According to Milo Erwin’s history of Williamson County, “The cholera made its first appearance in July 1849, but caused only a few deaths. It re-appeared in 1866, and lasted for six weeks, during which over twenty five persons were taken away, and the city of Marion vacated. Among the deceased were the three beautiful Ferguson girls, ladies without parallel in all the arena of beauty and refinement.”
The population of Marion in these days would have been about 950 people.
The story goes that in the summer of 1866, H.C. Hopper attended a political meeting in Cairo, Illinois. When he returned home he became ill. His illness was diagnosed as cholera which became epidemic and claimed the lives of many people, including Hopper and his 19 year old wife Nancy. The broken gravestones at the old Aikman Cemetery record their deaths on the same day, August 22, 1866.
A story reported in the 1905 Souvenir History recalls the story of Mrs. John M. Cunningham, mother-in-law of John A. Logan and mother of his wife Mary (Cunningham) Logan. “In 1866 an epidemic of cholera visited Marion and Mrs. Cunningham was among the victims. With her usual courage she had responded to the call of the first who were attacked and died in a few hours. Returning home after working over those who died, she disclaimed any fear of the disease, but admitted she was very tired.
People of Marion fled town until it was almost depopulated. She talked the matter over with her husband until nine o’clock that night. She insisted she would not leave home or undertake to run away from the disease and perhaps expose others if any of her family should have it, she thought it best to stay at home.
At midnight she awakened with the first throes of real Asiatic cholera and at six A.M. she was dead. With her death went out all the hopes and ambition of Capt. Cunningham.”
According to Wikipedia,” Cholera is an infection of the small intestine caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. The main symptoms are watery diarrhea and vomiting. Transmission occurs primarily by drinking water or eating food that has been contaminated by the feces (waste product) of an infected person, including one with no apparent symptoms. The severity of the diarrhea and vomiting can lead to rapid dehydration and electrolyte imbalance, and death in some cases. The primary treatment is oral rehydration therapy, typically with oral rehydration solution, to replace water and electrolytes.”
Milo Erwin in 1875 also noted, “The small-pox has visited this county on several occasions, but never resulting in many deaths until 1873, when a good many died in the south side of the county. The mortality rate in this county, on a basis of population of 23,000 is three per cent.”
Sam’s Notes: The Aikman Cemetery is the old Marion Cemetery that was originally an Aikman family plot and ended up being used by many early Marion citizens until Rose Hill Cemetery was created. It is located just west of N. Court Street on the south side of the Crab Orchard and Egyptian Railroad tracks.
(Data extracted from Milo Erwin’s History of Williamson County, 1875; 1905 Souvenir History; Wikipedia; compiled by Sam Lattuca on 09/16/2013)