Century history of Butler and Butler County, Pa., and representative citizens 20th, Part 47

Author: McKee, James A., 1865- ed. and comp
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: Chicago, Richmond-Arnold Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1526

USA > Pennsylvania > Butler County > Butler > Century history of Butler and Butler County, Pa., and representative citizens 20th > Part 47

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Leo Fink Elstein, Butler. Thomas McVay Beatty, Butler, now in Chicora. Arthur W. Heilman, Butler.

Frank L. Hazlett, Butler. John C. Sutton, Butler. (H)

Raymond A. Thompson, Butler.

William McCurdy Scott, Cabot. C. D. B. Eisaman, West Moreland County.

Thomas McCollough Maxwell, Butler.

Those registered in Butler County in 1904:

James H. Ralston, Harmony.

L. Leo Doane, Butler. Robert Spear Lowry, Butler. "

Those registered in Butler County in 1905:

Richards Shields Keiler, Butler. Franklin N. Straub, Butler. Arthur H. Straub, Chicora.

William C. McCord, Mars.

Ernest Hugh Snyder, Portersville.

Francis W. Halstead, Butler Township.

Francis Wallace Cunningham, Zelienople.

Those registered in Butler County in 1906: Arthur E. Allen, Mars. Russell A. Reid, Zelienople. Charles B. Painter, Bruin.

Charles F. Perry, Butler. Warren E. High, Butler. Guy A. Brandenberg, Butler. E. E. Campbell, Butler. John Fife Mccullough, Lyndora. Henry Swartz Crouse, Butler. John S. Campbell, West Sunbury.

James F. Minteer, Lyndora. Harrison Allen Kitchen, Butler.

Those registered in Butler County in 1907: Harry P. St. Claire, Butler. Francis E. Long, Hilliard. Charles C. Ross, Sarver Station. Nannie Bell Drake, Portersville. Alfred H. Zeigler, Butler.

George Hoskins Scott, Butler.

Those registered in Butler County in 1908:

Harper Ancel Wright, West Winfield. James Rhea McDowell, Sarver Station.

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY

THE BUTLER COUNTY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.

The Butler County Medical Association was organized November 3, 1866, to co- operate more effectually with the State and National Associations in the work of advancing the knowledge of medicine and the status of the physician. The first officers were Amos Lusk, president; A. M. Neyman, vice-president; Stephen Bredin, secretary ; William Irvine, treasurer ; W. S. Huselton, corresponding secretary ; W. R. Cowden, Joseph S. Lusk, Josiah McMichael and William Irvine, censors; W. R. Cow- den, Amos Lusk, Stephen Bredin, N. M. Richardson and A. M. Neyman, committee on constitutions.

The Articles of Association, dated Janu- ary 3, 1867, were signed by the following physicians: J. B. Livingstone and G. W. Coulter of Slippery Rock, E. F. Anderson of Coultersville, S. H. Matheson of Saxon- burg, T. J. Blackwood of Glade Mills, Theodore Frickenstein of Butler and N. M. Hoover of North Washington.

The first Act of the new Association was the adoption of a Fee Bill.

The presidents of the society since its organization are as follows: Amos Lusk, 1867; Stephen Bredin, 1868; W. R. Cow- den, 1869; Stephen Bredin, 1870 to 1875; Samuel Graham, 1876; S. D. Bell, 1877; W. N. Clarke, 1878; David Harper, 1879; Josiah McMichael, 1880; Joseph S. Lusk, 1881 to 1883; William Irvine, 1884 to 1885; R. H. Pillow, 1886; W. L. DeWolfe, 1887; F. V. Brooks, 1888; John E. Byers, 1889; N. M. Hoover, 1890; A. M. Neyman, 1891; J. C. Barr, 1892; H. D. Hockenberry, 1893; Samuel Graham, 1894; J. L. Christy, 1895; G. D. Thomas, 1896; A. Holman, 1897; M. E. Headland, 1898; H. D. Hocken- berry, 1899; A. C. Davis, 1900; J. W. F. Moore, 1901; George J. Peters, 1902; J. E. Byers, 1903; W. Rush Hockenberry, 1904; E. L. Wasson, 1905; J. C. Atwell, 1906; R. B. Greer, 1907; R. J. Grossman, 1908.

