“Help. . .Help. . Help . . .Please...” With an agonized scream, the door was burst out and a woman dropped out from a building of the Main Street, she is rolling down on the street, crawling and shouting, but no one approaches to her. A group of women mummer, cross themselves and shun away from her. A man and his children headed to her quickly go across the other side of the road. All of them are wearing the vinegar soaked masks. After a few minutes, the Main street, one of the most crowded street of the north America is empty except that woman, she mummers and vomits the black blood, and then, her head spins down and never moves again. Her skin is badly pinkish and her tops of the nose, ears, and fingers are rotten, signs of gangrene. One by one, Plague is bringing down us, from a fistful of Pliladelphians staying in the city. I also stand away from her. Just watching everything of her, but I can't do anything. The only thing I can do is feeling sad and blessing God. But a few moments later, two Negroes boldly carry her with their cart. They are slaves, but now turns to the saviors of the town. Every shops and restaurants are closed. Even a few are opened, their prices are too high to make my poor dollars useless. But I can't stop my deadly hunger, at last, I've decided to break in a butcher shop. I break the glass door of the butcher shop at the corner of Crown and Vine Street. A terrible stench is spread out in the shop, the meat are sprawling out all over the shop. All are putrefied. “Oh! God.” On the floor, among the meet, I find a dead body. I can say that he is a butcher by his costume. It seems that he was dead a few days longer, his eyes were bulged as like a prawn and around his nose, fingers and ears are blackish rotten. His skin is pinkish as like the dead woman in the Main Street, and then his body is putrefied as like his meat. I run out of the shop, and vomit. Thanks God, it is normal color. Suddenly, rain starts falling. And finally, I return to the home gloomily.
It is the worst time of Philadelphia.
Everyone fled. The dusts followed behind the carts were overwhelming the city. Even many people were crowded for moving, unlike old days, no sound was out. Almost Philadelphians wore the disgusted looks, silently packed their things and moved. Even George Washington, the president of the United States and some of the state men fled away from the city like other thousands of Philadelphians.
The paupers were hopeless. Unrestrainedly, some were trying to find a way to get out of the town by asking their rich friends who prepared to leave their own farm houses or other towns. Especially, parents were worried and asked for the children to the rich to bring them away. But only a few of them got the rooms. They were lucky to survive.
I was one of them, my old man, my employer gave me a chance to leave with his family to his country home, even he had an inkling about the relation between his niece Mary and me. ႊ That was a great chance for me, not only a chance to avoid the plague but also a chance to be closed to my girlfriend, maybe a chance for my future too. In reality, the old man accepted me, only because he had no choice, because of Mary, she obliged him by denying to go without me. Anyhow, We were very happy for that, also the old man seems finding a solace for his right decision, but until I met Dr. Rush.
“Good, I'm glad for you, John.” He said at first when I told him that I was permitted to leave with Mary by the old man. And then, “But I want to say one thing, John. Arr, I don't want to disturb your happiness really, but you should consider something, I think. A few years ago, we fought against the British for this land including this town Philadelphia, but now we left her. I hope that you remember all the young men of the town died in the revolution, same age of you, they died for this land, this town, John. As for me, I feel myself unfaithful to leave the town.” “ But... b..u. t. . this is very different. . .” Dr. Rush raised his hand to stop my words and continued his conversation. He didn't give me any complaint. “I understand you, John. Yes, I knew this is different, but how could we deny? We have to face whatever it is, sometimes it may be war, sometimes disease and sometimes disaster. Whatever it is, we have to face, we have to protect. Plague is like a fierce war, in Black Death, Europe lost 35% of his people. But some of leaving alive did protect and reconstruct their own countries. That is. Only thing I would like to say you is that the land is not for burial only, John. As you know, we are still fighting against it, Just a few people, a fistful of people are still fighting for this, we need hands, we need many hands especially like your age, young men. But . . .all leave the town. I am very disappointed for that. I am not trying to blame you, John. I understand you, this situation is very tough even the president fled. I am shame on that. But I want to say about the mayor, Do you know the mayor?” “You mean Mr. Clarkson?” “Yes, very true, Mr. Matthew Clarkson. He decided to stay, John. How do you think? He is 60 years old, rich, owns a New York home, already contributed so much money for the revolution, even he decided leave the town, no one dare to blame him, but he decided to stay.”
After leaving him, I felt lost and complicated what should I do, what I need to do and what I really want to do.
