The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-08-06
HAS SAVANNAH A LEPER?
WILLIE WONG GEN SAID TO BE
SUFFERING WITH THE DISEASE.

Other Cinnamon Say That the Red
Spots and Sores on His Face Are
Indisputable Evidences of the Ter
rible Plague-He Was Turned Out a
Rent and No One Knows Where Re
Is Concealed.
Savannah has at last apparently deyel-
oped what might have been expected long
ago from the varied and motley character
of its drifting population, representing, as
it does, all quarters OF the globe, and that
is case of genuine lsprosy.
The reputed victim is a Chinaman, who
has been engaged In the laundry BUSH
ness at No. 70 Drayson street, in
the rear Of the De Soto, for over a
year and a half, and who has been g resis
dent of the city for q much longer time
than that. His name is Willie Wong Gen,
and if reports are true he has been sufferer
from the dread plague OF the east for
months and perhaps even years.
Willie Wong Gen has been steadily and
quietly pursuing his business as a laundry
man for a year and half. His shop was
portion cut of from she rear Of the build
ing occupied by N. J. Murphy at
streets as a grocery. Mr.. Murphy is also
the owner OF the building No suspicion
that he was afflicted with leprosy occurred
20 bis patrons or his landlord.
REVEALED BY CHINESE.
The first heard OF it was from the Chinese
themselves, who stated to several white
men with whom they came in contact in
business that the man, Willie Wong Gen.
was suffering from leprosy. They could
tell the disease, they said. by the red spots
on his face and the small sores around
his nose. The disease has not yet
developed in Its worst form.
None Of the Cinnamon would admit being
acquainted with the afflicted man, but said
they recognized the signs OF the disease In
passing him on the street. They insisted
that physician be sent to investigate the
case.
A MORNING NEWS reporter who heard
the story yesterday corroborated ID by
conference with one Of the proprietors Of the
Chinese restaurant He then went 10 the
laundry of Willie Wong Gen on Drsyton
street, but found It closed and locked. On
inqulring Of Mr.. Murphy. the proprietor Of
the place, IL was found that the ChinamAn
had been dispossessed for failure TO pay his
rent a few days before, and bis possessions
levied upon. The news that his late tenant
was affected with leprosy was not very
pleasant news to Mr.. Murphy,
who declared that he would fumigate
the place at once. Wong had appeared to
him TO be a very good Chinaman. He had
noticed that he seemed to be in bad health
all the time, but he did not remember that
he had ever been confined to his bed
Wong told him that he had been treated by
physicians for malaria before coming to his
place. MIR. Murphy did not know where
Wong had gone, but thought It was to one
Of the laundries on Broughton street.
AN INVESTIGATION NEEDED.
This is case demanding the immediate
attention of the health officer. Whether
contagious or not, the knowledge Of the
presence of what may be a true case of
leprosy will not be pleasant news to the
residents OF the city. 1t will keep many In
constant fear Of being In some way oon-
tamlnated by ii
The Chinese are probably anxious TO
have it investigated becauee they stand
more in dread OF IL from their knowledge of
the terrible effects of the disease.
II a case Of leprosy exists immediate
steps should be taken to place the afflicted
party out OF reach Of contact with the resi-
dents of the city or his removal secured to
some locality set aside for such sufferers.