I found this in a write up about Burris City. Many residents left Burris City after the flood, then epidemics of cholera and/or yellow fever struck in 1858 and 1859 killing many of the remaining residents. They were buried in a single unmarked grave at Mallory Cemetery also known as Bronsons's Cemetery on the bluff. A second flood struck in 1859 - that and the demise of the ill-fated Airline Railroad turned Burris City into a ghost town. Nathan Burris was left with more than 600 acres of useless land. There were also reports of Confederate soldiers dying on boats heading upriver to the prison camps in the Quad Cities. Likely the same types of diseases. If I find more, I will let you know. Connie Street [email protected] May your troubles be less, your blessings be more and nothing but happiness come through your door. ----- Original Message ----- From: jim jarvis To: [email protected] Sent: Saturday, June 28, 2008 1:06 AM Subject: [IALOUISA] EPIDEMIC late 1853/ early 1854? Does anyone know if there were any epidemics in Louisa (typhoid, yellow fever, etc.) from Dec. thru Jan. 1853/1854? About 20 years ago, I was on a bus tour of historic places in Louisa which was conducted by Mr. MATHEWS. He mentioned a possible mass grave (I think near Toolsboro) which was thought to be people who died in an epidemic, but I don't remember if he mentioned a timeframe. The Burlijngton newspapers available at Ancestry.com for this specific time period are not available. In reading earlier and later Burlington newspapers on Ancestry, I've noticed periodic "panics" of typhoid (etc.). One involved a traveling circus! I'm looking for my 3 BLAIR's who may have died during this time but can't find their graves in the cemetery books , including the WPA records. Since all 3 "disappeared" at the same time, one of my speculations is that they (mom, dad, & 20 year-old son) may have died of disease and been buried in an unmarked (possibly mass) grave. Any research suggestions appreciated. Thanks, JARVIS ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message