The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-01-29
aA3HITNS BAKERYGGG
JOHN LANES TROUBLES
A SMALLPOX "SUSPECT' ON HIS WAY
TO CINCINNATI TO GET MARRIED.
He Created CONSERVATION at the
Police station and Was Prompt
Iy Ordered Out.

Commanding officers Of the police force.
with one exception, are anticipating much
amusement this winter from smallpox
scares, and the fun began last night. 1t
resulted in a serious discussion whether
or not there should be a large sign over the
walk in front Of the City Dispensary for the
guidance Of persons afflicted with small
pox,who invariably INQUIRE in the police
department for the dispensary. John Lane.
colored, entered the Office of the police desk
sergeant about roll call time. All the SER
geants were present, including Sergeant
Lowe. who, on one occasion last winter,
jumped from a window to get away from
smallpox suspect" Lanes face was dis
figured, and he no more than got inside Of
the room when someone said smallpox"
Captain Dawson was holding consulta-
ton behind closed doors, but Sergeant
Lowe disturbed the conference 10 get away.
Lane did not have a chance to make ex-
plantations, but was required at once to
leave the room. He had before been in the
dispensary and by the doctors there sent
to the police department.
Lane said he had been working for a
dental company in Chicago and on Monday
last. while taking a bottle of sulphuric
acid from Shelf let it fall, turning the
contents of the bottle on his face. badly
burning it. He was unable to work and was
given pass, he claims, to Cincinnati. AT
Champaign, ILL.,, he lost the pass and was
put off the train. His face was broken out
and all to whom he applied for assistance
turned him away, thinking he had small
pox. Finally the city authorities gave him
q, III Of fro,a Granr a.
ton furnished did not take him much be-
yond the county line and there again he
was put off. He again applied for transpor-
tation and had no difficulty in securing II,
and got a little farther on his way. He
finally landed in Crawfordsyille. where 1t
was thought he had smallpox. and he was
furnished with ticket TO Indianapolis.
Physicians in Crawfordsvilre telegraphed
the Board Of Health here, and Dr. Fergu-
son was sent to the City Dispensary, where
Lane had been instructed to Co. to investi-
gate. He found no trace or smallpox, and
gave the man a letter to that effect. Lane
had no money and as his only means OF
securing transportation had been spoiled,
he knew not how he was going 70 get TO
Cincinnati. He was also much worried over
the reception he would receive on his ar
rival there, saying he was going there to
get married, but was afraid his affianced
would go back on him because Of the dis
figurement.
Dr. Ferguson. while talking with Ser
geant Lowe told a story of the tendency to
discred;t a physicians diagnosis OF case
as smallpox, saying that when he was In
small town about week ago he found
every house in the village contained vic
tins of the disease. he was standing in
the hotel talking to a local doctor. who con-
tended the afflicted did not have smallpox.
Finally, after a number of men said they
| believed the diagnosis of their local physi-
clan, one of them asked DR.. Ferguson
| If he had examined the patients. He said
| he had and then the question came, Have
you been with them to-day" Yes" saiu
| the doctor. 'Well. did you change your
clothes or disinfect them afterward?"
NO" said DR.. Ferguson, II forgot all
about that. I believe I'll have to do that
now" but before he had finished the
room was clear His hearers evidently
wished to take no chances.