Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1891-06-26


to New York to observe the disease
and its treatment in order to prepare
themselves to contend with it,
The first case in Baltimore occurred
on Sunday, August 9Th, and before the
next Sunday fifty persons had taken
the disease, and twenty-five had died.
One of the first to die in that city was
robust negro man, who, for wager,
drank a quart of buttermilk and ate a
watermelon. His death occurred
few hours after the wager was won.
About the first day of September in
telligence reached Hagerstown that
cholera had appeared within the linn
its Of Washington County. Large
numbers of Irish laborers were EN-
ployed upon the line of the new canal
opposite Harper's Ferry, and there is
where the disease first appeared. The
news that first came was distorted and
exaggerated by the terror of those
who brought it. 1t was said that five
or six dead bodies were lying in sin
gle shanty at one time. The work
men We're panic-stricken and left their
work and spread over the country,
carrying terror and excitement with
them. One of these flying men was
stricken down and died four miles
west Of town on the last day Of Au-
gust. During the first week in Sep
tember four dead bodies were brought
from the line of the canal to Hagers-
town for interment. They were RO-
man Catholics, and the graveyard in
Hagerstown was the only burying-
ground in the county. But the citi-
zens protested against bringing the
dead to Hagerstown. The town au-
thorities forbade its continuance, and
the Rev. Father Ryan, the priest in
charge Of st. Mary's Church, in CO.
operation with Mr.. Cruger, the chief
engineer Of the canal took steps to
procure a burying- ground near the
canal Mr.. Cruger also promised to
establish hospitals.
The following week several deaths
in Boonsboro and Sharpsburg and in
the lower part Of the county took
place, and one laboring man from the
canal died in Hagerstown. Among
those who died in Sharpsburg was Mr..
John J. Russell. The public health
of HGgerstown was reported eXcep-
tionally good. The Board of Health,
consisting of Frederick Dorsey as
president, John Reynolds, Jos. Martin
and V. w. Randall, assured the peo-
pie that cholera was not contagious,
and ii was not probable great ravages
would be committed. That if taken
in time, not more than one case in II
hundred would die. People were
warned against imprudentiy eating
fruit, certain vegetables and against
dosing themselves with quack medi-
cines and nostrums. In Williamsport
there were two cases, one OF which
terminated fatally, and along the ca
nal near that town twelve cases and
six deaths were reported. Up to Sep
tember Goth, three citizens OF Hagers-
town and two strangers had died in
the town. The Board of Health was
very active aud the ladies of the sick
society offered their services for the
public good.
The disease steadily increased.
From Friday the 12th of October to
Thursday the 18th, there were seven
teen deaths in Hagerstown and
number in other parts of the county
Among those who died in Hagerstown
were John Miller, an old and promi-
nent merchant John Mcllhenny,
William MofTett and Thomas Kenne-
dy. The latter was one of the most
distinguished citizens of the county.
He had filled many positions OF honor
and trust and had served many years
in the General Assembly as Delegate
and Senator. As a member of the
Legislature his career had been sig
nalized 10y his successful efforts to re-
move the political disabilities Of thu
Jews. At the time of his death he
was fifty-siX years Of age, a member
elect OF the Legislature, having been
elected TO fill "A vacancy, and the
editor of the Mail His son DR.. How
ard Kennedy remained to fill his place
and the family of this latter gentle
man is still living in Hagerstown-re
spected and beloved. The next week
a number Of negroes died in the town
and county. Van :. Brashear and
Peter Newcomer died on the Manor
and Nachtel w. Randall, secretary Of
the Board of Health and n promising
member of the Bar, died in Hagers-
town. The last week Of October,
Parker Blood the bookseller died
after an illness OF two weeks with
cholera. Peter Rentch and several
servants and canal laborers also died
Michael Wilson, of Westmoreland
county. Pa. in passing through the
town on the Western stage was taken
with the disease and died at the
Globe Tavern. In addition 10 these
there were niue deaths in the poor
house. Early in November, as the
cold weatherapproached, the last YES
tiges of the cholera disappeared and
people resumed their usual habits.
As soon as cases began to multiply,
u hospital lad been built upon the
hill near the present site OF the
Roman Catholic graveyard. Patients
were conveyed to it and carefully
nursed under the direct supervision
of the moderator himself who went in