Children of Lararus: The Story of the Lazaretto at Tracadie

Children of Lararus:
The Story of the Lazaretto
at Tracadie
Source:
courtesy of the Provincial House,
Bathurst, NB, Religious Hospitallers of
St. Joseph / Religieuses Hospitalières
de Saint-Joseph
Copyright: Public domain
Digitized:
October, 2013
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L.AZAR"T-IS
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Cover photo of Sheldrakelsland, location of the first lazaretto,by M , Losier'
of Tracadie"'
HistoricalMap of Tracadie.From William F Ganong, "The History
1906.
VI,
3,
Acadiensis
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I-AZ"ARLIS'
Tlt{ESTORY0F Tt{E Lri\ZARETTO
AT TR;\tlADllE
M. l. Losier
C. Pinet
Reseqrch:
f*
Photo Credits:
ACKNO
C a n a d a D e p t . o f E n e r g v , M i n e s a n d R e s o u r c e s ,S u r v e v s a n d M a p p r n g B r a n c h ; C e n t r e
U n i v e r s i t a i r eS h i p p a g a n rM u s 6 e H i s t o r i q u e d e l r a c . j d i c , p r o v r n c i a l A r i h r ; s o r N e w t s r u n s
lvick, and Public Archives of Canada.
This book was madepossiblewith
under the Explorution Progrnm
Many debts are incurred d
scope. Without the co-oPerati
would have been much mole c
Publishedby FiddleheadPoetryBooks,and GooseLane Editions,Fredericton,
N.8., with the assistance
of th; Universityof New Brunswick,the New Brunswick Departmentof Historicaland Cultural Resources,the New Brunswtck
BicentennialCommission and the Canada Council.
Coverdesignby AlexanderMcGibbon.
The siaffs of the Archives of
Bibliothdque du Colldge,Con
thurst, N.B.; Centre d'Etude
Moncton, N.B.; Centrede do
Shippagan,N.B.
colas-Denys,
New Brunswick, Fredericton,,
Bathurst,N.B.; The New Bru
N.I
ManseLibrary,Newcastle,
Public Archives of Canada,Ol
CanadianCataloguingin PublicationData
I-osier,M. J. (Mary Jane),1940Children of Lazarus
tsibliography:
p.
ISBN 0 86492-043,1
l. Lepers New Brunswick- Tracadie- Biography.
2. Leprosv Hospitals New Brunswick- Tracadie.
3. Tracadie(N.8.) - Hospitals- History.
i. Pinet, C. (C6line), 1943IL title.
RC154.5s.C32T72'1984
362.1'96998'00922C84-099310_2
ACKNOWLLDCTMTAJTS
ulith fhe helP of a grant t'ton lhc Cnnldo Council
This book utasmLtdepLtssible
under tlrc Expktration Progran
Many debts are incurred during the preparation of a stuclv of this
scope.fiithout thc co operdtion oi Ihc pertont hr're littcJ .trrrrl''r-k
would have been much morc ditficult l ri Ihem go our 'pecial th'rnks
The staffs of the Archives of the Diocesc of Bathurst, Bathurst, N B;
Bibliothecrue du Collegc Communautaire, Carnpus de Bathurst, Bathurst, N.B.; Centre d'Etude. Acadiennes,Universit6 de Moncton,
Moncion, N.B.; Centre de documentation de Ia 5oci6t6 Historique Nicolas Denys, Shippagan, N B;l'hc Harriet Irving Library, Universitv of
New Brunswick,'Fre"dericton,N B.; The Ncpisiqui t.Cenrennir1,Librarl"
Bathurst, N.B.; The New Brunsrr'ick Museum, Saint John, N B'; Old
Manse Librarv, Newcastle, N.B.; Provincial Archives, Fredericton, N B ;
Public Archives of Canada, Otta$'a, Ont.
Dedication
To all thosewho suft'ered
and diedfrom LeprosyDisease,that your lost
yearsmay bereturnedto you, and your placesrcstoredin family histories.
Tableof llluslrntions
New lazarettoand convent,circa1900
....
NortheasternNew Brunswick
H i s t o r i c aMl a p o f T r a c a d i e
I
......
.........
i n s i d ef r o n rc o v e r
...........13
T a b l eo f t h e s u p p o s e dc o n s a n g u i n i toyf t h e T r a c a d i lee p e r s. . . .
D r .J a m eN
s icholson
Place
s e t t i n ign t h e S i s t e r s , d i n i rnogo m ,1 g 6 g. . . .
........
29
....... 56
. .... .... .56
...... _..... 6.,2
T h e f i r s tS i s t e r a
c n d t h e i rp a t i e n t sc, i r c al g 7 0
LazaretH
t oo t e l - D i ei u
n 1 8 6 8.
.......
62
..........
63
SistemSt. Jean-deGoto and Doucet
74
SisterSt. Jean'smotto . . .
Rev.Joseph-Auguste
Babineau....
87
A w o m a np a t i e n t1, 8 8 6. . . . . . . . . . .
94
A w o m a np a t i e n t 1
, 890
......
N u n s a n d t w o c h i l d r e np a t i e n t s. .
.....
W o m e n ' sr o o m i n t h e n e w l a z a r e t t oa,f t e r1 g 9 6
A Sinister Disease:the B
Tracadie
insidebackcover
S h e l d r a kI sel a n d
Dr.A.C.Smith
Introduction
Fronusprece
.............
94
tltl
722
SistersH6loiseHolmesand Marie de la Ferrewith patientHum
Lee ....
122
C e r t i f i c a toef F r e e d o mf r o m l e p r o s y
Captions (in order)
15E
....
........
2
An Act to Preventthe 31
in Tracadieand Neguac
.il
The Liberality oI the Boe
lt
Contagiousor Heredita
bt
The Lazarettois Reloca
6 Dr. LaBillois:Healeror I
,1 New Brunswick:The La
i8j They do not Mingle witl
I
'11
til
'i il
Father GauvreauWePt
72
llEl
Charge and Counterch
"Les HospitaliEres"wer
The SistersFaceStress
Few Understandour Pc
1,4Leprosy in CaPeBreton
.il5
Building is a Mi
A New
llti
The New Building and
1n Days of Discordand an
flE
't
9l
Don't be Afraid of Me,
PeopleJust Like Us
Epilogue
Notes
CONTENTS
Introduction
,, A Sinister Disease: the Beginning of
Tracadie
Z
,I
'la
maladie' in
An Act to Prevent the Spread of a Disorder now Existing
in Tracadie and Neguac
The Liberality of the Board They do not Appreciate
1
8
16
l-, Contagious or Hereditary: the Doctors Differ
21
:l
The Lazaretto is Relocated
32
rr
Dr. LaBillois: Healer or Quack?
38
i
New Brunswick: The Land of the Free
47
r
They do not Mingle with t{ealthy Persons
55
Father G.ruv redu Wept
63
"Les Hospitalidres" were Wanted and Needed in Tracadie
70
The Sisters Face Stressful Situations of Various Forms
77
J:
Charge and Countercharge: a Board Divided
85
t-
Few Understandour Position
95
ll
l.r
L e p r o s yi n C a p eB r e t o n
l0l
I i:l A New Building is a Matter of SpecialUrgency
111
::_'
L t The New Building and a Periodof Change
721
'J
Days of Discordand an lnvestigation
12E
Oo.r't be Afraid of Me, I Don't have ChickenPox
139
PeopleJust Like Us
149
Epilogue
lsq
Notes
763
']i,
'J.!l
t-
FOR BEINGA LEPER,I WOULD
BECOMEA MANIAC
Fellow Citizens, duty imposes upon mc ihe perilous necessit,vof
being, whenever called uPon, in closc communication with ihose af
flicted parishioners of mine. When thev have arrivccl at their last struSgle; when their bodies are alreadv in a state of final decomposition,
iheir flesh falling off in lunps of rottenness;lvhen thev can but lvhisper
their broken and almost inaucliblc $'ords into my ears, I have to be in
close and dangeious contact \,\'ith their revolting faces. I cannot then
but jnhale their pestitential breath into mv breast, rvhile I help ihem
to make their lasting peace with the Supreme Judge of all mt'n
Under such a moving, but hazardous ministration, how can I help
identifying mysclf with them? Hol\'can I turn a deaf car to the just
wishes and pral'ers of thc survivors $'ho arc still at the charge of the
Covernment?
Should God in His unscarchable iustice or in His inlinite mercy,
be pleased to inflict mc with this disease, I u'ould have to share their
captivity and company. Then I t'ould have to sPend the rcmainder of
my days under the sane restrictjons and Pri\,ations, but the most unbearableof all *ould be: No plysicirrrr,troDocfornt hanrlt.Thatdespairing
thought would be sufficient to carry my imaflination al{'aY into the
pathless regions of wild mental abeirhonsl
For beint a Leper, I would become a Maniacl
Rer,. Ferdinand Cauvreau,
Chaplain to ihe Lazaretto
The Morning Frccliar (Saint John,
N.B.)
July ,1, 1E6l
IX
INTRODUCT/ON
They are particularly sensitiveto the word 'lepiosy'and we avoid using
it within their hearing. They speak of the diseaseas "la maladie", the
SlcKness,
Siska, "Les l6preux de Tracadie,"
LeMoniteurAcadien(Shediac,N.B.)
September7, 1882
In the first part of the 19th century, Leprosy or Greek Elephantiasis
broke out in two places in New Brunswick. A wornan identified in the
early medical records as a Mrs. Mary Gardiner, from the Miramichi, and
another woman, Ursule Benoit, at that time living in Tracadie, were the
first recorded victims. Neither of the women had relatives who had
leprosy prior to the appearance of the disease on them. The women
wire noi related to each other; it is doubtful if either of them had met
even distant relatives of the other's family.
Both wornen manifested the first of their leprous symptoms around
the year 1815, but both complained of feeling ill before that. Both died
between 1828and 1829.Bv the time death had claimed them, the disease
had spread: in the case of Mme. Benoit, to her husband, sister, and a
pallbelrer at her funeral. In the case of Mrs. Gardiner, two of the sons
ind a friend of the family with whom she boarded developed the illness.
In the year 1852, a Mrs. Betsy McCarthy of Victoria County in Cape
Breton exhibited the symptoms of leprosy; by the time she died of the
disease. it had spread to some of htir childr6n. She, too, as far as investisations undertaken at the time could discover, had never been in
contait with anyone who suffered from the disease.
This book deals primarily with the New Brunswick lepers. A few
of them were of Scottish, English, and Idsh descent, but the matority
of them were of French origin.
We have written a social and political history, not a rnedical one,
and we mention only those whose disease had reached the stage where
clinical diagnoses were made. It is possible there were many more victims than were generally known. When we compare medical documents
of the time with those of modern reseatchers, it is clear that the leprosy
casesdescribed by the former were in the last stages of the disease when
their muliiple symptoms and degree of progress left little doubt as to
the disease'strue nature.
"About nine in every ten people infected with leprosy bacteria do
not show any signs of the disease; some of the remainder have a mild
and self-heaiine infection; a few have more active and extensive disease," writes Peter Richards in his introduction to the book The Medieual
Leperand His Northern Heirs'. He says the leprosy bacteria is less virulent
x1
r
than in other communicable disease_s_and
most people
have a high de_
'disease
gree of resistanceto it. However, ,,No bacterial
is longer'in its
gestation, more variable in its erpression or more mutilating i;r its
tull_
ness.. . . The gross, classicalforms of the disease are, in fict, just
the
tip of the iceberg of leprosy.",
Leprosy is not highly contagious. lrolonged contdct is needed for
..
r t s s p - r e a dt r o m o n e p e r s o n [ o a n o t h e r . l t i r c a u s e db y a b a c i l l u sc a l l e d
MycobacteriumLepraebut how the bacillus gets into the 6ody is not under_
stood. Current researchers believe the ger"mis discharged in rnucus from
broken-down sores which invade the"skin through Euts, scratches,
or
Wh"^,lepro,sy does develop, its incubition period is tonger
1l:"-.111,.":;
ffran tha_tot any other disease, usually years rather than days, weeis,
or months,
are two principal forms of the disease and both were present
,_
l n ,,-T\",r:
t n e t \ e w b r u n s w i c k v i c t i m . . T n T u b e r c u l o i d L e p r o s y , f e w b a c i l l ia r e
p r e s e n t .T h e . v i c t i mw i l l h a v e p a l e , p a t c h y s p o t so n t h e f a c e ,h a n d s , a n d
teet. raratysls of the muscles of the face, eye, and neck may occur. A
strong antibody response in the person sufiering from this f6rm ot the
d r s e a s ew i l l e v e _ n t u a l l o
yr erwhelm the infection but only after wide_
spread ddmage has occurred and tissue has [sqr| destroved.
_ ln Lepromatous Leprosy, many microorganismsare present. l,atches
d n d l u m p s c d n o c c u r a l l o v e r t h e .b o d y a n d f a c i a ll i n e s i e n d t o d e e p e n .
wr,aetyin the tymphaticchinnels.This type of leprosyoften
l!
1q5ia',the face. Nodules
rnvolv€s
appear on the ears, nose,ind cheeks, some_
tlmes breaktng down into discharging sores. Leprosy can causea numb_
ness_ofthe hands and feet, minoi inluries pass unnoticed, larse ulcers
can form, accidents and mutilation can occrr. This is the sourie ot the
myth thai leprosy causes parts of the body to drop off.
ng eyijelcS to support a medievat belief ihat still tingers
,_ ^,Tn:t:,1:
rn
rne pubirc mrnd- that leprosy is a veneral infection, nor should tfrere
Dy any contusron befween leprosy and syphilis. part of the stigma
of
the drsease,and one which contributed to the suffering of the victims,
was the confusion of these completely different illnessEs.
_ I n l r a c a d i e , t h e e a r l y r i c t i m s o f l e p r o s y w e r e m a i n l v m e m b e r so l
t r v e l a m i l i e sL: d n d r y . C o m e a u .S a v o i e ,S l u l n i e r . a n d R o b i c - h a u dI n
. 1g47,
Doctors Robert.Bayardand William Wilson traced the consanguinity of
the known victims to these families and their conclusion, lat;r proved
f,1t::l *:r that leprosy wds an.inheriredaftlictionand not contigious.
ln New
l\ew Brunswick,
In
brunswrck, leprosy
leprosy made
made its
its aDDearance
appearancein the
forarn of
nf Chaiham,
Chethrthe town
in
ur the
Lrrcparishes
p.rnsnes or
of Nelson
l\etson and Alnwtck,
Alnwiili hrf
Nr^
Alnwick,
prevalent ;but
trut wec
was mn".
was
more hr6r,.t6h1
more
in Ne_
guac, Pokemouche, Shippagan, and Caraquet. The majority of the vic_
tims came from Tracadib.
The diseaseoccurred among the ordinary workinq classesof varied
m e a n s ,b u t a l l t h e f a m i l i e sh a d a c h i e v e dt h e n e c e s s i t i e s " Ioi f[ e . H o w e v e r ,
those farnilies where leprosy involved one, two, or three g".,u.u.ro.,
were reduced in circumstances. This was due mainly to the s6cial strgma
inflicted by the illness which in turn resulted in"the isolation oithe
family from the community and the inability of the men to find em_
provment.
Today, leprosYvictimsareI
easeafterDoctorG. H. Hansen
and isolatedthe IeProsYbacillus
and make the Patient noninfec
most of the physicaldisfigurem
and live in seclusionin a lazar
We think the tirnehascome
men and women, boYSand gir
nets and lumber camPs,heart
placed in shame in a lazarhous
;f Marguerite Robichaudto tel
shortly before the symptomsaf
twentv-five vearsold, the moth(
the oririnoui signs of the disea
nearlv sixty years. She will tell
to leive theii families and live
feared by friends.
r.and most people have a
hieh dc_
Jo bacterialdiseaseis longer"in
its
slon or.more mutilating i; its
ful,_
,r rne dlsedseare, in fact,
iust the
. P-ro.longedcontact is needed for
r. lt rs causedby a bacillus called
tusgets into the body is not under_
germ ts dischargedin m ucus frorrL
'slun through
cuts, scratches,or
lp, its incubdtion period is longer
y years rather than days, weels,
he disease-andboth were present
)erculord Leprosy, few baiilli
are
rny spots on the face, hands, and
rce,9ye, and neck may occur.
A
n suftenng irom thjs form of the
e rnlection but only after wide_
e has been destroyed.
:roorganismsare present. patches
ano tacrallines tend to deepen.
lnels. lhrs type of leprosy oiten
le ears, nose, and cheeks, someores. Leprosy can cause a numb_
nes pass unnoticed, large ulcers
occur. This is the sourie of the
ooy to drop off.
me{i.ev_albelief that still lingers
eral rntection, nor should tliere
sypn ls. l,art of the stigma of
.to-the suffering of the victims,
lltteren t illnesses.
)rosy were mainly members of
rulner, and Robichaud.ln 1g42.
;on traced the consanguinitv oi
I their conclusion, later proved
I atlrchon and not contigious.
arance in the town of Chalham.
but was more prevalent in Ne_
aquet. The maiority of the vic_
Today. leprosy victims are said to be suffering from Hansen,s Disease.after Doctor G. H. Hansen, a Norwegian phys'ician who discovered
and isolated the leprosy bacillus in 1824.drugi hilp to arrest the disease
dno make the pattent noninlectjous. Reconstructive surg,ervcan repair
m o s t . o f t h e p h . y s i c adl i s f i g u r e m e n t .N o o n e i s m a d e t o i e a i e h i s h o m e
anq ve ln sectuslon ln a lazdretto.
We ihink the time has come to look at the lives of the New Brunswick
women. boys and girls, that leprosy took frorn their fishing
T".l
1lg
nets and
lumber camps, hearths and families, dolls and games, and
placed in shame in a lazar house. We have used the fictionXlized voice
of Marguerite Robichaud to tell their story. Born in Tracadie in 1g13,
s,hortly before the symptoms appeared on'Ursule Benoit, she was only
twenty-five years old, the mother of two children, when she first noticei
the ominous signs of the disease on herself. She lived with leprosy for
nearly sixty years. She will tell what it was like for her and tfie oihers
to leave their families and live in isolation, despised by strangers and
feared bv friends.
inary working classesof varied
ne necessitiesof life. However,
ne, two, or three generations
due mainly to the social stiema
sulted in
_the isoiation ofihe
outy ot the men to find em_
xiii
A S/N/STERDISEASE:
THE BEGINNING OF 'LA MALADIE' IN TRACADIE
One sultry August afternoon in the year 1828the Rev. Mr. de Bellefeuille, a missionary priest visiting Tracadie, was called upon to bury
a woman named Ursule Landry who died of a mysteious and loathsome diseaseto which none could qive a name. Her flesh had become
hard and scaly;hideous swellings dlstorted her faceand form; spots of
a brownish tint appeared upon her limbs; . . . in all the countryside
there had never been seen the like. Rumor came from Newcastlethat
the wife of a Scotchresident in that town, named Cardiner, was similarly affected . . . Meanwhile Ursule Landry had died and her simple
coffin was borne to its last resting-placein the graveyard by the sea,
on the shoulders of four of her countrymen. The weather was very
warm, and one ol these. . . fisherman,FrancisSaulnier,was in his
shidsleeves.The coffin weighed heavily upon his shoulders and cut
through the thin woolen garment into the bare flesh . . . From the edge
of the coffin . . . a discharge . . . inoculated the newly made wound of
the pallbearer.He died a leper. The sisterof Ursule Landry alsobecame
a vlcom .
A. M. Pope
CatholicWorld (Ramsey,New Jersey)
March, 1883
Pauare Ursule! Thereare somein Tracadiewho hate that ruomqn,who say
'La
maladie'any more
she brought a curse on all of us. But I don't blameher for
than I would blame the weather or the food that ue ate . . . though there are
thosewho belieaethe climqte, cold and damp, brought it to our shoresol that
it is causedby the saltedfish.
I was a girl of fifteen when Ursule died; so I knew her, s smoll woman
with rounded shoulders who used two ualking sficks to stand. Her face was
hidden under a reil qnd she always wore a bonnet.
For the last year of the disease,shestayedin her cabin with only her husband
and her sister Isabelleto tend her. The children were grown up.
It wassaidthat sheusedto bea ftne lookingwoman,thnt her skin u,usus
smoothas a field of snowand her hoir tunbleclout t'romunderhcr bonnetlike
curlsol bulter.
Her motherwasMarie Brideau,born in Quebec.Marie ume to Cnraquet
whenshewas twe[z)e.
Lqter the BridenusmLrytdto Tracsdiebut bt/ that time,
Marie tuasmarriedto Anselmermrl thcy had LJrsulcand the othirs. Sixteen
childrenwtre borntJ thcm.
Ursule'sgranclfather,
AlexisLandry,foughttheEnglishat Fort Beatsdjour.
Laterhe andhis family followedCharlesBoishibert.Therewerethreethousqwl
Acadianswhofollowedhim and theywereall ir hiding aroundtheMiramichi.
Ah, theyrambkdthen,t'eedingot'ltheIsnd, trying to find a placeuherethey'd
oesaJe.
ThE went to Caraquetoncehut they werescsrerloff; then they went fo
Miscouand theystayedtherea while; thento Gaspi.Thiswasbet'ore
theycume
bqckto Caraquet.Anselmeand M{rrieBrideauweremqrrledthere.
Noneof thepeoplein Ursule'st'amilyhadthedisease
beforeher. Therewere
doctors,Bnyardqnd Wilson, who said Alexis was born in St. Malo and that
tlrc disease
camefrom there.That wnsn't true.
OId Rtmi, Anselme'sbrother,uas ninetv-ninevearsold whenthedoctors
came.He told them Alexisuas born in St. lv4alo
beinusehe rlidn t wsnt them
to know thE wereAcadiqtts.He uas scared,you see.
We wereall scaredof the English,all of us. We would qgreeto anyfhing
theysaid . . . as long as theyleft us alone.
Anyway, Ursuleuns twentywhenshenarriecllosephBenoitandthE came
to Tracadieto liae. Isabelle,her sister, threeyearsyounger,marriedFirmln
Benoit,loseph'sbrotherand theywereneighbours.
Ursulehadfixe children,theyoungestnearlyten, whenshebeganto com
pLainher legs ached.Then the spotsnnd swtllingsstartcd. Eueryonein the
uillagehadsomethingto sayaboutit snd oll the remedies
of the 'sagefemme'
uere tried. Shewasfilty uthenthe missionarysa[dthe prayersouerher graae.
After Ursulecaughtit, lsabellegot sick.losephgot fhedisease
too but not
FriTmfu.
What wasluckyt'orlosephsnd Llrsulewas noneof their childrentook
FrancoisSaulniergotit, Iikethepaperssay,from carryingUrsule'scot'fin;
thenhis sisterAdtlaide.I marriedlean Bsptiste,their brother.He didn t getit
but I did. I am MargueriteRobichaud.Wheneper
theauthorsseemlike they're
going to forget us, I'll tell you our story, the leper'sstorV.
No one is quite sure why or how the diseasedeveloped on Ursule
Landry. Many storiescirculatedto explain the mystery, but all were
madeup yearsafter when it was impossibleto check their veracity. One
hypothesis was that the diseaseoriginated with sailorsfrom the French
vesselL'Indiennewhich ran aground at the mouth of the Miramichi River
in 1758.
A version of this theory appeared in The Daily Tekgraph,July 20,
1880.The author says the ship was laden with cargo and the fishermen
in the neighborhood helped to save it before the ship broke up. The
crew were sheltered bY the resid
warded them with bundles of sec
The belief was that the natives o
either the association with the cre
their number, or from weadng th
The author said leProsYbrok
o f B e a u b e a rw a s d r e a d t u l l ys t r i c k
"
t h j r d s o t t h e P o P u l a t i o nd i e d
government agent, after whom t
iirst victims. The survivors, man
the Miramichi others to Prince E
r a o u e t , P o k e m o u c h ea n d T r a c a d
l a n d o u t s i d eo f N e w c a s t l ew h i c h t
Ldpreux'."1 The author of this st
bui implausible tale which could
of New Brunswick written bY Rc
In the book, Cooney wntes
said to be the headquarters of the
Beaubair, their suPedntendent'
Beaubair's Island, less than a m
Newcastle. There were about 20
tery, mounting ltr guns located
town stopPed becduseof the l-re
who al.o endured croP failures
In 1758, suPPlies for the townsP
French transPorts carrytng tnem
dienneol Morlair was wrecled r
A disease that Cooney doe
sailors of L'Indienne and was tra
first victims was Beaubair hims
both the disease and the aPPro
t h e m s e t t l e da r o u n d t h e B a Yo f
There was a small French s
wick, and other scatteredsetlle
the exPulsion, in 1756, Charles
Acadians to the Miml
thous;d
ships followed. In the next few
into hiding in lhe woods of nor
climate wis safe for them to bu
The diseasesthdt broke out
likely cholera, tYPhoid, smallPo
a n d i i l l q u i c k l Yi n d t h a t s P r e a
develoos slowiY in the victjm l
lived with it foi an averageof tl
contagious lf it were, manY n
Brunswick at the time it dPPe
5,000peoPle in that region, th€
between the time the hrst syrr
-
hokingwoman,thnther skinwasas
nbledlut ftom underher bonnetlike
in Quebec.
Mnriecnmeto Caraquet
mouedto Trlcadiebut by thtt tirne,
had Ursuleand the othirs. Sixteen
bughttheEnglishat FortBeausijour.
oishtbert,Therewerethreethousand
all in hidingaroundtheMiramichi.
t, trying tofind a placewherethey'tl
r werescaredoff; then thev went to
to Gaspd,Thiswasbeforelhey
came
'eauweremnrriedthere.
nd thedisease
bet'lleher. Therewere
txtswasbornin St. Malo and that
,ue.
rcty-nine
yearcold whenthedoctors
Malo because
he riidn't want them
d, you see.
of us. Wewouldngreeto anything
married
Benoitandtheycame
Joseph
reeyearsyounger,mqrriedFirmin
'n0oufsnearlyten,whenshebeganto com
swellingsstarfed.Etteryonein the
tll the.reneclies
of the ;agelemme,
try sad theprayersouerhtr grnue.
t. losephgot thedisease
toobut not
;uletoasnoneot'theirchildrentook
I say,fromcorryinglJrsule'scoffin;
tiste,theirbrother.He didn t getit
tnewrtheauthorsseemlike they're
E leper'
s story.
hediseasedeveJoped
on Ursule
rlain the mystery,but all were
ible to checktheir veracitv. One
;edwith sailorsfrom the French
re mouth of the Miramichi River
in Th.eDaity Telegraph,
luly 20,
n wrth cargoand the fishermen
before the ship broke up. The
crew were sheltered by the residents and the captain of the shiP rewarded them with bundles of secondhand clothing shipped at Sm1'rna
The belief was that the natives of the district contracted leprosy trom
either the association with the crew who might have had lepers among
their number, or from wearing the secondhand clothing.
The author said leProsy broke out in the spring of 1758 The town
Beaubear
was dreadfully stricken and eiSht hundred Persons or twoof
thirds of the population died. "At Point Beaubear, the intendant or
government agent, after whom the town was named, was among the
first victims. The survivors, rnany carrying the affliction, fled, some to
the Miramichi others to Prince Edward Island but the majority to Caracuet, Pokernouche and Tracadie. Beaubear was buried on a small is'L'Ile du Gentilhomme
land outside of Newcastle which the Acadians call
L6preux'."t The author of this story has woven together an interesting
but implausible tale which could have been based in Part on a history
of New Brunswick wdtten bv Robert Cooney in 1832
In the book, Cooney writes that there was a thriving community
said to be the headquarters of the French and also the residenceof Pierre
Beaubair, their superintendent. This community was located opposite
Beaubair's Island,-less than a mile away, and about three miles from
Newcastle. There were about 200 houses in the town and a strong battery, mounting 16 guns, located there. ln the mid 1750's,trade with the
town stopped becauseot the French and English wars. The inhabitants,
who also endured crop failures, suffered from staryation and disease.
In 1758, supplies for the townspeople were on their way when the two
French transports carrying them were caPtured ln that same year, L'ln
dieruteof Moilaix was wrecked near the entrance to the harbour
A disease that Cooney doesn't identify had broken out among the
sailors of L'lndienneand was transmitted to the inhabitants One of the
first victims was Beaubair himself. The surviving inhabitants, fearing
both the disease and the approaching English, fled the town. Most of
them settled around the Bay of Chaleur.'?
There was a small French settlement in Baie du Vent, New Brunswick, and other scattered settlements on the Miramichi. At the time of
the expulsion, in 1756, Charles Boish6bert.led a partv of- about three
thousand Acadians to the Miramichi. Famine, disease, and other hardof Acadians left and went
ships followed. In the next few years, groups
-Brunswick
until the political
New
int; hidine in the woods of norihern
communities.
permanent
more
for
thern
to
build
w;s
safe
climate
The diseasesthat broke out among the Acadian refugeeswere more
likely cholera, typhoid, smallpox, measles, and other illnesses that attack
and kill quickly and that spread rapidly among the population. Leprosv
develops slowly in the victim. Even with no medical treatment, peoPle
lived with it foi an average of three to six years or more. It is not highly
contagious. If it were, many more People living in northeastern New
Brunsirzick at the time it appeared would have been affected. Of the
5,000 people in that region, the disease infected only 40 known victims
betrveen ihe time the first symptoms aPPeared on Ursule Landry and
-
the Bayard and Wilson investigation in 1847.Finallv, while the gestation
period of leprosy can be measured in years, even tin, fifteen, c,i.rv..,ry
not being unusual, L'Ittcliennewas wrecked in 175E,twenty years befori
the first known victim was born, and sixty years before the svmptoms
developed on her.
The earliest medical reports sav that leprosy was introduced into
the region by either Norwegians, who escapedfrom a leper colony and
made their way to that part of the world, oi by sailors. But details as to
how or under what circumstances this took place were missing
Placide Gaudet, a genealogist and historian, provided detailed accounts. His first information came from interviews he had with people
from Tracadie. According to him, at the beginning of the 19th centuiy,
Michel La1qry, a cousin of Ursule, was co-owner and captain of a schoonbr
called LruFlorida that made regular sailings from the Bay of Chaleur to
Quebec. On one of the t ps, two Europeans asked Captain Landrv to
take them to the Bay of Chaleur. The Captain brouliht them ro-the
Caraquet coast from where they made the trip to Trac;die on foot.
The two men were believed to be deserters from the Lazaretto des
Fourches in Norway and were in the late stages of leprosy. Durrng rne
crossing, Captain Landry noticed that they were covered with ulcers
that gave off a fetid odor. He warned his crew to avoid them, "presumrnq
it was a shameful disease of the worst kind."r
When he learned the two had gone to Tracadie, Captain Landry
regretted that hd had brought them to the Bay of Chaleur. He feared
they would contaminate some of the Acadian families living in Lower
Gloucester, and with that in mind he set off to warn Lhe inhaortants
there. Unfortunately, he was too late. The Norwegians had stopped at
the home of Joseph Benoit and had asked to sleep.
tr4me Benoit gave her own bed to the Europeans and the strangers
used the family's dishes and cups. Gaudet says it was not uncommon
for a family to have only one drinking vessel; there was no way of
changing bed linens. Since the ulcers on the strangers were in the siage
ot supperation, they contaminated the family's possessions.
This article appeared rn L'Ezlangtlinein 1892 and differs somewhat
from an earlier report by the same writer that was published in 1882.
In that one, Gaudet says the passengersin Captain tandry's boat were
European sailors. On arriving in the Bay of Chaleur, the strangers got
passageon a fishing boat that was sailing into the Gulf of St. Liwrence
off Tracadie to fish. The crew of the ship had their washing done by
three Tracadie families, those of Prosper Losier, Pierre Bastarache,and
Joseph Benoit. The rvife of Joseph Benoit washed the clothes of the
European sailors.i
Besides the L'lndienne theory, two other attempts were made to
explain how leprosy broke out on the Miramichi. Caudet says the Norwegian lepers eventually went to that part of New Brunswick where
they died. Doctor Alexander Key, who treated Mrs. Gardiner, says she
contracted the disease in Tracadie after the ship on which she was a
passenger was wrecked off the coast of that community and she was
sheltered there for the winter'5
It is Possible that the disease
with no e\ternal cduse Even todi
fully understood \early twenty.
rmaie to iind the cduse:bY tnat
Investlg
dn
in
been able to assist
I t c o u l d a l s o b e t h a t U r s u l ec
living in Caraquet and that sYmP
We have one other theory t(
vears aqo LeProsY might have
hcadians from the Maritimes rn
d
leprosl among them beforethe
S-tates
United
Surgeon,
Senioi
u
D i s e a s eC e n t r e , w r o t e l n - l Y r )
eanr
b)l
dnd
introduced bY sldves
tt
l n d i e s , a n d P r o b a b l YM e r i c o
l
e
P
r
o
w
h
e
n
1
7
6
4
.
i
n
Louisiana
Governor, Antonio de Ulloa' att€
the cases in lT66 DiqPossesse
were Drev to the diseasesof the '
they deviloPed " One of these
ln
infection, could have arlved
undr
gone
have
The case could
from other causesbefore the dl
Whatever the reason' slow
ir
necting family dnd triends dnd.
m
wtule
Neguac
of
settlement
ited. The two sons ot l'eter br
nine-year-old neighbor, Mary
Mrs. Gardiner.
The Miramichi area had sev
'
D r . A l e x a n d e rK e v ' h e l P e d . t o
drsea
the
redson
cure it. But the
i t d e \ d s t a t e dd n o t h e rc a n b e s
historv of Iracddie' the i(olatio
insular attitudes.
'Un b?nu it VillaYe
P
^Trac
ridesso closcLo its crndle S.mu
wraps it closelike a utatm cloar'
it l
Whenmr.1
father't ransois
to
rufts
built
8e
the woods Theu
on I
fcrrv q! Ntguo( and nnolh?.r
cadie,FranEoisq [eansotdt.heY
lheir waY out of lh?r?tuen tne
I gucs' theY wer( tirPd OIl
Saint lean Rtuetn?orluin Queb
qll lhe Audia s lheYucre on r
-
t 1847.Finally, while the gestation
y'ears,even ten, fifteen, or twenty
cked in 1758, twenty years before
sixty years before the svmptoms
hat leprosy was introducecl into
escapedfrom a leper colony and
ld, or by sailors.Eut detailj as to
; took place were missing.
I historian, provided detai]ed acn interviews he had with people
re beginning of the 19th centuiy,
c{wner and captain of a schooner
lings from the Bay of Chaleur to
rpeans asked Captain Landrv to
e Captain brought them to'the
the tdp to Tracadie on foot.
deserters from the Lazaretto des
tte stages of leprosy. During the
they were covered with ulcers
crew to avoid them, "presuminq
kind."3
ne to Tracadie, Captain Landry
r the Bay of Chaleur. He fearei
\cadian fanrilies living in Lower
set oit to warn the inhabitants
fhe Norwegians had stopped at
ced to sleep.
he Europeansand the strangers
ldet says it was not uncomion
g vessel; there was no way of
l the strangers were in the stage
family's possessions.
e in 1892 and differs somewhat
ter that was published in 1882.
; in Captain Landry's boat were
y of Chaleur, the strangers got
tg into the Culf ot St. Ljwrence
fp had their washing done by
r Losier, Pierre Bastaiache, ani
roit washed the clothes of the
other attempts were made to
liramichi.Gaudet says the Norpart of New Brunswick where
reated Mrs. Gardiner, says she
-was
the ship on which she
a
that community and she was
sheltered there for the winter.'
It is possible that the disease broke out'de novo'in Ursule, that is,
with no external cause. Even today, how the illness is contracted is not
fully understood. Nearly twenty years passed before any attemPt_was
made to find the causei by that time, the first victims, who might have
been able to assist in an investiSation, were dead.
It could also be that Ursule came in contact with leprosy while still
living in Caraquet and that svmPtoms only appeared on her years later.
We have one other theorv to add to those that circulated over 150
years ago. Leprosy might have had its roots in the expulsion of the
Acadians from the Maritimes in the years 7755 to 1760. There was no
leprosy among them before the deportation. William A. Mayer, a former
Senioi Surqeon, United States Public Health Service, Communicable
Disease Centre, wrote in 1955 that leprosy in the southern states was
introduced by slaves and by earlier settlers from Spain, France, the West
lndies. and probablv Mexico. The first four Acadian families arrived in
Louisiana in 1764, when leprosy was already prevalent. The Spanish
Governor, Antonio de Ulloa, attempted lo Prevent its sPreadby isolating
the casesin 1766. Dispossessed,without food or shelter, the Acadians
were prey to the diseaies of the area and leprosy was one of the illnesses
they developed.o One of these people, carrying a mild version of the
infection, could have arrived in Tracadie or Caraquet many years later.
The case could have gone undiagnosed or the victim might have died
from other causes before the disease had run its course
Whatever the reason, slowly, leprosy spread like a vine, interconnecting family and friends and involving not onJy Tracadie but the nearby
settlement of Neguac. While in Mirarnichi, the diseasewas mainly limited. The two sons of Peter Brown, aqed twelve and fourteen, and a
nine-year-old neighbor, Mary Sweezy, were the only cases linked to
Mrs. Cardiner.
The Miramichi area had severalphysicians. One, Quarantine Officer
Dr. Alexander Key, helped to contain the outbreak even if he couldn't
cure it. But the reason the diseasemerely brushed one community while
it devastated another can best be understood by looking at the early
history of Tracadie, the isolation of the people, their customs, and their
insular attitudes.
'LIn
beaupefit Village', Tracadie,like stwtething placedby the seaifself; it
'10
foret' the lorcst
rirles so closeto its cra(l\e. Small riuers cut through iL and
a
wqrm
clonk.
wraps it closelike
When my fnther, Frangoisd lean, came, they folloutedIndian pafhs Lhrouglr
That was bet'orette had a
the uoods. They buik rat'ts to get ncrossthe TLtaters.
qnd
\lhen tlrcy sau Trn
Trscqdie
Ritu
on
the
Little
nnttther
'cnrlie,
ferry nt Ntguac
Franlois i learL sairl they decidr:dto sfay. They said they couldn't t'ind
their way out of there e1lenit' they had uanted to.
I guessthey uiere fired. OId lenn, mon granrl-pire, he liuerl way up,tlLe
Saint liatr Rizterneorly in Qtrebec.It u'as lnrd to st'nVput in thoseyears like
bttt the
all the Acndians, theq were on the rnoue. They went to Kemrcbecassis
-
Englis.hsairl.they brokethe continuity of tlrc races,whateaerthat meant, so they
mored to Madawaska. Their crops t'ailed them sn my grcndfather and his sois
ond someothers came to the Miramichi.
By
.
-1807_,,theywere in Tracadie. They weren't the firsf Acndians to get
there.Michel Bastaraclrc'etlesnutres'rueri the
first. Miciet fought the English
at Fort Lawrence and found himself deported with ooer nine"hundred iither
Acadians to the Carolinqs.
Bastarocheused to sav he didn't lil.,e the heat dLtutnthere. Anyway me
peoplein Carolina rlidn't like us Acodians anV nlore than did the Enslish. Some
of
.us zoereeuensold as slaues. So Bastqrscheand his brother, anrlinyone else
who wnnted to join thern, walked.all the way back to Acadie.
In 1785, they cqmeto Traudie. Michel, the
founder, sit of his young unes;
.
his son-inJaw,loe Saulnier;Mqturm Gnutrtau and his u,it't, Rointiebalgle,
Iheir children;AIexis Comeauand his lott boys.
Therewere French, QuebecFrench, who came right after. RobertLeBrefon
from Gaspl used to hunt there in the spring; but wiin hb saw Bestaracheand
the.othersse.ttle,he thought it must bc a gooclptace to [iue. So he brought his
wife and children and they stayed. Prospir Losier came
from SteAnnide laProcntidre,Quebec.LesMazerolle were Acadians
t'rom Bny du Vin awl Magloire
'de'
Breau
Memramcook. Soon ue u,erea here, euebei French, Acadiais, all
mixed up;'les Comeau,Thibodeou,Robichoud,Arseneau,Bridenu, Doiron,
Vienneau, Saaoie,Benoit, Ferguson', etc . . .
Well the Fergusonsweren't Frenchnor Acadian either. Willinm andThomas
were Pats,lrish. Lgtur the McGraws or McGrath, I,m not sure which, the name
chan-gedjust like Baitarachewho cnll themselaesBasquenow. Then ue hape the
McGowans, Russells,McLaughlins, Dry sciales,Richardsons,efc . . . They soon
IearnedFrench. It's hard to iell one frin the othel now. Tracarlieis liki a pof
of soup.
It wqs all of us, I guess.who drooe the Indions awav. Theu foutlcledthe
land ftrst. In fact, it was thr:y who named it Tracqtlie, 'camping'giouna .
men becamefishermen, farmers, hunters and they work in the woods.
_._ Qur
We, the women, make their clothes;utc are skilled toith the looms. Mq mother,
therc roas nothing she couldn't make. shirts and cloaks, stockings,ieciicines,
torrics,bed coaers;all theseshe did in the spale time after chores-weredone and
Ihe young oness(n to.
My falher led us in proyers cach night nnd mV nothtr lquyht us uur
Catcchismsameas I lought our little one,. We hqd no prie<t. Onci or twiccn
year, a missionary would come. He'd bless the couples who m(rrried without
waiting for him and do the baptisms, hear confessionsnncl giue communion.
The men folk would take otter again affer he'd Rone. Lstcr'a priest came to
Caraquetanrl he would" get to Tracadie morc often so we wsited unfil he came
to get married or we went to him.
Our houseswere small, one room. The 'foyer,
,
-our is the heart of it! In t'ront of
the fire is where we told our storiesand sang
songs.My t'aiher pliyecl thb
fiddle and all.of us,learnedto dance. Mamai cookediaer tti'1oyer in itg iron
pots she used two hands to lift. We ate qt a long wooden tabli
i,apa maii.
In one corner was the big bed papa and maman slept on unlessthere was
n uisilor.Thu lheyslept0n lhe.flo
matlresithIt we pul undertheDtgtt
oncea year.
We hauebiRfamiliesus Atad
wasIsrael,Olioii. Lut. Marie,lean
Marie-Anne,andLucille Oursuasa
a lot ol childrendied. Ah, that'sa
ground.
We uisiteacholhera lot in Truc
Whoeuerknockson Yourdooris iw)
is rilated' I marrie
nearlueaervone
callei her liq, marriedmYbrofher
Weditl thebestue couldto tre
Of course,the sickonesIaYamoflg
the piggerY?
Mr. lamesYotng, hewasthe
in
days.Herumi tol tacadie
lho>e
in
I
and toldtheCounlqCouernmen
came'
Iistened;no doctors
'Ia
What hurt us worsethnn I
Iikewe werestupid,Iikethediseas
0rl0
uqter it thehouse
or hauing11o
I
know
us'
understand
Theydiin't
-
e races,whateuer
thatmeant,sothe\
hemso my grandfather
and his sois
7yweren'tthe ftrst Acadiansto vet
ethefirst. MichelfouRhttlrc Enyiish
rytedwith luer nine-hutdretl6thtt
the heatdou there.Anyway the
ry morethanclidthe English.Some
he andhis brother,andinyone else
ay backto Acadie.
l, thelounder.sixof hisvounl ones:
treauanclhiswife, Roiatic'baigle
oovs.
rocameright after.RobertLeBreton
g; but whenhe sawBastnrache
and
oodplaceto liae. Sohe brouRhthis
' Losiercame
from Ste-Anni-deJaItansfromBaydu Vin andMagloire
here,Quebec
French.Acadil;s, all
\aud, Atseneau,Brideau,Doiron,
icadianeither.WilliamnndThomas
)rath,I'm notsurewhich,thename
loesBasque
now,Thenwehaz)e
the
les,Richardsons,
etc . . . Theysoott
e othernow. Tracadie
is liki a pot
e Indinnsawav.Thevfoundedthe
'cninping
i Tracadie,
giound..
nters andtheyworkin thewoocls.
tkilledwith thelooms
. My rnother
,
r and clpaks,stockings,
mediclnes,
re timeafterchores
weredoneancl
ttt and my mothertaught
us our
Wehadno priest.Onci or twiceq
the coupleswho marriedwithout
confessions
and gioecommunion.
te'd gone,Iater-a priest cameto
oltensowe waiteduntil he came
foyer'is theheartof it! ln lront of
i our_songs.My latherplayedthe
,,cooked
orer Lhefoyeron big iron
ongwoodentablepopamade.
mamanslEt on unlessthereuas
a tlisitor, Then they slept on the floor with us young ones. We all had a strau
mattressthat we put under the big beclin the morning. We chottgedthe strau:
oncea yenf.
We haue big families, us Acadinns. ]ean-Baptisteand I had seretl. Therc
was Israel, Oliuier, Luc, Marie, Ieqn-Baptiste[who camewith me to Becs-Scies],
Marie-Anne, and Lucille. O rs uas a small family comparedto many. Of course,
a lot of children died. Ah, thqt's a hqrd thing to lay your own child in the
ground.
We aisit eachother a lof in Tracadie,euenthough oltr housesare far npnrf.
Whoeoerknocks on your door is inoited in. Eueryoneknows eaeryoneelseancl
nearly eaeryoneis related. I mnrried lean-Baptistennd his sister, Adllnide, ue
calledhet lda, marriecl my brother, FranEois.It is like that all orer.
'ls
maladie' with no doctor tnd no priest.
We ciid the best we could to freat
Of course, the sick ones lay among us. Where could we put them, outside it1
the piggery?
Mr. JamesYoung, he was the only one who could talk to the gouernnrctlt
in thoserlays. He cameto Tracadiein 1825. Euenhim, when he wetrt to Bathursf
snd told the County Gooernment there was a bad diseasein Tracatlie, no one
listened; no doctors came.
Whqt hurt us worse than'la malad[e' was the way they talked about us,
Iike we were stupid, Iike the diseasewas a punishment for not being able to rend
or haztingno water in the houseor for not speakingEnglish or for being Catholic.
Theydidn't understqtldus, I kttow thqt, but it hurts just the same.
-
AN ACT TO PREVENTTHE SPREADOF A
DlSORDER
NOW EXISTINCIN IRACADIE AND NECUAC
Dr. Thompson gave a very lucid account of the effects of the mode of
living and the habits of the French people anong whom this disorder
has appeared, which are filthy in the extreme ancl rvhich not only
predisposestheir systems for this or any other scrofulous disorder but
renders it more difficult to cure. He recommended that theif habits of
life and the food bv which means nature is sustained should be changed,
and that by education and amusenent the n1inds of those poor people
might be elevated and brought with their bodies into a more lrealthv
ani vigorour action.
The NeiL,BrunsiL,ickC0irfi.,r (Saint
John, N.B.)
March 30, 18,1,1.
Dr. Key, Skene, Toldervv and Cordon and the Rer'. Mr. Lafrance left
Chatham on the morning of Thursdav last for the purpose of investigating the nature, origin and extent of the frightful .
disease now
existing in Neguac, Tracadie and Tabusintac . . . as a result of their
investigation . . . they report that it is their opinion that it has no affinitv
to scrofula, and that the idea prevalent, that it is owing to rhe poor diet
of the French settlers, and their filthy habits is not correct for they
found it in some of the cleanestdwellings and most respectablefamitres.
The Neu Brunsuick Corlri(,r.(Saint
John,N.B.)
April 13. 1844.
We were clean but no o e belietted it after thtlt docfur itr thc gLt--ernmeut
said ue were dirty and that our hnbits were bnd atd th{tt our tninds uere lotuer
than his. Not qll of us could read and tarite but our youngest childrcn leffned.
Somefamilieshada teacherliuing uith them.WhenFafhu Lat'rance
cnma,he
broughthis brotherCharlesto opena school.
EDennfter thegouernmentcloctors,who lookedst our housesand our sick
onesandtold theotherswewereclean,no onebelieued
them.I thittktheyuantecl
Dr. Thompsonto beright. Thenif theykept their Inusesclesn,theyutoukln't
get 'la maladie'
.
I alreadyhad two babieswhenI snw tlrc signs.My legsgrew heaztyand
the spotscqme.At first, I said it cannofhappent0 ne; it is somethiryelse.
ThenI showed]ean-Baptiste
and as he lookednt tlrc spots,his eyesfilled like
theydo whena new oneis born to us, only not for tlrc samerenson.
We went on our kneesin fron
proved
togetherthat it wouldn
we
my
not feei
fngers l knewthatG('
It was a hard thin1to hnTJe
with theothers.It grew-onthemlik
soresthat ran with poisonslt cha
knowstheface.Thesmellin the:
clean,It uill not go suaY
thes
For us with'ln maladie'
the onesI calledmYfriendsbega
Somefamilieshid fheit sickonesa
eaenwhenall the signswereon th
WhenI knew,I PushedmY
Boptisteto tnkethemwith hin to 1
this. I fettsoshameclWhathadI
mu beliunndI knelt againin lronf
tiat he'takeftom meihe newlife t
It was JamesYoun8, a Sco
1825,who brought the disease
of the County of Gloucesterar
ommended the communtty tn
contribution of funds to allevi
ished.
land
Young, a large-scale
known to be Preiudicedagain
family did noi mingle with th
settlers did. He did not have
plead their casebefore the gc
bositive resPonse.It was not
iracadie, irr 1842,that the affe
representthem.
Reverend Lafrancewas tl
was only twenty-eight when
help the Peoplehe'd beena1
OuebecCltv.His mother,Mar
lish-speaking,the daughterof
Charlis Hianvieux Lafrance,l
ance would have receivedfto
education, a well-develoPed(
knowledge of the tenetsof th
He had first Plannedon b
studied medicine for threeYe
in religiouslife. He wasordain
he hab gone to assistBishoPI
Provinc;, he becameacquain
Like manv of the Priest
dshioners was considerable.(
THE SPREADOF A
)ER
ADIE AND NEGUAC
Lntof the effectsof the mode of
tpleamongwhom this disorder
,'extremeand which not only
ry other scrofulousdisordcr but
commendedthat their habits of
is sustainedshouldbe changed,
the minds of thosepoor people
reir bodiesinto a more healthv
e NewBrunsutick
Cotlr'rsr(Saint
hn, N.B.)
nrch30, 1844.
and the Rev. Mr. Lafranceleft
last for the purposeof investif the frightful . . . diseasenow
rsintac. . . as a resultof their
eiropinionthatit hasno affinity
that it is owing to the poor diet
' habits is not correct for they
sand mostrespectable
farnilies.
e NewBrunsuickCoulle,'(Saint
ln, N.B.)
rril 13, 1844.
{ter that doctlr itt the goaernnrent
badnnd that our minds uere lou)er
but our youngestchilclretrlesrneLl.
m, When FatherLat'rancecarne,ht
I.
o lookedat our housesand out sick
e belieaed
them.I think they wanted
tt their housesclean, theVwouldn't
he signs.My legsgrew heauy and
tappento me; it is somethingelse.
cd at the spots, his eyesftlled like
tlot for the samereason.
We went on oLLrkneesin front ot' lesus on the Crucifix oaer our bed and
we prnyed together that it 1t)ouldtot be; but my hands grew sfit'f ancl I could
ot feel my frngers.I knew that God had not tsken'la nnlad[e'away. I wept
'la
malaclie'in my house. I ssw lroltt it zaas
It was a hard thitrg to haoe
with the others. It grew on them like mold on bread:swellings here, spots there,
soresthat ran with poisotts.It changesthe sick ones so that not epen a mother
knows the t'ace. The smell in the sick house is ttery bad. No mntter how you
clean, it wiII not go awqy.
For us with'la malndie'tlrc sforiesnnde things worse ET)enitt Trlcadie,
the ones I called my t'riends began to uhisper about me, thst I uas'lqnot cleannnLadie'
Somefamilies hid their sick ones and others said they did not hare
epenwhen all the sisns uere on them.
llhen I knew, I ptrshed my litfle ones t'rom my skirt and I askedlenn
Baptisteto take them with him to the field. I could not look at him when I said
this. I felt so shamed. Whqt had I brought into otl house. I pu,t my arms ouer
my beliy and I hrclt again in front of lesus and askedone morefattor t'rom Hirn,
that hc loke fr,,m n( lhe ntw lile now growing.
It was James Young, a Scottish immigrant, settled in Tracadresrnce
1825, who brought the disease to the attention of Sheriff Henry Baldwin
of the Countv of Gloucester around 1841. At this time, the Sheriff recommended the community try to contain the disease by a voluntary
contribution of funds to alleviate the poverty in which he said it flourished.
Young, a large-scale land owner, storekeeper, and ferryman, was
known to be prejudiced against the French with whom he dwelt. His
family did noi mingle with the population as other Scottish and Irish
settlers did. He did not have a knowledge of the people necessary to
plead their case before the government in a way that would bring a
positive response. It was not until Francois-Xavier Lafrance arrived in
Tracadie, ir 1842, that the affected population had someone who could
represent them.
Reverend Lafrance was the first resident priest in the parish He
was only twenty-eight when he arrived, but he was well qualified to
help the people he'd been appointed to administer. He was born rn
quebec City. His mother, Marie Ang6lique Emilie McDonnell, was English-speaking, the daughter of a British Army Captain. His father, Louis
Charles Hianvieux Lafrance, was a bookbinder by trade. Reverend Lafrance would have received from his rnother, who supervised his early
education, a well-developed ear for the English language as well as a
knowledge of the tenets of the Catholic religion.
