The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-10-13

f0r ne jNtttqclcfT Og u I~ 'TnH"tp'
Tho year 1888 was one the counter
part of which before or since was never
experienced in tho history Of this city,
as some OF our old citizens who still re-
main can testify. 1t was in the sum-
mer OF that year thatthe Asiatic cholera
madc its appearance in this community
Reports OF it's fearful ravages in the
cities and settlements along the Missis-
sippi and lower OHIO rivers we're rcceiv.
ed almost daily and these in most in
stances far from being exaggerated fell
greatly short OF the reality.
Hence in its advance up the valley OF
the last named riyos its approach was
regarded with m u%nspeakable dread
which awakened the anxious fears and
terrorized the hearts OF the stoutest.. =,
Tie Angel OF Death, whose fearful
mission wac worldwide, was abroad in
the land, bearing pestiIenco on his
wings and scattering broadcast his tata!
shafts and poisoning the atmosphere
with his breath. Who would escape
the djre courg or who were fated to
fall victims before it, wOro questions
which human foresight and wisdom
were at q loss TO answer. The gloomy
pnli Of death was hanging vcr tho ma
ton and the alarm was universal.
1t furnished n fruitful thomo Tor pull
pit discouraes-it vas made the subject
Of press editorials and nows items-it
was the prominent thing discussed in
the tu1aiiy circle and the all absorbing
tolic OF conversation among friends and
acouGintances as they met in the streets
as with blAnched cheek and bated
breath they dwelt upon its fearful
havoc.
The very atmospher, seemed to be
charged with some %portentous calam'
ity and business was paralyzed in view
Of the anticipated result Of this mys-
terious visitant. Numbers OF persons
betrayed the fear of which they we're
tho victims both in looks and CONVEX
HatIon.
During its greatest prevalence the
stores were generally closed, the differ
ent branches Of trade and business
were suspended and every n appear.
ed to realize that a myre fatal sword
than that Of Darhocles was hanging
over their heads and which might at
any sudden and unexpected moment
descend with fatal effect.
Those who could left the city ana
abandoned their homes, some fleeing to
the country and others to small towns
and villages in the vicinity. Many Of
such never found a place OF safety but
were attacked by tho u and
found solitary graves among strangers,
or in remote resting places.
In the cemetery collins by the score
strewed the ground waiting for sepul-
ture while the grave diggers from mere
exhaustion we're compelled to desist
from their labor and fresh hands had
to be called upon to complete the work
OF burial.
The population Of the town was re-
duced to a minimum, as all who could
leave il had embraced the opportunity
of doing so, and in the case OF some
their departure was so hurried that the
remains OF the food which they had
hastily partaken and the dishes used
by them were left upon the numbered
tables in the condition they were when
the occupants arose from the same.
Men then as never before recognized
the fact that there was a Providence
which ruled over the destinies OF His
creatures and ordered all things accord
ing to the dictates Of His will, and at
the same time realized in all its force
the uncertainty OF life. Scotfers ceased
to sneer-and nervously trembled as
with bated breath they spoke of the
death Of some intimate friend or To-
miliar acquaintance which fell like a
blow upon their bewildered senses.
Lovers OF pleasure forgot their fond
pursuits and abandoned their usual
haunts and with humbled mien and
chastened c~ountenances wendell their
silent way aimlessly along the deserted
streets with other thoughts and feel
ings than those on pleasure bent
The mourners went about the streets
with bowed heads. sorrow.stricken and
woe-begone as they missedfrom their ac-
customed places theforms OF loved ones.
There was scarcely a house which was
unvisited by tho fell destroyer and
where the habiliments OF mourning
were not secn.'
Tho physicians Of the city were worn
out by their constant and unremitting
care and attention to the sick and dying,
and In some instances where friends
and relatives captivated by their fears
of tho dread scourge had fed from tho
bodsidos of their suffering ones, those
we're their only nurses and attendants.
Day and night alike they wore hurried
from house to house in answer to the
demands for their attention and skill,
and to their credit be it recorded that
as long as tired nature could bear tho
strain they never hcsitatod to respond.
The city authorities were not slow in
adopting and recommending Nll known
eSpedients TO meet and prevent its
spread. The streets were cleaned, tho
cellars lined, and everything in the
shape OF q resistance, or that was IN
any ANN calculated to foster disease,
aba:ed.
They likewise inierdicted tho sale OF
vegetables and fruits, such as beans,
cabbage, radisheo, cucumbers, apples,
pears, peaches, &c, and cautioned the
peoplc against their use. Coal fires
were lighted and constantly kept burn
Ing on the corners OF the streeta on the
~suppcsition that the sulphur would
prove an antidoto to the malaria in the
atmosphere. A spectator standing on
tho summit OF one OF the hills overlook.
ing the city witnessed q sad and gloomy
picture. He looked down upon lonely
and deserted streets in which was dis.
covered no wagon, drEy or vehicle Of
any kind, except such as were engaged
in tho mournful duty OF conveying tho
dead 10 their last resting places. Tho
hollow sound produced bythO rumbling