The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1904-06-07
WHO IS
TO BLAME?
THE ARTICLE BELOW WILL Elk
PLAIN The SMALLPOX STU
ALTON AT THE REFORM
SCHOOL,
SuPT. DARNALL THINKS THE
MERCER OFFICIALS KNEW
THE CONDITIONS BEFORE
BOYS WE'RE SENT.
CGrafton Sentinel.)

(Grafton Sentinel)
In regard to the cases OF smallpox
al the State Reform School. and the
laying of the blame for the existence
of the same on the officials of Mer-
Ger county, the Sentinel is in re-
ceipt of a letter from Sheriff SentZ,
of that county, and in which the
gentleman says that the term or
criminal, negligence" on the part OF
Mercer county officials is entirely
undiscovered. Continuing, Sheriff
Sentz says:
LAS a matter of fact Mercer has
been more or less the victim of
SMALLPOX for several years. notwith-
standing the great precautions taken
by our local boards of health, both
county and municipal and aided IN
every way possible by the State
Board. The usual quarantine reGu-
lations prevail, the disease Isolated
wherever it makes its appearance
and. at great expense. has almost be-
come wiped out or rendered harm.
less. Although during the past year
we have had more than five hundred
has occurred from it as a result. In
receiving prisoners into the jail IRON
effected communities. it has always
been the invariable practice to take
every precaution against contagious
disease in so far as possible and up
until the present no contagious dis
ease has ever made its appearance
within the walls of the jail, this be
ing the only exception These four
bows were kept in Jail at this place
for a month or two before their trials
at April term of the criminal court.
After their sentence they were return
ed to jail and remained there until
the 18th of May, when they were
taken to the Reform School There
were other prisoners brought to the
jai1 during the confinement OF these
boys, but no one who in the least
seemed to be affected or Solar as
known had been exposed to smallpox.
In fact, the disease was not detected
at the jail until May Gath, nearly
week after the boys mentioned had
been turned over to the excellent
SUPERINTENDENT OF the Reform
School. 1t was even linen uouo.ou ~
exist, it was so mild and insiduous
in character. But after the suspicion
was entertained that smallpox exist
ed in the Jail the officials OF Mercer
county. through DR.. Scott. the PreSl-
dent of the Board of Health, TOOK the
Drecaution to warn the reform
School and also the penitentiary that
the prisoners taken to both places
from, the Jail at this place had been
exposed. These are the facts in the
matter. and with all the precautions
taken that skill and prudence could
dictate there has been no one TO
blame either individually or Official
Iy.''
Superintendent Darnall of the
State Reform School, when question
ed concerning the cases or smallpox
at the school. when they were first
discovered, stated to a Sentinel re-
porter that one of the boys. Shep
Sublett by name, brought from Mer-
Ger county, said he had suffered an
attack of the disease while confined
in The Jail of Mercer county, shortly
before being sent to the Reform
School. superintendent iiHaAi, III
his letter to the sheriff of Mercer
county, dated April 25th, 1904, stated
as follows: Answering your letter
of April 22d, will state that we Will
receive the criminal court boys, Viz
Shep Sublett, Will Chandler. Max
Kidd and Albert Walker, any time
you may send them, if they are alb
solutely of sound mind and body and
free from contagion and Infectious
diseases" So strong a suspicion
does Superintendent Darnall now en-
terrain of the fact that the officials
of Mercer county were aware OF con-
ditions that existed at the time the
boys were sent to the Reform School.
that he will ask the State Govern
ment that Mercer county pay the .ex-5
.penses OF caring for the cases that
have resulted at the school Is;
rs. Wraase.. rs Better To-day
The condf ton Of Mrs. 4 ERNEST Ernest
5Nraase, at Cooks Hosp ital is much a g.l,;