The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1900-08-18
SMALL P0X DISCOVERED
Three Genuine Cases Were
Found In HOughtOn Wednes-
day Morning.
PATIENTS QUARANTINED.
Prompt Action Taken to Stamp
Out the Disease-Pest House
Being Erected.

The announcement Wednesday
morning, says the Houghton Ga
zette, that three cases of small pox
had been discovered within the
limits of Houghton, surprised every
one. The discovery was made at
about Q O'Clock in the morning by
Marshal Louis Voetsch, who found
man named Pat Devine in the
Planter saloon with what he sus-
pected was a case Of it. DR.. Wheeler
advised the immediate calling of the
health officer, DR.. II. w. Jones, who
pronounced it genuine small pox
and at once closed the place, and
locked the men who were found in
the saloon in with Devine.
Later in the morning two other
cases were discovered, one being
Thomas Hazel, who had recent
ly been discharged from st. Joseph S
hospital, where he had been under
treatment for malaria. The other
was that of Sylvester Kinney, who
had the disease in remarkably
mild form. Two other cases are
under suspicion, but it is not certain
as yet that they will prove to be
small pox.
When it was found that small poX
really existed in the town strict
measures were Immediately taken
to prevent its spreading. Watch
men were placed at the houses where
the patients were confined and q
strict quarantine enforced. f. j.
Bawden, chairman OF the board OF
healts committee, called his com
mittee together and it was decided
to erect pest house on the out
skirts of the town at once. A site
in the woods at the north of the
new road leading to the cemetery
was chosen and the work oi
construction was commenced.
| The site was chosen because it is
isolated and because plenty of pure
water can be obtained there.
Tie next move was To get the
common council together. A meet
ing was held between ) and o clock
at which it was decided to use every
, possible means to stamp out the
disease in the town as soon as pos
sible. The health officer was di-
rected to care for the small pox
patients and was instruct
ed to provide the necessary
furniture and fixtures as well as
nurses for the pest house. 1t was
stated that the house would be
ready to receive the patients Thurs
day and the health officer was asked
to superintend the removal of all
the eases to that improvised hos
pital at once upon its completion.
DIR. Jones stated that he had wired
to Chicago for 800 fresh vaccination
points aud it was decided to offer
free vaccination to those desiring it;
! the health officer will be at his office
from tot every afternoon except
! Sunday for that purpose. The
council also empowered the health
! officer to see that the back yards
throughout the village are cleaned
and kept clean. There are mum
Der of bad places ut present and the
owners of each property will be
notified and If after a giver time
the work is mot done warrants will
| be issued for their arrest. The
members of the council said they
would back the officer up in this
matter and instructed him to pro
ceed at once.
! Wednesday evening three of the
men who were confined in the
Planter saloon with Devine were
released.
The men were furnished with new
clothing and were vaccinated Thurs
day. The bartender was also fur
nished with new clothing but he re
fused to come out. When informed
OF the man S ,stubborness the health
officer said he would attend to hi.
case.