Smallpox Scare Again In 1929
In 1929 smallpox again was evident and several cases in the county were reported. Tell City’s populace renewed their vaccinations, and many were vaccinated for the first time.
Cerebro Spinal Meningitis In 1931
Late in 1930 Miss Nettie Bosley, 16, who lived five miles north of Cannelton, died of a disease of short but violent duration that was diagnosed as spinal meningitis.
Then on January 9 two of the family of Mr. and Mrs. Jess Powers’ of near Cannelton died of this dread disease; a daughter, Mrs. Bessie Powers York, age 26, and a three months old son, Harry Lee Powers.
Note: Bessie Powers was Jess’s sister married to Roger York.
Although the News of Jan. 9 reported that there were no new cases in the county, the week of Jan. 16 took a toll of four deaths in Tell City, George K. Smith, 44; Joseph Olberding, 20; Charles Hock, 26; and Evelyn Brinksneader, 3. Two more in the Brinksneader family were victimized by tile disease, Hilbert, a strong robust young man in his 20’s, who later died on Jan. 22, and Dolores Brinksneader.
Oh Thursday and Friday, Jan. 22 and 23, 1931, Dr. V. K. Harvey and A. C. Porter of the Indiana State Board of Health visited in Perry county because of the meningitis epidemic. Dr. Harvey approved methods used here in the treatment and control of the disease. No legal closing of public places was ordered, but by mutual consent m any meetings and public gatherings were called off. All people known to have been exposed were placed under a rigid quarantine, which was lifted when the time of incubation had expired.
There was no further evidence of the disease until in July when Mrs. Frank (Helen) Zuelly became ill. She was ill only a short time and on July 9, 1931, she died after much suffering. Mrs. Zuelly, a bride of several months, was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Seibert.
The memory of the epidemic early in the year was so fresh in the minds of our townsman that the same rigid rules of quarantine and disinfection were again carried out and no further incidence of the disease was noted.
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