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 60
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To the People of the United States, and the World at Large :
Your generous contributions for the relief of the sufferers by the yellow fever in Memphis, especially within the past few days, and what is now on the way to us. has placed us beyond the reach of immediate or probable want in the future. We have enough, not only for our own needs, but to enable us to assist the people of our county, and of the villages of this and the adjoining States. With hearts overflowing with grati- tnde for your aid and sympathy, and prayers for your weltare, we are,
Your gratein! servants. A. D. LANG-TAFF, Pres. Howard Association. LUKE E. WRIGHT, Acting Pres. Citizens' Relief Com., D. F. GOODYEAR, Acting Mayor. J. M. KEATING. Editor Memphis hal. W. W. THATCHER. Cashier, First National Bank. Committee on Address. Citizens Belief Committee. On the 30th of October a meeting of the Citizens Relief Committee was held, of which J. M. Keating was chairman, and James > Prestidge. ( treasurer since the death of John G. Lonsdale, Jr., was secretary. Upon motion of Dr. D. T. Porter, it was
Resolved, That all commissary >tores now on hand be at once turned over to the mayor, and his receipt taken therefor.
I'pon motion of General Luke E. Wright it was
Resolvel. That a committee of five be appointed by the chair, and same empowered to distribute among the orphans in this city, pro rata, any balance of funds that may re- main on hand after all the liabilities of this committee are discharged; and that the treasurer be instructed to turn over to said committee said balance when ascertained. General Wright declining to serve on said committee of five, the chairman appointed Dr. D. T. Porter. James S. Prestidge. W. W. Thatcher. C. F. Conn, and Dr. D. F. Goodyear, and, upon motion, the chairman. Mr. J. M. Keating, was added to said committee.
At a meeting held December 7th, the committee appointed by the Citizens' Relief Committee, on the 30th of October, Ists, to distribute among the different orphan asylums in this city the balance remaining on hand after paying all the liabilities of said com- mittee, there were present-Dr. D. T. Porter. chairman . James S. Prestidge, W. W. Thatcher, and Dr. D. F. Goodyear Messes. (. I. Conn and J. M. Keating being absent). James S. Prestidge was appointed secretary, and the following proceedings were had :
292
APPENDIX.
The treasurer made his report, showing a balance on hand, in cash, of $7,253.29. and county warrants tof Shelby County), received in settlement with John Walsh, of $1,208.80. Upon motion, it was
Resolved, That the county warrants on hand, $1,208,80, be deposited in the hands of a committee, composed of Hon. John Johnson and Dr. D. F. Goodyear, to be given to the Colored Orphan Asylum of this city, when its organization is completed and legalizoi : and in the event such organization is not completed so as to entitle said asylum to said fund, under this revolution, within twelve months from this date. then said committed's amihorized, and hereby directed, to distribute said amount, pro rate, to the orphan a-yhaus in the same manner. and in the same ratio, as the general fund is hereinafter divi led.
Resolved, That the Treasurer of the Citizens' Relief Committee be instructed to divide among the several orphan asylums of this eity the sunu now on hand, on the following basis:
St. Peter's, 126 orphans. $2,956 64
Lenth, 70 orphans. 1,659 :
St. Mary, 70 orphans. 1,659 25
Hebrew, 40 orphans 948 15
Total 87,253 29
And the receipt of the treasurers of the said several asylums shall be his voucher for the payment of the same.
TREASURER'S REPORT OF CITIZENS' RELIEF COMMITTEE FROM AUGUST 16 TO DECEMBER 13, 1878.
Receipts by John G. Lonsdale, Jr. (diech). from Ang. 16 to Sept. 10, 1978. $42.156 40
Receipts by R. B. Clarke (died), from 11th to 23d Sept., 1878 39.529 30
Receipts by James S. Prestidge, from Sept. 24 to Dec. 13, 1878 19,451 -0
Total 8101.167 40
Aggregate disbursements during above period, including distribution among
orphans.
