Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1898-11-30
Ti'e Repnblita'l:
WATERFOWL. WIS.
HAS A PLAGUE SCARE.
San Francisco Alarmed Over Ap-
pearanCe of Mysterious
Disease

DlSG0Ses
San Francisco. Cal. Nov. 26.-The bu-
bonic plague, or Asiatic cholera, has been
discovered in Chinatown ana the entire
district was under quarantine regulat tons
last night
The greatest efforts are being made
here to suppress the facts in the case
The health authorities refuse to discuss
the matter and the local papers have en-
tered into an agreement to suppress the
facts, for the present at least The po-
lice, too, have been instructed to keep
the facts from the public.
Strangers Kept Ont.
The board Of health, however. held a
+ meeting this afternoon and decided that
tor the present it is for the benefit of
the city to keep all persons who do not
live IN the district out of the confines Of
Chinatown. In compliance with this
policeman was last night stationed at ev
cry avenue and street leading to China
town and all were warned that they en-
tered that district at their peril. The
police told strangers that there was
war on between the various factions of
the hlghbinders and there was consider
able shooting, entailing danger to the pc
deStrian.
Gus deaths in the Chinese section ORR
entails have dropped off suddenly, in most
cases having been sick only a few hours
Ibis led the health department to make
an investigation, with the result that
there are several suspicious cases under
quarantine.
The city physicians reported they were
not certain as to the nature of the dis
ease. Some think it is the bubonc
plague and others think it is Asiatic
cholera.
With this alarming report the board
declared quarantine, which will be made
more strict should the malady prove either
cholera or plague.
Christening Party Stopped.
Several members of the battleship Wis
consln christening party attempted to en-
ter the district last night and were
stopped at the outskirts. They were told the
highlander story, although one policeman
admitted there was Asiatc cholera in the
district. In this way the story leaked out
and an investigation brought to light the
meeting Of the board of health and also
the meeting of the publishers, at which
It was agreed that nothing should be pub
hshed about the danger in Chinatown
There are something over 10000 China
men living in the district known as China
town. 1t IS without doubt the filthiest
spot in any American city and is Just the
place where the plague or cholera might
thrive
If the worst fears of the health officials
are realized and the mysterious deaths are
found to be due to either disease, it Will
be extremely difficult to prevent an cpl
demlc and to confine the disease to the sec
ton IN which the Chinese live.
The district is right in the heart of
the city and situated that it will be
easy for the disease to spread.
Health officers Views.
At the health office this morning it was
stated that the suspicious case had turned
to be one of death from nephritis, and
there are no reasons for believing that the
bubonic plague had entered the city. An
autopsy was held today on the body of the
dead Chinese, and DR.. Spencer, the Off
clal bacteriol0gist Of the board, stated to
the Associated press that there We're posi-
lively no traces of the dreaded plague.
The residents of the Chinese quarters
are in an excited STATE over series of
events that nave recently occurred among
them, and when Z certain Chinese died
suddenly the report was circulated in
Chinatown that he had died of bubonic
plague. The recent drowning of thirteen
Chinese on river steamer, and the pr
alence Of Highlander war in Chinat0N,
which has resulted in several murders.
have caused the superstitious Chinese to
believe that they are pursued by an evil
spirit and they are ready to believe any
thing. The police were withdrawn from
Chinatown, SO well satisfied is the board
of health that the plague rumors are
grOundless.