“Don't be ridiculous, John. This is a live and death matter. Don't want to be hero? Death never give you a second chance. And also you should think how I fought to get this chance. This is our chance, for our future, don't you understand?” Tear in her pretty eyes, trembling with sadness and shock. “I know, Mary, I really know, but I think. . I think that I will never forgive myself in my entire life if I leave like that, please understand me, darling.” Pain turned to bitterness, love changed to hate. She piercingly looked at me and turned and run away. By seeing behind her, I felt that was the last of us, she will never return to me. All the dreams I had a few days ago were wiped out. I was hopeless. But something occurred that I never expected. The old man came to me before they left and said, “If you chose to leave with us, even I had no choice to deny for my niece's sake, I'd decided to separate two of you as possible as I can, because I looked down you as an opportunist, John. But your last decision changed my mind, you are a brave, honorable and responsible gentleman. I promise you that when we come back, if you passed this situation, I've decided you to marry with my niece.”
I don't know what will be, for the good or for the bad, but I have to survive. I need to. Not only for surviving, for my responsibility, my love, and every chance I can get. But death is only thing everywhere of the town.
When I arrive my home, one of my neighbors was brought away by plague. I just saw his body carried by three black men on the way, and on the cart, full of bodies were. The sobbing of his wife and children are appearing behind the door of a cross drawing. I feel death approaching me. How long the vinegar soaked mask can prevent me from the disease, from the death?
As usual, flies and mosquitoes are dominating the room. I hate those creatures. By laying all the fear and hate on them, I've decided to do something on my last days. Attacking them, nothing I have to do on these days, maybe my last days, I've decided to attack those mosquitoes and flies, the creatures the most I hate. I bring the straws from the stable and lit to get the smoke. And, wipe out the bloodshed of the room by vinegar soaked rags. I lit some whale bones as the flambeau. Now, my room is shinning and empty of mosquitoes and flies, with the full of smell of vinegar. After finished everything, tiredly, I lay on a working table beside a skeleton of a whale, and fall in sleep. This may be the first night fallen asleep I've ever had.
I'm worried about this illnes. A lot of citizens are dying everyday. People it's confused and they don't know what to do. Even the doctors aren't sure what it is. Those who have a place to go are living the city. It seem that the country air is clean from this sicknes, and a very smart choice to take at this moment. As a president of this new nation is importan be there for my people, I can't do that if I'm death. I'm preoccupied for my wife Martha, I don't want that nothing happen to her. I'm going to pack my most necesary objets and we are moving to our country house where I can still caring for my people and be away of this fever.
sea captain, William Watson Sunday, August25, 1793
The weather was still very sweltering today. My ship was stayed far away from the Philadelphia and on mildle of the ocean, because at least here had some sea breeze and fresh air to reduce the heat.
Many people were fleaing Philadelphia, and it made the circumstance seemed very terrifying. I couldn't leave, but luckely I didn't need to stay in the city either. The news of the disease and the consequences terrified me. I wish they were just some rumors......Also I was so glad that my family didn't live here, because in this condition--to live here resembled nextdoor of the death.
However, I was so impressed by our mayor's decision. I thought he is a boldly men. He had many reasons to shun this situation but he didn't. The nortality rate didn't vary his determination of helping his folks to overcome the desease.
More and more people started to flee sick Philadelphia. Disease was spreading around the city and the atmosphere became gloomy and disheartening. Everyday carts, wagons and coaches squeaked on the roads. I saw this picture through my dirty window and grim thoughts came to my mind.
Most of my clients already left, but I have a dilemma. Do I need to follow them and leave as soon as possible or just stay and try to survive in my “yellow” city? Honestly, I have no place to go and nobody who will welcome me for a short period of time. Unfortunately, I did not save enough money last year, so I cannot afford a hotel or rent a house. Probably I will stay here and hope God will help me to survive.
I will follow helpful suggestions, which doctors and our Mayor announced. First of all I will avoid infected people – it’s easy. Secondly, limit the intake of beer and wine. Hmm, I think, I can live without it for a while. And last, I think, the most difficult for me was sprinkling strong-smelling substances, such as vinegar and holding it to my nose to ward off the fever. Doctors told me that these remedies can purify the air around you. Oh, I forget, garlic. I have to put garlic everywhere – my shoes, pockets and chew it almost the whole day.
