March to July 1895

The first case of smallpox in Poplin was on March 14, 1895 when George Adsitt fell ill (as did his 9 year old daughter).  Dr. Baker of Ash Hill was the first area physician to recognize that it was smallpox. Most that heard of Baker’s diagnosis doubted his opinion and on April 14 the Butler County Court and the Board of Health of Poplar Bluff asked Dr. George Admas to travel to Poplin and investigate the recent outbreak of several sick individuals.  Adams confirmed that it was indeed smallpox. On April 20 Poplin was put under strict quarantine. A “pest house” was organized with supplies and cots for the sick. The third case was Mollie Tilley, she died from the illness. John Spragin then caught it, he traveled home to Lotta, Missouri where fifteen cases of smallpox soon sprang up.  Spragin died from it. Next a Mr. Campbell died from smallpox. Mr. Brewster who ate dinner with Mr. Adsitt (before he realized he had smallpox) then traveled to his home in Acorn Ridge, which resulted in thirty cases of smallpox in that community. Poplin eventually had a total of fifty-four cases housed in the “pest house,” eleven died while there. The founder of nearby Fisk, Samuel Fisk, contracted smallpox and survived.  
June 13, 1895 (PB Citizen) - Mr. Pearce who works in Poplin left for Neelyville to see his wife, he avoided Poplar Bluff because those from Poplin are under quarantine.  When he arrived in Neelyville, there was much excitement and he was arrested and returned to Poplin.

On July 3, 1895 the "pest house" and all of its contents were burned to the ground signaling an end to the smallpox epidemic in Stoddard and Butler counties.