48 TEQUESTA


 Believing that depopulation of the city was a quick way to stem
the epidemic, Porter, with the approval of the railroad, offered through-
ticket transportation to Hendersonville, North Carolina, which had
agreed to accept refugees. Escape to the mountains was a time-
honored method in fighting yellow fever. Porter's offer was contin-
gent on at least forty fares being in hand by October 24, because the
connecting lines north of the Florida border would not accept less
than this number. Although the fare was only $24.50, not enough
applicants came forth."
 In late October, new cases began to spring up in all quarters of
the city. The number mounted daily, with as many as eight new
cases on several days. J. K. Dorn, who made rounds with Jackson,
posted the names of new cases, as well as deaths, each day on a
blackboard outside Townley Brothers Drug Store. As the cases
mounted, so did the deaths. Edwin Nelson, the furniture store owner
who sold coffins as a sideline, was frequently seen riding with "White
Horse Douglas" who owned and drove the dead-wagon. Some par-
ents were so devastated by the scourge that there was no one to look
after the needs of their children. To manage this problem the Miami
Relief Association, the United Way of that era, opened a home
specifically for the care of these children until their parents were
sufficiently recovered."

 Detention Camps Established

 On October 27, Camp Francis P. Fleming was established "about
where the Rickenbacker Causeway is today."35 The detention camp


camp for yellow fever patients. (Florida State Archives)