Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1873-04-23
For the Freeman.
An Explanation.

| Au EApldudlIOu.
An article appeared in the Argus and
Patriot, April 10th, headed -" Sensations in
NJ )ntpelier,'' in which was the following
sentence
FIRST came the Small Pox scare, which at one
time threatened to develop into panic. Over. this
! hot blood began to generate, Drs. Kemp and
Chandler attributing the blame of the entire lack
OF precaution against its spreading joel Foster
or the first selectman, whom they say they warned
| early.
On the 18th, met Dr.. Kemp, and asked
| him if he had seen the g Sensation Article -
il the Argus. His answer was, " Well, no;
but my wife has read it to me- He further
said: 81 don't see what he wanted to say
that for" &c. | said t DIR. Kemp, that
cared nothing for what the Argus of itself
said Of me, or my friends, as it was not con-
s!dered any disgrace to be assailed by it, but
SO FALSE statement, purporting to come from
himself and DR.. Chandler, as he knew that
to be, [ asked to have corrected. He agreed
to see both Dr. Chandler aud Mr.. Atkins.
The l4th Dr. Kemp informed me he had
seen them, but did not say much to DR.,
Chamberlain he commenced talking about
it, but broke off on to something else, and
that Mr.. Atkin had agreed to correct it in
his next issue. And here we have the cor
rection:
First Selectman Foster said to be p retty cross
because of what the Doctors said abe ut his not
guarding against the spread of small pox, and
stoutty demurs to the indictment. The small poX
scare is over, the disease having been confined to
original quarters. The danger having passed, the
wrang1e over it might well cease. 1t seems to
be nuddle at best.
Now for the facts The 18th of March |
went to Boston and returned Saturday even
ing, the 18th. At Mortified heard the re-
port that there was small pox in Montpelier.
The train being two hours and half late, |
arrived home between the hours of six and
seven O'Clock. | went directly to my house
and in few minutes to the store, and there
learned what physician was in attendance at
Mr.. Clark's. and other particulars 50 far as
possible. Before half past seven clock, the
same evening | called at Dr. Kemp's house.
He was not in, but soon found him on the
street. L asked him the particulars. Fl G
said they had quite a scare over it when he
was first called Wednesday night, bat he
now thought there was no trouble, it being
the chicken pox. | did not like his express
sion of uncertainty. and told him if he was
not clear beyond a doubt to call council of
physicians, to which he replied he had called
IN DR. Chandler, and stated what he said
He further assured me that if there was any
thing ID indicate the small pix he would let
me know at once. Having the utmost conf
dence in both doctors, was satisfied with
the explanation.
The next evening a report was extant,
coming from Dr. Chandler, that there was
not much doubt but Mrs CIark's sickness
was occasioned by varioloid. Monday morn
ing went to Dr.. Kemp and told him the re
port. His answer was. DR.. Chandler never
said any such thing and he insisted that
should go and see him. Dr. Kemp further
invited me into his ofi;e to real the different
authors on the disease, etc. | still insisted
| that if there was any doubt as to what the
disease was the public should have the bcne-
fit of it, During the same forenoon both
doctors called at my place of business IN
orming me that there was no trouble, the
disease was the chicken p)x and doing well,
| But during the conversation DR.. Chandler
stated that it was very difficult to tell the
difference between light case of varolOid
and hard case of chicken pox. Here was
still an expression of doubt which | was not
quite satisfied with, and | asked them this
question. - Is it the duty of the selectmen
to post notice Of no admttance? The an-
swer from Dr. Kemp was, :" Let the family
20 about their own business and tell outs id
ers to mind theirs, and there will be nc
trouble
All was quiet from the 18th to the Goth
of March In the afternoon of the Goth DR.
Kemp came to the court house to tell me that
Mr.. Clark's daughter was sick with the va
riolojd and others at the house were coming
down with it. The next day chicken pox wa'
reported at Mr.. Smiths, a near neighbor tt
the Clarks. and in a few hours it passed il
report as small pox. Again | went to DR.
Kemp's aud did not hesitate to say that
blamed both doctors and insisted on more
counsel, which was had.
Now, after all this, and at this late day
they declare they always had doubts as to
what it was. II 50, why should they have
told the Clarks 1t was nothing but the chick
| en- pox, and allowing Mr.. Clark and the
flmlly to 60 and come when and where they
pleased? Why allow the daughter to attenc
school among five or SIX hundred pa pills
portion of two weeks after the doctors haC
been called to see Mrs, Clark. before her OWL
/ sickness? Why was the girl who took care
5 of Mrs Clark allowed to 90 home sick, and
expose others, if the doctors had doubts a:
, to the disease?
Il With these facts, is it just to myself, as
public officer, and to the town, that sucl
grave charges as those referred to in tht
Argus should 90 unnOticed? | submit then
| t. the people, and abide their verdict.
JOEL FOSTER, Jr
For the Freeman.