He had first planned on becoming a doctor and, with that in mind,
studied medicinsfor three years before he decided he would be happier
in religious life. He was ordained a priest on Prince EdwardJsland where
he had gone to assist Bishop Bernard Donald McDonald. ln this island
province, he became acquainted with the Acadian people.
Like many of the priests of those years, his influence on his Parishioners was considerable. One elderly gentleman later recalled, "You
-
couldn't contradict him too much becau5ehis tcmper was as quick as
gun powder." This same man said Revered L.rfrance tlas a tireless worker
who wanted to be evervwhere at once. Duing an influenza epidemic,
he worked for thirty hours straight.
_ ?hilias Bourgeois, his biographer, dcscribes him as a man who was
rdealistic.energetic, and filled with the spirit of his religion but perhaps
too zealous in carrying out his mission.l
Even if he wasn't able to diagnose the illness, from his medical
knowledge as well as from his own obscrvations, lleverend Latrance
recognized the outbreak as a serious one. By March 1E44,seven people
had.died of leprosy. BesidesUrsule, there were Joseprh,Isabelle,Fiangois
Saulnier, and Ad6laide [Mme Franqois Robichaud]; Cvril Ausiin, a first
cousin of Marguerite, and Jean Robichaud, Marguerite-,suncle, were the
si\th and seventh victims. EarJydocurnents sav-the men contracted the
drseaseby sharing sleeping accommodation with Saulnier in the lumber
camps. In almost all cases, the victims were looked after at home bv
their families. Jean Robichaud was an exception perhaps becausehe wa!
unrnarried.
At the request of Young, Ileverend Lafrance, and others, Sheriff
Henry Baldwin came to Tracadie in March 18,14to investisate the disease.
In his report, he said Jean Robichaucl hact been kept in a log errclosure
that was erected for him a short distance from the rivcr by th"eoverseers
of the poor. Contributions for his upkeep rvere made bvihe parish and
his supplies were left at the door. Tht-se u ho tound his bociv ctrncluded
"his
Jean Robichaud had died insane because the ,,turf about
hut had
been rooted.up.in vadous places as if by the nails and fingers of a
maniac." Baldwin added, "The appearance of h,hat remain;d of his
hands confirmed this impression.'ir
Cyrit Austin and Jean Robichaud were still living when Reverend
, _
Lafrance arrived in Tracadie. In 18,1,t,he reported to ihe provincial authorities that there were six new casesof lepiosv in Tracadie in eighteen
rnonths. There was also one more case in Tabuiintac and three rnore rn
N e g u a c . A m o n g t h e N e g u a c c . l s e sw e r e F r a n q o i , eL a n d r y
[Mme Victor
5 d v o y l , y o u n g e s t > i s t e ro f U r s u l e a n d l s a b e j l e ,a n d t w o o f h e r . u n s .
Reverend Lalrance began a campaign to get medical attention for
.,
tne I and to contaln the dise.rse.He solicited the help of influential
people in the Counties of Gloucester and Northumberland. One of these
was Doctor Alexander Kev.
Doctor Key, a native of Scotland, arrived in New Brunswick in 1g16.
Besides his duties as a general practitioner, he was Health Officer in
charge ol quarantine for the Port of Chatham. After treatins the first
casesof leprosy in the Miramichi, he was determined to leari as much
about the disease as he could. Based on his studies of the leadrng au_
thorities on the subject and his own observations, he was convinced the
dlsease was contagious. However, he recognized as well that certain
people were more susceptible to it than others. Based on his prevrous
experiencewith the disease he unofficiallv diagnosed the illness in Tra_
cadie as Greek Elephantiasis or Black Leprosyl
l0
Reverend Lafrance also won
Ian Blackhall of Caraquet. Togeth
Governor of the Province of Ne'
relatives have concealed the dise
it has got so alarming that it <
conduci it is to be feared rnanY
toms."3
When the Legislature oPen€
ance, with a dele8ation from Trar
on the need for a hosPital and m
Bourqeois saYS, "He carried a
knoriledge oi English and the la
voice ma"dehim hard to resist.
In March of that Year, the.
medical commission made uP ot
and Robert Gordon. The comn
vestigate the disease in Tracad
recommendations The commi
noses adding that the disease
confirmed ca;es and three higl
we possessed legal authoritY to
cases would have been detecte
of coastline from Neguac to Tr
miles along the Gulf of Si. Le
are . . necessary to affest lts l
of the sick from the healthY ar
efficient manner, a lazaretto sh
While the medical commis
and recommendations, there w
in the province who believed
Doctori Alexander Boyle and R
Thomson M.L.A. from Charlo
Kings County were among.tht
reditary was one that a mrnol
believe as a result of the decrea
the Middle Ages. The doctors
this view, and their suPPorte
sick on the grounds that such a
purpose; also, it would be an u
The government was unc
"The subject is one ol Param
aDproaching our most denselyI
four miles irom Chatham," T&
about the disease had drawntl
Alarm was exPressed in Kings
antine was Proposed for shiPs
Mayor of Quebec CitY said Prec
A Chatharn, New Brunswick P
Harding had received a letter l
-_
use his temper was as quick as
ed L,afrancewas a tireless worker
During an influenza epidemic,
lescribeshim as a man who was
spirit of his religion bur perhaps
e the illness, from his medical
)servations, Reverend Lafrance
e. By March 1844, seven people
e wereJoseph,Isabelle,Frangois
tobichaudl; Cyril Austin, a first
td, Marguerite's uncle, were the
rnts say the men contracted the
tion with Saulnier in the lumber
were looked after at home bv
:eption perhaps becausehe was
I Lafrance, and others, Sheriff
r 1844to investigatethe disease.
rd been kept in a log enclosure
from the river by the overseers
p were made by the parish and
who found his bodyioncluded
;e the "turf about his hut had
by the nails and fingers of a
ance ot what remained of his
ere still living when Reverend
r reported to the provincial auleprosy in Tracadie in eighteen
t Tabusintac and three more in
FranEoiseLandry f Mme Victor
lbelle, and two of her sons.
in to get medical attention for
olicited the help of influential
Northumberland. One of these
ved in New Brunswick in 18i6.
ner, he was Health Officer in
ltham. After treating the first
; determined to learn as much
his. studies of the leading auvatrons/ he was convinced the
lcognized as well that certain
others. Based on his previous
y diagnosed the illness in Trarrosy.
Reverend Lafrance also won the support of the Justice of the Peace,
Ian Blackhall of Caraquet. Together the two men wrote to the LieutenantGovernor of the Province of New Brunswick that, "Sufferers and their
relatives have concealedthe diseaseas much as lay in their powers until
it has Bot so alarming that it can be concealed no longer, by which
conduct it is to be feared many are infected who have as yet no symptoms."3
When the Legislature opened that February of 1844, Reverend Lafrance, with a delegation from Tracadie, addressed the House of Assembly
on the need for a hospital and medical treatment for those with leProsy.
Bourgeois says, "He carried a certain authority, his intelligence, his
knowledge of English and the law of the country, his powerful speaking
voice made him hard to resist."'
In March of that year, the government in Fredericton appointed a
medical commission made up of Doctors Key, J.B. Toldervy, A. H. Skene,
and Robert Gordon. The commission had the mandate to formally investigate the disease in Tracadie and neighboring areas and to make
recommendations. The commissioners confirmed Doctor Key's diagnoses adding that the disease was contagious. They found eighteen
confirmed cases and three highly suspicious ones. They wrote, "Had
we possessedlegal authority to search every house in the district other
caseswould have been detected."5 The district spoken of was an area
of coastline from Neguac to Tracadie, a distance of about twenty-four
miles along the Gulf of St. Lawrence. "Among the measures which
are . . necessary to arrest its progress . . . is the complete seParation
of the sick from the healthy and in order to carry this out in the most
efficient manner, a lazaretto should be provided," the doctors wrote.6
While the medical commissioners were unanimous in their opinion
and recommendations, there was considerable support for some doctors
in the province who believed the disease was an inherited disorder.
Doctors Alexander Boyle and Robert Bayard, both of Saint John, Robert
Thomson M.L.A. from Charlotte County, and S. Z. Earle M.L.A. from
Kings County were among these. The theory that the disease was hereditary was one that a minority of doctors in Europe had begun to
believe as a result of the decrease in leprosy cases on that continent after
the Middle Ages. The doctors in the House of Assembly who shared
this view, and their supporters, were opposed to the isolation of the
sick on the srounds that such action would be cruel and serve no useful
purpose; also, it would be an unnecessary expense for the government
The government was under pressure from public opinion to act.
"The subject is one of paramount imPortance. The disease is rapidly
approaching our most densely populated districts and is now only twentyfour miles from Chatham," The New Brunswick Courier wrole.T Publicity
about the disease had drawn the attention of other parts of the country.
Alarm was expressed in Kingston, then capital of Canada, and a quarantine was proposed for ships coming from the Maritime Provinces. The
Mayor of Quebec Ciiy said precautionary measures would be used thereA Chatham, New Brunswick paper, The Gleaner,reported that a Captain
Hardins had received a letter from Prince Edward Island which stated,
ll
-
"It is cunently reported here and in other parts of the island that your
hospitals are crowded with persons labouring under the leprosy and
that they were dying daily, owing to this report people were fearful of
bringing over their produce.s The New Brurswick Courier, which had
published many of the articles, wrote, "The newspaper stories have the
effect of causing a quarantine of vessels from the neighborhood of the
districts to be talked of at Quebec and other parts of the colonies. These
restrictions upon commerce, if adopted in Canada would doubtless be
enforced in other places much to the injury of the trade of New Brunswick."e
On April 16, 1844, the government passed legislation entitled ,4?1
Act to Preoent the Spreadof a Disorder noto Exlstittg itt Certaitt ParLsof the
Countiesof Cloucesterand Northunfuerland.This Act authorized the government to construct or obtain a lazaretto with the purpose of removing
the sick from their homes and confinins them there. A six-member Board
o f H e a l t h w a s n a m e d t h d t h d d t h e p o w e r t u v i s i t , i n s p e c t ,a n d e x a m i n e
a n y p e r s o n s u s p e c t e do f h a v i n g l e p r o s y .
Board members were given the authority to appoint constables to
assist them. They could break into homes if they believed a leper was
being sheltered there. All reasonablv thought to have leprosy would be
taken to the lazaretto. People found sheltering or assisting the lepers to
escapeor in any way obstructing the Board of Health in its duties could
be subjected to a fine of between five and twenty pounds. If the person
fined were unable to pay, an equivalent amount of property would be
confiscated.In want of property, the violater would be put in common
gaol for twenty to forty days.
The Legislature appropriated the sum of 1,000 pounds to defray the
expensesof erecting a hospital and to ensure the proper care of the sick.
The Gleaner quoted Tle FrederictonLoyalist on the government's legislation: ". . . let who will be right, we think the government have taken
the nrooer course. If it is not infectious those who are now afflicted will
be tiken proper care of and will either recover or die when it will become
extinct. Ii it is infectious the course pursued will prevent its spread."'0
Named to serve on the first Board of Health were Joseph Cunard,
George Kerr, Charles Peters, and Alexander Rankin, Miramichi businessmen/ together with Dr. Alexander Key and Reverend Lafrance. All
of the members were English speaking except for Reverend Lafrance
and all, except the pdest, were from Northumberland, the county that
was least affected by the disease.
The Board of Health had the mandate to selectthe site for a possible
lazarettoand they were given a number of options. Tracadiewould seem
the more loeical location since most of the victims came from there. This
was the locttion favored by Reverend Lafrance. It was reiected as a site
because the board would have to hire a resident physician which, members felt, was an unnecessary expense. Besides, there was no suitable
buildine and one would have to be constructed.
t2
14
,,
h6
her parts of the island that your
rbouring under the leprosy and
ds report people were fearful of
o Brunsuick Coarier, which had
'The newspaper
stories have the
Lsfrom the neighborhood of the
rther parts of the colonies. These
I in Canada would doubtless be
Liury of the trade of New BrunsIt passed legislation entitled Al
tw Existing in Certain Parts ot' the
d. This Act authodzed the govto with the purpose of removing
them there. A six-member Board
er to visit, inspect, and examine
Y.
thorityto appointconstables
to
nes if they believed a leper was
ought to have leprosy would be
:ltering or assisting the lepers to
rard of Health in its duties could
rd twenty pounds. If the person
rt amount of property would be
olater would be put in common
lm of 1,000pounds to defray the
tsure the proper care of the sick.
ist on the government's legislaink the governrnent have taken
those who are now afflicted will
cover or die when it will become
'suedwill prevent its spread."lo
of Health were Joseph Cunard,
iander Rankin, Miramichi busiKey and Reverend Lafrance. All
I except for Reverend Lafrance
orthumberland, the county that
te to selectthe site for a possible
rfoptions. Tracadie would seem
re victims came from there. This
afrance. It was rejected as a site
residentphysician which, memBesides, there was no suitable
structed.
l.l;;:
zxB
(i1
\.N
\
'*
i.'ll
:
I
t!o
>o
(J6
<ci
a3
d
tr
z
U
!
7
.o
:
I
(rX,l.
U
I
ro
z
\\N
''
't ,
J\jjli
t'
i
."ii;r,
:
E- ,i
fili;tiiE,,/:
ljirjiiiiilri
: il l i i i t i l i i
13
--
Neguac was briefly considered but rejected for lack of a building.
Middle Island, in the Miramichi, was close to medical aid and had sufficient ground for cultivation but it was rejected because it was too close
to populous areas. Chatham, too, was rejected for the same reason.
Other possibilities were Grand-Anse, thirty-one miles from Bathurst,
DeBois Island off Bathurst Basin, and Bathurst itself.
The Board decided on Sheldrake Island, known to the French as
L'lle-aux-Becs-Scies.
Located in the Miramichi, about eiqht miles easr or
Chatham, the island had been designated as a quarantine station some
years before and the buildings were still there. The island was the property of the County of Northumberland and consisted of thirty-two acres
oI land.
in 1835, the Justicesof Northumberland, the legislative authodty,
had authorized the construction of a plank house forty bv twenty feet.
The building, with others on the island, was never used as a quarantine
station. The site remained unattended. On April 27, 1844,the Justices
allowed the Board of Health to lease Sheldrake for two vears at an annual
r a t e o f f i v e s hi l l i n g s .
Reverend Lafrance did not approve of the choice. The island would
be completely cut off from the mainland during stormy weather and
during the spring breakup. A further disadvantage that concerned the
pdest was that the lepers, all of whom were French and Catholic at this
point, would not be able to have the services of a French-speaking priest
because the island was closer to the mainly English-speaking reglons of
the Miramichi.
Father Lafrance sent a petition to the government in which he set
forth these objections. The petition was signed by about three hundred
residents of Gloucester County.
It was Gloucester County people who first recognized the gravity
of the disease and sought help fromihe authorities. Th"ecitizens reiolvei
to draw the attention of the Lieutenant-Governor to the fact that all
persons appointed to the Board of Health, except Reverend Lafrance,
resided sixiy miles away frorn the district where the disease prevailed.
These citizens held a public meeting in Bathurst to protest. "We have
strong reason to believe that the terror and alarm of being separated
from their home and friends, and carried to Sheldrake Island in the
County of Northumberland, has caused those unfortunate persons to
flee for refuge to the Acadian settlements on both sides of Bathurst,
endangering the health of the whole county while no resident individual
is empowered to notice or arrest the evil. "1r Their objections were overlooked by the provincial authorities and renovations were made to the
Sheldrake Island buildings in preparation for the lepers.
The iob of convincing the lepers and their friends and families to
go to Sheldrake fell to the priest and the doctor. The victims were assured
of comfortable accommodation, regular rnedical attention, and visits from
a priest. When possible, at this time, their families were allowed to come
and visit. Dr. Key himself hoped that, with regular treatments, he might
succeed in curing some of them
l4
and I askedP e
Ieqn-Baptiste
herein Tracadiewho couldcometo
our hous
aftet our sickones.He said'la
malad
harl
those
whl
with
Iiaing
told lean-BtPtis
Pire Lat'rance
him.
belieoed
madetha
Then the goaernment
antl flurderers.I
thesqmeas thieztes
thing to lookafterour otanchiklif i
andtakea
n ffi;n to stay in Trqcndie
'la
a womanlike me, who had mal
.
alonewith no mother
is whereth
L'Ile-aux-Becs-Scies
I would neaerseemy familYngain
Iein-Bqptistedidn't want to lk
it would bewrong to 8o agnlnstthe
r
reiected for lack of a building.
rse to medical aid and had sufeiected becauseit was too close
rejected for the same reason.
hirty-one rniles from Bathurst,
rthurst itself.
land, known to the French as
michi, about eight miles east of
d as a quarantine station some
lhere. The island was the proprd consisted of thirty-twoicris
land, the legislative authoritv.
nk house foity by twenty feet.
,vasnever used aS a quarantine
)n Apnl27, 1844, the Justices
hake for two years at an annual
and I askedPire Lafrancewhy we couldnot hauea doctor
lean-Baptiste
herein Trncadiewho couldcometo our housesand piaeus meciicine
and look
afterour sickones.He sqidour houses
weretoosmalland with toomnnypeople
Iiuing uith thosewho had'Ia maladie'othersin our family uould get sick,
Pire Lafrancetold ]ean-Baptiste
the gorernmentwould lookafter us. We
belieued
him.
Thenthe soaernmentmadethat law that said we with 'la maladie'uerc
thesameqs thieuesqnd murderers.For we who neuerbrokea law, it wasa bad
'la
thing to lookafter our own child if he had maladle'.It wasa badthingfor
n mqn to stny in Tracadieand takecareof hisfamily if he had 'ln mnladie',and
a womanlike me, who had 'Ia maladie',would haaeto leaaeher young ones
alonewith no mother.
L'lle aux Becs-Scies
is wherethE aresendingus. I thoughtif I went there
I would neaerseemy t'amilyagain.
didn't wnnt to listen to the priestaffer that, but I told hiffi
Iean-Baptiste
it would beurong to go againstthe priestwho speaks
for Cod.
)f the choice. The island would
d during stormy weather and
;advantage that concerned the
ere French and Catholic at this
ces of a French-speaking priest
ly English-speakingregions of
e government in which he set
igned by about three hundred
ro first recognizedthe gravitv
thorities. Thi citizens re-solvei
-Governor to the fact that all
h, except Reverend Lafrance,
I where the disease prevailed.
lathurst to protest. "We have
and alarm of being separated
)d to Sheldrake Island in the
those unfortunate persons to
ts on both sides of Bathurst,
iy while no resident individual
''11
Their objections were overfenovations were made to the
Lfor the lepers.
I their friends and families to
ctor. The victims were assured
dical attention, and visits from
families were allowed to come
r regular treatments, he might
l5
THE LIBERALITY OF THE BOARD
THEY DO NOT APPRECIATE
. . . the libarality of the Board theY do not aPPreciate; on the contrary,
they appear aniious to throw eveiy obstacle in the way. As the Board
cannoi iall in aid to keep the Lazaretto or the Persons of the lePers in
a satisfactory state of cleanliness, the nature of the disease renclering
it unsafe foi any one but themselves undertaking the task, the lePers
make use of this circumstance, to its full extent, to Sive annoyance
The Medical Officer has been unable during the last tweh'e months to
induce any of them to follow his prescriPtions for the amelioration ot
the diseaie. They readily attend to his directions so far as external
applications are recommended, but all internal remedies they refuse'
Ceorge Kerr,
Secretary to the Board of Health
Februarl' 18, 1846.
Public Archives of New Brunswick
House of Assembly Journal for 1E46.
There have been frequent desertions from the island, and in several
instances the Board 6ave sent after and forced the return of the parties . . . It aPPears to me to be requisite that the Board should have the
power of confining the lepers, and of otherwise Punishin8 them for
improper conduct;-and also, power to Prohibit persons landing on, or
'
approiching the island without leave, under severe Penalties
Ceorge Kerr,
Secretarv to the Board of Health
Februarv 25, 1845.
Public Archives of New Brunswick
House of Assembly Journal for 1845.
L'IIe aux-BecScies. . . it is a prettv plscein sumttrcr'Marsh grassaul
wheatgrow right to thewater'sedgeand thereis a,sot'tsand.yshoreto.waLkott
riiir, you canseea s.niqlluhite church.SomedaysI uould seethe
Across'the
sun shineon the churchnnd it was like a light in the woorls,IikeGodsaying,
"I haaenotforgottenyou,Marguerite."
It is not big, fhe islond,iusta shortunlk aroundtheshorefo seeif all'
Thickwoodscoa'erit a d onli a t'eu1freeshopeheenclearedt'or us andfor the
house.
keeper's
told Pire
I did not go uith the ofherson luhl 19' 1811.lean..Baptiste
coffie
new
life
to
wont
a
priest
did
not
The
forth on
Lafrancemy tiie wasnear.
to
L'lle-oux-Bec-Scies.
theboats
l6
anrlI sawthea
lean-Baptiste
in our familveuenthoughhenea
theiron
Now their boy,Frangois,
qeotsbuf he had to go to L'lleTheyhuggedenchother,fathera
It utasI whotookcareof Adt
stayedwith us too.lut
FrunEois
so tnuchof our bloodis in him.
Tranquille
, mYbrother,is fl
to go to L'lle
auenture'
it is'une
My brotherIsraelis tuentY
He tookYoungFrang
Franqois.
MV brotherOliuieris trl)en
onlv wherctheboatsare.He do
Oliaieris likemononclelm
'la mqladie'uas o him. He we
there;thnt is thestorytheYteII1
But I think,uhen I seem
husbandand mYYoungones;a
'la maludie'whowill go m
with
At leastuy brothersand,n
it is not VetmV turn to go' I a
Marir: is'tuo; and th.sntu lit'e
my bodygrip in thatt'amiliarP
saYshewill Ie
Iean-Baptiste
saYs.We
it will beasthedoctor'la
ot' malnd
we might behealecl
mightbe.
Therewereothersfrofi m
cousin,LouisGould,is not lucla
chilrlrenwho he mustsaYgood
uork on it.
Louissaysto I ean-BaPtis
now that he'i SoingawaYbut h
his wife and little onesbut hed
He toldIern-Ba\tistethath
showeditselfon hin He skeP
'In
oneswill take maladie'
from
WhenLouisgetson thebo
weeps;we all hearher' Theirol
saVsomethingto her but I can
Mada
lulienneGautteau,
nlsogoingto L'lle aux-Becsuith Daaidand her Youngone
luliennecaniestheYoungestt
lulienne,foo, is ex2ectin
ll'F-
THEBOARD
,PRECIATE
rt appreciate;on the contrary,
rclein the way. As the Board
r the personsof the lepers in
ture of the diseaserendering
lertaking the task, the lepers
1l extent, to give annoyance.
ing the last twelve months to
ptionsfor the ameliorationof
dircctions so {ar as external
Lternalremediesthey refuse.
rge Kerr,
etaryto the Boardof Health
uary 18, 1846.
lic Archivesof New Brunswick
se of Assemblylournal for 1846.
,m the island, and in several
forcedthe return of the parrat the Boardshould have the
therwisepunishing them for
ohibit personslanding on, or
1.lar
cavara
han,ltipq
rgeKerr,
etaryto theBoardof Health
.uary25,1845.
licArchivesof New Brunswick
Lseof Assembly
Journalfor 1845.
'acein summer.Mnrsh grassand
'eis a softsandyshorcto uslk on.
hurch.SomedaysI wouldseethe
'ht in thewoods,IikeGodsay tg,
alk aroundtheshoreto seeit all.
webeencleared
for us andt'or the
told Pirc
19, 1844.lean-Baptiste
t wanta newlife to comeforth on
lostfhemost
]ean Baptisteand I sawtheothersleare.My brotherFranEois
in our family eten thoughhe neaerlwd'la malsdie'.Adilaidewnsalreadyrlead.
Now their boy,Frangois,their only child,hari 'la maladie'.He uas only tweloe
yearsbut he hnd to go to L'Ile-qux-Becs-Scies
with no motherand no father.
Theyhuggedenchother,fntherand sorr.
It wasI who tookcareof Adllaideat the lastnonthsof her slckness.
Young
Franeoisstayedwith us too. Iean-Baptiste
sayshe is [ikeour own boybecause
somuchof our bbodis in him.
Tranqui e, my brother,is fifteet years.He is not at'raid,that lne. For him
it [s'uneauenture'
to go to L'Ile-aux-Becs-Scies.
My brotherIsraelis tzoentyoneyears.He usedto lioe with Ariilnideqnd
Frangois.He tookyoung FranEois
and saidhe would takecareof him.
My brotherOliuieris twenty-fireVears,He doesnot talk thatday.He looks
only wheretlrc hoatsare. He doesnot saygood-byeto us.
Olktier is like mon onclelean, who l[uedin mt1t'ather'shouseuntil hesnw
'lq mqlqdie'
was on him. He went away to a cahit hy the riuer. He went mad
there;th1.tis tfu story they tell in Tracad[e.
But I think, when I seemq brothersgo, that l, too, will soonleaueny
husbanci
srtclt11yVoul1gones;attd I fhink mon onclelean is not fhe only one
with'Ia naladie'whotoill go nad.
At leastnt1 brothersnnd mon onclelenn, theyhate no chiklren.Though
tt ts nof yet my turtl to go, I am sickwifh worry. Luc is only ftueyearsand
Marie is two; nnd this new life that I carry is readyto be born. AlreadyI t'eel
my bodygrlp in thatfamilitr pain.
snyshe u,ill learnto carefor themas goorlas meandperhaps
Jean-Baptiste
it will beas thedoctorsays.We will hrce goodmeals,lotsof rest,mecliciteand
we mighf behealedof 'la nulacl[e'.I askedlesusanclSaitt losephtoo, that fhis
xright be.
Therewereothersfrom my t'amily who wereon fhe boatsthat ciay.My
cousin,LouisGould,is notluckylike nty brothers.He hasa wit'eand ninelitirtg
childrenwho he must saygood-byeto and a luge t'armw[th no oneto do the
u)orkon it.
Louissaysto lean-Baptiste
thnt herloesnot knou uhst utill hnppento hint
now that he's goingtway but he hopeshe'll bebetternext spring.He wauesto
his wifeand little onesbut hedoesnot touchthem.
He toldlean Baptistethathedid rrottouchany ofhist'amilysincethedisease
showeditself on hin. He sleepsby himselt'.He is afraidhis wife and his little
oneswill take'lamaladie'
t'romhim.
WhenLottisgetson the boat,hisfaceis rcrv stiff. 'Safe tme', Geneui:ut:,
weeps)we al[ heqrher. Theiroldestputs hisarm aroundhis tnother.] ulant to
saysomethingto her but I cannot;thereare no uords.
sister.Sheis
lulienneGautreau,MadameDauidFerguson,is Geneuiitte's
alsogoingto L'lle aux Becs-Scies;
a womanwhohasthreelittle ones.Shewalks
with Daoidand her youngorrcs;Chsrlotteand Estherrun to keepup to them.
luliennecarr[estheyoungest,William, who is oneyear olcl.
lulienne, foo, ls expectinganotheryourtglne but her tine [s not as near
t'7
qs mine. She has tLtgo now. She will girc ltirth in a
feu nonths.
g[ues
Dattici
the
bnby
when
she
gets
ott the boat. Her neTthews,
_. lul|enne
Edouard twelzteand Amant twenty-one, loseph Sauoie'schildren, will be with
her.. Their mother, luditll, nskslilienne to look out t'or ELloutrd. loseph says
notntng.
Fabien Gautreau comeswith all his children. He is not afraid. He says he
will stay one month to seewhst it is like on L'II: aLx-Becs,Scies.
That msn hos
built a big t'arm, too, and his house is otte of the nicest iu Trccsdia. He is
luLienne'sbrother.
Fidile Brideauhas his arm nrouwi hls tuife. They haxe beenmarried truentyfia.e.years.It's hard t'or her t0 let him gof but the childrett are groun and Lhiy
will take care of their mother.
ThomasComeauis another cousin to lulienne. He looksbod. 'Lo nal(rdie,
has made its marks on him. He tries to hide his facet'rom us. He lns a wife and
seoenyoung_ones antl I sav to lesn-Baptiste that this is another
lamily whose
childrenwill be hungry lhis wintet.
Thereis on the boatsto L'IIe-aux Becs-Scies,
Morie-Clsire Brettu. Maclame
Basque.She [s the niece of Ursule and loseph. Charlotte Benoit is Llrsule,s
granddaughter.
,She is only fourteen. She leauesher motlrcr and gets into the
boat with the others.
Pierre Robichaud,Pierre ii loe, is a cousin to me. He hns 'la maladie,. He
goesto L'lle-aux-Becs-Scies
that day. Marie, Modome Fidile Sauoie,is his sister.
Shegoes, too. She, too, hos three young ones slrc must leaoe.
Mqrie RoseRobichqudis thirteen. She goesthaf day from Negunc.FranEusc
Landry, Madame Victor Sauoie,will look out t'or her and her owi son, Bornab€,
who is the youngest going to L'Ile-aux Bscs-Scics,He is eight years. Thosethree
all go from Neguatanclwe dotit scelhent kn.tc.
It is not onl! us who hauefamilies who go to seethe sickones leau. Some
p^eople
in the ai.llagehauecome. When we passhy, theydraw back.Somewhisper.
Somelook as if they would like to talk to trs but thiy are nfraid. SomeI know
as well as I know my own brothersbut thty tookainy ftow wy
Jnccwhen I
stareat them. Someof thosepeopleuith no families witi'la maladii, moke jokes
aooutus.
Father.Lafrancehas sa[d a blessingon us. He askseperVoneto pray
t'or us
.
'la
who.haae maladie'. When he says this, the laughing
stops.
He,
too,
ts
gomg
to L'Ile-nux-Becs-Scies;
only he is coming back.
When the boats leaae,lean-Bapfisteand I htLrry backwith our young ones
to oul nouse.
Under the plans of the Board of Health, the hospital was to be run
by the patients themselves, each with a special iob to do. Some would
cultivate the land and clear the ground oflrees; others would look after
the- cooking and cleaning; otheis would take care of the laundry and
look after wood for fires. The keeper and his wife, called the matron,
would oversee the work.
Reverend A. Danel, who later became a chaplain of the Lazarerro,
wrote that to attain this end, "lt would be necessarvthat fraternal union
l8
exist among the lepers and
of Health to gain their conf
As soon as they realize
in, the lepers began to dist
of repairs had been made_
barrack-type struch-rrewas dl
and one for men. No provis
stage of the illness from the
and covered with straw tic.
mitories were dark and ve
outside and a wash house
regular visits frorn the doct
to themselves. Even the Pr
year.
Dr. Key expressed the
them with doses of bichlori
this vaguely-expressed hoP
Key's remedies were no cu
ued to apply the ointments
In the heart of each ol
have the disease, or that tl
would soon be cured. At th(
sufferers were leprosy victil
of the illness while others I
were aggravated by poor sa
infection and became infes
whiskers fell off. They bec
and the throat. Those whc
revolted by the oihers, and
would not eat the food Pre
hands.
The Board of Healih an
no more callous than Eurol
Historically, the leper had
well as on the continent, le
selves from society. In mos
to inherit property. In Edir
of one lazar house: death b
tried to escape. In manY r
clappers to warn others c
Chuich performed the sole
the lepei. On that day, the
rest oi the communitY and
this practice, "He was from
the living and legally burie
The victims of Hansen'
buried though alive. In Fel
provincial government, "T
--
rth in a feu nonfl$.
e getson the boat.Her nephews,
chiklren,will bewiLh
ryhSaooie's
lookout for Etlouard.losephsnys
hen. He is not nfraid.He sntlshe
. Thntmmrhas
,'lle-aux-Becs-Scies
of the nicestin Tracadie.He is
fe.l-heyhaoebeenmarrietltwerLtyt thechildrenaregrotunnnrl they
'La maladie'
Iienne.He looksbad.
is facefrom us. He hqsa wifenntl
that thisis anotherfamily whose
Breru, Maclame
cies,Marie-Clsire
eph.CharlotteBenoitis Ursule's
aaesher motherandgetsinto the
'la
. He
tin to me.He hns mqladie'
is hiss[ster.
FidileSauoie,
Vladame
.
s shemustleaae
Frango[se
esthatdayfromNeguac.
for herandherownson,Barnabi,
icies
. He is eightyeurs. Thosethree
'are.
go to seethe sickonesleaoe.Some
. Somewhisper.
by, theydrawback
but theyareafrairl.SomeI know
y lookawaylrom my facewhenI
'la
milieswith ffislldie'mnkejokes
'.s.He askseueryone
fo prayfor us
elaughingstops.He, too,is going
ck.
I hurry backwith our youllgones
th, the hospitalwas to be run
specialjob to do. Somewould
rf trees;otherswould look after
I take care of the laundry and
rd his wife, called the matron,
ne a chaplainof the Lazaretto,
e necessarythat ftaternal union
exist among the lepers and a solicitous cha ty on the part of the Board
of Health to gain their confidence."l
As soon as they realized the conditions they were exPected to live
in, the lepers began to distrust the Board of Health. Only a minimum
of repairs had beln made to the building that was their quarters. The
barrack-tvoe structure was divided inside into two wards- one for women
and oneior men. No provision was made to separatethose in the worst
staee of the illness from the others. Plank beds were built into the wall
and covered with straw ticks. Each patient had one blanket. The dormitories were dark and ventilation extremely poor. The privies were
outside and a wash house adjoined the lazaretto. Although promised
regular visits from the doctor, the patients found they were left mainly
to themselves. Even the priest could only make the trip a few times a
year.
Dr. Key expressed the hope that he might be able to cure some of
them with dosei of bichloride of mercury and iodine. The Patients took
this vaguely-expressedhope as a promise. When it was evident that Dr.
Key's remedies were no cure, they became disillusioned. Some continued to apply the ointments but refused to take the oral preparations.
In the heart of each one of them was the hope that they did not
have the disease, or that they had a mild version of the infection that
would soon be cured. At the same time, they were convinced their fellow
sufferers were leprosy victims.'?Someamong them had few visible signs
of the illness while others were in the advanced stage. The latter cases
were aggravated by poor sanitary conditions. Their tubercules filled with
infection and became infested with worms. Their hair, eyebrows, and
whiskers fell off. They became blind. The disease attacked the mouth
and the throat. Those whose disease had not reached that stage were
revolted by the others, and afraid. They fought among themselves They
would not eat the food prepared by or use the linen washed by leprous
hands.
The Board of Health and the provincial government of the day were
no more callous than European bureaucrats had been at an earlier time.
Historically, the leper had always been ostracized. In Great Bdtain, as
well as on the continent, leprosy victims were obliged to seclude themselves from society. In most cases, they were forbidden to own land or
to inherit property. In Edinburgh, a gallows stood outside in the yard
of one lazar house: death by hanging was the punishment if an inmate
tried to escape. In many iountiies, the victims had to caffy bells or
clappers to warn others of their approach. In Brittany, the Catholic
Chuich performed the solemn ceremony of the Burial of the Dead over
the lepei. On that day, they were separated from their families and the
rest o? the community and consigned to a lazar house Dr. Key said of
this practice, "He was from that moment regarded as a dead man among
the living and legally buried though still breathing and alive."3
The victims of Hansen's Disease on Sheldrake Island would not stay
buried though alive. In February, 1845, George Kerr complained to the
provincial government, "There have been frequent desertions from the
l9
island." He asked for permission to lock up those who attempted to
escapeand of "otherwise punishing them for improper conduct."r
One night in April, 1845, twelve people escaped from Sheldrake
Island on horsedrawn sleighs provided by their relatives and friends.
They brought with them bedding and other articles furnished by the
Board of Health. The group made their way to their hornes. Of these,
some were forcefully brought back by Board of Health member Charles
Petersand one appointed constable. A few returned on their own when
thev found theii iamilies refused to shelter them. Some remained at
home and hid in the woods when authorities appeared to force their
feturn.
ln July, four men left the island on a homernade raft. The keeper
and the matron of the lazaretto had no power to stop the escapes.George
Kerr complained to the Lieutenant-Governor, "The lepers have been
allowed to range over the island without control or restraint and they
have never been confined or watched at nisht."r Kerr asked for the
authority to hire armed guards to patrol the island to prevent escapes
and to assure only persons with wfitten permission from a Board of
Health member be allowed to land.
Once on Sheldrake, the individual became a leper: a being who was
dangerous to the public, a person who was an eni-y of the-state. The
tragedy of leprosy in New Brunswick was not so much the diseaseitself
but the fear of the illness in the public mind.
Among the escapeeswas ten year old Barnab6 Savoie. The terrified
child was taken'from his father at gunpoint, bound with ropes, and
brought back to the island. Kerr asked for funds to construct a separate
building to confine the "offending leper" and proposed to feed him
"plane fare" as a means of preventing frequent desertions.
Contrary to some later newspaper accounts of this early histor.,,,in
most cases, the escapeesfrom Sheldrake found shelter and protection
at home. Charles Peters, whose responsibility it was to bring back the
fugitives, complained that he did so at a risk to his life. No only rrugnr
he take the disease by coming in contact with infected persons, but,
"Several times I contended against firearms and weapons such as axes,
pitch forks, and clubs."6
In response to the concerns of the Board of Health, the House of
Assembly passed a series of regulations that would rest ct the movement of the patients and strengthen even further the powers of the
Board of Health. All lepers were to be kept in one main building. The
times when they could exercise in the fresh air would be specified by
the physician. Boundaries were to be imposed around the lazaretto bevond which they corild not go. An armed guard was hired to see that
the new regulations were enforced. No one was allowed on the island
without wdtten permission frorn one of the Board members.
News of the restrictions anqered and frustrated the residents of
Sheldrake. Before the legislation was ofiicial, between four and five
o'clock on the morning of October 16, 1845,the lazaretto burned to the
ground. "No one was injured . . the lepers saved most of their bedding
20
and clothing. . . the imPres
Health, who were on the scer
accidental," Kerr wrote.T
Fourteen inmates remain
quarters were built. ln a Peri(
ihildren had died. Three ren
The new building, erecte
priate than the old one. "lt wi
iurnishings, came to about 2
In 1847, Doctors BaYard
rounded bv a high Picket fen
of lepers durin{ the night .
well suited for the PurPoses1
said of this second lazaretto tl
commodious. . . care shoul
tilation. "'
'
In the meantime, there
affected poPulation. James )
tercourse with the inhabitant:
The Board of Health took tl
one in the Province knew r
effects of long-term incarcer
ilies. The authodtadan regu
worse.
In the weeks belore I wer
house. Etten the chiklren did n
1844, it was flv turn Thecon
ne on the boat. I thought noth
But that was beforeI saw
in the cloonuatlancl breafhed
stomach.lulienne Fergusotrwr
mu arms qs mv IeRsgreu loos
i dd nit knowI
It6m nu ftst.
'featurei.
'Ln mnladie'hadma
'breath
washeauYand tainted
My brothers
, too, clidnot
soiled.Tranquille's
lacewas.c(
Theyfoughtamot1|thefiselo
to bring wooduhen rt wasn
wouv ao noneof thosething
ln theroomfot women,I
on the ftoorbesideit lor mYIi
Therewasa uindow in I
on thefloor' Twowo
splashed
a lotg tablein theroom'rats
Therewnsa stoPein ea
heldwater.
.-
k up those who attempted to
m for improper conduct."r
eoPle escaped from Sheldrake
by their relatives and friends.
)ther articles furnished bv the
way to their homes. Of these,
rardof Health member Charles
w returned on their own when
3lter them. Some remained at
orities appeared to force their
a homemade raft. The keeper
lver to stop the escapes.Geor€ie
ernor, "The lepers have been
t control or restraint and they
lt night.'6 Kerr asked for the
the island to prevent escapes
n permission from a Board of
rame a leper: a being who was
r'asan enemy of the state. The
i not so much the diseaseitself
rind.
I Barnab6 Savoie. The terrified
roint, bound with ropes, and
r funds to construct a separate
/' and proposed to feed him
equent desertions.
:counts of this early histor.v, in
: found shelter and protection
ibility it was to bring back the
risk to his life. No only might
ct with infected persons, but,
ms and weapons such as axes,
ioard of Health, the House of
that would rest ct the moveen further the powers of the
3pt in one main building. The
esh air would be specified by
rosed around the lazaretto bed guard was hired to see that
rne was allowed on the island
lhe Board members.
rd frustrated the residents of
fficial, between four and five
45, the lazaretto burned to the
)rs savedmost of their bedding
and clothing . . . the impression left with the members of the Board of
Health, wh6 were on the scene shortly after, was the fire was not purely
accidental," Keff wrote.T
Fourteen inmates remained, crowded into the wash house until ne$'
quarters were built. In a period of a little over a year, one man and three
children had died. Three remained at large.
The new building, erected in November, was thought more appropriate than the old one. "lt will not cost so much to heat." Cost, including
furnishings, came to about 270 pounds.
In 1847, Doctors Bayard and Wilson wrote, "The lazaretto is surrounded by a high picket fence, enclosing a yard;_to prevent the escape
of lepers durlng th-e night . . . the gate is closed. The building is not
weU suited for the purposes of a hospital . ."3In 1848,Dr' Henry Hartt
said of this second iazaietto that it " . should be enlarged and rendered
commodious . . . care should be taken to secure a more thorough ventilation."'q
In the meantime, there were eight new casesof leProsy among the
affected population. James Young wrote, " . by their unrestricted inte.course with the inhabitants, the disease must continue to spread . . .""'
The Board of Health took the brunt of the criticism for a situation no
one in the province knew much about. Few had any insight into the
effects of long-term incarceration of an innocent people and their families. The authoritarian re€iulationsonly served to make a bad situation
worse.
In the weeksbeforeI went to L'Ile-sux-Becs-Scics,oLtr llluse utns a ssd
house.Euen the children did not play or quarrel |ike before.On September21,
1844, it was my turn. The constsblehad to pull met'rom leatBaptis.te antl pLtsh
ne ofl the boai. I thought tlothing could be worse fhan sntling gooclbrle
But tllqt was beforeI saw Lhe hospital lt uos l&te at'ternoonwhe-nI stood
in the doorway and'breathe(1,for the first fine' air so putri! it wenkened.mq
stomach.luliinne Fergusonwas by my sirle Now she fook the qoung onefrom
my nrms as my legsgrew loose;the feiu objectsI,carried clon.eup in a shaul slicl
fr6m mv fist. i aia iot t nou Frangois. Lumps that ran uith mlffer trlisted llis
'featurei."La
maladie' hnd made him blinrl He Tuaslying ott a ruood bed; ltis
and tninted, his body hot.
wtls
heaay
breath
My brothers, too, did not lookthe sane Their hair Toaswild, their cloth.ing
soiled.Tranquille's t'acewns cooued wifh snurllspots I klleu were'la maLadie'
Thcv foupht amonR thcmselucsnnd with fhe otlrcrs. At home, they were quick
to irhs'wood wltin it was uecded,or cleqr lstld or build a t'ence.Here they
would do no e of those things.
In the room for women, I Put my thitrgs on a uloLl bed. Thereutass cradle
on the floor besideit for ltty little one
There wqs a window in this roottr, long and thin, through it a little ligltt'
salashedon the floor. Two women, too sick io stand, were on their beds Untler
a long table in the room, rats fed on a hunk ot' bread.
There wss n stooe in ench room, some tin plates, nnd mugs A wood pnil
held water.
2l
we were lesssickthan the others,choppedwood,
lulienneanrl I, because
washedclothesand drew waterfor eueryone.
For thiswe werepald aboutone
pounda month.But thespi[[s,thedirt . . . it wasworsethan what I hodeuer
seen.It grew daily worseuhile lulienneand I neaerstopped.
M.
,,the keeperand his wife, uere nice.Theybrought
.and.Mme^Coughlan
us suryliest'lom Chatham.Theywould takeo boatnnd 9o for thedoitor wien
we nsked.lf fights started,especiatty
among thcmen, thckeeperfrictl to settle
It.
It wasnot theirjob to cleanor nurseinsidethelazaretto.Theywerecareful
not to cometoo closeto us. I did not blamethemfor that.
luliennewas broughtto Tracadieto haueher babyat thc beginningof the
new.year.
Theyhauemoney.lhe Fergusons.
andanyway.Dauid.herhu"band.
is n brother-inJaw
ol lame"Young.lou mnybesuieM7. \ ounpwou[dnof let
a little nieceor nephewbebornoi Becs-Scii.Shereturned,briipins her new_
borndaughterwith her. Laterin thespring. it wosMary Sauoiets
tirn to giue
birth.
Sheboreher child in silenceeuenwhenthe laborwashnrciuponher. She
did.not want to wqkethe men in the nextroomand hauethemlookat her. We
fixeda birthingchairfor her nearthestouefor warmth.A bouwasbornto her.
|he calledhim Belonie.
Therewerenow threebabieswith us on the island.Eaenthe men louecl
them.Theywereso clearof skin, with bright pure smiles,eaen the ugliest
for
face.
A few daysafteyI came,thekeeperbrouRhtin onotherpatient,a Scotsman
namedAlexanderStewart.He uas the firstTodie on L llc-aux-Bccs-Scies.
Ju_
liennecouldspeaksomeEnglishbut shedid not uwlerstandwhat M. Stewart
said.He dietl with wordsoi his lips that no lne understood..
Thosewith'la maladie'diedfasteron L'lle-aux-Becs-Scies
than the others
beforeus, who diedin Tracadie.Themedicines
of Dr. Key madeus sickso that
we couldn'tswalloutthem.
yoyng^,peoy.le.died
the.quickest.
Eachnight, CharlotteBenoituied for
, ,The
her,'maman'..
Shediedbeforetheyear wasdone.'Sodid Frangois,my nephiw,
ana Ldouara'auoP.
lt is not eas.y.
t9 lig on s straw bedand to hearthe weepingand.coughing
.
of.otherc;to smelldeathin the roomuith you, besideyou, eaei o, a -oid beld
uKeyour own.
It is no wonrlersomerun from thqt.
of me !9cnu1etheyknewI uould takecareof
. My lrotlryrs stayedbecause
them.Fa.bien
G.autreau
l,eftto takecareofhis family-.Theconstable
broughthim
backtied.up like a thief but he left again, I wasglad
t'or him that the second
timehe did not comehack.
Frangoise
died, but Bornablwasnotnlone. Hisbrother, Stanislas
, hnrtcome
to L'lLe-qux-Becs-Scies
with 'ls malndie'.When Stanislas
escaped,
he tookBar_
nabt with him, but Stanislascouldhide in the woods.Barnabl wastooyoung
to hidelike that so he wascaught.
"Dilty little leper,"theconstable
saidto him. He's sucha little bov:a sick
Iittle bov.
'leper'. It
It is a badword
isn't a word that shouldbeus
did not liue longat'terhewasb
off tl,
Thecokl wind sweeps
of our hospital.Weeachhne or
die of that, I think, andnot of'
That winter ue ha'ueothe
My skin burnedwith a redras
Thereis no oneto cleanbu
his bed,ht
uas too iII to leazte
helphim clean.Othershaoeno
Thoseof us whocan,go or
in the men'sbeards.Wewalkt
Iong. We do this to run ftom tl
Whenwe we toldaboutth
not as hot qs the nngerof som
of a builrting.Tlu
this outhouse
can.
We are aII guilty of thefit
qII togethernow, menandu,om
a partitionbut whercwestay,1
Theysaywe haoebrought
Iit:e with it. Perhapstheyire I
told us that I mnybepatient.
:k thantheothers,chopped.
wood,
. For thisue werepnidaboutone
it wasworsethanwhatI hadeaer
I neoerstopped.
his uife, werenice.Thevbrouqht
a boatandgo for thedoitor wilen
themen,thekeepertried to settle
dethelnmretto.Theywerecareful
hemfor that.
e hcr babyat thebeginningof the
md anywaV,Daaid,herhusband,
besureMr. Youngwouldnot let
. Sheretumed,bringingher newi.tuasMary Sauoie's
turn to giae
thelaborwasharrluponher. 1he
'mand.hauethemlookct her. We
r taarmth.A boywasbornto her,
r the islantl.Euenfhe men looed
puresmiles,eaenlor the ugliest
ht in anotherpatient,a Scotsman
o die on L'lle-aux-Becs-Scies.
luaotxnderstand
whatM. Stewart
)neunderstood.
[Ie-aux-Becs-Scies
than theothers
s of Dr. Keymacleus sickso that
night,ChnrlotteBenoitcriedfor
ne.Sodid FranQois,
my nephew,
J hear weepingand coughing
-the
, besdeVou,e|enon a wooclbed
setheyknewI wouldtakecareof
tmily. Theconsto.ble
broughthim
uasgladfor him that the second
Hisbrother
, Stanislns
, hadcome
n Stanislasescaped,
he took Bar
z woods.Barnabd
wnstooyo ng
\im. He'ssucha little boy;a sick
It is a badword 'leper'.lt is a wordt'ull of hateandt'earanclugliness.It
isn't a word thst shouldbe usedfor any of us uho hnd 'la maladie'.Barnabl
did not liae long afterhe was broughtback.
Thecoldwind sweeps
off the icein winter. It ftndsthecracksin theboards
of our hlspital. Weeachhaaeoneblanketto hideourselues
from thecold.Some
dieof lhat. I think.and not of 'la mqladic.
That winter we haoeothersickness. . . nea y eaeryonehad 'rtsipire'.
My skin burneduith a red rash;my t'eaerran high.
Thereis no oneto cleanbut we whoare sick.Whenmy brother,Tranquille,
was too ill to leaaehis bed,he lay in his orundirt until I was well enoughto
helphim clean.Othershaaeno oneto helpthem.
Thoseof us who cnn,go outside,eaenwhenit is so cold.Icecrystalsform
in the men'sbeards.We zpalkall ouerthe island;it is not bip. It doesn'ttake
Iong. We do this to run from the sflells, thc sickpeopleand lhe loneliness.
Whenwe are told aboutthe new regulations,I am angry but my angeris
not as hot as the qngerof someothers.Theysaid we wereto be lockedup in
this outhouseof a building. Thst we couldonly go out it' thedoctortells us we
can.
We are all guilty of thefire. We all wantedthe building to burn. We are
all togethernow, menand women,in thesameroom.TheBoardof Healthbuilt
q.Wrtition but wherewe stqy, thereis hardly roomto passbetweenthe beds.
Theysaywe haoebroughtthison ourselaes.
Thatit is us who will hauefo
liae with it. Perhapstheyare right. I feel sad.I pfay likeFatherLafrancehas
told us that I maa beoatient.
CONTAGIOUSOR HEREDITARY:
THE DOCTORSDIFFER
Dr. Boyle of St. John . . . sees no reason to believe that the disease is
infectious, and is opposed to all measures of quarantine in reference
to the districts where it prevails, as well as to the establishment of
lazarettosespeciallv dedicated to the accomodation of those labouring
under it. We heartily concur with Dr. Boyle in all he has said . . .
Tfu Landott Medical Ctzefte
August 9, 1844.
. . . with respectto the Leprosy, I think there is strong reason to believe
that it is at least communicable by inocculation . . . If the lepers were
allowed to mingle freely with their families, the propagation of the
disease from this cause would be inevitable . . .
Dr. Henry A. Hartt
Public Archives of New Brunswick,
House of Assembll' Journal (18,19)
June 19, 1848.
All of us on L'Ile-aux-Bec-Scies
knetu'la tnladie' uns taking.I h&db{rthe{1
the soreson Adilaide'sbody.I hadbreathed
her bretlth.Her boyFranqo[s
would
play by her bed.We got 'la mnladie',him qnd L
We womenon BecsSciesfirst got it by caringfor the sick.TIrcchildren
got it from us. But wherecouldwe breatlrcif not toutardstheir frces turned
aluaysour way? How coukl we wqshor dressor feedard not touchthe sot'f
uhiteskin?
Themen tookit from oneanother.Among mV brothers,in fhe woodsotte
blanketdidforall,onedish,onecup;inthecamps,onebedt'ortutoa
d sltnetires
three.
Someof themenhereuerc t'ools.Eaenwhen'ln mnladie'hadshowedifself
to go from oneto another,theywent where'ltl maladi.e'
was,and they satdown
besideit anddared'Ia maladie'to come.Thenwe woffienhadto openour houses
to 'Ia maladie'and takecareof it.
We on BecsSciesknewthqt thereweresottedoctorswho snidthe disease,
'lo mqladie',was not taking;that
it camet'lom our pnrefltsor grandparents;
n
sickness
that is in thebloodof thefamily like thecolorof thehair and theshape
of the nose.
FatherLafrancetellsus thnt if this is true, we cango from Becs-Scies
back
to Tracadie,perhapswe caneuengo home.
I drenmat night thatJea
house;that LheYoungonesPIa
brt I cannot.I wantuerYmut
I will teII thedoctorsthat
I will uskGodto forglaemYsn
FrustratedbY their inat
by the criticismsleveledage
tenant-Governorand urgeo
the situation.
Another issue of conce
islature was the contagious
by the province'sdoctorscol
letters wdtten bY ProPone
In the summer of 1847
Robert BaYardof Saint Joh
investiSatethese matters.
