Cholera Epidemics in Nebraska: A Historical Perspective on the Plague that Followed Travelers
Traveling through Nebraska, one cannot help but imagine the arduous journeys of pioneers along historic trails and byways, like the Oregon Trail and the Mormon Trail, that crisscrossed the state. The grit and determination of these travelers were put to the test by the harsh environment, treacherous terrain, and the ever-present threat of disease, including cholera epidemics. Cholera, caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, was a constant companion to travelers crossing the Great Plains during the 19th century.
The disease, common in Asia, where British colonialists contracted it, was introduced to the United States in 1832 by infected immigrants and traders. Cholera spread rapidly across the country, fueled by poor sanitation and the lack of clean water. When travelers journeyed through Nebraska, they brought the disease with them, either unknowingly or as victims of the illness. In 1849, a devastating cholera epidemic swept through the Oregon Trail, claiming thousands of lives, particularly at the popular stopping point of Fort Kearny, located in present-day Kearny County, near the town of Kearny, Nebraska.
This and other outbreaks along the Oregon Trail had far-reaching effects on the travelers who battled cholera and its aftermath. Death was common; burial grounds sprouted along the trail, while makeshift hospitals, like the one in present-day Chadron, Nebraska, treated those stricken. Towns were plagued, literally, as infected travelers arrived and unwittingly shared the disease. At Fort Laramie, located in present-day northwestern Nebraska, local tribes began to battle cholera as early as 1850. Many of the infected travelers sought shelter in local Native American tribes. This would inadvertently spread the disease and impact the Native American Tribes significantly.
Faced with the looming threat of cholera, pioneers were sometimes left to their own ingenuity in warding off the disease. Travelers relied heavily on journal accounts of safe and infected areas, looking for drinking water free of pathogens. Well-known journals detailing cholera hotspots like Mary B. Welty's 'Reminiscences' kept travelers informed about safe and clean drinking water on the pathway west.
The mass infection and harsh conditions in the transcontinental trails in the 1800s saw death rates more pronounced along particular segments, especially during torrential rains. Trails like that of the Donners' 1846 party left long-lasting remains along their lines and demonstrated visibly deadly routes that left far sadder tales than glorious pioneer advances.
Efforts to mitigate cholera epidemic effects finally won out with huge infrastructure developments. Increased canal irrigation use has offered a solution to water development and clean drinking water development systems in settlements that has not been available historically. Increased infrastructure supporting clean water made crossing easier and gave new protection for settlers. After the federal government took immense measures in the early 1900s to build proper drainage and improve water quality, the cholera continued to weaken its deadly grip on modern residents and modern travelers across Nebraska.
The disease, common in Asia, where British colonialists contracted it, was introduced to the United States in 1832 by infected immigrants and traders. Cholera spread rapidly across the country, fueled by poor sanitation and the lack of clean water. When travelers journeyed through Nebraska, they brought the disease with them, either unknowingly or as victims of the illness. In 1849, a devastating cholera epidemic swept through the Oregon Trail, claiming thousands of lives, particularly at the popular stopping point of Fort Kearny, located in present-day Kearny County, near the town of Kearny, Nebraska.
This and other outbreaks along the Oregon Trail had far-reaching effects on the travelers who battled cholera and its aftermath. Death was common; burial grounds sprouted along the trail, while makeshift hospitals, like the one in present-day Chadron, Nebraska, treated those stricken. Towns were plagued, literally, as infected travelers arrived and unwittingly shared the disease. At Fort Laramie, located in present-day northwestern Nebraska, local tribes began to battle cholera as early as 1850. Many of the infected travelers sought shelter in local Native American tribes. This would inadvertently spread the disease and impact the Native American Tribes significantly.
Faced with the looming threat of cholera, pioneers were sometimes left to their own ingenuity in warding off the disease. Travelers relied heavily on journal accounts of safe and infected areas, looking for drinking water free of pathogens. Well-known journals detailing cholera hotspots like Mary B. Welty's 'Reminiscences' kept travelers informed about safe and clean drinking water on the pathway west.
The mass infection and harsh conditions in the transcontinental trails in the 1800s saw death rates more pronounced along particular segments, especially during torrential rains. Trails like that of the Donners' 1846 party left long-lasting remains along their lines and demonstrated visibly deadly routes that left far sadder tales than glorious pioneer advances.
Efforts to mitigate cholera epidemic effects finally won out with huge infrastructure developments. Increased canal irrigation use has offered a solution to water development and clean drinking water development systems in settlements that has not been available historically. Increased infrastructure supporting clean water made crossing easier and gave new protection for settlers. After the federal government took immense measures in the early 1900s to build proper drainage and improve water quality, the cholera continued to weaken its deadly grip on modern residents and modern travelers across Nebraska.
