The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1849-07-26
ST. LOUIS.
The Epidemic-ks rarages dis.
eases--Mclancholy incidcnt--Mercan
tile community--Corruption of grea.
cities, ST. Louis in particular.

cities, ST. Louis in particular.
We are indebted 10 the kind attentions
Of a friend for the following extracts from
a letter received by him under date OF 81,
Louis, 18th inst. The reflections upon the
mercantile community may in the main be
correc, as applied TO all cities, bu, in ST.
Louis their sombreness il relieved by the
well known philanthropy Of that class of
its citizens. In proof Of this assertion We
would instance the nacrity and tho sub
ssan,al manner in which they responded
to the appeal from Piusburg, proceeding
out Of its affection from the devouring ele-
ment. We would point TO the many and
heavy OUTLAWS individually encountered by
the merchants for materials TO purify their
city and rid it Of the pes,ilcn,ial vapor,
which for months has involved them. All
honor TO tho fraternity who have nobly
stood their ground and fought the destroy
er. rather than flee and leave the weak aud
INDECENT alone to its embraces:-
"'rhc Cholera has been with us a long
time. II commenced here early last win.
ter, tho cases then were few, and scatter.
ing aud doubts as usnal we're expressed, rs
to its being the genuine Asia,ic; but those
doubts were soon removed. As the warm
weather approached, tho disease developed
itself more fully, aud before the great fire,
was considered very bad; that fire seemed
To check it for short time, but il soon be.
gan To increase, until it finally devastated
our city, and made il a perfect grave yard.
For the las! 3 or 4 weeks we have been b,-
rying from 500 to 1000 per week. Las,
weeks reports for the week ending 10Th
inst. show mortality of e67, and this in
population decreased BY death and depar-
lures To no, over 10000 aud some say 30.
tm0-usuallv 60 $4,000. This is fear.
iul mortality, and much greater than is Oh
record in shy other city ia the Union.-
This week there is an Improvement, the
deaths average from SO 80 per day, while
last week they run as high as $50 per day.
The mortality from Cholera Yesterday was
down to 80, from other diseases 81, in eli
81. With the decrease in Cholera, there
seems 10 come on increase of fatality in
other diseases, as Bilious Dysentery and
Congestive Fcvers, which are rs much 10
be dreaded rs tie Cholera the one wasting
its victim like wax before the fire, the 9th.
or producing death almos, as soon as Chol.
era; quickly reducing TO insensibiliiy, from
the effect OF which the sufferer never
awakes. In all cases Of death from these
diseases, decomposition takes place so rap
idly, as to render speedy burial necessary ;
from q to 81 hours begins, aud ends the
case. In most cases medical skill seems
useless-the disease setting a. defiance oil
known modes Of treatment.
II would be impossible for me to relate
all the individual cases Of distress that have
come under my knowledge; th,y are too
numerous, and extend through the whole
community; in some instances whole fami.
lies have been swept away from earth, ia
50 short time, as almost 10 defy belief.
Lately Mr. Gilman's book keeper, Mr.. Ran
son died, and when the grave closed over
him there was none OF his name, or kin
drcd, to drop tear to his memory, aud
there were eight new-madc graves side by
side, containing his family, his wife and
children, who, bu, week or ten days pre-.
sious, were all together, and well. This is
but one out Of many cases, more or less
distressing.
We have strict Quarantine Regulations.
Boards Of Health, &c. Oar people are put
on low diet vegetables and fruit no, allow
ed to enter the city, and there has been
considerable fasting, il not ms much PRAYER
as there should bc-but il all fails. The
disease seems 10 have its own way aud will
run its course, but trust we have seen the
worst, aud that shall have better news for
you hereafter. Every one feels sad and
detected, not knowing at what moment
those nearest and dearest to him NAV be
taken away. The brave man under these
circumstances feels fear, rs we'll rs the
coward, but their feelings arise from differ
ent sources. You could not Imagine any
thing more unpleasant than residence in