187.

NYC    107                  US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. p. 183.

North Carolina            32        US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. p. 201.

Ohio                          551        US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. p. 221.

Oregon Territory          0        US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. p. 301.

Pennsylvania            208        US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. p. 237.

Rhode Island               10        US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. p. 241.

Tennessee                   61        US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. p. 267.

Texas                          22        US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. p. 275.

Utah Territory              0        US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. p. 301.

Vermont                      12        US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. p. 279.

Virginia                      46        US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. p. 281.

Wisconsin                   14        US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850. p. 297.

 

Narrative Information

 

CDC: “Before smallpox was eradicated, it was mainly spread by direct and fairly prolonged face-to-face contact between people. Smallpox patients became contagious once the first sores appeared in their mouth and throat (early rash stage). They spread the virus when they coughed or sneezed and droplets from their nose or mouth spread to other people. They remained contagious until their last smallpox scab fell off. These scabs and the fluid found in the patient’s sores also contained the variola virus. The virus can spread through these materials or through the objects contaminated by them, such as bedding or clothing. People who cared for smallpox patients and washed their bedding or clothing had to wear gloves and take care to not get infected. Rarely, smallpox has spread through the air in enclosed settings, such as a building (airborne route). Smallpox can be spread by humans only. Scientists have no evidence that smallpox can be spread by insects or animals.” (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Smallpox. Transmission. How does Smallpox Spread?” 6-7-2016 last review.)

 

Sources

 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Smallpox. Transmission. How does Smallpox Spread?” 6-7-2016 last review. Accessed 8-4-2019 at: https://www.cdc.gov/smallpox/transmission/index.html )

 

United States Census Office, Department of the Interior. Mortality Statistics of the Seventh Census of the United States, 1850. By J. D. B. De Bow, Superintendent United States Census. Washington: A. O. P. Nicholson, Printer, 1855. Accessed 2-23-2015 at: https://books.google.com/books?id=Aopc-5aHBjkC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

Also at: http://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html

 

United States Census Office, Department of Interior. Ninth Census – Volume II. The Vital Statistics of the United States, Embracing The Tables of Deaths, Births, Sex, and Age. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1872. Google digitized at: http://books.google.com/books?id=GssqAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

United States Census Office, Department of the Interior. Preliminary Report on The Eighth Census, 1860 (Senate, 37^th Congress, 2^nd Session). Washington: GPO, 1862. Google digitized at: http://books.google.com/books?id=R08UAAAAQAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

 

[1] Out of US Census population of 23,191,876, and 323,026 deaths from all causes (p. 19)

[2] Compiled by B. Wayne Blanchard, Nov 2019 for upload to website: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com

–5,280  US Census. Mortality Statistics of the Seventh Census of the United States, 1850., p. 19.[1]

–5,280  U.S Census. Ninth Census – Volume II. The Vital Statistics… 1872, p. xvii.[2]

 

Breakout by States (31), District of Columbia, and Territories (4)[3]

 

Alabama                     305      US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850., p. 51.

Arkansas                       55      US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850., p. 55.

Connecticut                  48      US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850., p. 61.

Delaware                       34      US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850., p. 63.

District of Columbia     20      US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850., p. 59.

Florida                          22      US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850., p. 65.

Georgia                       385      US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850., p. 77.

Illinois                        191      US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850., p. 89.

Indiana                                    186      US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850., p. 91.

Iowa                              58      US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850., p. 95.

Kentucky                    198      US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850., p. 97.

Louisiana                    176      US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850., p. 109.

Maine                          128      US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850., p. 117.

Maryland                    142      US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850., p. 121.

Massachusetts            240      US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850., p. 135.

Michigan                      78      US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850., p. 137.

Minnesota Territory       0      US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850., p. 297.

Mississippi                 242      US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850., p. 154.

Missouri                     152      US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850., p. 157.

New Hampshire            12      US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850., p. 159.