The office of secretary has been filled by the following named physicians: Stephen

Bredin, 1867; A. M. Neyman, 1868; G. W. Coulter, 1870; S. S. Towler, 1875; S. D. Bell, 1876; C. F. McBride, 1877; R. H. Pil- low, 1878-79; John E. Byers, 1880; J. L. Christy, 1881-89; S. D. Bell, 1890-94; Joseph Forrester, 1894-96; George J. Peters, 1897-99; J. C. Atwell, 1900-02; W. B. Clarke, 1903-04; T. M. Maxwell, 1905-08.

THE TYPHOID FEVER EPIDEMIC.

The typhoid fever epidemic during the winter of 1903 and 1904 has gone down in history as the greatest epidemic of typhoid, in point of numbers according to population, of which we have any record. From the 1st of November to the 29th of January 1,348 persons were stricken and 111 died, according to the official report made to the State Board of Health. The number of cases recognized by the relief committee from November 1 to April 1 when the work was closed was 1,587 and the number of deaths 127.

Previous to 1903 the town had but few cases of typhoid fever, as the record of vital statistics will show. From January 1 to October 1, 1903, two cases had devel- oped in the town and seven deaths had occurred, the latter being of persons who had been infected elsewhere. During the latter part of October forty-seven persons sickened, but no serious alarm was felt and the local physicians were in some doubt as to whether it was really typhoid. During the first week of November new cases developed to such an extent that the attention of the Board of Health was called to the matter and these officials be- gan to look for the cause. The idea that the source of water supply of the town might be polluted with typhoid fever germs was scoffed at by some people and statements were published in the daily papers to the effect that the water was up to the standard of purity. A meeting of the Board of Health was held on Saturday

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night, November 7, at which the situation was talked over and before daylight the next morning Health Officer Robert B. Fowser, and Dr. John E. Byers, county in- spector, made a trip to the Thorn Run dam and inspected a house where typhoid fever had been reported. Here they found three cases of typhoid fever and also that the drainage of the house and yard ran into Thorn Run and thence into Connoquenes- sing Creek.

It was also found that the water for the town was at that time being taken from an intake on the creek above the pump sta- tion. Subsequent inspections of the water sheds of the Thorn Run and Boydstown dam revealed the fact that in the summer of 1903 eight or nine cases of typhoid had developed in the Connoquenessing Valley north of Butler, and below Boydstown. An adjourned meeting of the local board of health was held on Sunday afternoon, the 8th of November, which was attended by Dr. M. E. Headland of the First Ward, Dr. J. C. Atwell of the Second Ward, Dr. J. M. Lieghner of the Third Ward, Ber- nard Kemper of the Fourth Ward, and Robert B. Fowser of the Fifth Ward. The report of the inspecting officers was heard and on the following day the board issued an official proclamation advising the citi- zens of the town to boil all water used for domestic purposes.

From November 10 to November 20 516 cases were reported and by the end of the month the number had increased to the astounding proportions of 976. During the worst period of the epidemic 710 cases were reported to the relief committee in seventy-two hours. By this time the alarm was widespread. Bacteriological tests of samples of water taken on the 8th of November showed the existence of typhoid germs and settled the question of the cause of the epidemic. Worse things were in store for the people of Butler. The work of the Board of Health was interrupted by the illness of Health Officer Fowser, who

was stricken with fever, and every member of the board had one or more cases in his family. In this dilemma the local board called on the State Board of Health for assistance, which was readily granted. On the 23rd of November the school board closed the public schools and they re- mained closed until the first of January. A canvas of the different wards was made to ascertain the number of cases and the necessities of the families where fever ex- isted and the situation was found to be truly appalling. At least one house in every five on every street in the town had from one to five cases of fever. The in- fected houses were not confined to any particular street or district. The First Ward, however, was the one that was the least effected. The local doctors were working night and day and it was found that there was general suffering from the lack of medical attention, proper nursing, and sick-room necessities, and even neces- sities of life among families who were under ordinary circumstances considered among the well-to-do classes. In many in- stances the bread winner of the family was stricken and along with him three or four children or probably the mother. It was not unusual to find four or five cases of fever in a house of four rooms, and even two and three cases in one room. In one instance the committee found a grand- mother almost eighty years of age trying to nurse her sick son and his wife, and at the same time cook for a family of small children. Rev. Father Carroll of St. Paul's Catholic Church called for volun- teer nurses from among his people, and for financial assistance, which was met with a prompt response; and similar ef- forts among the other churches were made to relieve the suffering and destitute among their own people.

