The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-10-11
NO PREPARATION MADE
Appalling Sanitary Condition at
the Wikoff Hospital.
THE SINKS BRED TYPHOID
They Were Not Properly Covered at
Camp Thomas-shortaes OF Rations
at santiago-Assistants Were
Incompetent.

Washington. Oct. lO.-Captain ]. II.
| Culver of the United States volunteer
cavalry. Grigsby's Rough Riders. was
before the war Investigation commis-
sion to-day. He was stationed at Camp
Thomas. Chickamauga, from May un-
til he was mustered out on the l1th of
September. The food was generally
abundant and good. Culver said he had
no complaint to make OF treatment ex-
cept in the location OF his troops. He
protested against its location. Captain
Culver was followed by DIR. James IL.
Hysell, who was chief surgeon OF the
3rd division of the LIST army corps and
who was located at Camp Thomas from
the 7th of June To the 21st of Aug. He
said all the early cases of typhoid were
treated In the regimental hospitals and
the patients were not isolated until af-
ter the construction OF the division hos
pitals, when the typhoid and suspicious
cases were isolated. and the men were
we'll attended by physicians and nurses.
There had been LOO cases of all kinds
of disease treated in the hospitals and
Is deaths. DIR. Hysell thought typhoid
fever had been due to the failure to
properly cover over the sinks. He did
typhoid fever cases. as typhoid is inn
possible to detect in its early stages.
All reasonable precautions had been ta-
ken in locating the camp to prevent
the development of disease. He ad-
mitted that I'm case of another war, by
the experience Of the past. more effec-
tive means could be provided The ex-
animation of DIR. Hysell was conducted
by DIR. Connor of the commission and
was very searching from a medical
standpoint.
At the afternoon session the commits
sion examined Major Hugh ]. Gallagh-
err He had served as depot commits
sary at Siboney. San Juan and Santa
go, and recently occupied this position
at Montauk Point. At Siboney the ra-
tions he said were forwarded almost
as rapidly as landed. Only very small
quantities could be accumulated. yet
the commissary. during their stay at
Siboney. had been able to meet all re-
quirements made upon them for pro-
visions by the troops and none of them
were ever refused. He heard no COM
plant of lack OF rations, as they were
able to forward about 10000 rations
per day. From Siboney the depot was
removed TO FL Paso. seven miles in
land. At this point there were never
enough rations on hand for even a day
ahead. and IL was impossible to fill all
a
coffee and sugar. which continued for
two or three days. because OF the high
surf. All the rations were good. but in
some cases the hard bread would be
injured by sudden showers. When this
happened the bread was thrown aside
and not used. Some potatoes. onions.
tomatoes and canned beef had been
thrown away at Santiago, being spoil
ed.
Major Gallagher said there was n
shortage of lighters. but he was not
able to say this was true. Colonel
DENLY pressed for information as to
the shortage of coffee aud sugar. Major
Gallagher stated there were probably
two days when the men were without
these articles. Astor was the cause of
this deficiency. but IL there had been a
sufficiency of lighters this deficiency
would not have occurred. The major
said there was not, to his knowledge, a
shortage in any other article of food
during the campaign. Mr.. DENLY told
him there was complaint of deficiency |
covering a months time. but Major |
said he knew nothing of IT,
'Supposing." asked General McCook. |
"this shortage of rations had lasted for |
seven days instead of one. what would |
have been the result?"
I'VE probably would have had to face |
back" replied Major Gallagher. Men |
fight on short rations."
Major Gallagher said that of the five /
civilian ASSISTANTS he had, two were in |
and indifferent to their duties
They were Captain Ford of New York /
and Captain Ryan of Kansas. Mr.. Gal
lagher said the commissary supply at 1
Montauk was abundant and good while /
he was at that point.
General Beaver to-day received let
ter from Mrs. Hugo Lange Of Brooklyn,
who participated in the relief work at
Point. relating To her interview
with President Mckinley when he
visited Camp Wikoff. She was reported
TO have said to the president that some
Df the men were carried out in any /
in order TO get rid of them"
This. she says. she did not say but she
asked II. in passing through the wards.
the president did not notice the number
Df empty cots. He replied that he had
noticed them and she then requested
him to ask why the men were without
,are i'm the detention and in some of
the regimental hospitals. The letter
II will ask you to go back
" the conditions at the time General
arrived and investigate why
no preparation was made to receive and
ARE for our sick and suffering soldiers.
never saw more devoted or self-sac-
work under the most trying
or with greater patience
VI perseverance than which was ex-
libited by the executive officers OF !
lamp wikoff. particularly Or. Heis-
mann, Major Browne and Major
rhomassen. The sanitary condition at
he general hospital was appalling un-
III the general police work was taken
lp by Lieutenant Durfee Of the second
,ngineers.