Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-11-07
tents. was tending A man named Granville +.

u
Hopkins, who was afflicted with smallpox in
its worst form at 2ls Main street Yesterday
morning before daylight the man in tn oi
insanity expressed desire to take walk.
Sylvester thought the request not an un-
reasonable one, and wrap, ing him in sheet
took him into the streets barefooted and nude,
with the exception of the slight covering, the
time being FIVE o'clock in the morning and
the air at nearly freezing point. The first
place he entered was a stable, where the
hostlers were about their morning work. To
their excited imaginations the pair seemed q
sheeted spectre and an attendant fend, and
they were naturally throw into great fright.
Some hid in the hay lott and said not q
word, while others ran, shouting at the top of
their voices. They ieisurefy made the tour
of three stables, affrighting all the men there
employed in similar manner. The weird
pair promenaded through Main, Miller and
Lawrence streets, soaring AL persons they
met. Milkmen on their morning rounds
whipped up their horses and drove off at
break neck pace, shouting "Murde-' Help
Sleepers were reused by the disturbance, and
windows were thrown up ouly to be as sud-
denly slammed down when the unearthly
spectacle made its appearance. Special po
! liceman Michael Hughes was standing at the
corner of Phipps and Lawrence streets, near
the ancient burying- ground, when. in the
darkness. he saw the strange couple about
fifty feet from him.
They approached him, and he turned t,
run, but mastering courage he rallied ana
broke forth iu characteristic speech. stand
back Ifyon are human and come near me.
II cave both your heads in a private
Waterman at Peter Chevaher's stable incon-
. tinently fed, crying, "A spook spook :.
Huwly mother OF Moses protect me.' As he
~, mil mt hor
izontally. and he has not since been heard
, from, When last seen he was going towards
Cambridge at the top of his speed. His
name is Cornelius Reagan. His friends fear
the shock has rendered him insane. The I'M
fortunate mans absence was discovered by
his friends, and he wa, taken back to the
house, where he was placed in charge of Il
trustworthy man named Joseph Gould. At
about eight o'clock sylvester stepped into the
police station, where Chief OF Police Swift
and several officers were sitting.
| The affair had meanwhile been reported at
the station, aud as the fumigator made his APP
pearance there was a vacancy in the room
where the officers were sitting, they rushing
promiscuously into the chiefs private office
in the rear The chief ordered the nnwel
come intruder 10 leave Instantly, and never
darken the doors of the station again. The
station was Immediately tumigated, and dis
| ln1ectants were scattered freely around.
Chief Swift promptly discharged Sylvester,
and appointed in his place a man named John
Reese, who is of good character, and will be
faithful to his duty. Sylvester was very in
dgnant at the action of the chief, and says he
will 'wield the pen against him. The an
thcrities say that they would have him arrest
ed if any one could be found To make the ar
rest, but as he is reeking with the foul dis
ease, no one dares TO approach him.
| The chief warns everyone to give him a
wide berth. Sylvester received five dollars
for every house iumgated, and has declared
that he intended to make his fortune out of
the thing this season. For this reason he did
oil he could to spread the disease, and imme-
diately alter coming in contact with the most
malignant cases he wonld stand among crowds
and on the sidewalk in the most exposed
places. lie became regular bugbear. Git
liens would order him to leave their vicinity,
and little children would flee at his approach.
He is man of singular appearance, aud
would make good Improvisation of Charles
Dickens Fagin the jew. He has long, black,
snaky hair and STOPPING, crooked figure.
He boasts that he has not washed himself tor
twenty years, and the dirt stands incrusted on
the back of his neck to considerable depth.
n AS the disease seems to be on the Increase,
such case as this is serious affair. There
are five cases of smallpox on Phipps street,
and the thoroughiare was closed to public
travel on Saturday. - ddrelfiseT.