Iowa Old Press
The Davenport Gazette
Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa
July 12, 1849
The Cholera is very bad at Keokuk; so bad, according to the
Register, as to have produced an ‘alarming panic’ among
the citizens. Sixteen death occurred during the week ending
Thursday last.
John B. Russell, Editor of the Keokuk Dispatch, died on
Friday last, 20th ult. Mr. Russell was one of the oldest editors
in the State and an excellent practical printer. Although
differing with him in politics, we ever admired the candor with
which he expressed his sentiments and the independence he
displayed in conducting his journal. We esteemed him as a friend
and as such never failed to visit him upon our semi- annual trip
to St. Louis. Be he is gone, and in common with many others, we
mourn his loss.
[transcribed by N.B., January 2019]
-----
The Gazette
Davenport, Scott, Iowa
July 19, 1849
CHOLERA
ST. LOUIS- Twelve cemeteries report for last Saturday week, 123
deaths by Cholera, 89. The same number of cemeteries for Sunday
report 107 deaths, by Cholera 80. On Monday deaths by Cholera
alone, 135. On Tuesday, by Cholera 145. On Wednesday, 157 deaths,
Cholera 124. Thursday, 136 deaths, Cholera 105.
CINCINNATI- During the 24 hours ending Wednesday last, there were
76 interments from cholera and 50 from other diseases. The
epidemic is abating. The treatment of the cholera in the Hospital
under the management of physicians has been very successful.
LEXINGTON, KY.- The Louisville Courier of the 9th says of
Lexington: The cholera has been raging with increased violence at
this place during the past week. It attacks indiscriminately and
does not appear to yield asreadily as heretofore to medical
treatment. The citizens are greatly alarmed and numbers of them
are hurrying away from the place.
KEOKUK [ IOWA]- There were twelve deaths from cholera in Keokuk
during the week ending Thursday last, and thirty-eight during the
last four weeks.
QUINCY, ILL.- The Quincy Whig of last week reports seventeen
interments from cholera the previous week. On Saturday evening
the disease broke out with still more virulence, and five deaths
were reported Saturday afternoon. The citizens were leaving and
much anxiety and alarm was manifested.
BELLEVILLE, ILL.- There have been many fatal cases of cholera at
this place. For twenty-four hours ending with Thursday last,
there were ten deaths. The disease is prevalent also in the
vicinage.
[transcribed by C.J.L., August 2004]
-----
The Gazette
Davenport, Scott, Iowa
July 26, 1849
CHOLERA
NEW YORK- There were one thousand deaths in New York during the
week ending
the 17th inst., against two hundred and eighty-four of the same
week last
year. Of the above number 184 died of Cholera.- On the 17th there
were 103
cases of Cholera and 15 deaths; on the 19th, 53 cases and 36
deaths.
PHILADELPHIA- During the week ending the 17th inst., there were
469 cases of
Cholera and 171 deaths in this city. On the 17th there were
reported 73
cases and 31 deaths from Cholera; on the 19th, 87 cases and 32
deaths.
ST. LOUIS- The Cholera is gradually abating in St. Louis. On
Monday and
Tuesday of last week the number of deaths had decreased to 61,
each day, and
on Saturday last to but 37.
CHICAGO- The epidemic is on the increase in this city. On the
16th there
were 9 deaths, and on the 17th, 11 deaths from Cholera.
CINCINNATI- During the three weeks ending the 8th inst., there
were 2,485
deaths in this city, a greater mortality than ever before known
in
Cincinnati. The Cholera is now steadily on the decline. On the
19th there
were but 43 deaths from Cholera.
ST. LOUIS
The Epidemic- Its ravages-Other diseases- Melancholy
incident-Mercantile
community-Corruption of great cities, St. Louis in particular.
We are indebted to the kind attentions of a friend for the
following
extracts from a letter received by him under date of St. Louis,
19th inst.
The reflections upon the mercantile community may in the main be
correct as
applied to all cities, but in St. Louis their sombreness is
relieved by the
well known philanthropy of that class of its citizens. In proof
of this
assertion we would instance the alacrity and the substantial
manner in which
they responded to the appeal from Pittsburg, proceeding out of
its
affliction from the devouring element. We would point to the many
and heavy
outlays individually encountered by the merchants for materials
to purify
their city and rid it of the pestilential vapors which for months
has
involved them. All honor to the fraternity who have nobly
stood their
ground and fought the destroyer, rather than flee and leave the
weak and
indigent alone to its embraces:-
"The Cholera has been with us a long time. It commenced here
early last
winter, the cases then were few, and scattering and doubts as
usual were
expressed as to its being the genuine Asiatic, but those doubts
were soon
removed. As the warm weather approached, the disease developed
itself more
fully, and before the great fire, was considered very bad; that
fire seemed
to check it for a short time, but it soon began to increase,
until it
finally devastated our city, and made it a perfect grave yard.
