Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1903-11-30
EPIDEMIC or TYPHOID
Physicians Report Fifteen Huns
80 b e 81 ~ - Ii
dred Cases of the Dis
ease at Butler.
DEAD ALREADY NUMBER FIFTEEN
Pollution Of Reservoir Source of Con.
8Es1K x4zxzzsEs zIz1gzkss
city-ReIief Plans Being Laid--May
Spread to Other Towns.

Spread to Other Towns.
Butler, Pa. Nov. 80. This city'a
visitation bids fair to ontrfTal tho
most terrible typhoid fever epidemics
in modern history Within the city
limits I 500 persons are sick with the
disease and the number is increasing
hourly So far the mortality rate IS
low but in the great majority of the
cases the disease has not vet reached
the critical stage. Philosophical citi-
zens are laying plans to organize a
relief association to help the afflicted
poor.
The state board OF health paid a
hurried visit to Butler and the source
of contagion was readily discovered
and means and methods promptly sug-
gested to check the spread of the dis
ease.
Water Supply Polluted,
The officials secured carriages and
were driven eight miles to the Thorn
run dam which is Buffers sole water
supply at present, as the Boydstowa
dam was rendered useless by the
floods last August The members of
the state board made thorough ex-
animation of the dam and discovered
that three persons in a family named
Softer are i'll with typhoid fever The
Soffers live on the crest of hill which
slopes down to the water used in But
Ter The family were using the reser-
voir for drainage purposes, as they
had nothing else to do
That this state of affairs existed was
known to the local board of health.
DR.. Robert B. Greer. a prominent But
Ter physician. called attention to the
matter several weeks ago The only
action the local board took was to IS
sue statement which said the water
to Butler by the Butler Wa
ter company was pure, but suggesting
that all water used for domestic pur-
poses be thoroughly boiled
Awful Death List Possible.
The report of the state board OF
health showed that prompt and i'm
mediate action was necessary. The
AZ physicians OF Butler are already
doing enormous work trying to save
lives and ameliorate the suffering of
the victims. Nurses were sent for
and about 10 arrived from Pittsburg
The town is seriously alive to the fact
that things are in bad shape, for when
the critical period comes the Is dead
will likely be swelled to many hun
dreds.
While the epidemic Is not confined
exclusively to the poor of Butler, yet
they are the greatest sufferers. many
families being unable to
pay the cost for properly caring for
the sick
Among the 500 slav and Russian
residents of Red Row there are 70
typhoid fever cases, not one of which
can properly be treated in such place.
Philadelphia VIII Send Help.
Philadelphia. Nov S0.--After con-
sultation with DR. Edward Martin, d.
rector of the department of public
health and charities, Mayor Viewer
health and charities, Mayor Weaver
sent DIR. F. G. Johnson. assistant to
the chief resident physician OF the
Philadelphia hospital, to Butler to in
vestigate conditions there with a view
OF having the city of Philadelphia az
sist the citizens of that town II DR.
Johnson finds that help is needed to
fight the disease and assist those al.
ready stricken he will report by tele-
graph and the mayor will Immediately
call together the citizens permanent
relief committee. If aid is given it
will probably be given in the form
Of corps of nurses and large contri-
button Of money Mayor Weaver has
received two appeals for help from
citizens of Butler, but as the tele-
grams did not come from the munich
pal authorities of the town he decided
to have an investigation made before
calling meeting of the relief com
mittee.
Pittsburg Answers Appeals.
Pittsburg, Nov. 30.-Mayor w. b.
Hays will ask Pittsburg to take Off
cial cognizance OF the typhoid fever
epidemic in Butler when he presents
the towns request for aid before the
of councils. A number OF
local firms and citizens have already
sent their contributions direct to the
local relief committee at Butler and
many others will follow. There are
thousands Of Pittsburgers who have
relatives and friends in Butler, and
they will offer assistance direct liz
cases where the need is urgent
Beaver Valley Alarmed.
Beaver Falls, Pa, Nov 30-The cpl
demic of typhoid fever in Butler Is
causing some apprehension here ow-
ing to the fact that the Consequences
sing creek, containing the sewage
from the fever.stricken town, empties
Into the eBaver river only few miles
above the city pumping plant of the
Beaver Valley Water company, which
supplies New Brighton. Rochester.