On September 13th, the Wilmington Daily Journal noted that the weather was warm and mosquitoes numerous (of course, people didn't know the mosquito connection until 900 when Major Walter Reed discovered the connection).
Also, on the 13th, Wilmington physicians met and determined there indeed was a yellow fever epidemic. Dozens of cases were reported that same day. Many families began leaving town. Soon, some 6,000 of the city's 10,000 residents were gone.
Dr. James H. Dickson was the first physician to report the disease: "Since Tuesday the 9th I have seen five cases of the disease. Of those two have died, one is discharged as convalescent and two are still under treatment with doubtful prospects." His letter was printed in the September 16th Daily Journal.
The wealthy Bellamy family left town under advice of Dr. Dickson, who came down with the disease himself on September 24th.
John H. Bellamy later wrote, "I recollect well, having stood at our home on Market and Fifth Streets, watching wagon-loads of corpses go by to Oakdale Cemetery,of those who had died of the malignant disease."
More to Come. --Old B-Runner
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