USA > Tennessee > Shelby County > Memphis > A history of the yellow fever : the yellow fever epidemic of 1878, in Memphis, Tenn., embracing a complete list of the dead, the names of the doctors and nurses employed, names of all who contributed money or means, and the names and history of the Howards, together with other data, and lists of the dead elsewhere > Part 57
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1-
Ang. 18.
Sept.
1.
118
1.5.
1.3
6
130
. ..
17
17.
19
100
Oct.
1.
21
11.
105
"
.. ..
4
11.
119
142
17
1
10
SI
21
....
Sept.
1
13
Total
11G
KECAPITULATION.
August
1.123
& plemmer ..
Ville .......
1. 282
Total
6.011
Davidson, Mrs.
Paannel. J. M. Heggia, Jesse.
Silver, Mrs. Louisa.
. Porsey, Mrs.
Schmidt. C. J.
Smith, G. G.
Rebstock, L. Lowe, O). Thompson, W. B.
Woodwen, D.
Babette, Charles.
Barbour, George W.
Uzell, J. D.
Allen, Rose.
SHERMAN, TEX.
Sept. 21.
1:1
Out. 11 ..
16 ..
93
.
14
11
1
Strach, Joe.
Williams. J. R.
Ilavs, J. R. Bowman, Robert. O'Flaherty, Dennis.
Muller, John.
Williams, Frank.
Cowart, W. W.
Douglass, N. E. VICKSBURG, MISS.
Blackman, .1. (.
1:7
376
APPENDIX.
The majority of the nurses and workers in my department, both those from abroad and those resident in our city, served with remarkable zeal and efficiency, displaying, under the most trying and discouraging circumstances, a heroism and fidelity to the cause of humanity nosurpassed in the history of epidemics. Many individuals, with utter disregard of personal safety, hastened to our suceor from northern, eastern, and western cities. A large number of these, as well as nurses from all parts of the South, fell victims to the scourge. There were times, during the prevalence of the epidemic, when contact with the disease seemed to foreshadow almost certain death ; but instances were most rare where any nurse in my department failed to respond promptly to the call of duty. Where so miany fulfilled their mission so nobly and faithfully, it would be in- vidious, if not next to impossible, for me to designate particular individuals. I feel called upon, however, to particularly mention the following persons, with whom I came in frequent personal contact, and whose services, and the positions they filled with so much faithfulness and ability in my department, require special notice from me.
To Major W. T. Walthall, in charge of the forty-three well-trained nurses sent to our relief by the "Can't-Get-Away-Club" of Mobile, Ala., and especially to his son, a boy but sixteen years of age, for their valuable assistance in managing this corps of nurses, and other timely aid and advice, I would return my sincere thanks.
To Captain John Murray, of Shreveport, La., placed by me in charge of the nurses from Shreveport, Northern Louisiana, and Texas, numbering between fifty and sixty, for the faithful and efficient manner in which, during the whole time, he assisted me at all hours caring for our sick and suffering people tto many of whom his name will long remain a household word), and in looking after the large number of nurses under his charge, seeing that they were employed and doing good service, and at the same time ever alert for their personal comfort, is due our warmest gratitude and highest meed of praise.
Captain James A. Barron, and his assistant, James Tant, in charge of the splendid corps of nurses from Savannah, Ga .- and, indeed, their entire force of nurses-are en- titled to the warmest encomiums for their uniform good nursing and general good conduct.
Mr. J. Elgar Byrd, of Louisville, Ky,, detailed in charge of nurses at Collierville, Tenn .; Mr. R. A. Peebles, of Tennessee, detailed in charge of nurses at Brownsville, Tenn .; Mr. H. C. Harrison, of Norfolk, Va., placed in charge of the Norfolk nurses, are, I think, worthy of most honorable mention for their able services rendered at their respective posts.
Of the gentlemen in the different departments of my office, Major F. F. Bowen, the oldest member of the Howard Association, merits special recognition for his efficient and nuremitting services, in charge of one of the most important desks, during the entire period of the epidemic.
I also desire to mention, and to return my kindest personal thanks, to Mr. HI. I. Simmons, my principal clerk; to Captain Joseph Spears and Sim L. Barinds, of Mem- phis; to H. H. Hargrove, of Shreveport, La .; to R. P. Waring, of Charlotte, N. C .; and L. J. LeVin, of Chicago, Ill., for their most valuable assistance, rendered in the most diffieult of positions, under the most trying circumstances, keeping up the records of sick eases, and aiding in assigning and placing nurses on duty at all hours of the day and night, thereby constantly exposing themselves to the most malignant cases of the dread- ful disease; and to Mr. Louis Daltroof, in charge of the burial of physicians and nurses, for the prompt and satisfactory manner in which he executed this most dangerous and disagreeable labor.
