24 MAY 1885. Austin Daily Statesman.
A DREAD DISEASE. THE PRESENCE OF SMALL POX IN AUSTIN CREATES A PANIC. Action of the Council in Regard to the Case -- What the Doctors Say.
The Austin public are familiar with the facts of the sad death of Mrs. A.H. Crow, which occurred in Mexico, on the 8th of this month. This esteemed lady died of that fearful disease, small pox, after an illness of about six days.
Her husband, Mr. A.H. Crow, was with her at the time. He was distracted with grief at his great loss, which was intensified on account of the law of the land, that forbade him to remove the corpse. Mr. Crow had been with his wife from the outbreak of the disease on the 2d of the month, but realizing the danger of communication, after her death he wrote several letters to his relatives here, saying that he would not return home until he had undergone thorough disinfection. Mr. Crow arrived in Austin late Friday afternoon. It was not long until the rumor spread that he was also affected with small pox. It was true and considerable excitement ensued. The following morning it was the talk of the town and grave apprehension of coming danger began to be entertained. Mr. Crow was at his own residence of East Hickory street, just beyond Dr. Smoot’s church. Learning that Dr. W.J. Burt had attended him, a reporter sought the physician and asked him touching the condition of his patient and the prospect for the spread of the disease.
Said the doctor: I think it is due the citizens of Austin to state that Mr. A.H. Crow has a modified case of small pox, or varioloid. He is not much sick and I think will be over it in a few days. I advised with Dr. Swearingen, State health officer, and Mayor John W. Robertson, and at once isolated Mr. Crow in his residence, gave him a nurse and placed a guard around the premises to prevent anyone going in or out. So far as he is concerned there is now no danger in my opinion to any of our citizens. Three or four persons were slightly exposed before I saw Mr. Crow. These will be watched and isolated on the first suspicious symptom. There need be no alarm or sensation by the citizens. Every precaution has been taken that is possible to protect them and properly care for him. His case is, so far, a mild form of varloloid. I will have fresh vaccine virus either Sunday or Monday to use with those desiring vaccination, and would advise it anyway.
Hardly anything else was talked about on the street. Men discussed the case, a few lightly, a great many seriously, and some with evident alarm. It was known that a few of the immediate neighbors had left their houses at the first announcement of the bad news. Capt. Rodney, living next door, immediately sent his family to the country. Mr. Bob Grant and family left, and Mr. Moses sent his children away. Others talked of doing likewise. A number were inclined to censure Mr. Crow for having come back so soon after being exposed. Some however, who knew all the sad circumstances, spoke up in his behalf. He had stayed about two weeks after the death of his wife, had gone through a course of disinfection and thought himself out of danger. He did not even know that he had the small pox until his arrival here, though the fever was on him while on his homeward way. When apprised of the fact he expressed sincere sorrow for his coming.
The question, however, that seemed uppermost in the minds of everybody was, what was to be done with the sick man? It is true that he had, in a manner, been isolated, as stated by Dr. Burt, and guards stationed at the house, besides yellow flags to warm people away. But was this enough? Did not the public safety demand that the patient be carried out of the city, entirely cut off from the inhabitants? This was so serious a matter as to move his honor, Mayor J.W. Robertson, to convene the aldermen to consider it.
The Council Meeting: Only eleven aldermen, barely a quorum were present last night. There were a number of spectators. The clerk read the call. Dr. Burt, city physician, was called on and made a brief address substantially like the statements given above. He did not think there was any danger, except to those who had been with Mr. Crow. These persons who had been thus exposed would be watched and on the first appearance of small pox symptoms, would be isolated. He did not favor the removal of Mr. Crow from his residence. Mr. Crow had been censured, but he did not think he was much to blame, though he may have been somewhat imprudent.
Dr. Swearingen, in response to an invitation, addressed the Council. He concurred in Dr. Burt’s views, but made a more elaborate and exceedingly interesting talk, in which he narrated his own experience in the disease. He did not consider small pox infectious in the sense that yellow fever was. Isolate a man and there was little or no danger to outsiders. It was contagious, and the danger lay in direct contamination from a patient. He had in his official duty as State health officer telegraphed the railroad officials to side-track the sleeper in which Mr. Crow traveled, to burn the bedding, and to disinfect the car. He understood that the request had been complied with and that the car referred to was on a side track in San Antonio. He did not think it was necessary to remove Mr. Crow from his present quarters. Dr. Graves in a few remarks coincided with the previous speakers in all essential points.
After the doctors had spoken, invitations were extended to the audience generally. Capt. Tom Sneed arose. He spoke at some length, and took very opposite views from those advanced by the gentlemen who had preceded him. Capt. Sneed had no words of blame for Allie Crow; no man held him in higher respect. But when the doctors said that small pox was contagious but no infectious, it was all theory. The speaker described the location and relative position of Mr. Crow’s residence and the prevailing winds. There was danger to people living in the neighborhood. The winds could bear the seeds of the poison. Citizens had already left. A Swede family, a few years ago, had been moved across the river, when it was found out that they had the small pox. He was in favor of moving Mr. Crow out of town, where he could be just as well cared for and the lives of others would not be endangered. It was evident that the remarks of Capt. Sneed made a deep impression. The Mayor read the ordinance giving the health physician the right to remove patients affected with contagious diseases to a safe distance from the city.
Alderman Crooker made a motion that the city physician cause Mr. Crow to be removed to some convenient place, outside the city limits as soon as possible. The motion prevailed by a unanimous vote, and the council adjourned.