In spite of all preparations and treatment people continued to die. There were so many victims during this time, that our Mayor made a recommendation to stop tolling the bells. He didn’t want to spread panic around. But it did not help…
on August 25,many people are fleeing Philadelphia .The city was abandoned ,and lots of families took their clothes and some furniture and transported to other place. MY family and I were extremely affraid since a epidemic killed a huge number of our neibors . We tried hard to keep ourselves calm ,but a panic could not leave us easly , so we decided to feel to a farm where my parents live and where they tought me how to chop in a forest. That bad epidomic visited almost every house in the city , and we heard a terrible rumors about it. someone told me that a bad air could enter and kill people eventhough all windowes and doors are closed. someone elese told me that he saw a black smoke came out from a cemetery . At this point we could not wait a minute , so we rented a waggon and paid all the money that we have to her owner , and we went to the farm where my family members were waiting for any news about us.
no body knows how long should we stay outside the city ,but i was sure that when i could go back to my city i would not find lots of my freinds and relatives alive.
The city lives in total chaos! Many people have begun to leave the city because of the propagation of that terrible fever that is punishing the inhabitants. Those for whom poverty is not a problem are the only ones able to escape from this threat. They ranks range from lawyers and ministers to bankers and shop owners. All of them are wealthy people who have a place to go. I am part of the rest, those who are condemned to remain in the city; I am not one of those lucky people. I have no place to go, or friends who are farmers, to be able to escape to the countryside. It seems that poverty is a sin punishable by God. Each day, wild news invades the city with new rumors about more deaths. The fever is everywhere and the number of sick people is increasing rapidly. I am really scared about the situation and do not know how many days can pass before I fall sick. I do not want even to get close to another person for fear of contagion. Now that a huge number of people have fled the city, whole neighborhoods can be seen depleted of souls. The city is surrounded by a great pestilence. People prefer to remain in their homes, and the streets are emptier every day. God has unleashed all its fury against us! I do not know how to face that. I do not even know if it is possible. There is no way to protect myself from this curse that the church has been prophesying months ago. I can only pray and hope for the Lord’s mercy and that this sinner city is forgiven and spared.
Sunday, August 25 Mr. Warren is standing. Today is Sunday, August 25, and many people are fleeing the city because of the disease. They are carrying their belongings in carts, wagons, coaches, and chairs. They are leaving in every direction, looking for the countryside. But not everyone is fleeing. Some like servants have to stay because they must protect the rest of their employers’ belongings. Here are not too many probabilities to survive, but for those who do not have the possibility to go out to the countryside, this is the best place to stay and live, or the only place to die. Some of us can’t leave because we are slaves, we are from another country and do not have anyone else waiting for us in other place, or simply because we are too poor and do not want to leave our jobs that are the font of our lives. We still have hope. Famous and prestigious doctors have come to the city. They are working together to solve the problem. They are trying to find out the causes of the disease and a cure for it. But from now they just have given us some recommendations to prevent and be safe from any sickness. In this indications we can find ones like “wear a handkerchief sprinkled with vinegar” to purify the air the air that we breathe, and others like “stay away from anyone with the fever” which I think that could be a really good one. These indications have been abided for everybody, even if they are not really helpful. In desperation, people are trying everything, any kind of folk remedies. Some have closed their doors and stayed inside of their house to avoid the disease also. The mayor of the city Matthew Clarkson stayed, he stayed with his people, like a captain in a ship with his crew. He is doing all he can to stop the disease now called for some yellow Fever. However people still dying, the disease continues accelerating the clock to a lot of people, and with it their time to meet their maker. It is sad; the number of deaths is increasing every day. The streets are totally empty, just the stench circulates its length. This city could be now called “The Ghost Town”. Anything is right. The only place that is working as normal is the church, or maybe it is working too much. We will try to survive; we will try anything to stay alive. I will also close my home doors to avoid any possibility to get the disease, waiting for a cure and hoping that the life continues.
Christian Flores. March 19th 2013 Journal Entry for Sunday, August 25th Is already august 25th, the epidemic is getting worse and worse. The disease is already spread all over the city. Doctors and some influences people in the city are giving ads about to leave the city or recommendations to try to avoid the disease. There are many guesses and ideas that we don’t know if they are true or not. The point is that people continue dying. Dr. Rush says that people have to leave the city because otherwise, people will continue dying. Hundreds exited Philadelphia on the rain swept Sunday. More left in the day follow, as Dr. Rush’s advice to “Fly from it “. People leave the big city in huge amounts, looking for fresh air in somewhere in the country. All of us wanted to leave, but not all of us could. People who have the enough money to move, and start another life in another place. But others like me stayed and we have to fight until we can. Poor people like me don’t have place to go and we don’t enough money to move on. The city looks weird. Lonely streets, abandoned houses, quiet and silent neighborhoods. It looks like the city ghost and that everything is completely lost.
