More from Dr. Newman’s Ledger: The stories of real people

 Orphan By Robert J. Higgins

While doing research for The Seer and the Scholar, I transcribed Dr. James. Newman’s cholera ledger at the Buffalo History Museum.*  This ledger documents all of the cases of cholera that were treated in the city of Buffalo, New York during the epidemic of 1854. I think the most compelling parts of this record are the physician remarks.  Sadly, there were not comments for every patient, but there are a few worth sharing because they inspired characters in the story. 

The Suhn family has occupied my thoughts for a while.  Mrs. Suhn was found on July 1, 1854 at 11 a.m.  She was “confined with her stillborn child on the morning of the attack” [of cholera].  She died on July 2 at 5:30 p.m.  Her two year old daughter was taken to the hospital on July 1 at 7 p.m. and died the following morning at 5 a.m.  The physician recorded “had no medical treatment” for this child.  Mr. Suhn was taken to the hospital on July 3, no time was noted, however; he passed away the following morning.  There was no mention of any other surviving family members.  An entire family lost their battle with cholera in a matter of just a few days.

Mrs. Wilcox collapsed on July 4^th and died later that evening.  Mr. Wilcox also collapsed on the morning of July 4^th, but died the following afternoon.  The physician made the following remarks with regard to Mr. Wilcox: “His wife died yesterday from cholera- has been drinking for several days.”  Had Mr. Wilcox been drinking because his wife was near death?  Did his drinking contribute to his own death?  The record does not say.

Of all of the remarks I have read, those pertaining to young Mr. Crim provide stunning insight into the early nineteenth century American experience.  “Is a poor orphan begging his way to his grandparents in Cayuga Co.  Slept last night in a stable.  Found by police-sent to hospital.”  So, at the age of 12, this child lost his parents and set out from Detroit, Michigan, likely on foot, to find his family in New York only to be stricken by cholera upon his arrival.  What is even more compelling about this young man’s story is that he apparently survived the disease as there was no date of death recorded.  Did he make it to his grandparents?  The record does not say.

As a writer I feel it is important to tell these stories.  With a bit more research, some common sense and a healthy dose of humanity, I can fill in the gaps and create some realistic and inspiring characters for the third book in the Orphans and Inmates series.  For example, what were those hours in the cholera hospital like for the young Suhn child?  Was she separated from her mother?  Was she afraid?  Was she at peace when she passed?

What if Mr. Wilcox’s bender started because he feared losing the love of his life?  Perhaps there is a back story there about her inability to bear children.  The couple may have grown closer together after a number of miscarriages and stillbirths, knowing only the other could truly understand their devastation.  The loss of his wife may have represented a loneliness that Mr. Wilcox simply could not tolerate.  In his drunken stupor, he may not have even noticed the onset of his own symptoms.  In death he was finally reunited with his beloved wife and children.

There may have been a happy ending to young Mr. Crim’s saga.  Perhaps while he was recovering at the Cholera Hospital word was sent to his grandparents that he was in Buffalo and would be released soon.  They may have been grateful for his arrival, being no longer able to manage many of their daily activities due to their advanced age.  What if the arrival of their strapping young grandson actually resulted in keeping them out the poorhouse?

There are other stories to be told from Dr. Newman’s ledger.  Some tell the tale of the tireless work of many physicians, and the staggering number of new patients admitted every day as the epidemic raged through the city of Buffalo.  The ledger also documents the end of life for hundreds of people, some horrific and others peaceful.  All of these facts that were carefully recorded by the physicians have been woven together to create a fictional account of a fascinating part of early American history.

*Dr. James. Newman’s cholera ledger at the Buffalo History Museum http://www.worldcat.org/title/cholera-record-1854-june-21-oct-27/oclc/53904321