The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-04-01

courage to act This Is also the origin of
the "oue man quarantine" Of Texas which
by it's efficiency, has startled the SAM
tarans of other States. where the ma
chinery OF health boards is slow and less
certain Texas was spared an invasion by
the dread scourge; and the zone man
idea having been kept up--slnce, how
ever, under the auspices OF the State-ob
tains today and still since 1867 no record
of an epidemic OF yellow fever in Texas
darkens the pages of her sanitary history.
Numerous attempts have been made to
break down the system and to substitute
the unwleldly machinery of a board on
which shall be represented each district
Of the state, but the faith Dr. Rutherford
had in his plan, being fully justified by
experience, he was largely instrumental
In defeating the efforts OF others TO do
away with it; perhaps. by those, some OF
them, who would have liked to have
snapped places with him. The present PAW
under which the office OF State health of
fcer was created, and the unique system
or quarantine in operation is the direct
result and Outcome of this first sanitary
convention held In Texas, Dr. Rutherford's
name VIII continue to be closely coupled
with that Of sanitation and hygiene, and
his reputation as a health officer has gone
abroad. far beyond the limits of the State
line.
The next year, 1879, the act creating q
state health officer was passed. and, quite
naturally, Governor Roberts, with that
nigh sense of Justice which ever charac-
terized him, sent for Or. Rutherford and
bestowed upon him the office He served
one term OF two years under Governor
Roberts. and on the advent of the Ross
administration in 1887 he was reappolnted.
! tpoh Governor Ross recollection in 1889,
{ Or Rutherford was again re-appointed,
/ making his third term as State health of
/ tcer.
He had, however, served MS city health
officer as far back as the administration OF
( i. Z. Lord, He was elected to this posl-
| ton and served four years under the Baker
! administration and was elected again at
/ the last city election
In 1867 Or. Rutherford was married to
4 Miss Amanda Cardwell. who was charm
I ing and highly cultivated Georgia lady, a
! sister OF the late Hon. John Cardwell.
/ diplomatic agent and consul general OF
the United States, stationed at Cairo.
Egypt, and for many years editor of the
Austin Statesman. Mrs. Rutherford died
at her home In this city something less
than year ago. They leave no children.
/ physically DR.. Rutherford was under the
average size. being about feet inches
IN height. He was OF the nervous tempera-
meni, quick In his motions and in speech,
quick 20 resent an indgnity, fire and
TOW, II was snid, but wns also quick TO
forgive, He was a most genial and COM
paniable man. easily approached and had
hosts Of attached friends all over the
state He had JET black hair and keen
and intelligent eye As physician he
ranked high; as citizen he was much re-
spected and as an officer who had fear
lessly ana faithfully discharged an onerous
public duty for number of years. he quite
naturally had the confidence and esteem
OF the public. He was member OF the
Texas State Medical association. in which
body he stood high. Al Houston. In 1855
he was elected It's first vice president, and
a part OF the time at the Dallas meeting
OF 1855 was in the chair. He served as a
member OF It's judicial council, position
Of great responsibility and represented the
association as delegate to the National
Medical association on several occasions.
Those who knew the doctor best loved
him most. One distinguished trait of his
character WAS his devotion to his friends
nothing he had, nothing he could do, was
too good for one he called his friend A
! uniform politeness and courteous bear
ing also characterized him. while In la
dies society no courtier OF the time OF
: Louis Quinze ever outvied him In courte.
! ous retort aud brilliant repartee
The funeral viii take place at $50
o'clock this afternoon from Christ church