THE SMALL POX
Fayetteville Observer, March 10, 1836

Myrtle Bridges   November 18, 2009

We regret to learn that this loathsome disease has broken out in Marlboro' District, S.C., between Cheraw and Rockingham, N.C., 
about equi-distant from both places. It was carried to that neighborhood by some wagoners from Ashe County, one of whom died 
there, as stated in our last. There have been, so far, seven or eight cases, and one death (a child.)

Measures ought immediately to be taken to vaccinate all persons who have heretofore neglected that effectual precaution.

At Cheraw, strong measures have been adopted to guard against the introduction of the disease. A Board of Health has been 
appointed, a guard placed at the bridge, etc.

In Ashe County, at the last accounts, about 40 or 50 cases prevailed, and there had been two more deaths. The disease has 
made its appearance in Wilkes and Iredell counties also.

On March 22, 1836, a newspaper article in the Cheraw Gazette reads, "At his residence at Green Pond, near the Cheraw Road, 
Richmond County, NC on the night of the 17th, dying from small pox, Alexander Smith, leaving a widow and several small children." 
Other accounts relate this tragic death to three wagoners from the high country who were passing through when one of them became ill 
with small pox. He was taken in and nursed by the Smith family, and soon died, but not before passing the dreaded disease on to Alexander 
Smith. Just 2 days before Alexander's death Elizabeth had given birth to a son and apparently in memory of her late husband she named 
this infant Alexander. Alexander Smith is buried Tabernacle Church Cemetery, Ghio, NC
Source: Effie Pernell [mailto:pernelli@centurylink.net] January 2, 2011

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