The age-herald., 1898-10-13
JACKSON, MISS,
 NOW DESERTED All Who Could Have Fled From
 the Stricken CiI' BUSINESS HOUSES CLOSED Trains Rushed By With Windows Down and Doors Locked. THE FEVER STILL INCREASING Yesterdays Official Report Showed II New Cases for 24 Hours. THE COOL WEATHER CONTINUES It is Possible That Light Frost May Fall and Stop Saffron Johnny's
 Career of Death and
 Desolation.
Yesterdays Official Report Showed II
 New Cases for 24 Hours.
THE COOL WEATHER CONTINUES s

Jackson, Miss, Octoper l1.- ho @or- N the state of Mississippi, with total popu- lation of about 10000, is today country village, so far as business matters ana commercial interests are concerned. "A Ha- jority of its business houses are closeo' ana where busy proprietors and active salesmeh a month ago displayed stocks Of gooos' dust and dirt have accumulated. The usual busy hum of trade has ceased and the wheels of progress are stilled. Long trains laden with commercial commodities rumble by without even slackening speed, and the only recognition vouchsafed the capital city is two short, sharp whistles from engines, .--- throttles of which are opened to some- where near the last notch. Trains go by with roar and rush, with doors locked and windows tightly closed.
 Just one month ago Jackson was startled by an official announcement from the state board of health that yellow fever had ap- peared in the city It was unexpected and unprepared fer. The news travelled with tremendous rapidity, carrying with it dread feeling of uneasiness and anxiety. People began to pack their trunks The re- membrance of former visitations Of the dreaded scourge was strong upon them. Flight was the first thought; that and that only in their nervous dread furnished an avenue of escape. By evening the exodus had begun.
 Seeking Refuge
 Wagons laden with bedding and other household necessities appeared <l the streets, closely followed by parents and their families, seeking a refuge in the coun- try contiguous to the city. Many could not borSac-ipdaad a so fortunate. But at this time any kind of a place would do In some instances an old cotton house on a plantation afforded a crowded and comfortless shelter; negro cabins have been utilized and country churches have been curtained into apart ments and occupied by several families.
 The ticket offices of the railroads were rushed; baggage was piled high in the bag safety from the dreaded disease was sure. tingents of Jacksons population to the cooler climate of the north, where absolute safety from the dreaed disease was sure. In some instances homes were mortgaged in order to procure the necessary money to pay for the flight Sacrifices of all kinds were made to enable the panic-stricken in- dividuals and families to leave the city.
 The first fever patient died and in the silent hours of the night hurriedly, and by the dim light of lanterns, the body, wrapped in sheet saturated with bi-chlo- ride of mercury, was committed to the ground A breathing spell of few days ensued. Another Saturday came, and an- other victim was in the clutches of the in- sidious disease A house to house inspec- ton in the neighborhood of where the first patient died, and which is inhabited prin- cipally by negroes brought to light several more cases of the fever, and also the start ling fact that the fever had been among these negroes for a month or more.
 Dosed With Quinihe
 As is well known. yellow feve- usually appears in mild form in the nSgro, and this was the case then. For weeks two negro doctors o1 the city had treated this disease among the blacks, dosing with qui- nine and calomAl in blissful ignorance of the true character of it. asserting that they had cured at least 15O cases of the same illness. Here was the danger point. The negroes had freely mingled with in- habitants of all portions, of the city, and the disease was liable to bob up in any section. However, cordon of guards was thrown around this locality and now two or three thousand negroes are shut in.
 But the mischief was done. The disease began to make its appearance in other DOT tions of the city, and in spite of the work of the health authorities the infection has continued to spread nd the number of cases to multiply. Within probably 100 yards of the state capitol one of the little yellow flags which mark infected localities flies omlnously in the breeze. Only the appear ance of cold weather can relieve the situa- tion.
 People are continually leaving the city Each day finds some who had resolved to remain and brave the danger give way to constantly growing fears. and depart to join the refugees.
 For whole blocks in the residence dis tricts one may walk and encounter no liv- ing soul. The residences, with doors closed and blinds drawn, flowers withered and yards overgrown with weeds. speak elo- ouently of absence and neglect.
 The state capitol Is practically closed, and the footfslls of the visitor who strays through its lonesome corridors echo with jstartling distinctness in his ears. With yerey few exceptions. the various offices in the building are closed. Governor McLap- rin with Private Secretary Conan, some time ago moved out to the lunatic asylum, two miles from the city, where he has been transacting official business. The governor