While the Board of Health, the School Board, and the state authorities were in- vestigating the causes of the fever, active steps were taken to relieve the suffering

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY

and the destitute, and to this end a mass meeting was called at the courthouse on Sunday, November 28, at which a plain statement was made by those who con- dueted the investigation, and the tem- porary organization of a relief society was effected. At this meeting subscriptions were called for and the contributions to a relief fund amounted to $7,100.10.

The Executive Committee met the fol- lowing day and began the relief work, which was continued until the last of March in 1904. The General Relief Com- mittee had headquarters in the council chambers in the Duffy Block, and the ward committees and the ladies' auxiliary com- mittees reported to the General Committee every day. Those were dark days that fol- lowed the inauguration of the work of the Relief Committee. It will be seen from the list published below that there were 115 people connected with the relief associa- tion, who gave of their time and services voluntarily and there was probably not one of the entire number that did not have sickness in their own family. Many of the committeemen after laboring night and day for weeks succumbed to the dread dis- ease themselves, and their places were filled by others. Night after night the members of the general and executive com- mittees held their meetings and received reports at which some of their personal friends or some member of the committee perhaps was reported ill or dying. People who were afraid of the fever and could get away left the town. Strangers traveling avoided the place as though it were in the grasp of a pestilence equal to the black plague. Indeed, so many exaggerated stories were published throughout the land about the nature of the epidemic in Butler, that it was not much wonder a stranger was afraid to enter the gates of the city. Business houses in the town were prac- tically paralyzed and the whole community had the appearance of being smitten with a blight from which it would never recover.

The wealth of sympathy and the gener- osity of the American people for a sister town in distress soon made itself manifest, in the contributions to the relief fund that poured in from towns and cities and pri- vate individuals all over the country and in the voluntary assistance that came in the way of physicians, trained nurses, and others who gave of their time without re- muneration. The relief committee em- ployed from first to last two hundred and eight trained nurses, and forty-eight do- mestics, while the number of physicians who came here voluntarily and rendered assistance cannot be estimated.

The kindness of the people in the sur- rounding towns made itself noticeably felt at Christmas time, which was probably the most gloomy period of the epidemic. Part of the work of the ladies' auxiliary com- mittee was to make personal visits to the homes of families where fever existed and to provide any of the comforts and necessi- ties needed, and to look after the sick chil- dren. A day or two before Christmas, contributions of such articles as make the " hearts of the children happy during the holiday season began to pour in from all sources, and by Christmas eve there was a sufficient supply on hand to provide a Christmas present for every sick child in the town, as well as many others whose parents were left in such a position by the epidemic that they were unable to supply Christmas reminders for the little ones. One of the most notable contributions to this purpose was a box from a wholesale house in Pittsburg containing several gross of dolls. There were big dolls and little dolls, dolls that could talk, and dolls that opened and shut their eyes, and they were distributed without favor until every little girl whose family was numbered among the fever victims, was the recipient of one of these beautiful presents.

RELIEF SOCIETY ORGANIZED.

