The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1878-10-11
run HOWARD ASSOCIATION.
4 itrier sketch Of tta origin. Members and
Ehbors In the s0uth.


Numerous letters have been received
asking for information in relation TO
the Howard Association, which has
been brought into notice 80 prominently
during the past few weeks. In roply,
We will state that II Is one of the
noblest institutions in the land, and is
composed Of heroic and benevolent gen
tlemen, who have for years been bound
together by tho grandest of human inn
pulses. This organization was formed
twenty-five years ago, when the city of
New Orleans was almost depopulated
By tho dread visitation Of yellow fcver;
and when, during the month of August,
1863, IL swept away 5,260 souls, and
cut of q population Of l25,000 that
remained in tho city during the epidemic
29,020 were attacked, and s, t0I died.
In many Of the smaller towns of Louis
iana, the mortality was terrible. At
Providence, Louisiana, the population
was reduced by flight to about 400.
OF these $50 sickened and lG5 died.
At VicIaburg the fever also ragged ter
ribly In a reduced population Of
about 5000, there were 2, 100 casea and
500 deaths. In jackson, Mississippi,
out Of 600 who remained, $50 took the
disease aud ll2 died. In other locali-
ties, people were dropping in the streets;
stricken districts were barricaded, and
ingress and egreas denied physicians
and nurses could not be obtained, and
throughout that section Of the country,
perfect reign of terror prevailed.
Such was tho malignity Of the epidemic
that every one seemed crazed with fear
of contagion. Parents deserted their
feverstricken children, husbands their
wives, and all in return were deserted
by their friends when the dreaded NAL
ady made It's appearance. Then il was
that tAis noble association made it's
birth. Aware Of the fact that in New
Orleans yearly repetition Of this dis
csc was TO be expected, and that some
measures for It's prevention and cure
must be adopted, a small number Of
the wealtbiest citizens united and form
cd this association, naming it in honor
of the worlds great philanthropist, J ohm
Howard. 1t was formed for the pur.
pose of procuring nurses, medicines and
physicians N such emergencies as that
through which they have just passed.
As soon aa the terror which hal been
inspired by the epidemic w.,s aihyed,
the public began to take an tut.aeat in
this assoeiaiion, and its ranks gre~ rap
| idly. Previous 10 the var it WAS onn
Of the Fealthicst associations III the
country, but, like everything else has
felt the dcmoralizing influences Of tho
late war, aud at the present time, most
Of the members are poor. They have
established agencies throughout these
sections Of tho South, whore, during
the past, this malignant epidemic has
been most severe. Wherever il hai
reared its head, the Howard docto7
and nurses have been found mt thcii
post, and the amount Of misery and
suffering which has been alleviated
through the exertions of the self-deny
ing and heroic members Of this organi
zation, is simply inealculAble. Their
plan Of operation in New Orleans, and
1
in fact of all the cities and towns where
they have agencies, is TO have the city
divided into districts 10 which severa
members assigned, and when the fevel
makes it's appearance all cases are i'm
modiately reported to headquarters
The Visiting COMMITTEES Immediately
investigate the matter, and physicians
aud nurses arc employed. The most o
the nurses are coiored men who hav'
had the fever, and consequently are no
so liable to infection, although not nee
essarily exempt, as Mt times it happens
that both nurse and patient succumb T.
tho destroying malady and both share
common grave. Some of the nurse
receive pay but there are many volun
teers TO their ranks, these consisting
mostly Of Sisters Of Charity and mem
bers Of benevolent Associations. Th
Howard Association never appeal 70
funds, although at times greatly in need
and all money or necessaries for the sui
ferers that is entrusted to their care !
divided among those in most need
their actions being guided by the sam
spirit that actuated the truly Christia
man from whom they derive their nam'
boston Herald.