The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1908-08-27
WITHIN TWO SQUARES
OF CAPITOL
Subject Has Been Going
About Streets Freely
Thought to Have Con-
tracted the Disease
While Serving in the
Philippines = Will be
Kept Under Guard.

Washington, Aug. ga we'll de-
veloped case of leprosy has been dis
covered in a lodging house on Penn
sylvania avenue, conducted as mis-
sion by the Salvation Army and
within two squares of the capitol. The
subject, John R. Early, came to Wash
ington six days ago from Lynn, N. c.,
and had gone freely about the capitol,
eating at various restaurants, ming
ling with people, and using the street
cars. The case was discovered by a
physician called to attend Early for
some minor ailment. He observed
three suspicious looking white spots
on the patients forehead and ques-
toned him. Closer inspection con-
vinced the physician who promptly
telephoned the health authorities of
the District of Columbia. An ambu-
lance responded and carried Early to
an isolated quarter of the district
where a closer inspection was made,
The health department of Washing
ton have officially pronounced the
case one of leprosy. The patient is
about 35 years old. has a wife and
child in Lynn, N. c., with whom he
| lived until he came to Washington
nearly a week ago. He had nc
| knowledge of the serious character OF
the disease until informed by the ply
sician. He says the first symptoms
appeared about eighteen months ago
He believes he contracted the disease
while serving as a soldier in the
| Philippines. He was a private in the
fifth regiment of the New York vol
unteers, which served in the provi.
sional army in the Philippines. He
enlisted in that regiment at Platts-
| burg barracks. Since he quit the ser.
vice Early has worked in New York
and other cities at clerical work and
is a member If the Salvation Army
having seen service in the organiza'
ton in New York city.
Early has been placed in a tent es,
| pecially erected for his isolation il
the rear of the small police quaran
tine station near the district Jail OF
the bank of the eastern branch o.
the Potomac. He will be kept there
under guard until cold weather comes
| when if necessary a house will bt
built to make him more comfortable
He has been supplied with bed clothes
and clothing and utensils necessar!
for living. His food is carried tt
him and poured into vessels supplied
for his personal use. He does hi!
own washing. The room from whici
he was taken was securely locked al
soon as the discovery was first made
and has been fumigated under direc
ton of the health department.
Every place in which he is know
Even street cars in which he rod
have been disinfected. Early came t,
Washington to personally urge
claim for a pension for himself as
former soldier and visited the pension
Office several times. The authoritie
in North Carolina have been notifie,
of the case and requested to conduc
an investigation to determine tn
movements of Early in and arount
Lynn and to take precautions for tn
prompt apprehension Of any suspecte
cases that may arise from contac
with him.
A number of persons visited the 10
cality where Early is isolated toda,
and newspaper men talked with him
He appeared remarkably cheerful un
der all the circumstances. He aske
the health department to keep iron
his wife information as to the char
acter of his illness. This being i'm
possible he expressed a desire to re
turn to his wife and child to be per
mitted to die near them if it woul
not subject them to the disease. Il
this is not possible then l am per
fectly willing to remain right her
or anywhere else the authorities ma
say until the end comes" said he.