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

NSPCNidl " dSliuS IOl IOol.I
Newport News, Va, July 30.-Thirty
cases Of yellow fever in the soldiers
home at Hampton and ten deaths in
the last two days is the startling re-
port that came from the reservation
tonight. This city is in a turmoil of
excitement. Hampton and Old Point
have quarantined against the home,
and Newport News will do likewise
early in the morning.
1t was learned from an official source
late this evening that there is no doubt
regarding the nature Of the disease. It
first appeared in the home nearly a
week ago, but the physicians were in
doubt, and did not decide Until today
that it was genuine yellow fever.
AS soon as it was definitely deter
mined that the dreaded scsurge was
raging in the institution, steps were
taken to protect the public. The cars
were prevented from running within
half a mile of the reservation. 1t is
feared, however, that much risk has
already been taken, as there were w
or three excursions from the interior
today which spent the sabbath on the
OAC oAiu III IIClllpIOh.
The health authorities have taken
steps to battle with the scourge, and it
is believed that they will be able to
handle it successfully. There were
seven deaths yesterday and three to-
day, but it is said that all of these
were not from yellow fever.
SERIOUS SITUATION PRESENTED.
More than 1000 veterans of the civil
war are sheltered in his home. When
hic r a 0f c. ~ noA1 thu
of the situation may readily be seen.
Being on a government reservation, the
United States naval hospital service
will probably take charge of the cpl
demic, and it is not unlikely that Sur
geon General ~Sternberg, of the army,
will be requested to come down and
look over the field.
MARINE HOSPITAL SERVICE AT
WORK.
DR.. Walter Wyman, surgeon general
of the United States marine hospital
service, said last night that he had al
ready communicated with the soldiers
home at Hampton, and experts from
the service have been sent to the scene,
one of them having already arrived.
The first repOrt of the outbreak reach
ed DR.. Wyman Saturday afternoon in
the form of a telegram from a surgeon
in charge of the home, saying that it
was feared that yellow fever was
present there, and asking that an in
vestigation be made by experts.
DR.. Wyman responded to this by d.
recting Surgeon WaSdin, who is sta
toned at Norfolk, to proceed at once
to Hampton. This he did, and, after
making a careful examination of the
suspects, was convinced that the hos
pital authorities a ample ground for
their fears. A dispatch from him reach
DR.. Wyman yesterday, saying that the
disease at the home was undoubtedly
yellow fever, and that vigorous meas
ures would have to be adopted immedi-
ately. This was the only information
which DR.. Wyman had received con-
corning the condition of things up to
a late hour last night.
SURGEONS SENT TO THE HOME.
Surgeon White, of this city, and Sur
geon W~ertenbaker, of Wilmington, N.
c., were directed to proceed to Hamp-
ton. Surgeon White left Washington
last night.
PROMPT ACTION AT NORFOLK.
(By Associated Press.)
Norfolk, Va, July 31.-Fear of the
spread of the soldiers home epidemic
of yellow fever to this city and thence
abroad has been largely ailayed by the
absolute quarantine against the three
peninsular towns adjacent to the in
fected spot, declared at midnight Sun
DAY ana enforced TISIuIy lOudy. Iuelc
is no fear that the fever Will invade
this city. No precaution has been over
Iooked by the local health authorities
in their efforts to protect the public
from the disease and the ports vast
from injury by the needless
fears Of other steamers
that stopped at Newport News and
those that took on passengers at Old
Point were not allowed to tie up at Nor
folk. No steamer can come here from
any of these points. A fleet Of seven
tugs has been chartered to patrol the
fourteen miles of water between Nor
folk and the soldiers home and the
Norfolk river front is constantly guard
ed by policemen, while a guard from
the navy yard is stationed at the naval
hospital to prevent the landing of small
boats containing refugees from the pc
ninsula
The city is in excellent sanitary con-
dition and all hat skill can I'VE will
be done to prevent the Introduction Of
the fever.
There are no cases and no suspects
in Norfolk.
The Old Point hotels are practically
deserted.
The soldiers home is strictly guard
ed. a Gordon of soldiers surrounding the
place and allowing no one to enter or
leave. 1t is believed that the fever Will
be confined to the place of its origin as
everything that science or discipline
can do. has been and will be accom-
plished. Newport News and Old Point
are believed to be safe.
PROMPT ACTION AT NEWPORT
NEWS.
Newport News, Va, July Slater a
day of intense excitement over the vel
low fever outbreak at the national sol
dt.r-' home. Newport News rests TO-
--.. with q feeling Of comparative Sc
..... The. CITY officers and the Narl-