Linda Nguyen Sanday, August25 Church Bells Tolling Sunday, August25. The spread of the disease all around the city, makes me very nervious. Seeing more and more people leave the city everyday is so sad and despress.Recently I have heard people rumor about the disease and the rumors are the disease will destroy the city and kill everyone.lately I have been worry for many things and have a conflict. My conflic is I want to leave the city, but in my mind sometimes tell me I shuold stay. But if I stay will I be able to stay ago from the disease,and survive till the disease over.
Today I see more people in my neighborhood get contracted with the disease.So i know I have to make a decision as soon as possiple. However, before I make any decision I want to take a walk around the city. on my way I can see the city is completely differnt with a week before.Before the city was extremely busy and crowded even days or nights.Now the city is scary quiet and ominous feeling. The church bells tolling makes me fell solemn and isolated.I can leave like this anymore i have to leave the city. I have a friend, who lives in New York. I will send her a letter to let her know I will move to New York soon.
My name is Jeffe Waterman, I am a schoolmaster. Today is Sunday, August 25,1793.
I see that many people are fleeing Philadelphia, because the fever is everywhere.They packed clothes in the bags, shuttered the windows and locked the doors of their houses.
Many people stayed home,because they are poor and had no place to go.
Very few people chose to stay in the city, because they felt a sense of duty to their city.
I am one of those few, who decided to stay in the city, because I supposed to be a symbolic head for my students and people in my neighborhood.
What will be with the city when all people go out? Who will protect the city from this terrible disease? Every school in town is closed. Since the panic has began, I got a new job - to defend, guard and stand up for my city against the yellow fever.
I think that foul smelling air over all summer caused this fever. I already started to sprinkle my room with vinegar to kill the fever.
My name is Samuel Wayne, I am a house carpenter here in Philadelphia, I'm getting worry about this terrible disease which is killing a lot of people. Many people is escaping from Philadelphia to the countryside, and I'm not the exception, I also want to flee Philadelphia because I'm scared that probably I can get sick and die.
The yellow fever is everywhere in this city, people on the streets whispering rumors about people dying everyday, the chaos in Philadelphia is inevitable. There are some people doing recommendations to get rid of the terryble disease like, clean up the streets as soon as possible and set up hospitals for the victims of yellow fever.
The doctor recommended to all the people to wear a handkerchief with vinegar over the nose to get protected from the yellow fever.
I'm scared and I will do the necessary to go out safe to the countryside without get contagious. There is a doctor called Benjamin Duffield, he gave to the people his own recommendations and published them on the newspapers of the city for all to read. He suggested to take frequently warm showers and inhaling finely ground black pepper. This city already became a city in panic, I feel bad for all the people who already lose their family members.
Increasing number of residents is running from this city. House and house abandoned by people. In my neighborhood, I can badly found a house is not empty. People whom stayed here are talking and gossiping of the yellow fever. The rumor is getting worse. The whole city is shroud by the panic epidemic. It’s like a dark gray cloud follows all of us. It made me could not even dare to breath, because the condition of the air is deathly. The fear of the death speared out to the whole city. Those people who have house in countryside or who have relatives or friends live there are moving out of this place chastely.
As for me, I have a distance that may be able to help me. She lives in Fox, which is a small town near here. However, the maid I have sent to comfort hasn’t back yet. Therefore I have to stay few days longer to wait for the message. I am terrified, my husband dead years age and my own family aren’t here. They live in Baltimore, Maryland which is far from this place. After my husband’s funeral, his family moved to New York, so nobody could look after me. That meant I need to take care myself in this situation.
I heard Mayor Clarkson will stay in city. That is very selfless, especially his wife has that fever and his son dead of it. I can’t imagine how he would even deal with it. I hope wife would be better soon.
For self-protection, I went out bought a lot of stuffs. In order of this situation, I didn’t buy anything that too easy to rot. I also bought a lot of vinegar. Like doctors suggested, I will put pertly vinegar on handkerchiefs and hold to nose and avoid fatigue. I have to take care myself extremely careful. In the noon, I heard a very loud voice. I realized that was the gunpowder to purity the virus of the air.
I hope I will serve this disaster and it will be cured soon.
Augus 25, 1793.
ReplyDeleteA pauper, hero and theif
“Help. . .Help. . Help . . .Please...”
With an agonized scream, the door was burst out and a woman dropped out from a building of the Main Street, she is rolling down on the street, crawling and shouting, but no one approaches to her.
A group of women mummer, cross themselves and shun away from her. A man and his children headed to her quickly go across the other side of the road. All of them are wearing the vinegar soaked masks.
