Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-09-22
ON A FEVER TRAIN.
Incidents OF q Trip NOrthward Of
Panic.Stricken Refugees.

From the Atlanta Constitution.
ON THE TRAIN, Sept. 4.-Never did man take q
ghastler ride Than our correspondent when he left
the Union depot with the train Of yellow fever
refugees from Florida
The stop in Atlanta, the serving OF lunches the
excitement OF the city, seemed to have Injected
the crowd, and from the moment the train pulled
out OF the depot 1t was apparent that Dr. Guiteras
had lost control OF the crowd. Men and women
were nervous to an uncomfortable degree.
half dozen stronger spirits would organize on
each car and practically take charge Of 1t. II a
passenger complained OF feeling unwell there was
an instant demand for him to be put on the train
In two cases this demand would have been enforced
0y main strength but for The determination OF
TWO or three humane and determined men: In
one car a woman was taken with a chill, which
In lew moments was succeeded by fever.
She was Immediately taken from one car
was barrlcaded and no one allowed to 90
out or In. This trick was soon discovered.
and as the rumor passed that there were sick
people on this Car, Quarantine was Immediately
established in every other car. The consequence
was that before the train reached the Carolina line
other car, and there was quarantine ali along the
line. Having been locked up for nearly two days
and nights, without sleep. excited by the fears OF
the plague, hungry and thirsty, It is remarkable
that there were not actual tragedies enacted on
the train.
A curious and ludicrous effect was produced at
that usually hang about depots came peering
about the car windows TO investigate the train.
Upon being informed that 1t was the yellow
fever train, they ned like sheep, and as the con-
tagiOn spread, one could see from the car WIN
dow whole villages scudding around corners.
and taking for the woods, as the dread train
moved It's slow and CHASTITY length along. AT
Westminster, or near Westminster, s. g., four OF
the passengers on the train were missing 1t was
presumed that in some way they had escaped
from the car after the train had pulled out and
took their chances by jump from the cars and
dash into the woods
A very strange thing was done upon the ar
rival OF the refugees at Hendersonville. DR..
Guiteras removed all restraint upon reaching
this point. There was no quarantine established
and the excursionistS who had Ueen so carefully
guarded all the Way from Florida to this point
were at n6ei ty T. go where they pleased There
being no quarantine against Hendersonville, and
no quarantine here, there is nothing 10 prevent
the 400 refug Is, seven OF whom are down with
the FEVER, going where they please. They are
When the train load OF yellow faced, gaunt and
nervous refugees were dumped at Hendersonville's
gates a scene Was witnessed which rivaled the
most Affecting scenes oil war times. Men who, in
the rush at Jacksonville, had been Separated
from their families, hustled into Cars and
locked up, and who had made the entire
trip without knowing whether or not their
families were on board, upon being given their
freedom rushed madiy from one group to another
In the too frequently vain search Tor their loved
ones, until, worn out and completely undOne IiOm
loss OF sleep ana nervous proStratiOn, they sank
to the ground unable to 60 further. and remained
there until the RELIEF committee which had been
organized by the citizens carried them to The hos
ptabie homes OF some or the villagers, where they
were cared for. Mothers with babes In their
arms and children cinging to their knees as they
cri for food and water and a resting place, were
va1nly searching among the crowd Tor missing
husDands Children were searching for parents.
and parents Tor children. II look tue whole day
70 get the refugees comfortably Quartered, anu
this was moi accomplished until long lines OF tents
a an