Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-09-05
An Allegheny Man Reaches
Home After Some Un-
pleasant Experiences.
A SCRAMBLE FOR CLOTHES.
Treatment of the Veendam's Passen-
gers on Hoffman's Island.
OFFICIALS VIEW BUTCHERS RUN.
Afraid of Danger of Disease From an
Impure Water Supply.
ALL PLAGUE SPOTS TO BE DESTROYED

Gottfried Stoehr, of Allegheny, arrived
Saturday morning from Germany after pass
ing through quarantine at New York City.
Mr.. Stoehr is highly indignant at the quar-
antine system, and says it is almost enough
to give anyone the cholera
81 left Rotterdam on the ship Veendam
on August 90" Mr.. Stoehr said, "snd we
arrived at New York at 10 O'Clock last
Tuesday morning, being held outside of
port, of course. The New York physician
| Immediately came on board and found there
was no sickness of any kind on the ship,
cholera or any other disease. The
first and second cabin passengers
were Immediately discharged, but all The
steerage passengers were kept there three
davs. 1 had tried hard in the old country
to get second-class passage, even going to
the office Immediately on landing at Rotter-
dam when 1 went over, but everything was
taken.
"All the steerage passengers of the
Veendam were taken to Hoffman's Island
on Thursday morning about o'clock, being
removed on barge.
Packed In Close Quarters.
''There were two large buildings on the
island used for quarantine purposes The
$50 passengers were placed in these build
ings, the men occupying one building and
the women the other. When the men were
put in this building, there were about 200
of US in one room-Germans, Americans,
better class of steerage passengers
"When we all got together the officers of
the quarantine took every stitch of our
clothing from US There was not thing in
this room but the cots, which were put
close together in tiers. There were two
layers of the cots, those on the floor sup
porting those above. The room in which
we were was about 4Ox6O feet, and almost all
the space there was in the place was the
gangways between the cots.
Between our building and that OF the
women was a yard, and when bundle of
clothing belonging to any of the men was
brought back from being steamed it was
thrown into the yard.
A Scramble for Their Clothes.
'Then all the men would rush out into the
yard, just as they were made, each hoping
it to be his own bundle. 1t was disgrace full,
with the women on the other side looking at
the mon. Some of the nicer women refused
to be without clothing and were given linen
robes. While on the island everyone had to
take bath in cold, salt water without soap,
and after each man had taken this disagree
able bath he had to lie stripped on the cot
for seven hours and a half.
about midnight Thursday we were
taken back to Veendam on a barge. At this
time we were told we would get off Friday
morning. About o'clock little steamer
cor mn tool Off Nar
clans and some foreigners but we were kept
on the ship. An hour later health officer
came the captain blew the whistle. the off1-
Ger took down the yellow flag, and a
off. l asked if the American citizens on
board could not have the privilege of being
taken to land first, and this WIS promised.
We got INTO New York Friday night at 6
O'Clock, and went to Jersey city and took
a train for home, arriving at 9:l5 on Satur-
day. The poor emigrants had to stay, on
board till yesterday morning.
Surprised to Hear of Cholera.
"After we got over and the cabin passen-
gers were landed we expected to get to land,
too, not having heard of the cholera. We
were all surprised to hear that there had
been 2S5 deaths in Hamburg in one day. We
had to stay on that ship either in the for
ward end or stern, just like herrings packed
in q barrel, $50 OF US. They barred the doors
to the first cabin and we could not go there.
While We were held there some got some
thing to eat and others got nothing; those
who had dishes being the only ones who
could get anything
"Were there any rumors Of cholera in
Europe while you were there?"
1--WE heard that it was in France, but this
was only rumor. There was some talk of
1t being in Russia"
What part of Germany were you INF"
81 went to Frankfort all along the Rhine
and through the southern part of Germany.
left Allegheny on June 30and boarded ship
July q was in Europe from July l3 tiff
August 20. / went over to see my mother
who lived in Frankfort, and when arrived
there learned that she had died the very
day had boarded the ship to go over. She
was IA years of age. 1 have sisters living
in Frankfort"
Mr.. Stoehr is a well-known and reputable
citizen of Allegheny and lives at 81 Spring
Garden avenue with his wife and three
grown children. He is IS years OF age and is
shipping clerk for wholesale grocery house
in this city.