After a few minutes, the Main street, one of the most crowded street of the north America is empty except that woman, she mummers and vomits the black blood, and then, her head spins down and never moves again.
Her skin is badly pinkish and her tops of the nose, ears, and fingers are rotten, signs of gangrene.
One by one, Plague is bringing down us, from a fistful of Pliladelphians staying in the city.
I also stand away from her. Just watching everything of her, but I can't do anything. The only thing I can do is feeling sad and blessing God.
But a few moments later, two Negroes boldly carry her with their cart. They are slaves, but now turns to the saviors of the town.
Every shops and restaurants are closed. Even a few are opened, their prices are too high to make my poor dollars useless.
But I can't stop my deadly hunger, at last, I've decided to break in a butcher shop. I break the glass door of the butcher shop at the corner of Crown and Vine Street. A terrible stench is spread out in the shop, the meat are sprawling out all over the shop. All are putrefied.
“Oh! God.”
On the floor, among the meet, I find a dead body. I can say that he is a butcher by his costume. It seems that he was dead a few days longer, his eyes were bulged as like a prawn and around his nose, fingers and ears are blackish rotten. His skin is pinkish as like the dead woman in the Main Street, and then his body is putrefied as like his meat.
I run out of the shop, and vomit. Thanks God, it is normal color. Suddenly, rain starts falling.
And finally, I return to the home gloomily.
It is the worst time of Philadelphia.
Everyone fled. The dusts followed behind the carts were overwhelming the city. Even many people were crowded for moving, unlike old days, no sound was out. Almost Philadelphians wore the disgusted looks, silently packed their things and moved.
Even George Washington, the president of the United States and some of the state men fled away from the city like other thousands of Philadelphians.
A pauper, hero and thief (2)
ReplyDeleteThe paupers were hopeless.
Unrestrainedly, some were trying to find a way to get out of the town by asking their rich friends who prepared to leave their own farm houses or other towns. Especially, parents were worried and asked for the children to the rich to bring them away. But only a few of them got the rooms. They were lucky to survive.
I was one of them, my old man, my employer gave me a chance to leave with his family to his country home, even he had an inkling about the relation between his niece Mary and me. ႊ
That was a great chance for me, not only a chance to avoid the plague but also a chance to be closed to my girlfriend, maybe a chance for my future too.
In reality, the old man accepted me, only because he had no choice, because of Mary, she obliged him by denying to go without me.
Anyhow, We were very happy for that, also the old man seems finding a solace for his right decision, but until I met Dr. Rush.
“Good, I'm glad for you, John.”
He said at first when I told him that I was permitted to leave with Mary by the old man. And then,
“But I want to say one thing, John. Arr, I don't want to disturb your happiness really, but you should consider something, I think. A few years ago, we fought against the British for this land including this town Philadelphia, but now we left her. I hope that you remember all the young men of the town died in the revolution, same age of you, they died for this land, this town, John.
As for me, I feel myself unfaithful to leave the town.”
“ But... b..u. t. . this is very different. . .”
Dr. Rush raised his hand to stop my words and continued his conversation. He didn't give me any complaint.
“I understand you, John. Yes, I knew this is different, but how could we deny? We have to face whatever it is, sometimes it may be war, sometimes disease and sometimes disaster. Whatever it is, we have to face, we have to protect. Plague is like a fierce war, in Black Death, Europe lost 35% of his people.
But some of leaving alive did protect and reconstruct their own countries. That is. Only thing I would like to say you is that the land is not for burial only, John. As you know, we are still fighting against it, Just a few people, a fistful of people are still fighting for this, we need hands, we need many hands especially like your age, young men.
But . . .all leave the town. I am very disappointed for that.
I am not trying to blame you, John. I understand you, this situation is very tough even the president fled. I am shame on that. But I want to say about the mayor, Do you know the mayor?”
“You mean Mr. Clarkson?”
“Yes, very true, Mr. Matthew Clarkson. He decided to stay, John. How do you think? He is 60 years old, rich, owns a New York home, already contributed so much money for the revolution, even he decided leave the town, no one dare to blame him, but he decided to stay.”
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteA pauper, hero and thief (3)
ReplyDeleteAfter leaving him, I felt lost and complicated what should I do, what I need to do and what I really want to do.
“Don't be ridiculous, John. This is a live and death matter. Don't want to be hero? Death never give you a second chance. And also you should think how I fought to get this chance. This is our chance, for our future, don't you understand?”
Tear in her pretty eyes, trembling with sadness and shock.
