10/18/2023
Its a blast when you discover facts from the past concerning your home town. Thank you to Elizabeth Wall for this hometown research.
The Chicago Chronicle (Chicago, Illinois) Sun. Feb 23, 1866 Page 2
DR KOHL SENT TO DU QUOIN
He Will Investigate and Report on the Small Pox Situation
SPRINGFIELD, ILL. Feb. 22 The state board of health has taken no further action regarding the alleged appearance of small pox in Du Quoin other than to authorize Dr. Julius Kohn of Belleville, member of the state board, to proceed to the place reported, investigate and take such steps for its suppression as deemed wise.
The mayor of Pinckneyville, ten miles west of Du Quoin, has wired the sate board for permission to quarantine against Du Quoin, saying that many people are fleeing from that place and stopping in Pinckneyville. Dr. Scott, secretary of the state board, has notified the mayor of Pinckneyville that no quarantine will be ordered against Du Quoin, as the situation does not demand such. But six cases of “alleged” small pox have been reported and a quarantine would not be wise under the circumstances./
Dr Kohn has yet made his report to the state board. No other cases are reported and it is believed the alarm was unfounded at Du Quoin.
Health commissioner Kerr has asked the authorities of the state board of health and the officials of the Illinois Central Railroad Company to assist him in preventing any introduction of smallpox into Chicago from the village of Du Quoin, Ill, where there is now said to be an epidemic of the disease. Thee is no great fear of Chicago being affected, but health department will take time by the foreclock. The state board of health has been asked to inform the Chicago authorities as to the character of the epidemic, and an answer is expected today. The rail road authorities have been asked to report whenever a passenger is taken from the afflicted town. Dr Reilly says that Chicago is so thoroughly vaccinated that there is but little danger of an outbreak in the city.
