The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1885-05-28
A DREAD DISEASE.
THE PRESENCE OF SMALLPOX IN
AUSTIN CREATES A PANIC.
Action of the Council in Regard
to the Case-What the
Doctors Say.

The Austin public are familiar with
the facts of tie sad death of Mrs. A.
III. Crow, which occurred in
Aqua Caiien: e3, Mexico, on
the 9Th of this month. This esteemed
lady died of that fearful disease, small
pox, after an illness of about six days
HER HUSBAND.
Her husband, Mr.. A. H. Crow, was
with her at the time. He was distract
ed with grief at his great loss, which
was intensified on account Of tt
of the land, that forbade him so re-
move the c)rpS. Mr.. Crow had been
with his wifelfrom the outbreak OF
the disease on the I'd of the month,
but realizing the danger of communi-
cation, after her death he wrote sew
eral letters TO his relatives here, say
ing that he would not return home
until he had undergone thorough dls~
Infection, Mr.. Crow arrived in Aus
tin late Friday afternoon. 1t was not
long until the rumor spread that he
also affected with small pox. 1t was
true and considerable excitement en-
sued. The following morning it was
the talk of the town and grave appre
hension of coming danger began to
be entertained. Mr.. Crow was at his
own residence on East Hickory street,
just beyond DR.. Shoots church.
Learning that DR.. w. j. Burt had at
tended him, reporter sought the
physician and asked him touching the
condition of his patient and the pros
pect for the spread OF the disease.
DIR. BURT's STATEMENT.
Said the doctor: 1 think it is due
the citizens Of Austin to state that
Mr.. A. III. Crow has modified case of
small poX, or varioloid. He is not
much sick and think Will be over it
In few days. 1 advised with DIR. b.
M SWearingen, State health officer,
and Mayor John w. Robertson, and
at once isolated Mr.. Crow in his resi-
dence, gave him nurse and placed q
guard around the premises to prevent
any one going in or out. So as far as
he is concerned there is
now no danger in my opinion
to any of our citizens Three or four
persons were slightly exposed before
saw Mr.. Crow. These VIII be- watched
and isolated on the first suspicious
symptom. There need be no alarm
or sensation by the citizens. Every
precaution has been taken that Is
possIl lie to protect them and properly
care for him. His case is, so far, a
mild form of varioloid. 1 will have
fresh vaccine virus either Sunday or
Monday to use with those desiring
vaccination, and would advis it any
way.
PUBLIC EXCITEMENT.
Hardly any tnlng else was talked
Qh0nt IN tho CtroQt Mon die
the case, a few lightly, great many
seriously, and some with evident
alarm. 1t was known that a few OF
the immediate neighbors had left their
houses at the first announcement OF
next door, Immediately sent his family
to the country. Mr.. Bob Grant and
family left, and Mr.. Moses sent his
children away. Others talked of do
ing likewise. A number were inclln-
ed to censure Mr.. Crow for having
come back, so soon after being ex.
posed. Some however, who knew ali
the sad circumstances, spoke UP in his
behalf. He had stayed about two
weeks after the death of his wife, lad
gone through course of disinfection,
and thought himself out of danger.
smallpox until his arrival here,
though the fever was on him while on
his homeWard way. When appriZed of
the fact he. expressed sincere sorrow
for his coming,
The question, however, that seemed
uppermoSt in the minds Of every body
was, what was to be done with the
sick man? 1t is true that he had, in
manner, been isolated, as stated by DR.
Burt, and guards stationed at the
house, besides yell)w flags to warn
people away. But was this enough
Did not the public safety demand that
the patient be carried out of the city
entirely cut off from the inhabitants?
This was so serious a matter as to
move his honor, Mayor j. w. Robert
son, to convene the aldermen to con-
slider it.
THE COUNCIL MEETING.
Only eleven alderman, barely quo.
rum were present last night. There
were number of spectators. The
clerk read the call. DIR. Burt, city ply.
stefan, was called on and made a brirf
address substantially like the state
ment above given. He did not think
there was any danger, except to those
who had been with Mr.. Crow. These
persons who hand been thus exposed
would be watched and on the first
appearance of smallpox symptoms.
would be isolated. He did not favor
the removal of Mr.. Crow from his
residence. Mr.. Crow had been CEN
sured, but he did not think he was s.
much to blame, though he may have
been somewhat imprudent.
DIR. Swearingen, in response to an
invitation, addressed t re <. unaL a.
concurred in DR.. Burt's views, but
made a more elaborat an txre =,
ingly interesting talk, in which
he narrated his own ex-
periencc in the disease. He
did not consider small pox intec-
tious in the sense That yellow fever