The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-09-15
QUARANTINE MADNESS.
Adventures of a Louisiana Planter
in Passing Through Alabama.

way, was the Governor of Louisiana who
approved the original quarantine law Of
1850, dropped into the Times office yes
terday to relate some of his quarantine
experiences, while ON his way hither from
the Virginia Springs. The Governor may
be allowed to tell his story in his own
way:
81 have been spending the summer at
the Montgomery White, and would have
remained longer but that | received tel
egram stating that portion of my sugar
house had taken wings during the storm
and departed upon an exploring expcdi-
ton into the adjacent cane-feld. Antic-
ipating some trouble in the quarantine
district, obtained before leaving certi-
ficate from the resident physician of the
springs, stating that | had been at the
springs for month or more and was in IA
perfect state of health. had added to
this certificate some additional details of
how | had not been in an infected place
this year; how had yellow fever in years
past, etc, stating further that | was a
native of Louisiana and have particular
business calling me home.
"Thus fortified, started on my jour
ney and progressed without accident or
event until | neared the city of Mont
eomerv. Some fifteen miles out of that
place there appeared a grand-looking in
dividual clad in uniform with brass but
tons, military cap, and wearing on his
manly bosom Il pewter soup-plate I'M
pressed with letters representing some
cabal or other.
''To me, being the first man on the
first seat in the sleeper, this formidable
officer presented himself, He asked me
where | was from and whittier was go
ing. | produced the certificate and ex
hibited it. He read it. He then pulled
out printed list of questions and pro-
pounded them to me, writing down my
answers.
"Question. Where are you from? An
swer. Virginia.
"Question. Where are you going? An
swer. To New Orleans.
"Qucs ion. Have you been in any in
fected place within fourteen days? An
swer. Did not you read my certificate?
No.
"Question. Are you alone? Answer.
Yes
"Question. Is your wife with you?
Answer No!
"Qucstion. How many children have
you with you? Answer. / have already
told you am alone. If you will read
that certificate of mine you will not ask
me all these questions.
"The officer said he had read it, but
had forgotten part of it. | tod him he
hada remarkably short memory. Upon
This he said: We'll, you must keep in
this car, and by no means 90 on, of it,
"What fort" / emarded.
"Becau~e of the quarantine relations"
he answered.
"WhoscY
"The Montgomery quarantine"
"Where's Montgomery%'
'Down the road piece"
"What is it? A ferry or whatn
The officer seemed taken aback by this,
but lie replied: "Why, it is the capital
city of the State of Alabama, sir"
"Ah," exclaimed, "and, please, what
is Alabama"
"The gaily dressed official was so
stunned by this that he could not find
words to express his astonishment. He
closed his book with bang, and imagin-
ing, perhaps, he had to do with a lunatic,
turned on his heel and pounced upon
lady two seats further on.
"When we arrived at Montgomery |
felt the cravings Of hunger, and went to
the door to get out Of the Car, intending
to visit the eating-house near by. The
door was locked, and a ferocious-l looking
man on the outside told me in peremp-
tory tone togo away from there, ! re-
monstrated, and told him was in need
Of some food, and went further to state
that had to have food.
"The man then told me that I could
order what I wanted, and it would be
brought to the train. | was so mad |
could hardly contain myself, but several
other passengers here joined me, and pro-
posed that general order should be sent
out. | ordered glass of milk and paid
two prices for it, as did the other passen-
GERS for the food they had. | suppose
the extra charge was in some way the
premium OF an insurance policy the
life of the waiter who had the hardihood
to enter the sleeper
81 found now that not only had the
door been shut and locked, but all the
windows had been carefully closed to
keep germs from getting out of the car.
1t is pretty warm in Alabama at this
time of the year, and we soon became 50
depressed with the heat, and lady pas
sener tainted. At the risk of being i'm
paled by the angry citizens of Montgom-
cry, / raised a window. The passengers
were equally alarmed and astonished at
my temerity, but no evil consequences
followed my rash act.
81 tell you, this Montgomery system is
tremendous farce. They cooped US
unofending people up there for an hour
without any excuse whatever. What
makes the system more contemplate is
that it is entirely inconsistent. The pas
sengers in the sleepers are considered in
fectcd, and are treated as such, yet
quarantine officer goes in and out among
them, and from them into the town, and
then back into the quarantine station.