Smallpox Epidemic, Part XX

REPORT FROM CLAY CITY
“Special Deputy” Discouraged
Over Smallpox Situation.

Dr. Wolfe Making Stump Speeches –
Dr. A. W. Brayton’s Visit to
Terre Haute

Secretary Hurty, of the State Board of Health, yesterday received a rather discouraging report from his special deputy, who he sent to Clay City to investigate the smallpox situation there. As a result of the report from the deputy, Secretary Hurty says he will go to Brazil, Clay county, to-day.

The report says that while the disease is probably under control at Clay City, Dr. Wolfe, who diagnosed the disease as chicken pox in the first place, is making stump-speeches on the street, declaring that the malady is still an infection of chicken pox. The report says that Dr. Wolfe is joined in giving these “lectures” by William E. Smith. There has been one death at Clay City. This was little Effie Smith, who died on the fifth day after falling ill. Dr. Hurty’s deputy says that in Lewis township, Clay county, there is a great deal of the disease and seeming nothing is being done to prevent its spread. In commenting on the situation the special deputy says: “I fear there will be many fatalities here yet.”

Dr. A. W. Brayton says he was not called to Terre Haute to diagnose smallpox as was sated in an evening paper. He had no seen a case of smallpox since he was at Clay City, on Jan. 19. His object was to arrange with the City Health Board of Terre Haute in regard to some matters of quarantine.

Dr. Brayton says there had been but three or four cases in Terre Haute and that the Health Board, Drs. Willian, Rice and Gerstmeyer, are perfectly familiar with smallpox and chicken pox, and have recognized every case on sight. The first case is recovering in the detention house. A Normal student, well broken out, has been quarantined in his mother’s house and is doing well. Dr. Willian has one suspicious case under quarantine. Allison Peck, who left the city while fully broken out Wednesday night, went at once to his home in Canton, Ill., two hundred miles from Terre Haute. His case was at once recognized and he was promptly quarantined by the Canton Health Board, and this board conferred with Dr. Willian by telephone.

Dr. Brayton says there is little to fear from smallpox in Terre Haute as the people are vaccinating, and the Health Board is active, kind and considerate, and has the esteem and confidence of the people. There is little danger from smallpox, the doctor says, in college towns, as the influence of all the higher schools, both professors and the student body, is in favor of vaccination. He does not expect a wide spread of the disease in the State as the physicians through reading, study of cases, and continued agitation, are quickly recognizing even the mild smallpox, and the people are aiding them more and more, and abiding by their decisions. Dr. Brayton says there has been very general approval of the decision of the Supreme Court, giving boards the right to vaccinate in times of epidemic.

The school authorities of Terre Haute are considering the subject. Probably nine-tenths of the students in the higher schools and colleges are now vaccinated. The boarding house room where Allison Peck lived for four days has been purified and the house will go on as before, as Peck did not mix with the boarders.

FIRST DEATH FROM SMALLPOX
Effie Smith, a Thirteen-Year-Old Clay
City Girl, the Victim.

CLAY CITY, Ind., Feb. 2. – Effie Smith, the thirteen-year-old daughter of Frank Smith, is death’s first victim of smallpox at this place. The premonitory symptoms began last Sunday. The eruption appeared and the fever subsided Tuesday, but the secondary fever made its appearance Thursday, and speedily developed unusual virulence. The victim died shortly after 5 o’clock yesterday afternoon. Severe hemorrhages were a feature of the later course of the disease. Dr. Fred and Dr. Vandivier, who attended the case, have reported other recent instances of hemorrhages in connection with smallpox, but no deaths have occurred.

“Report From Clay City,” The Indianapolis Journal (Indianapolis, Indiana), 3 February 1900, p. 8, col. 6; digital image, Chronicling America (http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/ : accessed 6 December 2014).

On Top of the World (Roscoe)

2 Replies

: August 21, 1943 envelope

: August 21, 1943, p. 1

: August 21, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Aug. 21, 1943
Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. San Fran. Cal.

