The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-10-05

ciuiis OF nurses, with medicines or other
articles not contraband, which might be
needed Tor the sick. lie was informed by
Mr.. Barksdale that the citizens did not OBJ
)ect 10 the running of the engine for such
apurpose, which was manifesty proper and
humane, and that with the understanding
the regulation would be respected by the
citlzens. AT a meeting Of the citizens q
resolution to that effect was passed unani-
mously. 1t is proper to state that il this
Information had been given in the first
instance, and the regulation had been
strictly enforced, no objection would have
been raised by the citizens. They have
been guided solely by the motive to co.
operate with the sanitary authorities in
preventing the spreading OF the disease in
conformity TO the dictates Of humanity and
oil sell preservation, and TO the avowed pol.
Icy OF the State board, under the direction
oil DIR. Johnston and DIR. Hunter, its ex.
ecutive officers
Speaking for the 1000 persons, residents
and refugees, in that section of Kinds
county north OF Jackson and south of the
Madison county line, we present simple
statement, showing the condition of affairs
since the announcement of fever.
After aiding, by every means in our
power, those seeking refuge among us, TO
get out OF Jackson, attention was directed
to protecting ourselves from the fever
An organization was effected by the selec.
ton OF aleader and two assistants. Watches
were placed on each Of the three streets
leading out Of the city on the north and
coming together at the point where the
Livingston road crosses the Illinois Cen
tral railroad. Subsequently the watch
posted on the street alongside the railroad
was superseded by one stationed by the
county health officer, who consented for
the others TO remain, on condition that
guard be kept day and night, and that at
those stations no discretion should be
allowed of deciding who should or should
not pass, but that all applicants for ingress
or egress should be sent to the station
guarded by those engaged by the health
officers. That compact has been kept.
Two days after the citizens posted watch
at the crossing TO prevent persons jumping
from passing trains that slow up there,
an instance Of which occurred the day
previous. II was ct this point that Drs.
Todd and Hunter proposed to reach the
country TO visit Mr.. Gordon some miles
away. This was objected to by those pres.
ent for the reason that they would travel
the only highway open, meeting our fam.
lilies who used the road both for business
aud wholesome exercise; that neither gem
tlemen ever had the yellow fever, while
both were visiting several times daily
those stricken with il, and had been ex-
posed rs long as those already
dead from It's effects and, there
fore, liable TO develop the fever any
moment. The reason given for making
the visit was TO see Mr.. Gordon on mat
ter Of importance; whether on business Of
private or public nature was not stated
The risk was regarded as too great and the
gentlemen were informed that they could
not pass, but were told that Mr.. Gordon
would be sent for that they might confer
with him. This offer. was declined and no
reason given. They then returned To the
city, DIR. Todd remarking that lac would
enlarge his quarantine 10 enable him 10
pass. Soon after their departure Dr. John
ston informed US that their mission was To
sec Mr.. Gordon in regard TO the establish
ment OF camp for refugees from the city,
aud that, II the officers were intcrfercd
with In the discharge OF their duty, those
50 acting would be cut off from commune
cation with the city. The issue between
the health officers and the citizens was
thus squarcly made: the former insisting
that they were in the discharge Of official
duty Of a delicate aud responsible char
actcr, difficult 10 perform and II urgent
public necessity, the latter insisting upon
the natural right Of giving their families
all protection possible under the existing
conditions. IL was conceded that the
health officers were actuated by pure mo.
tiycs for high purpose. But the recent
injection Of Decatur by one exposed to
fever hundreds Of miles away, never TAX
ing the disease himself, stopping short
while only in the city. aud now la the en-
joymcnt OF good health In q western city.
was lesson not soon To be forgotten aud
could not he ignored. All stood ready 20
aid friends In town In every possible way,
but felt il was asking too much 10 be cX-
posed 10 the infection by those passing
through the country. no matter what the
GRAND might be. In the interview be-
tween Drs. Todd and Hunter aud the cit.
izcns there was no exhibition OF force and
no harsh language INDUCED in by either
party. II is a mistake, as they will testify,
that they wcrc turned back nj the muzzlo
OF sho,guns.
When Mr.. Gordon and his neighhors
learned that the establishment OF the camp
was contemplated, they hurried TO the
Livingston crossing to use all peaceful
measures 10 prevent ~ great a calamity.
A few hours after reaching there the
switch engine and car. on its trip for sup
plies, WIS halted and detained perhaps
half an hour, under the impression lit was
now about o'clock NJ night that Il might
b. going out with material and refugees 10
the point already selected ~ suitable for
the camp. When assured Of it, mission
and their mistake, il went on. While
standing there coll0quy cnsucd between
those aboard the train and the persons 10
be- most affected 10y the pitching Of n camp
In their midst, one, the owner Of the land,
and several Of the othem, his near neigh
bon aud friends, aud others living near
and IN town participated In H. All were
more or less excited, and there was badger
ing aud yaporing by members Of each
party, but nothing malicious was done or
attempted. IL all amounted 10 nothing,
and should be forgiven aud forgotten. That
camp for refugees from an infected
city, where 40 per cent. Of those taken had
succumbcd to the disease, was 70 be- made
In their midst was severe shock 10 the
residents Of that section, and, whether II
be- loyal OF not, they felt that a right 10
resist Il was inherent In them, and that IN
doing M they were acting ~ any commu.
nity similarly situated would, and that in
No doing thcy would have the approval oi
the whole State. While admitting the
power Of the State board Of health to cs-
nblish and maintain guarantees, We are
not advised that the possession OF such
power cafricF with ID the further fiVht or