Although this clipping doesn't specifically mention McMinn and the counties of SE TN it is describing one of the epidemics that did hit us. I found this in the Ancestry Daily News. I thought someone might be interested. Sharon Clipping of the Day >From the "New York Times" (New York, NY), 18 August 1878, page 1: THE SCOURGE OF THE SOUTH. NO ABATEMENT OF THE DREAD FEVER Whole Families Swept Away at Grenada---The Death-List Still Long---Peculiarities of the Disease and its Treatment---Twenty-Seven More Deaths at New-Orleans---The Fever Increasing at Vicksburg---Nine Deaths at Memphis. Grenada, Miss., Aug. 17.---The story of the fever is quickly told. One week ago tomorrow morning yellow fever was declared epidemic here by the Board of Health. Assistance was immediately telegraphed for in the way of experienced yellow fever physicians and nurses. Special trains were at once dispatched and Monday found three physicians and 30 nurses beside the stricken, ministering with untiring and unselfish devotion; but the demon of the plague had the advantage in the start and the race has been to him. Picture a town of 2,200 inhabitants reduced in one short week to 200, with only 30 or 40 well ones, and the scene is before you. Men who during the late war won a justly earned reputation for bravery and unflinching nerve, upon seeing the first one of their dear ones hurried to the grave gave up and wept like children. . . . THE WEEKLY OFFICIAL REPORT An Abstract of the Reports Made to the Surgeon-General of the Marine Hospital Service. . . . Washington, Aug. 17. . . New Orleans.---Since last report, 471 cases of yellow fever and 121 deaths, making a total of 902 cases and 232 deaths, of which 108 cases and 29 deaths occurred during the 24 hours to noon yesterday. Port Eads.---Thirty three cases of yellow fever and five deaths during the week to yesterday evening. Grenada, Miss.---The first case of yellow fever occurred July 25. To noon yesterday there had been 125 cases and 47 deaths. Mobile.---One death from yellow fever yesterday--a colored woman--who, it is reported, had been on an excursion to Biloxi, Miss., July 24. EDITOR'S NOTE: This piece goes on with reports from Cincinnati, Memphis, Vicksburg, Havana, Cardenas and Sagua la Grande, Cuba, Matanzas, and cholera deaths from Calcutta and Bombay. The article also includes more information, but has been edited for size. The epidemic referenced in this article lasted until the first frost in October, which killed the mosquitos that carried it. It has been estimated that between 13,000 and 15,000 lives were lost to yellow fever in the Mississippi Valley that year.