Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-06-04
PATIENT ESCAPES.
Smallpox Victim Leaves Pest
House for Old Home.
Soon Captured and Returned Guards
viii Now Shoot to Main.
Timely Remarks by Citizen on Gravity
Of Situation.

Tom Burns escaped from the pest
house at Granite Hill. Mt about 8 o'clock
Monday evening, and walked to this
city. His visit was of short duration,
however. ana the trip back was at n
double quick pace.
III seems that he escaped unODSerVeu
by the guards on the Hill and was not
recognized until reaching Warren
street, when he was seen by the special
policeman on duty at the Isunnells
house which is now under quarantine
City Marshal Church was Immediately
notified ana Burns was found to have
gone to his former home on Second
street The house has been unoccupled
for some time, but Burns contemplated
getting "some sleep" as he expressed
himself ana was about to so to BED
when the marshal called. He offered
no resistance and was walked back 10
the pest house without trouble. He
fails to explain his actions, except that
he was tired and wanted to get sleep
ana rest. Marshal Church did not lay
hands on the man, and no one came in
contact with him on the journey either
way.
Additional guards have been placed
in the infected quarter, and nave eX-
piicit instructions as to their duties
They will carry arms and have orders
To shoot TO MAIN in the event Of fur
Their attempts to escape.
1t may be said that the private fami-
lies puarantined require less watching
and that they are in no way inclined
to take advantage of the situation.
The Beard Of Health is convinced
that the quarantine is effective, but
they are vigilant ana will not allow
any infringement Of the regulations.
The opinion Of prominent citizen
regarding the present smallpox cpl
dcnic is substantially as follows:
II believe that the situation which
confronts the city of FalloWeH is most
discomfortinS in practically all its
phases. II is said that the expense 10
the city is now approximately $40 to $jD
daily.
Some there are who evidently have
not been i'll sympathy with the meas
urcs which have been taken to arrest
ana stamp out the disease, while others
even to this day indilferently express
themselves regarding the nature of the
disease.
~ am told that a certain physician
freely discredits unqucstionable au-
thority. and advises in 4 way tending
to influence against, rather than in
favor of vaccination. Is this the part
of wise men? And in view OF the cir
cumstanccs viii private opinions and
Needless differences assist the Board OF
Health in its great responsibilities?
Forty or even 500 per day is money
wisely spent, providing the quarantine
is effective and positively prohibits in
torcourse. The situation is serious
enough. Better be foolish twice than
make one awful mistake. The Board
Of Health needs complete cooperation.
| believe that if the guard at Granite
Till is Inadequate to the present needs,
considering the number Of quarantined
houses, that more mon should be
put on.
in view Of the present expense and
the mental strain on those best ac-
dIIaintcd with the circumstances. as
wei as all other citizens, il will in my
mind be policy to maintain quaran-
tine which viii prohibit in particu-
larly strict sense Of the worldly all
means regarding the expense as Of sec
OnGary consequence.