Dear Mother,

This is one of those days when it seems like blue Monday but it’s Sat. Just one of those days that will brighten as the day wears on. They always do so I’m expecting this one to be that way. In fact I’m feeling better already – It’s the writing time to you which is giving me the uplift so you can consider yourself the cause of my morale being raised and while on that subject I think or rather I know that your letters, your pictures and just you have been the uplifting influence for me in this area but I can’t just limit it to this time for that has been going on now for well “neigh” on to 15-16 years. Now I’m feeling lots better – and you?

I hope my writing these feelings of mine toward you don’t in any way have a depressing feeling affect. If that happens to be the case let me know and I’ll surely stop – but when news are so scarce other things creep into the letters just natural like but sometimes I can understand how they might have a different

[page 2] affect than if they were told to you in person. So if you are depressed let me know and I’ll try to keep all these things and tell them to you in person when that day arrives. I’d like to be able to write my feelings a little more – shall I say not so bluntly but you know how I am more on the practical side and less on the – I can’t think of the word or words to express that other side which goes to prove my practical point of view.

So far I’ve used lots of words and tried to say lots but you may have to read between the lines to get my full meaning. Maybe I should write other things but I just don’t like to break the spell or maybe not the spell but my thoughts are about you and I don’t like to have them broken.

Well Dear – I’m not nutty or mentally affected as you might gather from what I’ve written but I’m really sitting on top of the world because I have someone like you back there pulling my way and causing me to be raised out the dumps just by writing to you so I’ll continue my thoughts until tomorrow with

Lots of love Daddy

Russell Islands
Image by Kelisi at Wikipedia.com (Wikipedia Commons license)

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/12/25/on-top-of-the-world-roscoe/

Smallpox Epidemic, Part XIX

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ALL CASES NOT REPORTED

State Health Board Report
Give Interesting Statistics.

Claims More Cases of Smallpox Exist
Than Have Been Reported-High
Death Rate in Central Part.

The State Board of Health has prepared the following report of deaths, contagious diseases, births and marriages for the quarter ending Dec. 31, 1899:

“For the purposes of this report and in order to make comparisons between geographical sections the State is divided into three sections – namely, northern, central and southern. The northern division is bounded on the south by Warren, Tippecanoe, Clinton, Tipton, Madison, Delaware and Randolph counties. These counties comprise the northern tier of the central section. The central section is bounded on the south by Sullivan, Greene, Lawrence, Jackson, Jennings, Ripley and Dearborn counties, and these comprise the northern tier of the southern section. The population of these sections is as follows: Northern, 892,448; central, 1,022,694; southern, 729,838. The total number of deaths for the several sections for the quarter was: Northern, 2,422; central, 3,367; southern, 2,336. The total number of births reported was: Northern, 2,533; central, 4,166; southern, 2,754. Total number of contagious and infectious diseases reported was: Northern, 1,129; central, 1,892; southern, 1,144. The annual rates, calculated on the above quarterly figures, are as follows: Deaths – Northern, 12.8; central, 15.6; southern, 14, per 1,000 of population. Births – The annual rates per 1,000 were as follows: Northern, 13.3; central 16.2; southern, 15. Contagious diseases – The annual rates per 1,000 were as follows: Northern, 50.4; central, 74; southern, 62.

“Of the total number of contagious diseases during the quarter in the whole State there were: Of diphtheria, 1,202, with 347 deaths; scarlet fever, 1,503, with 46 deaths; measles, 181, with 2 deaths; smallpox, 132, no deaths; cerebro-spinal meningitis, 133, with 120 deaths; whooping cough 55, with 28 deaths; typhoid fever, 1,076, with 646 deaths. Total births reported in the whole State, 9,453. Of this number 4,984 were males and 4,469 were females. Of this total 181 were colored, of which 93 were males and 88 females. Still births were 219, plural births 99, illegitimate 154. The total marriages were 7,061. From these figures it appears that the central section of the State for this quarter had the highest death, birth and contagious-disease rate, and in this regard the southern section stands second and the northern third. The number of cases of smallpox reported is far below the truth, because so many cases were mistaken for chicken-pox. There was one death from smallpox in Posey county, but it was not reported, and was discovered by accident, after all reports were tabulated.”