$93.914 11
Balance 7,253 20
$101,167 40
REPORT OF THE COMMISSARY DEPARTMENT.
The following tabulated statement shows the number of rations issued to the sick and poor, during the months of August, September, and up to the 25th of October. It was carefully copied from the books of the Commissary, Captain J. C. Maccabee, who. it is proper to say here, was complimented not only by the officers of the Citizens' Relief Committee, but by the press of the city. His administration of his department was both just, foir, and reasonable. Five of his book-keepers succumbed to the fever and died. Undismayed, he stood to bis post and closed his books and wound up the affair- of the Commissary as coolly as it he was settling the affairs of a great public trust in ordinary times.
393
APPENDIX.
Article.
August.
September.
October.
Total.
Article.
August.
September.
October.
Total.
Oysters, calls
Soap, Ibs
6.391 5,5011
Fish, Ibs.
TU 2,304
3.157 Salt, IN
Shounlers, Ihs
579
19,512
8,852 2so 4 Mustard. 1b-
1
Baron, Ibs.
15,015
Pepper. ths,
16
75.15
1.11.02
,9 10.57_
14,611
Preserves, manber
Cannot Beef, cans
170
310
Molasses, gal
Soda, Ibs.
11.
121
Dried Beef, 1h4
Mutton, Ibs.
2.565
4.1721
AApples, 1bs
13
Flour, bbls.
116
1.401,
2,342 Oats, bush.
Flour, Ibs.
1,20
1.25
1.052
Cornmeal. 1b ..
15
51
140
20% Fars, doz ...
1:7
Potatoes bbis ..
111
531
1,04ni Wine. bot
Potatoes, peeks
Hay. 1hs
28,200 10,000 20,610 68, 10)
onions, bbis
121 Butter, Ibs
163
Onions, pecks
Hard Bread, 1b ...
1.253
8,700:
Cigars, number.
100
200
Crackers, I -.
2.51 .;
6.992
14.257
Hops, I ...
5
...
3,970
1.057
5.6%, Oranges, doz
Peas, Ihs
140
13.
jo Peaches. lbs ..
Beans. Il-
Lemons, doz
19
Rive. Il ...
1,5,0
-1,520
10,31.
In8G Corn. cans.
Hominy. Il>>
214
1
220 Tomatoes cans
Grits, in-
250 Beans. cans.
200
269
Tel, lbs
59.07 30403 117410 162 0 Censed Milk, cans.
107
Grain Coffre, Ib ..
Pig's Feet, cans.
Roasted Coffee, 1b-
11351.
.. 1,971
tin. val.
Vinegar. gai ..
4:
150!»
Whisky. gal.
591 -
9
Candies, Ibs
309
615-41
1. 15 2,74114
Lime, bbl ...
12
4:1
The total number of rations issued in August was 41,513; in September, 212,027; and, in October, 492,190. Total number issned, 745,735.
The beneficiaries in August numbered 4,042; in September, 22,871, and in October, 41,109 ; total, 68.022. In October a great many rations were supplied to persons beyond the city limits, and to persons who were not in either of the camps which were supplied by the Commissary.
REPORT OF THE SURGEON IN CHARGE OF CAMP JOE WILLIAMS.
On the appearance of the terrible scourge. in the city of Memphis, during the latter part of July, 1578, and the apprehension that a third visitation would, if in epidemic form, carry before it thousands of helpless human beings, with no apparent avenue of escape, a few of our more thoughtful fellow-citizens suggested the establish- ment of camps at points accessible to supplies, and beyond the supposed limits of in- fected atmosphere.
The government readily responded to a call for 1,000 tents, and upon their arrival, August 15th, Camp Joe Williams, four and one-half miles from the city, was estab- lished, under the direction of the Citizen>' Committee. The sight was selceted for its isolated position, altitude, shade, ample springs of superior water, perfect drainage, and accessibility to rail communication.
