The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-09-28
LETTER FROM CANTON
Graphic History of the Yellow sc0urge-
The Death List.

CANTON, Miss, September "a, 1878.
To the Editor Of the Democrat:
1t is just one month to-day since the terrible
scourge, now holding high carnival in our lit
tie city. made its appearances; or, rather it is
just one month since our people realized that
so dreadful foe was In their midst. L hold to
the opinion that much of the sickness that pre-
vailed among our people prior to the twenty
fourth OF August was genuine yellow fever, not
of decAyed vegetation and fostering water
pools on the northern boundary OF our city. In
that locality We have large creek and a. the sew
heavy and continued rains late in the spring
and early in The, summer, and this creek, and
Rs sEs s aRg s iH Water it sn5gaed 0oaed arss i
quantity Of decayed vegetation and other
offensive matter, was left along, the margin and
In my mind that the poison. that has impreg-
mated our atmosphere, for the past six weeks
was born in this locality. In support Of this b
seyenl who died resided on the street imme- an e
the creek. For days the sickness was confined
to this one street, traversing 1t from vest to
east until the north winds carried the poison to
before the poison had distributed itself through
out the entire eity proper. The suburbs, h0w- 3E,
force of street hands had been at work, since
spring, in putting the streets and cutters In re-
pn aRd s II WarP so ha
a baleful effect. and had something to do
with filing the atmosphere Yitn POISONOUS sl
ina tnat t am discussing W subject Witch has
engaged the attention of scientific men for
years. and about which there is much diversity
ever, that much that goes for science nova
days is altogether theory, and not sustained by
pr nd scsns e9sns sn n9b ghd
facts as they exist and pass under my own
observation. I am native Of your city. and
there, including the one Of 1858, remember
that my. father, who resided in New, Orleans y! up
to 1874 for W years and 9thef fI od elt
not indigenous. but imported, and infer that
many OF your citizens scientific and medical
men-Dr. Chopin among the reSt-nOld to that
opinion still, judging from the amount of f.;
| migating done to ships from tropical ports All
| this may be pride for ones city and an honest
| unwillingness to admit that she is heir by in
| heritance of swamps and lagoons.. to legacy
that must forever retard her growth and COM
| But enough OF, this. and to return to matters
at this place. Our town is Just mile square
and has q population OF about 300. On oui
suburbs there is scattered populat on, princi-
pally negroes, Of about 900 or a total Of 1000. A.
the outbreak OF the fever fully $500 of the people
| In the town, and about half In the suburbs. Ned
I]eaving somewhere in the neighborhood Of 10Ct
In the town and vicinity.
The scourge pursued it's awful work, grad
truest and best Our mayor. the Hon. Robert
/ Powell, was among the first taken down, ant
Our councilmen-six In number-tw, OF ou
physicians, and the Methodist, Baptist ant
Presbyterian ministers There was no BDiscopa
minister here) Joined In the STAN pede. w
were left without city government. with onl
four physicians. and they with little or 40 OK
perienee In the treatment Of yelloH fsve! ~ Q!
profession with no spiritual advisers save tn
Cody Father Cogan. Catholic priest, while
vailed among those who stayed.
Our efficient city marshal, Mr.. ThigDen. wa
nademayor pro tenn. and organized a Volun
teer city police for the protection Of dessrte
Stores resIden es and other property. M
Thigpen, after three weeks OF faithful and al
: duoqs labor was taken Ill. and has been cor
: fined to his room for two weeks. Six Of his or
! giua city qua ten in number. have pass,
| over the river" having sacrificed their lives Il