The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-04-22
QUESTION IS SERIOUS.
More Cases of Diphtheria
in No. Brookfeld Caus-
ing Much Alarm.

The Board of Trade is being borne
out in the opinion that the diphtheria
already started would take a strong
hold in the east end of the town, for
last night two new cases were reported.
They are both in the family of Napo-
leon Matthew, whose two young sons
are stricken with the dread disease, al
though it is mild in form, The children
afflicted are Evan, the eight-year-old
son, and Stephen, aged three.
AS soon as he was notified, Dr. Geo.
R. Spooner, clerk of the health board,
went to North Common street and
placarded the house. In talking of the
matter with The Spy reporter tAis af-
ternoon, DR.. Spooner said he would not
be surprised if the disease, infectious
as it is, spread and got strong foot
hold, from which it would be hard to
dislodge it.
The board of health has urged re-
peatedly that at least in the eastern
part of the town a system of sewerage
be put in, that an epidemic might De
prevented, but each time the voters say
it is inexpedient to raise the money
now. The Fontaine child is now
thought to be on the road to recovery.
Although the families afflicted live on
the same street, they are so Tar re-
moved that DR.. Spooner does not think
the Matthieu children have got 1t by
contagion, but because of the poor
drainage and sanitary arrangements.
Although the North Brookfield high
school athletic association voted rev
days ago to send a team to the annual
field day at Spencer in June, there Is
perhaps not a boy in the school VINO
really expects that team will be sent.
Previous to the vote, The spy an
nounced exclusively that the local as
sociation was on the verge OF dlsrup-
ton, and succeeding events are bearing
out the statement. This afternoon lhe
high school boys talked the mattsr
over again and looked it directly IN
the face. -
They saw that they cannot hope to
do anything at the field day, but dld
not take any definite steps. AFTER
school, however, Capt. Matthew Sulh-
van told The Spy reporter tnat ne
thinks the idea of sending team 10
Spencer will be dropped for TINS year
and an inter-class contest substituted;
1t is several years now since the scnool
had an inter-class meet, but when they
did there was fully as much interest
among the students as ever the Spen-
Ger meet brought out. Moreover, II
tended to develop men who were NOT
supposed to have any athletic ability,
but who, in competing for their re-
spective classes, showed merit that with
development, made them real contest
ants. Capt. Sullivan says he thinks
this will be the outcome, and it is
probable that at the next meeting OF
the w. C. S. A. A., North Brookfeld
will withdraw. This will make tie
annual field day resemble more close
Iy dual meet between Southbrldge
and Spencer than it does now.
Word was received here this after
noon. that Prof. William H. Quigley is
in a comfortable condition at st. Vim
cents hospital, Worcester, and will
soon be convalescent.
c. w. Walls of Worcester was here
today looking over the almshouse and
making plans to fit it with fire escapes.
He decided that an escape should be
put on at the north end. and another
at the south end, provided the plans
prove satisfactory to Inspector Joseph
NJ. Dyson of Worcester
Leon Adams hooked trout yester-
day weighing ten ounces
Michael Smith will go to Barre May
1 to work in a blacksmith shop.
There was a social dance in Grange
hall tonight.