Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-04-27
SMALLPOX HERE.
Miss Nellie Norris Is the
f7| Latest Victim. ~ ...
Works in Edwards Mill and Lived at
Factory clearinghouse.
Removed to Pest House, Saturday
Night, a Sick Woman

Another case of smallpox was dis
covered in Augusta, Saturday morning
The victim is Miss Nellie Norris. an
employe of the Edwards Co. mills. Miss
Norris is about 20 years of age, and
Saturday night she was very, sick
woman when she was removed to the
pest house at the poor farm, where she
is now in charge of DR.. Mary Conant.
1t is stated that Miss Norris was
taken sick, Friday, and summoning u
physician she was told that she had a
very bad attack of chickenpox, Sat
urday morning, however, DIR. w. H.
Harris, the health officer, together
with several other physicians were
called, who pronounced the disease to
be smallpox. The lady was an inmate
of the Factory boarding house, at the
upper end of Water street, where from
40 to so people presided Acting
promptly, the health officer arranged to
quarantine the house as soon as the
boarders assembled for their noon day
meal. At 1915, therefore, the house
was surrounded by the police officers
and the quarantine was established.
1t was found that there We're 43
people in the house, and during the
afternoon and evening 81 of these were
Yaccinated. Four escaped from the
building and hid themselves in different
parts of the city. These have since been
brought back to the house. Two of the
inmates have had the disease, and are
therefore immunes. The house is kept
by Mr.. and Mrs. Andrew Davis, and
they have a son about II years of age
The other inmates are as follows:
Joseph Nichols. Mary Nichols An
drew Leighton, Mrs. Garoix. Agnes
Wormell, Mrs. Flynn, Mrs. Sidelinger,
Annie Dolphin, Mr.. and Mrs. Elmer
McCurdy, Lister Fisher, Arnon Fisher,
Frank Parker, Mrs. Pratt, James Pratt,
Charles M. Pratt, Flora Williamson,
Mrs. Hallowell, George Clough. Mrs,
Hanson, Mr.. and Mrs. Allie Carr, Mag
gle Lambert, Helen Brennan. Mr.. Cum
ningham, James Crowley, Mrs. Bartells,
Nellie Bartells, George Bartells, Lizzie
Church, Mrs. Nellie Bowman, Mrs. F.
Lancaster, John Nichols, Maggie
Nichols, Mrs. Buckley, Mrs. Rowe, Mrs.
Robinson. Michael Grady, Mrs. Spencer,
Mr.. Brown, Margaret Decker, Andrew
Nichols. "a
Many of the inmates objected to be-
ing vaccinated, but DR.. Harris insisted
that they must submit, not only for
their own protection but for the safety
of the public. They had probably been
exposed and the fear of spread of the
disease was imminent. -l.-
Ever since the quarantine was es-
tablished two police officers have
guarded the building. night and day.,
and this precaution win be followed
until all dangers of spread of the
disease have passed. The room which
had been occupied by Miss Norris was
-umigated, yesterday. by Sanitary In
spector E. r. Bean. .....
Miss Norris was removed to the pest
house, about s o'clock Saturday night.
She was taken in a wagon and the
mattress and the bedding in her room
at the boarding house was carried with
her. Her roommate. Miss Twombly,
accompanied her, and will remain as
nurse.
Where the disease came from is a
mystery. 1t is said that boy who
worked in the mill has had an attack
Of chickenpox and is getting over it:
but it is now alleged that the boys
disease was really smallpox and that
Miss Norris attack is traceable to this
source.
Every precaution is being taken by
the health and police officers. to pre-
vent any spread of the disease.