This amusing little paragraph in the New Orleans Daily Delta, October 26, 1853 shows just how frightened locals were of the yellow fever scourge!
FENCING OUT YELLOW FEVER. – The Farmersville Enquirer has the following notice of the efficiency of the town council of that flourishing village, in their measures for keeping out the yellow fever:
“Quarantine. – Our citizens were somewhat surprised and excited on Wednesday last, at hearing that the yellow fever was in Monroe, and at night our village was placed in a state of quarantine, by fencing up the principal thoroughfares and by-ways leading into the village. We know not who caused this to be done, whether it was done by some of the b’hoys for a spree, or by an acto of the town council. If by the b’hoys, we will let it pass, for they will have their frolics ; and if by the town council, we will bow in submission, as it is their first act since they have been in office.”