The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-08-04

The town Of Hampton, which IS In
close proximity to the soldiers home,
early this morning established a Gordon
or armed policemen at the approaches
to the reservation. Notwithstanding
this precaution, Newport News quaran-
tined against Hampton and Elizabeth
City county and Warrick county. Thus
this city, which is nearly ten miles from
the infected point, has the advantage Of
practically a double quarantine or
land. A tugboat patrols the river to
prevent the evasion Of quarantine re-
strictions by means of boats. The dan
ger line shore is guarded by an ade-
quate force Of special policemen. The
street railway company was prohibit
ed this morning from running cars be-
tween Hampton and this city.
Although hundreds Of people left the
city today on account of the scare, their
departure is regarded with indifference
and amusement, rather than as a judi
cious ~precaution, by the great MAORI
ty who stay at home.
The city council tonight appropriate
ed $4,000 for immediate use in main
tanning the quarantine.
ACTION BY FEDERAL OFFICIALS.
Washington, July 31.-Surgeon Gen.
eral Wyman, of the marine hospital
service, has a conference with Secre-
tary Alger at II o'clock today concern
ing the yellow fever situation at Hamp-
ton. The secretary of war is ex-officio
president of the board of Of
the soldiers home and, as a conse
quence, his orders concerning the home
would govern it. AT present the home
is under the direction of the governor
of the home and Surgeon Vickery. Gen.
eral Wyman has sent to Hampton Sur
geon White, a very experienced yellow
: fever physician, who will take control
of everything under the marine hospital
service.
Secretary Alger has directed the Jo-
siah Simpson hospital at Fort Monroe
to be turned over to The marine hos
pital service if it is wanted by Surgeon
General Wyman.
This hospital contains 1000 beds and
was fitted up for the troops stationed at
Newport News last summer. Only a
small portion of it has ever been used.
The secretary told General Wyman to
call on the war department for any
thing that lit had or was wanted and
it would be furnished at once, without
regard to regulations or rules. The sec
rotary said that Surgeon General Wy
man should be assisted in, every way
in dealing with the epidemic.
TO REMOVE GARRISON FROM THE
FORT.
The following order was issued by the
wal department today:
commanding General, department or
the East. Governors Island, N. Y:
1.-THE presence of yellow fever having
been officially reported at the soldiers
home at Hampton, Va, the secretary
OF war directs that you give orders for
the immediate movement of the garri-
son at Fort Monroe to some place of
safety somewhere on the northern
coast to be selected by you. Two COM
missioned officers and not less than
tWantV men will he left in charoo of tho
post. If there are immunes in the COM
mand they will be given preference.
Acknowledge receipt and report action
taken. H. c. CORBIN,
'Adjutant General"
The marine hospital service today
hurried a number of surgeons to Hamp-
ton and vicinity.
SPOT.
DR.. Wasdin, of the marine hospital
service, is already at Hampton and is
detailed as the expert at the home. DR..
j. H. White left Washington this morn
ing and will be on duty outside. Drs. c.
P. Wertenbaker, Frank Donaldson,
Farquar, Pettus and McClintic will be
distributed through Portsmouth, Phoe
bus, Berkeley and other nearby points
as occasion requires. Surgeon Wyman
has not decided whether he will go to
Hampton, but will do so if there is any
need of his services.
The officers of the marine hospital
service refuse to speculate on the gene
sis of the epidemic, but it is generally
believed to have originated in some OF
the shore dives in Phoebus and cases
are looked for there. Arrangements are
already made to throw quarantine lines
around any place where the disease
shows itself outside the home.
The Washington health office was no.
tried dDOut 6aVlight this mOrniOo Ot
the Hampton outbreak.
me morning boat from Old Point
was inspected, but no passengers de-
tanned. The trains will also be watch
ed. There is a detention settlement OF
cottage on the eastern branch which
was utilized during the recent small
pox outbreak. This is being overhaul.
ed to receive n suspects who are de-
tected by the Washington authorities
The troops at Fort Monroe consist OF
three batteries of the Fourth artillery
together with the headquarters of tina
regiment, all under command of Colo
mel F. L. Gunther. The batteries there
are G, n and O..
H OFFICIAL NOTICE.
Surgeon Eaneral s~ternberg has re-
ceived the following from Lieutenant
Colonel Dewitt:
Fort Monroe, Va, July 81.
Surgeon General, L. S. A, Washing
ton:
AT 4 o'clock p. m. yesterday Surgeon
Pettus, United States marine hospita'
service quarantine officer, officially
states that yellow fever was at the
national soldiers home. at Hampton;
thirty-four cases with six deaths. Com
handing officer tool immediate meas
ures for quarantine. Surgeon Pettus
states the surgeon general of the ma
l n hospital service was notified yes
terday afternoon. DEWITT.
Surgeon"
Adjutant General Corbin. and Major
Johnston, assistant adjutant general
were at Fort Monroe yesterday and
We're present when Surgeon Pettus
made his epOrt to Lieutenant Colone
Dewitt, regarding the outbreak OF
yellow fever at the soldiers home.
THE SITUATION ADMITTED TO BE
SERIOUS.
General Corbin says that from all &C.
counts, there is little doubt that the
conditions are serious and there is Nc
telling how far the infection NAV haye