National Republican., 1878-09-19
OUR NURSES AT MEMPHIs.
More Light Upon the Railroad Train ssnsa-
tion-Deniai Of DR.. kamssy's Story.

More Light Upon the Railroad Train ssnsa-
tion-Denisl Of DR.. kamssy's Story.
MEMPHIS, TENN, Sept Is, 1873.
To he Editor Of tAe National Republican!
SIR: There Il no abatement Of the terrible
scourge that Is laying away in their graves
the noble men and beautiful women Of Western
Tennessee and Northern Mississippi.
It was hoped blythe medical fraternity and
the people that the falling Of the thermometer
for the past three days would, In 3 measure'
check the increase Of new cases Of fcver but
their hopes have not been realized. The new
cases reported daily by the physicians average
$50, and tho death rate has not fallen below
ninety seven any day during the past week.
and yesterday 1t reached 127, aud that, too,
notwithstanding that there are fully 1900
nurses employed by the Howard Association,
to say nothing about those in tho employ Of
the Masons, Odd Fellows and kindred orders.
The relief associations are being daily de-
creased In tho number of their working men,
bers. There are only five left of the Howards.
A. d. Langstaif the indefatigable president,
has been down since Wednesday, but am
happy to say he is in q fair way Of recovery.
The other associations are similarly reduced,
and II they arc not speedily rein forced there Is
no telling the consequence. 1t is limited that
IL may be necessary 10
ABANDON THEIR WORK
If they are unable to procure additional assist
ance. They are entirely overworked and It is
matter of hut few days duration before
they too will Gll victims OF the fever.
Among the names Of the dead this week are
many of Memphis most prominent and useful
citizens. All trades and vocations are repre-
scnted-doctors, ministers, lawyers. editors,
telcgruphcrs, &c. in fact, to escape Is the ex.
ception and not the rule.
The total number Of cases up to date Is
4,5OO; deaths, 800, or nearly one.half. At
this ratio, If the fever Is not checked before
the appearance Of frost, there will not be left
single person now alive. Every ono l con-
verse with fully realizes the situation, aud are
determined to meet their fito like heroes, as
thoy certainly are.
am panied to announce the sickness OF two
Of our party-one lndy and one gentleman
Mrs. Beesley and Mr. Thompson. The doctor
attending Mrs. d. informs me that she Is very
III OF Mr.. ThOmpsOn's condition am unim-
formed. The balance are well, SO far as can
ascertain, aud are working like TrGjans May
all Of them be spared to return to their homes
and friends, Is the prayer Of all here.
THE RAMSEY STORY.
Tho papers Of yesterday contained m &c.
COun. Of au interview with Dr. Ramsey, who
came here with us but nan sway in day
after his arrival. | have not seen his stato-
nent and do not know its entire contents; but
what has appeared here In the shape Of tel
eGraphic synopsis is literally untrue. In the
hrst place, his stay was 20 short he hal no op.
pOrtunity IN learn anything. lie was not even
assigned to duty by Dr. Mitchell the medical
director. o. our arrival we reported to the
Towards, aud, with the exception Of DR.. Ram.
soy and Miss Wallace, were placed on duty.
DR.. Mitchell stated plainly the situation, and
Informed us Of the great danger attending our
n1V, tsorF hue IHr NIt,,,
bear the stigma OF being the only towards,
we decided to remain regardless Of the conse-
Iuence. DIR. Ramsey and Miss Wallace
thought otherwise, and were returned TO the
Peab ody Hotel, Of which he gave such horri.
bic account.
In my previous letter abatained from say.
ing anything about Ramseys
| CONDUCT on THE CARS
from Washington to this city; but, as he has
given his version, you will pardon me II I give
mine, corrUbOratod by not only our party, but
| By all Of tho passengers who were ON the same
| train.
Tobegin with, he and Pease were drunk from
| the start, and acted IN such manner as to
| make themselves nuisance 10 every one on
tho train. On our arrival IN Louisville instead
Of attending to his duty-that Of procuring
transportation from that city to this poiut-he
was IN bed dsdd drunk and but for the inter.
est taken In us by the citizens Of Louisville
| we would have been there now tor anything
that he ramsey did. Tho nearer we ap-
| preached Memphis the more frightened he be-
| came and, to give you an idea how ridiculous
lie made himself, he pinned one Of the ladies'
wells to his hat. thoroughly saturated with
carbOlc acid, in order. as he said to
prevent his contracting the disease. This
| was done whom We were all of 200 miles
away frcm Nen, his THIS was his make
| up when he arrived here, and you can imagine
| the attention he attracted with the veil and
sponge dangling about his nose. 1t Is true
that the Peabody Hotel has had Its share o.
fever, but what house has cscspedH But a:
soon as person dies every thing about thu
| room Is Immediately removed and burned, and
the room is thoroughly disinfected, aud Mr
Galloway, the proprietor, takes especial car,
| that none Of them arc occupied by his guests
NEGROES As NURSES.
His statement that the HOwards assign malt
negro nurses TO attend white ladies Is IL
made out Of the whole cloth. II Is bas
SANDER upon as noble a band of men as eve
lived, and to let 1t 20 unContradictod woulC
be giving cOunteuapCC TO what this miserable
coward has said.
The colored people too come In for his vii,
abuse. l am Informed by the best citizen
that the colored people have lent every assist
ance, aud but for their cheerfIlneSs to perform
any duty assigned them the Towards an,
other associations would have bcun material!
crippled In tue discharge OF their Ouerou
duties. They act as policemen, guards for tn
commssaIy stores, &C.; in fact, the dtioren
| relief associations never make move withOu
first consulting with their colorGd fellow -citi
| zens.
The physicians unite in denouncing hi
slanderous statement, aud ignore him ontirel.
Professionally. J. d. UZELL.