“I know, Mary, I really know, but I think. . I think that I will never forgive myself in my entire life if I leave like that, please understand me, darling.”
Pain turned to bitterness, love changed to hate. She piercingly looked at me and turned and run away.
By seeing behind her, I felt that was the last of us, she will never return to me. All the dreams I had a few days ago were wiped out. I was hopeless. But something occurred that I never expected.
The old man came to me before they left and said,
“If you chose to leave with us, even I had no choice to deny for my niece's sake, I'd decided to separate
two of you as possible as I can, because I looked down you as an opportunist, John. But your last decision changed my mind, you are a brave, honorable and responsible gentleman. I promise you that when we come back, if you passed this situation, I've decided you to marry with my niece.”
I don't know what will be, for the good or for the bad, but I have to survive. I need to. Not only for surviving, for my responsibility, my love, and every chance I can get. But death is only thing everywhere of the town.
When I arrive my home, one of my neighbors was brought away by plague. I just saw his body carried by three black men on the way, and on the cart, full of bodies were.
The sobbing of his wife and children are appearing behind the door of a cross drawing. I feel death approaching me. How long the vinegar soaked mask can prevent me from the disease, from the death?
As usual, flies and mosquitoes are dominating the room. I hate those creatures. By laying all the fear and hate on them, I've decided to do something on my last days. Attacking them, nothing I have to do on these days, maybe my last days, I've decided to attack those mosquitoes and flies, the creatures the most I hate.
I bring the straws from the stable and lit to get the smoke. And, wipe out the bloodshed of the room by vinegar soaked rags. I lit some whale bones as the flambeau. Now, my room is shinning and empty of mosquitoes and flies, with the full of smell of vinegar.
After finished everything, tiredly, I lay on a working table beside a skeleton of a whale, and fall in sleep.
This may be the first night fallen asleep I've ever had.
John Warner
George Washington
ReplyDeleteAugust 25th, 1793
I'm worried about this illnes. A lot of citizens are dying everyday. People it's confused and they don't know what to do. Even the doctors aren't sure what it is. Those who have a place to go are living the city. It seem that the country air is clean from this sicknes, and a very smart choice to take at this moment. As a president of this new nation is importan be there for my people, I can't do that if I'm death. I'm preoccupied for my wife Martha, I don't want that nothing happen to her. I'm going to pack my most necesary objets and we are moving to our country house where I can still caring for my people and be away of this fever.
sea captain, William Watson
ReplyDeleteSunday, August25, 1793
The weather was still very sweltering today. My ship was stayed far away from the Philadelphia and on mildle of the ocean, because at least here had some sea breeze and fresh air to reduce the heat.
Many people were fleaing Philadelphia, and it made the circumstance seemed very terrifying. I couldn't leave, but luckely I didn't need to stay in the city either. The news of the disease and the consequences terrified me. I wish they were just some rumors......Also I was so glad that my family didn't live here, because in this condition--to live here resembled nextdoor of the death.
However, I was so impressed by our mayor's decision. I thought he is a boldly men. He had many reasons to shun this situation but he didn't. The nortality rate didn't vary his determination of helping his folks to overcome the desease.
Best wishes for everyone.
Margaret Watson. Milliner. 24 y.o.
ReplyDeleteMore and more people started to flee sick Philadelphia. Disease was spreading around the city and the atmosphere became gloomy and disheartening. Everyday carts, wagons and coaches squeaked on the roads. I saw this picture through my dirty window and grim thoughts came to my mind.
Most of my clients already left, but I have a dilemma. Do I need to follow them and leave as soon as possible or just stay and try to survive in my “yellow” city? Honestly, I have no place to go and nobody who will welcome me for a short period of time. Unfortunately, I did not save enough money last year, so I cannot afford a hotel or rent a house. Probably I will stay here and hope God will help me to survive.
I will follow helpful suggestions, which doctors and our Mayor announced. First of all I will avoid infected people – it’s easy. Secondly, limit the intake of beer and wine. Hmm, I think, I can live without it for a while. And last, I think, the most difficult for me was sprinkling strong-smelling substances, such as vinegar and holding it to my nose to ward off the fever. Doctors told me that these remedies can purify the air around you. Oh, I forget, garlic. I have to put garlic everywhere – my shoes, pockets and chew it almost the whole day.
In spite of all preparations and treatment people continued to die. There were so many victims during this time, that our Mayor made a recommendation to stop tolling the bells. He didn’t want to spread panic around. But it did not help…
on August 25,many people are fleeing Philadelphia .The city was abandoned ,and lots of families took their clothes and some furniture and transported to other place.