The sole fault in the selection was its proximity to the city, which rendered it im- possible to prevent visitations to the infected districts by the inhabitants, who, despite rigid rules, entered the jaws of almost certain death, rather than forego the pleasure of a drunken debanch, plunder, or the like.
The camp was laid out upon the crests of three swells of ground, stretching one-half mile. The tents were arranged in avenues, having two sides, faced inward, and along the edges of slopes, whose crest- ranged from fifty to one hundred and fifty fect in width. The tents were planted five feet apart, and numbered by shipping tags.
.
121
1,612 2,50)'
Cornmeal, bbl-
1,125 Chickens, number
21 Yeast Powders, boxes. 10,04% Tobacco. Ibs.
111
31
10
Cheese. Ibs ..
23.221
Soft Bread, loaves ..
1,02x
11,525, 20.0%
16.04 36.47 56,579 Brandy, gal
101.
Coal Oil, gal
15
114
129 Corn Starch, Ibs
11.
6,75T
Fresh Beet, Ihs
زيز1.7
6,737
304
APPENDIX.
The rows were designated by name, such as Fisher Row, Otey Row, Wright Row, cte., the number ending with each row or street.
Each swell of ground was laid off separately, with the same regularity, and desig- nated by a different name, such as Camp Willis, Camp Retreat, etc.
Two adults, or a family with one child were assigned to each tent; single men were quartered in separate rows.
A complete register of names and locality made, cooking utensils, straw and ration-ticket furnished the instant of assignment, when the inmates set about arrang- ing their households.
It being observed that the current of air at evening ranged invariably cast of north, and from the south-west, a Palilisie hospital was fitted up at the extreme north end of the encampment. The military and medical headquarters were set up at easy distance from this point. This was deemed necessary, as the printed regulations required that all residents. when pronounced stricken of the plague, should be, per force if needs be removed on litters to the hospital. It was deemed best that those in authority should set an example of indifference to attack, in order to appease, as far as possible, the constant anxiety of the population.
The camp was governed by a flexible military discipline. Two military companies -- the Bluff City Grays (white, and the MeClellan Guards ( colored )-were quartered in the heart of the encampment, to enforce the publi-hed regulations hereto appended, to wit :
CAMP JOE WILLIAMS, August 24, 1878.
GENERAL RULES NO. 1.
The following Regulations are issued for the government of this Camp, with which every soul within its jurisdiction most cheerfully comply. or be driven from its limits:
Reveille will sound ar 5 A. M.
Labor Call, 6'S A M . when the roll of paid labor will be called, and duty begin.
Surgeon's Call will sound at ; A. M., when all requiring medical treatment will report to Medical Headquarters
Polies Call will sonnil at 9 A. M.
Dinner Call will sound at 12 M.
Police Call will sound at 2 P. M.
Tattoo will sound at PP M.
Taps will sound at lo P. M.
Ar Palice Call the details will fall in and be verified by the bosses, who will then march them to portions of the Camp requiring duty.
At Police C'all the inhabitants are required to ventilate tents, clear ditches, sun straw and bedding. and police round about their quarters, kitebens, and parade.
Families having no male adults present must police their tents and immediate surround- ings. The policy gangs, on application. will attend to their wants.
The inhabitants are required to make use of the kitchen pils, into which all waste water and kitchen waste must be thrown. The -inks minst be used by the inhabitants in answertoall calls of nature. A : jolation of this rule will subject the offender to expulsion trom Camp.
The officer of the day will make the rounds at 10 A. M . and enforce these regulations. He will report to the commandant the tenant guilty of neglect.
All able-bodied men are required to do police duty " They will be divided into gangs, or re- liefs; be assigned to duty in turn, and for no longer than one-half of each day, between Re- veille and Retreat.
The underly sergeants, the quartermaster and commissary, bosses of labor gangs, and the surgeon in charge will make a daily report of all officers, men and women doing duty under them. and to whom ration stores and medicines are issued The surgeon will also report nuni- ber of prescriptions, number of inhabitants sick and in hospital, and all deaths and births oe- curring within each twenty-four hours. These reports will be filed at headquarters by 12 Ml of each day.
condensed daily report. in printed form, will be issued and forwarded to the Citizens' Cont- mitter at 12 M.