January’s Death Rate.

The records of the City Board of Health show eight more deaths during January than during December, the total for the month being 224. The death rate was heavier during the first of the month than during the latter portion. The largest increase came from pneumonia, twenty-three being recorded during January as against eighteen for December.

BROKE THE QUARANTINE.
Smallpox Suspect Left Terre Haute for Canton, Ill.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
TERRE HAUTE, Ind., Feb. 1. –The City Board of Health learned to-day that a smallpox suspect named Peck, whose conditional quarantine was continued for a few hours at the request of his physician, has slipped away from town. This afternoon the Board of Health was asked over the long distance telephone by Canton, Ill., authorities as to the nature of Peck’s disease, saying that he had arrived at his home in that town. There are two other suspects who had been in contact with Peck, and Richard McCloskey, the normal student who has a mild case, was a boarder at the same boarding house.

The city school board will meet to-morrow, and now that the Supreme Court has upheld compulsory vaccination of the pupils of the public schools, an order for vaccination will be issued.

Fifteen Instead of 2,500 Cases.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
LINTON, Ind., Feb. 1. – Citizens of Linton and vicinity are greatly wrought up over the report in the Indianapolis Press that 2,500 cases of smallpox existed in Greene county. The report is without foundation, and so far no cases have been reported except in Stockton township, where Linton is situated, and in the vicinity of Jasonville. In Linton there are only three cases, instead of ten, as reported, and these are quarantined with the strictest care. In Wright township, where there is the greatest number of cases, sentries are stationed on each road leading to town to prevent people from the infected parts coming to Linton. A strict quarantine is being enforced by the health officers, and so far no new cases have developed. The postmaster of Linton has never written anything in regard to the disease spreading, and great injustice has been done him and the town by those false reports. The local health officers are doing all they can to prevent the disease from spreading, and so far have it under perfect control. It appears that the number of cases reported includes cases from neighboring counties, but, as to 2,500 cases in Greene county, no such number exists. Not over fifteen are reported in the county.

“All Cases Not Reported,” The Indianapolis Journal (Indianapolis, Indiana), 2 February 1900, p. 8, col. 5; digital image, Chronicling America (http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/ : accessed 6 December 2014).

An Old Slow Poke (Gladys)

2 Replies

Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
AUG. 21-1943

Dear Daddy – Your Mother went home this morning. I suppose she thinks I am an old slow poke but I couldn’t keep up to her tempo. One day while she was here besides the regular work which I think enough to keep one busy, we picked and canned 4 qts. of beans and made jelly with some old grape juice we had in the basement. She said if she had been home she could have got a lot more done. I think she feels pretty good. She didn’t seem to have any complaints and I know she can do more work in a day than I can. We got David’s cast off yesterday and he is using his leg almost normally today. At first his knee didn’t work as good but it is gradually getting stronger. While in the cast I gave him all his milk from a bottle but started today on the cup again. Want to have him drinking all his milk from a cup by 1 year. Mother doesn’t seem to feel so good today. I gave her a bath and she is so thin and frail – not much to her. Dr. Cole told me to give her Vit. B shots until he examined her Sun., then after deciding she has a malignancy thought the shots wouldn’t do much good. Jim called me Thurs. nite after getting the letter I sent him Sun. He wanted to know if there is anything to be done. Dr. Cole says she is too weak to stand surgery. Rec’d your letters of Aug. 10 & 11 – The 9^th hasn’t arrived yet. Will send some more pictures in a few days. Tomorrow is John’s birthday and will try to get some pictures taken then.

Love – Mother

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/12/24/an-old-slow-poke-gladys/

Smallpox Epidemic, Part XVIII

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HIGHER COURT DECISIONS.

