Typhoid

National Library of Medicine.

Starting in 1914 and continuing into 1916, Clark County, Illinois, home of the Wabash Valley Tapscotts, experienced outbreaks of typhoid fever. Infected milk was blamed, as was contaminated well water. Better sanitation and avoidance of flies was urged. Dr. Lord, who had an office on Marshall’s Main Street, listed typhoid among the diseases that would “yield quickly” to his nonmedicinal treatments. But despite studies, and sanitation, and treatments, typhoid took Clark County citizens, with children, particularly those in rural areas, being the most vulnerable.

Of the fourteen children of Cora Isabelle (Tapscott) and Richard Morgan Sweet. two were twins, Ruth Isabelle and Ruby Sweet. Born 2 Jul 1901, the girls grew up during the typhoid outbreaks, in Martinsville Township, on a farm, where the greatest dangers lay. Ruth was spared. Ruby was not. She suffered for three weeks, but finally succumbed on 30 Sep 1916 at the age of 15, and was buried in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery.