Letter from W. H. Gillespie to Mississippi Governor Adelbert Ames; September 10, 1874

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Letter from W. H. Gillespie to Mississippi Governor Adelbert Ames; September 10, 1874

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People

Ames, Adelbert, 1835-1933 Barrett, Frederick Bristow, Benjamin Helm, 1832-1896 Gillispie, W. H.Lambert, N.Powers, Ridgley Ceylon, 1836-1912

Organizations

Hospitals Hospitals--Alabama. US Marine Hospital (Mobile)Mississippi--Executive Department United States--Department of the Treasury United States--Internal Revenue Service Watercraft Watercraft--Dawn (Schooner)

Businesses

Customhouses Newspapers Newspapers--Louisiana Railroads and Railroad Companies

Occupations

Law Enforcement Law Enforcement--Detectives Law Enforcement--Police Medical Profession Medical Profession--Physicians Secretaries Tax Collectors

Places

Alabama--Mobile County. Mobile Florida--Escambia County. Pensacola Louisiana--Orleans Parish. New Orleans Mississippi--Harrison County. Gulfport Mississippi--Hinds County. Jackson Mississippi--Jackson County. Pascagoula Sectors of Land--Mississippi. Gulf Coast Texas

Vital Statistics

Death Disease and Illness--Epidemic--Quarantine Disease and illness Disease and illness--Epidemic

Page 1

Pascagoula September 10th 1874.

This to certify that the sailor who was taken sick on board the schooner Dawn died of black vomit ~~died~~ on Monday the 7th of September 1874.

N. Lambert M. D.

Page 2

Custom House, ~~Shieldsborough~~^Pascagoula^, Miss.,
Collector's Office, Sept 10^th,, , 1874.

Gov A. Ames
Jackson
Miss.

Dear Sir:

I telegraphed you a few days ago stating that a case of yellow fever then existed in this place and that Dr N. Lambert was acting Health officer under unsatisfactory authority from exgovernor Powers—and that the doctor did not feel safe in pursuing a rigid Course in the discharge of his duties as such officer under the above authority.

In order therefore that the place should be protected from the contagion—and

Page 3

House, C[unclear]
[unclear]HIELDSBOROUGH

that the doctor be satisfied in executing the duties devolving on him—I deemed it proper—to telegraph you as I did and receive instructions as to the best possible course to pursue.

The seaman who had the yellow fever at the time I telegraphed—has since died—The vessel on which he come was from a Texas port. He had a permit to the Marine Hospital Mobile Ala—but in proceeding to the same—was interfered with at the Rail Road station by a Mobile officer or detective who told the sick seaman that he could go as far as the Alabama line—but would have to get off there as he would

Page 4

House, C[unclear]
[unclear]HIELDSBOROUGH

Custom House, Shieldsborough, Miss.,

Collector's Office, [gap] , 187[gap].

not be permitted to enter said state.

I see from a New orleans paper of recent date that Secretary Bristow, has issued a circular to the effect of Yellow fever now existing in Mobile, New Orleans, Pensacola and in fact all the principal ports on the gulf coast.

He instructs Revenue officers to aid in enforcing the quarantine laws &c. Our district is in rather an unprotected condition—so far as such laws are concerned—And I would most respectfully request that for the better security of the interests of this part of Miss. that you advise me at an early period what steps to take

Page 5

Collector's Office
[unclear]H, MISS.,

[gap] , 18

[unclear]rough, Miss.,

Collector's Office, [gap] , 187[gap].

in the matter.

We are now subject to the sco^u^rges of these epidemics—whereas with a quarantine physician possessing legal Author-ity from the Governor—we would be able to hold out the arm of protection.

Trusting to hear from you soon
I remain very respectfully

W. H. Gillispie

Page 6

EXECUTIVE OFFICE,
STATE OF MISSISSIPPI.
[gap] County.

From W. H. Gillispie
Address Shieldsbrrough
Dated Sept 10' 1874
Received ,, 13 ,, ,,
Answered [gap]

SUBJECT:

Yellow Fever
[gap]

ADELBERT AMES,
Governor.

FRED. BARRETT,
Private Secretary.