Doctor BaYardwas bor
Edinburgh. For a few Yea
UniversiiY of New York wh
he served on this commis
Tohn.Doctor Wilson immiS
ind set uP Practicein Dorc
in the As3emblYas an M.L
'
The two doctorswere
hospital to determine the
coniagiousProperties.The
ouestion thi Boardof Heal
ihere the diseaseaPPear
to recommend to the gove
be treated while, at the sa
On iulv 13, 1847,the
other members of the Boa
that eight Personshad die
it. Severalof the Patientsc
work imPosed on them. T
result of their discontentat
"She would rather eat a P
than the best food in ihe laz
to stop the work they wer(
the condition of their han
not worth their while to e
to be kept all their livesin
The doctors gavea n
Sheldrake.PierreSavoiew
he believed it had not Pr
island. PierreRobichaud,t
doctors describedhim asa
7-
IEREDITARY:
;D/FFER
n to believethat the diseaseis
res of quarantinein reference
ell as to the establishmentof
:omodationof those labouring
oyle in all he has said . . .
LondonMedicalCazette
Bust9, 1844.
hereis strongreasonto believe
:ulation. . . If the lepers were
nilies, the propagationof the
n b l e .. .
Henry A. Hartt
rlic Archivesof New Brunswick,
rse of AssemblyJournal(1849)
e 19, 1848.
t maladie'was taking. I had bathed
rcf breath.Her boy FrnnEoisroould
tdL
/ caring fot the sick. The children
I if tot t,wards their t'acesturnerl
'essor
feed and not touch the sot't
)ng my brothers,in the woodsone
nps, onebedfor two and somet[mes
'la
Dhen malad.ie'had showeditself
'a maladie'was, anclthey
satdown
we womenhad to openour houses
somed.octorswho said the disease,
nn our parentsor grandpnrents;q
the color of the hair aru1the shape
te, we can go t'rom Becs-Sciesback
I dream at night that lean-Bqptiste is besideme; thnt ue are in ottr smal[
house;that the young ones play in the yarcl. I awakeand try to find fheir faces
but I cannot.I want uery much to go home.
I will tell the doctors that I neaer wenf neqr snyone who hacl'ls nnlqdie'
I will ask God to forgiue my small lie.
Frustrated by their inability to manage the hospital and confused
by the criticisms leveled against them, George Kerr wrote to the Lieutenant-Governor and urged him to appoint atomrnission to investigate
the situation.
Another issue of concern to the Lieutenant-Governor and the Legislature was the contagious or hereditary nature of leProsy. The debate
by the province's doctors continued. The provincial press carried lengthy
letters written by proponents of both sides.
In the summer of 1847, the House of Assembly apPointed Doctor
Robert Bayard of Saint John and Doctor William Wilson, M L A., to
investigate these matters.
Doctor Bavard was born in Nova Scotia but he studied medicine in
Edinburgh. For a few years, he was a professor of medicine at the
University of New York where he sPecialized in midwifery. At the time
he served on this commission, he was a practicing physician in Saint
John. Doctor Wilson immigrated from Ireland to New Brunswick in 1827
and set up practice in Dorchester. At the time of the commission he sat
in the Assembly as an M.L.A. from Westmorland.
The two doctors were to examine all the Patients in and out of the
hospital to determine the nature of the disease and its hereditary or
coniagious properties. They were to inspect the hospital and the island,
question thi Board of Health members, and visit the homes and families
where the disease appeared. Based on their study, they were expected
to recommend to the government how the diseased people could best
be treated while, at the same time, safeguarding the public.
On July 13, 7847, the two men, accompanied by Dr. Key and the
other members of the Board of Health, visited Sheldrake. They found
that eight persons had died in the lazaretto and four had escaped from
it. Sev;ral bf the patients complained of the food and water, and of the
work imposed on them. The doctors believed the complaints were the
result of iheir discontent at being confined. Julienne Ferguson told them,
"She would rather eat a potato or some meat at home with her family
than the best food in the lazaretto."r Marguerite and Julienne both wanted
to stop the work they were doing for themselves and others because of
ihe condition of their hands. "Besides," they told the doctors, "it was
not worth their while to earn money or worry with work if they were
to be kept all their lives in a lazaretto."'?
The doctors gave a medical history of each patient still living on
Sheldrake. Pierre Savoie was 41 and of the eight years he had the disease,
he believed ii had not progressed as quickly since he'd been on the
island. Pierre Robichaud, twenty-six, had had the illness four years. The
doctors described him as a temperate man, a farmer who told them he'd
-
been very depressed since coming to the island. Israel Robichaud, twentyfive, was in his eighth year of illness but he told the doctors the disease
was worse since he was brought to the island. Olivier Robichaud, twentyseven, complained of a sore throat and pain in the stomach after eating.
He had been ill for six years. Barnab6 Savoie was covered with tubercules
at the time the doctors saw him. He was eleven vears old and had been
ill for tive years.
Marguerite Robichaud was thirty-four years old at this time. She
believed the disease was brousht on after the birth of her second child.
A few weeks after that event, she fell on the ice. Her hands and feet
began to swell and spots appeared on them. She had some small round
tubercules on the cheeks, nose, and forehead. She lost the sense of
touch and her hands were ulcerated; her fingers contracted and she lost
the tips of them. She nursed her child for i year in the lazaretto. The
doctors wrote, "Her disease seems stationary and she continues much
as she has been for the past eight years."3 Marguerite told the commissioners she had never had any leprous person in her house from whom
s h e c o u l d h a v e c o n t r a c t e dt h e d i s e a s e .
Julienne Ferguson was thirty-eight. She had felt the first symptoms
of the illness after childbirth four years earlier. She had few symptoms
but her fingers resembled those of the other patients. She nursed her
child for eighteen months in the lazaretto. Marie Savoie, forty, had had
the disease for ten years. At this time, it was quite advanced. Her voice
was reduced to a low whisper, her face and lips were swollen, her breath,
"long, laborious and oppressed."l Marie Rose Robichaud, sixteen, had
been ill for six years. She was often in the hone of Frangoise Savoie and
she believed she had contracted the disease there.
Following their visit to the lazaretto, the doctors went to the homes
where others with the disease resided. At Rividre du Cache, they met
V€n6rande Savoie, twenty-seven. A neice of Victor Savoie, she had been
ill for a vear. She was depressed becauseof her fears about the disease.
Stanislai, seventeen, and Marin Savoie, thirteen, hid in the woods and
would not talk to the commissioners in spite of assurance from Victor
and from Reverend Lafrance that thev would not be taken to Sheldrake.
The doctors said that Victor, their father, was a farmer and that his home
was clean and comfortable. His daughters and grandchildren resided
w i t h h i m a n d a p p e a r e dh e a l t h y .
in Big Tracadie, the doctors saw Louis Gould, forty-three, who had
been in the Iazaretto two years before but had escaped. He told them
grief and dejection caused his illness to worsen while he was there. He
couldn't endure being forcefully separated from his home and family.
Fiddle Brideau, fifty-five, had also escaped from Sheldrake. He had been
diseased for three years. He was a nephew of Marie Brideau and a cousin
of Ursule, Isabelle, and Frangoise. He slept in a camp near his home to
lessen the danger of infection to his family. Fabien Gautreau, thirtytwo, told the doctors he believed the disease was brouqht on after he
walked for six miles in water. He entered the hospital for one month to
try it and when he was refused a discharge, he escaped. He was retaken,
then escaped successfully again. He told the doctors that grief and weep-
ing in the hosPitalaggravat
rapid now that he was hom
AthanaseSaulnierfrom
ried and the father of two c
years and, from the doctor
i'apidly. He believedhe cau
being caughtin a severeston
Olivier Gautreau,a nephew
He had had the diseaseonh
it. Tranouille
^whoRobichaud,twc
was alreadYdee
brother
son and Bayard was, accor
chaud. LawrenceComeau,I
who died in the lazaretto.I
children. The symptomsof I
years before.
In Pokemouche,the do<
and Darby Robichaud;both
history about thesecases.
In Caraquet, the doct
Bouthilier. She was the dau
to Marie RobichaudSavoie
Sheldrake. She had had th
complained to the doctorst
during her approachingchi
In Grand Anse the doct
of Ursule, Isabelle,and Fr
Marie was well over eightyy
started. She told the doctor
had no diseaseon him. Ursu
Frangoisewas her sixteent
year old R6mi LandrY, Ans
came from St. Malo in Norr
that distdct of France.
As a result of their inve
in Tracadie and the region
They found the diseaseto bl
thei believed it might hav(
Landry.
To support their claim,
Tracadie lepers. They said
Bddeau ran through many t
Robichaud family. The doc
among the affectedpopula
and non-contagiousProPe
inquiry in Neguac,Tracad
the twenty-eight years sinc
been foriy casesaltogether
and. Israel Robichaud, twentyhe told the doctors the disease
rnd. Olivier Robichaud, twentyain in the stomach after eating.
rie was covered with tubercules
eleven years old and had been
ur years old at this time. She
r the birth of her second child.
n the ice. Her hands and feet
rm. She had some small round
rehead. She lost the sense of
fingers contracted and she lost
or a year in the lazaretto. The
rnary and she continues much
'3
Marguerite told the commis:rson in her house from whom
ihe had felt the first symptoms
arlier. She had {ew symptoms
ther patients. She nursed her
r. Marie Savoie, forty, had had
rdasquite advanced. Her voice
llips were swollen, her breath,
Rose Robichaud, sixteen, had
home of FranEoiseSavoie and
ase there.
the doctors went to the homes
\t Rividre du Cache, they met
of Victor Savoie, she had been
of her fears about the disease.
hfuteen, hid in the woods and
tpite of assurance from Victor
uld not be taken to Sheldrake.
vas a farmer and that his home
rrs and grandchildren resided
s Gould, forty-three, who had
tt had escaped. He told them
torsen while he was there. He
:d from his home and family.
Lftom Sheldrake. He had been
'of Marie Brideau and a cousin
pt in a camp near his home to
rily. Fabien Gautreau, thirtyease was brought on after he
the hospital for one month to
r, he escaped.He was retaken,
te doctors that grief and weep-
ing in the hospital aggravated the illness and that its progress was less
rapid now that he was home.
Athanase Saulnier from Little Tracadie was thirtv-five. He was married and the faiher of two children. However, he had been ill for four
years and, from the doctors' description, the disease had progressed
rapidly. He believed he caught it after exposure to cold as a result of
being caught in a severe storm at sea. Also in Little Tracadie, they visited
Olivier Gautreau, a nephew of Fabien and Julienne, who was eighteen.
He had had the disease only twelve months but was badly marked by
it. Tranquille Robichaud, twelve, is not to be confused with Marguedte's
brother who was already dead. The Tranquille Robichaud who met Wilson and Bayard was, according to their report, son of a Fr6d6ric Robichaud. Lawrence Comeau, fifty-five, was a cousin of Thomas Comeau
who died in the lazaretto. He was married and the father of thirteen
children._ The symptoms of the illness had appeared on him about four
years oerore.
In Pokemouche, the doctors saw two cases, Julia Landry, nineteen,
and Darby Robichaud; both had only slight symptoms. There is little
hisiory about these cases.
In Caraquet, the doctors talked to Marguerite Robichaud LeBouthilier. She was the daughter of Joseph Robichaud and a twin sister
to Marie Robichaud Savoie and Pierre (B6nonie) Robichaud, both on
Sheldrake. She had had the illness for slightly over a year and she
complained to the doctors that she could not get anyone to attend her
during her approaching childbirth for fear of catching the disease.
In Grand Anse the doctors talked to Marie Brideau Landry, mother
of Ursule, Isabelle, and Frangoise. Anselme, their father, was dead.
Marie was well over eighty years of age. She didn't know how the disease
started. She told the doctors that a sailor did come to Caraouet but he
had no disease on him. Ursule and Isabelle were her two oldeit children;
Frangoise was her sixteenth child. It was at this time that ninety-nine
year old R6mi Landry, Anselme's brother, told the doctors his father
came from St. Malo in Normandy when leprosy was quite prevalent in
that district of France.
As a result of their investigation, the doctors concluded ihat leprosy
in Tracadie and the region had not shown any contagious character.
They found the disease to be hereditary. Because of R6mi's information,
they believed it might have descended from Anselme's father, Alexis
Landry.
To support their claim, the doctors traced the consanguinity of the
Tracadie lepers. They said the blood of Anselme Landry and Marie
Brideau ran through many of them. The others were all membersof the
Robichaud family. The doctors said the low incidence of the disease
among the affected population was further evidence of its hereditary
and non-contagiousproperties. The total population at the time of the
inquiry in Neguac, Tracadie, Pokemouche,and Caraquetwas 5136.In
the twenty-eight years since the illness had appeared, there had only
been forty casesaltogether.
-
According to Bayard and Wilson, Frangois Saulnier was more likely
to have gotten the disease because he was a blood relative of a leprous
family. They didn't rule out the possibility that he became infected by
carrying Ursule's coffin; but they said the cause was then direct inoculation, not contagion.
Bayard and Wilson did not see Mrs. Gardiner, the Browns, Mary
Sweezey, or Alexander Stewart. All were dead. In their report, they
imply that Mrs. Gardiner had syphilis and they say it is difficult for
physicians to distinguish between the two illnesses.
They believed the illness lay dormant in the body of a susceptible
person until circumstances such as excessive fatigue and exposure to
cold, irnperfectly cured fish, or overheated homes caused it to develop.
The diseasecould skip one, two, or even three generations and appear
suddenly in the fourth. Poor hygiene and inadequate diet could also be
contributing factors in the development of the illness, but Bayard and
Wilson said this was not a likely cause in Tracadie.
Among their recommendations, the doctors said rnarriage between
leprous families should be forbidden. The present lazaretto should either
be made more comfortable or suitable allowances should be given to
allow the victims to be maintained at home. Becauseof the illness of
the breadwinner, sorne families had been left destitute. Bayard and
Wilson recomrnended that funds to help alleviate the poverty be given
to these families. A commissioner, hired for the purpose, would oversee
how the monies were spent.
In the table of consanguinity prepared by Bayard and Wilson, the
doctors linked several victims of the disease whose connection with the
Robichaud or Landry families was remote. For instance, Joseph Benoit's
only relationship to the Landry family is through mar age. According
to this table, the Comeau family is related to the Robichaud family. The
doctors based this on the fact that Marie Levron, marded to John Robichaud, was a half-sister of Anne Poitier who was married to Alexis
Comeau. The Savoies, shown on the chart to be related to the Landry
family, are in fact related to Victor Savoie's family. As the table shows,
Francois Saulnier is a distant cousin of Victor on his mother's side but
he has no kinship with the Landry family.
Some authorities have wdtten that Bavard and Wilson were ahead
of their time because they recommended that the lepers be treated at
home. However, the two doctors made this recommendation because
of their positive conviction that the diseasewas not contagious. Because
of this, they did not see the necessity of isolating the victim from the
rest of his family, his friends, or the community.
At this period of history, it wasn't unusual for ten, fifteen, or even
twenty people to be living together in a home where there were only
one, two, or three rooms. The prolonged contact with a leprous person
under these circumstances would increase the number of people infected. It is likely this was one reason the disease had continued to
spread.
28
a
F.
r, Franeois Saulnier was more likely
te was a blood relative of a leprous
sibility that he became infected bv
id the cause was then direct inoiMrs. Gardiner, the Browns, Mary
lwere dead. In their report, they
.ilis and they say it is difficult for
le two illnesses.
rmant in the body of a susceptible
excessive fatigue and exposure to
reated homes caused it to develop.
even three generdlionsand appear
: and inadequate diet could also be
Ient of the illness, but Bayard and
se in Tracadie.
the doctors said marriage between
T h e p r e s e n tl a z a r e t t os h o u l d e i th e r
rle allowances should be given to
lt home. Because of the illness of
I been left destitute. Bayard and
help alleviate the poverty be given
red for the purpose, would oversee
:pared by Bayard and Wilson, the
lisease whose connection with the
note. For instdnce,Joseph Benott'r
ly is through marriage. According
lated to the Robichaud family. The
arie Levron, marded to John Roboitier who was married to Alexls
r chart to be related to the Landry
rvoie'sfamily. As the table show.,
of Victor on his mother's side but
rmily.
tat Bayard and Wilson were ahead
nded that the lepers be treated at
ade this recommendation because
Lsease
was not contagious. Because
ty of isolating the victim from the
community.
r't unusual for ten, fifteen, or even
in a home where there were only
Iged contact with a leprous person
rcease the number of people in;on the disease had continued to
Y_
>:
2:
i
'14:2 )
.;;
::az
:i1 ;ir i:i
;;!:i;ijE
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29
One person who was not pleased with the Bayard and Wilson report
was Dr. Alexander Key. Key pointed out that because the patients were
related it meant that they were more often in each other's company,
and therefore more likely to get the illness through contagion. He had
always recognized a hereditary factor in leprosy disease. To him this
meant certain people were more likely to develop the illness than others.
He wrote, "I will not deny the possibility of its being occasionally
hereditary. . . My belief is . . . a liability or predisposition may be engendered by the parent to the child, rendering it more liable to become
affected when exposed to the contagion of the disease."5Modern researchersstill don't understand how the diseaseis transmitted but most
agree with this statement Dr. Key made one hundred and thirty-five
years ago.
Dr. Key believed the disease was contagious but not highly so. In
order to be transmitted from one Derson to another, the victim's illness
would have had to reach the stage at which the ulcers suppurate. ". . . it
is the matter generated by the sores that is the principal medium of
communication and that stage is, in many cases,years in arriving."6
More than thirty years had passed since Dr. Key had diagnosed the
first case. In that time he had seen all the lepers except the first eight
Tracadie victims. He did not like the implication that he had misdiagnosed the Gardiner case. He wrote, "Mrs. Gardiner had all the pathognomonic symptoms of Elephantiasis; it ran the same course and
terminated in the same manner as the others, about the last of 1828. I
attended her from May, 1816, until the time of her death;. . . she never
had the venereal . . ."'
Kev said the disease broke out on William Brown about ten months
before Mrs. Gardiner's death. He was sixteen vears old at the time. His
brother John, aged twelve, developed the diseise about two years later.
William lived about eight years with the illness and died in 1835; John
Iived with the disease for six years. Mary Sweezey, the ten-year-old
daughter of Rheuben Sweezey, was living with the Brown family. She
had the disease about six years.
To support Doctor Key, we have the evidence of Dr. John Thomson
who had diaqnosed Alexander Stewart and who had met Mrs. Gardiner.
He was lateiasked to examine Stewart's nephews, John Tingley, who
had lived with his uncle for a year, and his brother, Edward Tingley.
Both boys had leprosy. Thomson writes, "The case of Alexander
S t e w a r t . . . p r o v e s t h e c o n t a g i o u sn a t u r e o f t h e d i s e a s e . . , H e w a s
descended from a Scotch family who immigrated here . . and consequently could have no alliance in kin with any of the French settlers . . .
he lumbered in Tracadie some years before he was affected . . . he was
of the opinion he got the disease in Tracadie."s Doctor Thomson continued, "Alexander Stewart's case and that of Mrs. Gardiner, whom I
had the opportunity of seeing 20 years ago, had a great resemblance
and Mrs. Gardiner unquestionably died of Greek Elephantiasis."'g
Doctor J. B. Toldervy was another doctor who agreed with Doctor
Key. He said Bayard and Wilson had failed to prove the non-contagion
of leprosy. Doctor TolderrYI
the diagnosisin that case.AI
ervy writes, ". . . it has surP
Bavardhaveimpugnedthe co
Mi. rey, from his long acqu
well qualified to distinguish
From the beginning in l
by influencial doctors. In A
piestigious journal, Publish
bt saint Jotrn. Dr. Boyle be
editors of the journal agree
John. The man was looked z
got the illness. Boyle used t.
iontagious. He also quoted
oplmon.
Both TfreNew Brunswit
Bayard and Wilson rePort.t
eral letters of his own.
One of the strongests
person who signed himself
BrunswickCoarieron March
"A mass of absurdities,"an
ously entertainedin the dar
letter, Delta urged the Prov
at once and releasethe inm
the first place, the presen
found labburingundir the di
annually, without any cor€s
it perpetratesa most cruel a
ject . . ."r'z
In the face of the conf
took no action on the BaYar
rake was not improved; no
to their homes. Had a wa1
isolate the sick in their hom
controlledwhile causingthe
of that solution. It was Fid
his family by building a can
7-
.th the Bayard and Wilson report
t that beiause the patients were
)ften in each other's company,
.essthrough contagion. He had
n leprosy disease. To him this
develop the illness than others.
sibility of its being occasionally
ly or predisposition may be enLderingit more liable to become
n of the disease."s Modern rediseaseis transmitted but most
le one hundred and thirty-five
ontagious but not highly so. In
r to another, the victim's illness
ch the ulcers suppurate. ". . . it
rat is the principal medium of
ny cases, years in arriving."6
ince Dr. Key had diagnosed the
fie lepers except the"first eight
mplication that he had misdiMrs. Gardiner had all the path; it ran the same course and
)thers, about the last of 1828. I
ime of her death;. . . she never
illiam Brown about ten months
xteen years old at the time. His
e diseaseabout two years later.
: illness and died in 1835; John
ary Sweezey, the ten-year-old
ng with the Brown family. She
evidence of Dr. John Thomson
ld who had mei Mrs. Gardiner.
s nephews/ John Tingley, who
I his brother, Edward Tingley.
ites, "The case of Alexander
rre of the disease. . . He was
ImiSrated here. . . and conser any of the French settlers . . .
lre he was affected . . . he was
cadie."3 Doctor Thomson conhat of Mrs. Gardiner, whom I
a8o, had a great resemblance
of Greek Elephantiasis.",
of leprosy. Doctor Toldervy had examined Mr. Stewart so he confirmed
the diagnosis in that case. As for Mrs. Gardiner and the Browns, Toldervy writes, ". . . it has surprised me to find that Messieurs Wilson and
Bayard have impugned the conectness of the diagnosis in these cases . . .
Mr. Key, from his long acquaintance with the disease in question, was
well qualified to distinguish it from any known form of syphilis."'o
From the beginning in 1844, views on contagion were questioned
by influencial doctors. In August 18,14, The London Medical Gazette, a
prestigious journal, published a lengthy article by Dr. Alexander Boyle
of Saint John. Dr. Boyle believed the disease was hereditary and the
editors of the journal agreed. Boyle had treated a leprosy case in Saint
John. The man was looked after by his wife until his death. She never
got the illness. Boyle used this example to prove that leprosy was not
contagious. He also quoted European doctors who were of the same
oprnlon.
Both The New Brunsuick Courier and The Dailv Gleaner carried, the
Bayard and Wilson report. Doctor Bayard followed his report with several letters of his own.
One of the strongest supporters of the hereditary theory was a
person who signed himself Delta. In a letter that appeared in The New
Brunswick Courier on March 11, 1848, Delta calls Doctor Key's reports
"A mass of absurdities," and he accuses Key of holding views "previously entertained in the dark ages."ll On March 18, in another lengthy
letter, Delta urged the province to act on the Bayard and Wilson report
at once and release the inmates of Sheldrake Island. He said, ". . . in
the first place, the present systern of forcefully excluding all persons
found labouring under the disease involves the province in a large amount
annually, without any corresponding benefits; while in the second place,
it perpetrates a most cruel affliction on the personal liberty of the subject . . ."tz
In the face of the conflicting opinions, the provincial authorities
took no action on the Bayard and Wilson report. The lazaretto on Sheldrake was not improved; nor were the inmates there allowed to return
to their homes. Had a way been found to provide medical care and
isolate the sick in their homes, the disease would have been effectively
controlled while causing the least amount of suffering. One man thought
of that solution. It was Fiddle Brideau who had isolated himself frorn
his family by building a camp some distance from his house.
loctor who agreed with Doctor
ed to prove the non-contagion
3l
ql./
THE LAZARETTOIS RELOCATED
The committee of the ExecutiveCouncil having had under considcrahon
the Petition of the lustices of Northumberland PraYing that the lazaretto
at Sheldrake may be abandoned and that the lease of the Island mav
b e g i v e n u p , c a n n o l r e c o m m e n ( lt h a t t h c p r a y c r ( ' f t h e P e t i t i r ' nh e
c o m " o l , e ,d" i t h , b u t t h e v a r e , , f o p i n r , ' n t h a t t h e u f p e r P a r t o f t l r c l s l a n d
whiih does not include the Buiiding occupied bv the-LePer\ miSht.be
q
r v e nu p t o t h e . e . . i o n c f o r t h c p u r P o \ e o l b e l n g u \ ( d a s J V u a r J n l r n e
'l-ttablishment
. . to such dn e\t( nt a- ntrt tu inlcrfere wlth thc dccommodation requited for the Lazaretto - . therefore advise that a communication be . . . made to the Board of Health requiring the body to
relinguish to the Justicesof Northumberland the upper half of Sheldrake
Island...
Public Archives of New Brunswick,
MNO l1/2/8 No. 14
ln Council
March 31, 1848
Fools thev were who thought of that Tlnt's 7uh0f \ae snid o Becs-sci8s
when wt htnri'les tmigris maiadcs' .lere f0 conrcamong us Thay u)ill hreathe
'la
'lo
maladie' will breatlle choleru, tvphoid, perhaps
maladie' and we uith
u\rse. Our water and our soil will carry infecti(n6.
'les
tmigrls' We utete
Whoeaerthought of that, they do rtrttcatefttr us o.r
rerv antru when ie heattl about this Ttlan The nlen hnPe sai{1they tuill burtr
surh a iospifat lo lhe Sround il il tumts furr ' I rutll htlp lhem
We wait on the beachto tell Father SueeneVfhat we are fittgrv and nt'ra[rl
He is the priest for us ott the islandlttd he will help l- Iike Pire lohn ,He is an
Irish priest t'rom Chatham. His Fretrch is trLtfgood We tn1 t:ery hnrd to understandhim. He is a nice ttwt
fo
We hear sleighbells and qcrossthe ice, we seehim cou.ing-He t1a71es
nnd
catches
laughs
Fqther
SlL)eeney
him
st
us on shore.Pieri throu,sa snoubtlll
it. He is not at'raidof us or'ln t aladie'
He works utith us. He melfs ice otter tlrc fires to ftll the wash hotrsewith
cleon wster; chopswood; risits fhe bedriddennnd tells us stories'
He tenchestts a Same to play outsidefogether;.n.gameuiLh sticksand lce
"we
nre whin he comes.He is like n child f00 He is q boy
chunks. Like childre
to me, young, Iike Isrlel, mY brotlrcr.
He tells us not f o worrV abouf the hospital The iumigrunt sick uiII rtot
be among you; it is a crazy idea of tht gouenurcnf, he says Mstlv people, tlot
just us, are agatnstrt.
32
Beforehe leattes,he uisits ea
mske them suffer less,he will do s
like q seruqnt. He cloesnot mind
We walk him to the beachTh
the sound of bellscomesbackto t
lndirectly, it was famine ir
controlled Sheldrake Island-l
Northumberland. Sheldrake Ir
Northumberland. It was they
it to the Board of Health.
-1847,
a
In the summer ol
influx of Irish immigrants ani
St. Andrew's, Saint John, Fre
by famine in their own count
only to find ihat illness and d
One of these shiPs arriv
Looshtnuk fr om Dublin anchore
by the name of Thane, took th
tain Thane told the peoPle or
erpool seven weeks before witl
thit one hundred and sevente
were now one hundred unat
his crew were so exhausted t
medical attendance, fresh Pro
itants donated what was neec
and tow it to the quarantine I
Since the accommodation
for a quarantine hosPital, had
a lazaretto, no hospial had be
contagious illness. As a rePu
sick passengers remarnedon
that time, forty more deaths
sengers died after landing. O
rived on New Brunswick sho
them died. For many of these
all they saw of the new worlt
T,te Gleanerblaned the m
asked, "How is it that this Pc
similar standing, a proPer an
The buildings put uP on l
the propertv of the Magistra
the estate o? Joseph Cunard,
Magistrates at first thought o
quiries in that regard. The tru
r"ll. th"y wanted 350 pound
side of the island for twenty-(
water mark. The Magistrates
-
Beforehe leaaes,he z)isitseach of the uery sick. If he can do anything to
makethem suffer less,he will rlo so. He zoill straighten blanketsand bring water
Iike s serpant. He does not mind the smell or the ciarkness.
RELOCATED
avinghad underconsideration
:landprayingthat the lazaretto
at the leaseof the Island maY
the prayer of the petition be
nt the upper part of the Island
upied by the Lepersmight be
of being usedas a Quarantine
ot to interferewith the accom. thereforeadvisethat a comI Health requiringttre body to
md the upperhalf of Sheldrake
,licArchivesof New Brunswick,
lO 11/2/8No. 14
:ouncil
:ch 31, 1848
lhat's what we said on Becs-Scies
comeamongus. They will breathe
breathecholera,typhoid, perhaps
fections.
'les
rc for us or
tmigris' . We were
The men hnoesnid fhey uill burn
e. I will help them.
eneythat we are angry and afraid.
aiII help. I like Pire lohn. He is an
ot good. We try uery had to utr
we seehim coming. He wiaes to
FatherSweeneylaughsand catches
rc fires to fill the roashhouseuifh
1 afld tells us stories.
ryether;a gamewith sticksanrl ice
. He is like a chilcltoo. He is a boy
pital. The immigrant sick will rtot
nment, he says.Many people,not
We wqlk him to the belch. The sand is hidclenby ice blocks.After he'sgone,
the sounrl of bells comesbsck to us like a wh[sper.
Indirectly, it was famine in Ireland that led to the conflict over who
controlled Sheldrake Island the Board of Health or the Maeistrates of
Northumberland. Sheldrake Island was the property of the County of
Northumberland. It was they who managed it. It was they who leased
it to the Board of Health.
In the summer of 7847, a year before the dispute erupted, a large
influx of Irish immigrants arrived in the province through the ports of
St. Andrew's, Saint John, Fredericton, and the Miramichi. Weakened
by famine in their own country, they sought escape from deprivation
only to find that illness and death stalked them even into the ships.
One of these ships arrived in the Miramichi in early June. The
Loos,4taak
from Dublin anchored off the port of Chatham and the Captain,
by the name of Thane, took the ship's boat to Henderson's wharf. Captain Thane told the people on hand that the 600ton ship had left Liverpool seven weeks before with four hundred and sirty-seven passengers,
that one hundred and seventeenhad died on the passage,and that there
were now one hundred unable to help themselves. The Captain said
his crew were so exhausted they could no longer work. They needed
medical attendance, fresh provisions, and medical supplies. The inhabitants donated what was needed. A steamer was sent to meet the ship
and tow it to the quarantine grounds of Middle Island.
Since the accommodation on Sheldrake Island, previouslv reserved
for a quarantine hospital, had been given up to the Board of Health for
a lazaretto, no hospital had been provided for immigrants suffering from
contagious illness. As a result, sheds had to be constructed while the
sick passengers remained on board their ship another three days. In
that time, forty more deaths occurred. Ninety-six more Loosftfalkpassengers died after landing. Over sixteen thousand Irish immigrants arrived on New Brunswick shores that vear and close to two thousand of
them died. For many of these, a wooden barrack on Middle Island was
all they saw of the new world.
The Gleanerblamed the magistrates for the lack of preparation. They
asked, "How is it that this port has not, like all other shipping ports of
similar standing, a proper and permanent quarantine and lazaretto?"r
The buildings put up on Middle Island to meet the emergency were
the properiy of the Magistrates. Middle lsland, however, belonged to
the estate of Joseph Cunard, who had gone bankrupt late in 1847. The
Magistrates at first thought of purchasing Middle Island and made inquiries in that regard. The trustees of the Cunard Estate were willing to
sell. They wanted 350 pounds, plus the rights to boomage on the south
side of the island for twenty-one years, and beach privileges to the high
water mark. The Magistrates decided the conditions of sale were too
33
high. Besides, they believed Middle Island, only a quarter of a mile from
Chatham, was too close to a densely-settled population; and besides,
the water supply was bad.
In the meantime, The Gleanercontrnued to pressure them to establish
a permanent quarantine hospital. On February 29, 7848, we read,
". . . there is no doubt, a large number of emigrants will be thrown on
our shores, in early spring . . . Preparation ought therefore to be made
for every emergency that may arise."'?
The buildings on Middle Island had been erected by the Magistrates
"at considerable expense". If they remained on the island, they would
become a part of the Cunard estate by the end of March 1848. The Justices
decided to move the buildings to Sheldrake Island.
The Board of Health had not paid the nominal fee for the lease of
Sheldrake for the last two years. Since the Bayard and Wilson RePort
had established the non-contagious nature of leprosy, the Justices reasoned that the lazaretto could now be closed, or moved to Tracadie. The
Magistrates forwarded a report to the House of Assembly. In this same
letter, they say the lazaretto had been ineffective anyway since most of
the lepers were still at large. A committee of the Executive Council was
appointed to study the request and on March 31, 1848, this committee
instructed the Maeistrates to share the island with the Board of Health.
The quarantine hospital was to be located at the opposite end of the
island, away from the lazaretto.
While this solution satisfied the Magistrates, it didn't meet with the
approval of the Board of Health. They lrgued that the contagious diseases the immigrants suffered from would endanger the lepers, who
were alreadv in a weakened condition. The Board of Health, at this time
made up ofJoseph Cunard, chairman, Alexander Key, Reverend John
Sweeney, and James Davidson, decided that until they had word in
wdting from the Lieutenant-Governor himself, they had no authority
to allow anyone to establish another hospital on Sheldrake.
By this time, April was approaching. The Magistrates had to either
move the buildings or lose them. In spite of the objections of the Board
of Health, the buildings were put on runners and hauled over the ice
to Sheldrake by Alexander and David Goodfellow, who had the contract
for the work.
The Gleanerof April 11 tells us that two of the Magistrates went out
to Sheldrake to rneet the team and tell them where to place the buildings.
However, on the beach they were rnet by a party of men who were sent
down by the Board of Health to prevent the buildings being placed
there. J'This guard was armed and to the breast of one Magistrate a
pistol was presented; and on the other . . . two muskets . . ." The paper
added that bayonets were fixed to the ends of the muskets. Blows were
struck and as a natural consequence high words ensued on both sides.
Finding they could not accomplish their purpose without a lot of bloodshed, the Maqistrates withdrew. ". . . the one who received the wound,
to get his heid dressed as the blood was flowing copiously . . ." For
the time being, ihe buildings remained on the ice opposite the island.
The Magistratesmust havehc
or theiiquarantine hosPital
flows.
TfteGleanerquestionstht
the role it played in the disP
better . . . if the Committeec
buildings on the Islandlo
persisted,to prosecutethem
is not only our oPinion,but t
we have conversedon the sr
result of the incident and bot
Following word of the vi(
and the Justices,I
Health
of
structions the ExecutiveCou
ilgs were placedon Sheldrak
a luarantine hospital bY for
Henry Hartt of Frederictont
In a tone of exasPeratio
the commissioner'sintegdiy
country "the benefit of an t
him fortunate indeed, if, bY
can arrive at, this . . . quest
There was a lot of Pre
removal of the lazaretto.Tht
that the economy of the reg
cause lepers were housedn
zaretto r;located to Tracadi
But Doctor Hartt was a[
munities, including Tracadi
the hands of Rev. M. Lafra
the nature of the LeProsY,a
my judgement,for actingasi
to
"Vet, for the two hosPitals
insanity . . .," Dr. Harti told
ers themselveswere frighte
world; and yet most of then
air and exercise.Is therea r
narower lirnits the bounda
The proposed site for t
breedine eround for malari
from thl itainland would n
required by people with dis
the tide of immigration wol
the quarantinehosPitalwas
the opinions of the doctors
tagious.
Doctor Hartt advisedf
be found for the quarantine
7_
nd, only a quarterof a mile from
ettled population; and besides,
The Magistrates must have hoped a sudden mild spell wouldn't happen
or their quarantine hospital would sail over the horizon with the ice
red to pressurethem to establish
L February 29, "1848,we read,
of emigrantswill be thrown on
tion ought thereforeto be made
The Gleaner questions the wisdom of the Executive Committee and
the role it playecl in the dispute. They wrote, "Would it not have been
better . . . if the Committee of Sessions manifested a desire to place the
have forbid them so to de and if they
buildings on the Island-to
persisted, to prosecute them for a breach of the Quarantine Laws? This
is not only our opinion, but that of almost every individual with whom
we have conversed on the subject."3 Several parties were anested as a
result of the incident and both agencies faced legal fees and court costs.
beenerectedby the Magistrates
rined on the island, they would
eend of March1848.TheJustices
LrakeIsland.
the norninalfee for the leaseof
the Bayardand Wilson Report
rrre of leprosy, the Justicesreaosed,or moved to Tracadie.The
louseof Assembly.In this same
neffectiveanyway sincemost of
ee of the ExecutiveCouncil was
March 31, 1848,this committee
islandwith the Boardof Health.
rted at the opposite end of the
gishates,it didn't meet with the
arguedthat the contagiousdisould endangerthe lepers, who
Ihe Boardof Health, at this time
AlexanderKey, ReverendJohn
-'d that until they had word in
himself, they had no authority
rspitalon Sheldrake.
g. The Magistrateshad to either
te of the objectionsof the Board
unners and hauled over the ice
oodfellow,who had the contract
two of the Magistrateswent out
em whereto placethe buildings.
)y a party of men who were sent
'ent
.the buildings being placed
the breastof one Magistrate a
. . two muskets. . ." The paper
nds of the muskets.Blows were
gh words ensuedon both sides.
: purposewithout a lot of bloodneonewho receivedthe wound,
vas flowing copiously. . ." For
Lon the ice opposite the island.
OWS.
Followinq word of the violence that had occurred between the Board
of Health and the Justices, the Lieutenant-Governor cancelled the instructions the Executive Council Committee had given them. The buildings were placed on Sheldrake but no further steps were taken to establish
a quarantine hospital by force. The Executive Council appointed Dr.
Henry Hartt of Fredericton to look into the matter.
In a tone of exasp eration, The Gleanerwdtes that they did not doubt
the commissioner's integrity nor desire to give the government and the
country "the benefit of an unbiased judgment. . . We shall consider
him fortunate indeed, if, by any investigation and decision which he
can arrive at, this . . . question shall be finally set at rest . ."4
There was a lot of pressure on Doctor Hartt to recommend the
removal of the lazaretto. The business community in Chatham worried
that the economy of the region suffered and trade was threatened because lepers were housed nearby. Father Lafrance still wanted the lazaretto relocated to Tracadie.
But Doctor Hartt was against bringing the lepers into settled communities, including Tracadie. "The whole management would fall into
the hands of Rev. M. Lafrance, . . . his . . . opinions, with respect to
the nature of the Leprosy, and the law of marriage, disqualify him, in
my judgement, for acting as an Agent of the Government . ." he wrote.
"Yet. for the two hospitals to share the island would be an act of Medical
insanity . . .," Dr. Hartt told the provincial authorities. He said the lepers themselves were frightened at the Prospect. "This is now all their
world; and yet most of them can walk abroad and enioy the benefits of
air and exercise. Is there a man . . who would circumscribe within yet
nanower limits the boundaries of their Island-home?"'
The proposed site for the quarantine hospital was on a marsh, a
breeding ground for malaria-bearing insects. The distance of the island
from the mainland would make it impossible to give the constant care
required by people with diseases such as cholera and typhus. Finally,
the tide of immigration would certainly slow when word got out that
the quarantine hospital was located near a lazaretto for lepers. Whatever
the opinions of the doctors, most people believed that leprosy was contagious.
Doctor Hartt advised the government that a new location should
be found for the quarantine hospital, and ihai the lazaretto on Sheldrake
-
should be enlarged and made more comfortable. He said the island
should be cultivated and efforts made to hire relatives of the residents
to act as attendants. That way all would have an interest in the success
of the institution.
The Hartt Report was tabled in june 1848, but the qovernment did
not act on its recommendations. Instead, it directed the Maeistrates to
a l l o w t h e B o a r d o t H e a l t h t o l e a ' e S h e l d r a k et o r d n o t h e r y e d r .
The Magistrates were not pleased.They had a hospital but no where
to put it. That July the ship Willi4rr Vail airived in the Miramichi with
two cases of typhus fever on board.
The Board of Health continued to resist anv efforts to land the sick
sailors on the island. The people ot Chatham refused to allow them in
qua31!19 hospital in town. Once again the Magistrates were obliged
lhe
to rent Middle Island and put up a temporary shelter. The rest ofihe
crew and the ship's doctor, twenty-four peoplein all, remained on board
tor the quarantine pedod.
On July 11, 1848, the Magistrates of Northumberland ordered the
Board of Health to remove thtlazaretto or vacate the premises by April
27,7849, when their lease expired.
The Sheldrake Island Hospital was, in effect, in limbo. Since the
Bayard and Wilson report, no new caseshad been brought in because
the building was too small. The Board of Health wanted to undertake
repairs and improvements, but without assurancethat the hospital could
remain they wereipowerless to act.
That September, John and Edward Tingley were brought to Sheld.
rake. They had to be put in the guardhouse beiause there was no other
room. On Saturday, September 19, 1848, Fiddle Savoie, husband of Marie,
brought their two children M6lanie, ten, and Pierre, twelve, to Sheldrake. Both youngsters had lepros1.. Of the Savoie children, only the
baby, born on the island, was so far free of disease.Twelve patrents tn
all were admitted that fall and winter, due, in part, to the poverty they
found themselves in, severe weather conditions, and pooi crops.
In November 18118,
James Davidson, Secretary of the Board of Health,
reported to the provincial authorities that the lazaretto was full and
ordered temporary additional buildings. In January 1849, Davidson asked
the Executive Council to give the Board "a mori certain and fixed tenure", a necessarystep if "possession of the Island is to be retained . . .,
and litigation is to be avoided . . ."6
In the meantime, Reverend Lafrance had mr)unted a strong lobby
to have the lazaretto brought to Tracadie. ln February, he sent the-Hous'e
of Assembly a petitidn signed by himself, his brother, and one hundred
and thirteen men of the village. They asked that the hospital be established in that community whire the victims of leprosy would be shef
tered "within srght of their Chapel and within hearing of its Bell.,,As
for Sheldrake Island, "there exisls among the French i great feeling of
dislike to this Establishrnent, so much so that verv few 6t the diseaied
w i l l 8 0 t h e r e u n l e s sc o m p e l l e d b y f o r c e . . . "
The petitioners wrote that,
the disease, theY would go to
family and friends. ". . . even
nied,- they will still screen ther
among themselves."T On the (
cadie, those with leProsY wor
Their families and friends cou
minister to their needs.
Rather than make a decisi
select committee to study the I
Thomson, Hon. James Ambro
concluded, "The lazaretto on
measure, proved a failure." T
and another built in Tracadiela
One of their considerations wa
be less expensive to build a laz
the materials that could be tal
ment. ."3
By compiling the figures r
five years the lazaretto had b
seven patients had been adm
had escaped permanentlY. Se
a lePer
They call Becs-Scies
of things that lire in the Sround
I walked to the Plncewhere
reachedto futue their land back
mark their places. I sit clown. Tht
Iotte, Thomas, Etlouartl,FranEo
Somerlied beforea Priestco
lulienne says Tracqdiewill I
arc hated awl that we are better)
I wnnt to seeTrncadieagai
church. But I am scured The bo
leaoethe dead.
until I nL
I watch Becs-Scies
closesbehind us as the boatPass
7-
rmfortable. He said the island
) hire relatives of the residents
have an interest in the success
r 1848, but the government did
l, it directed the Mafiistrates to
lake for another year.
rey had a hospital but no where
arrived in the Miramichi with
sist any efforts to land the sick
tham refused to allow them in
Lin the Magistrates were obliged
porary shelter. The rest of the
eople in all, rernained on board
f Northumberland ordered the
)r vacate the premises by April
, in effect, in limbo. Since the
; had been brought in because
rf Health wanted to undertake
;surance that the hospital could
fingley were brought to Sheldrse becausethere was no other
iddle Savoie,husband of Marie,
, and Pierre, twelve, to Sheldthe Savoie children, only the
of disease. Twelve patients in
re, in part, to the poverty they
rditions, and poor crops.
;ecretary of the Board of Health,
rat the lazaretto was full and
l January 1849,Davidson asked
"a more certain and fixed tenhe Island is to be retained . .,
l had mounted a strong lobby
In February, he sent the House
his brother, and one hundred
ked that the hospital be estabims of leprosy would be shelwithin hearing of its Bell." As
g the French a great feeling of
I that very few of the diseased
The petitioners wrote that, in spite of the fear people had of catching
the diseise, they would go to great lengths to hide and protect their
familv and friends. ". . . even after it becomes too notorious to be denied, they will still screen them and use every means to suPPort them
amons themselves."T On the other hand, if the lazaretto were in Tracadie, those with leprosy would admit themselves at the first siSns
Their families and friends could then continue, to a limited degree. to
minister to their needs.
Rather than make a decision, the House of Assembly nominated a
select committee to study the Petition. Doctors William Wilson, Robert
Thomson, Hon. James Ambrose Street, and William End, all M.L.A.s,
concluded, "The lazaretto on Sheldrake Island has thus far, in a great
measure, proved a failure." They recomrnended that it be_abandoned
and another built in Tracadie large enough to accommodate all the lepers.
One of their considerations was economic They reasoned that it would
be less expensive to build a lazaretto in Tracadie "with the assistanceof
the materials that could be taken from the Sheldrake Island Establishment. ."3
By compiling the figures of the various rePorts, we see that in the
five y-ears the laiaretto had been on Sheldrake, apProximately thirtyseven oatients had been admitted: fifteen of them had died, and five
had esiaped permanently. Seventeen were transferred to Tracadie.
n lePercolony. It makesme think of ants, of worns'
Therl call Becs-Scies
of things that liue in the grountl.
I walked to the place where we PLtt our dead fo sleep. Already the trees
reachedto hoae their lond back. Aspen shootsgrou between the crossesthat
mark their places.I sit dowtt. Theseare my t'tiencls:Tranquille' FranEois' ClnrIltte, Thomns, Edouard, Frangoise,Marie-Cloire, and the otlers.
Somedieclbet'orea priest could come and no bell tolleclfot any of them
and u)e
lulienne says Tracacliewill be no dit't'erent.She says we nrc lePers
are hqted and that ue are better here where no one stnresat us
I want to see Tracndie again; I want to see my people;I wnnt to seemy
church. But I am scared. Thi boqts are ready nnd the others are calling me l
Ieaaethe dead.
I watch BecsSciesuntil I no longer catl seethe building; the line of water
closesbehind us as the boat Pqsseso|.)erit.
DR. LABILLOIS: HEALER OR QUACK?
. . . to whatever causeit may be attributed, the pleasing fact is established. . . 'The lepers are cleansed.' For such good fortune, Dr. LaBillois will doubtlessreceivethe congratulationsof the public . . . but,
for any substantialcompensation, he must look . . . to a future, to a
h i g h e rt r i b u n a l. . .
Miriam, Douglastown
"The TracadieLepers,"
(Chatham,N.B.)
TheGleaner
January 18, 1850
Many of the patients appear to be cured, and others, to all appearance,
may seemto be improving . . . time alone will tell, whether the disease,
internally, is eradicated. . . the public may have cause to regret the
injudicious haste of the Board of Health, in allowing them to quit the
establishment.
W., Chatham
"The Lepers,"
TheGleaner(Chatham, N.B.)
March 11, 1850
Dr. LaBellois [sic] . . . states . . . that the diseaseis not leprosy, but
inveterate syphilis, aggravatedby being almost entirely abandoned to
nature, undel the absurd idea, that it was Greek Elephantiasis,and
therefore incurable. Dr. LaBellois [sic] expresseshis surprise, that the
real nature of the diseaseshould have escapedthe keen observationof
gentlemen eminent in the nedical profession.
"Legislative Proceedings,"
The Neu BrunswickCourier(Saint
J o h n ,N . B . )
March 16, 1850
I am surprised at the language and character of Mr. LaBellois' [sic]
Report, which is utterly destitute of clinical details, so indispensably
requisite in establishing the true nature oI the diseaseunder consideration.
RobertBayard,M.D.
quoted in "The TracadieDisease,"
TheGleaner
(Chatham,N.B.)
April 22, 1850
38
Doctor LaBilloiswnstheon
of us eaeryday. Of qll thedoct
uith us, not euenDoctorKeY.
wehadon
Nowin Tracadie,
whatwe toldht
who understood
Ahh . . . we couldn'tbelia
ance?He couldn'tstoPsmiling
proudof that.
It is true Dr. IttBilloissai
we wereba
not happenbecause
elsewhohtd
beingnetr someone
tl
andlo eqchother.In Tracadie
'Ia maladie'
.
haae
hethoughtweha
Whateaer
treatment.He lound a curefor
my family.
But fiae yedrswasa lotrg
ftom mv arms;Luc, ekaen,sto
'his
molherany more.EaenYo
Had he not
had on Sheldrake,
him.
'la maln
For many Years
,
LaBiIIoisreturnedto theworld
a few months.Somenettergo
in theirillnesswl
improDement
It didn't matterhow han
LaBillois.TheBosrdof Healtht
wef
words,theEnglishdoctors
him to leaae.A mancannota
a uife and ten children Wewl
Becauseof the increase
cadie was made larger thar
were two floors. The uPPerI
the lower floor were a sitting
a short distancefrom the bt
A residencewas built f
for the lepers were PrePare
to them after they were co
Young and the buildingswe
The new lazarettowas
church. It facedthe Little Tr
To the risht, separatingthe
a small f;otbrid-gewal built
over.
Mr. Davidson told the
had to be completedbefo(
lER OR QUACK?
uted, the pleasingfact is estabFor such good fortune, Dr. Lattulationsof the public . . . but,
must look . , . to a future, to a
iriam, Douglastown
he TracadieLepers,"
reGleaner
(Chatham,N.B.)
ruary 18, 1850
l, and others,to all appearance,
newill tell, whether the disease,
: may have causeto regret the
h, in allowing them to quit the
., Chatham
he Lepers,"
e Gleorer(Chatham,N.B.)
arch11, 1850
the diseaseis not leprosy, but
g almostentirely abandonedto
was Greek Elephantiasis,and
expresses
his surprise,that the
tscapedthe keen observationof
es$on.
egislative Proceedings,"
e NetDBtunswickCouriet(Saint
m, N.B.)
lrch 16, 1850
haracterof Mr. LaBellois' [sic]
inical details, so indispensably
e of the diseaseunder considbert Bayard,M.D.
oted in "The TracadieDisease,"
r Glearrr(Chatham,N.B.)
ril 22, 1850
DoctorLaBilloiswastheonly doctorwhocameto thehospitaland tookcare
noneof themstayed
of us eaeryday. Ol all thedoctorswho cqmeto Becs-Scies,
with us, not eaenDoctorKey.
wehadonewhowouldstay;whocouldspeukour langunge;
Nowin Tracadie,
ue told him; who saidwe uould get better.
who understood'ohat
our earswhenwe heard. . . and Pire LqfrAhh . . . we couldn'tbelie:ue
ance?He couldn'tstopsmiling. He broughtDr. LaBilloisamongus andhe was
Droudof that.
It is true Dr. LaBilloissaid we had svphilisbut he told us the illnessdid
we could get just
not happenbecause
we werebqd. He said-it uas a sickness
elseuho hadit. Weweregoodpeople;
beingnearsomeone
faithful to our religion
nnd to eqchother.ln Tracadiethen, it wqs lessa uime to haaesyphilisthan to
'la
.
haae maladie'
Whateaer
he thoughtwe had,we uterenot going to snyno to Dr. LaBillois'
treatment,He found a curefor someof us qt least.Dr. LaBilloisgaaemeback
my family.
But fizteyearswas a IonS time in the lioesof children.Iittle Marrc ran
q
from my arms;Luc, eleaen,stoodlike man besidehist'ather.He did not need
hqd lost the crudlet'at he had
his motherany more.Eoenyoung ]ean-Baptiste
Had he not beenwith the othels,I would not haaeknousn
had on Sheklrake.
him.
For many yenls, 'la malad;e'did not return. I was cured. OthersDr.
'La maladie'camebackafter
LaBilloisreturnedto the world wercnot so ludcy.
a few months.Someneaer got out of the hospitalat all. But eaeryonehad
improaement
in their illnessuhile he was thereand if he hadstayed. . .
It didn't matter how hard Pire Lafrancefought t'or us and for Doctor
excusemeil I spit on those
LaBillois.TheBoardof Healthand thegoaernment,
words,theEnglishdoctorswerejeslousqnd theywantedhim gone.Theyforced
him to leaae.A man cannotwork long with no moneyfor it; not whenhe has
a wife and ten children.We who had'Ia maladie'knewthst.
Becauseof the increasednumbers of patients, the building in Tracadie was made lareer than the accommodation on Sheldrake. There
were two floors. The upper floor was reservedfor sleepingquarters.On
the lower floor were a sitting room and dining area.Privieswere outside,
a short distance from the building.
A residencewas built for the keeper. As on Sheldrake, the meals
for the lepers were prepared by the keeper or his wife and brought over
to them after they were cooked. The land was purchased from James
Young and the buildings were construciedby Young and his son Robert.
The new lazaretto was located about a quarter of a mile from the
church. It faced the Litile TracadieRiver, actually a wide body of water.
To the right, separatingthe church and the lazaretto,was a brook. Until
a small footbridge was built, the priest used a raft or row boat to cross
over.
Mr. Davidson told the provincial authorities that all consrrucnon
had to be completed before the lepers moved in becauseit would be
39
impossible to hire workmen afterward. The Iand plus the cost of conHealth
r i r l r . t l o n c d m e t u a b o u t 2 q 0 p o u n d ' . A r e o r g a n t z e dB o a r d o f
of
1849
in
April
ApPointed
oversaw the construction at-td th" -ou"
Robert
Secretary;
Davidson,
were Roderick Mcleod, Chairman; James
noU"tlton, and Reverend Lafrance. Doctor Key's health was not good
enough to allow him to continue to serve.
