Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1879-08-08
Life in Memphis.

Mr.. John Taggart, of the firm of
Taggart Brothers, of this city, who
has just returned from Memphis, re-
lated to journal reporter a number
of incidents in regard to the yellow fever
scourge in that city, which have mel
ancholy interest. Mr.. Taggart lived at
Memphis during considerable part of
the epidemic last year, and was all the
time close and careful observer ofthe
events occurring around him. Among
other things, he said:
All the fatal cases of yellow fever
with one exception) which occurred in
Memphis this year, previous to last
Saturday, were located in the very best
part of the city. The victims all lived
in houses situated on high ground,
where it would seem disease was least
likely to strike. Judge Ray, who was
the first to die, lived in beautiful house,
apparently in most healthy situation.
There had been a death from yellow
fever last year in the Judges house
hold, but every possible precaution had
been taken in the way of disinfecting
and cleansing to prevent temperance
of the disease. Judge Ray was seized
with the fever while pleading at the
bench, and was obliged to adjourn
court. His house has become the CEN
ter from which the fever has spread
through that part of the city.
Whatever else may be the cause of
yellow fever, l feel sure that the ques-
ton of dirt or cleanliness has little to do
with it. l know every part of the city
OF Memphis, and its condition this year
q nf al al;
city was quite as clean as indianapolis
is to-day, and much cleaner than Louis
vile. What may be the origin of the
disease / do not pretend to say, and the
doctors who have had the most expert
ence in treating it are the men who are
most reluctant to express an opinion
on the subject; but the opinion is con-
stantly gaining ground that it belongs
to that part of the country, is natural to
it, and will now originate there even if
it is not introduced.
Scarcely any idea can be formed of
the dreadful prospect which lies before
the $4,000 or 10000 people who will be
compelled to stay in Memphis for lack
OF means to get away. With the ex-
ception of two cOlored military COM
panies who have volunteered their
services as guard, and few of the
police who will stay on duty, it is feared
the citizens will be without protection,
and there is large representation of
the dangerous classes in the city that
greatly needs watching. There will be
little or no work for anybody, and peo-
pie cannot raise money by selling furni-
ture or clothes, for there isnone to buy.
Add TO all this the scarcity of provisions,
and the fact that every little town with
in twenty or thirty miles of Memphis
has quarantined in the strictest possible
manner against Memphis, and you will
see that the prospect is indeed appall-
ing. Do not think there will be as much
outside help for yellow fever sufferers
this year as there was last summer; the
people of Memphis do not expect there
will be, and yet they can scarcely do
much to help themselves.
This quarantine against Memphis by
the surrounding towns, however nee
essary it may be, is itself dreadful
hardship to great many. Men are
stationed on every road all aronud these
towns, with double barreled shot-guns,
and ordered to shoot any person com
ing from Memphis who attempts to
pass them. Families are often divided
in this way, and parents and their chill
dren are shut off from each other. l
had man in my employ last year who
was left in Memphis with one of his
children "a little girl year or two old)