The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1881-05-19
Geo. w. Rhines and the Small
nOx

| III ouT IuSJ ISSUE we llldue Tic SldIe-
ment that Geo. w. Rhines had re-
turned from Pittsburg and that it was
reported that he had the small pox.
The evidence on which we based the
statement seemed to he well authen-
ticated. 1t was in this wise Mr..
Rhines was returning from trip to
Pittsburgh, and while on the Brook
vile and Ridgway stage he cody in
formed the passengers that he had
been exposed to the smallpox. and
that as he was broken out he had good
reason to believe that he had the dis
euse. On the stage were several pass
engers, who, of course, were highly
delighted to think they were so tortu-
nate as to be in company with small
poX patient Nearly any person would
feel tleligh ed under similar circum-
stances. In his progress home he
cheerully hinted to other parties that
he was coming down with this 10th
some disease. or course we are will
ing to admit that his former record
for truth and veracity would argue
against any statement he might make
public. We, however, took enough
stock in the statement to say on his
own testimony that ''it is reported"
etc. The gentleman in question came
home on Wednesday night, ana on
Tuesday morning the news had spread
rom mouth to mouth that Geo Rhnes
had the smallpox. The Borough
Council met and took action in the
matter and ordered Constable Wood
ward to have yellow flags and notices
posted on Mr.. RhinCs' premises to
warn the public against the presence
OF smallpox, we will here also state
that the signs were removed before it
disease or not and after one doctor
gave 1t as his opinion that he bad at
least the var;nioii. About the next
move tie patient. AJy. RAinos, makes
Is to come down town ANA iuto the
billiard saloon OF Mr.. Aaron. In
thi. he did wrong, not knowing but
that he had the disease, as he exposed
in rrcll less and lawless manner the
ity to suit the convenience or whim of
George Rhincs. 4 man Of his age it
seems would not desire to expose IA
community, and would possess sense
enough to stay in the house until
every doubt was removed Of his hav
ing the disease. Then, we under.
stand, at the time committee OF
physicians were to call on him, he
deliberately shouidpred his gun and
went tn the woods. All these Things
were forcibly brought to mind as on
Monday morning Mr RhiMcs acco>ted
, tie editor OF THE ADVOCATE, and
. with vile epith"ts, and most abu-
e sive language, without giving chance
To explain, tried to brow beat and COW
! down the atfnresaid editor. He would
he said, if cared Of the law knock
e ye editor down. When Informed
: quietly that il wouldn't cost him 4
q cent to knock he bowed around, aS il
= his style, and went down the street
' still blowing. 1t is very little salts
faction to write of Il man who cannot
read what is written of him, but We
trust his friends will do him the kind
ness Of reading this article To him. 1t
is currently reported that Mr.. Rhincs
is IL man of wealth, and his use o
Biilingsgate on the street Monday
:. morning stamps him rs Il man of nC
= other recommendation. Whether
Mr.. RhincS had, or had not, the small
- poX, his action all through the matte
il deserving of great censurc. II,
e should also understand that he is no
justified in opening his fGui-mouth
5 aud lonseuing his b!asphenlJus ton
gue Co abuse people, especially with
J, out cause. There is no doubt but tha
the authorities should have compelled
# him to stay in the house if they ha,
authority to do So until AL do"bt O
q his having the disease hal vanished
- We fail, despite his threats and loud
mouthed blowing to see wherein MI
n Rhiues has been abused. For if h
had not the disease and knew he dit
/ not have it then he is deserving q
censurr for circulating such II lie
- he had the disease and knew it thel
his reciIlessness in exposing his fami!
q and the community to its dread rava
ges would amount to crinlna
- wrong and he would deserve to h
prosecuted "a an enemy against soc
i ETY.. Taking either horn OF the di
lenma, the quieter he takes the mat
- ter the better for him. He is eitho
10 he branded as an outrageous liar, q
t. else a. a dangerous criminal. He ha
o, committed an outrage on the con
nunity in which he lives. and Il
:. serves TO apoiogiz" or else hereafter !!
branded a. man In whom no conf
a drnce can be placed.
Boston Inside Out"
RpV Henry MORGAN SAYS he hg