The sun., 1898-12-29
THE GRIP IS SPREADING
Present Cold Snap Does Not
Diminish the Number
of Patients.
EXTREME CARE ADVISABLE
Miss Miriam Spencer, an Aged Vic
tim, Succumbs to the Disease.
Numerous Cases Reported on
the Railway Lines and in
Other Industries.
EXTREME CARE ADVISABLE

Grip is on the increase in this city,
and the physicians instead of getting the
respite which they thought the present
cold snap would herald, have ascertainec
that the disease is assuming alarming
proportions.
Every day the overworked doctors find
their list of patients increasing by from
one to dozen persons and they are kept
constantly on the 60 day and night.
A number of physicians have them,
selves been attacked with the insidious
disease, but as they take hold of their
own cases Immediately the grips grasp
on them does not linger very long.
The disease is followed by hacking
cough, and if this is not attended at once
a number of the medical men inter-
viewed Yesterday state that it eventually
results IN the patient being taken with
the pneumonia.
Among the latest victims Of the pre-
vailing disease at this time is Judge Ed
ward G. Bradford, Francis H. Hofecker,
William H. Williams, Irwin Pike, Miss
Alice Ford, ex-Coroner Niven Gamble,
J. H. Hates, an operator on the F., w.
& B. railroad; Morton j. Leonard and
many others.
| There are numerous cases among the
conductors and motormen of the VIII
mington City Railway, and many men
in the different shipyards, ETC., are at
home suffering from the disease.
Another victim of the grip died late
last night at her home, No. 514 WASH
ington street. This was Miss Miriam
Spencer, aged 80 years.
About five weeks ago she contracted a
cold, which developed into grip and
afterward pneumonia. She was attended
by DR.. Pierson, who succeeded in re-
storing her to almost her normal con-
dition, but few days ago heart afflic-
tion developed and she became quite
sick and remained SO until the end.
Funeral services will be held according
to Friends ceremony, at the house next
Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock and ON
Monday services will also be held at
West Grove, Pa.
Deceased belonged to a well-known
and long-lived Chester county, Pa,
family and was herself one of the most
remarkable members. The family con-
sisted of father, mother and five chill
dren. She was born at London, Briton.
Forty.four years ago, after the death OF
her father, she and an unmarried sister,
Mary Ann, and their mother, Mrs. Re-
becca Spencer, moved to this city, going
to the house No. 5l4 Washington street,
in which all lived until the time of their
death.
Miss Spencer was 90 years old last
August. The mother died 30 years ago
at the age OF 80 years. Mary Ann, the
unmarried sister, died on February 26 of
this year, aged S6 years.
There were three married sisters. One,
Mrs. Rachel Thompson, wife of the late
Joel Thompson of New Garden, Pa, died
about fifty years ago.
Another, Mrs. Elizabeth Richards,
wife of the late William Richards of this
city, died at her residence at the south.
west corner of Sixth and West streets,
seven years ago, at the age of SO years.
The third, Mrs. Henry Townsend,
widow Of Henry Townsend, is still living
in Lancaster county, Pa. She is 80 years
of age, but is enjoying good health.
All were originally members of the So.
ciety of Friends Orthodoxy at West
Grove, Pa, and tn Sc who came to Will
mington identified themselves with the
meeting at Ninth and Tatnall streets.