On Sunday afternoon, the 28th of

RESIDENCE OF J. C. KELLEY, BUTLER

RESIDENCE OF E. E. ABRAMS, BUTLER

RESIDENCE OF WILLIAM B. McGEARY, BUTLER

THE REIBER HOME. BUTLER

SULLIVAN RESIDENCE, BUTLER

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November, a mass meeting was held at the courthouse at which the relief society was organized. Rev. L. A. Carroll, assist- ant pastor of St. Paul's Roman Catholic Church, called the meeting to order. C. M. Heineman was elected chairman pro-tem, and Harry T. Rattigan and Raymond Locke, secretaries, and T. J. Shufflin, treasurer. An executive committee was chosen as follows: I. G. Smith, C. M. Heineman, E. G. Caughey, Marion Hen- shaw, Hon. A. G. Williams, Rev. L. A. Carroll, Dr. R. B. Greer, Hon. James N. Moore, Alexander Mitchell, J. V. Ritts, William F. Rumberger, Hon. James M. Galbreath, Harvey H. Boyd, Isaac Hauck, and W. A. Cowan. To the above list of members of the Executive Committee, the following gentlemen were elected from time to time: T. J. Shufflin, W. H. Pape, John W. Brown, Charles H. Oliver, Dr. Wilbur R. Batt (state quarantine officer), Blair Hooks, J. D. Jackson, Dr. J. E. Byers, Dr. J. M. Leighner, Dr. J. C. At- well, Dr. M. E. Headland, Bernard Kem- per, and R. B. Fowser.

The chairmen of the ward committees were as follows:

First Ward, Blair Hooks; Second Ward, W. Z. Murrin; Third Ward, E. H. Negley ; Fourth Ward, A. W. McCollough; Fifth Ward, T. C. H. Keck.

Finance Committee: A. C. Troutman, John H. Jackson, W. H. Pape, Charles A. Douglass.

The Ministerial Committee consisted of all the clergymen of Butler.

From time to time changes were made in the ward committees, and new chairman were substituted as follows: Second Ward, Theodore D. Pape, in the place of Mr. Mur- rin; Fourth Ward, George A. Evans, in the place of A. W. McCollough; Fifth Ward, Ed. McShane succeeded Mr. Keck who was stricken with fever, and Robert Lowry succeeded McShane. The ward chairmen were assisted by the following: Thomas Robinson, Jr., First Ward; J. D.

Jackson, Second Ward; James Hayes, Third Ward; A. W. McCollough, Fourth Ward; Charles Reiber, Fifth Ward.

The first meeting of the Executive Com- mittee was held in the council chambers at seven o'clock on the evening of November 29, at which time the actual work of relief began. James N. Moore was chosen chair- man of the General Relief Committee, Richard H. Broadhead was elected secre- tary, Miss Louise DeHaven stenographer and typewriter, and T. James Dodds, An- drew Williams, Jr., and James O. Camp- bell clerks. I. G. Smith was elected treasurer.

THE LADIES' AUXILIARY COMMITTEES.

The chairmen of the ward committees appointed the following Ladies' Auxiliary committees in the different wards: First Ward, chairman Mrs. O. H. Heiner, Mrs. M. L. Armstrong, Miss Adelaide Robinson, Mrs. George Lambert, Miss Joe Harper, Mrs. William Sloan, Mrs. G. A. Spang, Miss Charlotte Heiner, Mrs. Richard H. Wick, Miss Maud Hooks, Miss Frances Harper.

Second Ward: Chairman Miss Isabel White, Mrs. Charles Abrams, Mrs. Charles Duffy, Mrs. C. N. Boyd, Mrs. Samuel Woods, Miss Loretta Murrin, Mrs. Rev. Barlow, Mrs. J. W. McKee, Mrs. J. J. Don- aldson, Miss Madge Douglass, Mrs. W. J. McDowell, Miss White.

Third Ward: Chairman Mrs. William Campbell, Mrs. James Hayes, Mrs. Vogan, Mrs. Clara Starr, Mrs. J. W. Wagon, Mrs. V. K. Phillips, Miss Catherine Stewart, Miss Mary Bowser, Miss Eleanor G. Graham.

Fourth Ward: Chairman Miss L. E. Young, Miss Mary McBride, Miss Lizzie Evans, Miss Vera Younkins, Miss M. S. Smith, Miss Clara Mitchell, Mrs. J. S. Mc- Kee, Mrs. C. E. Herr, Mrs. J. D. Mc- Junkin, Mrs. E. E. Abrams, Mrs. Laverne Butler.

Fifth Ward: Chairman Miss Frances G.