A weekly report of refugees and citizens employed as laborers and mechanics will be fur- nished the Citizens' Committee by the quartermaster, after receiving the signature of the com- manding officer.
The senior officer of each department will confine himself, to his respective duties, and will report to the commanding officer only for instructions, details and orders pertaining thereto. By order.
JOHN F. CAMERON, Commander.
The staff consisted of one commander, two surgeons, one commissary and quartermas- ter. The subaltern force. three bakers, one butcher, one carpenter, one wagon-master, and one drug clerk : also. to the hospital, one head cook, one steward or head nurse. to which were added, from the inhabitants, such additional force as needs required. Four stretcher- hands and four grave-diggers were also added to the hospital force. The duties of the former were to remove the siek. destroy or disinfect the tenement of the sick, and erect new tents where needs required. Wood and water was distributed daily to the inmates, and every want supplied. All infractions of the rules were punished, and no excuse- allowed in mitigation of offenses.
Ten dav-' ration- were stored in the general warehouse, from which issues were made every other day. The inhabitants presented themselves at the call, with buckets and sacks
305
APPENDIX.
in hand, and took position by file, the women having precedence. As cach ticket was presented, the same was checked off on the register, rations furnished, and so on. The meat was ent by experts in rations, and issued without delay ; so with sugar, coffee, etc. It required not exceeding two hours to supply one thousand people in detail of say three hundred separate tickets.
We baked our bread, purchased and slaughtered our beef, which was issued half fresh and half salt. The commissary was supplied with tea, coffee, sngar, rice, beans, candles. soap. vinegar, molasses, crackers, flour, bread, meal, and soda. The inhabitants drew shoes and blankets when necessary. The camp was inhabited by the lower classes, and from the districts where the plague was most violent. Many had been employed on public works. and readily accommodated themselves to camp lite. I am not stire, but the general health was attributable to this fact, and that the season was excessively dry, and well suited to ont .. door life. Under different conditions, the mortality from other canses might have been alarming. The camp broke up October 31, 1878.
R. B. NALL, M. D., Surgeon in charge of Camp Joe Williams.
The following list embraces the names of those who died at Camp Joe Williams, six miles south of the city, as furnished by Dr. R. B. Nall, surgeon in charge :
Berry, Isaac.
Jones, J. W.
Merrill, Mrs. M. A.
Brady, Mrs.
Jolison, A. J.
Powers, Win.
Berry, 1.
Kirk, Fannie.
Peterson, John.
Brady, Ellen.
Karrigan, Thos.
Pinder, Farah.
Brown, F.
Kelly, Mr.
Ringer, Wm.
Calere, Mrs. J.
Lee, Mrs.
Ryan. Wm.
C'annon, Mrs.
Laurence. Mrs. & 3 children.
Rable, Mrs. Geo.
Clinton, James.
Lanigan, Joseph.
Richardson, Stella.
Calere, T. C.
Lutz. Martha.
Seniderhoff, C.
Carson, Mrs.
Limburger, Albert.
Taylor, Dr.
Coe, Wr ...
Mc Donald, Mary.
Webber, Mrs.
Dirosy, Wm.
Manton. John.
Wright, Mary.
Dannion, Wm.
Miles, Mike.
Woods, W. E.
Easterbrook, Frank.
McQuillan, Wm.
Williams, S. W.
Gilbert, J.
Murphy. E. K.
Lady, unknown.
Garri-on, Mrs, Bruce.
Murphy, Owen.
Frenchman, unknown.
Greeco, Angelo.
Murphy, J. P.
Colored man, unknown.
Freeland, Wm.
CAMP DUFFY.