Important Ruling on Question of Vaccination

The Supreme Court, in a decision affirming the judgment in the case of Frank D. Blue against Fannie D. Beach and Orville E. Conner, given yesterday, held that the children of parents who refuse to have them vaccinated may be excluded from the public schools during an epidemic of smallpox. In the fall of 1893, during the smallpox scare at Terre Haute, the local Board of Health and the school authorities ordered that no person should attend the public schools unless vaccinated. Blue, who had refused to have his boy vaccinated brought suit to restrain the teacher and principal from excluding his boy from school. The case dragged along in the Circuit Court for nearly three years and a decision was finally rendered in favor of the defendants. Bloom appealed to the Supreme Court in 1896 and the decision was not handed down until yesterday.

“Higher Court Decisions,” The Indianapolis Journal (Indianapolis, Indiana), 2 February 1900, p. 6, col. 4; digital image, Chronicling America (http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/ : accessed 6 December 2014).

THE COURT RECORD

SUPREME COURT

18004. Blue vs. Beach. Vigo C.C. Affirmed. Jordan, J. – 1. The preservation of the public health is one of the duties devolving upon the State. 2. The State boards of health are created as an instrumentality to secure and promote the public health, and are invested with power to adopt ordinances, by-laws, rules and regulations necessary to carry out the object of their creation and organization, and the powers conferred upon them receive from the courts a liberal construction. 3. Boards of health adopt rules or by-laws by virtue of legislative authority, and such rules or by-laws within their respective jurisdictions have the force and effect of a law of the Legislature. 4. Whatever laws or regulations are necessary to protect the public health and secure public comfort is a legislative question, and appropriate measures intended and calculated to accomplish these ends are not subject to judicial review. 5. The powers granted to boards of health by statute to adopt rules, by-laws and regulations reasonably adapted to carry out the purpose or object for which they are created is not an improper delegation of legislative authority within the meaning of the Constitution. 6. In order to prevent the spread of smallpox in case of an emergency on account of danger of the disease spreading, the board of health of a city may prevent any unvaccinated child from attending the public school, or close the school temporarily during the emergency.

“The Court Record,” The Indianapolis Journal (Indianapolis, Indiana), 2 Feburary 1900, p. 6, col. 5; digital image, Chronicling America (http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/ : accessed 6 December 2014).

Blowing Horns (Roscoe)

4 Replies

: August 20, 1943 envelope

: August 20, 1943, p. 1

: August 20, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Aug. 20, 1943
Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. San Fran. Calif.

Dear Mother,

You have heard and know what those old thunder storms are in the summer time there at home – well we had one of those last night. There really was a lot of electricity and a considerable amount of rain, but it’s fairly hot again this A.M.

I received a letter from Dr. Porterfield yesterday and Dr. Williams was sent out from there recently – not back home but on a different duty. I’m glad I began my duty when I did because I think my chances are better of returning sooner than if I had had duty there so long. That may be just a lot of wishful thinking on my part, but that remains to be seen.

I went to the show last night and got so disgusted with the thing. First they finished a show which had been started some days previous. Then two musical shorts and if those were musical – things have changed. To me it was a bunch of fellows blowing horns etc. without any regards for each other or the audience. Then the real feature of the evening

[page 2] but by that time the coconut logs had made such an impression that no matter how good I wouldn’t have like it, and besides that we missed all our radio programs which all in all makes me more than somewhat unhappy.

I received a box of sardines from Ruth M. yesterday but anymore we don’t go for things like that because our food is so much better. So as I told you before don’t send anything – no use to use your ration cards for us. We’ll probably eat what we have on hand but we won’t get near the pleasure we once did. There is more to that than just the eats. The old gang that arrived here at the same time are all gone except on fellow and myself so we don’t have the parties. Many of that gang were of our original cub – not Drs. – and when a bunch has been together that long we “sorts” feel like relatives. And when the same bunch goes thru a few hardships that has a tendency to increase friendship. So this one fellow and I sometimes sit and go over older times. Of course Dr. Gardiner is here but he missed lots of the times our original bunch had. New faces have arrived and it’s just not the same as in the olden times – That’s what all old people say.

