The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-04-13

ON HIS House by Health Inspector.
The home OF James O'Rourke, an en-
gineer in the employ Of the Great
500 Mississippi street. is under siege.
A warrant Is out for the arrest Of
O'Rourke, on the charge Of violating
the health ordinance, and a policeman
in citizens clothes will guard the house
until the document Is served. So long
as O'ROurke remains at home he is
safe. but the moment he leaves the
house, unless he escapes the vigilance
of the officer on guard, he will be lock-
ed up.
The trouble arises out Of O'Rourke's
defiance Of the quarantine orders Of
the health department. Four members
of the engineers family have been i'll
within the last two months. but he re-
fuses to submit to quarantine, and has
repeatedly torn down the contagiOn
signs placed on the house by the health
department.
After trying conciliatory measures
with O'Rourke, the health department
became incensed at his obstinacy and
alarmed at the danger imminent
through the engineers association with
fellow employees and friends, and swore
out the warrant for his arrest.
O'Rourle got wind of the warrant
but notwithstanding, it is said, con-
tinues running his train out Of the
city and mingling with his acquaint-
ances. Monday Sergeant Mccarthy and
two officers were at the union depot
to prevent O'Rourke from leaving the
city, but he eluded the watch and
his train came back to the city sew
eral policemen were on hand to serve
the warrant, but O'Rourke was not
aboard 1t was said that he had been
taken i'll in Duluth.
This was believed to be a subter-
fuge, but Health Commissioner stone
at once telegraphed the Duluth health
department to ascertain II ORourke
was in the Zenith City, and, If he was,
to place him in quarantine. The reply
came that O'Rourke could not be found
in Duluth
Yesterday afternoon Health Inspector
Storr went to the quarantined house 10
replace contagion sign, which had
been torn down the previous day. He
rang the bell and was met by Mrs.
O'Rourke.
Here is the health Office again, Jim. !"
she called back into the house and
slammed the door in the INSPECTORS
face.
Inspector Storr tackled up the sign
and reported to DR.. Stone. Mrs.
O'Rourke's remark was construed to
mean thdt hor nuSDanQ was III LIE
house and an officer in citizen clothes
was detailed to watch the place. At
6 o'clock Officer Tally went on guard
at the house and stood watch until 3
O'Clock. O'Rourke had not been seen at
this hour, and Officer Christian took
the watch until o'clock this morning.
The house will be closely guarded to-
day, and, in fact, every day until the
expiration Of the quarantine period. II
O'RourIe is not at home, or if he is in
his house and stays there, he will not
be molested, but should he be caught
undertaking to leave the place the
quarantine will be summarily enforced
by locking him in Jail.
The members Of the O'Rourke family.
who have had the diphtheria are Mrs.
O'Rourke, two daughters, Katie and
Lillia, and a son, Thomas.
The patients were all taken to the
city hospital, but only. remained few
days. when ORourke removed them to
his home. There is no law compelling
patients to stay at the hospital, but
it was explained to O'Rourke that his
house would be quarantined. This was
done and the row between the engineer
and the health department began.
It's termination will largely depend
upon O'Rourke's conduct, as the health
department gives it out with emphasis,
that the quarantine law will be en-
forced. if it becomes necessary to es-
tabIish permanent police barracks
about the house.