In spite of the obiections of the Justices of Northumberland' the
l , r z a r e t t oo n 5 h e l d r a k eI s l a n d r e m a i n e do P e n u n l i l t h e n e w b u i l d i n g w a s
W e a r e s u r e t h a l M d r g u e r i t e ,J u l i e n n eF ' ' r g u s o n 'V e l a n i e a n d
.o.*f"t"
Pierie Savoie, Edward Tingley, John Tingley, Pierreand Marie-Rose
Robichaud were among the fourteen survivors of Sheldrake who were
transferred to TracadiJ on July 25, 1849. Another twenty-two victims
fiom the affected region went into the hospital over the next six months'
The fact that the new institution was closer to their homes induced
those with the disease,who were still living with their families' to enter'
Another factor was the influence of Father Lafrance He Promised.the
sick and their families that he would use every means to have the servlces
Doctor, Charles LaBillois Doctor LaBillois had cured
Liu i."t.n-Uot"
with
a disease similar to leprosy some years before in
Datients affected
Caraquet.
jourIn the previous winter, two relatives of the Tracadie victims
come
to
to
him
to
ask
resided,
LaBillois
Dr.
where
Misuasha,
neved to
the leper victims. Dr' LaBillois told the men that
uni"ta-ine
iii.adi"
ne *ur not uUle to cure leprosy. The disease he had treated successfully
in Caraquet in 1818 was inveterate svphilis misdiagnosed as leprosy
l n A u s u s t , B o n d v e n t u r eS a v o y o l T r a c a d i ew e n t t o V i g u a s h a w i t h
a tetter for br. LaBilloistrom Father'Lafrance lhe letter 'rsked Dr' LaBillois
t o " D r o c e e da t o n c e " a n d t r e a t t h e l e P r o \ y v i c t i m qd s t h e B o J r d o f H e a l t h
irad'not"the power to employ a Medicil man. neitherhad they funds
for that purpdse." Instead, Di. LaBillois wrote down the symptoms of
t h e d i s e j s e h e h a d t r e a t e di n C d r a q u e t .H e a s k e d t h e p r i e s t [ o . e \ d m i n e
the patients in Tracadie and if they had similar siSns of the illness' he
woulo come.
"I proceeded to examine very minutely all the cases The nature of
t h e i r s d r e s ,a n d t h e a n s w e r s t h e y g a v e t o m y q u e s t i o n sc o n v i n c e d m er
that it was more syphilitic than anylhing else," Father Lafrance wrote
Based on the priest's conclusions, Doctor LaBillois came to-Tracadie
on September 12,'7849, to examine the cases in the lazaretto He wrote'
"I neier saw a spectacle more calculated to harrow the feelings of humanitv. The stench was so intolerable from putrefaction, that it required
the eieatest determination even to undertake the treatment of the unforhinates so situate."2 Dr. LaBillois said the disease, which he diagrlo""d u, syphilis, was so far advanced that many suffered from
consecutive'f'ever. One patient, Marie-Rose Robichaud, died from tuberculosis shortly after his arrival.
Before Dr. LaBillois was Siven the official charge of the hospital'
Reverend Lafrance brought the matter before the Board of Health The
Lo"J putt"d a resolutioin authorizing the doctor to take charge of the
patients and undertake their
bf the leperswould PaYfor h
for Dr. LaBillois' salarY.Fat
do all in his Power to have
Charles-MarieLaBillois
tember 16, 1849,was born ir
in the French navY before
Tracadie,he was fiftY-sixYe
for thirty years.
Dr. LaBilloisbelievedt
oculation but to a greatere
denied that it had anY her
aggravatedbY ihe conditio
allow this oPPortumty to l
Government to the wretch€
Hospital," he wrote.3
He noted that therew€
women. Without a conval
risk of being reinfected.Th
without the necessityot g
ventilation. The Patientsw
For the first time, ihe I
to give them regulartreatn
moining at nine and staYe
each day until sunset-H€
insisted on frequent chan
"mercurial frictions "
The brief PeriodDr. L
improvement in the health
slowed bv the good hYgie
functionai disorders,Palli
of leprosY,and attentiver
So great was the chan
pronouncedthem eitherct
Father Lafrance,afraid th
remained in the lazaretto
(Gautreau),Mrs. Sonnier(
lienne;.Mrs. ElerisSonie
ber. Fidelle Bredeau(Fidd
(Benoit),Louis Gonier(Sa
Mrs. CharlesComeau,Me
Idne Legere),Marie Robe
Gautreiu) were said to be
JamesDavidsonwrot
and found that "In most
the swelling comPletelyI
skin; the whole of the sa
other parts oI the bodY,aI
-
l. The land plus the cost of conA reorganized Board of Health
rve. Appointed in April of 18,19
nes Davidson, Secretary; Robert
Jctor Key's health was not good
rye.
ustices of Northumberlancl, the
open until the new building was
Julienne Ferguson, M6lanie and
Tingley, Pierre and Marie-Rose
urvivors of Sheldrake who were
49. Another twenty-two victims
rospital over the next six months.
'as closer to their homes induced
ving with their families, to enter.
rther Lafrance, He prornised the
every means to have the services
llois. Doctor LaBillois had cured
to leprosy some years before in
,resof the Tracadie victins jours resided, to ask him to come to
t. Dr. LaBillois told the men that
rcasehe had treated successfully
hilis misdiagnosed as leprosy.
Iracadie went to Miguasha with
rnce.The letter asked Dr. LaBillois
sy victims as the Board of Health
cal man, neither had they funds
is wrote down the symptoms of
. He asked the pdest to examine
d similar signs of the illness, he
:rtely all the cases.The nature of
) to my questions convinced me
rg else," Father Lafrancewrote.r
)octor LaBillois came to Tracadie
casesin the lazaretto. He wrote,
ld to haffow the feelings of hu0m putrefaction, that it required
lertake the treatment of the undd the disease, which he diagrced that many suffered from
'Rose Robichaud, died from tu: official charge of the hospital,
before the Board of Health. The
the doctor to take charge of the
patients and undertake their treatment, on the understanding that friends
of the lepers would pay for his services.No arrangement had been made
for Dr. LaBillois' salary. Father Lafrance told the doctor that he would
do all in his power to have him paid by the government.
Charles-Marie LaBillois, who took charge of the hospital on September 16, 1849,was born in Morbihan, France. He had been a surgeon
in the French navy before he settled in Miguasha. When he came to
Tracadie, he was fifty-six years old and had been a practicing physician
for thirty years.
Dr. LaBillois believed the illness could be transmitted throush inoculation but to a greater extent than Bayard and Wilson believed. He
denied that it had any hereditary characteristic. The disease had been
aggravated by the conditions under which the patients lived. "I cannot
allow this opportunity to pass, without drawing the attention of the
Covernment to the wretched accommodations afforded in the so-called
Hospital," he wrote.3
He noted that there were only two rooms, one for men and one for
women. Without a convalescent ward those who were better ran the
risk of being reinfected. The patients should have access to waterclosets
without the necessity of going outdoors. The building lacked proper
ventilation. The patients were not being fed an adequate diet.
For the first time, the leprosy victims had someone who undertook
to give them regular treatment. The doctor arrived at the hospital each
morning at nine and stayed til noon; he returned at two and remained
each day until sunset. He introduced a regular program of hygiene,
insisted on frequent changes of dressings, oversaw the diet and used
"mercurial frictions."
The brief period Dr. LaBillois resided in Tracadie resulted in rapid
improvement in the health of the patients. The progress of leprosy was
slowed by the good hygiene and diet. Remedial treatment of common
functional disorders, palliative treatment of the painful manifestations
of leprosy, and attentive nursing were highly beneficial.
So great was the change in some of the patients, that Dr. LaBillois
pronounced them either cured or nearly so after six weeks of treatment.
Father Lafrance, afraid that these people would be reinfected if they
remained in the lazaretto, authorized the release of Fabien Garbreau
(Gautreau), Mrs. Sonnier (Marguerite Saulnier), and Mrs. Ferguson (Julienne). Mrs. Elexis Sonier (Charlotte Saulnier) was released in November. Fidelle Bredeau (Fiddle Brideau), Charles Comeau, Augustin Benoi
(Benoit), Louis Gonier (Saulnier), Edward Vuneau (Edouard Vienneau),
Mrs. Charles Comeau, Melina Sansie (M6lanie Savoie), Ellen Legee 1Heldne Legere), Marie Robecheau (Robichaud), and Ann Gouthreau (Anne
Gautreau) were said to be nearly cured and awaiting discharge.
James Davidson wrote that he had visited the hospital at this time
and found that "In most cases the tubercles have wholly disappeared,
the swelling completely removed, as well as the yellow spots on the
skin; the whole of the sores or ulcers on their face, hands, feet, and
other parts of the body, are completely cured, and the skin is whole and
4l
-
returned to its natural colour."{ The other members of the Board of
Health admitted there had been a decided improvement in the health
of the patients. Still, they censured Father Lafrance for releasing patients
without notifying the government of his intention to do so, or seeking
the opinion of other medical men on the subject. The Board decided to
seek permission from the government to hire two medical gentlemen to
go to Tracadie and examine the patients who had been discharged and
those cured who remained in the hospital.
Father Lafrance voted against the resolution; in a separate letter to
the Lieutenant-Governor, he said the resolution was passed because of
the influence of Dr. Key who had declared the disease to be incurable
and his friend, the Board Chairman Roderick McLeod, who thought Dr.
Key to be infallible. The priest accused the board of bowing to pressr.,.e
from James Young who "has made all the noise possible which ended
in the resolution in question calculated only to put the province to useless
expense."s Father Laftance told the government that his services on the
present board were of no use. He asked the government to appoint a
board made up of people who lived in the region. "No other arrangement
will satisfy me and the public who are beginning loudly to murmur at
the sight of poor people cured and not allowed to be discharged . . ."6
A visitor to the hospital at this time was James F. W. Johnson, a
guest in Tracadie at the home of James Young, whom Johnson described
as "an old settler and apparently an energetic and prosperous one." The
Young residence was located at Young's Point on the opposite side of
the Little Tracadie River from the lazaretto.
Johnson writes, "We ferried across the lagoon to the sight of the village,
the church, the school, and the 'presbvtdre' and we paid a visit to a
singular hospital for lepers . . . We found them to be thirty-five in number . . . children and grown up persons . . ." Johnson says a little hope
had been brought to"the hospiial lhrough the medns oi a French-Canadian doctor, who had brought about a remarkable change in the patienis'physical condition. Doctor LaBillois' treatment consisted of "lhe
use of mercury and prolonged, slowly induced, mild salivation." Now
even the worst affected had the possibility of a cure and began to dream
of a return home. "The fiddle, hanging from the wall onlheir sittingroom, showed that music and dancing, in which the Acadians delighi,
brought now an occasional interval to their cares . . ." fohnson added
that he hoped the "Canadian Quack, as some had called him," miqht
prove correct and his success in treating the disease may be fully realtzea.'
The rnedical profession of New Brunswick were less than enthusiastic about Dr. LaBillois' reported cures. If there was one thing the
other physicians who had seen the patients had agreed on, it was the
fact ihat the disease was leprosy. Dr. LaBillois, in effect, called them
incompetent. "It is only surprising to me, that the real nature of the
disease should have escaped the keen observation of Gentlemen so
eminent in their profession . . ." he wrote.3
The New Brunswick Courier of March 16, 1850, printed that opinion,
iogether with a summary of Dr. LaBillois' report and an accouni of the
discussionit provoked in ihe l
to continue the establishmen
hoped the diseasewould be e
to cure the disease,all affecte
hospital.
Dr. Robert Bayardwas no
He said that the symPtomso
careful physician would be g(
erwise, "a rash conclusionm
forever the peaceand haPPin
clares that the syphilis was sY
remedies.This is a mostunPrc
Bavard said the LaBilloisReP
orihe Robichauds,some of !
of Greek Elephantiasis."'g
While the doctors debate
LaBillois left shortly beforeC
thodties that he stoPPedhis I
causethe hosPitalwas unfit,
Even a warm bath for the Pati
that existed. In the time he ha
my health very much affected
FatherLafrancemedicinesanc
ment. He told the ExecutiveC
should the Sovernmentrequx
Dr. LaBillois still had not t
of work. On January28, Dav
he sent a medicalcommitteetc
LaBillois would be remunera
No physiciancameto Tra
in or oui oi the lazaretto.Ho
isfied with Dr. LaBillois' wor
"The Lieutenant-Governorw
lazaretto as soon as Possible
patients, the Board will . . . t
will be liberally recomPense
was told, he would be Paidfo
Board of Health will do all Yo
two annexesto the lazaretto
for a convalescentward, had
Wiih not even an offer t(
and no insurancethat he wo
cadieon June29, 1850.Conce
the advice of his friends, whc
impose such sacrificeson hin
The doctor found that th
his absence."The reasonbei
ward, many even having tak
her members of the Board of
ed improvement in the health
r Lafrance for releasing patients
intention to do so, or seeking
subiect. The Board decided to
hire two medical gentlemen to
who had been discharged and
al.
solution; in a separate letter to
rolution was passed because of
:ed the disease to be incurable
,rick Mcleod, who thought Dr.
te board of bowing to pressure
re noise possible which ended
ly to pui the province to useless
rnment that his services on the
L the government to appoint a
region. "No other arrangement
eginning loudly to murmur at
llowed to be discharged . . ."0
r was JamesF. W. Johnson, a
,ung, whom Johnson described
;etic and prosperous one." The
Point on the opposite side of
to.
goon to the sight of the village,
tCre'and we paid a visit to a
I them to be thirty-five in num. ." Johnsonsaysa little hope
3h the means of a French-CaLremarkable change in the pais' treatment consisted of "the
Iduced, mild salivation." Now
F of a cure and began to dream
from the wall on their sittingn which the Acadians delight,
Leircares . . ." Johnson added
some had called him," might
the disease may be fully realnswick were less than enthus. If there was one thing the
nts had agreed on, it was the
aBillois, in effect, called them
re, that the real nature of the
observation of Gentlemen so
le.3
16, 1850, printed that opinion,
'
report and an account of the
discussion it provoked in the House of Assembly. The House resolved
to continue the establishment two more vears, bv which time it was
hoped the disease would be eradicated. Since a means had been found
to cure the disease, all affected persons were now anxious to enter the
hospital.
Dr. Robert Bayard was not irnpressed with Dr. LaBillois' diagnosis.
He said that the symptoms of leprosy and syphilis were similar but a
careful physician would be governed by the history of each case, otherwise, "a rash conclusion may subject him to difficulty, and destroy
forever the peace and happiness of farnilies . . . Mr. LaBillois . . . declares that the syphilis was syphilis, because it was cured by syphilitic
remedies. This is a most unprofessional and dangerous conclusion . . ."
Bavard said the LaBillois Report contained no mention of the Savoies
or the Robichauds, some of-whom presented "unequivocal characters
of Creek Elephantiasis."'
While the doctors debated the medts of his claims and cures, Dr.
LaBillois left shortly before Christmas 1849. He told the provincial authorities that he stopped his treatments on the approach of winter because the hospital was unfit, and because he Iacked necessary articles.
Even a warm bath for the patients was not possible under the conditions
that existed. In the time he had been there. Dr. LaBillois said. "I found
my health very much affected."10 Before he left Tracadie, the doctor gave
Father Lafrance medicines and instructions on how to carrv on the treatment. He told the Executive Council that he would return in the sprrng
should the government require his services.
Dr. LaBillois still had not been paid for his three-and-one-half months
of work. On January 28, Davidson told the Lieutenant-Governor that if
he sent a medical committee to examine the lepers and confirm the cures,
LaBillois would be remunerated.
No physician came to Tracadie at that point to examine the patrents
in or out of the lazaretto. However, the Executive Council seemed satisfied with Dr. LaBillois' work. That spring, Davidson wrote to him,
"The Lieutenant-Governor wishes you to resume your function at the
lazaretto as soon as possible . . . if you succeed in curing some of the
patients, the Board will . . . notify the provincial government and you
will be liberally recompensed." If he was not successful, Dr. LaBillois
was told, he would be paid for his time. Davidson told the doctor, "The
Board of Health will do all you ask."'r Contracts for the construction of
two annexes to the lazaretto, one to serve as a laundry, and the other
for a convalescent ward, had already been given.
With not even an offer to compensate him for travelling expenses,
and no insurance that he would be paid. Dr. LaBillois returned to Tracadie on June 29, 1850.Concern for his patients was more powerful than
the advice of his friends, who told hirrhe shouldn't dsk fiis health and
impose such sacrifices on himself.
The doctor found that the health of his patients had detedorated in
his absence. "The reason being they had all-dwelt together in the same
ward, many even having taken the disease anew," he wrote.', Besides
-
the ones who remained in the hospital, Fabien Gautreau, Charlotte Saulnier, Fiddle Brideau, and Charles Comeau had had to return. Julienne
Ferguson also came back, accompanied by her daughter Christina, who
exhibited symptoms of the illness. On the November following her readmission to the hospital, she gave birth to another child, a boy named
Bernard. Julienne died in the lazaretto on January 13, 1854.Fabien Gautreau died August 13, 1850;Charles Comeau died in the hospital March
13, 1850;and Fiddle Brideau died of the diseaseJuly 15, 1E50.AII were
patients Dr. LaBillois had pronounced cured or nearly so in 1849.
As Dr. Bayard pointed out, Dr. LaBillois gave few details about his
methods. He was convinced that thev worked, however, and that his
patients needed him: "l cannot leave [hem to doctors who do not know
my treatment, and who might, consequently, do more harm than good."rl
In this same letter dated August 5, Dr. LaBillois, still unpaid, told the
Board of Health that he would have to ask his friends to pav for his
board and travelling expenses.He requested a small salary of 20'shillings
a day, payable every three months. The Board of Health called Dr.
LaBillois before them in person to repeat that they had no power to offer
him a salary. They promised to at least supply him with the necessary
remedies to cure the patients.
Still unpaid, Dr. LaBillois remained at the hospital throughout the
rest of that year. In December 1850 he reported that, "All the sores of
the old as well as those of the new cases are nearly all healed up."r4
Patients in the convalescentward were Mrs. Ferguson, Chdstina, Mrs.
L6gdre, Marie Robichaud, and Melanie Savoie. "They all presently en;oy
perfect health, and are perfectly free from all the pains felt before treatment."ls Marguerite and Mrs. Charles Comeau remained at home free
from disease Tor over a year.
On January 15, James Davidson reported to the Lieutenant-Covernor that Dr. LaBillois was still in Tracadie attending the hospital. Nine
new cases had been admitted in the past year. Thirty-seven patients
were now in the hospital including fifteen children. Davidson wrote
that, other than those who were in the convalescent ward, "in most of
the other casesthere is no visible improvement." He told the government
the board "have not made any agreement with Dr. LaBillois, nor have
they paid him anything for his services,but leave it wholly to the Covernment to give him such remuneration as they, under all circumstances
may see fit."16
At this point, the government decided to send a medical team to
Tracadie to look into reported cures. Dr. LaBillois requested that they
send Dr. Robb, who had seen the patients the year before, and Dr.
Carter of Dalhousie. Both doctors were "famed for their knowledge of
venereal distempers."lT Instead, Dr. Key and Dr. Robert Gordon were
given the appointments. Dr. LaBillois believed these doctors would be
biased against the treatments and results since they were among the
seven doctors who had diagnosed the disease as leprosy. He wrote, "If
some of these gentlemen have abstained from declaring it incurable in
word, they have done it indirectly, by classifying it Elephantiasis Graecorum, a truly incurable disease."rs
Dr. Key was not ableto c
died on Miy 27, 1857.Dt. G
and examined the Patientsin
Ellen Legee(H6ldneL6gd
Gordon said, had neverhad I
a patient in the femaleward, I
free of the disease.Anastasl
charged,had neverhad lePro
accoiding to Dr. Gordon,onll
In her cise, Gordon said, "tl
". . . it is still going on to a f
Dr. LaBilloisleft Tracadi
spent about sixteen months al
on all the accountsavailable
CoincidentallY,Dr. Gor
pointed Medical Officer to t
iime, a sixty-mile triP from
three or four timesa Year.Sin
his role was consultantand (
O{ the other Patientss
Augustin Benoitdied in hosP
4, i855; Edouard Vienneau
(Charlotte Saulnier) died at
(M6lanie Savoie)died MaY 4
Regardlessof the dubio
was loved by the Patientsa
the people of Tracadie.Perh
the iickiccounted for the iml
no known cause.ManY Yea
she had tried severalremed
at first in remarkableimPro
families and friends were d
few weeks later worse than
At this point in the hisk
given so muih of himselfto tl
no other physicianhad beer
before oi since was so bad
accounts show that Dr. Ke
pence, for the Year1845.In
Dr. Gordon was Paid abou
was associatedwith the hos
as much as seventy-fivePot
u
We can only sPeculate
refu
he
steadfastlY
because
becausehe criticizedthe m(
causehe was a French-Ca
language,mainly Protesta
for the French-CatholicAca
7-
l, Fabien Gautreau, Charlotte Saulmeau had had to return. Julienne
:d by her daughter Christina, who
the November following her readth to another child, a boy named
) on January 13, 1854. Fabien Gauiomeau died in the hospital March
he diseaseJuly 15, 1850.All were
C cured or nearly so in 18,19.
aBillois gave few details about his
y worked, however, and that his
them to doctors who do not know
rently, do more harm than good."13
)r. LaBillois, still unpaid, told the
to ask his friends to pay for his
uesteda small salary of 20 shillings
The Board of Health called Dr.
rat that they had no power to offer
Lstsupply him with the necessary
.ed at the hospital throughout the
re reported that, "All the sores of
casesare nearly all healed up."ra
re Mrs. Ferguson, Christina, Mrs.
e Savoie. "They all presently entoy
kom all the pains felt before treats Comeau remained at home free
reported to the Lieutenant-Govcadie attending the hospital. Nine
I past year. Thirty-seven patients
fifteen children. Davidson wrote
te convalescent ward, "in most of
)vement." He told the government
ment with Dr. LaBillois, nor have
,'s, but leave it wholly to the Gov)n as they, under all circumstances
ecided to send a medical team to
Dr. LaBillois requested that they
)atients the year before, and Dr.
re "famed for their knowledge of
Key and Dr. Robert Gordon were
; believed these doctors would be
sults since they were among the
rdiseaseas leprosy. He wrote, "lf
ned from declaring it incurable in
. classifying it Elephantiasis Grae-
Dr. Kev was not able to come to Tracadie becauseof his health. He
died on Miy 27,7851. Dr. Gordon came to Tracadie on May 14, 1851,
and examined the patients in and outside of the lazaretto.
Ellen Legee (H6ldne L€gdre) and Marie Robecheau(Robichaud),Dr.
Gordon said, had never had leprosy. Ann Gouthreau (Anne Gautreau),
a patient in the female ward, admitted in 1850by Dr. LaBillois, was also
free of the disease. Anastasia Commeau (Comeau), who had been discharged, had never had leprosy. Of all the patients said cured by LaBillois,
according to Dr. Gordon, only Marguerite Saulnier had had the disease.
In her case, Gordon said, "the disease is making slow progress," but
". . . it is still going on to a fatal termination."re
Dr. LaBillois left Tracadie after nearly a year of full-time service He
spent about sixteen months altogether, for which, given indications based
on all the accounts available, he was never paid.
Coincidentally, Dr. Gordon, who was still an M.L.A., was appointed Medical Officer to the lazaretto. He lived in Bathurst at that
time. a sixtv-mile trip from Tracadie. He came to the lazaretto about
three or foui times a yiar. Since he was not expected to treat the patients,
his role was consultant and diagnostician.
Of the other patients said improving or cured by Dr. LaBillois,
Augustin Benoit died in hospital May 7, 1856;Louis Saulnier died August
4, i855; Edouard Vienneau died August 13, 1855; Mrs. Elexis Sonier
(Charlotte Saulnier) died at home of the disease; and Mdlina Savoy
(M6lanie Savoie) died May 4, 1860.
Resardless of the dubious benefits of Dr. LaBillois' treatment, he
was loved by the patients and he earned the respect and gratitude of
the people of Tracadie. Perhaps the confidence he engendered among
the sick accounted for the improvernents, or Perhaps the remissionshad
no known cause. Many years later, Soeur St.-Jean-de-Gotowrote that
she had tried several remedies on the patients many of which resulted
at first in remarkable improvements. But her hopes and those of their
families and friends were dashed when the illness always returned a
few weeks later wotse than ever.
At this point in the history of the lazaretto, no other physician had
given so much of himself to the service of his patients as had Dr. LaBillois;
no other physician had been as accepted by them, and no other doctor
before or since was so badly used by the Sovernment. The lazaretto
accounts show that Dr. Key was paid sixty-eight pounds, seventeen
pence, for the year 1845. In 1846, he was paid about seventy Pounds.
Dr. Gordon was paid about sixty pounds a year for the nine years he
was associated with the hospital. The medical commissioners received
as much as seventy-five pounds each.
We can only speculate that the government refused to pay LaBillois
because he steadfastly refused to diagnose the disease as leprosy; or
because he criticized the medical establishment in the province; or because he was a French-Catholic physician at a time when the Englishlanguage, mainly Protestant power structure felt little empathy or trust
for the French-Catholic Acadians in the northern part of the province.
45
--
For many years after his departure, the Patients and their friends
continued to ask the government for Dr. LaBillois' return.
Tracadie
in
In 1902,FatherDanel wrote, "I have often spoken of him to somepeople
in Tracadie . . . all were still under the impression that Dr. LaBillois had
done the lepers ihe most good and that oi y the iealousy of the English
doctors forced him to flee."2o
As if the lazarettoweren't isolated enough, that summer a twelvefoot-high fence was built around the property, "so as to prevent . . all
intercoirrsewith the other part of the community."'?rThe Board met with
strons oDDositionfrom th-eleperswhen putting up the fenceand had
to em"ployguardsto Protectthe workers-"Stilllhey persevereduntil it
*as cir^jrl6ted and the lepers are now completely under control "22
The loss of Dr. LaBillois was a maior blow for the lepers The fence
that cut them off completely from the community, the view of the sea,
and the nearby church was the second Finally, Father Lafrance was
transferred to Memramcook in January 1852.His departure seemed to
usher in a period of violence and discord unseen at any time before'
NEW
THEM]
You have in New Brunswic
the Penitentiary,and the La
stitutions. The localGovern
Treasury,procuredthe grou
ings which now are the horn
lunatic, the raptor, the mude
Leper.
Yet it appearsthat in th
below the most nefariousor
on their contrastedrespect
I wasout of thehospitalna
to oisit my brotherIsraelwhou
to get a letterfrom FatherGauz
The lazarettowasnot thet
oneuanted to leareLntil they\tJ
too . . . it was not like a hospit
'la
Thosewith
malndie'beg
the escapes
cameafter ztisitorsha
'ln
taken. They said thosewith
went home,
Thoseon the Bonrdof Heal
all personsin Tracadiewhohnd,
them two timesn year; thenyo
personin the lazqrettowasae4
but you sti neededa letterfron
Thegateof theInzarettouas
the keeper,took my letter anda
Thereis only a smallyarda
It wasmrly Augustanda lot o
seethemfrom outsidethefenu.
canseenothingthroughthefrnc
not a uagon passingon theroa
46
Y
the patientsand their friends
ment for Dr. LaBillois' return.
r spokenof him to somepeople
rpressionthat Dr. LaBilloishad
rnly the jealousyof the English
nough, that surnmera twelveperty, "so as to prevent . . . all
Lmunity.""The Boardmet with
putting up the fence and had
. "Still they persevereduntil it
:ompletelyunder control."22
: blow for the lepers.The fence
rmmunity,the view of the sea,
. Finally, Father Lafrancewas
1852.His departure seemedto
C unseenat any time before.
NEW BRUNSWICK:
THE LAND OF THE FREE
Youhavein New Brunswickthe MarineHospital,the LunaticAsylurn,
the Penitentiary,
dnd the Lazaretto
of Tracadie
as your mainStjteinstitutions.ThelocalGovernment. . . havewith your moneyout of the
Treasury,procuredthe grounds,and erectedthereonthe s6telybuildingswhich now arethe homesof the disabledseaman,theculprit,the
lunatic,theraptor,themuderer. . . andlastof all themostunfortunate
Leper.
Yet it appearsthat in the socialscalein this Provincethe Leperrs
belowthe mostnefariousoutlawif you only castan unprejudiceheye
on their contrastedrespective
conditions.
FatherFerdinandEdmondGauveau
TheMorningFreema,(SaintJohn,
N.B.)
May 28, 1861.
I wasout of thehospitalnearlythreeyearsthesummerof 1852.I wanted
to aisit my brotherIsraelwho was still thereand whowasaery sick.FirstI h,td
to get q letterfrom FatherGaurreauto sny thqt it wasall right fot me to go.
The lamrettowas not the waV it was when Dr. LaBilloiswas there.No
onewantedto leaaeuntil theywerebetter.But hewassentaway,FatherLafrnnce
too . . . it was not like a hospitalany more.Iust a placeof death.
Thosewith 'ls maladie'beganto run awayagain.TheBoardof Healthsaid
theescapes
cnmeafterrisitors hadbeento thehospital.Theysaidsupplieswere
takcn..Theysaid thosewith 'la maladie'gaaemoretroublealter their aisitors
went notne,
Thoseon the Boardof Health,whosenamesI spit on again,theysaidthat
all personsin Tracadiewho hadfriendsor family in thelazarettocouldonly see
then two timesa year; then you neededto get a letterfrom the pliest. If the
personin the lazarettowas rery sick,as Israelwas, you couldgo fiore often
but you sti needed
a letterfrom the priest.
Thegateof thelazsrettoutasclosedwith an iron baracrossit . PhiliasLosier,
thekeeper,tookmy letterand after he readit, he told theguard to let me rn.
Thereis only a smallyard aroundthebuilding.Thegroundi.sbareof grass.
It was earlyAugust and a lot of the sickoneswerein theyard. No onecould
seetheffifrom outsidethefence.From in here,with thosewith 'la maladie',you
ca.nseenothingthroughthefence;not a cowin a feld, not q sailboatin thebaV,
not a wagonpassingon the road.
Ote msi! sits agninst the buiklirtg. He hokls a pieceof utood betueen his
wrists. His t'ingers iaue gone nnd his palms are su,ollennnd red. He holds a
knife with his teefh snd he caruesthe uood. A pile of chips is on the ground in
Tttithtrtstter.Most of us wifh'lQ nlaladie'
Toit o1nim. His eyessfareontl 1'Lt7v
haueeyeslike that .
Two boys with dirtLl t'aceschsseeachother. They bump [nto a rloftInn u)ho
washesclothesouer a ftre. She savs soffietlting to them btl tlrcv dol1't stop'L,lnepetite
ftlle' holds a stick doll ir her arms like it toqs a blbV at the
'Ln mqlsdie' has morkedher. Her skin is red-spottedand swttllen; there
breast.
is a larpe sore from under her nose frt her uppet lip. Her hnir thottgh is sfill
prettv,hrownlike uet sandqntl curled.WhenI askher none, shesntlsnofhing
She iocksher stick doII qnd she does not ktttkat me
I hear a shout qnd I turn to seesome nen throw rocks at the t'eetof the
Bunrrl.The guard is mad hrt u,hur he goestouard theffi, f hty vnlle. They u)ant
'to
fght theguard: to 1i:ir theSunrd'la mnludie'uith their ftsfs Theguard satls
he will out them in the nrison. The men curseat thaf.
I turn ntoay, draw a greaLbreath ot't'reshnir info my helly ancl go ittside
where my brother is. His beclis soiled. Someof the nlqtter from sores,iscrusted
on the wood t'rame. There are thirty eight peopleir the hosStitaland Lfutroottr
but
is crowded. Thereqre nrore-uindous here than in fhe hospital at Becs-Scies
'la
nnlndie'.
of
with
the
sntell
air
is
thick, still
the
I haztebroLtghta fresh strau moftressto ltuf under hin ond I u'aslt his beLi
when I do this. i bathe his soresnnd bandngehim the utav Dr' LaBillois showetl
us. After he is in a clean shirt, I lead hin back fo bedt'or he is blind His aoice
is hoarse.He whispersthnf he uatlts me t0 comebacktotnlrrou. I cnnnot proffilse
this. I haue the children st honrc and Dr. LaBilktis has said there is a danger
'la
mnlndie' agairt
we who were cured couki get
'ln
I arn not away t'roffi it anyway. Donithilde,
t'emmede FranEois', has
'ln
fialadie' on her. We in Tracatlieknow u,hen the skin has n white cast thst
'lq
nte
maladie' has begun. Domithilde's skin zpaslike Lhqtst firsf She showed'Lq
on her leBspatchesof o liyht tle ow color on esch, just abouethe knees
mnladieient quickLythroiglt her. Now she'shere itt fhe hospitalbndlymarked
and great with chlld.
struck'lesdeux fenntesr1eFranEois'and his
Whu is it, I nsk'la mqlcLdie'
Domilhildcs rltildrcn nrt ,tcll.
him:
So
bul
not
lnr.
born
son
firs!
lulienne is alsoin the Tronuut'sroon. I am ashanedthat I am uell and
she has had to come back. "I told tlou it wortld be worse here tlntt on BecsScies,"shesaid. "There is nowhereto hide. Sincethetl hat e chasedDr ' LaBillois
'La
naladie', for me it is worse fhan if eoer wos.
away, I haoe no hope.
It was true for eaery one I stttuthaf dny in tlrc laznreLto.AII was sadness
and nnger that t hnd not seen since tlrc firsf years at Becs Scies It TDasworse
'ott
itait comme une
too, beiausehere fhere were mlre people. "On Shekirake
"Here,
go near. They
I
an
scared
to
are
people
tltre
said.
t'amille,"' lulienne
haueeuenbuilt a prison."
I thoughtof the men outsidecursing and faul1tit1ifhe guard and I was
'la
nqlsdie' that year.
uery glaclthat I did not hare
While Father Lafrancewas
his forceful personality overca
years, he proved that he could r
if it meant going againstthe B
ExecutiveCouncil.
On the other hand, Reven
'
replacedReverendLafrancein
tor in Memramcook, New Bru
native Quebec suffering from
only three yearsafter.When he
small parishesin Quebecbefo
The Catholic parishesof N
geographicregions.Most of th€
the standard of living and tht
Acadians of the Madtimeswer
the dispersion. Scatteredamon
their homeland by poverty and
the work and suffering the cle
ReverendGauvreauhad br
he was appointed to Tracadi
community as well as with tht
said he was a scientificand pra
agriculture there. He must hav
agriculture was secondaryto tl
ReverendGauvleauarrive
when the usually pretty village
gulf penetratesthrough the w
and ice cover the land; gray ski
like a monochromeprint. In M
"Since I have left the beautifu
day has passedwithout thinkir
friends whom I have left behir
In the lazaretto,the patie
LaBillois. Even ReverendLafre
from running away or stonin
fence. That January, FatherG
mdt his new parishioners.An
grotesquediseasewhere the o
a physical manifestationof the (
the loss of the two peoplewh(
ReverendGauvreauserve
a liason between that body and
not strong enough to controlth
the night of September4, 185
burned to the ground.
Davidson wrote, "The ma
found them almost nakedrush
given. The flames spreadrapid
iXe.\. ie.'
48
,
7
llis
holdsa pieceof uood beLween
s areswollenand red. He hoLdsa
A pileof chipsis on thegroundit
'lu
atter.Mostof uswith maladie'
While Father Lafrance was very young when he came to Tracadie,
his forceful personality overcame his youthful appearance. Over the
years, he proved that he could speak for the sick and their famihes even
if it meant going against the Board of Health, or appearing before the
Executive Council.
her,Theybumpinto a wotntlnulto
ngto thembut theudotr'fstop.
trcrarmslike if uas a babynt the
qndsu,ollen;tlrcre
n is red-spottecl
upperlip, Her hair thoughis still
n I sskhername,shesaysnothing.
k at me.
menthrowrocksat thefeetof the
ruardthem, thE snile. Thevwant
lie' with theirftsts.Thegunrrisarls
'seat that.
sh air into my bellyandgo inside
of thematterfrom soresis crustecl
'eople
in thehospitaland tlrc roont
nn in thehospitalat BecsSciesbut
iadie',
r put underhim nndI wqshhis becl
t him thewayDr. LaBilloisshou,erl
tckto bedfor heis hlind. His roice
. I cawrotpromise
nebacktomorrow
,aBilloishassaidthereis a danger
,ain.
lhilde,'la femmede Frnnqois',hns
fuenthe skinhasa uhite cqstthqt
me
zslikethatat first. SIrcshowecl
'La
on each,jusf abotethe knees.
's herein thehospitnlbadlynarked
On the other hand, Reverend Ferdinand-Edmond Gauvreau, who
replaced Reverend Lafrance in Tracadie, was not as strong. Named pastor in Memramcook, New Brunswick, in 1828, he had to return to his
native Quebec suffering from physical and psychological exhaustion
only three years after. When he recovered, he served as pastor in several
small parishes in Quebec before returning to Memramcook in 1836.
The Catholic parishes of New Brunswick at the time covered wide
geographic regions. Most of the French priests came from Quebec where
the standard of living and the quality of life were much better. The
Acadians of the Madtimes were barely getting on their feet again after
the dispersion. Scattered among them were Irish Catholics driven from
their homeland by poverty and disease. It took a strong person to tackle
the work and suffering the clergy were confronted with daily.
Reverend Gauvreau had been in Memramcook sixteen vears before
he was appointed to Tracadie. He made friends with th; Protestant
community as well as with the Catholics in Memramcook. His friends
said he was a scientific and practical farmer, instrumental in improving
agriculture there. He must have felt quite lost in his new parish where
agdculture was secondary to the forestry and fishery industdes.
Reverend Gauvreau arrived in Tracadie in January 1852-a season
when the usually pretty village is not at its best. The wind off the frozen
gulf penetrates through the wool layers of clothing to the skin; snow
and ice cover the land; gray skies and small gray houses tint the scenery
like a monochrome pdnt. In March a lonely Reverend Gauvreau wrote,
"Since I have left the beautiful and rich county of Westmorland, not a
day has passed without thinking of the absenci of so many respectable
friends whom I have left behind me."'
In the lazaretto, the patients were angered by the removal of Dr.
LaBillois. Even Reverend Lafrance had not been able to prevent them
from running away or stoning the workmen who came to build the
fence. That January, Father Gauvreau, short, plump, and rather shy,
met his new parishioners. Among them, he saw for the first time a
grotesque disease where the outward disfiguration of the sick was but
a physical manifestation of the despair that had descendedon them with
the loss of the two people who had given them any hope.
Reverend Gauvreau served on the Board of Health and he acted as
a liason between that body and the government with the lepers. He was
not strong enough to control the anger that festered in the lazaretto. On
the night of September 4, 7852, or the early morning of the 5th, it was
burned to the ground.
Davidson wrote, "The majority of the lepers were sleeping . . . we
found them almost naked rushing from their beds when the alarm was
8i"e1, The flames spread rapidly . . . and nothing was saved. The more
and his
deuxfemmes
de Frangois'
Ide'schildrenarewell.
fhlt I qm tuellnnd
I am ashamed
nuld beworseherethltt on Becsiincetheyhauechased
Dr. LoBil[ois
it is worsethanit eueruas."
y in thelazarettl.AII wqs stltl ess
lt wasuorse
t yearsat Becs-Scies.
'on
On Sheldrake tfait commeune
to go near.They
zopleI am scarecl
md tauntingthegunrtland I uas
at year.
-_
helpless patients had great difficulty in escaPing."'?
The fire had been deliberately set: allegations were made that one
o I t h e T i n e l e v b r o t h e r sa n d t w o V i e n n e a u s ,t h e s o n s o f A l e r a n d r e V i e n ,,"uo, *"r"" iesponsible. Michel Doiron, another Patient, was credited
with savinq the lives of the women who were sleeping on the second
floor. "Tiniley would have allowed them to burn. Michel knew what
Tingley hai perpetrated and insisted on awakening the women Patients."3
For a month or more, all of the thirty-eight patients were housed
in the small building used as a prison- By early November, an addition
to this was made fdr the womin. Davidson wrote, "Dr. Gordon is of
the opinion ihat this will answer for the winter, although they will be
v e r v m u c h c r o w d e d . " oT h e c o m p l e t e b u i l d i n g w i t h t h e a d d i t i o n m e a s ure'd only thirty-two by thirty feet. and wds one story hiSh'
Uoset bv the even harsher conditions their friends and relatives
*"r" .o* subjected to in the lazaretto, Bonaventure Savoy and eightyone other residents of the distdct sent a petition to the Sovernment
asking the House of Assembly to make things more comfortable for
tnem.
Thev complained that their friends in the lazaretto were "confined
in narroir limils, occasioned by some Evil doers and those that always
behaved themselves as the ruies of direction given them by the Board
of Health, they are suffering as nuch as them that was always disobedient to the iules of their solitary confinement " The doctor who now
attended them "does not give them any medicine that is any relief to
them. . ." To add to the Poor conditions of the hospital, they complained, the Board of Health had put the cooking contract uP to public
luction instead of trying to find someone specifically suited to the, iob'
The person selected wis the lowest bidder' The petitioners told the
Houie of Assembly that "the people that has thejr friends confined there
is desirous of liberty to spea-k to them and enquire- how they are, say
once a month, its the opinion of many, that Doctor Lebilawa's attendance
at the hospital in Tracadie would be great service."5
Around this time, Alexandre Vienneau, on behalf of his sons in the
lazaretto, asked the Lieutenant-Governor for the return of Dr' LaBillois
as "he is the only Doctor who does them any good." Vienneau complained that his sons were insulted and treated like criminals by the
Luard. In a second petition Vienneau asked if "he might see his children
in the hosoital at Tracadie at least once a month.""
On benaff of the Board, James Davidson told the House that the
onlv complaint the lepers had about the guard was that "he now prevents all intercourse with them and their friends." The only positive
response from the Board to these petitions. was the agreement that a
full'-time doctor was necessary. "If a medical man were stationed there,
besides attending to ihe HosPital, he miSht visit the poorer classes and
such as are predisposed to the disease . ." Davidson wrote the Legislaiure. Dr. LaBillois had put people in the hospital who never had the
illness, Davidson said, suiposidly to pretend that he had cured them'
50
Therefore, he was unsuited to l
Doctor Gordon had dischar
the disease Six Years later in
LaBillois' Patients. The fact tha
their admiision and their disch;
in diagnosis was not easy to re
From September to JulY tl
limits". Seven PeoPledied und
"The number of daaths for th€
owing to tl
former Period .
fire."3
Durinq this Period, when I
the last ritEs of the Catholic re
over a dead bodY lying in the-w
occasion, "An old Patient ot tf
good father found a dYing girt
hands he took a sPongeand wi
her the last consolations oi thr
The new lazaretto was cor
Robert Young were the contr
wooden struiture with windo
interior was divided into twc
women. The beds were along
stood in the centre of each roo
and benches. Besides the lazar
Dr. LaBillois was now a wasn
keeper was outside of the enc
house was a small jail A wc
with ihe sick and did their ck
The Board of Health had
Accordinq to a descriPtion b
uDrieht c;dar Poles twentY fe
iJ eainished with iron sPikesi
foi-ding-door, secured bY an
through these Poles to comr
wrote"that the iazaretto had
patients are locked uP every
ireau resigned from the Boar
other resPbnsibilities that re(
over Boaid of Health Policies
After the fire, the Board
incidents that haPpened in t
right in the institution conil
1855, rePorted that one ot I
worked his way to Boston'
Hospital where PhYsiciansc
trvinq to cure him Reverend
nia {one to Boston and hire
7n escaPing."z
r: allegations were made that one
eaus, the sons of Alexandre Vienrn, another patient, was credited
/ho were sleeping on the second
hem to burn. Michel knew what
lon awakening the women pahirty-eight patients were housed
By early November, an addition
vidson wrote, "Dr. Gordon is of
;he winter, although they will be
building with the addition measd was one story high.
itions their friends and relatives
r, Bonaventure Savoy and eightynt a petition to the government
ake things more comfortable for
s in the lazaretto were "confined
Evil doers and those that always
Jection given them by the Board
I as them that was always disonfinement." The doctor who now
Lny medicine that is any relief to
tions of the hospital, they comthe cooking contract up to public
one specifically suited to the iob.
bidder. The petitioners told the
at has their {riends confined there
r and enquire how they are, say
lhat Doctor Lebilawa's attendance
Ieat service."s
neau, on behalf of his sons in the
nor for the return of Dr. LaBillois
hern any good." Vienneau comtnd treated like criminals by the
sked if "he might see his children
e a month."6
avidson iold the House that the
he guard was that "he now preiheir friends." The only positive
iitions was the agreement that a
Ledicalman were stationed there,
night visit the poorer classes and
e . . ." Davidson wrote the Legn the hospital who never had the
pretend that he had cured them.
Therefore, he was unsuited to the appointment.T
Doctor Gordon had discharged only three Patientswho did not have
the disease. Six years later in 1857, he released two more of Doctor
LaBillois' patients. The fact that six years elapsed between the time of
their admiision and their discharge by Dr. Gordon shows that a mistake
i n d i a g n o s i sw d \ n o t e a s y [ o r e c o g n i . / e .
From September to July the sick were confined to these "narrow
limits". Seven people died under these circumstances.Davidson wrote,
"The number ;f deaths for the past year has been greater than at any
former period. .. owing to the crowded state they were in after the
fire."3
During this period, when Father Gauvreau was called to administer
the last dtes of the Catholic religion to a dyinl; person, he had to step
over a dead body lying in the ward in the midst of the others On another
occasion, "An old patient of that time, still living, relates how once the
good father found a dying girl in such a state of filth that with his own
hands he took a sponge and washed and dressed her sores before giving
her the last consolations of the church."'
The new lazaretto was completed in July of 1853 Again, Jamesand
Robert Young were the contractors. The building was a single story,
wooden struiture with windows furnished with strong iron bars. The
interior was divided into two larqe rooms, one for men and one Ior
women. The beds were along the iides of the walls, while a large stove
stood in the centre of each room; each room had a table and some stools
and benches. Besides the lazaretto itself, the convalescentward built for
Dr. LaBillois was now a wash house. The house used by the cook and
keeper was outside of the enclosure. A short distance frorn the keeper's
house was a small jail. A woman hired by the Board of Health lived
r ai t h t h e s i c l a n d d i d t h e i r c l e a n i n S .
The Board of Health had apparently decided to reinforce the fence.
According to a description by Father Gauvreau it was "formed with
upright cedar poles twenty feet high, and its summit, in all its contour,
is gainished with iron spikes at short distance from each other. A strong
foiiing-door, secured by an iron bar and heavy padlock is rnanaged
through these poles to communicate with the Lazaretto."r0 Davidson
wrotJthat the lazaretto had been made properly secure ". . . and the
patients are locked up every night sundown and dark."" Father Cauvreau resisned from the Board of Health around this time. He cited his
other responsibilities that required his attention; but his disagreement
over Board of Health policies was a more likely cause.
After the fire, the Board of Health decided to keep quiet about any
incidents that happened in the lazaretto, but rumours that all was not
deht in the instiiution continued to circulate. The Gleaner, on july 14,
1855, reported that one of the lepers who escaped the lazaretto had
worked his way to Boston. He was Presently a Patient in the Boston
Hospital where physicians of the Medical College of Cambridge were
trying to cure him. Reverend Gauvreau wrote that the person in question
hid ione to Boston and hired on as a merchant seaman. He hoped the
)l
..
' :.a
,r
-
fresh air and the medicine he had boueht for himself would make him
better but his condition became worse. He returned to the citv and died
at the Boston Hospital "far from his parents and friends."r: More than
one leprosy victim fled Tracadie before their symptoms were generally
recognized. Some boarded the steamers in the Miramichi foi Rividredu-Loup, Quebec, or Montreal. Here they found work and remained
until the symptoms of thejr illne5\could no longerbe hidden.
Dr. Gordon was not well received by families where leprosv vrc ms
were suspected. Some refused to allow him entrance. In othei homes,
the victims rernained hidden until he left.
In the meantime, those who stayed in Tracadie continuallv looked
for and hoped for a cure. In the summer of 1800, three of the iazaretto
patients were allowed to go by boat, under restrictions, to Prince Edward
Island to visit a mineral spring near Hillsborough. They had heard the
water would be of great benefit to them. They returned disappointed
as they didn't notice the slightest improvement in their condiiion.
In November of 1861,Davidson reported that four people suffering
from leprosy were under the care of an Indian doctor. t'They and thei;
friends earnestly implored the Board to allow them to remain under the
then treatment . . . the Board now reqret to sav that the efforts of the
Indian Doctor has proved unavaiJing, and the unfortunate lepers will
ere long be taken and confined within the Hospital . . .",:
Economy and security rather than treatment, however, were the
main objectivesof the Board of Health. They were not entirely to blame
for this. In the spring of 1853, when nearJy all supplies had been lost
in the fire, the Committee on Public Accounts found the 539 pounds
the Bcard.had paid for food, clothing and bedding was too high. They
also found the expenditure for a medical attendant, about 70 pounds a
year/ unnecessary since his chief occupation was in diagnosing
cases
and he lived a considerable distance from the hospital.
The Public Accounts Committee reduced the Board of Health budset.
"The sum asked for the current year is 800 pounds for the ordiniry
expensesand for the new clothing and 300 pounds to replace the Buildings destroyed by Fire in September last. The commitiee recommend
that the sum of 800 pounds be granted for all the purposes of the Institution, and hope that this sum will answer for all its wants and leave
it free of debt at the end of the year."ra
In 1857,Laurence Maclaren and Richard Sutten were appointed by
the House of Assembly to look into the state of the Tracadie lazaretto
with a view of lessening the expenses if possible. They said the secretary's books were in good order and showed provisions were ,,laid in
at a very cheap rate."r5 Though not part of their mandate, these commissioners recommended that the government hire a French Canadian
or other medical practitioner to reside in or near the lazaretto. They
believed this could be done with little or no additional expense
For the well-being of his sick parishioners, as well as for the success
of the institution, Reverend Gauvreau thouqht it essentialthat a resident
physician be found, one who would have the trust of the patients. In
August 1860, he sent a P^etition
Sutton, the Lieutenant-Govern(
LaBillois be returned to the la2
oetition. Included were John Mo
i'astor of Chatham; Michael Riv
all Justices of the Peace;Edouard
Tremblay, and Oliver Basque.
With the request were testn
ichaud wrote on behalf of his s
was not suffering from the-disee
being treated. However, atter L
cadi;, he ordered the child Put i
years later he recognized his m
i<ind of treatment."r6 Margueritl
Dr. LaBillois in iust two montl
Charlotte was cured in eighteen
she left the hospital until her d
sign of the disease."'7
James Davidson rePlied io t
He said the Robichaud boY was
insistance. Charlotte Saulnier l
her husband when still diseased
was still convinced Marguedte
rosy.
Several months Passedanc
results of his Petition. For the
he decided to reveal the condil
Two newsPaPers, TfteColo
ten articles bY Father Gauvre;
priest proved to be a Power u
iifteen'minutes after three o'cl
has just died at the lazaretto ol
without even having had the m
than all those who died there th
are neither maniacs nor felans
session of their minds and ser
the loss of their freedom, con
still contdbuting to the Provinci
loyal subjects of the Queen; bes
and peaceful as any PeoPle in
Father Gauvreau describe
painful to read. At the last sta
i'. . features are now but dee
the upPer one EreatlY P-uffedat
which has disappeared,the Ic
Reverend Gauvriau said the
". . . his breathing is whistlir
."'?o
moment to choke
7
iht for himself would make him
He returned to the city and died
rents and friends."''] More than
their symptoms were generally
rs in the Miramichi for Rividre:hey found work and remained
d no longer be hidden.
, farnilies where leprosy victims
him entrance. In other homes,
it.
I in Tracadiecontinually looked
,'r of 1860,three of the lazaretto
ierrestrictions,to P nceEdward
They had heard the
Llsborough.
m. They returned disappointed
)vementin their condition.
nrted that four peoplesuffedng
Indian doctor. "They and their
allow them to remain under the
ret to say that the efforts of the
and the unfortunate lepers will
the Hospital. . ."r3
treatment,however, were the
They were not entirely to blame
early all supplieshad been lost
iccountsfound the 539 pounds
nd bedding was too high. They
al attendant,about 70 pounds a
pationwas in diagnosingcases
)m the hospital.
rcedthe Boardof Healthbudget.
is 800 pounds for the ordinary
)00pounds to replacethe Buildrst. The committeerecommend
I for all the purposesof the Inrswer for all its wants and leave
chardSuttenwereappointedby
e stateof the Tracadielazaretto
if possible.They said the secrerowed provisionswere "laid in
rt of their mandate,thesecomrnment hire a FrenchCanadian
in or near the lazaretto. They
rr no additionalexpense.
ioners,as well as for the success
roughtit essential
thata resident
rve the trust of the patients. In
August 1860, he sent a petition to the Honorable John Henry Manners
Sut"ton, the Lieutenant-Governor of the province. He asked that Dr'
LaBillois be returned to the lazaretto. There were 204 names on the
petition. Included were John Moody, Pastor of Shippagan: JamesDaley,
i'astor of Chatham; Michael Rivers, P. McNaughton. Louis Robichaud,
all Justicesof the Peace;Edouard Gauvreau, John McNaughton, Laurent
Tremblay, and Oliver Basque.
