Morning journal and courier., 1882-03-28
smanpox-Excitemen in Waterbury-A


 The decision of the Waterbury health com mittee to remove Michael Dwyer the small pox patient on Hayden street in that city, to the pest house on Saturday night, met with stubborn resistance from the sick man and his wife, and it was necessary to use force. In the afternoon a member of the commit tee called on the chief of police and request ed him to rendered the necessary assistance in accomplishing the removal of the man, but the captain refused to go or detail men to go where he was not willing to go himself. Thereupon a paper was drawn up by jus tice of the peace setting forth that the con- dition of the patient rendered 1t imperative that he should be removed to the pest house, and ordering the chief of police to aid the health committee. This document, however did not have any weight with the chief, and he absolutely refused to have anything to do with the matter. Between and 9 o'clock the health committee repaired to the dwelling in which Dwyer lay sick, and found the door opening into his tenement locked, and they were given to understand by t Mrs Dwyer that if they entered it would be at the peril of their lives. They forced open the door and with the aid of special officer succeeded in putting Dwyer into covered express wagon, and, accom- panied by his mother, he was taken to the pest house on the town farm. Word was telephoned to Mir. Sanford keeper of the town house. by Dr. Mann, member of the health committee, that the patient was on his way and to have everything in readiness for his reception and to see that he received proper care It was the intention of the health committee to pay Dwyer visit on the following day and see that he had every com- fort and attention that could be provided. About 6 o'clock Sunday morning Dr. Mann was telephoned to by Warden Sanford that Dwyer had left the pest house and was on his way to the city. The doctor immediately telephoned to the police office that his entry into town be prevented, but learned that only one policeman was on duty at that time. Consequently no attempt was made to impede Dwyer's passage through the center to his home, and quite number of people were on East Main street at that hour returning from the Catholic church. It also appeared that he called on Dr. Lopez at his house on Bank street. Upon reaching his home he said that the beds at the pest house were not fit to lie on, that the fire went out, and there being nothing to eat and no one to get anything for him except his mother, he left the place and went to the almshouse where he tapped on the window to attract the attention of Keeper Sanford. When the latter showed himself at the window Dwyer asked him for something to eat, and, according to Dwyer's story, he said he hadn't anything in the house and would have to send down town. Dwyer con- cluded to go himself, and did so as narrated above.
 The action of the health committee, the re- fusal of the chief of police to act with them, and the reckless conduct of Dwyer created considerable excitement, but it resulted in good in one respect It caused the board or health to take decisive action and delegate powers to the health committee, which places them in position to carry into effect any measure they may consider expedient in order to protect the citys health and safety. W0- ter6euy AmericGaa