Well, lot of love Daddy

Russell Islands
Image by Kelisi at Wikipedia.com (Wikipedia Commons license)

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/12/23/blowing-horns-roscoe/

Smallpox Epidemic, Part XVII

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RUMORS OF SMALLPOX
Reports To State Board Of
Health From Over State.

Disease Said to Be Spreading in
Greene County-Chicken Pox
In This City.

Dr. Hurty, secretary of the State Board of Health, received a letter yesterday from H. M. Aspy, the health officer of Geneva, Allen county, which stated that a letter had been received by one of the citizens of the town from Elmer Myers, who lives at 3610 East Twenty-eighth street, Indianapolis, saying that three of Meyer’s children were broken out with smallpox.

Mr. Hurty immediately turned the letter over to City Health Board, and Dr. Ferguson was sent to visit the place. After a careful examination Dr. Ferguson diagnosed, the disease as chickenpox, and when interrogated last night said there was no cause for alarm.

Dr. E. D. Laughlin, the vice president of the State Board of Health, wrote Dr. Hurty yesterday that he had made a second visit to Campbellsburg, and had found a number of cases of smallpox.

A report was also received that the disease was rapidly spreading at Linton, Green county. It is reported that 2,500 new cases of smallpox have developed in Greene county. When Dr. Hurty was apprised of the report last night he said the State board had received no information in regard to it, and added that it was probably untrue.

“Rumors of Smallpox,” The Indianapolis Journal (Indianapolis, Indiana), 1 February 1900, p. 3, col. 3; digital image, Chronicling America (http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/ : accessed 6 December 2014).

Flower (Gladys)

1 Reply

: August 20, 1943 envelope

: August 20, 1943, p. 1

: August 20, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
Aug. 20 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

I have been writing v-mail every other day and this should be a v-mail day but decided I would use reg. air mail again. Your mother, David & I went to Laf. today. Dr. Cole cut the cast off David’s leg. He was dreading the job but the case was pretty well soaked so wasn’t hard to cut off. He said he found that something else besides vinegar & peroxide would dissolve plaster. I had told him we called David “Flower” (the little skunk character in Walt Disney’s movie Bambi). He said is may smell like a flower but he didn’t know what kind. I was afraid David’s leg would be very touchy, and his knee would hurt when he tried to bend it but by the time we got home he was getting around pretty good. I put him down in his bed on his back and he pulled right up. In a day or two I doubt if we can tell he ever had it in a cast. I believe he was very happy to get out, he was so happy all evening – tho he is usually that way. Your mother says we should have named him David Roscoe. She says he looks so much like you. Now my dear, as much as I think of you, I still wouldn’t want to do that. We might compromise and call him Jake, or little Jake. Don’t mind me – just running off.

[page 2] I asked Dr. C. if he had written you about Mother – he said he hadn’t had time to even address a letter since he has been back – (Took Sun., Mon. & Tues. off). I said I didn’t suppose he would have since he came back. I asked him if he got to rest any while away & he said he slept the clock around. I don’t know when you will hear from him. After he told me Sunday I wrote Jim & Glenn and Jim called me last night. He wanted to know if anything could be done. Dr. Cole said Mother couldn’t stand surgery. I haven’t had any more word from Glen – Had an air mail from them Mon. & answered with a night letter & told them to come on – they wanted to know if Mother would be able to have them come for a visit, or wait until later. Since they haven’t answered I wouldn’t be surprised to see them come in any time.