For the last
3 or 4 weeks we have been burying from 800 to 1000 per week. Last
week's
reports for the week ending 16th inst. show a mortality of 867,
and this in
a population decreased by death and departures to not over 40,000
and some
say 30,000- usually 60 - 65,000. This is a fearful mortality, and
much
greater than is on record in any other city of the Union.- This
week there
is an improvement, the deaths average from 80 - 90 per day, while
last week
they run as high as 189 per day. The mortality from Cholera
yesterday was
down to 50, from other diseases 34, in all 84. With the decrease
in Cholera,
there seems to come an increase of fatality in other diseases, as
Bilious
Dysentery and Congestive Fevers, which are as much to be dreaded
as the
Cholera; the one wasting its victim like wax before the fire, the
other
producing death almost as soon as Cholera; quickly reducing to
insensibility, from the effect of which the sufferer never
awakes. In all
cases of death from these diseases, decomposition takes place so
rapidly as
to render speedy burial unnecessary; from 6 to 24 hours begins,
and ends,
the case. In most cases medical skill is useless-the disease
setting at
defiance all known modes of treatment.
It would be impossible for me to relate all the individual cases
of distress
that have come under my knowledge; they are too numerous, and
extend through
the whole community; in some instances whole families have been
swept away
from earth, in so short a time, as almost to defy belief. Lately
Mr.
Gilman's book-keeper, Mr. Ranson died, and when the grave closed
over him
there was none of his name, or kindred, to drop a tear to his
memory, and
there were eight new-made graves side by side, containing his
family, his
wife, and children, who, but a week or ten days previous, were
all together
and well. This is but one out of many cases, more or less
distressing.
We have strict Quarantine Regulations, Boards of Health, &c.
Our people are
put on low diet; vegetables and fruit are not allowed to enter
the city, and
there has been considerable fasting, if not as much prayer as
there should
be-but it all fails. The disease seems to have its own way and
will run its
course, but I trust we have seen the worst, and that I shall have
better
news for you hereafter. Every one feels sad and dejected, not
knowing at
what moment those nearest and dearest to him may be taken away.
The brave
man under these circumstances feels fear, as well as the coward,
but their
feelings arise from different sources. You could not imagine any
thing more
unpleasant than a residence in this city during the last 3
months- every one
knowing, and feeling that every day or hour, may produce some new
disaster.
Our mercantile community hang on well. With them is something
like a field
of battle, there is no give up as long as there are men to fill
the ranks of
the fallen. The prize of money must be secured and it would be
sacrilege to
call them away for an hour from the pursuits of gain, to attend
to the
comparatively unimportant duty of relieving the wants of
suffering humanity.
With them the only suffering seems to be in the pocket and they
appear to
claim exemption from any duty excepting attending to business. My
friend, if
you value your happiness, your physical, or moral health, if you
wish to
keep alive within your bosom any of those nobler attributes of
our natures
given us by the Creator, keep out of a great city, for there are
gathered
together in undue proportion, and flourishing with the rankness
of weeds,
all the evil propensities of our natures- wealth and poverty,
happiness and
misery, pomp and arrogance, splendor and wretchedness, blasphemy
and
wickedness, all festering together, until God's curse rests on
them and they
are only spared because there is one good man among them. This is
my opinion
of cities, and I do not thing that I exaggerate, nor would others
could they
see all behind the scenes ,visit our gaming houses, brothels,
drinking
establishments, &c. It seems to be impossible for a man to
last long in a
place like this; the vital energies are soon exhausted, and
constant
excitement wears out life with great rapidity.
it is different here now from what it was when you were here; the
trade of
the city is vastly increased, while the facilities for doing
business are in
no manner improved, or increased, consequently everything is done
in a
hurry. The cursing and yelling of draymen; the drunken blasphemy
of boatmen
and deckhands, are never out of hearing, till finally you become
disgusted
and leave, or get into the same habits.- One day of quiet country
life, is
productive of more enjoyment ot me, than a life time in a city-
adn if
Providence spares and favors me and mine, I will evacuate
Flanders, as Geo
Wood used to say.
July 20th- Deaths yesterday 60-36 from Cholera- 30 from other
disease, this
is gratifying, and trust will continue."
[transcribed by C.J.L., August 2004]