Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1903-11-27
SMALL POx AT Will MiNGTON.
General Exposure From One Case
Leads to Strict Public Measures.
Especial correspondence to Reformer.]

/
| Wilmington, Nov. 25, '03
The town has undergone a most
thorough and unusual excitement the
past week from the fact that it has
been decided that we have a genuine
case of small pox or something that
resembles that dreaded disease very
closely. 1t seems that a stranger was
! in town two or three weeks ago who
had bad eruptions upon his face; he
stopped for a day or two at the board
ing house owned and conducted by
Mrs. Boynton on West Main street.
About ten or twelve days ago Thorn
as Toomey, an inmate and helper at
the house mentioned, showed unmis-
taxable symtoms of a bad skin disease.
He did not think it serious and circu-
lated through the village and also went
to North Adams and returned on the
train.
Drs. Page and Gillette were consult
ed but neither was positive as to the
exact nature of the ailment, although
DR.. Page was strongly of the opinion
that it was small poX Dr. Holton of
Brattleboro was called who also pro-
nounced the disease small pox; but to
make the matter doubly sure DR.. Page
with the advice of the selectmen called
DR.. Bushnell of North Adams, who is
regarded as an expert in the disease,
who unhesitatingly pronounced it the
same as Drs. Page and Holton. Dr.
Gillette remained doubtful, as he is
still saying that he does not think it
is genuine small pox but at the same
time he recommends all precautions.
The selectmen Sunday with commen-
dable promptness at once ordered
strict quarantine of the premises and
guard was placed with orders to let
no person enter or leave the house. 1t
was also decided to close the schools
and to forbid the holding of church
services and all entertainments for the
present until all danger is passed.
Up to this evening, no material
changes have occurred. Toomey seems
to be gaining and no new cases hcvc
been reported as we hear. Circulars
have been distributed and notices post
ed advising every one to be vaccinat-
ed and many have taken this precau-
tion. As is always the case in such
matters, some still doubt the genuine
ness of the case and decline to be vac
cinated or to take any unusual pre-
eide the matter in a great measure, for
if no new cases appear we shall glad
ly conclude that the danger has pass
ed; meanwhile let all measures be ad-
opted to hold the case in check.
Reuben Shepardson, a prominent
citizen and former business man of
N. H, observed his Goth
at his home there Nov. is,
with a turkey dinner and a public re-
ception. He is the third of the IL chill
1ren of William and Harriet Cambridge
and was born in Guilford,
Nov. Is, 1912. For nearly 80 years
he was engaged in the manufacture of
xoolens and was also in the lumber
business in Lempster, n. H, Hartford
and Claremont. He retired from ac-
i've business five years ago. He has
1een married three times and has a
wife and four daughters now living.
His faculties are all retained and he
s wonderfully well preserved. He
ioes not use or require glasses and is Z
llways healthy. Since he was 10 he
las been doing a mans work, he says.
)ne brother, George Shepardson of
Acworth, is living