Fever and fever scare: 1899

 

FEVER  AND FEVER SCARE

Despite false reports coming from the South, yellow fever has not been seen yet, as certain safety measures are being taken to slow the spread. Areas in the South where panic has prevailed, health officials have worked diligently to combat the disease and regain the confident of the citizens.

The widespread rumors concerning yellow fever which has caused many people stress and concern have been debunked as a result of developing technologies including the telegraph and railroad, which would not have been possible even ten years ago. Health officials have determined Ocean Springs is not the source of this disease, although wild accusations persist.

Mass hysteria has been greatest in the least affected areas in the country, while subsiding in areas such as New Orleans and Mobile. Citizens are being encouraged to remain calm and continue practicing precautionary measures. These steps will help in slowing the spread of disease and allow businesses to safely reopen.

~Eva Albert

Ostrich Attempts Suicide at Lincoln Park Zoo, 1899

 

Ostrich Bent on Suicide 

A Chicago Zookeeper Now Accounts For Its Escape 

Special to The New York Times 

Lincoln Park turned into the Sahara Desert for nearly an hour earlier Sunday when zoo employees 

pursued a rogue ostrich, transforming the land bird into a waterfowl when it jumped from the park bridge.  

First among the many reasons for the suicide theory was the fact that the bird had ended the chase that baffled its pursuers by taking a flying leap from the high bridge across the lagoon into the calm waters where so many suicidal souls have met their goal. True, there were many who claimed that the ostrich was driven to make the jump by the band of intensely focused hunters which De Vry had headed out of the recesses of the Zoo. But De Vry had some very good reasons for the belief that was in him. 

“No,” he said, with mournful emphasis, “It was clearly an attempt at suicide, and there is no doubt about it” 

 

“You see, ostrich’s husband died on its way to our Zoo and she has shown signs of depression ever since.  My suspicions were confirmed when the ostrich took the plunge.” 

 

According to police records, there have been over 15 confirmed attempted suicides from the Lincoln Bridge since its inauguration, thus dubbing it, the “suicide bridge” 

The ostrich is expected to fully recover from its injuries. 

~Kavan O'Neil