Connecticut western news., 1885-09-16
YELLOW FEVER'S ABODE.
Stories of the Disease Told
 by Vera Cruzans.
Strange and Ghastly Tales With Which
 the People Cheer Visitors.

the People Cheer Visitors.
 Among the numerous yellow-fever stories with which Vera Cruzans are won't to cheer visiting strangers writes correspondent of the Cincin- nati Commercial Gazette, they tell us that once a vessel drifted into port, apparently at random, and without hoisting any of the usual signals. Rumors ran through the town that a pirate ship had arrived, or some for eign embassy on secret mission; but finally the strange craft was boarded by the authorities, who found it to be acharnel-house of fdecomposing corpses, for every soul had perished of vomito. One day Norwegian vessel touched at Vera Cruz on some trivial errand, the captain having hesitated, it is said, about doing so, as there was no special necessity for stopping. The result was the taking on passenger, who, a few days later, came down with yell low-fever, and every man on the ship. both officers and crew, died at sea be- fore their destination was reached.
 During seasons of epidemic, when Vera Cruz is crowded with the dead and dying, stranger patients need not expect much care, though the hospi- tals are many and well managed. Mon- ey can not buy nor Christian charity bestow that for which the demand is so much greater than the supply. Frightful tales are told of numbers who barely escaped being buried alive, and only on the resurrection day can it be known how many miserable wretches have actually met that awful fate. Last year as the driver of the cart which conveys corpses from the hospital to the cemetery was making his nocturnal journey he was frighten- ed nearly out of his senses by one of his load suddenly kicking the cover of his coffin and demanding to know his destination. Others but carelessly buried by sleepy workmen have been known to unearth themselves and have been found in the morning sit- ting at the cemetery gate atrily attired in winding sheets.
 It is stated that few years ago an American lady who was supposed to have died during an epidemic, was about to be cast, uncofined, into the common pit with score of corpses. The sexton, espying valuable ring upon her finger, tossed her upon the ground at one side, intending to rob before burying her. The shock of the fall partially restored her from the comatose condition that frequently follows this disease. When the ghoul had completed the remainder of his task and turned to secure the jewel, he was mortified to see two big blue eyes fixed upon him. Fortunately, but by rare chance. he did not dash her into the waiting grave, nor run away in alright, but carried the half conscious creature back to the hospit- al, where she was restored to health.
 Yellow fever when not contracted during t.Tne of violent epidemic, is by no means the worst sickness under the sun. Every thing depends upon careful nursing, and possibly some what upon temperate habits and the previous condition of the system. The majority do not die, and 1t must be re- membered that only the number of deaths are recorded, not the thousands who have it and recover. It certainly nas advantages over the Roman fever, typhoid, and kindred ailment, in that the victim is quickly killed or cured, and there are no secondary stages, nor bad effects left lingering in the blood. When fell into inconsistencies, one hot March morning, after vainly fight ing against the disease for some days, the Vera Cruz friends seemed to re- gard it in the light of huge joke which could have but one happy ter mination-immunity from future dan ger. The brave little lady in whose house we were guest has nursed many of her country people through the fever, and not one has died. She and her husband are both from the United States. and have lived for several years in Vera Cruz. through all the success siye epidemics, and have no fear of Yellow Jack.