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Wick, Mrs. George Enterline, Mrs. Isaac Hauck, Mrs. James Miller, Mrs. McClure, Mrs. James Thompson, Mrs. W. A. Slater, Mrs. Speilman, Mrs. Matthews, Miss Blanche Wick.

On the 11th of December the ladies were called together and arrangements made for assigning workers to the different por- tions of the wards they represent. As the relief work progressed additional commit- tees were authorized as follows:

Committee on Supplies: C. G. Christie, T. J. Shufflin, I. G. Smith.

Case Committee : James N. Moore, I. G. Smith, W. A. Rumberger, C. N. Boyd, A. W. McCollough, Richard H. Broadhead.

Coal, Water and Domestic Committee: Charles H. Olliver, chairman.

Laundry Work: John W. Brown, C. Ball, Carl Ihlenfeld.

Supply Room: Harry Grieb, manager; Miss Maude Sutton, Miss Fay Thompson.

Manager of supplies for Red Cross of Pittsburg: Miss Mabel Graham. .

Ambulance drivers: James Stewart and Robert Girard.

Ambulance physician: Dr. Sullivan.

Committee on Nurses: James N. Moore, C. G. Christie, T. J. Shufflin.

Nurses in charge of dispensary: Miss Lydia E. Betz and Miss Jennie Randall.

The total number of workers connected with the Butler Relief Association was 115. Number of nurses employed, 208; number of domestics, forty-eight.

DR. BATT'S WORK.

Dr. Wilbur R. Batt, quarantine officer at iarge, came to Butler on the 1st of Decem- ber, and with the other officers of the State Board of Health assisted the local board in taking care of the epidemic. Under the direction of the State board, Dr. Batt in- stalled a destructor for the destruction of typhoid fever excreta at the Butler County General Hospital, and built three sedimentation or filtration beds at the out- let of the sewage system of Lyndora. He

also established a dispensary in rooms in the Duffy Building at the corner of Main and North streets, where a complete sup- ply of disinfectants and chemicals was kept, and a skilled nurse was placed in charge to instruct the people how to use them. These supplies were distributed free of charge. Dr. Batt remained in But- ler until the close of January, 1904, when his services not being needed longer, he returned to Philadelphia. He was assisted from time to time by Dr. Thomas N. Mc- Kee of Kittanning, Dr. Adams of Philadel- phia, and other members of the State board ..

HOSPITALS ESTABLISHED.

Six hospitals were established and in operation from December 1 to March 1. Five of these hospitals received and cared for typhoid fever patients, the sixth con- fined its work to the preparing of delica- cies of all kinds which were distributed gratuitously and for furnishing sleeping quarters for homeopathic nurses only.

The City of Brotherly Love Hospital was established through the generosity of Earl D. Clinton, proprietor of the Stand- ard Hotel, on Fairground Avenue, who volunteered the use of his property, and through the Citizens' Permanent Relief Society of the city of Philadelphia, who sent Doctors French and Houston, Miss Lane as head nurse, and twenty-five other nurses, five from each of the five principal hospitals of Philadelphia. The local Re- lief Committee furnished all the supplies, paid all the domestics and employes con- nected with the hospital with the exception of the doctors and nurses sent by Phila- delphia. This hospital was in operation forty-five days, from December 3 to Janu- ary 18, during which period forty typhoid patients were received and treated, and four other patients, not typhoid, making a total of forty-four. When the hospital was closed by Drs. Mckinney and Fox, all medicinal supplies sent by the Philadelphia

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Relief Society were donated to the Butler County General Hospital.

The Wagner Hospital was established through the generosity of the Misses Bertha and Lena Wagner, who volunteered the use of their residence on South Mc- Kean Street. This hospital was put into actual operation on December 1, and closed on March 28. Twenty-nine patients were received and treated, ten of whom were nurses. The Relief Committee furnished the supplies and paid all the nurses, who were under the leadership of Miss Durkin. On account of being centrally located, this hospital was of the greatest possible bene- fit, and was the last institution to be closed when the epidemic had run its course.