With the request were testimonials from three people Joseph Robichaud wrote on behalf of his son. Dr. LaBillois had told him the boy
was not suffering from the diseasefor which those in the lazaretto were
beine treated. H"owever, after LaBillois left and Dr. Gordon was in Tracadie",he ordered the child Put into the lazaretto The father wrote, "Six
vears later he recoqnized his mistake and sent him home without an1'
tind of treatment.;'o Marguerite Saulnier wrote she had been cured by
Dr. LaBillois in just two months. Alexis Saulnier wrote that his wife
Charlotte was cured in eighteen months by Dr. LaBillois. "Fromthe time
she left the hospital until her death, three years later, she exhibited no
sign of the disease."rT
Dr' Cordon
JamesDavidson replied to the testimonials on behalf of
He said the Robichaud'boy was admitted to the hosPital on the father's
insistance. Charlotte Saulnier had been removed from the hosPital by
her husband when still diseasedand died at home of leprosy Dr' Gordon
was still convinced Marguerite had a slow but progressive form of leprosy.
Several months passed and Father Gauvreau heard no word on the
results of his petitio;. For the first time in his nine years in Tracadie,
he decided to reveal the conditions inside the lazaretto.
Two newspapers, The ColoninlEmpire and TheMorni.ngFrccnnn, ran
ten articles by'Fither Gauvreau between May and July of 1861 The
priest proved to be a power with his pen. ". . at this very moment,
i i f t e e n ' m i n u t e sa f l e r t h r e e o ' c l o c k p m . o n t h e 2 n d d a y o f M a y . 1 8 6 1
h a s i u s t d i e d a t t h e l a l a r e t t o o f T r a i a d i e . . a l e p e r ,T r a n q u i l l eS a v o i e ,
without even havinq had the medical attendance of a Physician, no more
than all those who diied there the last ten years . . the lepers of Tracadie
are neither maniacs nor felans . . ." he wrote.l3 "They are in full possession of their minds and senses, and consequently feel most keenly
the loss of their freedom, conscious as they are of . . . their families
still contributing to the Provincial Revenue, paying their taxes, and being
loval subiects oithe Queen; besides, as a body, they are as honest, moral
and peaceful as any people in the world "''!
Father Gauvreau described their suffering in words that are almost
painful to read. At the last stage of the illness, he wrote, the person's
)'. . features are now but deep furrows, the lips are big running ulcers,
the upper one greatly puffed and turned uP towards the seat of the nose
"
which'has ditippeaied. the lower one hanging orer the glos:y chin
Reverend Gauvreau said the illness completed its ravages inwardly:
"... his breathing is whistling and so painful that he expects every
moment to choke . . ."'?o
53
--
Yet, ".. . the disease in its worst forms, and even when almost
touching to its end . . . leaves their brain intact, lucid, and master of
itself, to the last."21 For this disease, Father Gauvreau said, the Board
of Health supplied the patients with ". . . castor oil, sticking plaster,
lint, Holloway's ointment and pills, etc., . . . as much as they please . . .2
The leper's agony is generally withstood only by a few of his comrades
in misfortune, and the Chaplain . . . No docfor fftere; no medicine nor
opiate drops, to pacify in the least the increasing and insupportable
irdtation of the nerves; he is abandoned to his miserable lot."'?3
Father Gavreeau said that in all countries where infectious disorders
threaten a community, Boards of Health besides sheltering, clothing,
and boarding the afflicted, procure them the immediate medical attendance of a resident physician whether the disease is pronounced curable
or not.
Becauseof the disease and the lazaretto in the community, Reverend
Gauvreau said the 250 families that made up the population of Tracadie
were looked upon with mistrust and almost aversion wherever they
went. "After some of them stepping over the threshold of hospitality,
bedding, plates, linen, etc, are often destroyed . . ." yet, the provincial
government looked upon this most destructive public plague "apparently with indifference."':a He appealed to the public conscience and
their sense of British justice when he asked, "You, fellow-citizens, who
know how to value British Liberty, obedience to the laws, British dghts
and privileges, and fair play, what do you think of all this?"'?s
On March 1i,' several months later, The Morning Freeman reported.
that the House of Assembly unanimouslv agreed that a physician should
be provided for the lazaretto and the members of the government assured the house this would be done.
54
THEY DO NOTMING]
One old man, whosefeatures
and who appearedin the ext
from his apaihy sufficientlY tc
eagerlysought on their knees
men, whose arms seemeclas
enjoyment as unimPaired,as
I was especiallytouche
betweenthe agesof fifteenar
they were like other lads . .
separatethem from the oute
There is somethingaPP
is condemned to Passfrom '
with no societybut that of h
no amusements,no lesourc
arival of some fresh victim;
companionsslowly dying a(
ThevoungoneswhometGt
lohn and ChaiesMcGrawandB
Marie's son, an int'antbornam
'la
haae?We, whohad malndiet
knowwh
mostpeoplein Tracadie
Somewho hadthe disusei:
moaeawayor stafi)e,Therewere
spokena word to mesinceI wefi
sincethat time,whohadbirthed
'Ia maladie'
.
hadsignsof
and
I
wentwi
Iean-Baptiste
ernor. lt was theflrst tine a ma
to Trccadie.
lamesYounghada tt
werethere.
of
Tracadie
people
'le
Wewentwith theothers,
fteldon the lazarettogrounds.B
'Paquet
stoodottth
ftom Caraquet
so fiany ifiportant otescometo
We watchedas GotternorC'
as flne or finer thanMr. Youn
Nicholson.Dr. Nicholsonwas t
'et
wereMr. Daaidson d'autres
Y
forms, and even when almost
ain intact, lucid, and master of
ather Gauvreau said, the Board
'.
. . castor oil, sticking plaster,
, . . as much as they please . . .2
d only by a few of his comrades
lo doctor therc) no medicine nor
e increasing and insupportable
d to his miserable lot.",r
ntries where infectious disorders
Ith besides sheltering, clothing,
n the immediate medical attendre diseaseis pronounced curable
etto in the community, Reverend
le up the population of Tracadie
almost aversion wherever they
ver the threshold of hospitality,
shoyed . . ." Yet, the provincial
structive public plague "appard to the public conscience and
ked, "You, fellow-citizens, who
lience to the laws, Briiish rights
/ou think of all this?",s
:, The Morning Freemanreported
y agreed that a physician should
nembers of the government as-
THEY DO NOTM/NGLE WITH HEALTHY PERSONS
One old man, whose featureswere so disfigured as to be barely human,
and who appeared in the extremity of dotage, could hardly be roused
from his apathy sufficiently to receivethe Bishop'sblessing,which was
eagerlysought on their knees by the others. But there were also young
men, whose arms seemedas strong, and their powers of work and oI
enjoyment as unimpaired, as they had ever been . .
I was especially touched by the appearanceof three poor boys
between the agesof fifteen and eleven years. To the ordinary observer
thev were like other lads . . . but the fatal marks which sufficed to
sepirate them from the outer world were upon them . . .
There is something appalling in the thought that . . . a man . . .
is condemned to pass from youth to middle life, and . . . to old age
with no society but that of his fellow sufferers, with no employment,
no amusements,no resource;with nothinq to mark his hours but the
arrival of some fresh victim; with nothing to do ercept to watch his
companions slowty dying around him.
Governoi Arthur Hamilton Gordon
WildernessI outne!s, 1864.
The young ones who met Goaernor Gordon that day in the Inzarettouere
lohn and CharlesMcGraw and Bilonie Sauoie.I knew their names.Btlonie was
Marie's son, an infant born among lepers on Becs-Scies.Whqt chqncedid he
haae? We, who had'la maladie' in ow families, know who elsehas it; anyway
'la
most peoplein Tracadieknow who has
maladie' and who has not.
Somewho had the dismse in their family cannot find work. They hacl to
moaeqwqy or staroe. Therewere thoseI cn ed my friends beforewho haaeneaer
spokena word to me since I went to Becs-Scies.I, who had beenhome ten years
since that time, who had birthed two more healthy rlaughters.l, who no longer
'la
had signs of
maladie'.
Iean-Baptisteand I went with our young ones to seethe Lieutenant-Goaernor. It was the fist tiffie a man of his importance in the prouince had come
to Tracadie.lames Young had a receptionfor him at his houseand the important
peopleof Trccndiewere there.
'le
We went uith the others, mondecnmmenous autres', and waited in the
field on the lazarettogrounds. Bishop Rogersfrom Chathamand Monseigneur
Paquett'rom Caruquetstoodon the stepson the lazqretto.It was exciting to hare
so many important ones come to our uillage.
We watchedas GozternorGordon rode up the lane in a handsomeurriage,
as fine or frner than Mr. Young's. With him were Father Gauareau and Dr.
Nicholson. Dr. Nicholson was taller than eaerybodyelse. In another carriage
'et
were Mr. Daaidson
d'autres personnages'.
55
--
Dr. A. C. Smith.
Mus6e Historique de Tracadie.
'la
I couldseethosewith ma
Dr.
Ni
had beentorn downsince
t
imPortant
cotld seethese
PeoPIe
ume, t
BeforeDr. Nicholson
to the lazaretto.WhentheYdid' i
'm0belle-soeu
tr
I standwith
is a brauewomanto uarry Frang
chik
is n goodmotherto thethree
'la ma
of
no
sign
harte
be t; God,
Eaenin this grouPof PeoP
callsher child awaYt'romMarie
childrenplay with thoseol Frang
smallgrouphaue'lamqlqdie'I a
and siilerswho stillallowmein
Dr. JamesJ. Nicholsonof
Iazaretto and he arrived in TI
the young doctor' He sPecia
for the appointment rn order
hereditary factor.
When the Lieutenant-G
ilton Gordon, visited the laza
passedsinceDr. Nicholsonha
ihat had a profound imPact
barricade had been torn dow
removed.
While GovernorGordons
empty hours of their daYs,th
had 6een previouslY.Dr. Nic
ercisesto iessenthe tedium. l
for sailing and fishing.
In ihe year that Dr. Nich<
the largestnumber sinceDr. L
of patients was at that time t'
From the time the first h(
in 18,14until November 1863
these seventy-twohad died i
the 1850's,the number of ca
eight after the fire in 1852,tl
pe"opledied that Yearand tl
patiints between 1856and 18
in 1861,the number of Patie
Each vear throughout the 18
remained high. In 1855there
in 1860there were five; and ir
at least two, three, or {our d
leprosy diseasebut causesof I
The effect of a residentI
Dr. JamesNicholson.
Mus6e Historique de Tracadie.
Jt)
7-
Dr. A. C. Smith.
Mus€eHistorique de Tracadie.
'la
malodie' sfanding in the ynrd. The insidefence
I could seethose with
'lq
maladie'
had been torn clown sinceDr. Nicholsonarrfued. Now thoseuith
could seetheseimportant peopleride up in thei carriages.
BeforeDr. Nichnlsoncame, thoseon the Board of Health hardly euet went
to the linzaretto.When they did, it wasn't toithout n guard
Monique, la troisiimefemmede Frangois' She
I sfand with' ma belle-soeur
is a brnuewomqn to mqrry Frangoisaittr he has already buried tuo zuiuesShe
is s soodmother to the tiree children Dotttithilde has giuen him They, thanks
'la
maladie'.
be t; God, haae no sign ot'
Eaen in this group ot' people, I hear the whispers about us. One wouan
calls her child awiy from Marie-Anne and Lucille, my voung,ones..No other
chiltlren play with ihoseof FranEoisexceptmine It is as though.all of_usin our
'la
malatlie'. I am glad that I haaea big family with btothers
small group haue
and sisterswho still allow me in lheir home,.
Dr. James J. Nicholson of Bathurst was appointed physician to the
Iazaretto and he arrived in Tracadie in May of 1862. The office suited
the younq doctor. He specialized in internal medicine and had applied
for ihe afpointment in order to study leprosy disease, especially the
hereditary factor.
When the Lieutenant-Governor of the province, Sir Arthur Hamilton Gordon, visited the lazaretto on August 6, 1862, three months had
passed since Dr. Nicholson had arrived. Already changes had been made
ihat had a profound impact on the morale of his patients. The large
barricade hid been torn down and most of the bars on the windows
rernoved.
While Governor Gordon sympathized with the patients and the long
emDtv hours of their days, thire were in fact more activities than there
had been previously. Di. Nicholson organized outdoor games and exercises to iessen the tedium. Later he arranged for them to have a boat
for sailing and fishing.
In the vear that Dr. Nicholson arrived, there were nine admissions,
the larsest number since Dr. LaBillois was in residence. The total number
of patiints was at that time twenty-two.
From the time the first hospital had been built on Sheldrake Island
in 1844 until November 1863, ninety-six people had been confined. Of
these seventy-two had died and thiee h;d been released. Throlghout
the 1850's, the number of cases had declined. From a high of thirtyeight after the fire in 1852, there were thirty-two in January 1855 Six
pelple died that year and there were no admissions. The number of
badbnts between i856 and 1860 fluctuated from eiEhteen to twenty-one.
in 1861, the number of patients in hospital reached a low of fourteen
Each year throughout th; 1850s and eaily 1860s, the number of deaths
remained hieh. ln 1855 there were six deaths; in 1858 there were five;
in 1860 there-were five; and in 1861 seven. Until 1862, there were always
at least trvo, three, or four deaths a year. Not all these people died of
leprosy disease but causes of death were not given in the annual reports
The effect of a resident physician on the quality of Patient care can
5',7
--
be shown in the statistics.In 1862and 1863,when Dr. Nicholson's health
permitted him to carry on his work, there was only one death each year.
The lowest number recorded since Dr. LaBillois' first few months in
Tracadie. In 1864, the year of his final illness, there were three.
Unlike Dr. LaBillois, Dr. Nicholson made no attempt to treat the
diseaseitself. Dr. Smith, who was appointed physician to the lazaretto
after Dr. Nicholson's death, wrote, "My predecessor used coloured water
a c c o m p a n i e db y ' t r o n g a s s u r d n c e so i b e n e f i t t h e r e f r o m , a n d r n e v e r y
instance found a temporary improvement, equal in degree to any apparent benefit he found from the use of medicinal agents."r
Father Danel talked to people who remembered Dr. Nicholson as
a man who was much appreciated by his patients but who had an
unfortunate habit. "He frequently got drunk and presented himself a
few times at the lazaretto in a state of complete inebriation. Then he
would throw himself down on a leper's bed and sleeo until reason
',
returned to him.
Dr. Nicholson never took a single precaulion against leprosy, which
he considered hereditary. Legend-says he went Jo far as to inoculate
himself with the bacteria. Whether or not the disease would have devgloped in him was never known. He died of tuberculosis probably in
1864 or early in 1865. In spite of numerous requests to do so by the
Lieutenant-Governor, he never did leave a written reDort on his work
in the lazaretto.
Between the time of Dr. Nicholson's illness and death and the arrival
of his successor, Dr. Smith, Reverend Gauvreau, at his own request,
was permitted to undertake the treatment of some of the less selious
cases. One of the out-buildings on the lazaretto grounds was set aside
for the purpose. Father Gauvreau was given a supply of medicines.
Seven patients, six men and one woman, were put in his charge. With
the dream of "eradicating the disease from the human system," he
devoted himself to his patients. Even after the arrival of Dr. Smith as
resideni physician to the lazaretto, Father Gauvreau continued his work.
Unfortunately, by November 1865, four of the priest's patients were
sent back to the main lazaretto buildine. Father Gauvreau continued
treating the other three but again without success. All patients were
back in the hospital by the spring of 1866. There is no information on
the details of the treatment used by Father Gauvreau.
Dr. Alfred Corbett Smith began his forty-four years of association
with the lazaretto in Tracadie on May 25,1,865. Born in 1841 in Bathurst,
New Brunswick, he was only twenty-five years old, a recent graduate
of the Harvard Medical School. The appointment would be a good opportunity for a young doctor to study a disease almost unknown in
North America. Besides, he would have a general practice in Tracadie,
a region where he would be ihe only physician in a fifty-mile radius.
Along with the priest, he would be the most educated person in the
community. In spite of his youth, he could expect to havi a great deal
of influence.
There was alwaysa dist
Francophonepopulationhe'
Catholic; for another, he wa
part of his personality.In aI
church of one denominationr
by nature, belongedto no o
Mrs. Dorothy (Young) Fitzg
centric or he appearedthat
was a student and he loved
on."3
It was more than langu
from the people. In his mar
the lazaretto,he never ceas
somewhat inferior, class.[n
disease,as it existshere,is,
persons who were affectedi
in Tracadie,confined exclus
At the same time, he s
tionalitieswho got the disea
Of leprosy in Cape Breton
making his reports public. :
government,becausedesce
inent placesin the economi
was discoveredamong Icela
Tracadie,he wrote that the I,
race and leprosy could nel
these. In the meantime,the
were also reachingPromin€
in New Brunswickand abro
"Leprosy never appea6 in l
Dr. Smiih was not the
Mosi of the priestswho cam
and the level of education(
One pdest wrote to the Arch
"Acahian fools who live in d
Negro, French, Spanishanc
lectual defectsof their origin
came,tended to laugh at th(
people they found themseh
Dr. Smith's ideaswereI
of the lazaretto patients. .4
debilitating and disfiguring
incarcerationand enforced:
doctor the impressionthat h
of his patients could sPeakE
Most were poor and unedu
ten, nearly twenty yearsbe
breadwinners were finding
ployment. Still, a surprisin
Y
i63,whenDr. Nicholson'shealth
re wasonly onedeatheachyear.
:. LaBillois'firstfew months in
illness,there were three.
n made no attempt to treat the
ointedphysicianto the lazaretto
predecessor
usedcolouredwater
benefit therefrom, and in every
Lent,equal in degreeto any aprf medicinalagents."r
r rememberedDr. Nicholson as
g his patientsbut who had an
drunk and presentedhimself a
: completeinebriation. Then he
tr's bed and sleep until reason
recautionagainstleprosy,which
i he went so far as to inoculate
not the diseasewould have dedied of tuberculosisprobably in
erous requeststo do so by the
ve a written report on his work
rillnessand deathand the arival
Gauvreau,at his own request,
rent of some of the less serious
lazarettogrounds was set aside
; given a supply of medicines.
n, were put in his charge.With
from the human system," he
fter the arrival of Dr. Smith as
rrGauvreaucontinuedhis work.
four of the priest'spatientswere
lg. Father Gauvreaucontinued
lout success.AII patients were
|66. There is no information on
her Gauvreau.
s forty-four years of association
, 1855.Bom in 1841in Bathurst,
ve yearsold, a recent graduate
rointment would be a good opa diseasealmost unknown in
-' a generalpracticein Tracadie,
)hysicianin a fifty-mile radius.
e most educatedperson in the
ruld expectto have a great deal
There was always a distance, however, between Dr. Smith and the
Francophone population he worked among. For one thing, he was nonCatholic; for another, he was English speaking. A natural shyness was
part of his personality. In an age when nearly everyone belonged to a
church of one denomination or another, Dr. Smith, though philosophical
by nature, belonged to no organized religion. His great-niece, the late
Mrs. Dorothy (Young) Fitzgerald said, "To a lot of people he was eccentdc or he appeared that way because he had ideas of his own. He
was a student and he loved to investigate all kinds of things that went
on."3
It was more than language and religion that separated Dr. Smith
from the people. In his many years of association with the patients of
the lazaretto, he never ceased to think of them as members of a poorer,
somewhat inferior, class. In one of his earliest reports, he wroti, "The
disease, as it exists here, is, with the e\ception of three or four English
persons who were affected in consequence of residing for a short time
in Tracadie, confined exclusively to the lower order of French."a
At the same time, he seemed convinced that people of other nationalities who got the diseasedid so by some unfortunate turn of nature.
Of leprosy in Cape Breton, which he investigated, he refrained from
making his reports public. This was at the request of the Nova Scotia
government, because descendants of the first victims had reached prominent places in the economic, social and political spheres. When leprosy
was discovered among Icelandic immigrants and four were brought to
Tracadie, he wrote that the Icelanders were a hard-workinq, industrious
race and leprosy could never make headway among people such as
these. In the meantime, the descendants of leprosy victims in Tracadie
were also reaching prominent places in the eionomic and political life
in New Brunswick and abroad. Yet, as late as December 1891, he wrote,
"Leprosy never appears in the better class of our French population."s
Dr. Smith was not the only one to look down on the Acadians.
Most of the priests who came frorn Quebec found the standard of living
and the level of education of New Brunswick French senerallv lower.
One priest wrote to the Archbishop of Quebec that his pirishionirs were
"Acadian fools who live in disorder . . . being a racial mixture of Indian,
Negro, French, Spanish and even Italian with all the natural and intef
lectual defects of their origins . . ."6 And some of the sisters, when they
came, tended to laugh at the language, expressions, and customs of the
people they found themselves among.
Dr. Smith's ideas were probably influenced by his first impressions
of the lazaretto patients. Apathy, which effects people faced with a
debilitating and disfiguring illness, was made worse by their long-term
incarceration and enforced idleness. This might have given the young
doctor the impression that his patients were dull or stupid. Few, if any,
of his patients could speak English and Dr. Smith could not speak French.
Most were poor and uneducated. Bayard and Wilson had ilready wric
ten, nearly twenty years before, that because of the disease in families,
breadwinners were finding it difficult, if not impossible, to find employment. Still, a surprising number of patients were educated. And
-
every year there were admissions to the lazaretto of people from fami)ies
who were at least comfortably off by the standards of the time
Dr. Smiih himself was to blame for much of the poverty a leper's
family was subjected to. On finding the disease, he would warn the
neighbors and advise them to avoid contact with the person or his
relatives until the victim agreed to be admitted to the hospital. He visited
sea-food processing plants, lumber and grist mills, and fruit and berry
packing establishments to examine the workers. He singled out for speiial attintion any one from a family where the disease was known to
exist. He said of leprosy that it was "the most horrible malady which
can affect our race".7 It appears he had a single-minded dedication to
stamping out the disease through a ruthless isolation of the sick.
Given his views, it is little wonder that we read in one of his reports
that patients were "shunned by even their relatives " ". . . They do not
mingle with healthy persons. The Lepers now find here a home, without
whiah they would quickly perish," he wrote.3 Dr. Smith acted with no
intended malice. It appears he was warmly remembered in Tracadie as
a very kind man. He was known to diagnose and treat the poor free of
charge. He took the money from his own funds to pay for medicines if
they were needed.
With regard to leprosy, he agreed with the doctors of the time that
it was incurtble. He was not interested in searching for a cure at this
point. He concentrated instead on ameliorating the symptoms. "As the
iisease affects every part of the body, the Lepers are continually suffering from many ailments. .. such as dropsy, temPorary insanity,
chronic diarrhea, paroxysms and difficult breathing, almost amounting
to suffocation, burning pains in the limbs, especially at night, foul ulcers,
etc., all of which are amenable to treatment."e
There were twenty-one Patients in the lazaretto when Dr. Smith
arrived. These were Mary Savoy 17, Nancy Boutlier 41, Jane Brideau 27,
Judith Arseneau 39, Catherine Brideau 19, Marie Commeau 19; the men
were Xavier Brideau 56, Olivier Shearson 18, James 38, Stanislaus 18,
and John McGraw 15, Auxibe (Eusdbe) Brideau 26, Charles Mazerolle
28, Eli Bddeau 53, Victoire Bass (Basque) 33, Christopher Drysdale 14,
Frederick Savoy 28, Charles McLauchlan (McLaughlin) 25, James Richard
35, Romain Doiron 15, and Felois (Philias) Brideau 38. That summer,
Olivier Brideau 36, and Anasthasia Robichaud 78, were admitted and
Jamesand John McGraw both died.
Dr. Smith said that becauseof the lack of medical attendanceduring
Dr. Nicholson's illness and death, the patients'health had deteriorated.
Several were bedridden. Nearly eight months after his arrival, however,
all but one of the patients were up and able to enioy outdoor exercises
In his first year in Tracadie, Dr. Smith made several visits in the
parish to examine and report on Persons "supposed to be affected with
leprosy." As a result, seven people were admitted to the hosPital, bringing the total number of patients to approximately twenty-six. He wrote,
"ilthough
the populatibn of the Parish is increasing, this number has
been exceeded in some former years."'o The isolation of the sick was
60
one reason for the decrease.I
Comparedto earlierYear
considerablvwith the arrival
Gordon found the hosPital"P
the establishmentwas orderl
matters of cleanliness.
It appears,however,thal
washed. Father Gauvteauan
building to be in a stateof squ
to live in with the Patientsan(
of one of the lepers. It is dor
minimum of the large numb
ment.
The doctors'attendanceI
reqular nursing and suPervis
ha,-dfrequentlYcomPlainedo
willing io do ihis work becau
community, known for thei
lazarettoand carefor the Pa
yet not representa costlYdri
Y
re lazaretto of people from families
the standards of the time.
for much of the poverty a leper's
the disease, he would warn the
I contact with the person or his
rdmitted to the hospital. He visited
nd grist mills, and fruit and berry
e workers. He singled out for spewhere the disease was known to
"the most horrible malady which
rad a single-minded dedication to
uthless isolation of the sick.
r that we read in one of his reports
their relatives." ". . . They do not
ers now find here a home, without
e wrote.s Dr. Smith acted with no
armly remembered in Tracadie as
.iagnoseand treat the poor free of
lwn funds to pay for medicines if
one reason for the decrease. A higher standard of living was another.
Compared to earlier years, conditions in the lazaretto had improved
considerably with the arrivals of Drs. Nicholson and Smith. Governor
Gordon found the hospital "perfectly clean and neat".rr Smith reported
the establishment was orderly and the Board of Health cooperative in
matters of cleanliness.
It appears, however, that only the surface of the establishment was
washed. Father Gauvreau and later the sisters considered the hospital
building to be in a state of squalor. The Board of Health hired one woman
to live in with the patients and clean for them. She was usually a relative
of one of the lepers. It is doubtful if one person could do more than a
minimum of the large number of chores required in such an establishment.
The doctors' attendance brought improvements in patient care, but
regular nursing and supervision were still missing. The Board of Health
had frequently complained of the difficulty of finding people who were
willing to do this work because of the risk involved. Perhaps a religious
community, known for their nursing skills, could better manage the
lazaretto and care for the patients. Who but they would do all this and
yet not represent a costly drain on the public purse.
I with the doctors of the time that
ed in searching for a cure at this
Lelioratingthe symptoms. "As the
g, the Lepers are continually sufr as dropsy, temporary insanity,
cult breathing, almost amounting
rbs, especially at night, foul ulcers,
rtment."e
in the lazaretto when Dr. Smith
Iancy Boutlier 41, Jane Brideau 27,
r 19, Made Commeau 19; the men
rson 18, James 38, Stanislaus 18,
re) Brideau 26, Charles Mazerolle
lue) 33, Cfuistopher Drysdale 14,
tn (Mclaughlin) 25, JamesRichard
hilias) Brideau 38. That summer,
i.obichaud 78, were admitted and
lack of medical attendance during
patients' health had deteriorated.
months after his arrival, however,
d able to enjoy outdoor exercises.
Smith made several visits in the
)ns "supposed to be affected with
re admitted to the hospital, bring)roximately twenty-six. He wrote,
sh is increasing, this number has
."10The isolation of the sick was
I
"'
T
--
LazarettoHotel-De
Place setting in the Sisters' dining room, with the dishes and furniture they
brought with them in 1868.Mus€e Historique de Tracadie
FATHE
Some years ago I was acco
(Hdtel-Dieu Hospital, Mor
sician of SaintJohn, N.B. I
liness of the institutionasc
lepe6 at Tracadie.He saia
with the lepers, it was im
was deplorable.The siste
remarkablybeautiful youn
as she was known in reli
with the Supedoress,and tl
she said to Dr. Bayard:'
chargeof them?'The ques
New Brunswickand an in
theresult...
The thought of a lady, bea
in the Lazarettoseemedh(
of l
her the loathsomeness
be upon the nervesof a dt
'and
duty,' she said to me,
sufferings.'
The first Sistersand their patients, circa 1870.P A.N.B P67-3.
62
Y_
LazarettoHotel-Dieuin 1868.P.A.N.B. P4-5-73.
with the dishesand furniture they
iquede Tracadie.
FATHERCAUVREAU WEPT
Some vears ago I was accompanied in one of my visits to the hospital
( H o t e l - D i e u H o 5 p i t a l , M o n L r e a l rb v D r . B a v a r d ,a d i s t i n g u i . h e d p h ! r i c i a n o f S a i n tJ o h n . N . B . H e \ ^ a s \ l r u c l . . . b v t h t . r e m a ' r l a b l ec i e a n l i n e 5 \ , , f t h e i n \ t r t u l i o na \ c r ) n t r . l s t e w
d i t l r t h ( l i , , a r e o o r c u p i e db v t h e
lepers at Tracadie. He said the Government was at a loss what to do
with the lepers, it was impossible to get service, and their condition
was deplorable. The sister who accompanied me in my visits was a
r e m a r l a b l v b e d u t i f u l\ o u n g l a d v . . . M r ' - \ i g e r , o r S i c t L .S
r . l i n tJ o h n
d \ 5 h e w a \ k n o w n i n r t . l i g i o n ,l e f t u s f ( ) r , l m o \ e m e n I a n d r e t u r n e d
w i t h f h e S u p e r i o r e s sa, n d l h e c o n \ e r s . r t i o n, t i l l t u r n i n g u p o n t h e l e p e r 5 ,
rhe said to Dr. Bal ard: Do you thinl we ra,._ruld
be ailowed t.r'tale
charge of them?'The question was put by Dr. Bayard on his return to
New Brunswick and an invitation to the Sisters o? the H6tel-Dieu *os
theresult...
Dr. Hingston
Thc DailV Sun (Saint John, N.B.)
October 25, 1887
r, circa1870.P.A.N.B. P67-3.
The thought of a lady, beautiful, educated, and refined being immured
in the Lazaretto seemed hortible, and I could not help poiniing out to
her the loathsomeness of the disease, and the terribG itrain ii would
be upon the nerves of a delicate sensitive woman . . ,l think it is my
duty,'. she said to me, 'and perhaps I can do something to relieve their
sultenngs,
Dr. Bayard
The DailV Suil (Saint John, N.B.)
October 25, 1887
63
'La
maladie'crept about my house like a dark ghost lt linge.redin forgottencornersancl it swept'up Lucille. It uas the sameall ouer Tracodie No one dored
say that they would neuer get it.
For manv Sundavs, when we nll gatheredfor Mass at fhe church' Father
Gauureauosied us ti pray thst sisteri would be found who woulcl come arul
take care of our sick. Our-aoices rose togetheras one so that our Pruver could
be heard eien on the wqter, perhapseuen W the sistercthemselues
Iean Bap!istesaiclif onlv sisl?r<rumc they uL'uld hring goodIu'l' oilh
<acrcdpre>enct
them.'La maladie would be chasedlrom our illagc by their
I think onlv thnt if sisterscoffie, my Lucille will hattesomeoneto carelor
her in the hospitnland I askGotl just for that one gift '
'Les HospitaliEres de Saint-Joseph' in Tracadie was
The arrival of
n o t a s s i m p l y a r r a n g e d a s T h eD a i l yS u n a r t i c l ei m p l i e s l n -t h e m i d 1 8 6 0 s '
r h e i d e a o i ' i p p t o u i h i n g a r e l i g i o u sc o m m u n i t y t o s e e i f o n e w o u l d b e
w i l l i n e t o s e n d n u r s i n g s i s t e r st o c a r e f o r t h e l e p e r s w a s d j : c u s s e di n a
numbEr of olaces. lhebailu Suu articleindicatesDr' Bayard first brought
the issue b;fore the provincial government.
The Board of Health's secretary,James Davidson, asked the House
of Assembly for perrnission to find a religious community in 1866 Reverend Gauvreau of Tracadie and the Vicar General of the diocese, Reverend Joseph-Marie Paquet of Caraquet, both wanted nursing sisters to
take on reiponsibility for the lazaretto.
Once permission from the government was given to find a religious
communitv to take charge of tlie hospital, it then fell to Bishop Rogers
of Chatham to find such"an order, and to bring them to Tracadie The
Bishoo's authoritv covered all actions of the clergy within his diocese
and no sisters could set uP a community without his approval
The Bishop had visit;d the lazaretto in Tracadie and was familiar
with the situati,on there. He wrote to the Lieutenant-Governor and asked
if the authorities would support the sisters financially and pay their
movinq expenses if a congr-egation were found who would undertake
the wo-rk. Hor"""'"t, an eleltion brought about a change of government
shortly after and Bishop Rogers received no rePly to his inquiry
B i s h o p R o g e r sh a d w r i t t e n t o t h e C r a y N u n s o f M o n t r e a la n d h a d
asked them to ionsider the work The Gray Nuns were d non-cloistered
order who went into communities as missionaries They had one central
motherhouse. The Bishop believed this iype of a congregation was preferrable because of the uncertain status the sisters would have in Tracadie. He was afraid the Protestant maiodty in the Legislature could
dismiss the sisters whenever they wished.
'Les Hospitalidres de Saint-Joseph', were
A cloistered order, such as
reouired bv their rules to establish foundations where they went; thaf
i s . ' t o b e t u p a p e r m a n e n t r e l i g i o u sc o m m u n i t y a n d o p e n a n o v i c i a t et o
t r a i n n e w e n t r a n t s .T h e B i s h o p b e l i e v e di t w o u l d b e h a r d e r f o r s u c h a
communitv to leave should the government dismiss them from the lazaretto, foi the sisters would have no means of support in the remote
village- In any case, after these efforts, Bishop Rogers droPPed the matter
as he had not heard from the g(
claimed his attention.
In 1860when JamesRogers
dioceseof Chatham,therewere
Thesesevenmen serveda total
from Richibucto to the Quebec
twenty-one priests for a total Cat
Rogersdecidedthat he shouldb
and concentrateon increasing
not been called to Rome in the
have passedbefore the sistersI
When the Bishop left for E
his Vicar General, ReverendPa
Perhapsbecausehe was French
were from his parish, he was mr
the reasons,he was sympathet
to find sisterswho would care:
On June 11, 1867,the Ho
authorize the Board of Health t,
the establishmentunder the ca
expensesdidn't exceed400pou
That summer, accommod
joining the lazaretto for a tota
elected Secretaryof the Boardt
necessaryfurniture, sinkinga w
would come to an additional
Montreal for the sisterswould
wrote, ". . . if three of thosecl
as nurses, it would be the grea
have, and in the courseof a s
penditure, as they make no ch
ind clothing, which . . . is of tl
When thesepreparationsw
ernment was sincerein wantir
familiar with the Hdtel-Dieu ir
HospitaliEresde Saint-Joseph'
cometo the hospitalin 1659at tl
He was impressedwith their n
In 1868,the Mother Super
Marie Julie Marguedte C6r6, v
after JeanneMance. ReverendF
year. He told her about the la,
Rogerson whose behalfhe mad
sisters come to Tracadie.He (
called leprosy, is not contagio
'Hospita
count is accuratethe
lazaretto from Dr. Bayard.
Mdre Mance discussedthe
darkghost.lt lingeredh t'orgotten
No onedared
tmeall otterTracqdie.
redt'orMassat thechurch,Fnther
d befoundwho woulclcotneand
Er as oneso thnt our prayercould
t the sistersthemselves.
theywouldbring goodbrck with
t aillageby theirsauedpresence.
to carefor
uciIlewill hauesomeone
nt onegilt.
in Tracadiewas
e Saint-Joseph'
articleimplies.ln the mid 1860s,
munity to seeif one would be
rr the leperswas discussedin a
rdicatesDr. Bayardfirst brought
Ient.
nes Davidson,askedthe House
Ligiouscommunityin 1866.RevcarGeneralof the diocese,Rev, both wanted nursing sistersto
rentwas given to find a religious
tal, it then fell to Bishop Rogers
to bring ihem to Tracadie.The
of the clergy within his diocese
ty without his approval.
to in Tracadieand was familiar
and asked
Lieutenant-Governor
isters financially and pay their
re found who would undertake
t abouta changeof government
d no reply to his inquiry.
Jray Nuns of Montreal and had
lray Nuns were a non-cloistered
ssionaries.They had one central
q?e of a congregationwas prer the sisterswould have in Traaiority in the Legislaturecould
Led.
were
rpitaliiresde Saint-Joseph',
ndationswhere they went; that
munity and open a noviciate to
d it would be harder for such a
ment dismissthem from the lameansof support in the remote
ishopRogersdropped the matter
as he had not heard from the government, and ,,more pressing needs,,
clairned his attention.
T n l 8 b 0 w h e n l a m e s R o g e r sw a s m a d e a B i s h o po f t h e n e w l l _ f o r m e d
..
d i o c e s eo f C h a t h a m , t h e r e w e r e o n l y s e v e np r i e s t si n t h e e n t i r e t e r r i t o r y .
These seven men served a toial of sixty misiions scattered in the woods
from Richibucto to the Quebec boundary. Eight years later there were
twenty-one. priests for a total CatholJc population oi 40,000 people. Bishop
Rogers decided that he should build moie churches and Clthdlic schooL
a n d , c o n c e n t r a t eo n ^ i n c r e a s i n gt h e n u m b e r o f p r i e s t s .H a d t h e B i s h o p
n o t b e e n c a l l e d t o R o m e i n t h e f a l l o f l 8 o o , s e v e r a lm o r e v e a r s m i g h t
have passed before the sisters would arrive.
the Bish_opleft for Europe for a period of nearly two years,
, . -When
h i s V i c a r C e n e r a l , R e v e r e n dP a q u e t ,* a , p u t i n c h a r q eo t ' t h e d i o c e s e .
Perhaps becausehe was French or perhapi becausesome of the victims
were from his parish, he was more attuned to Acadian needs. Whatever
the reasons, he was sympathetic to the leprosy victims and determined
to find sisters who would care lor them
_ On June 17, 7867, the House of Assembly voted unamiously to
authorize the Board of Health to make the changes necessary ,,to piace
the establishment under the care of the Sisters o;f Charitv provided the
expenses didn't exceed 400 pounds (about 91,600).,,1
That summer, accommodation for the sisters was constructed ad_
joining the lazaretto for a total cost of 9915. A. K. McDougall, newly
elected Secretary of the Board of Health, told the qovemm""r,t tt.rut tt,!
necessary furniture, sinking a well, and_adding somi small out_buildings
w o u l d c o m e l o d n a d d i t i o n a l $ 4 8 0 . O u t f i t J n d p a s s a g em o n e y f r j m
Montreal for the sisters would come to about $iOO mire. McDousall
wrote, ". . . if three of those charitable women were established th"ere
a s n u r s e s , i t w o u l d b e t h e € r e a t e s t b o o n t h e u n f o r t u n a t e L e p e r sc o u l d
nave/ dnd ln the courseol a short time would be a saving in the er,_
penditure. as they make no charge for their services, e>.cep'itheir lood
a n d c l o t h i n g , w h i c h . . . i s o f t h e p l a i n e s td e s c r j p t i o n . . ,
When these preparations were made, Reverend paquet felt the government was sincere in wanting sisters in the lazaretto. He, too, was
familiar with the H6tel-Dieu in Montreal and with the work ot ,Les
Hospitali€resde Saint-Joseph'.The dedicated congregationof sistershad
come to the hospital in 1659at the request of the foun"der,
JeanneMance.
He was impressed with their nursing skills.
I n 1 8 b 8 ,l h e M o t h e r S u p e r i o r o f t h e c o n g r e g a t i o ni n M o n t r e a l w a s
Marie Julie Marguerite Cere, whose religiousnlme was Mere Mance
d l t e r J e a n n eM a n c e . R e v e r e n dp a q u e tw r o t e t o h e r o n l a n u d r v l 0 o l t h a t
year. He told her about the lazaretto. On the authorization of Bishop
Rogers on whose behalf he made the request, he asked that at least four
sisters come to Tracadie. He concluded, ,,. . . this disease, which is
called leprosy, is not contagious, but hereditary.,'3 If The Dailv Sun ac_
count is accurate the 'Hospitalidres, might have already heaid of the
lazaretto from Dr. Bavard.
Mdre Mance discussed the matter with the communitv. It was de_
65
-
cided to send two sisters to New Brunswick to visit Tracadie and the
lazaretto in order to have a clearer idea about the situation. Before anv
such trip could be undertaken the congregation needed the approval of
the Bishop of Quebec, Bourget, in whose diocese the 'Hospitalidres'
congregation resided.
The Quebec Bishop agreed to the idea in principal and sent a pdest
to accompany the two sisters on their trip. Soeur Marie Pag6, Soeur
Davignon, and Reverend Plamondon arrived in Chatham by steamer
on May 16, 1868. Bishop Rogers had not yet arrived back from Europe.
They spent the night at the Bishop's residence and the next day journeyed to Tracadie by carriage. On their way they stopped at the home
of James Davidson, the former secretary, in Oak Point. Mr. Davidson
gave them the ledgers containing the mlnutes of the Board of Health.
The Vicar General Paquet was ill in Caraquet and so was unable to
meet them. The three did see Reverend Gauvreau and Mr. McDoueall,
and they toured the establishment. They also had the ledgers to refer
to. The minutes would qive the sisters some idea of what conditions
they would be working under. They concluded that the sick people
would have to be tended day and night. Several were blind. Many were
confirmed smokers. With stoves and gas lamps in the residence, there
was a continual danger of fire.
When the two sisters returned to Montreal, thev not onlv had to
report to their Mother Superior and the others in their congiegation,
but io Bishop Bourget as well. He journeyed from Quebec City to hear
what the sisters had to say. Monsignor Bourget was disappointed by
the fact that the two sisters had not been able to meet with either BishoD
Rogers or his assistant, Reverend Paquet. He believed the sisters needed
more assurance that they would be able to do this work and still follow
the rules of their community.
On his advice, Mdre Mance wrote again to Reverend Paquet. She
insisted that it was a monastery, not a mission, they would found, and
that the existence of a noviciate must be foreseen. Of extreme importance
to the Mother Superior was the question of authority. Could Reverend
Paquet make such a decision in the absence of the Bishop.
"In all the correspondence relative to the hospital in Tracadie be
convinced that it is the Bishop who speaks, it is the Bishop who wntes
and it is the Bishop who requests this of you," Reverend Paquet replied.
He told her the authority to conduct this affair had been given to him
from ihe Bishop in two letters dated December 5 and 2b, 1867.He also
assured Mdre Mance that he was well aware of the Hospitalidres' type
of community and told her the sisters would be able to follow their
rules.a
With this written assurance in her hand, the Mother Superior called
her community together and asked for volunteers among them to go to
Tracadie. A box was placed in a convenient spot and those who wished
to go were told to put their names in it. When the box was opened, the
name of every sister in the community was found there. Six sisters,
including Soeur Marie Pag6, were chosen from among them to become
founders of the Tracadie com
quested by the Board of Healt
Six would allow the continuan(
on their nursing duties.
Mdre Mance now looked I
wick to determine how the si:
they would need an annual g:
pendent from the funds alloc
Mdre Mance wrote to Mr. Da\
copy of her letter to Reverend
sisters not to ask for a distinct
fear that this vote might brir
trouble on the part of a House
prudent way would be to allov
bne lump sum for the hospital.
Superior that this request for
delay.
Nevertheless, the matter
McDougall, Board of Health S
He told the authorities that tl
within the allocation for the la
the sisters trained in pharmacl
services of a doctor could be el
pounds ($640) a year. An insP
($72) and his services would n
If these steps were taken, the I
the budget.
Dr. Smith agreed that the :
of care for his patients but h
doctor and his brother-in-law
Health at this time, argued th
be enough. They felt that th{
another at night. Young accu
and Dr. Smith did not oppos
they believed a doctor was sti
While the debate on thei:
sisters began to prepare for t
"There was a kind of attractio
came the reasons to be on ol
caprices of the politicians."5
Besides Mdre Pag6, the f
Quesnel), Delphine Brault, 29
St. Jean-de-Goto),Cldmence
Fournier, 28 (Soeur Lumina).
she came to Tracadie. She ha
and during that time had sen
responsibility. she had been I
1861. During that time a new
7
unswick to visit Tracadie and the
ea about the situation. Before any
rgregationneeded the approval of
'Hospitalidres'
whose diocese the
r idea in principal and sent a priest
:ir trip. Soeur Marie Page. Soeur
r arrived in Chatham by steamer
not yet affived back from Europe
residenceand the next day joureil way they stopped at the home
tary, in Oak Point. Mr. Davidson
I minutes of the Board of Health.
in Caraquet and so was unable to
n d C a u v r e a ua n d M r . M c D o u g a l l ,
fhey also had the ledgers lo refer
"TSsome idea of what conditions
y concluded that the sick people
ht. Severalwere blind. Many were
g a s l a m p s i n t h e r e s i d e n c e t, h e r e
o Montreal, they not only had to
the others in their congreBdtion.
rmeyed from Quebec City to hear
nor Bourget was disappointed by
'en able to meet with either Bishop
ret. He believedthe sistersneeded
rle to do this work and still follow
te again to Reverend Paquet. She
a mission, they would found, and
e foreseen. Of extreme importance
lion of authority. Could Reverend
bsence of the Bishop.
ive to the hospiial in Tracadie be
peaks,it is the Bishop who writes
of you," ReverendPaquet replied.
this affair had been given to hirn
December5 and 26, 1867. He also
Llaware of the Hospitalidres' type
:rs would be able to follow their
: hand, the Mother Superior called
r volunteers among them to go to
:nient spot and those who wished
it. When the box was opened, the
rity was found there. 5i\ sisters,
)sen from among them to become
founders of the Tracadie community. The number was more than requested by the Board of Health but necessary according to the srsters.
Six would allow the continuance of religious observations while carrying
on their nursing duties.
Mdre Mance now looked to the provincial agencies of New Brunswick to determine how the sisters were to be supported. She believed
they would need an annual grant of 200 pounds, or about $800, independent from the funds allocated from the lepers. With this in mind
Mdre Mance wrote to Mr. Davidson of the Board of Health and sent a
copv of her letter to Reverend Gauvreau. Father Gauvreau advised the
sisters not to ask for a distinct allocation from the government ". . for
fear that this vote might bring up a discussion ind some unforseen
trouble on the part of a House of mostly protestant members, the most
prudent way would be to allow the house to vote, as it has always done,
one lump sum for the hospital."s Mr. Davidson, too, advised the Mother
Superior that this request for separate funds would probably cause a
oeray.
Nevertheless, the matter was brought before the House by Mr.
McDougall, Board of Health Secretary, in a letter dated June 25, 1868.
He told the authorities that the two hundred pounds could be found
within the allocation for the lazaretto. As the disease was incurable and
the sisters trained in pharmacy and able to give palliative treatment, the
servicesof a doctor could be eliminated. The doctor's salary came to 160
pounds ($640)a year. An inspector for the lazaretto was paid 18 pounds
($72) and his services would no longer be needed once the sisters came.
lf these steDs were taken. the salaries for the six sisters would be within
the budget.
Dr. Smith agreed that the religious ladies would improve the quality
of care for his patients but he was not prepared to lose his job. The
doctor and his brother-inlaw, John Young, a member of the Board of
Health at this time, argued that six sisters were too many, three would
be enough. They felt that the lepers themselves could supervise one
another at night. Young accused the Board of acting too quickly. lJe
and Dr. Smith did not oppose the salary requested by the sisters, but
they believed a doctor was still needed.
While the debate on their salary continued in the Legislature, the
sisters began to prepare for their voyage. In spite of the uncertainty,
"There was a kind of attraction . . . towards New Brunswick that overcame the reasons to be on one's guard, to doubt the future, and the
caprices of the politicians."6
Besides Mdre Pag6, the founders included Eulalie Quesnel (Soeur
Quesnel), Delphine Brault,29 (Soeur Brault), Arnanda Viger, 23 (Soeur
St. Jean-de-Goto), Cl6mence Bonin (Soeur Cl6mence), and Philom,ine
Fournier, 28 (Soeur Lumina). Mdre Pag6 was fifty-six years old when
she came to Tracadie. She had been a religious for twenty-three years
and during that time had served her congregation in many positions of
responsibility. She had been Mother Superior in Montreal from 1857 to
1861. During that time a new Hdtel-Dieu Hospital was built, the moth-
erhouse and convent were relocated, and an orphanage constructed.
Directing her community through those difficult years of construction
and change prepared her for the arduous task she would have to face
in Tracadie. She was strong-willed, energetic, and had a highly developed sense of duty.
As their preparations continued, Bishop Bourget was not ready to
give his consent. "The sisters must proceed with the greatest caution,"
he wrote to Mdre Mance. They must not find themselves in Tracadie
like "a bird on a branch." If the government does not agree to pay their
salaries,the Vicar General Paquet, M. Gauvreau, and the others should
suarantee that the "sisters who devote their servicesto the lazaretto will
have the means to survive with dignity . . ." he added. "Then and only
then will the founding sisters leave under the wings of Providence."T
To complicate the issue even further, Bishop Rogers returned fiom
Europe. A self-willed administrator who wished to control all that went
on in his diocese, he took up the project before Reverend Paquet could
see it completed. Consequently, a document prepared by Mdre Mance
remained unanswered. In this document, the Mother Superior asked
for quarantees that the sisters would have the freedom to exercise the
rulei of their order and be assured of the offices of a priest to direct their
spiritual duties. Second, if the government failed to grant the required
allocation, provisions should be made for their temporal want. This
paper was to be signed by the Diocesan Authodty.
Bishop Rogqrs was agreeable to the first request but, because the
government faildd to pass"the necessary legislation, he would not make
such a comrnittment to the second. He had, however, allowed Father
Gauvreau to travel to Montreal to escort the sisters on their journey He
was there in September when Mdre Mance, pushed by Bishop Bourget,
sent the following telegram to Bishop Rogers:"Does your Lordship think
it prudent for the sistersto leave Montreal before the Government makes
an allocation to them."3
Bishop Rogers replied, "If government will not give allocation, impossible for me to support sisters at Tracadie. But if your Sisters wish
to establish themselves at Chatham, I will give them a position near my
residence and all the aid in my power. Therefore, if you think well, let
Sisters come, in God's name, and leave to Providence the completion
of their charitable enterprise."e On the strength of this telegram, Bishop
B o u r g e tg d v e t h e s i 5 t e r sh i ' ' b l e s s i n 6 .
The sisters did not want to stay in Chatham, but with faith that all
would work out and that they would eventually get to Tracadie, they
went ahead with th"eir final preparations. Anyway, even before the Bishop's telegram arrived, they had sent their luggage.
On the morning of the 16th of September, 1868, the six religious,
accompanied by Father Gauvreau and Father Thomas Barry, Bishop
Rogers' secretary, left Quebec City on the sailing vessel Le SeUet The
last days before their departure had been filled with special religious
observations, benedictions, and the prayers of their sisters in religion.
They were not far from land before the sisters found themselves
68
seasick.One in their numberswl
Father Gauvreau assistedthem.
the passengersdid not exPectt
the night. "In the eveningot th€
aeitated as though on flarne," tl
violently; water iame throughtt
were soaked."'oSisterLurninav
of the storm; she was so sick sh
As the storm worsened, doo
of oil "almost suffocatedus." Ca
down, came loose, rolled acros
the women's salonwhere the fe
ered. "Broken glassfell_onour
for the passengerswas the Proto
when the tamP was knockedov
"We only heard weePingand r
they were going to the bottomc
death which thieatenedus cau
voked all the saints in Paradis
age "17
Fortunately, the storm abat
ters huddled together on deck r
the other passengers. Two who
men", one of these being a mir
Throughout the triP, the si
ment would come through with
wanted the sisters in Tracadie
made the cause of the sick his I
his request that the BishoP allor
a weeli in Montreal, he had wai
ization of the voyage. Now, h
successful comPletion of his mi
When the shiP landed in Cl
board to greet the grouP. Givit
while smiling, "Well, dear sir,
Since the government has nol
Chatham."'3 The disaPPointmt
two-year-old priest to bear. Mir
treal, "Father Gauvreau wePt."
-
l, and an orphanage constructed
Losedifficult years of construction
luous task she would have to face
:nergetic, and had a highly devel. B i s h o pB o u r g e tw a s n o t r e a d Y t .
,roceedwith the greatest caution,
rt not find themselves in Tracadie
mment does not agree to PaY therr
. Gauvreau, and the others should
ie their seNices to the lazaretto will
ty . . ." he added. "Then and onlY
rnder the wings of Providence "ther, Bishop Rogers returned from
vho wished to control all that went
rject before Reverend Paquet could
Jcument prepared by Mdre Mance
.ment, thi Mother Superior asked
I have the freedom to exercise the
the officesof a priest to direct their
'nment failed to grant the required
rde for their temporalwant. This
rsan Authority.
,the first request but, because the
ary legislation.he would not mdle
H e h a d , h o w e v e r ,a l l o w e d F a t h e r
:ort the sisters on their journey. He
Mance, pushed by BishoP Bourget,
Roqers:"Does vour LordshiP thin k
tre;l beforethe Covernment male:
nment will not give allocation, im;Tracadie. But if your Sisterswish
I will give them a Position near mv
e r . T h i r e f o r e ,i f y o u t h i n k w e l l . l e t
eave to Providence the comPletion
re strength of this telegram, Bishop
in Chatham, but with faith that all
ld eventually get to Tracadie, they
ons. Anyway, even before the Bisht their luggage.
