Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-07-04

visit and announcement made by DIR. Ed
ward Ehlers, the Danish expert, VINO
said Early was leper. taking the con-
trary view expressed by DIR. Buckley.
I nree visits were paid Early by DIR. Bulk
ley, who still maintains that Early Is
not a leper. but that he suffered from
illness brought on by acid poisoning con-
tracted while he was employed In pulp
mill at Canton, \. {.
History of John EarIy's
Detention as a Leper
| It was late In the afternoon of August
II last year that John r. Early was
found In lodging house at no PennsSl-
vania avenue and declared by the locai
health officials to be suffering from iep-
rosy. He was born In North Carolna
thirty-six years ago and lived there untli
he was twenty-three years OF age 81
nine years he served as q soldier In Uncle
Sans Army. rising to the rank OF cor,
poral. He was IN cuba from ISIS uhtii
1pOO and in the Philippines from 100 untii
1903. On leaving the army In 1906 ne
went to work in a pulp mill In Canton
NC. 1t was there that lie had to manure =,
caustic liquor made from black ASH,
Mr. Early and his physician, Dr. l. u.
Buckley Of New York, say he received the
scars taken for leprosy at present
Being far from we'll, he decided to come
to Washington to seek a pension and ar
rived here August Is. At that time his
hands were much swollen and his race
and feet had become affected. He Sc
cured lodgings at 119 Pennsylvania ave
nue. and began to work to secure ms
pension
Friday, August q. he felt so badly that
he. summoned a physician. The doctor
walked into the room, glanced at tue
peculiar biotches on the patients face and
hesitated about going near him. When
the examination was continuing early
turned to the physician and remarked:
II wonder il i have leprosy?"
Placed in Quarantine.
As soon as the physician had left his
patient he notified the health office that
he had a case OF suspected eprosy under
his charge and asked the public officials
to make an examination OF him And
within a few hours from the time that
Early summoned physician for what
he thought was a mild attack OF some
ordinary disease he was quaranttned in 4
tent. Cultures were taken from him by
the bacteriologist Of the local health de-
partment and the leprous bacilli, he says.
were found: Efforts were made to lave
the authorities OF Early's native state
care for him within its confines. bat they
refused and he became ward OF the
local health department.
Confined in his solitary tent away s.o-1,
other human beings the DAYS passed
Early kept on reading the Bible. in which
he has had great faith. Outpourings Of
public sentiment went to the patien., and
not only did the citizens of Washington
give generously OF money in his behalf,
but even Uncle Sam extended him
pension Of SO per month.
He remained in his tent until early
December, when he was moved into a
! house that had been provided for him
lGgfrtnf 1.
OF the Jail. His family moved into a
part Of the home. and his lot did not
seem SO burdensome.
Never Abandoned Hope.
Early, however. chung to the hope that
he did not have leprosy. Although the
dreary days OF winter came and went
he did not lose his hope. Although his
wife and two little children lived in one
section Of the house in viii IN he made
his abode he was not allowed to kiss
them OF fondle them. But his wife
ever KEEP up her cheer. with optimism
for the future, and she proved a faith
fui he!pinate in Early's hour Of trial
A ray of hope broke through the dark
clouds that seemed to hang over the
Early home carly in May. DR.. l. p.
BulkIey an eminent skin specialist in
New York city, came quietly to Wash
!
friends of the family and made care
full examination Of the patient. What
JOY that visit has brought to the Early
homestead cannot be told. For the
| climax is Early's removal New York
DR. Buckley took cultures, of the pa
; tient, and as a result of Ais eAamiua-
ton or the Guaranteed man and OF the
| tests OF the cultures. he declared that
! two subsequent vis s--one May 90 and
another June s; and his examination on
those occasions confirmed his opinion
that Early was simply suffering from
acid poisoning.
DR.. Buckley secured permission for
Early . enter the Skin and Cancer Hos
pitaI in New York city for treatment
and then began the negotiations for per
mission OF the local health authorities
70. the Guaranteed man to leave the
District.
During the four or dvc weeks tina
they have progressed, Early has been
led TO the highest pinnacle OF hope, and
then dropped back into the abyss of
despair again. At times it seemed that
his departure was Il question Of only
few hours. then he seemed destined 10
remain for the rest OF his life prison
cr on h shore OF the Eastern branch.
Only u couple of days ago did Earty's
representatives, and Health Officer
" Woodward reach an agreement 10 the
terms under which Early GOULD be re
moved to New York. and events have
been happening rapidly for Early since
then.
Overcame Many Obstacles.
Even laws and regulations that have
been in effect for years have been
changed to permit the supposed leper
to b. taken - hospital for expert
treatment. Interstate quarantine regu-
latioas prohibited. the transportation of
fcrers from one state to another, and SO
he surgeon general o. the public health
and marine hospital service Influenced
the Secretary OF the Treasury TO alter
the rules 10 allow leper TO be trans
ported through several states. This was
only one of the many OBSTACLES which
Ea.ly's plucky wife and hts star.cl
friends have batterel awsr. . allow
Early to get To New York, where Their,
arr no quarantine laws regarding isp-
rosy. and where he can receive treat
ment Tor his ;,llnlent
The permission Of tie states through
which Early must rass on his way To-
New York having been obtained. the
last rea"hing Washington yesterday. Tire
public health and marine hospital sery-
and local