Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1881-04-14
THE aLovER's GAP PLAGUE.
Another Correspondent Heard From
Not 80 Black as Painted.
r,o,.,,s Can w VI Anril l2

Another Correspondent Heard From
Not 80 Black as Painted.
GLovER's GAP, W. Va, April Is.
Editor Register.
We notice a communication from Bur
ton in your issue OF the 18th, accusing
the people of Marion county and GLOW
er's Gap with carelessness in dealing
with the smallpox that has infected this
region, and OF serious damages" done
the people OF Wetzel county by that ap-
parent carelessness. Being citizen Of
Gloyer's Gap and of Marion county, We
feel il our duty not TO let the communl-
cation 20 by unnoticed, and through
YOUR kindness TO show your Burton cor
respondent that he is little previous
a little wayward in his remarks.
The young man who came to this place
infected with the disease did not know
the same TO he such, as charged by your
Burton correspondent. He admitted
there was case oil smallpox taken
from the public house at which he
boarded, but TO the best OF his knowl.
edge he had no opportunity OF coming in
contact with the disease. A short time
afterwards. feeling i'll and being among
strangers, he thought it best to come
home, where he would receive the at
tention of father and mother. Alter
arriving at home he had all the symp-
toms of scarlet fever, and was so pro-
nounced by his physicians and by all
who saw him.
Your Burton correspondent is alto
gether too harsh against the boy, not
taking into consideration the TACT that
the boy is scarcely over sixteen years Oi
aye, and never having seen case OF
smallpox did not know OF its dangerous
effects.
Again, your correspondent says that
the county authorities were notified,
which is a mistake, for smallpox was
not known 10 exist among US until three
weeks had elapsed after the young man
had arrived here, and then physician
from Wtt-el county made two visits to the
patient: before he discovered the Dature
OF the disease. Then every precautlon
was taken to prevent its spreading.
The afflicted families were confined to
their houses, and were supplied by the
neiyhbors with all that they needed.
So strict were the measures taken to
prevent its spreading, that the disease
was confined to two families in Glover's
Gap, Mr.. Courtright's aud DR.. Shuman's,
his physician. Mr.. Ioust, who died
last Monday, visited Mr.. Courtright
before it was really known that the dis
ease was smallpox.
As to careiessness on the part OF the
citizens Of this county and this place We
must say that your correspondent is
mistaken. Our only physician was
pros,ra,ed with the disease and it was
hard to procure medical aid from else.
where. Then the citizens took the mat
ter i'm their own hands and lent their as
s:s.ance to the sick and used every
means to prevent the disease from
sprealing Over two hundred persons
were yaccinated by one Gentleman free
OF charge.
The above are the facts sn your Bur.
ton correspondent has been misinform-
ed or willully wandered from the truth.
We have not single case OF smallpox
in Gloyer's Gap, which is accounted for
by the "carelessness" your Burton cor
resp lndent speaks of. At last accounts
Mr.. YOust, who lives in Wetzel county,
six miles from here, remains unburied.
MApTpN