September, 1868, the six religious,
md Father Thomas BarrY, BishoP
on the sailing vessel Le Secref The
I been filled with special religious
prayers of their sisters in religion.
seasick.One in their numbers who wrote an account of the passagesaid
Father Gauvreau assisted them. While the sea was rough the first day,
the passengers did not expect the terrible storm that came up during
the night. "In the evening of the 16th, near eleven o'clock, the sea was
agitated as though on flame," the sister wrote. "The ship was battered
violently; water came through the portholes of the cabins and our beds
were soaked.""' Sister Lumina was thrown to the floor by the violence
of the storm; she was so sick she could not get up unaided.
As the storm worsened, doors slammed, lamps broke, and the odour
of oil "almost suffocatedus. " Casks, which were supposed to be fastened
down, came loose, rolled across the bridge, and broke the skylight of
the women's salon where the female passengers and children had gathered. "Broken glass fell on our heads. But what was more frightening
for the passengers was the profound darkness the ship was thrown into
when the lamp was knocked over and broken."'l Panic gripped some.
"We only heard weeping and noise." The sisters believed any instant
they were going to the bottom of the sea but, "we were all so sick, that
death which threatened us caused us no fear. Sister Quesnel alone invoked all the saints in paradise: happily for us who had not the courage."t2
Fortunately, the storm abated about three in the morning. The sisters huddled together on deck wrapped in blankets loaned to them by
the other passengers. Two who assisted them were "protestant Sentlemen", one of these being a minister.
Throughout the trip, the sisters and the priests hoped the government would come through with the needed allocation. Perhaps no one
wanted the sisters in Tracadie more than Father Gauvreau wh.o had
made the cause of the sick his own for the last sixteen years. It was at
his request that the Bishop allowed him to escort the sisters. For nearly
a week in Montreal, he had waited uncertainly for the Bishop's authorization of the voyage. Now, he looked forward optimistically to the
s u c c e s s f ucl o m p l e t i o n o f h i s m i s s i o n .
When the ship landed in Chatham, Bishop Rogers himself came on
board to greet the group. Giving a hand to Father Gauvreau, he said,
while smiling, "Well, dear sir, you won't have the sisters in Tracadie.
Since the government has not done its duty we will keep them in
Chatham."r3 The disappointment was almost'too much for the sixtytwo-year-old priest to bear. Mdre Pag€ wrote to her community in Montreal. "Father Gauvreau wept."''
efore the sisters found themselves
58
69
IO
'LESHOSPITALIERES'
WERE'VANTEDAND
NEEDEDIN TRACADIE
I forgot to tell you that there was nearly a war in Tracadieto have us.
'Give us our
All the inhabitants and the lepers were aggravated.
holy sisters. We can care for them as well as the people of the Miramichi,' they c ed. 'We will support them,' the lepers said and they
extendedtheir arms towards heavenand wept'Lord let us have our
sisters.Why have you shown us them. Now we have seen them, we
won't be ableto live without them.'
Mdre Marie Pag6
Archivesof the R.H.S.J.in Tracadie
September25, 1868.
Therewas greal rejoicing in Tracadiewhen Father Gaupreau left for Mon
treal to get the sisters and much sorrow when he came bsck u[thout then. I
could not belieaethat the Bishop would keepthem in Chatham, 'sir Religieuses
Frangaises'
, of whqt|use uere they there?
Iean-Baptistesaid the Bishop was lrish. He didn't like us Acadions. I tokl
him to be quiet, it was qs Father Cauoreau said in church on Sunday, the
goLlernmentwouldn't pay their keep. It is the Protestsnts in Frecierictonwho
do not like us, I said.
But I did not understandwhy the Bishophad the money to keepthe sisters
in Chatham but no money to giue them in Tracsdie. Maybe lean-Baptistewas
right.
We were all rery angry when Father Gauareau told us whnt happened.
After Mass, peoplegatheredtogethel in t'ront of the church, on the lanes towards
home, eoenthosein boatsand carriagesstayed to talk and t0 seeuhnt we could
do.
The next day, word went around that the Bishop and tuo of the sisters
were in Tracadiewith Father Gauoreau. I lookedat Lucille. The symptoms of
'la
malndie' uere hidden lry her long skirt and the sleeoesof her oest. Her face
was ns pretty as the facesof the rest ol oul children, but for how long.
We must bring Lucille to the Holy Sisfers, I tell lean Bnptiste.
"The Bishop is going to say Mass at the lqzaretto chapelin the morning,"
]ean-Baptistesays. "The sisters w l be with him."
We were not the only ones who wa[ted lor them. The lane going from the
pfiest's house to the lazqretto on both sides wns lined with people. Someharl
comefrom as far as Neguac and Pokemouche;somehad walked aU night to get
there.
Whilewe waitedfor thesister
andTthathewasdoingto us.Thes
wasangry with him.
TheBishoPcameoutside
first'
he werewith child," lean-Baptis
arcau,uho lookedlikea little old r
Like manYof the otherc,I wa
' Th
had reli*iousladiisin Trocadie
so
looked
theY
but
hid thelr faces,
Thecrowdclosedin aroundthefi a
"Giue us our HoIY Sisters'l\
"I wiII brinc ftrewood,"Ftan
he isn't tall I lieird lean-Baptis
Anotherman offereda cow.
I mademY woYthroughth?,
I amaslu
andlooked,
stoodtogether
'iust touchher hair"' And
I said,
One sisterlookedlong into LL
I couldnot helPmYselfthen
hemot'her skirt.
"Who is this uomanT"I hea
"She'san old lePer"'hereP
Othersin the crowdbroug
Crucifxes;onemanaskedthesis
TheBishopstartedto tellusx
but the crowddrownedout his aa
It hadbeensaidto methattt
stoodin front of him' I couldsee
got red. He drew himselfuP to
Iazaretto.
hurledinsultsafterhi
People
coulddo to kee7theBi
Gauareast
After BishoP Rogershad
vreau, shortly after the party
his residence On the waY, M
vreau wanted me to say this
let us go but I didn't say a w(
When thev were settled,1
thev would alwavsbe under th
thein, and who had Provedi
"l can't give You anything f(
Besides,iven if I could I wou
erty of a government we can
"It was for that reason
becauseI thought that in a m
7_
WEREWANIED AND
I TRACADIE
rearlya war in Tracadieto have us.
were aggravated. . . 'Give us our
r as well as the people of the Mirort them,' the lepers said and they
en and wept 'Lord let us have our
hem. Now we have seen them, we
Mdre Marie Pag6
Archivesof the R.H.S.J.in Tracadie
September25, 1868.
lie when FatherGauvreauleft t'or Monu when he camebackwithout then. I
keepthem in Chatham, 'six Religieuses
e?
Uish. He dicln't like us Acarlions.I told
&reau said in church on Sundty, the
t is the Protestnntsin Frederictonwho
Bishophaclthe moneVto keepthe sisters
I in Tracadie.Maybe lean-Baptistewas
lher Gautsrecutokl us what happened.
front of thechurch,on the lanestounrds
stayd to talk and.to seewhat we could
that the Bishopancl two of the sisters
r. I lookedat Lucille. The symptoms ol
irt and the slecuesof hcr uesf. Her lare
ouf children,but for how long.
Sisters,I tell lean-Baptiste.
t the lazarellochapeltu the morning,
with him."
ited for lhen. Tfu lnne yoing lrom the
;ides wqs lined wilh people.Some hnd
tuche;somehqd ualked all night to get
l0
Whilewe waitetlfor the sistersto comeoutside,ToetalkedabouttheBishop
andwhathewnsdoingto us. Thestoryuent arouwl thateuenFatherGnuureau
wasangry with him.
TheBishopcnmeoutsidefirst. He's uerytall anclfull in t'ront. "As though
said. He's muchyoungerthan FatherGau'
he werewith child," Iean-Baptiste
ureau,who lookedlike a little old mnn besidehim.
Like many of the others,I was curiousto seethe sisters.We hsaeneaer
andtteilsthat nearly
hnd religiouslqdiesin Tracadie.Thetwo worelongdresses
hid their faces,but they lookedso beautifulto me that teqrscameto my eyes
Thecrowdclosedin aroundthemsnd someot'thepeopleshoutedto theBishop.
"
"Giue us our Holy Sisters.We can supportthemourselues
"I will bring firewood,"Frangoisshoutedooerthe headsot'the otherst'or
say, "I will Sire potntoes,all they need"
he isn't tall. I hearcllean-Baptiste
Anothermqn offereda cow.
I mademy way throughthegroup until I was in front of the sisterswho
by thenoise " Please,"
to say,t'rightenerl
andlooked,I amashamecl
stoodtogether
;'iust
touchher hair." Anci I gently pushedLucillet'oru,rcl
I sqid,
Onesisterlool,edlong into Lucille'slaceandcuppedhercheekin herhand
I couldnot help myselfthen. I fell on my kneesbeforeher and kissedthe
hemof her skirt.
"Who is this woman?"I heardher qskPire Gauoresu.
"She'san old leper," he replied.
someheld up
Othersin the crowd broughttheir childrento be blessed;
Crucifixes;oneman askedthe sistersto heala cut on his face.
to keepthesistersin Chathsm,
TheBishopstartedto tell us why hezaanted
but the crowddrounedout his aoicewith their own shouts.
I
It hadbeensaid to me that the Bishophasa blacktemper.Now, because
stoodin front of him, I couldseehim boilingup like a pot ouera fire His fnce
got red. He drew himselfup to his t'ull heightand directedthe othersto the
Iazaretto.
up rocks.lt wqsall thntFather
Peoplehurledinsultsafterhim. Somepickecl
Gauareaucoulddo to keepthe Bishopfrom beingstoned.
After Bishop Rogers had announced his decision to Father Gauvreau, shortly after the party landed in Chatham, he led the group to
his residence.On the way, Mdre Pag6 says, "The Sood ReverendCauvreau wanted me to say this or that to the Bishop to convince him to
let us go but I didn't say a word."1
When they were settled, the Bishop told the sistersthat in Tracadie
they would alwaysbe under the thumb ofa governmentwho was against
them, and who had proved it by its failure to grant an aPpropdation.
"I can't give you anything for your needs becauseI am not_ableto.
Besides,6venif I couid I -orrldntt for an establishmentthat is the proPerty of a government we can't count on for the future," he said-'?
"It was for that reason too that I wanted a non-cloistered order
becauseI thouqhi that in a mission, it would be easierto withdraw the
1l
T
-
sjsters if things didn't go well . . . that is why my plan was to have the
Cray nuns for this difficult tasl which will requirea change in personnel . . ."3 Bishop Rogers felt the sisters in thit congregation would
alternate so that they didn't have to care for the sick all the iime. Finally,
he concluded, if Mdre Pag6 would agree to stay with her band of founders in Chatham, he would provide a house for them nearby. "l will
arrange a structure to take care of the sick; if the lepers want to come
here and if the government does not oppose the move, they can.,,1
"What troubles us is that we came to serve the poor and to be
useful," Mdre Pag6 said. "ln staying here we'll be a burden to Your
Grace because there are no sick . . . besides we weren't chosen for vour
city where the population is English."
"lt is not the language you need for looking after the sick, it is the
heart," Bishop Rogers replied.
Mdre Pag6 answered, "My sisters and I came here not to carry out
our own wishes but to obey you. That which you ordain is that which
we desire."s
That Saturday morning, an embittered Father Gauvreau said goodbye to the religious women he had devoted himself to for the lastlhree
weeks. He returned to Tracadie where he had to break the news of his
failure to the lepers and to the rest of his parishioners.
_ , Whlle the six founding sisters spent Saturday meditating, a joyful
Bishop Rogers set about to put in order the house reserved for ih'em.
Besides his concerns about the qovernment and its lack of financial
support; besides his fear that the strain of caring for the lepers would
be too much for them: he wanted io keep the sisters in his episcopal
town. He knew the arrival of a religious community anywhere meant
development, education, and medical care for the Cithoiic population.
There was only one rnore problem for the Bishop at this point how to
break the news to the Vicar General Paquet that he had decided to keep
the sisters in Chatham.
"Ya Mdre,_l ask you to come with me to Caraquet and visit my
-Vicar General who is not able to come here because he is ill. I think vour
visit will be useful in unscrarnbling this business," he asked Mire page.
. . She reluctantly agreed. Late on Sunday afternoon, Bishop Rogers
with Mdre Pag6 and Soeur Quesnel left for Caraquet. At the-horni of
Mr. Davidson they stopped for the night. M€re Page wrote, "We talked
a lot about our business but nothing was concluded." On Monday, the
party arrived in Tracadie where they were met by Father Gauvreau,
"who wasn't in a good humour. I tded to calm him down . . . but he
wasn't my friend at all . . ." Mdre Pag6 said.6
On Tuesday morning, Reverend Gauvreau conducted them to the
lazaretto where Bishop Rogers was to say Mass in the lepers'chapel.
-the
Here they met with a strong demonstration by the patients and
villagers who lined the path io the hospital. Bishop Rogers was apparently unmoved by their protests.
The party, now including Father Gauvreau, arrived in Caraquet
Tuesday night. The Vicar Gen
suffering from a terminal illnes
convers;tion. BishoPRogers,in
that the sisterswould staYin C
and his method of conclusion
ReverendPaquetwas not
sion. Mdre Mance in Montrea
stated ihe sisters were wante
about to break his word. How '
made just a short time ago?
"Whether the sisterswer
make?No," the Vicar Genera
here, there is no questionof:
region where theie is no sic
Caraquet I saw a man exactl
capable,a man of his word."8
After talking to the Bisho
for a pdvate conversation."I
come here with a Purse to as
cadie. Try it for one Yearand I
sistersuntil the govemmentg
be time to accePtthe BishoP'
With assurancethat shea
some suPPort, Mbre Pag6agr
tions were riSht and they ha
Tracadie "alwaYs". To encou
promisedto give thema farm
bracticalMother Superiotsaid
boeur Quesnel as i witness."
Bishop Rogerswas not r
Mdre Pagi to remain in Cha
others to Tracadie.Soeur Qu
ReverendsPaquetand Gauvr
first.
Mdre Pag6 said, "lt was.
For the winter there was nou
there was work."
"Open a noviciateto occ
In a town where onlY En1
of novices who understands1
Mdre Pag6 decided that
appeasethe B'ishoP.sheassu
English-speakingreligious frr
dation in Chatham that sprin
While BishoPRogersdid
make the issue a questionot
vreau, and Pag€wiruld haveh
7
at is why my plan was to have the
r i c h w i l l r e q u i r ea c h a n g e i n p e r sisters in that congregation would
are for the sick all the time. Finally,
iree to stay with her band of founa house for them nearby. "I will
te sick; if the lepers want to come
: oppose the move, they can."+
ame to serve the poor and to be
q here we'll be a burden to your
,esideswe weren't chosen lor your
for looking after the sick, it is the
s and I came here not to carry ou t
at which you ordain is that which
IteredFatherGauvreau said good:voted himself to for the last three
e he had to break the news of his
I his parishioners.
' e n t S a t u r d a ym e d i t a t i n g ,a
ioyful
der the house reserved for thim.
lmment and its lack of financial
rin of caring for the lepers would
keep the sisters in his episcopal
ous community anywhere meant
l c a r e f o r t h e C a t h o l i cp o p u l a t i o n .
: the Bishop at this point-how
to
aquet that he had decided to keep
ith me to Caraquet and visit mr
here becausehe-isill. I think youLr
s business," he asked Mdre Fag6.
iunday afternoon. Bishop Rogers
eft for Caraquet. At the-hom; ot
;ht. Mdre Pagd wrote, "We talked
vas concluded." On Monday, the
'were met by Father Gauvreau,
-'d to calm him down . . . but he
;€ said.6
Gauvreau conducted them to the
l say Mass in the lepers'chapel.
stration by the patients and'the
spital. Bishop Rogers was appar: Gauvreau, arrived in Caraquet
Tuesday night. The Vicar General Paquet, nearly sixty-four years old,
suffering from a terrninal illness, was still able to carry on an animated
conversation. Bishop Rogers,in his usual brisk manner, told his assistant
that the sisters would stay in Chatham. He brought out all of his reasons
and his method of conclusion seemed to invite the Vicar to agree.
Reverend Paquet was not about to comply with the Bishop's decision. Mdre Mance in Montreal had letters from him in which he had
stated the sisters were wanted and needed in Tracadie. He was not
about to break his word. How would it be possible to forget that request
made just a short time ago?
"Whether the sisters were gray or black, what difference does it
make? No," the Vicar General added, "now that the 'Hospitalidres' are
here, there is no question of sending them back to Montieal or into a
region where there is no sick to look after."7 Mdre Pag6 wrote, "ln
Caraquet I saw a man exactly as I wanted, a man of ,udgement. . .
capable, a man of his word."3
After talking to the Bishop, Reverend Paquet sought out Mdre Pag6
for a private conversation. "Ecoutez ma Mdre," he said, "you didn't
come here with a purse to ask for charity . . . Don't worry, go to Tracadie. Try it for one year and I promise you I will support you and your
sisters until the government gives help. If the grant doesn't come it will
be time to accept the Bishop's offer."
With assurancethat she and her fellow sisters would be suaranteed
some support, Mdre Pag6 agreed to Reverend Paquet's plan. Tf conditions were right and they had land of their own, they would stay in
Tracadie "always". To encourage them further, Reverend Gauvreau
promised to give them a farm he owned, about fifteen acres in size. The
practical Mother Superior said, "I took his promise down in writing with
Soeur Quesnel as a witness."
Bishop Rogers was not ready to capitulate completely. He asked
Mdre Pag6 to remain in Chatham with one other sister and send the
others to Tracadie. Soeur Quesnel said "no" to that request. Besides,
Reverends Paquet and Gauvreau wanted all sir in Tracadie, at least, ar
first.
Mdre Pag6 said, "It was up to me and I didn't know what to do.
For the winter there was nothins to do in Chatham while in Tracadie
'
there was worl.
"Open a noviciate to occupy yourself," the Bishop said.
In a town where only English is spoken we have to have a mistress
of novices who understands that language," Mdre Pa96 replied ,
Mdre Pag6 decided that all six sisters would go to Tracadie. To
appease the Bishop, she assured him that the 'Hospiialidres' would send
English-speaking religious from Montreal to establish a second foundation in Chatham that spring.
While Bishop Rogers didn't exactly drop his opposition, he did not
make the issue a question of obedience. Had he done so, Paquet, Gauvreau, and Pag6 would have had no choice but to acquiesce to his wishes.
{
7_
He showed his disaPProvalbY n
emonv that would officiallyconfi
to gra'nthis blessingon the chos
From SePtember25th until I
sisters prepaied themselves Po
months theY would be rn lracaq
to the Superior, Purser/ano sea
Soeur Cl6mencewas third nurs€
the poor. Soeur Lumina was th(
smail tasks including shoerePa
the
Jean as she was called, was
nurse.
On the morning of SePte
Thomas Barry, celebratedMass
AccompanYingthem on their tri
Board bf H"attn, a. K. McDou
time along the road, guns wer
welcome."lo
SistersSt. jean-de-Goto and (Made Anne) Doucet. Mus6e Historique de Tracaore.
r
,,
Sister St. Jean'smotto, with Sister Dorina Friqault, curator of the Mus6e Historiquede Tracadie.PhotoM. L Losier.
They arrived in Tracadietriu
ered alonq the Path thai led k
difficultv ih"y *er" lead throug
in processiontothe altarwhereI
Whatever the Board of Hea
was far ft(
accommodation
the
Driest's residence while their i
inandeered two outbuildings t
house, the other the doctols o
Fifty men, volunteers, PlacedI
convent.
wasto have
SoeurSt.-Jean
ot.a
growth.
the
lazarettoand
esnl
wh
and
age
of
threevears
us a liealer. On leaving Quebe
in Tracad
medicaldisPensarY
-Jean's,
Rev
St
uncle of Soeur
underto
sister
the
tasks
Young
ecarv. An area was found in th
daee measuredelevenand one
wa"sleft unPainted. The anna
materials to do the work' As
number of PeoPle started con
specialblessingstrom heavenI
not serious.
The PeoPIeof Tracadieanc
to help the sisters.Mbre Pag€
men. t'Don't work so fast You
of them.
He showed his disapproval by refusing to conduct the installation cerernonv that would oaficiallv confirm the new foundation. He also refused
to grant his blessing on the chosen leader among them, Mdre Pag6.
From September 25th until the 29th, when they left Chatham, the
sisters orepared themselves. Positions were chosen for the first few
monthjthey would be in Tracadie. Soeur Quesnel was elected assistant
to the Superior, purser, and seamstress. Soeur Breau was head nurse
Soeur Cl6mence was third nurse and in charge of all works to do with
the poor. Soeur Lumina was the cook, but besides that, she did other
smail tasks including shoe repair. Soeur St. Jean-de-Goto,or Soeur St.
Jean as she was called, was the pharrnacist and assistant to the headnurse.
On the morning of September 29, 1'868, the Bishop's Secretary,
Thomas Barry, celebiated Mass for the sisters and wished them well.
Accompanying them on their trip to Tracadie were two members of the
Board of Health, A. K. McDougall and Mr. Ferguson. "From time to
time along the road, guns \,vere discharged, a signal of rejoicing and
welcome."ro
e) Doucet.MuseeHistoriquede Tra-
They arrived in Tracadie triumphantly. About 200 people were gathered along the path that led to the church. The bell tolled and with
difficulty ihey were lead through the crowd. The sisters were escorted
in processionto the altar where Father Gauvreau conducted Benediction.
Whatever the Board of Health had done to prepare for their arrival
the accommodation was far from adequate. The sisters stayed at ihe
priest's residence while their apa*ments were arranged. They commandeered iwo outbuildings belonging to the lazaretto, one a bathhouse, the other the doctor's office, to serve as laundry and refectory
Fifty men, volunteers, placed these buildings on the back of the new
convent.
lurthiparl Je:rq
a Frigault,curator of the Mus6e His-
Soeur St.-Jeanwas to have the greatestimPact on the history of the
lazaretto and the growth of a medical centre in Tracadie At twentythree vears of age and while siill in Montreal, she had gained a reputation
as a healer. Ori leaving Quebec, the sisters were given $700 to open a
medical dispensary in Tracadie. Of this sum, $120 was donated by an
uncle of So-eur St.-Jean's, Reverend Narcisse Trudel. One of the first
tasks the young sister undertook on her arrival was to oPen this aPothecary. Arrarea was found in the old chapel of the lazaretto The appendage measured eleven and one half square feet and the wood for a time
wai left unpainted. The annals say Dr. Smiih paid for the necessary
materials to do the work. As soon as the pharmacy opened, a great
number of people started coming. They believed the sisters brought
special blesslngs from heaven on the medicines. Most of the cases were
not senous.
The people of Tracadie and regions, true to their word, arrived daily
to help
the sisters. Mere Page surveyed the work and encouraged the
j'Don
t work so fast ydu will wear yourself out," she said to one
men.
of them.
'75
-
L
"Ah, Ma Mdre," he said, wiping a sweaty brow, "we couldn't work
hard enough for you."rr
A lot had to be done to the buildinss. The attics had been converted
by the lepers into henhouses. It is eat to imagine the smells and the
dirt. They cleaned up the mess, put in windows and stairs, fortified the
floors, and renewed the plaster. In the new convent, smoke was everywhere because the chimney wasn't finished. The volunteers worked
very hard in the first six weeks after the sisters arrived as winter was
approaching.
Gifts and donations arrived. Those who could, gave money; others
brought furniture, firewood, and food. Some brought livestock. Many
who could not afford such gifis gave of themselves, helping with the
cleaning and construction.
In the meantime, the sisters were the objects of cufiosity and veneration. One woman held out a coin to a bewildered nun as payment.
"It is to see you that I give you this," she sqifl. tz
From their first days in Tracadie, the sisters visited the lazaretto as
often as they could. However, the work of getiing their own quarters
in order took priodty at ihis time. When they finally turned their attention to the lazaretto, they would instigate a number of changes. Not all
of them were popular with their patients.
FACE
THE SISTERS
OFVAR
. . . there was at the time four
trvo for women; this order wa
ferently in each room as rnuc
them even put holesin the wall
beingseen...
It was urgent theleforeto
stairs apartm;nts those of the
men, with expressordersnot tr
permission. fhis rule seemedl
bf the littl" bit of ft"edom they
breath. One tried a revolt,refu
ening to hit those of his comP
sisteis weren't afraid he conc
authority they neededto be ol
leaue
Eaenthebestmedicine
Iinseredin eqchother'srooms.lN
nII . . . a little laughtersonetifl
something.As soonas thesister
did it, it"wasas thoughtheYthou
greatsin; rc thoughmenanduon
But the order theYbrough
children.A few monthsaftertheY
fourteen.I didn't wantto sendher
'and
I. I wnsafraidLuciIIewotld ,
The sisterwho cameto thedo
It waslike leattingher with famil
The sisterstaughtthechillr
to a
that, the girlslenrned
Besides
toolsand shoes.
Theynursedthe sickgentlY
tun
first,
'whenbut laterwhenthesores
to
keeP
these
dressed
they
SoeurSt.-lm
ointmentmadebY
-would
staYwith
this work. They
Iongeralone.
'76
g a sweaty brow, "we couldn,t work
lings. The aitics had been converted
easy to imagine the smells and the
in windows and stairs, fortified the
ne new convent, smoke was everyt finished. The volunteers worked
:r the sisters arrived as winter was
lse who could, gave monev; others
od. Some brought livestoci. Marrl
'e of themselves.helping with
the
re the obtects of curiosity and venr to a bewildered nun aj payment.
" she said.1,
, the sisters visited the lazaretto as
vork of gelting their own quarters
hen they finally turned their atten_
rgate a number of changes. Not all
ients.
THE SISTERSFACE STRESSFULSITUATIONS
OF VARIOUS FOKMS
. . . there was at the time four rooms in the hospital two for men and
two for women; this order was never kept. The sexesmingled indifferently in each room as much at night as during the day. Some of
them even put holes in the walls so they could passin the night without
beingseen...
It was urgent therefore to remedy the situation and make the upstairs apartments those of the women and those downstairs for the
men, with expressorders not to go from one floor to the other without
permission. This rule seemedlike a severerule for the lepers, jealous
of the little bit of freedom they had. They complained a lot under their
breath. One tried a revolt, refusing first to transport his bed, and threatening to hit those of his companionswho touched it; when he saw the
sisters weren't afraid he conceded. This first successestablishedthe
authority they needed to be obeyed . . .
Annals of the Hdtel-Dieu de
Montreal
Vol. 3 (1860-1881)
Eoen the best medicineleaaesa bitter taste. So what if the men and women
lingered in eachother's rooms. What could happen in such a group but a little
'la
mqladie' must laugh nt
talk . . . a little laughter sometimes.Eoen we with
q
sofiething. As soon as the sisters came they put stop to thnt. The way they
'la
did it, it wns qs though they thought those with
maladie' had committed n
great sin; ss though men and women togetherwas somethingeail.
But the order they brought to the hospital wns good, especiallyt'or the
chilclren.A few months at'tel they came, we had to bring Lucille. Shewas only
fourteen. I didn't want to send her but we had grand-childrennow, ]ean-Baptiste
and l. I was afraid Lucille would giae the illness to one of them.
The sister who came to the door was kind anclas young as my own Marie.
It was like leauing her with familV.
The sisters taught the children who were well enough to read and write.
Besidesthst, the girls learnedto card uool and to weaoe;the boys to makefarm
tools and shoes.
'La
maladie' does not causea lot of pain at
They nursed the sick gently.
but
later
when
the
sores
run
with
mntfer, it hurfs. The sisterswere careful
ftrst,
when they dressedthese to keepfrom causing any more pain, They used an
ointment mnde by Soeur St.-lean. Somet[mesit took them two hours just for
this work. They would stay with the dying night and day; the dying were no
Iongel alone.
l-
F0r most, the prsyerc uere uondert'ul They marleyou t'eelcloseto.Cod and
room for sacred
His Mofher. Each moining, a sisteranuld cometo tlle 7u01t1en's
reading beforebreakfast.Her ttoicesoft and clenr utould utqkeLuciIIe. "lt's lil',e
Iistening to fhe brook at home, Maman," she u'ouLdsny
Sdmetimesone of the won. n wotrld be uenl angry at God for haL)ilg se t
'la moladie' to her. She would turn her
faceauarl from tht sister's poice Most
women acceptedthe diseasebetter tlnn fhe nen tlid At'ter all, the next Lifewill
be a better one.
still uith
The men, tsken t'rom the land or the seamd shuf inside' matry
'Q,uelquefois"
them
thing
muscleanrl energy to spare . . . it uas a clift'erent
t'or
many a time, thi-words of the sacredreadingt'ought with the souttdsof curses
Somefound fhe rules hard to follow. Thereuere placeswhere you couldn't
N; times for rest;eueruonetogetherlike a line ot'tlolls A bell ringing, cliaiding
ip the dfu into tighL little cipboard shelpes;doors lockedat nlSht.as though
you were-in jail . . . the young nen, they hsd n hard tine to take thqf
'lJne
a knile
fois', once a fight sfarted in fhe men's utard; & Pstient-took
man
uith
of
the
in
them
and
stoocl
betueen
time
after another. A sister
t'ront
the knife. He waoed it qt her and then he clroltperlit to the lloor ' You had to
rcspecttheir courqge.
You know, almost e../eryyear |ne of the patients wottld go mad. It lns not
'la
mnlatlie' that dirl it; it was the loss of eaerything; home, famihl, freeclom,
looks,respect.Once you zuentto fhe hospital, that was the enclof yotr- Relatiaes
and t'riendsdid not iome. Children t'orgotttu:ir pnrents nnd pnretts.t'orgot.the.ir
children . , . brothersand sisters,their nameswcrc no longerheard outside the
Iazaretto. . so somewent msd with thttt. If they were dangerous,they would
be put in a room, or in a little inil The sisters sfill caredfor them, bandagecl
theiir sores,brought their food, cleanedthei cell
The sisters converted the attic of the lazaretto, where the patients
had raised chickens, to a ward for women. After they were rnoved
upstairs, an opening was made in the floor so they could see and hear
Mass without-goinpf downstairs. The wards on both floors consisted of
two rooms, eaih measuring twenty-nine feet_by twenty-fou.r feet The
c e i l i n g si n t h e w o m e n ' s a p l r t m e n t s w e r e o n l y s e v e n l e e t , f o u r i n c h e s
high ind sloped downwaid giving them somewhat less airspace.
The patients were further annoyed when the sisters got rid of the
boxes they had over their beds for their personal possessions. They were
about one or two feet square and the sisters found them "all in disorder,
dirty and disgusting." iocks were put on extedor doors and in.different
offiies of thJhous6. The patients complained that they had been imprisioned. Finally, some o? them threa?ened to break down the doors
ind insulted the sister on duty. Reverend Gauvreau was called and he
"gave them a good talking to.",
It apDears that the members of the Board of Health seldom, if ever,
visited ilie institution. Besides chickens, the lepers, unknown to the
Board of Health, raised pigs. Now a pig is not an easy animal to hide.
"When they learned the iisters were corning, they slaughtered them
and storedihe meat in barrels and hid these under their beds." It didn't
take long for the sisters to disco
Surelv if"Dr. Smith had visited tl
condition theY were in The siste
with dirtv straw mattresseswltn
a few wool blankets, all this.on.
In certain areas the sisters had
one point, as the sisters were cn
surpiised, said, "We had alrea<
It is unfortunate that Fathe
passion and understanding abc
now seemed to lose touch wrtn I
of Montreal, dated APril 1869'I
Iepers "were insubordinate bet
lain," and were ungratetul lor
who "sPared nothing to mate
had become like a cavern ot ttt
held in chains bY every sort o
"th
charity lavished on them,
m
were
skms
more than their
tnl
ot
arnval
the
with
chansed
a lot"towards keePing.them,ut
selves, has been the humDle.
reserue, their ' . . Peace ot mrl
but more esPeciallYfor those t
Because he wanted the r
abused those he himsell had
While some were rebellious,
cross-section of individuals frr
bandits. At least six of the tr
sisterc ardved were children
zaretto Patients that the siste
their desire to Please us "a
It is not likelY Reverend
cation but later researchers cr
accurate PercePtion of the Pe
shame foi the leProsY victims
After some delaYs, the H
porate the sisters under the
h6tel Di"u Saint JosePh, on
had the Power to hold anY rr
to them for their own suPPo
were allowed to make anY n
the situation of the Patients-o
oower to rescind or amend t
iisters took stePs to make sur
own use would not be forfeitr
ano.g
had deeds of ProPertYn tn(
used
name
the
than in
'tl. Theymacle
you feelcloseto Godand
Id cometo theuomen'sroomfor sacred
nd clearwoulclwakeLucille."It's like
" shewouldsay.
'be ueryangry0t
Gorl1orhauinl stnl
cace
7wa|lrom lhe sister'suoire. MoJ
hemenrlid. At'ternll, thenextlit'ewill
e seaandshut inside,many still with
differentthingt'orthem.'Quelquefois'
,
dingfoughtwith thesoundsof curses.
, Therewereplaces
whereyou couldn't
z lineof dolls.A bellrinqing,diuiding
aes;door,lockedal niyhf as lhoush
ry hada hardtime to takethTt.
he men'sward;a patienttooka knile
m andstoodin front of the man uith
\e droppedit to thefloor, You had to
thepatientswouldgo mod.It wasnot
)f nerything;home,t'amily,t'reedom,
itnl, thatwastheendof you. Relatiues
' theirparentsnndparenls
forgottheir
Emes
uereno longerheardoutsidethe
rt. If theywereclangerous,
theywould
sisterssfill Gred for them,btrndased
Etr ceu.
I the lazaretto,where the patients
women. After they were moved
e floor so they could seeand hear
wards on both floors consistedof
nine feet by twenty-four feet. The
were only seven feet, four inches
rem somewhatlessairspace.
ed when the sistersgot rid of the
ir personalpossessions.
They were
;istersfound them "all in disorder,
t on exteriordoorsand in different
mplainedthat they had been imeatenedto break down the doors
rend Gauvreauwas called and he
LeBoardof Health seldom,if ever,
ens, the lepers, unknown to the
pig is not an easyanimalto hide.
rming,theyslaughtered
them . . .
ltheseundertheirbeds."Ii didn't
take lonq for the sisters to discover the source of the intolerable odour.
Surely if Dr. Smith had visited the wards he would have objected to the
condition they were in. The sisterssaid the patients'beds were "covered
with dirty straw mattresses without sheets or pillows, only covered with
a few wool blankets, all this on wooden frames and filled with vermin."
In certain areas the sisters had to use knives to scrape off the dirt. At
one point, as the sisters were cleaning, a few of the patients, somewhat
surprised, said, "We had already cleaned to receive you."2
It is unfortunate that Father Gauvreau, who wrote with such compassion and understanding about the situation of the patients in 1861,
now seemed to lose touch with this sensitivitv. In a letter to MCre Mance
of Montreal, dated April 1869,he wrote that before the sisterscame the
lepers "were insubordinate before the legal authority, defied the chaplain," and were unqrateful for the kindnesses of the Board of Health
who "spared nothing to make them huppy . . . In a word the hospital
had become like a cavern of thieves and bandits". The patients "were
held in chains by every sort of crime but murder." In spite of all the
charity lavished on them, "these beings were rotten to the core and
more than their skins were insensitive to everything.
-"Whit . ." All of this
changed with the arrival of the 'Hospitalieres'.
has contributed
a lot towards keeping them under submission and to discipline themselves, has been the humble habit of the sisters, their modesty, their
reserve, their . . . peace of mind, their most tender care for all the sick
but more especially for those who are bedridden."3
Because he wanted the work of the sisters to be appreciated, he
abused those he himself had nursed with tenderness in iarlier times.
While some were rebellious, ihe people in the lazaretto were more a
cross-section of individuals from the region than a gang of thieves and
bandits- At least six of the twenty patients in the hospital when the
sisters affived were children or teens. Soeur St. Tean wrote of the lazaretto patients that the sisters were "shmed by their obedience and
their desire to please us."a
It is not likely Reverend Gauvreau intended that letter for publication but later researchers chose to quote extensivelv from it. The inaccurate perception of the patients sirved to add a; extra burden of
shame for the leprosy victirns and their families.
After some delays, the House of Assembly passed an Act to incorporate the sisters under the title The Tracadie Hospital Sisters of the
H6tel Dieu Saint Joseph, on April 21, 1869. Under the Act, the sisters
had the power to hold any real or personal estate that rnight be given
to them for their own support or for the benefit of the patients. They
were allowed to make any necessary regulations that would improve
the situation of the patients or themselves. The Legislature retained the
power to rescind or amend the Act if it were expedient to do so. The
sisterstook steps to make sure that money or property donated for their
own use would not be forfeited should their services be cancelled. They
had deeds of property and grants made out to individual sisters rather
than in the name used in the Act of incorporation.
'79
In January of 7869, Dr. Srnith was informed his position as medical
superintendent would be terminated as of March 14th. He and his wife
Helen, daughter of James Young, moved to Chatham where he opened
a general practice. He retained his interest in leprosy and continued to
make it the subject of research over the next few years.
At the same time, the government granted $800 a year for the sisters'
support. Out of these funds they were to include the amounts needed
for remedies for the lepers. From this, the sisters bought the medicines
they stocked in their pharmacy.
The medical program for the patients at the lazaretto was now in
the hands of Soeur St. Jean. One of the medicines she used was a
preparation called Fowle's Humor Cure, a patent medicine of the time.
She save it to "all the sick who had never taken medicine before. .
This medicine in all of them caused certain pains in the limbs, still it
appears to give them more energy and strength and all found improvement in the condition of their mouths and throats."5
"All the lepers were filled with joy, and Fowle himself on learning
his medicine had a positive effect, sent box after box." Liberal use was
made of the mixture but unfortunately in every case,the symptoms
returned.6
"A little while after our arrival in Tracadie, a man, a leper sick for
six years, came and asked to be admitted . . . The poor man was covered
with wounds . . . After a few days rest, I gave him liquid arsenic five
drops . . . all his wounds are better except one on the foot and his lips
are still a little sore, but he is strong and vigorous, the red spots on his
legs are disappearing . . . Two others also new patients have taken liquid
arsenicand they have found relief," Soeur St. Jean said.7Liquid arsenic,
used with caution, was considered an acceptable and useful medicine
in the treatment of skin diseases.She also gave bichloride of mercury,
thirty-two coarse grains a dose, to those she considered in the worst
state. This metal was used extensivelv in medicines and both Drs. Labillois and Key had used it. Even strong tea was considered beneficial.
It appeared to cause amber spots to fade. However, none of the treatments brought lasting relief. Eventually, Soeur St. Jean had to conclude
that the disease was incurable and to stick with palliative remedies like
chloral, when the sick were in pain or couldn't sleep, and cough mixtures
ano garEles.
She wrote with compassion about her patients. A letter to Mdre
Mance begins, "As I watch over my poor sick I am profiting from a quiet
moment to come and rest with vou for a while . . . Little William is
dying; he suffers like a real martyr, he is extremely oppressed, we have
two others who are very sick, we have been up with thern all night . . ."r
In spite of Soeur St. Jean's efforts, the number of deaths among the
patients remained quite high. During the first fourteen months after the
sistersarrived, there were four deaths out of twentv-seven patients; but
there had been seven admissions. There were three deaths in 1870,four
in 1871.Frorn November 1871to November 1872.nine patients died. A.
K. McDougall attdb:rted this to a large number of advinced cases.
It was several months afte
received the first installmentof
of $200that didn't arrive until Ju
in Tracadie, ReverendPaquethi
that winter, his health deterior
entered the Hdtel-Dieu HosPita
small amount of cashtheY had r
given in the form of food theY
ihey received in the forms of c
wh'ere the winter winds Penetr
For severalmonths afterthe
in and out of the lazaretto.One
everytime he saw one of them,
On one occasion,when a sister
ienored the cleric and fell on hir
froliness in perfect confidence
Along with their medicalatt
patients b;came a largePartof t]
Ly their first Christmas,nine Pat
to receive their first communio
sisterswanted their Patientsto
The Board of Healthdistribt
and these the Patientswore cor
articlesof clotliing were burned
strips of cotton theY had on han
and made shirts for the childre
proud of their new clothes,an(
Beforetheir first Yearin Tre
to Montreal. She suffered fron
condition would make her mor
Monique Reid was sent to Trac
Mother Superior in JulYof 186
In July of 1869,ReverendPaq
raquei for burial but his heart l
of ihe sister'schaPelin Tracad
'
In sDite of the hardshiPs,
litt
founded'on a rock. It is thd
and which shows Promiseof
wrote. In one six-rnonthPeriod
in the pharmacy. "TheY com
annoy us, on the contrary,the
In the two Yearsshe had
observed the disease.Shewro
lected its victirns. The second
Brideau, was a Patientin the I
a son, in June 1853.She nurs
leprosy and died a short while
child had h;fd no symPtomsof
r si n f o r m e dh i s p o s i l i u nd s m e d i c a l
as of March 14th. He and his wife
' v e d t o C h a t h a mw h e r e h e o p e n e d
,terestin leprosy and continued to
ihe next few years.
t granted $800a year for the sisters'
re to include the amounts needed
;, the sisters bought the medicines
tients at the Idzdrett()was now irr
lf the rnedicines she used was a
r r e ,a p a t e n tm e d i c i n eo f t h e t i m e
never taken medicine before . .
c e r t a i np a i n s i n t h e l i m b s , s t i l l i t
d s t r e n g t ha n d a l l f o u n d i m p r o v e s and throats."5
)y, and Fowle himself on learning
nt box after box." Liberal use was
ely in every case, the symptoms
r Tracadie, a man, a leper sick for
ed . , . The poor man was covered
est, I gave him liquid arsenic five
xcept one on the foot and his lips
tnd vigorous, the red spots on his
so new patients have taken liquid
oeur St. Jeansaid.7Liquid arsenic,
n acceptable and useful medicine
r also gave bichloride of mercury.
rose she considered in the rrorst
y i n m e d i c i n e sa n d b o l h D r s . L a )ng tea was considered beneficial
hde. However, none oI the tredtl y , S o e u r5 t . J e a nh a d t o c o n c l u d e
stick with palliative remedies like
: o u l d n ' ts l e e p ,a n d c o u g h m i \ t u r e \
ut her patients. A letter to Mere
)or sick I am profiting from a quiet
for a while. . . Little William is
: is extremelyoppressed, we have
been up with them all night . . ."'l
, the number of deaths among the
the first fourteen months d[ter the
out of twenty-seven patients; but
,re were three deaths in 1870,four
)mber1872,nine patient.,died. A.
e number of advanced cases.
I
It was several months after their incorporation before the sisters
sum
received the first installment of the government appropriation-a
of $200 that didn't arrive until Tune of 1869. For their first three months
in Tracadie, Reverend Paquet had paid for their necessities; however,
that winter, his health d6teriorating, he went to Montreal where he
to stretch the
entered the Hdtel-Dieu Hospital. The sisters were forced
'extras' they were
small amount of cash they had on hand. What little
given in the form of food they shared with their patients "The alms
ihev received in the forms ot cords of wood couldn't heat the places
whire the winter winds Penetrated."e
For several months after their anival, they were a source of wonder
in and out of the lazaretto. One little boy had the habit of genuflecting
everytime he saw one of them, even if he were running at top _speed.
On one occasion, when a sister was talking to a Priest, an elderly man
isnored the cleric and fell on his knees in front of her' "l come to your
Holiness in perfect confidence," he said.'0
Along with their medical attendance, the religious instruction of the
patients became a large part of the daily routine lt is not surPrising that
Lv their first Christmas, nine patients, most of them children, were ready
to receive their first communion. Because of the special occasion, the
sisters wanted their patients to have new clothes.
The Board of Health distributed a change of clothes every six months
and these the patients wore continually. At the end of six months, old
articles of clotliinq were burned. The resourceful sisters sewed together
striDs of cotton thev had on hand for the menstrual needs of the women
and'made shirts for the children. The annals say the youngsters were
proud of their new clothes, and the nuns enjoyed a quiet chuckle.
Before their first year in Tracadie was over, Mdre Pag6 was recalled
to Montreal. She suffered from exzema. Mdre Mance was afraid her
condition would make her more susceptible to leprosy infection. Soeur
Monique Reid was sent to Tracadie in'place of Mdre i'ag6.-She became
Mother Superior in July of 1869. Soeur Sicotte accompanied Mdre Reid.
In July of 1869, Reverend Paquet died His body was returned to Caraquei for burial but his heart for many years was encased in the altar
of ihe sister's chapel in Tracadie. ln his will he left the community $400.
In spite of the hardships, "The Tracadie Foundation seemed to be
founded on a rock. It is thd little seed that springs up in among thorns
and which shows promise of becoming a large tree," Soeur St. Jean
wrote. In one six-month period, the young sister had seen 1,695people
in the pharmacy. "They come looking for remedies . rather than
annoy us, on the contrary, they bring us closer to God . . ."11
In the two vears she had been in Tracadie, Soeur St Jean had
observed the dis'ease. She wrote on the randornness with which it selected its victims. The second wife of Franqois Robichaud, Domithilde
Brideau, was a patient in the lazaretto when she gave birth to a child,
a son, in June 1853. She nursed the baby herself while covered with
leprosy and died a short while later in the hospital. Since that time, the
child had had no symptoms of the disease. Monique Rousselle, Franqois
81
Robichaud's third wife, was in the lazaretto. Two of their children,
Augustin and Judith, also had leprosy. Soeur St. jean said that one
woman employed in the lazaretto had lived in the hospital for eight
years, eating and sleeping with the patients, and yet had never taken
the disease. The laundress at the time had been living with the patients
for two years. Previous to this she had taken care of her husband who
died of leprosy. This woman as well remained free of the illness.
Soeur St. Jean was strongly persuaded that "the illness . . . is caused
by the type of life style of the inhabitants of Tracadie. Nearly all of them
are fishermen or sailors, their principal food is fish, especially herring,
potatoes, and turnip. I am able to tell you there isn't ten families in
Tracadie who eat bread, because the poverty is so extreme."r2 Because
much of the land around Tracadie was not suitable for farminq, and
becauseof their fear of being driven from their homes again, the early
Acadian settlers were slow to cultivate larqe tracts. However, almost
every family had a garden. Wheat bread was eaten only a few months
a year. The rest of the time, bread was made with barlev, buckwheat,
or oats.
Doctors Bayard and Wilson thought improperly-cured fish and overheated homes were factors that helped the disease develop. From time
to time, salted fish and meat were also blamed. Dr. J.C.Tachedisagreed.
He said, ". . . the idea that the eating of a particular article of food, the
use or non-usage of certain articles of habiliment, can influence the
production and spread of leprosy, is, in my hurnble opinion, quite inadmissible."l3
Many researchersfound the inhabitants of Tracadie an extremely
hardy people. ". . . they seem well-made, healthy, and have a well-todo look," wrote W. H. Thornton.la Dr. Tach6 wrote, "The population
is well-behaved, intelligent, laborious, remarkably healthy, robust and
Ionglived."rs A. M. Pope said, "Writers who assign the cause to be the
poverty of the place are simply talking nonsense . . . The district has
not one family who are not cornfortably housed and clothed."16
The close intimacy of family life was still a lifestyle factor that did
favor the continuance of the disease in some. Unless the sick were
separatedfrom the well, there were sure to be others. In the Drysdales,
seven children fell ill after the father refused to send the first victims to
the hosoital. Other families in which the sick remained in close contact
with thi others suffered a similar fate.
The patient lists and doctor's reports show that when the sick person
was cared for at home, the one responsible for such care sometimes took
the disease.Very often this person, most likely a wonan, took the illness
from a father-inlaw, uncle, or husband, and then she herself transmitted
it to the children.
Although there was never in New Brunswick a marriage contracted by
known lepers, nothing was done to discourage infected spouses from
co-habiting with their unaffected partners. Several women in the advanced stage of the disease birthed children.
A dermatologist, Dr. J. E. Graham, was among the first to suggest
82
that the diseasecould be effec
were "careful to keeP themsel
connectedwith the Tracadielaz
eration. All believedPromPtre
to contain the outbreak.
The sistershad manYresP
eral years theY were not allow
cruciil if the new foundationI
Mbre Page during an official r
Bishop RogersfinallY allow the
To help the Tracadiecomr
iEres'in Frince contributedfina
was given to BishoPRogerswh
ine his trip to EuroPein 1871
sis"ters,however, the BishoPse
Barry. The sistersof Tracadiel
"peirnission" to use the mone
In spite of the difficulties,
the sistersoPened a school;in
In 1875,Mdre Reid had serve
years, the longest Period one-t
cally too young, thirty-Year-o
Before the 1870swere ov
nection with the lazarettowa
severaltimes in the 1870s,said
in the hosPital who had neve
firmed by Dr. Smith who saidI
of "an inexPeriencedPhYsici
Dr. Smith also told the P
dischargedafter a Yearin the
urgeth€
"l would respectively
sicianappointed,at a smallsa
the lazaietto . The ladiesin
the diseasein its earlYstagese
ing to do so."r'q
Dr. Smith's request was
Physicianto the lazarettoin C
inside the hosPitalitself, he nc
the affected Parishes,insPec
suasion' removing PeoPleto
amined the Patientsand advi
As had alwaYsbeen the
lazaretto, excepting the siste
includi
Health. The suPPli,es,
by that body.
The method of PreParin
convenient. The food was st
azaretto. Two of their children,
iy. Soeur St. Jean said that one
d lived in the hospital for eight
ahents, and yet had never taken
had been living with the patients
I taken care of her husband who
emained ftee of the illness.
led that "the illness . . . is caused
rts of Tracadie. Nearly all of them
I food is fish, especiallyherring,
ll you there isn't ten families in
,overty is so extreme."r2Because
as not suitable for farming, and
:om their homes again, the early
;e large tracts. However, almost
ad was eaten only a few months
s made with barley, buckwheat,
t irnproperly-cured fish and overLthe disease develop. From time
rlamed. Dr. J.C.Tach6disagreed.
of a particular article of food, the
rf habiliment, can influence the
in my humble opinion, quite inbitants of Tracadie an extremely
rde, healthy, and have a well-to:. Tach6 wrote, "The population
remarkably healthy, robust and
's who assign the cause to be the
g nonsense . . . The district has
y housed and clothed."16
ras still a Iifestyle factor that did
in some. Unless the sick were
fe to be others. In the Drysdales,
fused to send the first victims to
re sick remained in close contact
s show that when the sick person
lble for such care sometimes took
it likely a woman, took the illness
and then she herself transmitted
nswick a marriage contracted by
iscourage infected spouses from
ners. Several women in the adldren.
/ was among the first to suggest
that the disease could be effectively contained at home if the patients
were "careful to keeP themselves seParate from the family "'7 No one
connected with the Tracadie lazaretto gave the idea any sedous consideration. All believed prompt removal io the hospital was the only way
to contain the outbreak.
The sisters had manv responsibilities but few real powers For several years they were nof allowed to open a-noviciate, a.steP that was
cruc;l if the new foundation were to-last. Only at the intercession of
Mere Page during an official visit to the Chatham house in 1873 did
Bishop R"ogerstinally allow the Tracadie community to open one'
'Les HospitalTo help the Tracadie community, several houses of
idres' in Frince contributed financially to the new foundation. The money
was siven to Bishop Rogers who viiited the different communities durine h'.istrip to Europe in- 1871. lnstead of turning the funds over to the
sis"ters,however, th; Bishop sent the money to his secretary, Reverend
Barrv. The sisters of Tracadie had little choice but to grant the Bishop
"per'mission" to use the money for diocesan work.
In spite of the difficulties, the community grew' In- December 1873,
the siste'rs opened a school; in 1877, the noviciate had to be enlarged
In 1875, Mdie Reid had served as Mother Superior for six consecutrve
v e d r s ,f h e l o n g e s l p e r i o d o n e c o u l d o c c u p y t h e p o s t A l t h o u g h l e c h n i cally too ytrung, thirty-vear-old Soeur St lean was elected to the office
Before the 1870s were over, the authority the sisters had in connection with the lazaretto was reduced Dr' J. C Tach6, who visited
severaltimes in the 1870s,said there was one girl by the name of Comeau
in the hospital who had never had the disease. His finding was confirmed bv br. Smith who said she had been admitted on the certification
of "an inexperienced physician in another county."r3
Dr. Smith also told the provincial authorities that a boy-had to be
discharsed atter a vear in the lazaretto He had no sign of the illness'
"l *oui-d respectively urge the necessity of having an experiencedphysician appointed, at a smlll salary for the purpose of quarterly visits to
the lazaietto . . . The ladies in charge are confessedly unable to diagnose
the disease in its early stages and decline the resPonsibility for attempting to do so."1e
Dr. Smiih's request was granted He was apPointed Consulting
Phvsician to the laz;retto in October 1878 While he had no jurisdiction
inside the hospital itself, he now was ftee to carry on his work of visiting
'moral
the affected parishes, inspecting homes and factories, and by
suasion' rembving people-to the hosPital when necessary He also examined the patients and advised on their care.
As had always been the practice, all the money used to- run the
lazaretto, excepting the sisteri' allocation, was given to the Board of
Health. ihe srippliis, including food for the Patients, were purchased
by that body.
The method of preparing meals for the patients had.never been
convenient. The food -is sti bei.tg cooked in the keeper's residence
83
some distance away and brought to the lazaretto. In earlier vears the
keeper, Philias Losier and his wife, managed this departmeni and ihe
couple got along well with ihe sisters. Ii 1874, the'Board of Health
dismissed Losier on the grounds that a ,,competent person could be
secured at^a much.less. salary."ro lhe action was taken by a newlyo r g a n i z e dB o a r d o f H e a l t h w h o s e m a n i p u l a t i o n sr e s u l t e di n a s e r j e sb {
scandals.
