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HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 183
In the year 1834 the first case of cholera AA'as a man by the name of
Childs, AVIIO came from Detroit here in the middle or latter part of
August, to Avork in our shipyard, but sickened and died before he commenced
Avork. It then spread through the town, and we lost many of
our valuable citizens, as it seemed to prevail amongst a different class
of people from Avhat it did in 1832, and I think it Avas longer amongst us.
I have all of the names of the persons AATIO died in the toAvn in 1834;
the number Avas forty-eight, of Avhich tAventy-seven died of cholera.
There was no cholera on the peninsula in 1834.
Cholera of 1849.—The year 1849, memorable for the widespread prevalence
and devastation of cholera throughout the country, was one of
fearful fatality and corresponding consequences to Sandusky. At first
giving but an occasional intimation of its intentions, attracting but a
casual notice, until suddenly exploding Avith an overwhelming force, it
SAvept through the affrighted populace like a besom of destruction, withering
with its upas breath the brave, the beautiful, the strong and the
feeble, the affluent and the indigent, and persisted Avith unabated fury
until the place Avas nearly depopulated by death or desertion. '' Dismay
stalked abroad in the daytime, and the droAvsy night was hideous Avith
the Availings of the disconsolate." Many of the stricken were unpityingly
forsaken by their friends and family, and left to the care and sympathy
of the physician and philanthropist; all business AA'as suspended, stores
closed and Avorkshops shut, and their occupants fled or fallen victims to
the disease; the busy streets AA'ere painfully noiseless and apparently
deserted. No coffins could be procured, nor graves made for the accumulating
dead, and soon but one physician remained to serve or see the
sick. Doctor Austin Avas prostrated at the onset of the disease; Doctor
Tilden became completely exhausted from excessive fatigue and family
affliction about the time of its acme; Doctor Lane eventually became ill,
and Doctor Cochran Avas left alone, and stood steadfast and unfaltering
at his post throughout the Avhole period of the pestilence, unceasingly
dispensing his services and sympathy to suffering and sorroAving in
daytime and night. The remainder fled ingloriously from the field; but,
to the honor of legitimate medicine, the fact that the recreants were all
(all) outsiders or empirics should be stated.
During this time a feAV fearless and self-sacrificing spirits strove to
bring order out of confusion, and endeavored to furnish the assistance
and supply the necessities of the occasion, as the board of health, organized
at the advent of the disease, had dispersed and the majority of them
abandoned the place. Among the most efficient and untiring of these
benefactors AA'as F. M. Follett, Esq., and others, a number of Avhom fell
martyrs to the disease, in their noble efforts to serve the sick. The names
of other citizens of both sexes Avorthy of most honorable mention are too
numerous for special notice in a paper of this character.
A call Avas made to the sister cities of CleA'eland and Cincinnati for
aid, and a number of physicians and nurses rushed at once to the rescue.
Hospitals Avere hastily arranged, services secured, and confidence restored,
Avhen the scourge began to succumb, and soon entirely disappeared.