The Emergency Hospital was donated through the kindness of the county com- missioners, who turned over all of the available room in the County Home to be used for hospital purposes. The county authorities furnished one nurse and the Relief Committee three nurses in this in- stitution. The portion of the County Home utilized as an emergency hospital was opened December 6, 1903, and closed February 27, 1904. The number of pa- tients admitted was twelve.

The Lyndora Hospital was established through the individual efforts of Mr. E. G. Caughey, who was then assistant general manager of the Standard Steel Car Com- pany. This hospital was used almost en- tirely for the care of the employes of the Standard Steel Car Company, and received the personal attention of Mr. Caughey. The hospital was opened November 28, 1903, and was closed January 16, 1904. The doctors in attendance were R. B. Greer and E. L. Wasson. Seventeen pa- tients were received and treated at this institution.

The Homeopathic Nurses' Home was established on East Jefferson Street through the efforts of Mr. J. C. Say, and the Homeopathic Hospital of Pittsburg, assisted by Mrs. Dillworth and Mrs. Will-

iam Thaw. It was the intention of Doctors McClellan and Willard and Mr. Childs of the Pittsburg Hospital to establish a homeopathic hospital, but on account of their being so few homeopathic doctors and nurses in Butler, the project was aban- doned, and the Say Building on East Jef- ferson Street was used as sleeping quar- ters for homeopathic nurses. It was also used for the preparation of delicacies for the sick which were distributed by the nurses in charge, and for the distribution of supplies which were furnished by the ladies of the Homeopathic Hospital of Pittsburg.

The importance of a well established and well equipped hospital was demon- strated in the early days of the epidemic. The Butler County General Hospital had opened wide its doors to the Relief Com- mittee before the emergency hospitals were established, and in all forty-nine relief committee patients were treated free at this institution, including the services of staff physicians. Sixty-nine cases were treated from December 1, 1903, until the close of March, 1904.

THE SUPPLY ROOMS.

The basement of Snaman's furniture store on North Main Street was rented by the Relief Committee as a supply room. Here was received an endless variety of clothing for men, women, boys and girls, bedding of all kinds, eatables, etc., which were contributed by people and societies from towns and cities from all over the country. One of the most acceptable dona- tions of this kind was received the first week of December from the people of New Castle, who sent a carload of woolen blan- kets and bedding. As the weather was ex- tremely cold there was in many cases suffering caused by the lack of proper bedding in families where there were sev- eral cases of fever to be taken care of. This department was in charge of Harry

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY

Grieb, who was assisted by Miss Fay Thompson, Miss Sutton and Miss Stewart.

The Pittsburg Red Cross Society repre- sented by Mrs. Anderson, Mrs. Jones, and Mrs. Vandergrift, also contributed a large amount of supplies which were stored in the basement of the Snaman building in part of the room occupied by the Relief Committee, which was in charge of Miss Mabel Graham. The records of the society show that a total of 4,038 pieces were dis- tributed by the Red Cross, and 9,600 pieces by the Relief Committee. The Relief Committee received a total of 12,200 pieces, four-fifths of which were donated. The balance of these articles at the close of the epidemic were donated to the proper officers of the Children's Aid Society of Butler.

HISTORY OF THE WATER SUPPLY.

On the 1st of December, 1903, Dr. Wil- bur R. Batt, quarantine officer at large, on duty in Pittsburg, investigating the out- break of the smallpox in that city, was directed by the State Board of Health to come to Butler and investigate the water supply at this place. He was accompanied by Dr. John W. Adams, veterinarian to the State Board of Health of Philadelphia, who investigated the milk supply, and Dr. Thomas N. McKee, quarantine officer of Armstrong County, who is a member of the State Board of Health. These officers met with the members of the local board of health, the representatives of the School Board and representatives of the Town Council, and a thorough investigation was made of the water sheds at Thorn Run and Boydstown.

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Century history of Butler and Butler County, Pa., and representative citizens 20th, Part 47

Author: McKee, James A., 1865- ed. and comp Publication date: 1909 Publisher: Chicago, Richmond-Arnold Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1526

Author: McKee, James A., 1865- ed. and comp
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: Chicago, Richmond-Arnold Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1526