Mark has gone to bed. He is still tired from his 4-H camping trip but I sent him to bed so he will feel rested by tomorrow. John is playing with a toy I got to give Bobby Funk for his birthday (Sept. 6). Also got a gift for Donnie – his birthday comes Aug. 29. I got a wedding gift for Earl & Imogene – they will be here tomorrow to get your mother – Ruth M. had me to get her gift at Loebs – so I got mine (ours) there too – a set of glasses & sherberts to match. Your mother said the shower will be next week & she is saving her gift till then but I will give them ours tomorrow. I had the store clerk wrap them ready to give in white tissue & ribbon – Well I am tired & John is going to take this to the hotel to mail so must sign off – with Love – Mother

Earl and Imogene (Photograph courtesy of Don Yegerlehner)

Smallpox Epidemic, Part XVI

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CRY FROM FORT BRANCH
Clerk of That Place Wants
Mount Vernon Quarantined.

Says There Are Over Two Hundred
Cases of Smallpox in Po-
sey County.

Dr. Hurty, secretary of the State Board of Health, received a letter from the city clerk of Fort Branch yesterday, demanding the State Board of Health to at once quarantine the city of Mr. Vernon, Posey county, as there were over two hundred cases of smallpox in that place. When asked what action the board would take in the matter, Dr. Hurty said that at the present time the board would not interfere in any way, because the local health board at Mr. Vernon was doing everything within its power to check the disease, and the State Board of Health was only needed in the localities where the people refused to protect themselves. Sixteen new cases of the disease were reported from Greene county yesterday, and Dr. Cole, the local health officer, has written the State Board that he is having a lot of trouble with the local physicians, who insist on diagnosing the disease as chickenpox. Two new cases were also reported from Owen county, near Coal City. The health officer of Owen county writes that at least 60 per cent of the people in the county have been vaccinated.

The health officer at Waldron, Shelby county, reported yesterday that in the family of Barbara Thibo there were eight cases of typhoid fever, two of which have resulted fatally.

SMALLPOX AT LINTON.

Several Cases Developed, Infection
Coming from Clay City

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
LINTON, Ind., Jan. 30. – The prevalence of smallpox at Clay City has caused uneasiness among the people of this vicinity and fears have been entertained that the disease would finally appear here. The expected has taken place, for in the last five days no less than ten cases are reported. At South Linton and Island City cases are also reported. The doctors are having all they can do to vaccinate those who volunteer, but so far no actual enforcements of the law have been made. All the infected houses have been quarantined and every precaution is being taken by the health officers to confine the disease to the present victims. Persons direct from Clay City have been arriving here almost daily, and a strict quarantine against that point will be enforced from now on.

State Normal Student Has Smallpox.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
TERRE HAUTE, Ind., Jan. 30. – Richard McCloskey, of South Fourteenth-and-one half street, a student of the Indiana State Normal School, has smallpox. The house is quarantined. It is said to be a mild case. McCloskey had not been in his class since last Thursday and the Normal authorities do not think there is danger of an epidemic in the school. A case of smallpox was reported from Honey Creek township but when investigated was found to be eczema.

“Cry From Fort Branch,” The Indianapolis Journal (Indianapolis, Indiana), 31 January 1900, p. 6, col. 3; digital image, Chronicling America (http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/ : accessed 6 December 2014).

New Piano (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: August 19, 1943 envelope

: August 19, 1943 Letter to John

Letter transcription:

Aug. 19, 1943
Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. San Fran Calif.

Dear John,

I started writing you and Mark last night but Mark was as far as I got so now that I’ve finished Mother’s letter I’ll see if I can think of some of the things I wanted to write you.

First of all I’ll bet you are really glad to have the new piano. I’ve wondered if it will hold the pitch as well as the old or I mean better than the old. Hope it is really a good piano.

Mother wrote me you were having some pimples on your face and nose – I wouldn’t be alarmed about those since that is very natural for boys your age – but let me give you some advice don’t pinch or squeeze them – use a wash rag and wash them rather vigorously once or twice each day and if they are broken open all the pus from them will be washed away, and new ones are not so apt to reappear.

School will be very near by the time you get this and I suppose you will be glad to get back to the old swing of things.

Well here is hoping you like the new piano and don’t forget to give that kiss to Mother from me

Love Daddy