Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 182?-183?, 1832-07-13
From the New York Commercial Advertiser.

Goth July.-The alarm of fever was heard
through the city like the rumblng of dis
tant thunder.
18th August.-At o'clock this morning
1T commenced raining, not in large drops,
like thunder shower; but as il were, in
floating sheets of transparent water. Att,
l stood in the shop of blacksmith; the rain
poured down the chimney in such quantities,
as completely eXtinguished his fire, in the
short period that the bellows stood still while
he was forging horse nail He was oblig-
ed to quit work. In Maiden-lane, from
Gold to Pearl-street, the water was three
feet deep. All the cellars from William
street to the East river were filled with wa
ter. About 10, the rain ceased, but the sun
showed not his face for several days-the air
was hot, close and moist, as if you had been
walking in Scotch mist, or stewing in a
vapour bath.
15th.-Fourteen cases were this day re-
ported 10 have died of the fever
25th.-This day the report of fever was
from every quarter, like besieged city set
on fire with shells and red hot shot.
10Th Every vehicle, from the humble
dung cart 10 the gilded carria5 re, was now in
requisition, removing families, furniture and
goods-the old man OF eighty with the strip
ling of one year, The lame, the halt
and the blind, all crowding the boats,
the lanes and outlets from the city, fear
| qulckenlng their pace, and the destroying
Angel at their heels. Hundreds ofthem di-
ed in the towns and villages around but not
| one instance occurred ofany inhabitant of
Albany, Bergen, or Brooklyn, ever being
seized by this, as it was called, infectious dis
ease. About this time, many instances like
the following, came under my notice A
respectable shoemaker, living at the corner
OF Pine and Front-streets, removed with his
wife and younger children. His son, about
Fl, confidential townsman, and an old col
ored woman, requested permission 10 stay,
as they were not afraid ofthc fever
lna few days all three were taken sick
i he Journeyman was my townsman-I was
intimate in the families. procured doc
tor and nurse, and gave what attention |
could On the 9Th day, the son died early
next morning, | found the house locked up
and the key gone-I made an entry through
lower window-the nurse had fled, and
took some of the small moveables bv way of
compensation. The black woman had roll
ed from her bed in the agonies of DEATH and
was lying on the foor-being unable 10 lift
her, put a pillow under her head, covered
her body with sheet, and entered the next
room where my friend lay, his eyes closing
fast in the sleep of death in two hours the
woman died. procured hearse, and
watched by my friend till s, p. NJ. when he
also died. AT the same time, young man
OF my acquaintance, lay at No Liberty
street, in the same situation nursed him
he recovered. Corner of Dover and Wa
fer streets, lay three brothers-I procured a
doctor-a nurse | could not find. When
the doctor entered and saw one laid on mat
trass on the floor, one on cot in the same
room, he seemed struck with fear-he asked
II there was any fire in the house; proeur-
ed seme-he Int a segar and smoked most
profuseiiy,--he proposed bleeding; took
the basin, but for some minutes his hand
trembled so, that he could not strike the vein
when finished, went with him to the
door ; says he, you run a great risk-says I
there is no retreating this was on Monday
the 18th Sept.-he called next day-Wed-
nesday and on Thursday he did not appear
| called his house on Friday about 10 o.
clock, A. Nj. and was informed that his
corps was now on the road to Potter's field
Next morning, the 22d September, the ell
der brother died, aged D the younger ones
recovered. The Doctors name was B-s
and kept his Office in Cherry-stree Re-
turning at J. o'clock, p NJ from visiting
patients, the night was dark IA thick wetting
mist was lalling-the lamps twinkled lust
enough 10 show darkness visible. Descend
ing the bill from the corner of Dover street
in Pearl, | met two hearses with the dead
one was issuing out of Peck slip, and the o.
Their coming out from Ferry street. They
turned up Pearl, towards Chatham street on
their way 10 Potter's Field. Each hearse
had driver and an assistant, witha lanthorn
between his feet, sitting in front Being
heavily laden, they drove slowly up the hill
the wheels and springs creaked and groan-
ed under the weight Of dead mortality. The
drivers safe dumb as mules-the pale light
Of their lanthorns Pickering across their stu
pid, unmeaning countenances, theirs look
ed as white as did the face of Samuel lust
peering out of the grave, when called by
the Witch of Endor from the mansions ofthe
dead / thought what fine subject this. for
such pencil as Vests 10 make a second
edition ofDeath on the Pale Horse.
Sabbath, 18th Sept-All the Churches
down town, known by the name Of Ortho.
dor and Reformed, being shut up, the poor
who could not fly, were very glad 10 pick
what little crumbs Of gospel comfort ibey
could find in the good old Church OF the
Trinity, which Was open every Sabbath
As the bell was lolling for afternoon service.
Mr.. T"**s"on and his wife, and myself and
wife, Eve had all been married within the
year, were walking among the tombs-as
we turned the east corner, (right under
what now is Bliss the booksellers window
Mrs T.. who was lively girl, turned her
husband round and exclaimed, Gin sort of
playful manner) "T*#***on, if 7 die Of the
fever you must bury me there"-(pointing
to the spot) Next day she was reported
and on Friday, The 2lst, he buried her therel