Rapides gazette. (Alexandria, La.) 1869-187?, 1873-10-25
Report of Drs. Davidson,
Chopin and Barnes.


that our old and popular friend, DIR. ]. p.
Davidson, so long known and highly es-
teemed in Rapides, and now Sresident of
New Orleans, was one of the delegation
selected from the most eminent physicians
of the Crescent City, to visit Shreveport,
not only to assist her stricken citizens with
their valuable professional services, but
also to report upon the type, origin and
other particulars of the horrible scourge,
which deeimated the fair city Of north
western Louisiana. From the New Or
leans Times, we make the following ex-
tracts relative to the subject:
The Feper No longer Epidessic.
These gentlemen left Shreveport on
Thursday last, and reached home on Sun
day, all in remarkable good health, cOnsid-
ing the arduous and unremitting toll
through which they have SO recently pass
ed. At the time of their departure the
fever had ceased to he epidemic, although
cases were still occurring, and would pro-
baby continue to occur occasionally, until
severe frosts set in. Still the city remains
ALMOST DEPoPULATED
by reason chiefly of the continued absence
of the citizens who fled from the.pestilehce.
1t is understood the city contained popu-
lation of twelve thousand prior to the sick
ness. 1t is thought there are now not ex-
ceeding four Thousand people, white and
black all counted, in the place. All, or
nearly all. with whom Eight was possible,
sought refuge in that way. 1t was estina-
tod that not less than thirteen or fourteen
hundred persons, ont of the limited popu-
latiOn that remained, had been attacked
by the fever, and that mora than six hum
bred had died and been buried up to the
time these gentlemen left.
This
GREAT MORTALITY
is accounted for in perhaps the only ration
al way, and IN the opinion expressed is
sustained by all persons from Shreveport
with whom we have cOnversed. Without
stopping to inquire how the disease got to
Shreveport, it is ceItain it found there
sanitary condition highly favorable to its
virulence and rapid spread. 1t appears
from the statements made to us that the
sanitary and police regulations had been
far fron effective or adequate, but lett the
city i'm such condition that the introduce
ton of any virus was likely to be attended
with great mortality. The sickness was
clear and well-defined yellow fever, and its
virulence was even greater than that
which characterized the epidemic of 1853.
As yet it has not been ascertained
FROM WHAT SOURCE
the fever was introduced into the place,
but they were satisfied it was carried
there, and did not arise from the removal
of the Red River raft, or from the dead cat
tie in the sunken steamboat, and further it
was their opinion the introduction OF the
disease was not by the circus company.
THE BLACK PEOPLE.
All labor, both in town and country was
stopped, and very large accessions to the
black population had been made from the
Plantations who came in, it would seem,
for the purpose of being where the could
obtain supplies of food, until now the
blacks exceed the whites in number. The
Doctors do not speak III very COMPLIMENTS
~ terms of their conduct they seemed to
be paralyzed, and although drawing their
rations from the general supplies sent from,
abroad, they could not, except in few in
stances, he induced to render any assist
ance, refusing to either wash or cook for
the sick. 1t appears they have not been
wholly exempt from the disease, but gen.
orally have slight attacks and easily recov-
er.
THE SUPPLIES.
The city appears to lie well and regular
ly fuppled with food Two or three times
a week supply trains arrive from Texas
with beef, mutton, poultry and other food
products, and these are forwarded by the
Texans with their characteristic lberality.
The supply of medicines has been sufficient
all the time.
EXAMPLES OF SEIF-SAcRTFICE.
DIR. Chopin narrated to us many exam
Piles of self-sacriice deserving public ac-
acknowledgement. The Howard Association
of Shreveport, had been under wise direc-
tion and proven exceedingly efficient. The
| President, l.. r. Simmons, our former fellow
citizen, abandoning all thoughts of self
had devoted his whole time and strength
| to the care of the sick and destitute. Col
onel Martin, the Vice President, and we'll
known merchant, worked INCREASINGLY I'm
til he was himself stricken down by the
malady. We are rejoice to know that Col
onel Martin is now out of danger and rapid
| ly recovering. Great and valuable services
have also been rendered by Mr.. L. NJ
! Schmidt, President OF the New orleans
Howard Association. He is still at Shreve-
port. Our informant also speaks in terms
of highest praise of the gentle and Chris
tian charity of the Rev. Mr.. Adams, of this
city, who was also of the number thai
went to the relief of the afflicted city. An
other notable example of charitable devo
tion is that of Major Hearsay, editor of the
Shreveport Times. Throughout the entire
epidemic he devoted himself with untirins
sympathy to the care of the sick, nursing
them at night, and editing his paper in thu
hours of the day which should be hav,
been given to rest.
We come now to speak of those who CAV,
their lives in their efforts to serve thei
afflicted fellow citizens. OF these Their
were five priests of the Catholic churcl
and several Sisters of Charity. Three resi-
dent physicians, Drs. Wise, Hotchkiss a,lt
Hibbitt, also died, having each devoted al
their talents and skill for the relief of TIN
people until stricken down themselves. DIR
Richardson, Of jefferson, Texas, impelle,
by noble instinct, hurried to these scene
Of sickness and death, and himself became