From the August 2, 2012, Wilmington (NC) Star-News "Historic yellow fever attack led to 'agon-loads of corpses" by Jim Ware.
In the accompanying photo, Dave Rice is examining the headstone of Elizabeth Day at Oakdale Cemetery in Wilmington "Born Oct. 15th, 1830. Died of Yellow Fever Oct. 15,1862. Aged 32 years."
On August 6, 1862, the blockade-runner Kate docked at 2 PM in Wilmington after a voyage from Nassau through the blockade. Along with its valuable cargo, it also brought, many believe, the dreaded yellow fever. It didn't remain long and left carrying a load of cotton and other goods.
Much of this account comes from the memoir of the Rev. John L. Pritchard, pastor of the First Baptist Church in town.
At first, yellow fever was not acknowledged by physicians or suspected by the people until the end of August. They simple believed it could not happen at Wilmington.
The first death attributed to it was 36-year-old, German-born wood and coal dealer Lewis Swartzman, who died Sept. 9th. He had a business near the Kate's wharf at the foot of Market Street.
James Sprunt said his family physician told him to move his family to the country.
It Can't Happen Here. --Old B-R'er
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