Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1900-07-12

The Afflicted Ones To Be Isolated
on Egg Island Other
News.
Washington. July IL. Distressing
news comes from Cape Nome, telling OF
the prevalence of smallpox in that
camp and of almost no means to com
bat the spread Of the ma!ady. Lieut..
j. II. Jarvis, acting special agent for.
the treasury department at Cape Nome.
sent in two messages to Assistant Sec
rotary of the Treasury Taylor, each one
picturing a horrible state of affairs in
the stricken camp. There are $4,000
people there, one physician, 1000 vac
cine points and no civil law by which
Widespread instruction and riot can be
governed
Lieut.. Jarvis fist dispatch was
dated June 90. and came to Washing
ton via San Francisco. 1t reads as fol-
lows:
Ten cases of smallpox at this port
in the last three days. One death to-
day. All We're passengers from the
steamship Oregon. Oregon sailed for
Seattle; have established camp and
removed the cases there. Urge that
proper officers and sufficient vaccine be
sent. Fifteen thousand people in the
Immediate vicinity. Absolutely no civil.
authority here, and have had to take
measures to isolate and prevent
spread of the disease Steamers Ohiu
and Santa Anna released from quaran-
tine. Passengers all vaccinated and
vessels cleaned as wellaas possible. Pa
tients on Egg Island Improving. No.
new cases arrived by vessel
The next dispatch was dated July 2,
four days after the above was written,
and in that space of time ten addi-
stional cases of the scourge had been.
noted. Lieut.. Jarvis said in this tele-
gram:
Twenty cases of smallpox to date.
Measures taken to isolate and care for
all cases. but facilities are poor. Need
medical officers to take charge
In both kilograms there are mystify-
ing sentences. but the general meaning
as to the spread of smallpox is all too
plain. Assistant Secretary Taylor was
much concerned yesterday afternoon
when the second wire came in, and im-
Inediately communicated with Surgeon
General Wyman, of the marine hospi-
tai service. DR.. Wyman said that the
situation at Cape Nome was most seri-
Gus: he told the secretary that 1000
vaccine points would help only 200
people. one point being good for only
one person. He told the secretary fur
Their that he had physicians at San
Francisco who could be sent north at
once.
Secretary Taylor said he would con-
fer further with DR.. Wyman today, and
all haste would be used in sending
medical aid and supplies to the stricken
gold camp.
The officials of the treasury Depart
ment apprehend that there is one
chance In hundred Of having kept the
disease from spreading among the en-
lstire population and THE vas in the
Iquick action of Lieut.. Jarvis in iaolating
the cases, but even this hope is con-
founded by the news that in four days
ten new cases We're discovered. Theex
int of the maladv at this date, there's
fore. can not be estimated.
The department Is greatly pleased to
know that for sacting special agent at
Cape Nome it has Lieut.. Jarvis. He has
been given general authority by the de-
lpartment and is fully capable of carry
ing the responsibility.
Assistant Secretary Taylor still has
under ADJUSTMENT the subject Of doing
something 10 warn intending visitors to
Cape Nome against going there and
likewise to give warning to the crowds
lat Cape Nome that the closed season
will begin in sixty or seventy days. The
lonly plan Mr.. Taylor has so far thought
of. and he has not determined upon this,
lis that of having officials of the govern
ment at Cape Nome convey public
warning to the thousands there that
they should not remain too long and
should take some means of getting
away at an early date.
The warning would say that the gov
eminent would be powerless to convey
Iany kind Of help and that nothing in
this line could be looked for. Owing to
several relief expeditions into Alaska
IAN impression may have grown that the
government will send succor in case OF
la crisis.
The war department has received the
following message from Gen. Randall
dated Nome City, Alaska, June 26, via
San Francisco, Cal. July II:
AT request Of chamber OF commerce
lhave assumed control of affairs in town
lEof Nome until the arrival of the Judge
land the establishment Of municipal gov
\ eminent under recent act OF congress
Estimated this date 10000 people in the
town and no effective civil organization
for protection Of life and property.
Washington, July 12.-The treasur,
department has received telegram
from Lieut.. Jarvis OF the revenue cut.
ter service, saying that there had beer
twenty cases OF smallpox to July 9 Al
Cape Nome, and asking for medical OF.
fcers and supplies.
\ The telegram is dated Cape Nome