It is also my duty to recognize the valuable services of W. B. Shepherd, who aided En opening and organizing the supply-store, but who soon fell a martyr to his devotion to the dangerous duty, dying after an illness of but three days, on September 17th. Also to return thanks to his shecessor, Mr. Alex. Gunn, of - -, Canada; Mr. Frank Frierson, F. G. Watkins, and Edward Shaw, for their ardnous and unremitting labors in disbursing and taking care of the innnense quantities of supplies furnished at the Main and Court Street store, under my charge; and to Mrs. Sarah H. Thompson, matron in charge of the nurses' sleeping-rooms over the Main and Court Street offices, for her uniform courtesy and good management, under the immediate supervision of Second Vice-President J. H. Edmondson, to whom I am specially indebted for much valuable assistance in my department.
To the members of the Howard Association, one and all. for their courtesy and kindness to me personally, in aiding me to discharge this, the most trying and difficult labor of my life, I beg to return my sincere thanks.
JOHN JOHNSON, Superintendent Nurse Department.
Kč." Bonne the names given in the Mobile list of nurses on page 371, the following additional are given here for want of rome: - McDonald. Mre Mary Stringer. William Gibbons, Mrs. Mary Gavin. (. A. Hippler. R. H. Bowman. - Ritchie. O. P. Gelsinger. --- Jackel. T. L. Sheffield, Thomas Leonard. Those, among the best nurses we had, were furnished by the " Can't.Get- Away-Club " of Mobile, of which Major W. T. Walthall, who was Superintendent of the Market Street Infirmary, is a member.
377
APPENDIX.
W. J. SMITH'S REPORT OF OPERATIONS AT GRENADA.
A. D. Langstaf, Esq., President of the Howard Association of Memphis, Tennessee.
Sin: - I respectfully submit for your information the following report of my ex- perience and observations of the late postiline . at Grenada. Miss.
On Sunday, August 11, 1:58, I attended Grace Church to hear the Rev. Dr. Parsons. Soon after reaching my home from church. a dispatch was brought me by the hand of the late beloved and lamented John G. Lonsdale, Jr., E-q. It was addressed " President Iloward Association." Our worthy President, General G. W. Gordon, was then absent from the city recuperating his shattered health, and I being the senior officer of the Association in the city, opened the dispatch. It was from the mayor of Grenada. It announced the presence of the yellow fever in that city, and called for nurses and other assistance .. I immediately had a consultation with Colonel Butler P. Anderson, and Hon. J. H. Smith, the Secretary of our Association. We hurried up town and informed all the Howards we could find of the dispatch. All were unanimous that we should fur- nish immediate assistance. It was now four o'clock P. M. Having obtained carriages. we searched the city to find as many as possible of our old nurses of the pestilence of 1873. Meantime some of us had met that kind-hearted and obliging superintendent of the Mississippi and Tennessee Railroad, Major M. Burke, who, with characteristic promptness, on being informed of the situation at Grenada and our purpose. promised that a special train should be ready for ns to start at half-past seven o'clock P. M. By seven P. M. we had gathered at the depot seven of our old nurses who had consented to go. I deemed it my duty as an officer, and as a representative of the Howard-, to go to the assistance of the stricken people, and had agreed to accompany the nurses and share their fate. Of our Association there were at the depoi, soon after seven P. N., the fol- lowing: Col. J. IL. Edmondson, J. H. Smith, Secretary; Col. Butler P. Anderson. A. M. Stoddard, E. D. Foster, and myself. Just as the train was about to start, Col. Ander- son volunteered to go with me. I told him I had not expected him to go, but that I would be rejoiced to have his company.
We reached Grenada a little before twelve that night. We soon learned from eiti- Zens we met at the hotel and on the public square that there was a fearful panie, and the people were rushing out of the fated place by every possible conveyance.
A malignant fever had broken out in Grenada the previous weck. The yellow fever having never visited the place, it was not recognized as such until on the Sunday we left Memphis. Dr. R. F. Brown, the secretary of the Memphis Board of Health, in response to a telegram, had reached Grenada Saturday at midnight, and his investigations the following morning satisfied him that it was none else than the yellow fever, and that of the most virulent type.