Camp Duffy was called after our . fellow citizen. John J. Duffy, and was situated in Raleigh and vicinity, and comprised about fifty families, reingees from Memphis. They drew weekly rations from the commission, composed of Messis. Duffy, Mevers and Stoddard. Some of the families occupied tents furnished by the Citizens' Relief Committee. During the latter part of September and first of October, the fever broke out in the camp. Having no physician but Dr. Duncan, whose time was principally taken up at the Poor House, the Howards sent to their relief Dr -. Wilkes. Fogarty, and Spencer. The deaths numbered from forty to fifty, the names of which are embraced in the general death-list of the Howard Association.
REPORT OF THE FATHER MATHEW CAMP.
In giving to the public this list of contributions, I feel that a word of preface, ex- planatory of what has been done by means of the generous aid sent me, is very desirable, Especially as I have received many letters of inquiry as to what I have been enabled to do to relieve the miseries which, during the past three months, have been cansed here, by the yellow fever plagne, and as to why I would not publish the contributions sent me. In answer to all these inquiries, in some instances complaints, I have to plead vant of time. The many letter- of sympathy sent me have not been forgotten. In the midst of mest gloomy scenes, they afforded me, very frequently, the relief of consolation.
396
APPENDIX.
When the yellow fever plagne was imported here, early last Angust, it was not difficult to intieipate its scourging ravages. I was assistant priest at St. Patrick's Church, and hon- orary President of the Father Mathew Society here. It was attached to the Irish Catholic Benevolent Union and to the Catholic Total Abstinence Union of America. We had a meeting of our society on the Sunday after the plague had made its appearance. Forty- five members were present. Many were unaware of the great calamity which was im- minent, and some were anxious, in the event of the fever becoming epidemie, to have the society organize, from among its members, a corps of nurses or others to assist the families of the members who might by stricken down, and, as far as they might be able, other afflicted families-without distinction, as I apprehended, of race, creed, or color. Know- ing full well that our society did not contain the class of men who would be enabled to effectnally carry ont this grand idea, I suggested that the members save themselves and families by timely flight, and establish, in quarters considered safe, a camp, which might be made a source of refuge and relief. This suggestion met with an unanimous aproval. I assured them that I would provide the funds and look after every interest. An unani- mons resolution was then passed to leave the treasury and powers of board, in fact, all the rules of the society, in the hands of a committee of five members, with me as chair- man. On the next day I issued an appeal for aid, to the societies comprising the two great National Unions to which our society was attached. I was anxions, as I wrote, " to show to the world the great power that might be wielded by the co-operative efforts of our Unions, and to convince Catholic societies of some of the great benefits of mem- bership in these Unions."
It has enabled us to be a source of charity and benevolence among the needy, the dying, and the dead, irrespective of creed, race, or color. during nearly three months of a most trying ordeal-an oreal which made our fair city a city of the dying and dead. Oat of its population of 45,000 or 50,000 inhabitants, 35,000 or 40,000 had fled for their lives when the plague broke out ; of the 8,000 or 10,000 who remained, over 7.000 are re- ported as having been stricken down by the fever. The county ulidertaker has a registry of 2,500 burials by him alone.
The bravest and the noblest of every rank were being daily stricken down, and their remains hurriedly carried away to the cemeteries or the potter's field.
Those of us whom God was pleased to spare, in order to minister to the wants of the sick, the needy, and the dead, had to witness scenes which pen can not well describe, and to undergo labors which, on some occasions at least, might be considered superhuman.
Among our sisters and priests the fever made great havoc. Almost a score of sisters died. Of the priests who were in the city when the fever broke out, only three of us escaped without having to submit to the treatment of physicians and nurses, who, as. yet. know no specific remedy for yellow fever patients. It is a fact that wherever the disease was directly attacked by the powers of medicine, the life of the patient was directly attacked.
