10/18/2026
PLATTSBURGH PEST HOUSE
Plattsburgh Sentinel – January 9, 1874
"There are a few new cases of smallpox reported since our last issue; but with two exceptions they are confined to families where it already existed. Mr. Colligan’s family are having a siege of it.
Unfavorable reports were made Wednesday in regard to Mr. Colligan, but we learn from his physician that he is now doing well. There are other cases in Mr. Cramer’s family at 22 Cornelia Street. Miss Mary Kavanagh, living on the street leading to the upper bridge, died of smallpox on Monday. No other cases are known on that street.
Thursday morning, a child of Mr. LaTour, living in the red house on the west side of the railroad bridge, was reported as having the smallpox. Several families live in the house.
The Health Officer reports that no cases of smallpox can be found on Platt Street. It is reported that a family was coming down with the disease on Durkee Street, communication was stopped, but neither Drs. Foot or Nichols are prepared to pronounce the case smallpox.
If any of our citizens know of any case of smallpox that is not properly quarantines, of any house that has had cases of smallpox and has not been properly cleansed, or any person on the street supposed to have been exposes or of any precaution that has not been properly taken to prevent the spread of the disease, it is their duty to report the same to the President of the Board of Health, Henry E. Barnard, Esq., at once. His office is on the second floor of the Clinton Block and is open most of the hours of the day and evening.
Please let it be known that the penalty for knowingly violating this law is a fine of $1,000 or imprisonment for 2 years.
STILL LATER ON FRIDAY MORNING
Being delayed a little, we give the very latest intelligence. James Cramer, Jr., died yesterday afternoon at 3 o’clock and was buried last night. His sisters Abbie and Elizabeth died this week, and another sister is gravely ill.
There are 25 people living in the red house, and some radical measures have to be taken. The Tarlton house located on John Sanborn’s farm, and standing in the field at some distance from Rugar Street, has been secured as a Pest House.
A meeting of the Town Board was held yesterday afternoon, and they met again this evening. They will meet again this morning for final action. The ques5ion of thorough and if need be compulsory vaccination will be decided upon.
Let them get their work done as cheaply as they can and have it well done and with the utmost promptness and efficiency. No half-way business with satisfy.”
