Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-05-08
ON THE ISTHMUS.
spread of SmaIl-POx I'm Panama
Scenes In AspInWaM at the Funeral
of Ex.mInIster Hurlbut.

A correspondent of the New York Worlc
writes from Aspinwall, under date of Apri
25th. that small pox is spreading in epidem
ic form in Panama. Seventy cases have de
veloped in sixty days. Seven deaths already
Several cases of continent smallpox re-
ported. A canal officer has been sent tC
| hospital with 1t. Two of the first families
in Panama have It in their households. Foul
bills OF health are being granted In Panama
Medical men In our sister city consider thai
| 1t will be epidemic during the wet season
| Board OF Health doing nothing. No money
or vaccine co work with. No actual quaran-
| tine is enforced. The outlook is ANYTHING
but cheerful.
The Pearl Islands in the Gulf OF Panama
suffered severely during the past wet season
with 1t. The residents had no medical at
tendance and many died. These islands do
direct trade with Panama In fruits, vege-
tables and other tropical products Last
year Penonome, In the department Of Cocle,
In the State OF Panama, reported J, 100
deaths during an epidemic of smallpox,
out OF population of between 5000 and
5000. Vaccination is not generally prac-
ticed in Colombia. 1t also broke out among
the Carthageniaus who are working for the
canal company at Emperador, few months
ago. This place is on the line OF the Pana-
ma Railway. No cases are reported on the
line just now. Several individuals have
been wandering around the streets of Pana-
ma with the disease out on them.
So far nothing seems to be done. A small
pox hospital will be built, however, soon,
as the Panama merchants are lending the
government of the State money for the pur-
pose.
In the meantime the Governor of Panama
is on a round of official visits In the State,
accompanied by brass band. The money
tn hn fod dc h.
built the hospital and vaccinated the city.
1t is very hard on the foreigners, particular
ly as their contributions supply nearly all
the money. The United States steamer
Alaska has quarantined her officers and men
by order of the Captain-a very wise mess
ure. The crew are being revaccinated. She
will return to the South Pacific station on
the arrival of the New York mails, due here
on the 29th inst.
A special train was made up to take the
body and family of the late Minister Hurl-
but to Colon, on Sunday, the 10th inst,
including directors car for the family.
Flags were at half-mast on all the consul
ates and shipping of Panama. At 1:30 the
steam-cutter Of the Alaska was seen round
ing the northeast corner of the sea wall
having seven of the ships boats in tow. As
they approached the dock the scene was
very impressive. In the van came the cutter.
with a guard of marines. As they neared
the dock the boats steered in two lines and,
as there was slight breeze, carrying all
their flags to port.
On leaving the Alaska, minute guns were
fired. Strangely enough, the Alaska was
the vessel detailed to take General Hurlbut
to Peru, aud Admiral Balch sent her back
with his body and family. The cutter, with
the marine escort under Lieutenant Kelton,
with f1fers in scarlet, rounded the pier. In
the second boat came the body of the late
Minister, the coffin covered by an American
fsg and wreaths OF flowers, and escorted
by the officers Of the Alaska. The third,
fourth and fifth boats were filled with
officers and men. The sixth boat, the
Captains gig, was steered by Cap
tain Belknsp himself, and contained
the family of the Minister. The Captains
gig landed the family at the end of the
dock. The cutter and boats steered in and
landed the body. 1t was placed in plat
form car temporarily, and the coffin was
covered anew with the stars and stripes and
carried by the men of the Alaska, uncov-
cred, to the car specially prepared for it,
officers acting as psll-bearers. The marines
were drawn up in line and presented arms
as it passed. The great assemblsge OF per-
sons uncovered as 1t passed. On their srri-
val here the cars were switched directly into
the shed of the wharf.
Great sympathy was shown for the fami-
ly. The great and marked courtesy shown
to our late Minister'S family, the Difference
and largo attendance of people of all ua-
tioualities along the line Of the funeral pro-
cession, cannot but be very acceptable to
his relatives and to the American people,
The vile calumuies put about touching him
at the time of the Lynch memorandum had
no resting place here among those who
lived with and knew him-Chilians and
PeruVians alike.