There are several deaths recorded during this time period that mention “fever”, “a fever”, or “the fever”. One has to wonder about the public’s knowledge of smallpox and its symptoms. I just imagine many people were simply buried quickly so their families were not quarantined and ostracized.
The Caddo Herald
October 27, 1899
Smallpox Situation
So far as can be learned smallpox exists in the Choctaw Nation at Krebs, Hartshorne, Alderson, Cherryville, Atoka, and Durant. The Durant case is said to be a white man who was taken with the disease Wednesday morning in a public meeting. His name is Hays and he is said to be from Denison.
To the Public
In view of the smallpox situation in north Texas and the Indian Territory, and wishing to avoid all possibility of the disease in Caddo, Mayor W. F. Dodd authorizes The Herald to announce that all persons going from Caddo to attend the show at South McAlester November 3rd or at Denison November 4th will be quarantined against and not allowed to enter Caddo.
Marshall Jackson has one guard on quarantine duty day and one at night. The danger is being closely watched.
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