Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-04-21
NO.. ga.
(From the Danbury News.l
ASMALL.POX SCARE.

New Fairfield was conyulsed By small
pox scare, Friday. A resident Of that
place named Howard, who has been at
work in Slawson, having occasion to trans
fer himselfto Brewster, sent home box
of clothes. The box was taken from Dam
bury by a New Fairfielder and left at Mr..
Berow's place, as the nearest point to
Howard's home, to be called for. There
was no address on the box, and the party
who left it merely said that il would be
called for. without giving anyinames. Mr..
Berow was away at the time, but when he
got home his attention was called to the
box by his wifewhO asked if he knew any
thing about it. He didn't but felt that lie
ought to in view OF the intense smallpox
excitement raging in the town below
them. lie looked at the box from every
availale point, pushed it back with his
foot, and then jumped, and caused Mrs.
Berow to scream and finally started sitter
neighbor. With this reinforcement
the cloud that had been but the size of a
mans hand assumed most gigantic pro.
portions. The new party did not kick the
box, and so did not have to dodge back
and cause Mrs. Berow to scream. But he
took most gloomy view of the matter.
and suggested that the post master be
called in. That gentleman was sent af-
ter. and was soon on the spot, but got off
again as quickly as possible. simply con-
flrming the general impression. As moro
light seemed to be needed, it was finally
resolved to send for Mr.. Fowkes, who
having once been an assessor was believed
TO know something of the matter. And
he did. He said, on his arrival, that it
was, as believed, box ofinfected cloth
ing. sent out by the Danbury doctors to
spread the disease, and strengthen their
pockets. He recommended that a con-
stable be called 10 direct the disposal of
the box. As he stood out on the stoop
and held his nose while delivering this
opinion, it impaired additional importance
to it, and the constable was sent for. Is
was now late in the evening. He recon-
mendeG waiting until midnight, and then
transferring the box to an opposite lot.
where it could be left until town meet
ing was held and took action. According
ly, the party sprinkled camphor over their
clothes and the furniture. and closing the
room in which was the box, patiently
awaited the coming Of midnight, when
everything pertaining to smallpox must
be disposed of. At II O'Clock Mr.. Berow
got two long poles, on which the box was
pushed by third, and then being care
fully lifted. was solemnly born to the Gen.
tire of the lot opposite, where it was drop
ped. To insure greater safety from in
fection in the air, a small hen-coop was
dropped over the box. This was very
fortunate thought, and MIR. Barber. the
constable, is, we believe. entitled to the
credit. The next morning Mr.. Berow
started after justice of the peace. and
returned with him in time to meet Mr.
Howard's little girl who came after the
clothes. For moment Mr.. Berow and
the justice were struck dumb, in the next
Mr.. Berow to take the little girl out in
the back kitchen and amuse her for min
ute or two, and then he and the justice
scooted into the opposite lot. and brought
back the box, and deposited it on the stoop
whence. on the appearance Of the, little
girl, it was put into her wagon. After the
little girl drove off, Mr.. Berow went after
his hen-cOop, and the facts soon became
noised about, causing considerable relief
and disappointment.
N. B.-Since the above was put In type,
Messrs. Banks and Fowkes have called
upon us to say that they Thought all along
the box was all right" g.s.t