Since the 20th of August, ten of our priests have been laid down " to sleep" in Cal- vary Cemetery, making, in all, fifteen priests-five in 1873 and ten in 1878-who have died here of yellow fever! Fifteen who have died on the field of battle, to which the call of their ministry summon?1 them. This great mortality among priests is not to be won- dered at, when it is taken into consideration that every dying Catholic needs his priest ; that the priest has to sit and kneel beside the bed of the plague-stricken patient, and, whilst hearing the confession of years of sin, to lean over the patient, inhaling his poison- ons breath; and he has very often to draw out, from beside his person, the hands that are stiffening in death, in order to anoint them with the holy oils of the dying. Thus, humanly speaking, it was almost impossible for a priest on duty here to have escaped the plague.
On the day that I gave my appeal to the printer, Mr. Consadine, our very worthy and self-sacrificing vice-president, and myseif set out to select a suitable place on which to erect our Father Mathew Camp of Refuge. The idea was somewhat novel. The under- taking was considered very arduous, and some of our best friends warned us that the labor would be heronlean. Yet we were determined to carry ont our project. Few, if any, could have anticipated our wonderful success.
The inhabitants of the country districts were scared of any who came from the city. Panic was every-where around us. The managing committee of our Citizens' Relief had to call upon the military to force its way to the camping-ground selected for the Joe Williams Camp.
We quietly found out an eligible site, of about 200 acres of land. There was a boiling spring in the midst, and groves of forest trees on each side of the crystal stream, to which the spring was a main tributary. We ascertained that the tract was nuoccupied, and that it belonged to Ms-es. Hill, Fontaine & Co., distinguished merchants of our city. Before we could make arrangements with them, we, next day, had five sentries on the tract, to take possession of it. By the same evening we had a number of tents on the ground and
397
APPENDIX.
the camp established. We published and posted around the traet our rules and regula- tions, among which it was declared that " no one under the influence of intoxicating liquor would be allowed to enter the grounds, and that, without special permit, no intox- ieating liquor would be allowed."
We established, on one side of the grounds, a quarantine department. There we de- tained, for a number of days, every one with permit seeking admission to the camp. They, as far as we could make them, worked in grading their portion of the streets in the main camp, into which, after fifteen days, they were admitted. This precaution against intro- dneing the plague into the camp, was very desirable, and it worked most admirably. The dangers of a panic, which might disperse the camp, were thus obviated. Every one felt the more speure, and the elements of harmony and peace were strengthened.
Of course, we did not entirely depend upon human precaution to protect us. The most of those admitted to our camp were Catholics ; hence, one of the first buildings erected on the grounds was a little church. It was on wheels, and located at one end of our main, or Father Mathew Avenne, beneath the shades of a forest tree. It was dedicated in honor of the Sacred Heart of our Divine Lord, and we all looked upon it as the Ark of our safety. There, during the plague, I celebrated mass almost every morning, and recited the rosary and gave benediction of the most blessed sacrament every night, when, after the day's labor in the plague-stricken city, I returned to rest at the camp, and be consoled by the prayerful greetings of our poor, faithful people, who daily feared that I would be stricken down. These esteemed greetings afforded me many a relieving joy amidst the most gloomy days of the awful plague.
In a very few days we had a commissary and drug-store, a kitchen and commodions dining-hall erected, until every thing was so admirably arranged, that a friend, coming from a distance, suggested that we should call the place NEW MEMPHIS.
For a few weeks we reservel the main avenne and the camp for the members of our society and for their families. They did not all areil themselves of the opportunities thus af- fordel them. Of those who did do so, none of themselves or their families died, except one good woman, who, having gone to the city, contracted the disease there, and died in a few days after returning to the camp.
Within a very few weeks after the camp was established, we had any number of ap- plicants for admission. We issued permits, to be distributed, by responsible parties. among those alone who were in need of our protection, of good morals, and prepared to submit to our rules and regulations. Without one of these permits no one was admitted beyond the lines of the sentries. Thus it was that we were enabled to keep out of the camp those who might become elements of discord or vice, and to maintain it, for ten long weeks, in HARMONY and VIRTUE.
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