The Watchman And Southron

SMALLPOX IN SUMTER.

There is Only One Case and That is Strictly Quarantined.

Owing to false reports being circulated, within and without the city of Sumter, in regard to the number of cases of smallpox here, some persons even going so far as to say that they heard there were 40 cases in Sumter, a reporter of the Daily Item investigated and is officially informed that there is only one case in the city.

This case is an insurance agent who solicits sick benefit insurance from house to house, mostly among negroes, and who goes out in the country soliciting business. It has been proven beyond doubt, by official investigation, that he contracted the disease outside of Sumter.

This case is closely quarantined, and there is no fear of any other cases from the one now under quarantine.

The police and sanitary committee of city council, the city recorder, health officer and the police force, are going to rigidly enforce the State and city compulsory vaccination laws.

Transient soliciting agents, insurance agents, peddlers, book agents and all other people who are going around the State unvaccinated, and are liable to come in contact with smallpox in the country, or in other towns, and who, if they contract this disease are always taken down in a hotel or boarding house, are going to be arrested if caught in Sumter unvaccinated. One hundred dollars, or 30 days, is the least fine and imprisonment, if convicted before a magistrate under the State laws, and $20 or 30 days imprisonment is the least penalty under the city ordinance, if convicted. All citizens of South Carolina, whether in incorporated towns or in the rural districts, are required by law to be successfully vaccinated every six years, and parents, guardians, or trustees are held responsible for unvaccinated minors under their care or protection.