ReplyDeleteMY family and I were extremely affraid since a epidemic killed a huge number of our neibors . We tried hard to keep ourselves calm ,but a panic could not leave us easly , so we decided to feel to a farm where my parents live and where they tought me how to chop in a forest.
That bad epidomic visited almost every house in the city , and we heard a terrible rumors about it. someone told me that a bad air could enter and kill people eventhough all windowes and doors are closed. someone elese told me that he saw a black smoke came out from a cemetery . At this point we could not wait a minute , so we rented a waggon and paid all the money that we have to her owner , and we went to the farm where my family members were waiting for any news about us.
no body knows how long should we stay outside the city ,but i was sure that when i could go back to my city i would not find lots of my freinds and relatives alive.
Thomas Waters
ReplyDeleteAugust 25, 1793
The city lives in total chaos! Many people have begun to leave the city because of the propagation of that terrible fever that is punishing the inhabitants. Those for whom poverty is not a problem are the only ones able to escape from this threat. They ranks range from lawyers and ministers to bankers and shop owners. All of them are wealthy people who have a place to go. I am part of the rest, those who are condemned to remain in the city; I am not one of those lucky people. I have no place to go, or friends who are farmers, to be able to escape to the countryside. It seems that poverty is a sin punishable by God.
Each day, wild news invades the city with new rumors about more deaths. The fever is everywhere and the number of sick people is increasing rapidly. I am really scared about the situation and do not know how many days can pass before I fall sick. I do not want even to get close to another person for fear of contagion. Now that a huge number of people have fled the city, whole neighborhoods can be seen depleted of souls. The city is surrounded by a great pestilence. People prefer to remain in their homes, and the streets are emptier every day.
God has unleashed all its fury against us! I do not know how to face that. I do not even know if it is possible. There is no way to protect myself from this curse that the church has been prophesying months ago. I can only pray and hope for the Lord’s mercy and that this sinner city is forgiven and spared.
ReplyDeleteSunday, August 25
Mr. Warren is standing. Today is Sunday, August 25, and many people are fleeing the city because of the disease. They are carrying their belongings in carts, wagons, coaches, and chairs. They are leaving in every direction, looking for the countryside. But not everyone is fleeing. Some like servants have to stay because they must protect the rest of their employers’ belongings.
Here are not too many probabilities to survive, but for those who do not have the possibility to go out to the countryside, this is the best place to stay and live, or the only place to die. Some of us can’t leave because we are slaves, we are from another country and do not have anyone else waiting for us in other place, or simply because we are too poor and do not want to leave our jobs that are the font of our lives.
We still have hope. Famous and prestigious doctors have come to the city. They are working together to solve the problem. They are trying to find out the causes of the disease and a cure for it. But from now they just have given us some recommendations to prevent and be safe from any sickness. In this indications we can find ones like “wear a handkerchief sprinkled with vinegar” to purify the air the air that we breathe, and others like “stay away from anyone with the fever” which I think that could be a really good one. These indications have been abided for everybody, even if they are not really helpful.
In desperation, people are trying everything, any kind of folk remedies. Some have closed their doors and stayed inside of their house to avoid the disease also.
The mayor of the city Matthew Clarkson stayed, he stayed with his people, like a captain in a ship with his crew. He is doing all he can to stop the disease now called for some yellow Fever. However people still dying, the disease continues accelerating the clock to a lot of people, and with it their time to meet their maker. It is sad; the number of deaths is increasing every day. The streets are totally empty, just the stench circulates its length. This city could be now called “The Ghost Town”.
Anything is right. The only place that is working as normal is the church, or maybe it is working too much. We will try to survive; we will try anything to stay alive. I will also close my home doors to avoid any possibility to get the disease, waiting for a cure and hoping that the life continues.
by James Warren
Christian Flores.
DeleteMarch 19th 2013
Journal Entry for Sunday, August 25th
Is already august 25th, the epidemic is getting worse and worse. The disease is already spread all over the city. Doctors and some influences people in the city are giving ads about to leave the city or recommendations to try to avoid the disease. There are many guesses and ideas that we don’t know if they are true or not. The point is that people continue dying.
Dr. Rush says that people have to leave the city because otherwise, people will continue dying. Hundreds exited Philadelphia on the rain swept Sunday. More left in the day follow, as Dr. Rush’s advice to “Fly from it “. People leave the big city in huge amounts, looking for fresh air in somewhere in the country.
