MyIndianaHome.net

Courtesy of Robert W. Scott.

This account from the Vevay Reveille, Thursday, Nov. 20, 1877 gives a body count of those who died in Mt. Sterling during the cholera epidemic.

The Cholera in Mt. Sterling in 1850

It will be remembered by our older citizens that in 1850 the cholera prevailed to an unprecedented extent in Mt Sterling in this country. Seventeen persons died in a population of less than one hundred. We are permitted to publish the following extract from the journal of Dr J. W. Murphy who was practicing in Mt. Sterling at that time

“On the 6th day of July, A. D. 1850, the Asiatic cholera commenced its ravages in this place. Mrs. Gibson was the first subject. She died on the 7th, having survived just about 72 hours.
Mr. John Stapleton was attacked on the 12th, and died in 10 1/2 hours.
Israel Gibson on the 13thh died in 8 hours.
Mrs. Margaret Redd on the 15th died in 11 hours.
Samuel McMackin on the 13th: died in eight hours.
This day was excessively warm and dry though the day previous the atmosphere was very dense with heavy flog in the morning.
Fletcher Valentine died on the 16th disease doubtful
Sarah Gibson died on the 16th in 30 hours
Mrs. Havens died on the 16th in 20 hours.
Robert Gibson died on the 16th in 20 hours.
Mrs. Marsh died on the 16th in 30 hours
Today was the same as yesterday, warm & c.
Mary Jackson, died on the 17th in 17 hours.
Daniel Doan died on 22d, in 30 hours.
Oliver Gibson died on the 23d in 8 days.
24th—The weather now very hot and oppressive, with an occasional breeze and flying clouds. No new Cases now for three days.
28th—Christine Banta was taken this Morning at 8 or 9 o’clock and died in 7 or 8 hours.
26th.—Today at 10 minutes before 12 o’clock John H. Cotton expired—died of congestion of the brain. He was attacked by cholera on the 18th at 10 p.m. The struggle was hard.
27hI—Mrs. Hannah Carlon was attacked today at 2 o clock and at 5 P.M. she died. In this case, as many others, the disease was of a very malignant character.”