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]

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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]

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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]

 


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