The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1882-05-17
The Snaaiz Pox Scare.

Benton has had quite small pox scare the
past few days, but happily the danger IS not
as great as apprehended, il in fact there has
been, or is, any at all. We have taken par
ticular .ins to ascertain the exact facts in
the case, so that our readers throughout
Northern Montana may know the situation
and not be deceived by the flying rumors
which are already abroad in the land. great
ly exaggerated, of course.
There is no small pox in Benton, and,
thanks to the efficient action Of our citizens.
it is not likely that there will be. The only
foundation for alarm is based on the feet
that two of the boats had cases of the dis
ease on board-only this and nothing more.
The Nellie Peck, which arrived at IL
o'clock Monday night, had one mild case OF
varlloid. The patient was in the 'Texas,
apart from the other passengers, and none of
our citizens. except the physician, came in
contact with him. The passengers we're
ouarantined on the levee below the old tort,
and to-day, the danger being pronounced
over, they were dismissed. From this case
there seems to be 10 danger whatever Of tie
spread of the disease. The officers OF the
Nellie Peck cannot be denounced too severe
ly for their action in the premises. They
have shown themselves to be anything bat
gentlemen and about as near akin to brutes
as man generally gets. Knowing they were
lying they denied there was any contagious
disease on board, and if our citizens had not
taken the precaution to have an examination
made the result might have been disastrous.
The managers of the Peck Line should see
that these fellows are bounced summarily.
They are discredit to the upper river sea-
men.
The Gen. Meade is the other boat that had
small pox aboard. and she was quarantined
Wednesday evening below town. One or
two patients were put off near Poplar river,
and one that died was buried near Rocky
| Point These are all the cases that devel-
| oped. The boat was detained several days
at the Coal Banks and not permitted to de-
part up tie river until the danger was sup
posed to be over. The upper deck was re-
moved and the boat and cargo thoroughly
disinfected, so that little danger remains.
But to be entirely safe our citizens have had
the boat auarantined. The passengers four
or FIVE IN number. will be held prisoners
until all possible danger is passed aud the
cargo, which is principally -four and other
heavy articles, thoroughly disinfected before
it is removed from the levee
This is the whole case. There is no small
pox in town, and we have every reason to
hope will not be- If case should occur,
which is not probable, the patient would at
once be removed to the pest house and prop
erly guarded to prevent any spread of the
disease. Our people are fully determined to
8 keep the contagion at bay, and they will &c
: it.
Collector W. 81. Hunt, Jr., deserves the
4 special thanks of the community for hls
prompt efforts as federal officer in exercls
!. ling the authority vested in him to prevent th'
spread OF the disease. Capt. Kline, OF For
ASSN aboine, readily responded to Mr. Hunt
:. call for aid, and deserves special thanks. Th
: committee of safety, appointed by our cis'
= zens, were efficient in the performance
their duty, and have earned the gratitude
all. To-day Thursday the feeling is ger
F' eral that the danger is over. Certsinly
II one need have any fears about coming
Benton.
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