New Jersey                   88      US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850., p. 169.

New Mexico Territory 18       US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850., p. 299.

New York                   649      US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850., p. 185.

NYC    145                  US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850., p. 183.

North Carolina            227      US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850., p. 201.

Ohio                            450      US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850., p. 221.

Oregon            Territory           0       US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850., p. 300.

Pennsylvania              288      US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850., p. 237.

Rhode Island                 13      US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850., p. 240.

South Carolina            269      US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850., p. 253.

Tennessee                   224      US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850., p. 267.

Texas                            49      US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850., p. 275.

Utah Territory                3      US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850., p. 300.

Vermont                        33      US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850., p. 277.

Virginia                      216      US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850., p. 293.

Wisconsin                     51      US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850., p. 295.

 

Narrative Information

 

CDC: “Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious respiratory disease. It is caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. Pertussis is known for uncontrollable, violent coughing which often makes it hard to breathe. After cough fits, someone with pertussis often needs to take deep breaths, which result in a “whooping” sound. Pertussis can affect people of all ages, but can be very serious, even deadly, for babies less than a year old. The best way to protect against pertussis is by getting vaccinated.”

 

“Pertussis is….only found in humans. [It] spreads from person to person. People with pertussis usually spread the disease to another person by coughing or sneezing or when spending a lot of time near one another where you share breathing space. Many babies who get pertussis are infected by older siblings, parents, or caregivers who might not even know they have the disease.

 

“Infected people are most contagious up to about 2 weeks after the cough begins. Antibiotics may shorten the amount of time someone is contagious.” (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Pertussis (Whooping Cough).” 8-7-2017.)

 

Sources

 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Pertussis (Whooping Cough).” 8-7-2017. Accessed 6-22-2018 at: https://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/index.html

 

United States Census. Mortality Statistics of the Seventh Census of the United States, 1850. (House of Representatives Executive Document No. 98, 33d Congress, 2d Session). Washington: A. O. P. Nicholson, Printer, 1855. Accessed 11-3-2019 at:  https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1850/1850b/1850b-01.pdf

 

United States Census Office, Department of Interior. Ninth Census – Volume II. The Vital Statistics of the United States, Embracing The Tables of Deaths, Births, Sex, and Age. Washington: GPO, 1872. Google digitized at: http://books.google.com/books?id=GssqAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[1] Out of US Census population of 23,191,876, and 323,026 deaths from all causes (p. 19)

[2] Labeled as “Hooping cough.”

[3] Compiled by B. Wayne Blanchard, Nov 2019 for upload to website: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com

–2,988  US Census. Mortality Statistics of the Seventh Census of the United States, 1850., p. 19.

–2,983  US Census. Ninth Census – Volume II. The Vital Statistics… 1872, p. xvii.

 

Alabama                     —  38   US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850., p. 52.

Arkansas                     —    6   US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850., p. 55.

California                   —    2   US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850., p. 57.

Connecticut                —  32   US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850., p. 61.

Delaware                     —  24   US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850., p. 63.

District of Columbia   —    1   US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850., p. 59.

Florida                        —    5   US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850., p. 67.

Georgia                       —  74   US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850., p. 77.

Illinois                        –110   US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850., p. 89

Indiana                                    –163   US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850., p. 91.

Iowa                            —  51  US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850., p. 95.

Kentucky                    –122   US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850., p. 97.

Louisiana                    —  60   US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850., p. 109.

Maine                          —  76   US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850., p. 117.

Maryland                    —  59   US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850., p. 121.

Massachusetts             –118   US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850., p. 135.

Michigan                    —  49   US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850., p. 139.

Minnesota Territory   —    0   US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850., p. 296.

Mississippi                 —  46   US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850., p. 155.

Missouri                     –189   US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850., p. 157.

New Hampshire          —  27   US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850., p. 161.

New Jersey                 —  47   US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850., p. 169.