The first death had occurred on August 9th. None attacked had recovered-it was sweeping all before it. The terror it had very naturally awakened can not be described nor adequately conceived. All that could hurried away. Nearly one-tenth of the whites who remained were already prostrated with the fever. The sick were unvisited and un- cared for, except by the physicians and, occasionally, by their nearest kindred. The des- titution of every thing needed for the sick was fearful. The dead were left unburied. . Is Dr. Brown reported, on his return to Memphis, " the situation was appalling;" and, as Col. Anderson telegraphed, "it was worse than in Memphis in 1873."
On the night of our arrival, we placed three of our nurses on duty. The following morning we visited the siek, placed the remainder of our nurses on duty, and telegraphed to New Orleans and to Memphis for more, and for supplies. We urged all who could to flee. and endeavored to arouse the citizens who remained to exert themselves for their own protection. We secured the organization of burial parties, who were not very effi- cient, but who buried a portion of the dead. We hired as many of the frightened colored people as we could to wait on the sick.
When the citizens learned that some of the Memphis Howards, who had safely passed through the fevers of 1857 and 1575, were among them, and expected to remain with them, they regained some confidence. The fever, however, spread with great rapidity. None recovered. The home physicians did all in their power, and acted their part bravely and nobly, but the fatality of the disease destroyed the confidence of the people in them. We were sent for to examine every new case. It was useless for us to disclaim being physicians, we had to go. Such was the pressure upon us that neither Colonel Anderson nor invedli ever worked less than eighteen hours out of every twenty-four.
In response to our telegrams, nur-es arrived on August 13th from both Memphis
378
APPENDIX.
and New Orleans, and doctors, also, from the latter place. Needed supplies reached us almost daily from Memphis. On August 14th we issued the following circular :
CIRCULAR.
The nurses of the Howard Association of Memphis will receive three dollars per day for their services. They are required to give constant attention to the sick under their charge, and obey promptly all orders and directions of the physician in charge. Any dereliction of duty will cause the instant discharge of the guilty party.
Persons who have nurses in their houses are urgently requested to report any dere- lietion of duty to the undersigned, at the Chamberlain House.
It is our request that the nurses will be supplied with food, and that some one will report to us a correct account of the time each nurse is employed. Nurses are directed to report all deaths to us promptly. This rule must be rigidly observed.
The nurses from New Orleans are also under our charge, and will obey the above rules.
W. J. SMITH, B. P. ANDERSON, Howard Associatio ..
We now had with us Dr. J. II. Beatty, of the Can't-Get-Away Club of Mobile, and Doctors W. R. Mandeville and H. A. Veazie, sent by the New Orleans Howard Avrodia- tion. They rendered noble service, but still the people died under their care as under that of the home physicians. All worked devotedly to save life, but such was the viru- Ience of the disease all medical aid seemed in vain.
From our arrival we had endeavored to secure organization among the citizens for the relief and care of the sick and burial of the dead. Col. Anderson and I urged the formation of a relief committee, and the establishment of a hospital. But as the fever spread with such fearful rapidity, and as there were none recovering, a very natural demoralization prevailed. This was heightened by the cutting off of the place is communication by rail with the outside world. The trains on the Mississippi Centro! Railroad ceased to stop on August 14th. Ever after they rushed by, blowing the whistle and giving a scream like the despairing ery of the lost.
Many were paralyzed by the horrible situation and general distress. The result was that we had very little cooperation. Every thing was left to us to attend to. imr suggestions fell unheeded. Col. Anderson and I felt discouraged, and after a full con- sultation, I decided to return to Memphis, and report to you that we thought we conll accomplish little at Grenada, compared with what ought to be done, for want of that activity on the part of her citizens which we had a right to expect. This wa- on the morning of August 15th. Our determination was made known. At ten o'clock A. M. the town-bell was rung Instily. A meeting of the citizens was held in the court- honse. A citizens' relief committee, consisting of Col. John Powell, Robert Mallin. Esq., and Gen. Thomas Watson, was appointed. This committee was authorized to ap- peal for help, and directed to cooperate with us in the establishment of a hospital for both white and colored. As I was busy visiting the sick, Col. Anderson addressed the citizen-' day meeting. At eight o'clock that night I attended their evening meeting. and was handed the following paper by Judge Thomas Watson, of their relief committee:
GRENADA, MISS., _August 15, 1875.
