Omaha daily bee., 1898-12-14
URGES A CLOSE QUARANTINE
Dr.. Drummer Writes to Go-emor Holcomb Of
Nebraska Oity's Smallpox.
SITUATION DEMANDS VIGOROUS ACTION
Neglect Of citizens and Authorities
Gives the Disease a Good start and
Hard Work VIII BE Required -.
TO Head IL on Now.

LINCOLN. nec. 13.-(special )-The small
pox epidemic which seems to have frst OBJ
tained q foothold at Nebraska City during
the fall is reaching such serious dimensions
that decided action Is to be taken. This
matter has occupied the attention OF the
state authorities for several days and they
now feel II incumbent on them to act, in
epite of the fact that there Is no appropria-
tion that can be drawn upon for such a
purpose and that there Is no statute provid-
ing for the establishment OF a quarantine.
1t is expected, however. that the authori-
ties will receive the cooperation of the
municipal authorities In all the cities and
towns OF the east end Of the state and that
by care and vigilance the epidemic can be
stamped out. The serious condition OF af-
fairs was emphasized by the following letter
- the governor, written by Dr. b. F. Crum-
mer. president Of the State Board OF Health:
OMAHA. Dec. 9.--Hon. S. A. Holcomb
Governor. Lincoln: Dear Sir-I have Just
returned from Nebraska City. They are now
In bad condition, having numerous points
Of contagion scattered about the town. I
visited one of the cases for observation and
confirmed the now unanimous verdict Of the
physicians Of that city that the disease Is
smallpox. The form has been what Is called
fluent, and only two people have ded-one
adult and one infant. About 200 cases have
occurred. but there Is a probability that a
certain unknown proportion of these were
chicken pox, Unfortunately there has ex-
listed q divergence OF opinion as to the
nature OF the disease and the local Board
Of Health has, as l understand 1t, taken the
view that the disease was not smallpox.
TIE first cases were reported In August,
more in September and SO on.
Calls 1t Careless nnd Malicious.
The careless and evidently malicious course
taken by the Board of Health Is shown by a
disposition to criticise those physicians who
were honest and courageous enough to re-
port their cases.. No proper disinfection has
been attempted and people have had little
or no restraint placed upon their move
ments, whether sick or we'll. Having now
to acknowledge the truth about the disease.
the citizens are now anxious to take all
precautions and active measures possible
to stamp 1t out and the physicians as a
body passed a resolution to go at once to
work and invite the cooperation and assist
ance of the State Board OF Health. l ad-
vised that they at once close the schools
and prohibit public gatherings and that they
make house to house canvass for the pur-
pose OF vaccination and to disinfect premises
and discover hidden cases. I also strongly
urged the fitting up Of some proper building
for hospital and think Mr.. Morton ard
I do not believe that the epidemic can be
stamped out while the patients are scattered
about in private houses.
They very much desire and requested me
to consult the board about furnishing q
physician to assist in the matter, giving him
s.ate authority to act in any efforts needed
to stamp out the disease. think this would
be right and proper, II 1t could be pro-
vided for financially. think this would
probably cost about $50 per week and ex-
ard otN t,1
Or. Towne might be induced to go and he
would be a good man for the place, having
had a large experience in sanitary matters
While your board nor our board OF Sec
retaries has no stated sanitary power.
have no doubt but In an emergency like this
the legislature would not hesitate to- make
proper provision Tho importapce Of thesaf-
fair is the great danger to the rest of the
state. tFs' a.
Peru is reported to have four cases oi
smallpox. Julian nine cases In one family
but they are c0nvAlescent Syracuse hai
some cases. I win at once notify the At.
tendants to isolate and disinfect but some
one should visit those places representing
Omaha has six cases. All these are directl.
traceable to Nebraska City. II this runs OF
every town in the eastern part Of the stat,
will become infected. I will tomorrow bav'
some notices printed to send to surrounding
towns urging vaccination and watchfulnes
on the part Of all practitioners. The ques
tion Of quarantining Nebraska City is al
urgent one. Possibly 1t would be better t
wait few days to see what move the,
make. but 1t should not be long. This woui,
through their action brought the trouble OIL
themselves and endangered the state.
would be glad to hear from you. Your
respectfully, B. F. CRUMMER.
vifquain Succeeds Bryan.
Mr.. Bryan notified Governor Holcomb b.
wire today OF the acceptance Of his resigna
tion, and also said that he would be a
home In a few days. Acting on this intel
ligence the governor has Issued commits
sions to Victor Vifquain as colonel OF tn
Third regiment and John H. McClay as lieu
tenant colonel. This makes Schaarman tn
ranking major of the regiment, With, rom
for other promotions along the line. Th
commissions to cover the other promotion
have not yet been issued.
Governor Holcomb has cOmmuted the sen
tence of Henry Hecht to one year, on
month and twenty-three days. Hecht wa
sentenced from Douglas county to two year
In the penitentiary for manslarghter. an
under the Communication ne will become
free man after next Thursday.
About 9 O'Clock last night two masked me
entered the grocery store of William Lee O
North Twenty-second street, aimed two re
volvers at him and demanded that he q
once hand over all the cash In the shoI
Being alone. he Immediately did as re
Quested. After getting the money the rob
bers backed out Of the building, still keep
ing the proprietor covered with the revolv
ers and threatening his life II he followe
them. None OF the residents of the neigh
borhood saw the men and they were nowher
to be found when Mr.. Lee had secured tn
help Of police ofhcers.
Business men over the state who are In
terested In protecting single-lne merchant
have partially effected an organization an
have called a meeting for tomorrow In th
city for the purpose Of completing 1t. tt
oficers are: President. Richard O'Neil
Lincoln; corresponding secretary, r.
Adams, Tckamah; financial secretary, H. {
Beatty, Omaha; treasurer, A. B. Hubermanl
Omaha. One Of the purposes Of the organizf
tion a. set forth In Its constitution is
favor legislation to prohibit false represent
tions In advertising and to thus check Il