Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-23
PANIC IN LEGISLATURE
Smallpox Invades the State
Capital of Missouri.
Member STRICKEN AT DESK
House Quickly Deserted When Fact
Becomes Known.
CLOSED BY HEALTH BOARD
Gov. Folk Offers Use of Mansion to
Members Who Cannot Retain
Their Quarters Elsewhere.
CLOSED BY HEALTH BOARD

JEFFERSON CITY, No., February o.
Smallpox invaded the legislature at the
state capitol yesterday, causing a panic in
the house of representatives, where Repre-
sentative w. ]. Salts of Phelps county was
stricken down with the disease at his desk
in the midst of the proceedings. Seventy
members were in attendance at the time.
The commoton was so great in the house
that few members were found in the build
ing few minutes after Mr.. Salts had been
removed The excitement quickly spread
to the senate, and there was a general
scattering of members in every direction.
Representative Salts was in conference
with Gov. Folk shortly before he was
stricken. The governor showed less alarm
than many of his friends over the possible
consequences of his exposure to the disease.
II noticed there was breaking out on Mr..
Salts face said Gov. Folk, but thought
nothing of it at the time. Possibly 1 shall
have to get vaccinated."
The state board of health locked up the
house as soon the members had depart
ed, and no one was allowed to enter until
the place had been thoroughly fumigated.
Afterward, a quorum of the representatives
was gathered up and the house adjourned
until pm. next Monday Amid great
confusion, and with but 20 of the 142 men,
bers in their seats, the house ordered the
entire capitol building fumigated. The sem
ate held a brief session yesterday afternoon
and then adjourned until next Tuesday at
Pm
Two Members Down.
Two members Of the legislature are al
ready down with smallpox, Mr.. Salts and
J. T. Barker of Macon, who was removed
from Madison House with it last Monday.
Neither is seriously ILL.,, but to protect the
members and that those i'll of the disease
may be properly cared for, Speaker Atlsin-
son last night appointed committee of
physicians of the house to procure quarters
either from the state or from citizens,
where patients can be given proper atten-
ton at the expense of the state.
Representative Hoppe of st. Louis has
been requested by his landlady to change
his clearinghouse. There are now thirty
cases of smallpox in Jefferson City, and the
disease is generally prevalent throughout
the state.
The disease came here through members
travelling about the state going to and re-
turning from their homes Mr.. Barker told
the state board of health that he was salts
fed that he contracted the disease in Kan
sas City, where he was some fifteen days
ago. on his way home and stopped there for
day. There is smallpox in all parts of
the state, every city has cases. but none
is seriously Ill with it. This has caused
the spread of the disease. The patients
rarely go to bed, but walk about, as was
the case with Mr.. Salts.
Governor Offers Mansion.
Gov. Folk has offered the use of the ex-
ecutive mansion to members who can not
owing to the popular agitation, secure head
quarters elsewhere 1t is likely that the in
vitation of Gov. Folk will be accepted, for
the state owns a farm here adjoining the
penitentiary which has on it fine, large
house, and the plan Of Speaker Atkinson is
for the committee he has appointed to take
charge of this house and use it hos
pital for the care of the members and en-
ployes who may become ill. The state
board of health is here in charge of the sit
uation and are vaccinating all the members
and employees of the legislature.
Most of the members fumigated their
rooms and used dsinfectiop on their cloth
ing lest they should spread the disease.
since they had been exposed during the day
with Mr.. Salts 1t is expected that both
branches will be working as usual Monday
afternoon unless more cases develop before
that time. The members do not care to risk
the chance of taking the disease home to
their families, hence they will remain here
until they see what the further develop
ments are.