Gen. Smith and Col. Anderson :
DEAR SIRs :- Having heard that there is a probability of your being called to Mem- phis, we feel that it is our duty to the afflicted people of this town to entreat you to re- main with us as long as you see things in the deplorable condition they are now. You have seen how inefficient have been the responses of communities away from here inc the reli f of those who are sick in our midst. You see that we are largely dependent on the generous benevolence of the Howard Association of Memphis to prevent men ami women from dying here without having a single hand to administer even a glass of water to them in their misery. Memphis has thus far already overwhelmed us with the use . i her generous charity, and we her not to be deprived of the aid of what has proven :mx- far to be our best stay and our best friend. We trust, therefore, that you, as represent- atives of the power and influence of your Association, will continue with us.
JOHN POWELL, ROBERT MULLIN, THOMAS WATSON, Committee.
After reading this I told them that we had no wish to leave them if we could see and feel that we were having the cooperation from them which we had a right to expect
379
APPENDIX.
We had come to serve them and to do them good, and if they would act with us and second our efforts, we could asure them of two thousand dollars from the Memphis Howards to pay nurses and other expenses if citizens of other places did not respond. I told them I would stay with them to bury the last man if it became necessary, and I was not stricken down myzeit. This appeared to give general satisfaction, and on the next day we began to prepare and to furnish the court-house for a hospital. On the 16th this was filled with patients. The gathering of the sick in a hospital relieved the doctors and visitors of much labor, and insured more watchful care and effective work on the part of the nurses. Abont this time Colonel Anderson became uneasy about his family in Memphis. His wife frequently telegraphed him of the spread of the fever, and the general alarm. He became so uneasy that he excused himself from duty for three days and went to Memphis. He there laid the situation at Grenada fully before our Association, and after removing his family to Hernando, returned to duty.
Up to this time those attacked had been among the wealthiest and best citizens. Mrs. Fields, Mrs. Davidson. M .-. Shankle. Win. McMillan and wife, the Hutlington, the Peacock, the Ingram, the Crowell, the Crowder, the Coffinan, the Eskridge, the Judge Gray, the Deadrick, the Lake, the Highgate, the Hughes, and the Bishop families had suffered.
On August 16th, only one week after the first death. there were seventeen deaths among the remnant of the people left in the place. J. B. Townsend on that day tele- graphed to the Avalanche: " Mortality fearful: not a single case recovered. The town is almost depopulated. We need help in every form."
I hope I may be spared from ever again witnessing such scenes of distress and despair. Whole families, family after family, were swept away. It looked as though no one would be lett. Our nurses now began to take the fever, and we had not enough to care for all the sick. Judge Thomas Walton, on August 18th, telegraphed : " People dying to-day without an attendant."
The fever swept on as virulent as ever; the appalling rate of mortality held its own; and on Angust 19th we telegraphed the following report to the Howard Associa- tion of Memphis :
"As your representatives sent hore for the purpose, we have looked carefully into the situation of every thing connected with the yellow fever in Grenada. The epidemic, considering the size of the town, appears to be the most malignant and fatal that has ever been known in the country, and this after only nine days. The fever is unabated and unchecked. The great need is for nurses, and for money to pay them. There have been persons here sick for long periods without a single attendant. At present the con- tributions amount to not more than one-half of what seems to be necessary. The funds are certainly managed by the relief committee with a rigorous economy, and with judg- ment, and the men who handle them are known to the business men of the south-west as a certain guarantee for their faithful application to the purposes for which they are intended. We hope the liberal and generous contributions made up to this time will not cease. The appeal to the charitable has no equal in the sad history of this disease.
" WILLIAM J. SMITH. " BUTLER P. ANDERSON."
The above dispatch was published throughout the country with the following en- dorsement :
The Howard Association of Memphis indorse the appeal of their associate mem- bers now on duty at Genada. Mesers. Smith and Anderson, who have labored among the sick there for nine days past, are fully posted as to the exact condition, and are gen- tlemen in every way worthy of piblie confidence.
Signed,
A. D. LANGSTAFF, Vice-Pres.
J. II. SMITH, Secretary.
In response to this telegram of our Association, contributions from the charitable all over the land flowed into Grenada. After this became available there was no want of funds.