Losier's place, no less than two keepers were hired each year
.In
and sometimes their wives and children. The sisters were told that ihey
could not obtain the smallest quantity of food for their patients unless
they gave written instructions to the iook. Very often the cook couldn,t
read, casting doubt on the effectivenessof the written orders. And, the
new cooks were accused of entertaining thernselves and their friends
o n p r o v i s i o n ss e t a s i d e f o r l h e p a t i e n t 5 .
The Secretary of the Board of Health, A. K. McDougall, was not
pady to these actions of the Board, but he seemed powerl6ss to control
them. In 1875, he told the Lieutenant-Governor thaithe expenses would
be considerably reduced and the patients better fed if',,the cooking
department came directly under the control of the Sisters . . .,,rr
The excessesof the Board continued. Unpopular people were hired
a s g u a r d s .T h e d i s r u p t i o n s p r e d d i n t o t h e h o s f l t i l i r s e i f ,c ; u s i n g d i s c o r d
a m o n g t h e p a t i e n t sa n d n e w p r o b l e m s f o r t h e s i r t e r s .
CHARGEAND
ABOA
I think it is mY duty therefor-et'
extravagancewhich is manites
tion, th; TracadieLazarettoa
power to the maiority of the B(
into the Public chest.I am Pre
wishesto
Your corresPondent
to cc
wish
would
I
expenditure
thine brought out. He may go
indiencibi-e is found it will br
party in whose interesthe wri
A member of the Board says
the t'
dismissal,misrePresents
were five to {our as follows
Yeas:John Young, William Ar<
Robichaud.
Nays:Rev. J. A. Babineau,Wi
McDougall.
lf lean-BaPtistewere aliTJel
noardo1Umtth. He uould haaet
I don't untlerctandPoliticsL
with thet
did business
Health
of
siame
whenue uereon Becs-Sc
Now theVhad threemercha
IiamDaaidsoi,andtheYall wvnt
84
re lazaretto.In earlier years the
naged this departmentand the
. In 7874,the Board of Health
a "competent person could be
action was taken by a newlyipulationsresultedin a seriesof
) keeperswere hired each year
L.The sisterswere told ihat they
of food for their patients unless
lk. Very often the cook couldn't
rof the written orders. And, the
tg themselvesand their friends
th, A. K. McDougall, was not
he seemedpowerlessto control
)vernorthat the expenseswould
,'nts better fed if "the cooking
ntrol of the Sisters. . .",r
l. Unpopularpeoplewere hired
e hospitaliiself, causingdiscord
for the sisters.
L2
:
CH ARGEAND COUNTERCHARGE
A BOARD DIVIDED
duty therefore to give the alarm and protest againstthe
I think it is my'whicir
is manifested in the administration of the instituextravagance
tion, thi Tracadie Lazaretto and against the Sovernment for Siving
power to the maioritvof the Boardof Healthto dip thelr handsdt will
into the publicchest:I am preparedto shoh whdt has beendone
Informer
Tracadie
February 10, 1879
Your correspondentwishes to go back over a few years to exPosethe
exoenditure'l would wish to conceal,on the contrary, I want the whole
thing brought out. He may go back as far as he choosesand if anything
indiencibie is found it wif be on his own Part or on the part of the
party in whose interest he writes.
John Young
February15, 1879
A member of the Board says that the votes were six to three for my
dismissal,misrePresentsth; factsin this as in all other cases The votes
were five to four as follows.
yeas:John Young, William Archer, William Walsh, FidCleSavoy,Oliver
Robichaud.
Nnys:Rev. ,. A. Babineau,William Ferguson,William Davidson, A K.
McDougall.
A. K. McDougall
Oak Point
March 13, 1879
All three from "The Tracadie
Lazaretto" articles,
TheMiramichiAdoarce(Chatham,
N.B.)
It' lean-Baptiste were slire, he would haae laughed at the scandal on the
Board ot' Health. He woultl haae said it uns politics.
I don't understand politics but I know that those tpho were on the Board
'C'itqit Ia mAmechose', it TDasthe
of Health did businesswith the lazaretto.
samewhen we uere on Becs-Sciesand it hus not chqnged.
Now they had three merchants,lohn Young, William Ferguson,and lNiIIiam Daaidsoi, and they allwantedto do businesi with the lazaritto Thehospitnl
-
garebig order,s
fu Tracadie.A merchntttcouldbeaeryrich if the hospitatbought
all its goods
from him.
it is stillhardfor meto saythis,lennBaptiste
lean-Baptiste,
diedin 1874.
He hadrheumatism
bad;
We
think
it
kill;d
him.
Anywa1,
I
was
noutliaing
.uery
with Luc, my son, he would tell us what washappening.
"Youngwon controlof theBoardof HealthandMcDougallopposed
him, thtt
toaswhy Youttghadhim t'ired," Luc said.
"But Oliuiertold meit wasbecause
McDougnlttiztedfooftr fromTracatlie"
I answered.Olipier Robichaudis mrJ neir.phci,.He F o ulerysmort man, a
teacher,and now he was the new secretaryof fhe Boardof Heahh.He replacerl
Mr. McDougall.I am aery proud of Olfuiera lani.
"That wqsjLlstan excuse.McDougallwss on fhe Bosrdfor te veqrsnnd
hehosalwaysliuedt'orLywilesawn1," Lucsnid.He is notproicl of Ciiuier arLcl
he neuerlikedtht Youtrylnntilrluu,h.
"It uqs because
McDougallutouldn'tlet tlrc Youngsput all of Gloucester
_
and Northumberland
in their pocketsthat he gotfirecl,')Luc continued.
I yawned.He was goingto talk ptnlitics.
"McDougallhad RobertYoung'snametakenoff the uoting |ist
for . . .,'
I didn't heartherest. I don't wderstsnclpolitics.lusf thesame,|m prourl
of Olioier.
The Boardof Health had traditionallybeenmade up of individuals,
businessmengenerally,who had a vested interest in the institution.
Cor,tractswere parcelledout among them more or lessamicablythrough
publicauction.The lowestbidder would win but successful
submissions
camefrom membersof the Boardor their friends.The priestswho served
on the.Boardwere paid tor chaplaindutiesand sold itims to the hospital
tlom tlme to hme
The scandal that finally brought this method of administration to a
halt began on Septernber30, 1868.The Board of Health apfointed members William Ferguson and John Young, who were cousini, competitive
merchants, and political rivals, to form a supplies committee. Tliey had
the mandate to order any provisions that might be required by the
hospital between_meetings bf the Board. The'action was most iikely
taken to assure that the sisters, who had just arrived, would not run
o u t o f e s s e n t i a sl u p p l i e s .
Without consulting his colleague, Mr. young began to send large
quantities of provisions to the lazaretto and to bill the Board for tie
orders. As a result, two amendments were added to decreasethe powers
of the supplies committee on February 3, 1869. young could no longer
send supplies without the sanction of his colleaguesoithe goods woild
not be paid for by the Board. Further, the powir of the co"mmitteewas
-of
limited to supplies alone and only enough
these to last until the next
meeting.
This seemed to curb the excessesof the supplies committee for the
next few years. In 1871, Reverend Gauvreau, who had served on the
Board of Health off and on in his twenty years in Tracadie, returned to
Id
x
Rev. Joseph-AugusteBabineau,Pa
de Tracadie.
the province of Quebec.The I
was tired and in Poor health.
of 69. On reporting his death,
by the Acadians for his dev
constantly to imProve their c(
ReverendFatherJosePh
1
his place.
^fiery Born on APril 29,
priest was the first
the
duties were chaPlaincYto iht
of Health.
uld beueryrichif thehospitalbought
saythis,lenn-Baptiste
cliedin 1874.
:illedhim. Anyway, I wasnow Iiuing
washappening
.
IthandMcDougallopposecl
him, thnt
cDougall
liztedtoofar from Tracadie''
He
is a uery smart man, a
ryhew.
I of the Boardof Health. He replaced
in a lani.
I wason theBoardfor fen yearsand
: said.He is not proutlot'Oliuiernnd
let theyoungsput nll of Gloucester
hegot fired," Luc continued.
w takenoff theaotinglist for . . ."
'.ndpolitit:s. thesame,I'm proud
lust
ly beenmadeup of individuals,
ested interest in the institution.
stnmoreor lessamicablythrough
d win but successfulsubmissions
ir friends.The priestswho served
tiesand sold itemsto the hospital
ris method of administrationto a
Boardof Health appointed mem;, who were cousins,competitive
La suppliescommittee.They had
rthat might be requiredby the
ard. The action was most likely
had just arrived, would not run
Mr. Young began to send large
:to and to bill the Board for the
ere addedto decreasethe powers
, 3, 1869.Young could no longer
riscolleaguesor the goodswould
the power of the committeewas
ugh of theseto last until the next
rf the suppliescommitteefor the
uvreau, who had served on the
rty yearsin Tracadie,returned to
Mus6e Historique
Rev. Joseph-AugusteBabineau,Pastorof Tracadie 1871-1903'
Tracadie.
de
the province of Quebec. The transfer was made at his own request He
-as'tired and in poor health. He died in St.-Flavienin 1875,at the age
of 69. On reporting his death, LeMoniteurAcadiensaid, he is "recognized
bv the Acahians ior his devotion to the Poor lepers ' he worked
constantly to improve their condition."l
Reverend Father Joseph Auguste Babineauwas aPpointed to take
his olace. Born on Apiil 29, 1819;in St-Louis-de-Kent,New Brunswick,
the'fiery priest was the first Acadian pastor of Tracadie Among his
duties *eie chaplaincv to the lazaretto and membership on the Board
of Health.
Bv the end of 1873,the membersof the Board were FatherBabineau,
Alex McDermitt, John Young, William Ferguson,William Davidson, and
A. K. McDougall. McDougall, the secretary-treasurer,was from Oak
Point. fortv miles from Tracadie. This inconvenience did not seem to
bother the"othermembers.In 1874,the government appointed four new
members, William Archer, Fiddle Savoy, Olivier Robichaud, and Justinian Savoy, bringing the total number of Board members to ten.
After the new appointments, it became evident that Young controlled the majority on the Board of Health, with all the new members
and Alex McDermitt supporting him. One of his first actions was the
motion to dismiss Philias Losier. When this had been passed,the new
keepers hired to replace him were chosen by Young. According to
McDougall, they were usually persons indebted to Young in some way.
After this, Young used his position on the supplies committee to
sendin provisions or order repairs, sometimeswithout calling meetings.
Cnargesfor these orders were set at his own discretion and since the
majoity on the Board were his supporters, his bills were paid. This table
shows a comparisonof Young's accountsgranted at public comPetition
and his total accountsfor these years:
L874
1,875
7876
7877
Public Account
$105.40
797.00
t54.70
78.40
Total Accounts
9384.75
370.00
388.12
360.07
The minority members on the Board, headed by A. K. McDougall,
protestedbut seemedunable to conhol the situation, partly becauseof
Young's powerful friends in Fredericton:his brother, Robert, President
of the Executive Council, and the Surveyor General, Mr. Adams. If
McDougall had not angered Robert Young, it appearsJohn could have
continuid to control the lazaretto fund indefinitely. The matter had
nothing to do wiih the hospiial.
In October 1878,A. K. McDougall was one of the revisers of the
voters' Iist for the county of Northurnberland. He had Robert YounS's
name and those of severalof his friends removed from the electorallists
of the Parish of Alnwick on the grounds that they did not own property
in the district.
TheMiramichi Atlaancesaid in an editorial, "A deliberate attempt
was made to swamp the genuine electorateof a large parish by adding
to its electorallists nameswhich had no dght to be upon it. It is a credit
to Mr. McDougall that as a municipal councillor and revisor, he acted
the part of an independent,honestman."2
The Youngs wanted A. K. McDougall removed from his position
on the Board of Health. In December1878,JustinianSavoy,Board Chairman, Olivier Robichaud,John Young, and William Archer wrote to the
ProvincialSecretary,Mr. Wedderburn. They requestedthat McDougall
be dismissedon the groundsth
government thought at first to e
ietected it." wrote the-edltor or
applicantsthey must themselve
ttrit "traU the membersot the b
iniustice."3
It was charged that' to- e
McDougall's dismissalwoutd be
to,th€
more Young suPPortersSmith. Dr. Smith and Alex Mc
Walsh did-he made uP the
McDougall. Justinian SavoY,a
suys, "li. McDougallwasone
(
hal had a greatdealto sayrn
el
greatest
many yeari . . . His
at anY-neglectof dutY or error
The uniust dismissalof M
ning for his quill. ln a seriesot
sraDhicin detail,he e\Posed,
iJniler the Pen name "lnforme
begrnru
TheMiramichiAdudnce
Ietters, The MiramichiAdaanc
Dougall. The editor of the Pa
support of Babineauand Mcuo
fro,'m;ohn Young under his ot
After his first letter,John'
in Newl
llnion Aduocate
The
to
in that PaPerunder the nom
carned one eo
IJnionAdaocate
accus
The corresPondents
and of unfair hiring Pracnce
"ior
Younq were consPicuous
paid.'"aYoung accusedBabin
Grit wing."'
In an era before radio a
Health must haveProvidedm
reading Public. TheYleamed
Losier sold an entire beet-ca
When the beef had beendelt
away half of the meat' Later
pouitd. The readerswere to
ibout an excessiveamount c
dollars at one Point and less
The Patients in the laza'
lower window of the men's
in urging one of the Patients
nel'."thiis action kePt the sis
note was signed bY William
ichaud, all Board members'
t of the Boardwere FatherBabineau,
m Ferguson,William Davidson,and
secretary-treasurer,
was from Oak
his inconveniencedid not seem to
:hegovernmentappointed four new
lvoy, Olivier Robichaud,and Justrrer of Boardmembersto ten.
t becameevident that Young conHealth, with all the new membe.s
n. One of his first actions was the
hen this had been passed,the new
) chosenby Young. According to
ns indebtedto Young in some way.
ition on the supplies committee to
o m e h m ews i t h o u tc a l l i n gm e e t i n g s .
.t his own discretionand since ilre
xters, his bills were paid. This table
)untsgrantedai public competition
.ccount
.40
.00
.70
.40
Total Accounts
$384.75
370.00
388.12
360.07
oard,headedby A. K. McDougall,
rol the situation,partly becausi of
ion; his brother, Robert, President
SurveyorGeneral, Mr. Adams. If
(oung, it appears
John could have
und indefinitely. The matter had
;all was one of the revisers of the
nberland.He had RobertYoung's
Ldsremovedfrom the elecioralliits
rdsthat they did not own property
n editodal, "A deliberateattempt
ctorateof a,largeparishby adding
no nght to be upon it. Ttis a credit
councillorand revisor,he acted
nan."2
ougallremovedfrom his position
1878,
Savoy,BoardChairJustinian
; and William Archer wrote to the
n. They requestedthat McDougall
I
be dismissed on the grounds that he lived too far from Tracadie.,,The
Bovernment thought at first to entertain the application and afterwards
reiecied it," wrote the editor of TheMiramichi Adztance.
"They told the
applicantsthey must themselvesdisptacehim." It was then discovered
that "half the members of the board would not lend themselvesto the
injustice."3
It was charged that, to ensure the motion in favour of A. K.
McDougall's dismissalwould be carried, the governrnenthad added two
more Young supporters to the Board, William Walsh and Dr. A. C.
Smith. Dr. Smith and Alex McDermitt did not attend the meeting, but
Walsh did-he made up the majodty of one necessary to dismiss
McDougall. Justinian Savoy, as Chairman, did not vote. The Adoance
says, "Mr. McDougall was one of the membersof the Board who always
has had a great deal to say in checking undue expendituresfor a good
many years . . . His greatestenemy on the Board has never yet hinted
at any neglect of duty or error of administration on his part."
The unjust dismissal of Mr. McDougall sent Father Babineaurunning for his quill. In a seriesof nine lengthy letiers, colorful in style and
graphic in detail, he exposedJohn Young and his friends on the Board.
Under the pen name "Informer", Father Babineau'sletters appearedin
TheMiramichiAdaancebeginning in Februaryof 1879.BesidesBabineau's
letters, The Miramichi Adaancepublished two letters from A. K. McDougall. The editor of the papir, G. D. Smith, wrote si\ editodalsin
support of Babineauand McDougall. The paper also published one letter
from John Young under his own name.
After his first leiter, lohn Young sent the rest of his correspondence
to The Union Aduocatein Newcastle. Four letters from Young appeared
in that paper under the nofi de plume, "A Member of the Bbaid." Tlxs
Union Adaocqtecarried one editorial on the subject.
The correspondentsaccusedone another of manipulating the Board
and of unfair hiring practices.McDougall said repairs ordered by John
Young were conspicuous"for little work being done and large amounts
paid."a Young accusedBabineauof trying "to writ€ up ihe purity of the
Grit wing.'{
In an era before radio and television, the antics of the Board of
Health must have provided much entertainment for the New Brunswick
reading public. They learned from Father Babineauthat a Mr. Didyme
Losier sold an entire beef carcus to the lazaretto at five cents a pound.
When the beef had been delivered, John Young sent his men who took
away half of the meat. Later, he resold it to the lazaretto at six cents a
pound. The readers were iold by Mr. Young to ask Father Babineau
about an excessivearnount of wine being sold to ihe hospital. "Forty
dollars at one point and lesser amounts frequently since."6
The patients in the lazaretto were also involved. One night, the
lower window of the men's ward was opened and a note was thrown
in urging one of the patients to discipline another "in a Christian manne/'. This action kept the sistersbusy and the patients stirred up. The
note was signed by William Archer, justinian Savoy, and Olivid Robichaud, all Board members.
89
Father Babineauquestioned the wisdom of hiring a constablewhose
main function was "to walk about the grounds at 8 p. m. solemnly ringing
an old cowbell, a signal for the inmates to retire,"7 which they had done
anyway ever since the sisters arived. Even the washerwomen had their
day in print. Mr. Young named two of them in one of his letters. One
of these, he said, was "a silly and quarrelsome person unfit for the
position, and the only qualification she could have in Mr. Babineau's
eyes was that she delt entirely with Mr. Ferguson." The other, Young
siid, was "an old servant who had done her work faithfully . . she
saved up her earnings and spent them where she pleased."3
Underneath the tone of self-righteousindignation that characterized
all the letters were some interesting points. For one thing, in defending
himself, Young altered the lazaretto accounts for the year 1868as follows:
Ferguson $443.20; Davidson $3E4.47;Young $184.97. The correct accounts for that year were: Ferguson $373.69; Davidson $362.16; and
Young $184.97. Young also stated in one of his letters that his own
account for 1878was only $179.13 bu I Tlrc Adaancesays, "he conveniently
forgot to add another $180.94due to him at the close of the fiscal year."
This meant that his entire accounts to the lazaretto for that year came
to "a total of $360.07," while Ferguson's were $392.71,and Davidson's
$129.26.'
Using the corrected figures for 1867 plus the rest of the figures as
given by Young, we see that from 1867 to 1878 inclusive, Ferguson's
accounts with the lazaretto came to a total of $3,814.65;Davidson's to
$2,852.33;and Young's to $3,332.85.One thing is clear: all the merchants
were doing a good business with the government.
Besides altering accounts, Young was also accused of altering the
vote in favour of Mr. McDougall's dismissal so as to make it apPear that
the motion could have been carried without Walsh's vote. In one letter
to The Llnion Ad?ocafe,Young claimed the vote in favour of McDougall's
dismissal stood at six to three. In a later letter he amended this and said
the vote was six to four. It was the latter version that the newly elected
secretary-treasurer of the Board of Health, Olivier Robichaud, had certified and sent to Mr. Wedderburn, the Provincial Secretary. The dispute
centered on whether or not Board chairman Justinian Savoy voted on
the motion. Young and Robichaud said that he did. A. K. McDougall,
who had recorded the meeting and kept the minutes with him, was
proven coffect: Justinian Savoy did not vote. Walsh voted in favour of
the resolution and the motion carried five to four.
Robichaud said the mistake occurred because, in the absence of the
minutes, he took what material he had on hand such as drafts of resolutions and notes taken by himself. He had these certified by the Board
chairman and forwarded them to the Provincial Secretary as correct
extracts from the minutes.
With all the dirty linen swinging on the line, the dust balls hit the
wind and before the motes had settled, the provincial government finally
decided an investigation was necessary. On May 27, 1879, the Attorney
General, John James Fraser, the Minister of Public Works, P. A. Landry,
90
r
I
II
and the Solicitor Ceneral of the P
io-inu"rtigut" the mandgementof
months went bY, however, belor
When theY finallY arrived in
'
everv member-of the Board was
or.
for i'he furnishing of suPPlies
the instilution."'0 lhal Practic€r
the members and marred the nal
menr.
The wrangling brought anY
a standstill if the condition ot the
was in an inferior state,in need ol
of patients. The distancebetweer
mea
..iidence, and the lazaretto
-fhe
w
served
was
it
atable when
u.ll.t
l"Y
lt
aPPears
waste.
of
:t
since the Sistersarnved ln ro/r
over-crowded and thal wards w
In 7872, Dr. Samuel Lewin
Besides finding the hosPital too
for serious cases,Lewin sald a m
dies theY are so much disease
and the stench is intolerable l n
the otheff sleeP and kePt twent
McDougall asked for a ne'
Baxter was ient to Tracadieto i
the hosPital still had no ward t
told the qovernment that one I
was in sich bad condition the
sdme room with him Ba\ter lo'
en's ward and workroom were
onlv to let in the rain The wn
snow drifted into both the mer
Dr. Tache, too, found the
Minister of Agriculture, he ht
lazdretto from the federal govt
to the sisters in October 1878,
and imProvements in the laza
entrusted to Your care'"r2
The sisters received the n
sovernment before golng ahea
imong Board of Health memt
banked the money untrl the sl
Thus in SePtember1879'
qovernment conducted its inv
ince of a slightlY-built woode
visitor, theY must have wonde
isdomof hiring a constablewhose
roundsat 8 p.m. solemnlyringing
; to retire,"7which they had done
Eventhe washerwomenhad their
rf them in one of his letters.One
luarrelsomeperson unfit for the
re could havein Mr. Babineau's
Ir. Ferguson."The other, Young
lone her work faithfully . . . shi
r whereshepleased.'a
)usindignationthat characterized
rints.For one thing, in defending
ountsfor theyear1868asfollows:
Young $184.97.The correct acDavidson$362.i6;and
$373.69;
one of his letters that his own
heAdaance
says,"he conveniently
im at the closeof the fiscalyear."
the lazarettofor that yeai carne
fs were$392.71,
and Davidson's
67 plus the rest of the figures as
67 to 1878inclusive, Ferguson's
total of $3,814.65;
Davidson'sto
te thing is clear:all the merchants
iovernment.
was also accusedof altering the
Iissalso as to make it appearthat
thout Walsh'svote. In one letter
he vote in favour of McDougall's
r letter he amendedthis and said
sr versionthat the newly elected
rlth, Olivier Robichaud,had cerProvincialSecretary.The dispute
irman JustinianSivoy voted on
I that he did. A. K. McDougall,
ept the minutes with him, was
I vote. Walsh voted in favour of
ive to four.
)d because,in the absenceof the
I on hand such as drafts of resrhad thesecertifiedby the Board
ProvincialSecretaryas correct
n the line, the dust balls hit the
he provincialgovernmentfinallv
. On llay zz,1ezo, the Attorney
r of PublicWorks, P. A. Landry,
and the Solicitor General of the province, J. H. Crawford, were narned
to investigate the management of the Tracadie lazaretto. Another three
months went by, however, before the commissioners came to Tracadie.
When they finally arrived in September, they found that "nearly
every member of the Board was or had been in some way a contractor
for the furnishing of supplies or the doing of work in connection with
the institution."lo That practice had caused an undue fivahy between
the members and marred the harmony necessary for effective management.
The wrangling brought any kind of management of the hospital to
a standsiill if the condition of the lazaretto is any indication. The hospital
was in an inferior state, in need of repair, and inadequate for the number
of patients. The distance between thi cookhouse, loiated in the keeper's
residence, and the lazaretto meant the food was often cold and unpalatable when it was served. The want of proper food storage was a source
of waste. It appears few if any repairs had been made to the lazaretto
since the sisters arrived. In 1871, McDougall had said the hospital was
over-crowded and that wards were needed for the worst cases.
ln 7872, Dr. Samuel Lewin had been sent to inspect the lazaretto.
Besides finding the hospital too small and deploring ihe lack of a ward
for serious cases, Lewin said a morgue was necessary. "When an inmate
dies they are so much diseased that mortification immediately sets in
and the stench is intolerable. The corpse is laid out in the wards where
the others sleep and kept twenty-four hours or more . ."11
McDougall asked for a new hospital again in 1873. When Dr. J.
Baxter was sent to Tracadie to inspect the lazaretto in September 1874,
the hospital still had no ward for the worst cases,or a morgue. Baxter
told the government that one person had recently been admitted who
was in such bad condition the other patients could not remain in the
same room with him. Baxter found the air in the wards poor. The women's ward and workroom were particularlv bad. The ventilators served
only to let in the rain. The window sashes were rotted, and rain and
snow drifted into both the men's and women's quarters.
Dr. Tach6, too, found ihe hospital in poor condition. As Deputy
Minister of Agriculture, he helped arrange a grant of 91,500 for the
lazaretto from the federal government. The money was given directly
-1878,
to the sisters in October
"To help you make all necessary repairs
and improvements in the lazaretto for the comfort of the poor patients
entrusted to your care."r2
The sisters received the necessary permission from the provincial
government before going ahead with the work. By ihai time, the rancour
amons Board of Health members had become so bad that the srsters
banked the money until the situation had settled down.
Thus in September 1879, when the committee from the provincial
government conducted its investigation, the lazaretto had the appearance of a slightly-built wooden barrack erected in haste. Like another
visitor, they must have wondered how the twenty-six-year-old structure
9l
"has stood so many winter gales blowing over the frozen surface of
Tracadie Bay."r3
In their report to the government, the committee members found
inaccuracies in secretary Robichaud's report, but they refused to single
out any of the members of the Board for poor conduct. Instead, they
recommended that all the present members of the Board be removed
from office. This recommendation was accepted by the govemment and
an interirn Board was set up. The Miramichi Adaancecalled the committee
report a "whitewashing effort." The paper protested against the dismissal of the whole Board, "those guilty of charges as well as those who
c o n t e n d e da g a i n s tt h e s e m e n i n t h e p u b l i c i n t e r e s t . "a
The new members were all from the Legislature of New Brunswick
and included the Surveyor General Adams, P. A. Landry, and the Provincial Secretary, William Wedderburn. Father L. A. H. Allain, Reverend
Babineau's assistant, was appointed secretary-treasurer.
The appointments were temporary in any case. By July of 1879, both
governments had reached the decision to transfer the hospital. it would
come under the direction of the federal Department of Agriculture. Ferdinand Robidoux, editor of Le Moniteur Acadien, wrote, "The decision is
one of those rare transactions where all parties will benefit . . . First of
all the allocation voted on . . . will allow for the construction of a wing
for the lepers without further delay. After that we hope a greater latitude
will be given to 'Les Hospitalidres' in the employment and dispersal of
funds."rs
A new wing for the lepers was still a long way off . Actually, under
the terms of the federal agreement, the sisters had direction and management of the hospital; but their allowance (it was too small to be
considered a salary) remained at $800 a year. There were now eleven
sisters in the Tracadie Foundation who had charge of sixteen patients.
Father Babineau stayed on as chaplain and received $100 annually.
The visiting physician, Dr. Smith, came four times a year and was to
receive $200, plus travel expenses. A document accepting the terms of
the changeover was passed in the New Brunswick Legislature Novernber
9, 1880.
With the fifteen hundred dollars given by the federal government
in 1878, the sisters were now able to build a kitchen, laundry, and
storeroom. They built a morgue but there were no funds left for further
improvements. A new wing for the patients was out of the question.
A. M. Pope wrote, "The hospital can scarcely be called a triumph of
architecture, nor has it any of the siately solidity that one expects to see
in a government institution."r6 In 1881, Dr. Smith reported that one of
the sick had developed typhoid fever and that there was no isolation
ward. The sisters managed to separate him from the others but only at
great inconvenience. An isolation ward for the worst cases was finally
built in 1882. The allocation from the federal sovernent remained at or
near $3,000 annually, about the same as whit it had been under the
orovincial authoritv.
Nearly forty yearshad pas
made to control the diseaseand
of the lazaretto seemedto resl
the generalpublic. Throughou
politicians, and clergy madeth
rlowing over the frozen surface of
nt, the committeemembers found
s report, but they refused to single
rd for poor conduct. Instead, thiy
nembersof the Board be removed
ls acceptedby the governmentand
nmichiAdrancecalledthe committee
e paperprotestedagainstthe disilty of charges
as well as thosewho
public interesl."tr
the Legislatureof New Brunswick
,dams,P. A. Landry, and the Provr. FatherL. A. H. Alain, Reverend
secretary-tleasurer.
ry in any case.By July of i879, both
)n to transferthe hospital. it would
'al Department
of Agriculture.Ferur Acad[en,
wrote,"The decisionis
all partieswill benefit . . . First of
llow for the constructionof a wino
rfterthat we hope a g."ut"itutitrdE
l the employmentand dispersalof
Nearly forty years had passedsincethe first tentative attemPtswere
made to control the diseaseand carefor the victims. The federaltakeover
of the lazaretto seemed to result in a renewed curiosity on the part of
the general public. Throughoui the 1880s,a steady stream of reporters,
politicians, and clergy made their way to the Tracadiehospital.
till a lonq wav off. Actuallv.under
thesisteishad directionund morrlowance (it was too small to be
l0 a year. There were now eleven
ho had chargeof sixteenpdtients.
lplainand received$[00 annually.
tme four times a year and was to
. documentacceptingthe terms of
uBrunswickLegislatureNovember
given by the federal government
to build a kitchen, laundry, and
herewere no funds left for further
patientswas out of the question
n scarcelybe called a triumph of
ely solidity that one expectsto see
11,Dr. Smith reported that one of
r and that there was no isolation
le him from the others but only at
rd for the worst caseswas finallv
federalgovernentremained at or
e as what it had been under the
93
7
FEW UNDERS
There is, in fact, about the w
mates-their sufioundings,s
of dejectedness,that a travel
might be tempted to exclaim
Reader,the funerealvill
cadie . . .
A woman patient, 1886.Mus6e Historique de Tracadie.
Tracadieis very quiet in its l
bav stretchesa high, red ric
cluster of large white buildi
waves. A little steamerplies
on the shore. Here and the
Greatflocksof wild fowl fly s
sand come the voicesof chil
Tracadieis a smalland disma
of Gloucester.. . The hous
shore facing the Gulf of St.
q u a g m i r e . . . T h e v i l l a g ei t s
keep up an everlastingsobb
it is 'a settlementof misery'
A woman patient, circa 1900.P.A.C. PA-135723
94
I visited TracadieSunday,J
New York accompaniedme
took advantageof the goodl
for supper and lodging. At I
the belfry of an ancientRor
bay announced the first ma
with FrenchAcadiansgoing
carriagesbut most wete or
old...Afewofthemwere
miles. One man who walked
It was warm. The air was .
tr
I
II
'
I5
FEW UNDERSIAND ouR PosITlON
- ! * 'I l
.l
There is, in fact, about the whole landscape-the dwellings-their inmates-thefu surroundings, such a cold, hopeless,all-pervading sense
of dejected
ness.that a t ravelleriournel rng through thii dismaI coun try
might be lempted to e\claim:"ls not ihi. placeiccur:edl" . . .
. Reader, the funereal village we have just sketchedis that of Tra,
caalre.
J. M. LeMoine
TheChronicles
of t'heSt. Laurchce,1878
s€eHistoriquede Tracadie.
Tracadieis very quiet in its lovely beauty. Across the entrance to the
bay stretchesa high, red ridge of sand called the Dune; on this is a
cluster of large white buildings that seem to rise abruptly from the
waves. A little steamerplies busily from the harbour bar to a saw-mill
on the shore. Here and there a sail-boat glides over the blue water.
Creat flocks of wild fowl f1yscreamingout to sea,and acrossthe shining
sand come the voicesof childrenat play.
A. M. Pope
CatholicWotld, Vol. XXXVI
March 1883
Tracadieis a small and dismal villaqe lying in the marshesof the Countv
of Gloucester. . . The houses are"smill ind poverty stricken, and th'e
shore facing the Gulf of St. Laurence is a dreary waste of sand and
q u a g m i r e. . . T h e v i l l a g ei t s e l fi c d e 5 e r t e a
d n d t h e w a t e r <o t t h e g u l f
k e e pu p a n e v e r l a \ t i n sgo b b i n go,n t h e b l e a ks h o r es o t h e A c a d i a n s - s a v
i t i s ' a \ e t t l e m e not l m i . e r y ' .
TheDnilV Telegnph(SaintJohn, N.B.)
July 10, 1880
00.P.A.c. PA-7357.
I visited Tracadie Sunday, July 16. Honorable Athur D. Williams of
New York accompaniedme. . . There was no hotel in Tracadie.We
took advantageof the goodnessof Mr. lohn Young, the richest citizen
for supper and lodging. At sunrise the next morning the small bell in
the belfry of an ancient Roman Catholic chapel facing the wide blue
bay announcedthe first mass. . . At 10 thq dusty roads were filled
with French Acadiansgoing to church. A small number camein dckety
carriagesbut most were on foot. They came in groups yo.rng and
old . . . A few of them were up at dawn and had wilked teh or twelve
miles. One man who walked with ctutcheslived sevenmiles from there.
It was warm. The air was filled with mosquitos and blackflies. The
95
devoted sat on a large pile of corded wood near the priest's house and
waited for the ringing of the bell.
Siska
Le MoniteurAcadien(Shediac,N.B.)
September7, 1882
The lazaretto [is] a bleak and gloomy edifice, with sombre and dismal
surroundings. ln the upper window the lepers who have not yet been
rendered sightlessby the diseasekeep watch on the fishing smacksas
they ply between the beach and the fishing banks; but the lower windows are darkened, for the inmates of that section of the building do
not know night from day.
(SaintJohn, N.B.)
TheDaily Telegraph
July 10, 1880
There is the muffled toll of the convent-bell. From the hospital door,
acrossthe green lawn, and out to the gate moves a processionof meni
they are lepers, and they carry a coffin. At the gate they stop: they may
go no further. Hired hands then seize the coffin and bear it over the
little bridge and along the stony beach. In one corner of the cemetery
is an open grave,around it are many mounds, eachmarked by a simple
wooden cross.The coffin of this last victim is lowered, the earth thrown
in, the men turn away, and the blue waves splashingagainstthe grassgrown bank sing the last requiem of the little sufferer.
A.M. Pope
CatholicWorkl, Vol. XXXVI
March 1883
While we crossedthe small rustic bddge near the lazaretto we could
hear the plaintive notes of the violin. The melody was sweet and sad,
the musician was a leper who passedthe long hours this way.
Siska
Le Monite r Acadien(Shediac,N.B.)
September7, 1882
In the evening, as we left the place, the men were coming up that Via
Dolorosafrom the shore, slowly and painfully making their way back
to spend another lon8 night in thet living tomb-a line oI God's images
disfigured and defiled.
Beachcomber
TheHalifaxChronicle(Halifax, N.S.)
After 1897
After mass we visited the lazaretto. Mgr. Rogers, Mgr. Sweeny, the
former Chaplain, Mgr. Duhamel, the apostolicprefectfrom Newfoundland, Vicaire General Langevin, the Chaplain of the lazaretto and another priest . . . The lepers were sitting down in front of us. Each of
96
the Bishops addressdthem bd(
to have patience and to join tl
Saviour . . .
After this one of the Sentle
BjshopRogers.He thankedhim
bringing the Sood sistersto tak
'C'estnssez',it is enoughthtt
and0
ones,with all their infections
no longerwalk into my own Ynrd.
doorwatlandwatchtheroad.It is en
hasbeendeniedme. Theywill not I
the storiesI haaeto tell. It is enou
up with thestnresol strnngers.
Alwaystheylookat me.AlwaY
I try to hidethemundermy a?ron
staringuntil I forgetand thehand
themto looknt, just stumpsbut th
'la
bu
I am still t'reeof maladie'
'la
heal.I knewtheyare not like m
knowthe signsbut no lne will liste
Anyway, I couldnot ualk abo
qt a time whenenergywasrceded
had to carefor him and keePher s
was bestfor me to comehere.I wa
theytold me Luc haddied.I hadet
At leastI haaeLucille.I amF
Fourteenyearshaae80nebysince]e
door.Maybeshewasnot so sick;m
In here,the daysnre long. Ti
summerthereis moreto do. LuciII
gnrdenawayfrom themen'syard. \
our own use.Wecan walkdowntr
t
anddaisies
flowers,the buttercups
in our chapel.Eaenwith mYhand
is a boqtand the mencnnfish if th
Wintersare long. Theuind o
Luminaput warm ashesin hersho
shakein the wind and thereis har
sit wrappedin a blanketandI wai
S
Lucillehelpsin thelazaretto.
Shecanknit n d utrd uool but she
arc no booksor pq\ers.
od near the priest'shouse and
GI
VoniteurAcadien(Shediac,N.B.)
'tember7, 1882
the_Bishopsaddressdthem briefly, e\horting theseunhappy people
to have patienceand to join their sufferingswith that of 6ui H;ly
>av1out.
After this one of the gentlemen in a respectablemanner addressed
Bishop Rogers.He thanked him for the zealbusway he worked . . . by
bringing the good sistersto take care of them.
John JosephLynch,
Archbishop of Toronto
Le Mo teur Acadien(Shediac,N.B.)
September10, 1885
lifice, with sombreand dismal
lepe6 who have not yet been
vatchon the fishing smacksas
dng banks;but the lower winihat sectionof the building do
(SaintJohn, N.B.)
Daily Telegraph
' 10, 1880
:-bell.From the hospital door,
te movesa processionof men;
\t the gatethey stop: they may
;he coffin and bear it over the
In one cornerof the cemetery
mds, eachmarkedby a simple
mis lowered,the earth thrown
es splashingagainstthe grassr litde sufferer.
4. Pope
'rolicWorld,Vol. XXXVI
rch 1883
ie near the lazarettou/e could
re melodywas sweetand sad,
Lelong hours this way.
ia
r'loniteur
Acadien(Shediac,N.B.)
temberZ 1882
men were coming uP that Via
infully making their way back
J tomb-a line of God'simages
chcomber
(Halifax, N.S.)
IlalifaxChronicle
lt 1897
tr. Rogers,Mgr. Sweeny, the
rstolicprefectfrom Newfoundtplain of the lazarettoand andown in ftont of us. Each of
'C'es,t
assez', it ls enough that I qm surrounded by ,les malades', the sick
ones, lt)ith all their infections and odours, fheir distortions. It is enouph I can
no longer walk into my own yard or cook oaer my own fire or sit in-my own
doorwayand watch the load. It is enough the sound of my grnndchildren s uoices
has beendenied me. They will not learn their prayirs ithy
skirts or listen to
the stories I haae to tell. It is enough, all thesethings, wiihout hauing u.tput
up with the staresof strangers.
Alway_sthey look at me. Always Soeur St. lean tells them about my hnnd.s.
I try to hide.the.munder
_my aproi but it's no use to do this. The wriier keeps
sttrring until I forget and the hands are out. There they are, I hold them up
ior
them to look at, just stumps but they haue beenthat way since Becs-Scies.
I am still lree of 'la maladie' but I haaelittle soreson mv feet that will not
heal. I knew they are not like 'la maladie'. I haueseenenouih of that illnessto
know the signsbut no one will listen to me. nn old womon ofTuer seuentyyears.
Anyway, I could not walk about the way I oncedid; nor work with energy
at a time zuhenenergy was needed.Luc was ill. My daughter-inJaw, lsabel'ii,
had to care for him and keep her six young ones
fid and clothed. I decidedit
was bestfor me to come here. I was onlV three months in the lqzaretto uhen
lhey told me Luc had died. I had expettcA it uould happen.
At least I haae Lucille. I nm proud of her. Her face is clear and beautiful.
_
F.ourteenyears,haaegone by sincelesn-Baptisteand I brought her to the lazaietto
door. Maybe she uas not so sick; maybeshe could haae beenhome with us.
In here. the days are long. Time lo sit and think nbout the past. In the
\ummer lhere is morc to do. Lucilleand I and someof fhe othcr womenhauea
garden away fr_omthe men's yard. We grow potatoes'qndsometurnips just
for
our oTrn Llse.We cen walk down to the shore, those who wqnt to. I liie wildflowers, the buttercupsarul daisiesand forget-me-nots.I pick thosefor the altar
in our chapel. Luen with mv hands injurid. there is a lot thot I cin do. There
is a boal and the men cnn fish if they want or hunt.
Winters are long. The wind off the ice is sharp, the buitdins old. Soeur
Lumina put warm ashesin her shoesto keepher feit from freeziip. The walls
shakein the wirul and there is hardly a correr witere you don't fe;l the cold. I
sit wrapped in n blankef ond I wail lor the hours to git br1.
Lucille helps in the lazaretto. Sheis cheerfuland a faaoritewith the sisters.
Shecqn knit and card.usoolbut she cannot wiaue. She learnedto read but there
are no booksor pqpers.
91
The young ones go out whett therl cat1, e71enin tlt cold, Therl hnue tort
much energy to stqy lockedup in s hosPital. Others are bedridden,or blind, or
hauesore legs und cnnnot wslk.
Of course, it is much better for us than it euer tttqstuhenwe uere on Becs'ls
mnladia' fuId
Scies;and you catltlot know hoti bad it w(rs uhen thoseuith
no one to carefor them here in Tracadie.I try to tell fhe others sometinlesbut
it' you were not there, if you did rtot seeyourself thesethings . . . if wns n long
time ago.
Anyway,I won't let anyonecomplainaboutthe sisters.Thetllisten fo me,
'the
oklestleper' in the Trncndie
I am the oldest;the paperssarl
the others,because
Iazaretto.
It was the custom for visitors to introduce themselves to Father
Babineau first. The priest's residence and the small wood frame church
were only a short walk from the hospital. Father Babineau would escort
the guest over the footbridge and down the path to the lazaretto All
the buildings were beside the shore. People who came to visit the lazaretto entered the main door that faced the sea. Father Babineau would
ring the bell and a sister would open a wicket in the door. After a lew
words of introduction from the priest, she would usher everyone into
a reception room. It was usually Soeur St. lean and Father Babineau
who gave their guests a general history of the lazaretto and leprosy
diseasein New Brunswick; but, it appears, they knew little or nothing
about the Miramichi cases. After this, the Suests were given a tour of
the hospital. The results of these visits were a series of first-person
accounts as varied as the personalities of the visitors.
Some painted Tracadie, the church, the people, the hospital, and
the sea in a single shade of slate gray. Others washed the village in rosy
tones with lots of artificial sweetener on the landscape.
Beachcomber, who wrote in The Halifax Chronicle, hardly allowed a
dose of reality to mar the somber beauty of his prose. "There is a locai
story well-known and the saddest of all," he writes at one Point, and
proceeds to recount a tale of a young woman engaged to a "seafaring
man." While at sea, the young man developed leprosy and word was
sent to the priest to break the news to the young lady, but he hadn't
the heart. "The maiden, watching eagerly for the ship and her lover
and ran joyously to the Pdest to tell him the good
saw it coming .
news . . ." When she learned that "she and her lover were dead to each
other forever on earth," the heartbroken lass went off to Montreal and
entered a convent. Later she returned to Tracadie to nurse lepers and,
you guessed it, among them was her lover.r That tale rnust have been
a total revelation to the sisters, the lazaretto patients, and the people of
Tracadie.
Other articles took a less romantic turn. "It was a harrowing sight
to look upon the lepers. Hideous distortions, dreadful swellings and
sores were visible, and the dull sodden hopeless look on some faces
was pitiful in the extreme," wrote a reporter from The Daily Sun Sainl
John.'?
Few reporters caPtured the
Siska, a wrlter trom Tfte Ne? Y
When Siska, accomPaniedbY tht
York, entered the men's ward,
where thev were enioYing a mea
aDpearancePitiful. Two of thes€
ron, not the same Michel Doiro
time of the fire in 1852, a fisht
cabin by Tracadie BaY, sat.andI
way. When the Priest had asK
onlv obiection was the loss ot
-uit, -ith a black beard, smoki:
of nature . . . Not long ago a Yo
walked twentY-five miles to se€
his parents' home and returne(
Only one Patient sPoke En
old wood cutter and tefiYman
because You can't see the marks
at my hinds " The lines of his
of hii skin shone as if theY wer
len. Mr. No6l said, "All of Yo
see mv bodY." Mr. Noel told tl
toms in the sPring. "l worked
of the Miramichi River, and on
on mv leg." At first he Paid
condiiionlecame worse "l ca
the sisters and to find out wh
and there You have it l'm her
not having books and newsPaP
Upstairs in the women's v
of the diseasesat in a line, the
were sisters and cousins amo
cative." One of the women hr
hidine her hands under her a
u. u."g.Y gesture and brough
not identifY her but trom hts I
this, Siska-said, the old womr
charming face . . . but she wa:
by one like her mother'"a
Also in the women's warc
eieht-vear-old dwarf "She w
roiv.'t Bli.td and severelY han
receive visitors "in sPite of ou
Siska said the men on on(
saw each other. "There wasn'
A laundress and a Young fen
these two, the sisters did all t
In the wards, the beds
can, e71en
in the cok1. They lnre too
ital. Othersare bedridden,or bllntl, or
\sn it (uer uas when we were ou Becsu)nsuhen fhlse utith 'la mnlodie' hnd
. I try t0 tell the otherss(nletines bLtt
lourselfthesethitlgs . . . it uas n lot14
in aboutthe sisters.They lisfen to nc,
'erssay 'lhe old?slleper iu theT,acacli
:o introduce themselves to Father
and the small wood frame church
rital. Father Babineau would escort
Dwn the path to the lazaretto. All
People who came to visit the laredthe sea.Father Babineauwould
r a wicket in the door. After a few
rt, she would usher everyone into
eur St. Jean and Father Babineau
rtory of the lazaretto and leprosy
pears, they knew little or nothing
i, the guests were given a tour of
isits were a series of first-person
rsof the visitors.
' c h , t h e p e o p l e ,t h e
h o s p r t a l .a n d
'i.,
vtners wa\ned tt'teVtllageln roqy
on the landscape.
Halifax Chronicle,hardly allowed a
Lutyof his prose. "There is a local
all," he writes at one point, and
;_womanengaged to a "seafaring
developed leprosy and word was
to the young lady, but he hadn't
lgerly for the ship and her lover
to the pdest to tell him the good
Leand her lover were dead to each
<enlasswent off to Montreal and
I to I racadieto nurse ieper\ and
l o v e r . rI h a t t a l e m u s t h a v e b e e r ,
;arettopatients, and the people of
c turn. "lt was a harrowing sight
itortions, dreadful sn'ellings and
len hopeless look on somi face*
:eporter from The Dnily sr/fl Saint
Few reporters captured the atmosphere of the lazaretto as well as
Siska, a writer from Tlrs Neu' York Silt who visited on July 16, 1882.
When Siska. accompanied bv the Honorable Arthur D. Williams of New
York, entered the men's wird, several Patients got up from the table
where they were enjoying a meal. Others "stood in line, heads lowered,
appearancepitiful. Two of these were children." One man, Michel Doiron, not the same Michel Doiron who had been in the lazaretto at the
time of the fire in 1852, a fisherman who lived for twenty years in a
cabin by Tracadie Bay, sat and faced the sun coming in from the doorway. When the pdest had asked him to go to the lazaretto, Michel's
oniv obiection was the loss of his solitude. Now he sat silently, a big
man, with a black beard, smoking a pipe and "looking for the cornpanv
of nature . . . Not long ago a young man of 19 escapedthe lazaretto and
walked twenty-five miles to see his mother. He stayed several h..rursin
his parents' home and returned less troubled."'
Only one patient spoke English Pierre Nodl, a twenty-eight-yearold wood cutter and ferryman. "You seem surprised to see me here
'la
maladie,' " he said to Siska. "Look
becauseyou can't see the marks of
at my hands." The lines of his hands seemed laced in silver. The pores
of hii skin shone as if they were silver powder. His forehead was swollen. Mr. Nodl said, "All of your doubts would disappear if 1'ou could
see my body." Mr. Nodl told the visitors that he first noticed the svmPtoms in the spring. "I worked on a woodlot on the nofthwest Branch
of the Miramiihi River, and once after I went to bed I saw a vellow sPot
on my leg." At first he paid no attention to the symptoms but his
condiiion became worse. "I came here on the advice of a friend, to see
the sisters and to find out what I had. She told rne I had'la maladie'
and there vou have it. I'm here for life." Mr. Noel said that he rnissed
not havingbooks and newspapers and Siskapromised to send him sone.
Upstairs in the women's rvard "fourteen r^/omenin different stages
of the disease sat in a line, their hands crossed and eves lowered There
were sisters and cousins among them . . . They were non-communicative." One of the women heard Soeur St. fean remark that she rt'as
hiding her hands under her apron. "She pushed aside her apron with
an angry gesture and brought forward two dried stumps " Siska does
not ideritiiy her but from his desciption, he had met Marguerite. After
this, Siska said, the old woman called her daughter over. "She had a
charming face . . . but she was loosing the extremities of her fingers one
by one like her mother."r
Also in the women's ward, Siska met Elizabeth McGrath, a twentyeight-year-old dwarf. "She was attacked with the worse form of lepro;y.'; Blind and severely handicapped, she insisted on standing up to
receive visitors "in spite of our Protests."
Siska said the men on one floor and the women on the other rarely
saw each other. "There wasn't a man in the hospital who isn't a leper'''
A laundress and a young female were employed there, but other than
these two, the sisters did all the work.
In the wards, the beds were lined on each side as in a regular
99
hospital. The floors were washed every day. Each dormitory had a prayerstool "where the afflicted ones say their prayers on getting up and
before going to bed." The walls were covered with pictures of saints
and with slogans such as "Pour un moment de sacrifiie une eternit€ de
jouissance." (For a moment of sacrificean eternity of joy.)
Throughout the hospital, the floors were "as white as marble." The
large stove shone; not a spot of grease appeared on the lepers' clothing.
"Their aprons and handkerchiefs were as white as snow. The windows
sparkled . . . There was just one obstacle to their comfort . . . The buildings are a disgrace . . . The ceilings are low and the apartments poorly
aired."
Outside Siska met Mr. Nodl again and four of his companions. The
young man spoke on behalf of one of his friends, "He thinks one of
you is a doctor and will be able to tell him what to do. He was on the
sea but he can no longer endure the ocean air because his lungs are so
weak." Siska was not able to give any encouragement and ihe man
separated himself from his companions and walked towards the fence
that faced the bay.
"Nodl accompanied us to the end of the narrow lane which leads
to the open road . . . Two little Iepers walked beside us. One of them
said, 'If you please sir give me a penny.'" Siska gave each of them a
coin. "They couldn't have been more surprised if they had fallen into
a bag of gold. They flew like the wind into the lazaretto."
Mr. Nodl saw tie visitors were about to leave. "My God," he cried.
"Why can't I be well again. I worked hard. I never acted irresponsibly.
I iake a bath every day. I am clean. I cannot see why I am not cured.
Sometimes I think it is not leprosy . . ."
Mr. Nodl had been told by one man, who said he had the same
disease,that he had been treated and cured bv a doctor who said it was
scrofula. "ff I were treated for scrofula I believe I could be cured. Thev
say there is a doctor in Chatham who would cure us. I have spent
sleepless nights thinking of a plan by which I could go and find'him
and ask him to cure me. I have no money but I would work hard to pay
him if only he would make me well again."
As they lingered at the edge of the lazaretto grounds, Mr. No€l
continued, "Sometimes I find it hard not to believe that thev do not
cure us becausethey are interested in keeping us here." Then he seemed
to think about what he said because he added, "l know it isn't as bad
as it was when the yard was surrounded by a spiked fence. A few of
the men have told me how they were treated then. The sisters changed
all that. I have no complaint against them . . . It is not their fault or ours
that we are here. "
The time had come for Siska and his companion to leave. Mr. No€l
excused himself for having delayed them. "We see so few who understand our position," he said.s
A. M. Pope, who visited the lazaretto a month or two after Siska,
met Elizabeth McGrath shortly before her death. She was completely
t00
bedridden.While "sufferingmos
6
never murmuredor complained
Ior her, for the Priest,and for her
for the s
was readinqthe PraYers
andsr
hands
she held up"herlittle
wa
hosPital
in
the
With tlizabeth
of gentleand meldncholymein"
into the lazaretto
Pope said of the men's wari
that one is glad to find absenth
have managid to SivetheiraPar
Here theY sew, knit, weaveano
utrial 1nthg washingand^nursin
Amons all the Patients,l'oPetou
The piest and the sistershave"
titud'every foreign to their natu
and dccePtanc(
Resig,nation
be foreig"nto all naturesincludi
on alteriifeand future glorywou
all. As it was, the Patients,some
winter eveninqsthiY enjoYedda
who entertainidhis fellow-suff
Manv of those who met Sr
vears.Amonq them was Lucille
ih" time of hir death in MaYlt
age of thirty-iwo. Pierre Nodl a
years olq.
ln Aususi 1885,threeYea
I vnch. ArcibishoPofToronto,a
The
cierw, visitedthe-tazaretto
;'boysand gids,old
pital"l,
PeoPl
All were gatheredin oneot the (
visit was'iong,with eachPries
At the time of this visit,Lr
Marguerite,it must havebeena
"Whien called to salutethe mos
her chaPlain, she threw herse
blessjngand sheusedthestum
away hir tedrs." At this Pointr
On his return to Toronto,'
McDonald,the PrimeMinister
level in which the PoorlePers
ceilinqswere low enoughthat
to
t h e m i " l q a v ea l i t t l el e c t u r e
smel
the
mitorv, a"ndI found
the*." In the chaPel,w
"^ons
and the clergYand
oiher,
the
opPressive." Twenty to thirty
Fday. Each dormitory had a pravtheir prayers_on geit;ng up ana
l covered wrth pictures of saints
)ment de sacdfice une 6temit6 de
e an eternity of joy.)
