Serving the Tri-state region of Eastern Kentucky, Southern Ohio and Western West Virginia
It is strange that a false report seems to get along so fast, but it is according to the old adage, that a lie travels so much faster than the truth, that the truth seldom overtakes it. We learned that most wonderful reports have circulated throughout the county in relation to the ravages of the cholera in Huntington. we believe it to be the duty of a newspaper to give strictly correct report of all such things and have endeavored to do so in this paper. We now repeat that there has been at most, not more than 4 or 5 deaths in the last two months of white adults in this place, that we heard of, and two or three adult Negroes. There have been also, several deaths of children. We give below an accurate account which we guarantee personally to be exact and entire. We take the list from the books of the only undertaker in town, who has buried all who have died:
June 23, man at Round House
July 1st Mr. Donella
2nd Mrs. Jones
7th Mrs. Cowan
24th Mrs. Knepper
June 23rd colored man from Greenup
July 1st colored woman
6th colored woman
During the same time there have been nine children, all but three of whom were under two years of age, and most of them under one year.
This shows not only do we not have an epidemic here, but the city is remarkably healthy. It shows that in a population of about 2,500, there have been, including infants, in the most sickly parts of the year, only 17 deaths of whom but 6 were over 3 years of age.
One of the deaths was a lady over 60 years old, who had been a sufferer for many months and who death had been expected several times. We repeat, that this account is accurate and full. We personally vouch for its truth.
One of the Negroes who died came here sick have being a party who ate a pig, down on the railroad near Grayson, all of whom (9) were said to have died. One of the colored woman died of a lingering illness, having been sick several months. We condense the above in hope that the papers that have spread rumors of sickness, will give it place.
Deaths in June
1 white and 1 colored adults 2 white and 1 colored child.
Deaths in July
4 white and 2 colored adults 6 white and 1 colored child. Five of the children were infants under 12 months.
Source: Huntington Independent August 7, 1873
Reprinted in the KYOWVA Newsletter, Winter 2001 Edition - Volume
XXIV, No 4, Page 13