New Mexico Territory–    3   US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850., p. 299.

New York                   –505   US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850., p. 187.

North Carolina            –112   US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850., p. 201.

Ohio                            –363   US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850., p. 221.

Oregon Territory        —    0   US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850., p. 300.

Pennsylvania              –316   US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850., p. 237.

Rhode Island               —    8   US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850., p. 239.

South Carolina            —  69   US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850., p. 253.

Tennessee                   —  33   US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850., p. 267.

Texas                          —    8   US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850., p. 275.

Utah Territory            —    6  US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850., p. 301.

Vermont                      —  13   US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850., p. 279.

Virginia                      –222   US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850., p. 293.

Wisconsin                   —  27   US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…1850., p. 297.

 

Sources

 

United States Census. Mortality Statistics of the Seventh Census of the United States, 1850. (House of Representatives Executive Document No. 98, 33d Congress, 2d Session). Washington: A. O. P. Nicholson, Printer, 1855. Accessed 11-3-2019 at:  https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1850/1850b/1850b-01.pdf

 

United States Census Office, Department of Interior.  Ninth Census – Volume II. The Vital Statistics of the United States, Embracing The Tables of Deaths, Births, Sex, and Age. Washington: GPO, 1872. Google digitized at: http://books.google.com/books?id=GssqAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

 

 

–9,584  US Census. Mortality Statistics of the Seventh Census of the [US], 1850. 1855, p. 19.

Alabama                     169      US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…, 1850. p. 51.

Arkansas                       98      US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…, 1850. p. 55.

California                       0      US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…, 1850. p. 57.

Connecticut                  91      US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…, 1850. p. 61.

Delaware                       19      US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…, 1850. p. 63.

District of Columbia     48      US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…, 1850. p. 59.

Florida                            0      US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…, 1850. p. 64.

Georgia                       202      US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…, 1850. p. 77.

Illinois                        210      US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…, 1850. p. 89.

Indiana                                    416      US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…, 1850. p. 91.

Iowa                              42      US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…, 1850. p. 95.

Kentucky                    221      US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…, 1850. p. 97.

Louisiana                      78      US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…, 1850. p. 110.

Maine                          330      US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…, 1850. p. 117.

Maryland                    561      US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…, 1850. p. 121.

Massachusetts            571      US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…, 1850. p. 136.

Michigan                      54      US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…, 1850. p. 138.

Minnesota Territory       0      US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…, 1850. p. 296.

Mississippi                 204      US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…, 1850. p. 153.

Missouri                       91      US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…, 1850. p. 158.

New Hampshire          205      US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…, 1850. p. 159.

New Jersey                 121      US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…, 1850. p. 167.

New Mexico Territory   0       US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…, 1850. p. 299.

New York                1,028      US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…, 1850. p. 185.

North Carolina              21      US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…, 1850. p. 199.

Ohio                         1,301      US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…, 1850. p. 221.

Oregon Territory            0      US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…, 1850. p. 300.

Pennsylvania           1,974      US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…, 1850. p. 237.

Rhode Island                 53      US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…, 1850. p. 240.

South Carolina              75      US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…, 1850. p. 253.

Tennessee                   172      US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…, 1850. p. 265.

Texas                            89      US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…, 1850. p. 275.

Utah Territory                1      US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…, 1850. p. 301

Vermont                        49      US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…, 1850. p. 277.

Virginia                      523      US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…, 1850. p. 293.

Wisconsin                     97      US Census. Mortality Statistics…Seventh Census…, 1850. p. 295.

 

Source

 

United States Census Office, Department of the Interior. Mortality Statistics of the Seventh Census of the United States, 1850. By J. D. B. De Bow, Superintendent United States Census. Washington: A. O. P. Nicholson, Printer, 1855. Accessed 2-23-2015 at: https://books.google.com/books?id=Aopc-5aHBjkC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

Also at: http://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html