All of us wanted to leave, but not all of us could. People who have the enough money to move, and start another life in another place. But others like me stayed and we have to fight until we can. Poor people like me don’t have place to go and we don’t enough money to move on.
The city looks weird. Lonely streets, abandoned houses, quiet and silent neighborhoods. It looks like the city ghost and that everything is completely lost.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteLinda Nguyen
ReplyDeleteSanday, August25
Church Bells Tolling
Sunday, August25. The spread of the disease all around the city, makes me very nervious.
Seeing more and more people leave the city everyday is so sad and despress.Recently I have heard people rumor about the disease and the rumors are the disease will destroy the city and kill everyone.lately I have been worry for many things and have a conflict.
My conflic is I want to leave the city, but in my mind sometimes tell me I shuold stay. But if I stay will I be able to stay ago from the disease,and survive till the disease over.
Today I see more people in my neighborhood get contracted with the disease.So i know I have to make a decision as soon as possiple. However, before I make any decision I want to take a walk around the city. on my way I can see the city is completely differnt with a week before.Before the city was extremely busy and crowded even days or nights.Now the city is scary quiet and ominous feeling.
The church bells tolling makes me fell solemn and isolated.I can leave like this anymore i have to leave the city. I have a friend, who lives in New York. I will send her a letter to let her know I will move to New York soon.
My name is Jeffe Waterman, I am a schoolmaster. Today is Sunday, August 25,1793.
ReplyDeleteI see that many people are fleeing Philadelphia, because the fever is everywhere.They packed clothes in the bags, shuttered the windows and locked the doors of their houses.
Many people stayed home,because they are poor and had no place to go.
Very few people chose to stay in the city, because they felt a sense of duty to their city.
I am one of those few, who decided to stay in the city, because I supposed to be a symbolic head for my students and people in my neighborhood.
What will be with the city when all people go out? Who will protect the city from this terrible disease? Every school in town is closed. Since the panic has began, I got a new job - to defend, guard and stand up for my city against the yellow fever.
I think that foul smelling air over all summer caused this fever. I already started to sprinkle my room with vinegar to kill the fever.
My name is Samuel Wayne, I am a house carpenter here in Philadelphia, I'm getting worry about this terrible disease which is killing a lot of people. Many people is escaping from Philadelphia to the countryside, and I'm not the exception, I also want to flee Philadelphia because I'm scared that probably I can get sick and die.
ReplyDeleteThe yellow fever is everywhere in this city, people on the streets whispering rumors about people dying everyday, the chaos in Philadelphia is inevitable. There are some people doing recommendations to get rid of the terryble disease like, clean up the streets as soon as possible and set up hospitals for the victims of yellow fever.
The doctor recommended to all the people to wear a handkerchief with vinegar over the nose to get protected from the yellow fever.
I'm scared and I will do the necessary to go out safe to the countryside without get contagious. There is a doctor called Benjamin Duffield, he gave to the people his own recommendations and published them on the newspapers of the city for all to read. He suggested to take frequently warm showers and inhaling finely ground black pepper. This city already became a city in panic, I feel bad for all the people who already lose their family members.
August 25th 1793
ReplyDeleteIncreasing number of residents is running from this city. House and house abandoned by people. In my neighborhood, I can badly found a house is not empty. People whom stayed here are talking and gossiping of the yellow fever. The rumor is getting worse. The whole city is shroud by the panic epidemic. It’s like a dark gray cloud follows all of us. It made me could not even dare to breath, because the condition of the air is deathly. The fear of the death speared out to the whole city. Those people who have house in countryside or who have relatives or friends live there are moving out of this place chastely.
As for me, I have a distance that may be able to help me. She lives in Fox, which is a small town near here. However, the maid I have sent to comfort hasn’t back yet. Therefore I have to stay few days longer to wait for the message. I am terrified, my husband dead years age and my own family aren’t here. They live in Baltimore, Maryland which is far from this place. After my husband’s funeral, his family moved to New York, so nobody could look after me. That meant I need to take care myself in this situation.
I heard Mayor Clarkson will stay in city. That is very selfless, especially his wife has that fever and his son dead of it. I can’t imagine how he would even deal with it. I hope wife would be better soon.
For self-protection, I went out bought a lot of stuffs. In order of this situation, I didn’t buy anything that too easy to rot. I also bought a lot of vinegar. Like doctors suggested, I will put pertly vinegar on handkerchiefs and hold to nose and avoid fatigue. I have to take care myself extremely careful.
In the noon, I heard a very loud voice. I realized that was the gunpowder to purity the virus of the air.
I hope I will serve this disaster and it will be cured soon.
May God bless everyone!