The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1872-11-15
SPREADING SMALLPOX.
CURIOUS ACTION OF A CHARLES
TOWN FUMIGATOR
From the Boston Advertiser. Nov. Al


p One of the greatest and most peculiar
sensations which Chsrlestown has known
for q long time, occurred in that city yes
terday. John M. Sylvester man en-
ployed by the city to fumgate houses
where the smallpox exists and to lake
care Of patients, WAS tending q man
named Grenville Hopkins, who was at.
Hicted with the smallpox in its worst
form at No. 2ls, Main street Yesterday
morning, before daylight, the man in a lit
of insanity expressed a desire to take a
walk. Sylvester thought the request not
an unreasonable one, and wrapping him
in Q sheet, took him into the streets bare
footed and nude, with the ex-
ception 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
stable, where the hostlers were about thier
morning work. To their excited imagina-
tionsthe pair seemed q sheeted spectre
and an attendant fend, and they were
naturally thrown into great fright.
Some hid in the hayloft and said not =
word, while others ran, shouting at the
top Of their vocos. They leisurely made
the tour of three stables, affrighting all
the men there employed in similar man
ner. The weird pair promenaded through
Main, Miller and Lawrence streets, scar
ing ali persons they met Milkmen on
their morning rounds whipped up their
horses and drove off at bresk-neck pace,
shouting, Murder Help" Sleepers
we're reused by the disturbance, and
windows were thrown up only
TO be a. suddenly slammed
down when the unearthly spectacle made
it, appearance. Special policeman Mich
Gel Hughes was standing at the corner Of
Phipps and Lawrence streets, near tho
ancient burying ground, when, in the
darkness he saw the strange couple about
fifty feet from him. They approached
him, and he turned TO run, but mastering
courage, he rallied, and broke forth in
characteristic speech; Stand back If
your are human and come near me- I'll
cave both your heads in A private
watchmsn at Chevalier's stable inconti-
nently fed, crying, "a spook spook
project meW When last seen, he was GO
ing toward Cambridge at the top Of his
speed. The unfortunate mans absence
was discovered by his friends, land he was
taken back 10 the house, where he was
placed in charge OF trustworthy
man named Joseph Gould. At
about 8 o'clock Sylvester stepped
into the police station, where Chief Of Po-
lice Swift and several Others were sitting.
The affair had meanwhile been reported
at the station, and as the fumigstor made
his appearance there was q vacancy in the
room where the officers were sitting they
crushing promiscuously into the chiefs
private office in the rear. The chief Or
defed the unwelcome intruder to leave in
SANITY, and never darken the doors of the
station again. The station was iinme-
diately fumigsted, and disinfectants were
scattered freely around. Chief Swift
promptly discharged Sylvester, and pro.
cured in his place u man named John
Reese, who is of good character, and
will be faithful to his duty. Sylves
ter WAS very indignant at the action Of the
chief; and says he will "wield the pei
against him The authorities say the,
would have him arrested if any one coul,
be found to make the arrest but as he i
reeking with the foul disease, no one dare
TO approsch him. The chief warns ever
one to give him wide berth. Sylveste
received IS for each house fumigated, an
has declared that he intended TO make 81
fortune out Of the thing this season. Fo
this reason he did all he could to sprea
sno uiec"eci n"u i"'"ou'ote'y hiter COMM
in contact with the most malignant case
hs would stand among crowds and on tn
: sidewalks in the most expose
places. Ne became regula
bugbear. Citizens would order him +
leave their vicinity, and little children
would fee at his approach. He is II maj
of singular appearance. He has long
black, snaky hair, and u stopped, crooke
figure. He boasts that he has not washe
himself for twenty years, and the dir
stands incrusted on the back of his nee
10 a considerable depth. AS the diseas
seems TO be on the increase such case n
this IS serious affair. There are fv
cases Of smallpox on Phipps street, an
the thoroughfsre was closed to publ
travel on Saturday.