The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-01-16
Huntington Veteran of '98
Dared Fever Death to
Help Science.
WILL BE DINNER GUEST
Notables to Pay Tribute al
Banquet of Medical
Society Here.
BY ARCH sTEINEL

OuOulu yUu QlOp III FdO VIC IVllCy
room in the Claypool Saturday night
and see a man who sniles-who
knows how to smile with a cry in
it-then you'll have seen John r.
Kissinger, Huntington, hero the
nation has forgotten.
They're honoring Kissinger that
night, the Indianapolis Medical So
ciety and its auxiliary, for buddying
with death to save the lives of
soldiers and civilians from q malady
that has taken machine gun-like
tolls in Latin countries-the yellow
fever.
For twenty-eight years, since the
day he was inoculated in Cuba by
the sting of mosquito laden with
the fevers germs, Kissinger's days
have been lived in the shadow Of an
undertaker's wreath.
He has crawled on leather pads
about his house in Huntington to
aid his wife in her waShing-a
washing needed to augment the $12
monthly pension which busy gov
eminent set aside for a man who
helped effect cure for yellow fever.
Congress Raises Pittance
Later Congress was whipped into
action and the monthly allowance
was raised to 500. Public sub
scription bought his $4,000 home in
Huntington, bought a COW which
gave milk TO sell, and Saturday
night he'll receive his first public
recognition. Then a banquet will be
given in his honor, with DR.. Mer-
rite w. Ireland, surgeon general,
U. S. A., as the principal speaker.
Governor Harry G. Leslie, univer-
sity presidents and leading physi-
clans have been invited to attend
the dinner in his honor.
A scroll expressing, as only meag-
er words can, the heroism of the
man will be presented to him.
While Walter Reed hospital In
Washington stands as a memorial
to the man who saluted Kissinger
for his peace-time bravery-Majo r
Walter Reed-for his work In end
ing the yellow fever plague, there's
no shrine for KiSsinger, who dared
death. to make Reeds feat possible
only his laugh.
Re-EnliStS in Army
Enlisting in Company D, 18TH IN
diana Volunteers, during the
Spanish American war, Kissinger,
disappointed at not seeing active
service, re-enlisted in the regular
army.
He was transferred from the in
fantry to the hospital corps and sent
to Cuba. AT the time of his transfer
army physicians were attempting
to cleanse the Antilles of yellow
fever.
In hospital where Kissinger was
stationed. one physician permitted
mosquito to bite him, in an effort to
give science a key to the plaques
cause. The physician died.
What We need" KiSsinger, the
hospital orderly, overheard physi-
clans saying, sis another experiment
on a human being"
The following day Kissinger went
to DR.. Reed. He Sa1uted and in
simply couched language said; "You
can use me<for your experiment.
do you realize what this test
queried Dr. Reed.
Il do, sir, but I'm ready to try it,
was the soldier-like reply.
SaIuted by His Major
Permission was obtained from |
commanding officer. He
returned with that permission to |
the latter famous surgeon. Throw
ing army ethics to "Sheeho," Major
Reeds heels clicked together as he
said, "Sir,, salute YOU"
e week later Kissinger was abed |
with yellow fever. Attending doctors |
in their experiments on him learned
it is said, more of the fever that has
his last twenty-eigh years
OF suffering than at any other time. |
Kissinger recovered. They gave
him a neatly printed card certify |
ing that the bearer was immune of |
yellow fever. He was immune, but |
not to the fever's irrer arabic dam
age that came with this years.
Honorably discharged, he returned
to his home at Liberty Mills, mar
ried. and moved to his present home |
in Huntington.
Paralysis Wrecks Him n
His legs quit. For thirteen years
paralysis kept Kissinger from wall
ing.
The pension pittance was granted, |
then taken away Mrs KisSinger
turned wasllwoman. A more gener-
ous congress then gave him 500 a
month. The Association for Medi-
cal Progress helped raise subscrip- |
ton for his home.
The use of his legs returned. He |
added to the government stipend |
with money from odd Jobs, Jobs |
that he smiles while doing.
1T was hard, but L should do it |
over again. if it would help" is
the philosophy Of a hero the nation |
forgot, the man indianapolis viii |
honor Saturday night.
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