(1877)  Typhoid Fever 

Imagine downtown Fairfield in 1877, with a few businesses around the courthouse.  Horse and buggies travel the dusty streets making their way to the bank or to the dry goods store.  The Civil war has ended; the United States has begun to heal.  

Everyone around Fairfield knew young Fred Fleming.  He was a friendly, kind-hearted, gentle, unassuming boy.  He could be spotted around Fairfield helping to load a wagon, or running an errand for the law office.    

The townspeople noticed when Fred wasn’t around.  Fear gripped the hearts of those who knew him best, as the words were painfully passed from lip to lip, “Fred is sick.”   Bedridden for going on two weeks, his parlor ghastly yellow, and his gut wracked with pain. 

Fred Fleming died of typhoid fever.  He was only 17 years old.  His obituary began; Honest, respected, noble Fred, is no more, our little town is plunged into grief, and no one can take his place. 

Typhoid fever was a fatal disease that frightened many during the 1800s.      

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