Previously Grenada had been entirely dependent upon the Howard Association of Memphis for all supplies for the sick. The trains from Memphis were run only to bring our supplies. The pay of all nurses, including those from Mobile and New Or- lears, had been guaranteed by us. Your representatives had entire charge of the di- trilmition of supplies and of the nur-ing of the sick. Every thing in the power of Colonel Anderson and myself, backed as we were by the liberality of the Howards of Memphis, was done to relieve the general distress: vet in the terror and demoralization which prevailed, and the towness of the well who could be relied upon for assistance, there were doubtless many cases of death without any attention of sneeor whatever.
I might add that the Menadhis Howards were virtually in charge of Grenada. The mayor, Hon. J. R. Milton, had fallen an early victim of the fever. There were no civil
330
APPENDIX.
officers-state, county, or municipal-in the town. All were dead or had fled. All the functions of civil society that were left were concentrated in the care of the siek.
On August 21-t I telegraphed as follows : " The death rate not so large to-day, but the fever continues to spread. There have been not less than seventy-five taken down in the last twenty-four hours. We have twelve, colored, in the hospital, where they are equally well eared for with the whites. This is the most malignant type of fever I have ever seen. It is a pestilence that will not yield to medicine. Both of our New Orleans doetors are dumbfounded at the malignity of the disease. Frequently after the seventh or eighth day, in spite of the utmost care, they die in a few hours. Our efforts are paralyzed for want of proper remedies. We are short of lemons, ice, beef-tea, and, in fact, all kinds of nourishment for the sick. Five per cent. of the whole population have now died. Money to pay nurses and care for the indigent sick is very much needed."
This call for supplies was immediately responded to, and after August 22d, as I am informed, there was no further scarcity.
On the morning of August 22d I was myself attacked with the fever, but I did not quit my work till late in the afternoon. I met with all the sympathy and kind atten- tion that it was possible for friends to bestow upon any one. Colonel Anderson wanted me to go to bed. I declined to go to bed in Grenada. He became alarmed, and sent for Dr. J. H. Beatty. of Mobile, and Dr. Hfall, resident physician, to advise with me and to prescribe. Dr. Beatty tested the temperature of my body, and pronounced it 1049, and both doctors advised that I should go to bed. I respectfully declinal, however, to do so in Grenada. I then said to Colonel Anderson that if I was sick, as the doctors and him- self made out. that he would oblige me by going to the telegraph office and telegraphing Major Burke to send me a special car. He said he would, and suited his action to the word.
The doctors assured me it would cost me my life to make the trip. Dr. Beatty very kindly offered to go to Memphis with me. I declined his generous offer.
To Major Burke I owe a lasting debt of gratitude for the promptness with which he sent a special engine and car. It arrived at about 7 P. M., and by s'o'clock I was on the car for Memphi -. I feel deeply indebted, too, to all the friends for the great care they manifested in seeing that every thing was done to make me comfortable and the ride easy. General Thomas Watson, the one man who took such a deep interest in every thing, after he accepted a place on the committee, and who put his buggy and driver at my service, was no less active when I was struck down. He ordered a mattress, blankets, sheets, and coverlid from the hotel to make me comfortable in the car. I had hoped to be able to take his friendly hand once more, but alas! he is gone "to that bourne from whence ne traveler returns." Peace to his ashes. My acknowledgments are also due to the steward at the hotel, and my friend Mr. Wyatt M. Redding , who has since paid the penalty that we all must pay sooner or later), who rendered invaluable services in making me comt- fortable on the cars. When I arrived at Memphis I was met by yourself, Col. J. H. Edmondson, Second Vice-President. W. If. HoIt, A. M. Stoddard, and a number of the members of the Association. All seemed to sympathize with me, and vie with each other to see which could do the most to make me comfortable. I was taken at my own request, to my office, not wishing to endanger the life of any of my family. I was care- fully watched over the remainder of the night .having arrived at Memphis about mid- night) by the president of the Association, and in thirteen days, through the kind atten- tion of Doctors Sims and Quimby, and the tender nursing of kind friends, I was enabled to report for duty just in time to take the place of our worthy president when he was taken down.
On my sickness and return to Memphis, Captain D. W. Coan and Mr. Brogan vol- unteered to assist Colonel Anderson in his care of the sick at Grenada. Captain Coan remained to the last in the employ and as a representative of our Association. He did his duty nobly. Finally stricken down, he happily recovered.
As showing the fatality of this plagne at (frenada, I may add that in a late visit to that place I was credibly informed that out of all the whites who remained during it- rage only five survived.
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