's were "as white
as rnarble." The
appearedon the Iepers' clothing.
'as white as snow. The windows
:le to their comfort . . . The builde low and the apartments poorly
and four oI his companions. The
f his friends, "He thinks one of
him what to do. He was on the
cean air because his lungs are so
Iy encouragement and the man
s and walked towards the fence
of the narrow lane which leads
walked beside us. One of them
ry."'Siska gave each of them a
surprised if they had fallen into
into the lazaretto."
ut to leave. "My God," he cried.
ard, I never acted irresponsibly.
:annot see why I am nbt cured.
un, who said he had the same
rred by a doctor who said it was
I believe I could be cured. They
o would cure us. I have spent
-him
which I could go and find
:y but I would work hard to pay
ain-"
re lazaretto grounds, Mr. Noel
not to believe that they do not
eping us here." Then he seemed
r added, "I know it isn't as bad
ed by a spiked fence. A few of
eated then. The sisters changed
n . . . It is not their fault or oirrs
s companion to leave. Mr. Noel
m. "We see so few who undertto a month or two after Siska,
ler death. She was completely
bedridden. While "suffering most intense and unceasing agony"/ she
never murmured or complained.6 She prayed for the nurses who cared
for her, for the priest, and for her fellow-sufferers. "The sister in charge
was reading thi prayers for the sick at her bedside, and as we looked,
she held up her liltle hands and smiled . . . overcome, we turned away.
//a young married woman
With Elizatreth in the hospital was her sister,
of gentle and melancholy mein." She left a five-month-old baby to 80
into the lazaretto.
Pope said of the men's wards, "there is a look of listless sadness
that one is elad to find absent from the faces of the wornen who . . .
have managid to give their apartments somewhat of a homelike aspect
Here they sew, knit, weave and spin, and when the strength Permits,
assist in the washing and nursing, for which work they arealways paid."
Among all the patients, Pope found a "wonderful spirit of resignation "
The priest and the sisters have "instilled a spiit of meekness and fortitude very foreign to their natures."T
Resignation and acceptance of an incurable insidious disease would
be foreig-nto dll natures including Pope's. Onlv a great deal of faiih in
an afteriife and future glory woul"d have made the hardship bearable at
all. As it was, the patients, some of them, could play the violin and on
winter evenings they enioyed dancing and singing One of the Patients
who entertained his fellow-sufferers with violin music was Piene Nodl
Many of those who met Siska and PoPe died over the next few
years. Among them was Lucille Saulnier rv\o was near]y thirty-one at
ihe time of h"er death in May 1885. Michel Doiron died in 1887 at the
age of thirty{wo. Pierre Nodl also died in 1887 He was twenty-nine
years old.
In August 1885, three years after Siska's visit, Rev. John-Joseph
Lynch, Archbishop of Toronto, along with other members of the Catholic
clergy, visited the lazaretto. There were twenty-five patients in the hospital, "boys and girls, old people ofboth sexes, youngrnen and women "
AI were gathered in one bf the dormito es to meet the dignitaries. The
visit was Iong, with each priest saying a few words to the sick.
At the time of this visit, Lucille had been dead three months For
Marguerite, it must have been a sad period. Archbishop Lynch writes,
"Whlen called to salute the most Rev. John Sweeney who was formerly
her chaplain, she threw herself on her knees before him to ask his
blessing and she used the stumps of her hands under her apron to wiPe
away hir tears." At this point most of the others began to weeP.3
On his return to Toronto, Archbichop Lynch wrote to Sir John A.
McDonald, the Prime Minister. "I wish to lay before you the miserable
level in which the poor lepers are housed in Tracadie," he began. The
ceilings were low enough that his secretary _could-reach-up and touch
themi"I gave a little leclure to those Poor afflicted people in their dormitorv. and I found the smell intolerable; inasmuch as I was sitting
urnorlq th"-." In the chapel, with the sisters on one side, the Iepers on
the oiher, and the clergy and lay people, "the heat and odour was
oppressive." Twenty to-ihirty thduiand dollars, "a mere trifle for the
l0l
Y
Dominion government," would build not only a new hospital for the
lepers, but also a house for the sisters with a wide corridbr between.
He wrote "Superintendents of gaols, reformatories, asylums, etc., have
houses to live in apart from these institutions."e
While Dr. Smith's salary as visiting physician had been increased
trom two to three hundred dollars a year, and Rev. Babineau, on his
own initiative, succeededin having his salarv doubled to two hundred
dollars yearly, no salary increase had been given to the religious community sjnce 1868.This was in spite of the fact that they bore the greatest
responsibility.
There were now sixteen sisters in the convent. Archbishoo Lvnch
wrote, "The sisters for many years at the commencement h;d to be
supported in part from alms donated by the mother house in Montreal
and from other charitable persons." The sisters taught school in a building separate from the hospital. This school was pald for by the parish.
"I would take the liberty to suggest a larger remuneration for the iisters,
lor I am quite sure nune will envv their position . . ." .
NicDonald forwarded the Archbishop's letter to the Minister of Agdculture, J. H. Pooe. Pope replied to the Archbishop that from the
reports he received from iracaiie, and from his Depuiy Minister, Dr.
Tach6, "l find the condition (in every respectl of these sad sufferers had
been greatly improved; while . . . i hai-e to say to Your Grace, that I
have not had any official representations made to me calling for change.,,rr
In spite of the negative tone of Pope's letter to Mgr. Lynch, the
federal governmeit allocated funds for some necessarv-repairs.ln the
summer of 1886,Dr. Smith reported, "The whole interior ofihe lazarero
has been sheathed in boards ind painted." Verandahs had been added
to both floors with doors opening into the interjor. These improved the
v e n t i l a h o na n d " a d d e d m u c h t u t h e c o m i o r t o I t h e i n m a t e \ " ' r '
Dr. Tach6 sent a gift to the patients on his own, a second-hand
boat, reconditioned and newiy painted, and big enough for all. Soeur
St. Jean wrote to thank him. '''Naturally the firs't sail rias in your honour."13No further repairs were made to the lazaretto. The question of
an increased allocation for the sisters was not considered, ind would
not be for another fifteen years.
In the meantime, leprosy diseasewas a cause for concern elsewhere
in the Maritimes. Severil times during the 1880s,Dr. Smith made trips
to Cape Breton Island, to a remote part of that district known as Lai<e
Ainslie. His purpose was to observe and control the outbreak and, if
necessary,to brine the afflicted to Tracadie.
102
1A
LEPROSY
I visited and examinedcareful
following districts,viz.:LakeAir
Margareeand the Little Narrow
and their relations aPPearedul
malady. I found their neiShbo
with the history of each casei
Government should take some
First, I visited a familyofth(
for the existenceof lePfosy. .
of age, a native of Ireland . . F
shiri, England;married her in I
aged 64i was ill with leProsyf
death. She had five sonsand th
the samecomPlaint,viz.: Richa
from leprosy, aged 30; Wiltam
from leprosy, aged40.
'un
DuncanMcKinnon, ecos
bebroughtamon1us sincelhe Til)
camebi schooneiall the waYfrcr
uent down to meetthe boat.Wet
a
otherwomenwnitedon thebnlconY
nrftaed.
He lookd sadand he wasbad
d
us and no onesPoketo him We'ln
Iaznrettolike thosedo who hatte
SometinesI wouldfeelsorry.
. Eo
anduavs hedid not understand
to us siemeda strangethingto hin
E
EaenthosetahocouldsPeak
his aoicewas nearlygone.He cam
what the sisterscalledan adranc
hisown peoplewith no oneto talk
)uild not only a new ho5pitdl
tor the
.rsters_witha lride corridor
bet\aeen.
) r s ,r e l o r m d t o r i e sa.s y l u m s ,e t c . , t r d \ e
rnsbtutrons_
"o
isiting physician had been increasecl
's a.year,
a n d R e v . B a b i n e a u ,o n h i s
g hrs satarydoubled to two hundred
nad been given to the religious com_
-,ot the fact that they bore t"hegreatest
s i n t h € c o n v e n t . A r c h b i s h o pL v n c h
r s . a t t h e c o m m e n c e m e n th a d i o
be
t h e m o t h e r h o u s ei n M o n t r e a l
:l,by
r n e s r s t e r st d u g h ts c h o o lj n a b u i l d _
s schootwd\ paid for by the parish.
a mrgerremuneration for the iisters,
thelrposition..."ro
bishop'slerter.tothe Mj nister of
Ag_
I t o t h e A r c h b i q h o pt h a t f r o m t h e
and trom his Deput] Minister,Dr.
y.resPect)of these sad sufferers
had
I h a v e - t os a y t o y o u r C r d c e , t h d t
I
'nsmadeto me calJingtor chdnge.,.rl
rf Pope's letter to Mgr. Lynch,
the
lor some necessaryrepairs. In the
I n e w n o t er n t e r i o ro f t h e l a z ar e t t o
,
r n t e d . V e r a n d d h sh a d b e e n a d d e d
to the interior. These improved the
' comtort of the
inmates.;,i2
t i e n t so n . h i : o w n , a s e c o n d _ h a n d
r e o , a n d _ b r ge n o u g h f o r a l l . S o e u r
the hrst sailwas in your hon_
:aliy
r e r o t h e i d z d r e t t oT
. h e q u e s t i o no f
's was nol
c o n s i d e r e d ,i n d w o u i d
r was a cause for concern elsewhere
t g t h e _1 8 8 0 s D
. r. Smith made trips
)aft ot thdt district known
ds Ldi.e
: a n d .c o n t r o l t h e o u t b r e a k a n d ,
iI
?cadle.
r1I
]L-ll
LEPROSYIN CAPE BRETON
I visited and examined carefulJy several cases reported to
me in the
following districts, viz.:Lake Ainslie, Egypr, Lake;f La; i"
Noiti] gu"t
Margaree and the Little Narrows. The plrLes affected with
inl. air"u.",
a n d t h e i r r e l a t i o n sa p p e a r e d u n w i l l i n g r o g i r " f u f f p r r i i i u f o r ,
or tni,
m d l a o y . t . t o u n d l h e j r n e i g h b o r sd n d o t h e r \ v e r y w r l l i n g
to help r e
r^rth the hi5torv of each cace and apparenflv very an>.iou.
that the
u o v e r n m e n t s h o L r l dt a k e 5 o m e 5 t e p 5t o r e m e d y t h e p r e s e n t
evil.
F i r 5 t , . lv i , r i t e da t d m i l v o f t h e n a m e M a c A r t y a t L a L e L a w , n o t o r r o u .
.
. . . Otd MacArry 5aid rhaLhe has q7 yc,jr.
l:t-,]^":i'ill*
or
age, a natlve ot9lreprosv
lretand . . His wife, Betsy Hardy, came from york_
prince Edwari Islani. Sf," i"
shire,
a""a, *",
,England; married her in
aged o4; was ill hith lepro,y tor dbout live year.
cot,eO fre,
o e d t n . 5 h e h a d t j v e s o n s a n d t h r e e d a u g h t e r s .S o m e"lictr
ot hi, lamilv \ rrn
the sa.mecomplainl, viz.: Richard died fiom lepro"y, ue"J 50,
iohn a,"a
30; William died from lepio,y. agid 24: Vary died
:_1:l l:l'",y.aged
rrom
teprosy, aged 4U.
Albert S. Ashmead,
"Introduction of Leprosy into Nova
Scotia and the province'of New
Brunswick. Micmacs Immune ..
lournal Amerran Medical As-octat
i,,n.
Vol 2-XX 28 (1896)
DuncanMcKinnon, 'un lcrssqis,,q Scotsman,
he wasthe firststrangerto
be broughtamongus.sincethe Tingleyscameto Sheldrake.
Oi.. i,miin ona n,
0! schloneraU.,the,
way
Cape,
Breton.
A
wngon
t'rom the hospital
::y:, down to
_fr_om
went
meetthe boat. We at the hospltal'on et;it cirieux,; I and the
otherwomenuaitedon thebalconyandthemenwereoutsid.e
whenM.'tvlcKinnon
arriaed.
He lookedsadand he wasbqdlymalkedby 'la maladie'
. He tlid not lookat
us and no_.one
to
him.
We
didn't
know-what
to
sa|,
He liipei rrto tne
_spoke,
lqzareltoltke thosedo who haue,la maladieon lheir
[eet-.
leel sorryJor him hereamong,peoprewhoselttnguase
^_, ,?::^r!-,:::
:ould
and
waVsh( dd inot
understand.Luenour religionwhiahfuingssomu& comlort
to us seemed
a strangething to him.
who couldspeakEnglish
,could.not understantihim. Anyway
,-,^.r:-r,
!!:"1nearty.gone.
hr?
u.o\ewls
He camein luly ond he died in September.
Hi wis
wnar the ssters calledan adunnccdcose.He musl hauebeenlonely,
t'arlrom
his own peoplewith no oneto talk to.
Leprosy existed in Cape Breton for more than thirty years before
Duncan McKinnon was brought to the Tracadie lazaretto on July 15,
1889. As in Tracadie, the cause of the outbreak was unknown. One
theory circulated by the inhabitants of Lake Ainslie, a Scottish settlement, was that "the disease originated first from one or more parties
who served as soldiers in the plains of Egypt, and had carried the disease
into this country, about 1825."1
The disease was known to exist in Scotland and Dr. Smith implied
that ancestors of the Cape Breton victims might have had the illness.
Most doctors in Canada, including Dr. Smith, although they recognized
a contagious factor as well, still believed in the hereditary properties of
leprosy.
According to researcher William Fletcher, Betsy Hardy, the first
vichm, never came in contact with any cases of leprosy pdor to her own
illness. She first noticed symptoms in 1852. Eventually the local doctors
and a pdest who had been a resident in Tracadie diagnosed it. She died
in 1864. Five of eight Mccarthy children became ill and died of leprosy:
Richard, after an illness of 20 years; John who had been sick twelve
years; Mike (not mentioned by A.S. Ashmead), after an illness of ten to
twelveyears; and William and Mary, who were also ill about twenty
years. Betsy's husband, Justin McCarthy, was born in Newfoundland
but his parents were from lreland. Mrs. McCarthy was a native of Lincolnshire, England. They were married in Prince Edward Island in 1836.
The couple settled in Lake O'Law, Cape Breton.
There is a pattem of similarity between the Cape Breton victims and
those of Northeast New Brunswick. In Cape Breton, the first cases were
children and grandchildren of Scottish ancl Irish immigrants. They were
likely from families who went through the long period of economic
hardship common to new settlers. Lake O'Law, like Neguac, Tracadie,
and Pokemouche, was a remote area described as "weirdly beautiful
among the highland scenery, and unsurpassable in romantic charm."
As in New Brunswick's northern and coastal regions, the climate was
cold and damp with snow that sometimes lasted into June. Here too,
the inhabitants led sirnple lives, "rising and retiring with the daylight."
Their houses were heated with stoves and the old-time hearth; theii diet
was fish, potatoes, oatmeal, flour, beef, mutton, tea, and milk.
As in Tracadie, the disease attacked family members and friends at
random. Besides the five McCarihy children, Mary McCarthy's husband,
John Doyle, and two of their seven children became infecied. Another
daughter, Susannah, escaped the disease but her husband, John Cameron, became a victim. Their two children, both girls, remained well.
Catherine, a third daughter, escaped the disease but her husband, John
Conner, became a victim. Joseph Brown, a farmer, the son of Irish
immigrants, attended William McCarihy dudng part of his illness. At
McCarthy's death, Brown washed and laid ouf the body. He was the
next victim of the disease and before he died, his niece, Marv Rachel
Harris, picked up the virus. "Brown was blind and deaf and'she was
constantly at his bedside reading to him.",
104
Finally, as in New Brunsr
people in some casessPokeo
iomi of his interviews with tl
East Lake Ainslie, a seco
somemiles from LakeO'Law.I
but particularly scenicarea.T
fourbroad, surroundedbY hig
supplied by many smallbrook
by J small river, the Margare
William Fletcherwas amo
outbreak in 1880.He saidthe '
before they even heard of th
people in this region had alre
acteristic svmptoms ol lepros
and Sa
these.Archie,'Donald,
also farmers. They too died
Mclean were victims five and
had no traceof leProsYin thei
Besidesthe dead, there were
illness. Neil, 39, Margaret,35
sistersof Archie, all had deve
still in their teens.
Four years after Fletche
went to CapeBreton.He rePo
only one person who exhibi
after a carefulstudy of the cas
involved, he was convinced,
He concluded "LeProsYno lt
Breton."a
His report was a contrad
of those of Doctor John Cam
three vearslater, in 1888,Can
with ihe illness, including thr
Dr. Cameron met the I
McKinnon, who, a Yearlate
Kinnon's sister Flora, the m(
few months of age, exhibit
i l l n e s s . . . i s o f a m i l d e rc h a
Mary RachelHarris, the t
refused io allow Dr. Camero
was in the advancedstageof
symptoms given hirn bY her r
*ho had seenher a few mor
inflamed; face swollen, tuber
John Gillis was fiftY Year
eighteen. His brother, Dona
"John Gillis' neighborsrePor
clothes . . . JohnGillisdenies
for rnore than thirty years before
the Tracadie lazaretto on luly 15,
the outbreak was unknown. One
of Lake Ainslie, a Scottish settleted first from one or more parties
:Egypt, and had carried the disease
in Scotland and Dr. Smith implied
ctims might have had the illness.
f. Smith, althouBh they recognized
ved in the hereditary properties of
r Fletcher, Betsy Hardy, the first
y casesof leprosy prior to her own
L1852.Eventually the local doctors
in Tracadiediagnosed it. She died
ren becameill and died of leprosy:
;John who had been sick twelve
\shmead), after an illness of ten to
', who were dlso ill about twenty
rthy, was born in Newfoundland
lrs. McCarthy wds d native ot Lin'd in PrinceEdward lsland in 1836.
ape Breton.
:ween the Cape Breton victims and
n Cape Breton, the first caseswere
r and I sh immigrants. t hey were
rgh the long period of economic
. k eO ' L a w , I i k e N e g u a c , l r a c a d i e .
a described as "weirdly beautiful
rsurpassablein romantic charm. "
I coastalregions, the climate was
ltimes lasted into June. Here too,
tg and retirinS with the daylight."
and the old-time hearth; their diet
et mutton, tea, and milk.
.edfamily members and friends at
ildren,Mary McCarthy's husband.
hildren became infected. Another
e a s eb u t h e r h u s b a n d ,J o h n C a m ildren, both girls, remained well
lhe diseasebut her husband, John
:own, a farmer, the son of Irish
thy during part of his illness. At
rd laid out the body. He was the
r he djed, his niece, Mary Rachel
was blind and deaf and she was
Lim."2
4
Finally, as in New Brunswick, communication was a Problem. The
people in some casesspoke only Gaelic.Mr. Fletcherhad to conduct
iomi of his interuiewswith the aid of an interPreter.
East Lake Ainslie, a second focus of the illness in Cape Breton, is
somemiles from Lake O'Law. Here again the diseasestruck in an isolated
but particularly scenic area. The lake "is twelve miles long by two to
four broad, suirounded by high hills . . . Its waters are clearand linpid
supplied by many small brooks from the surrounding hills, and drained
by a small river, the Margaree."3
Witliam Fletcherwas among the first to investiSatethe Cape Breton
outbreak in 1880.He said the victims from Lake Ainslie had the disease
before thev even heard of the Lake O'Law cases.Fletcher found six
people in this region had already died "of a diseaseexhibiting the charlcteristic symptdms of leprosy.t'John Mclean, a farmel, was one of
these.Archie, Donald, and SarahMcKinnon, brothers and sisters,were
also farmers. They too died of the illness. Donald Gillis and Archie
Mclean were victims five and six. Both men were farmers. ThesePeople
had no trace of leprosy in their families prior to its appearanceon them
Besidesthe dead, there were three peoPle currently suffering from the
illness. Neil, 39, Margaret, 35, and Christina Mclean, 40, brother and
sistersof Archie, all had developed the symPtoms of the diseasewhile
still in their teens.
Four years after Fletcher's visit to the region, in 1885, lr. Smith
went to CapeBreton. He reported to the federalauthorities that he found
only one person who exhibited symptoms of leprosy He added that
after a careful study of the caseand family background of the individual
involved, he was ionvinced, "it was not leprosy but another disease."
He concluded "Leprosy no longer exists-if it ever did exist-in Cape
Breton."a
His report was a contradiction not only of Fletcher'sfindings, but
of those of Docior John Cameron from Port Hood, Cape Breton. Only
three years later, in 1888,Cameron visited the area.He found six people
with the illness, including the Mclean sisters.
Dr. Cameron met the fortv-two-year-old shoemaker, Duncan
McKinnon, who, a year later, went to'Tracadie with Dr. Smith. McKinnon's sisier Flori, the mother of six children, the youngest only a
few months of age, exhibited the symPtoms. Cameron wrote, "Her
illness . . . is of a milder characterthan any of the rest."s
Mary Rachel Harris, the tvventy-nine-year-oldniece of_JosephBrown,
refused io allow Dr. Cameron to examine her. His conclusion that she
was in the advancedstage of leprosy was based on a descriPtionof her
svmptoms qiven him byher mother. Cameron also talked to a neighbor
who hud se"enher a few months earlier. "Her eyes appearedsunk and
inflamed; face swollen, tubercular and ulcerated."
TohnGillis was fiftv vears old and had had the diseasesincehe was
eighieen. His brother, bbnald, had died of leprosy many-yearsearlier.
-J"ohnGillis' neighbors report to me that he wore some of his brother's
ciothes . . . John Gillis deniesthis; sayshe never took any of his clothes."
105
Families with members suffering from leprosy disease were subject
to the same social treatment from their neighbors that was given to those
in New Brunswick. Dr. Cameron said that manv in the irnmediate neighborhood believed the disease to be contaqious and were "alarmed at the
proximity of the disease to their house." The John Gillis family, for
instance, was in very poor circumstances. "No outsider will approach
his house, mingle with them or assist them in Putting the crop down . . ."
There were ten in the family aged from eight to twenty-one. Some were
not allowed to go near hirn. Two were working for the Cape Breton
Railway and sent what rnoney they could.6
Some years earlier, Fletcher had written, "The people look upon
the disease as contagious and are very much afraid of it, so much so
that the charitably-disposedhave been in the habit ofaiding the Cameron
family by leaving their offerings in a barrel placed at the roadside."T
In 1889, Dr. Smith had confirmed the existence of leProsy on the
Island. He brought McKinnon to Tracadie and he took steps to alert the
already-wary public. Reports of the disease reached the press. One Cape
Breton paper, The Island Reporter, accused him of negligence for not
placing all the cases in the lazaretto. The paper said the victims of this
disease were at liberty near Englishtown and were coming in contact
with other people. "These lepers make and sell butter to the merchants . . ."3 Dr. Srnith replied that the disease in Cape Breton had
nearly disappeared and fears of contagion were groundless.
Still, he wrote to the federal government, "There are two'susPected'
persons living ai Lake Ainslie, who refused to be examined . . . In my
last report I recommended the passage of an Act authorizing the enforced
examination and segregation of leprous persons . ."e
Dr. Smith undertook the management and control of the disease in
Cape Breton with the same dedication he showed in New Brunswick.
Of the several cases on the island in 1893, he reported that one was a
sixteen-year-old ferryman whose condition was dangerous and the
"travelling public was alarmed." Before the opening of navigation in
the spring, he would have seen that the young man was no longer
employed in that posiiion. In 1897, the doctor Prevented "The keeper
of a grist mill from ever again visiting ihe mill."'o When he was not in
Cape Breton, he appointed others he called "reliable friends" in the
district to monitor the activities of those he thought had leprosy.
John Joseph Dunber from Scotsville, Cape Breton, was one of the
'friends.'He wrote with regard to one individual, ". . . the
Precautions
you gave the family re Hector is not as strictly carried out as they promised you, they still I understand, sell whisky, and you might warn them
not to let him play any other Bagpipe. Very few people see him only
intimate friends . . . still he is able to be out around the farm."rl
Dr. Smith complained that he had a great deal of difficuliy in dealing
with the Cape Breton cases. "They refused to be removed to the lazaretto
and I have isolated them under threat of forcible removal."l2
In New Brunswick, the onli legal power Dr. Smith possessed was
given him by the Board of Health before the federal authorities took
106
over the hosPital.He was author
a suspectedcaseof leProsY"Thi
"but only on two occasronsnav€
in a menacing manner, have be
and have satlisteningbY the hou
managed in the end to examrne
In CaPe Breton, Dr' Smith
Honorable Mr. FieldinS,the Pr
request from Dr. Smith for a s
eiving me Powersof a Boardof
in thi meintime, I had all the
found unnecessarY."la
In both Provinces,oncea di
said, "MY next stePwas to Pr
Ieper, or'anY memberof the fa
thosewho wishedto give them
sure and ruin of business"l5 It
rivation followed a diagnosiso
in New Brunswick.
In 1893, Neil McMillan, a
Ainslie, wrote the Nova Scotia
behalf of Margaret and Christi
miserablehut, not fit for living I
it is far from being what it sh
neighbors helPing them in lood
tinued to live in this way tor som
whose diseasewas aPParentlY
1907.At that time, Dr' Smith r
lazaretto but since these were
shortlv before she was to leave
neigh6ors had continuedto Pa
It is hard to believethat Dt
individual has rights eventhoug
victim named Gillis was segreg
tain "where he died-a lePer'"r
to an upper room. His mother
When tiri boY'smother died tw
husband and father the need <
bed and bedding, clothing,dish
outside and bumed The toP fl(
put in its Place-all this at no (
These measureswere no l
him in New Brunswick. He or
bed, bedding, table,chairandd
ter County Jail He Savethe d
a mass of dischargingsoresan
to be leProus. On another oc
lrom leprosy disease were subject
neighbors that was fliven to those
hat many in the immediate neightagiousand were "alarmed at the
rse." The John Gillis family, for
Ices. "No outsider will approach
em in putting the crop down . . ."
r eight to twenty-one. Some were
rre working for the Cape Breton
ruld.6
written, "The people look upon
y much afraid of it, so much so
in the habit ofaiding the Cameron
rarrelplaced at the roadside."T
I the existence of leprosy on the
die and he took steps to alert the
-'asereached the press. One Cape
used him of negligence for not
'he
paper said the victims of this
wn and were coming in contact
*e and sell butter to the mer:he disease in Cape Breton had
;ion were groundless.
ment, "There are two'suspected'
fused to be examined . . . In my
)fan Act authodzing the enforced
s persons . ."e
rent and control of the disease in
. he showed in New Brunswick.
893, he reported that one was a
dition was dangerous and the
re the opening of navigation in
the young man was no longer
e doctor prevented "The keeper
the mill."ro When he was noi in
called "reliable friends" in the
re he thought had leprosy.
le, Cape Breton, n'as one of the
individual, ". . . the precautions
strictly carried out as thev promrisky, and you might wain'them
. Very few people see him only
,e out around the farm."rr
greatdealof difficulty in dealing
,edto be removed to the lazaretto
of forcible removal."12
power Dr. Smith possessed was
bre the federal authorities took
over the hospital. He was authodzed to break into any house containing
a suspected case of leprosy. "This power I still have," he wrote in 1906,
"but bnly on two occasionshave I used it. I have had guns fired at me
in a menacing manner, have been threatened with physical violence,
and have sat listening by the hour to abusive language. But I have always
managed in the end to examine the suspected Person."r3
In Cape Breton, Dr. Smith had no such autho ty. However, the
Honorable Mr. Fielding, the prernier of Nova Scotia, in response to a
request ftom Dr. Smith for a stronger mandate, "had an act passed
giving me powers of a Board of Health in dealing with these cases . .
In the meantime, I had all the cases corralled and proclamation was
found unnecessary."la
In both provinces, once a diagnosis of leprosy was made, Dr. Smith
said, "My next step was to prevent the giving of emPloyment to the
leper, or any member of the family while he remained with them. To
thbse who wished to give them employment I threatened public disclosure and ruin of business."ls It is not surprising that Poverty and deprivation followed a diagnosis of leprosy in Cape Breton, just as it had
in New Brunswick.
In 1893, Neil McMillan, a municipal councillor from South Lake
Ainslie, wrote the Nova Scotia Sovernment for financial assistance on
behalf of Margaret and Chdstie Mclean who were "living in a poor
miserable hut, not fit for living beings . . . and as to their maintenance
it is far from being what it should be. Supported principally by the
neighbors helping them in food and clothing."to The two women continued to live in this way for sorne years. Margaret died in 1899. Chdstie,
whose disease was apParently ariested, lived alone in her cabin until
1907. At ihat time, Dr. Srnith made arrangements to bring her to the
lazaretto but since these were not carried out, we presume she died
shortly before she was to leave. The municiPal council and charitable
neighbors had continued to pay for her support.
It is hard to believe that Dr. Smith could write in one report, "An
individual has rights even though he be a leper";r7 while one Cape Breton
victim named Gillis was segregated by him for several years on a mountain "where he died-a lePer."13 A Cape Breton youngster was confined
to an upper room. His mother, also a lePer, was similarly segregated
When thi boy's mother died two years later, Dr. Smith urged upon "the
husband and father the need of caution." In response, the "woman's
. were taken
bed and bedding, clothing, dishes, her rocking chair, etc.
outside and burned. The top floor was taken uP and burned; a new one
put in its place-all this at no exPense to the Department "r'
These measures were no less drastic than those recommended by
him in New Brunswick. He once ordered the comPlete destruction of
bed, bedding, table, chair and dishes-all fixtures in a cell of the Gloucester County Jail. He gave the directive because he said the Patient was
a mass of discharging sores and after hasty examination Presumed him
to be leprous. On another occasion, when a schoolhouse was to be
to'1
erectedin a "leprous districi" he made a thorough house-to-houseinspection of all children. "The school trustees will exclude those not
ricommended by me," he wrote.'?o
It is not surpdsing that with the threat of imposed isolation or
enforcedincarceration,severalpeople in both Cape Breton and in New
Brunswick left the area when thev realized their svmptoms could no
longer be hidden. "About three years ago one of tlie Cape Breton lepers . . . left for the United States," Dr. Smith wrote in 1896.The person
left to avoid segregation."He is at present in the State of Maine and I
am keeping track of his whereabouts . . ."" The doctor never specified
who kept track of this individual but a private investigator hunted down
JulieSavoiewho left the Tracadiearea.
Fleeing did not guarantee liberty to leprosy victims. Two young
girls fled from Tracadiein the late 1870s.One died in Providence,Rhode
Island. The other, Caroline Brideau,was sent back to the lazarettounder
escort. "We will endeavour to keep her here by force if no other way
will do," Father Babineauwrote "
There is some question whether or not Julie Savoie, who also escaped,even had leprosy. Shewas only seventeenwhen she left Tracadie
with the help of her parents to prevent Dr. Smith from putting her in
the lazaretto. She went to the Hdtel-Dieu Hospital in Montreal where
her condition was diagnosed as ca es of the bone. Doctors amputated
her fingers and toes. When she recoveredshe went to work as a servant
in severalhomes in the Ldvi, Quebecarea.
Dr. Smith took several steps to try to find her, including visiting
Quebec. However, he had to give up; Iater he was informed that she
had died. In 1906,iwelve years later, a detective Hurly of Quebec informed him that Julie Savoie had been located. Dr. Smith went to the
police station in L6vi to get her. In the lazaretto she was "put under
lock and key, as we were afraid she would try to escapeif she were
given the opportunity . . ."'3 For three years she was kept in this room.
Dr. Antoine Langis, who replaced Dr. Smith on the latter's death in
1909,releasedher. He said he found only the effect of leprosy on the
patient and mentioned her amputated extremities.
Dr. Langis wrote, "Miss Savoy has no parents nor anybody who
wants and would be able to take careof her so that we will have to keep
her here."'?aShe died on July 19, 1927of heart disease.However, thi
Cape Breton man who left for the State of Maine was allowed to stay
"so long as the Americans do not complain. I will keep quiet but the
time must come when he will be a sourceof danger to the community,"
Dr. Smith wrote.s
By ihe 20th century, leprosy had all but died out in Cape Breton.
What casesremained were thoroughly isolated;no new outbreakswere
reported. In terms of effectiveness,it appearsisolation within the home
was as successfula policy as enforced incarcerationin hospital.
In 1904,Dr. Smith wrote, "Of Cape Breton leprosy, I shall say little.
I wish to respect a request made by Honorable Mr. Fielding, when
Premier of Nova Scotia, ihat I would refrain from giving any publicity
108
to the existenceof leProsyon th
dants of those who were lePe
Society and are very sensitive1
diseasi of their forefathers."'?6
In Tracadie,too, the diseas
"There is not now one caseol
village. None have been admitt
many years; newcomersare mv
teen men and boYS,six womeni
now more than forty-threeYears
quarters. All suffereddiseasesc
conditions that were dePlorabl
ade a thorough house-to-house in)ol trustees will exclude those not
lhe threat of imposed isolation or
le in both Cape Breton and in New
realized their symptoms could no
rs ago one of the Cape Breton lep)r. Smith wrote in 1896. The person
rresent in the State of Maine and I
s . . .-r The doctor never specified
a private investigator hunted down
ea.
ty to leprosy victims. Two vouno
'ds.Onediei in Prrria*.", i<f-roA8
wassentbackto the lazarettounder
her here by force if no other way
r or not Julie Savoie,who also esly seventeen
when sheleft Tracddie
'entDr. Smith from putting her
in
.-Deu Hospitalin Montreal where
:s of the bone. Doctors amputated
'eredshewent to work as a servant
c area.
try to find her, including visiting
Lp;later he was informed that she
r, a detectiveHurly of Quebec inen located.Dr. Smith went to the
the lazarettoshe was "put under
e would try to escapeif she were
:e yearsshe was kept in this room.
)r. Smith on the latter's death in
I only the effect of leprosy on the
rd extremities.
has no parents nor anybody who
of her so that we will have to keep
27 of heart disease.However, the
tateof Maine was allowed to stay
)mplain. I will keep quiet but the
fice of dangerto the community,"
I all but died out in Cape Breton.
y isolated;no new outbieaks were
appearsisolationwithin the home
d incarcerationin hospital.
pe Bretonleprosy,I shall say little.
y Honorable Mr. Fielding, when
i refrain from giving any publicity
E
to the existenceof leprosy on the Island. Besides,many of the descendants of those who were lepers now occuPy important positions in
Society and are very sensitive to any reference made concerning the
diseaseof their forefathers."'?6
In Tracadie,too, the diseasewas in decline. By 1895,Dr. Smith said,
"There is not now one case of leprosy (outside the hospital) in this
village. None have been admitted to the lazaretto fuom this parish for
Thirmany years; newcomers are invadably from outlying districts."'?7
teen men and boys, six women and girls were confined in the lazaretto,
now more than foty-three yearsold. Nineteen sistersoccupiedadioining
quarters. All suffered diseasesother than leprosy brought on by living
conditions that were deplorable
Y
ANEW BUIL
OF SPEC
It is fair to assume that even a
inmate for life of a low-ceilinged
on a site so flat that there is no i
within and without it is imPos
the peculiar disease of the inn
sewage-soaked soil are constan
for new buildings . . is a matt
urgency.
That segregationofour lePersit
of no doubt. For severalYea
admitted to the lazarettofrom
malady. Recent additions to t
which relatives of leProusinr
years ago . . . in a very few Ye
past.
'LIrc
Nuns with two childrenpatients.P.A.N.B. P20-281.
110
fois',I onceheardDr. S
thfrnwe werenr
morecotnfortnble
tak that man and lockhim in on
him if he hadercr risiteds homeI
ThecuP
RatsareeuerYwhere
stealthe breadt'romow Platesif 7
to sleepto seethqt nonearehidde
night keepsus awqke.
adjointhelaza
Theouthouses
can befound to cleanthi
Trncaclie
wholebuildingis slantingdownu
oneof us in it. Welaughat thatso
no onecouldbefoundwh
because
thesnou
In thespring,Tohen
the larul to our door,seuage-s
T5
A NEW BUILDING IS A MATTER
OF SPECIALURGENCY
It is fair to assume that even a leper would shrink from becoming an
inmate for life of a low-ceilinged,squalid and rotting structuresquatbing
on a site so flat that there is no drainagefrom it and whose atmosphere
within and without it is impossible to pudfy, not only on account of
the peculiar diseaseof the inmates but becauseexhalationsfrom the
sewage-soakedsoil are constant suggestionof pestilence.The demand
for new buildings . . . is a matter of quarantine and thereforeof special
urgency.
TheMiramichiAdpance
luly 1,4,7892.
That segregationof our lepersis rapidly stampingout the diseaseadmits
of no doubt. For several years past, no leprous persons have been
admitted to the lazaretto frorn Tracadie, so long a hiding place of the
malady. Recent additions to the ranks are from outlying districts to
which relatives of leprous individuals have removed from Tracadie
years ago . . . in a very few years leprosy with us will be a thing of the
past.
Dr. A. C. Smith
Public Archives of New Brunswick
December31, 1891
'Une
fois', I once heard Dr. Smith say most of us were better off here and
more comfortqblethan we were in our own homes. SometimesI would like to
tqk that mon and lock him in one ol the wards for q week. Then I would ask
him if he had erer aisited a home that was like that.
)nts.P.A.N.B.P20-281.
Ratsare eaerywhere.The cupboardsand tablesare t'ull of holes.They would
steal the breadfrom our plates if ue let them. We checkour bedsbeforewe go
to sleepto seethqt none are hidden under the blankets. The rncket they makeat
night keepsus nunke.
The outhousesadjoin the lazarettonnd the pit is filled. 'Personne',none in
Troudie can be lound to clenn this out. The rats haae beenthere, too, snd the
whole building is slanting rlownwards so that one rtay it might t'all ot)er with
one of us in it. We laugh at that sometimes;how we would probablybe left there
because
no one could belound who would pul[ us out.
ln the spring, when the snow and ice melts ond when high tides wqsh oaer
the land to our door, sezoage-soaked
uater spills ouer the lower floors of the
ll1
lazarettokitchen.In summerthe hot weathermakesthe odourfrom the pits
'ga
worse.Themen'sward and dining room, pue', it stinks.
ln usinter,if I couldkeepthedoctorhere,I wouldshowhim how theunter
freezesin the pitchers,eaenin the daytime.I would showhim how low and
darkare the women'squarterswhenthe windowsand doorsare closedagainst
'la maladie'
thecold.I uould askhim how we, whoale not badlymarkedwith
,
couldstay day after day, in the sameward, with thosewhom'la maladie'has
theplqcewherewe liae.
rotted,eaenas the weatherdecaVs
Thereis no uset'or me to complain.My daysnre shortnnd soonI will be
and Luc and Lucille.I pray thoughfor theothers. . ,
w;th lean-Baptiste,
Lucille, spenttheir youth here.Maurice Benoitwas only
like
my
Some,
sixteenyearsokl when he came.He is thirty nou, Dr. Smith let his sister,
aswell;just hishands,
ludith, go homea fewyeqrsago.Mauriceshouklgo home
'la
Iikemine,aremarked.Theirfather,Xaoier,diedof maladie'a long timeago.
Theirmotheruserlto work hereas a cleaninglady.
Marcel LeBIqncis thirty-threenow but he has beenhere sincehe was
eighteen.His sisters,Marie and Adeline,died in this place.They are from
Shippagan.
losephComeauis only twenty-one,yet, he has beenherefor ten
years.He had a brother,Charles,and a sister,Marie Gillette;they wereboth
youngwhentheydiedin the lazaretto.
Sometimes
, I tell storiesto thelittle girlsuho areherenow. SuzanneLtgdre
is only tweloeand Marie Pozueris eleaen.Marie's mother,Maluina, keepsme
companyin thewardandher brotherBernardis downstairswith themen.They
arelrom St. lsidore.
Thereare otherswho are herewith theirt'amilies.OltsinePlourde,sheis
sixteen.Her father, Bilonie, is here;her brothersThiotime,twenty-one,nnd
loseph,twenty-nine,are here.A brother,Guillnume,and a sister,Lucille,died
in thehospital Thty arefrom PointeMarcelnearCnraquet.
HildneFerrt is eighteen.Shehasbeenin thehospitalsinceshewasthirteen
yearsold. MatlameForbes,shewas Marie Ltgire beforeshemarried,shehas
beenherelor two years.Sheis twenty-eight.GilletteParise,shewasa Gionnois
from PointeMarcel,sheis fit'ty-sixyearsold. Next to mesheis theoldestwoman
Let methinkwhoelseis in thehospitnl.It is n gameI playwith God.When
I saymy prayercfor the others,I nameeachoneand u)hatI knowqboutthem
It is a uny lo makethe hoursgo by.
lustine Commuis t'ortyJouryearsold and shehas beenherefor twelzte
is-twentyyears. Sheis not marriedandshecomes
from TracadieOliuierBasque
ihree.He's iust beenherea few months.UldericDoucetis nineteenHe comes
D'Assise
hasbeenhereonly a t'ewmonths.FranEois
from Caraquetand he also
'le
he is from Shippagan.
Basqueis twenty-eight. crois',I beliette
PhilippePlourdeis thilteenand alreadyhe has beenherefor tuo years
Plourdeis fifty-six, oneof the old onesbut not as old as me. He is
Stanislas
Marcel.
Pointe
from
Lamique.His sister
He is
Plourdeis only seoenteen.
Frangois-Zaaier
'la maladie'Iastyear. Rnymondfrom
thirty-thtee,is
Duguay,
died
of
Marie Anne
t12
anotherstrongmanshutaway.He
the outside.
No1;',let me teII you aboutth
keepsme busy; it keepsmefrom go
Mire Marie-AnneDoucetis th
yor
the same0s that of my second
How long hasit beensinceI sawht
MAreDoucetis notyetlorty bu
Sheis t'romBathurstandshetrain
a smartwoman,that one.
Shetold me that her brotherbr
and carriage.Whenhe returnedho
day." That wasa long timeago.Mt
I hatn.
SoeurSt. Ieqnis myfnuorite,t
hasthegift of healingin her
she
for
of her aoice.It is only thatsheis so
as oftenas we wouldlike.It worrie
will makeher ill. Sheonly laughsa
SoeurMaillet, sheis thehmd
out supplies;SoeurDaigleis in cha
SoeurSormany,sheis oneof th
life. I haoeknownher sinceshewa
I calledherAmandaat thattime.He
Iik the Youngfamily in Traudie.S
pharmacy.
is mainlywi
SoeurRobichaud
aisit us in the wards.SoeurElimb
andso
anda shoemaker,
a gardener,
SoeurMargueriteis thecooksowe
is our c
SoeurMarie-fus-Anges
yearsagoanrl that is why the sister
the
hercure,and thatwasa promise
in the attic abouethe conaent.She
thegentlefaceof an angelthatone
SoeurLouiseLigire is thetalle
is anotheryoung sister,just tu)en
theybringtheorgnninto
Sometimes
like
Ltgire's aoiceis the sweetest,
winrl throughthe trees;youcanhea
mo
is oaer.Sheis with theorphans
SoeurHedwigeis alsooneof o
sheletsfie
sacristy,and sometimes
Besides
caringfor us andtheli
andalt(
makethep/iest'soestments
Theymakethe wafers,thelittle com
to thepoor;makeclothes
t'orus; ma
mthermakesthe odourfrom the pits
'g pue'
,
, it stinks.
here,I uouldshowhim how the water
Ime.I wouldshorohim how low and
wi dousanddoorsare closedagainst
re not badlymnrkedwith Ia moladie,
trd, with thosewhom'la mrladie'has
rcewherewe liae.
My daysareshortand soonI will be
I praythoughfor theothers. . .
puth here,MauriceBenoitwas only
thirtynow.Dr. Smithlet his sisfer.
should
gohome
aswell;just hishnnds.
r, diedof 'la maladie'a long timeago.
dng lady.
, bul he ha<beenheresincehe was
e, dicd in this place.Theyare from
ty-one,yet, he hnsbeenheret'or ten
sister,Marie Ci ette;theywerebolh
irlswhoare
hercnow.Suzanne
Leg?re
'..Marie'smother,Maluina,keepsme
Mrdis dounslairsuith lhe men.They
lheirfamilies.OldsinePlourde,sheis
bothercTheotime.
fuenly-onc.and
Guillaume,
anda sister,Lucille,dierl
rcelnearCnrnquet.
t in thehospitalsinctshewasfhirteen
ie kgire beforeshe married, shehas
\t. GiltetteParisl,shewasa Gionnais
M. Nextto mesheis theoldestwoman
rl. It is a gameI playwith Cod. When
rchoneandwhntI knowaboullhem.
)M and shehasbeenherefor twelae
m Tracadie.
OliuierBasque
is twenty
llder[c Doucelis ninclccn.Hc rcmes
,nlya f?u)months.[ranqoisD'Assise
e he is from Shippagan.
ndy he hasbeenherelor lwo years.
Jldonesbut nol a, old os me. He is
een.He is fromLamique.His sister
'. Rnymond
Duguay,thirty lhree,is
anotherstrcng man shut away.He is morriedbut his wifeanclchildrenarcon
the outsitle
.
Now,let me tell you aboutthe sisters.It is goodfor me thisexerase)
tt
,
keepsme busy;it keepsmefrom goingto sleep.
Mire Mnrie-AnneDoucetis theMother Superior.I like her namefor it is
t-hesqmeas thll .o{ my setondyoungest,born qfter I gol out ol fhe hospital.
How long hasit beensinte I sawhei lqst . . . oh. that-isanothe:r
slory . . .
Mire Doucetis tlot yetforty but this is hersixth yearas 'MArcSuptrieure,'
Sheis from Bathurstand shetrainedqs a teacherbiforeshecamehere.Sheis
a smarlwoman,lhal one.
Shetold me that her brotherbroughther to the Tracadieconaentby horse
and carriage.Whenhe returnedhome,he told his mother"shewon,t [astone
day." That wasa long timeago.Mire Doucethasspentmorenightsherethan
I nnpe.
SoeurSt. lean is my fauorite,thelaztoriteof all of us whohqae'la maladie,
,
for,shehasthegift of healingin her touchand of sooihingpain with thesound
of her roice.It is only that sheis sobusy[n thepharmacythat zuecan't seeher
as oftenas ue would like. It worr{esme too that her lons hoursand little rest
will makeher ill. Sheonly laughswhenI say this to herl
SoeurMaillet, sheis the headnurse;SoeurLandryis in chargeof giaing
out supplies:SoeurDaigleis in chargeof the womens ward, . . ."
... SoeurSormany,sheis oneof theyoungonesbut shewill gofar in religious
life.,l haueknownher sinceshewasi l{ttli girl, zuhensheca-mihereto siudy.
I calledherAmandaat that time.Her fatherii a aeryitnportantmanln Ittmdq1e
Iikethe Youngfamily in Tracadie.SoeurSormanyassistsSoeurSt.lean in the
pnarmacy.
SoeurRobichaudis mainly with the orphansbut souetimesshecomesto
uisit us in the wards.SoeurElizabethis not in the wardsmuch;sheis a baker
anda shoemaker
shedoesthecleqninqin theconoent
, a gardener
, andsometimes
.
SoeurMargueriteis the cookso we don't seemuchof her eithi, justat Mqss.
SoeurMar,ie-des-Ange_s
is our cook.Shewascuredfrom consumption
a fan
yearsagoand that is why the sisterstookin orphans,Theysaidit wai a mirdcle,
herc.ure,and,thatwasa promisetheymade.Now twentf-t'ioelittle childrenliae
in the attic abouethe conuenf.Sheis well named,Mirie-Des-Anges,shehas
thegentlefaceof an angelthat one
SoeurLouiseLtgire is the tallestof the sisters.Shewalkslikeq queen.She
is anotheryoung sister,just twenty yearsold. Shewas prcfessedlast year.
Someltm$fheybringtheorgqninto thcmen'swqrdandlheysingfor us. Soeur
Legire'suoiceis the swcctest,Iike the soundsof the seaoi thisjhoreand the
wind throughthe.t-ree_s;
you,canhearit in your hearta long timeafterthe song
is ouer,Sheis with lhe otphanrmostol lie time.
.SoeurHedwige.isalsooneof our nurses.SoeurOcttnieis ln chargeol the
sacrlstV,and sonetimesshelets me helpher decorate
thealtat for Mais.
Besides.caring
us
for nnd the little orphans,the sistershauea school.They
.
makethepriest'saestments
and altar clothesfor thechurches
aroundTracadii.
Theymakethew-afers,.thelittle communionbreads.They giue
foodondclothing
to lhc poor:makeclolhesfor us; makeshoes.
113
Once there was a measlesepidemic anrl two of the sisfers had to go to
Caraquetto help look at'ter the sick.
They haaea large gnrden. They rnisech[ckens.They haaea cow. They knit,
cord wool, weaue,make bandages,sing ancl pray . . .
'Lespaurrespetitessoeurc' I ot'tenthink of themas I sit here. Their building
,
so near to ours, onlv the chapelsepnlatesus. The rats run lrom one aPartment
to the lther end in winter, ice freezesin their wster pitchers, euen in the day,
too.
In summer they hnoe to leare the cloorsopett to cool the plact. Sometimes
hets go into their sleeping quarters; epe11i cow went right into their parlor.
One night, fhey all awoke when a rooster who had hidden behind s curtain,
crowed.
'risipire',
consumption, inlluenza,
In our warrls and theirs, diseaselike
sore throats, measles,and chickenpox int'ectus. Sornelnue died. Soeur Sicotte
qnd Soeur Blanchardboth died last year. The only illness they hauen't taken is
'la
malaciie'and I thank God for thst.
hands. Carrying a candle and a bi
her way through the dark silent
The patients were awakene
busy elsewhere went to the wart
made and the floors were swePt t
was very poor and when Poss
this. the siiters served breakfast
The sisters shared the dutiel
ule. At eight-thirty and again a
rrnable to iare for themselves w
were dressed. In the old lazare
Disinfectants were aslo rare; cart
used. In order not to infect th€
Dincers.The sores of the lePers'
ilowly. Every precaution *as tr
fering. There was no room rn tr
the sisters worked in the dining
medicines and ointments were
The nursing skills of Soeur St. Jean attracted people not only from
Tracadie and the communities alons the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the
Bay of Chaleur, but throughout the province. People came from as far
as Saint John and Madawaska to consult with her.
Louise LdgEre was a child of seven growing up with her brothers
and sisters in Caraquet, twenty miles away, when her father injured his
arm while cuttinq wood. It was swollen and black with infection, when
he sought help a1 the Tracadie lazaretto. "Soeur St. Jean cut open the
wound and scraped out the infection. She applied some ointment and
re-bandaged it. A few days later, when the dressings were removed,
the cut was healed," Soeur LdgEre recalled. "Everyone knew of the
hundred and four
healing skills of that nun."l Sister L6gdre was one
-fhe
boundaries of her
vears old at the time of this interview in 1976.
world had shrunk to the four walls of a small room on the top floor of
the H6tel-Dieu St.-Joseph in Tracadie, a hospital that had been founded
by her community a little over three quarters of a century earlier. She
remembered Soeur St. Jean as "'une femme exemplaire', Eifted temporally and spiritually."
She was only fifteen when she saw Soeur St. Jean for the first time.
She had been brought to the convent to visit her aunt, Soeur Blanchard.
"Soeur St. Jean stood in the doorway, her head reaching nearly to the
toD of the frame. I looked up into her face and I knew I wanted to be
like that woman."'?It was around this time she began to play the organ
for the sisters on special occasions.
In 1889, at the age of seventeen, Louise Ldgdre left Caraquet and
'Les HospitaliCres de St.-Joseph'. Soeur Ldgdre recalled what
entered
Iife was like for herself and her colleasues. She took turns with the other
sisters rising at four-thirty in the morning to light the fourteen stoves
in the institution. It was very cold; sometimes in the winter, frost covered
the downstairs floors. Her breath made a steam in the air as she chipped
ice from the wash basin to get enough water to splash her face ind
It took a great deal of cour,
was on dutY when a new arrrvi
she put a basin of warm water
she uncovered the old dressinP
water. "ThankfullY," she told
dered him blind ":
For some, their first days ir
One sister had to leave several
sister, on her first daY in the r
feeding a very ill Patient. "The {r
her nose." All the sisterssald
first couple of daYs. "l didn't fir
"We all worked like that We c
I l4
It was Doctor A. J. Losier,
and raised in Tracadie, who tat
and he started them on the Pra
the lazaretto a few times when
The wards were seldom
addition to moming Prayers in
were spent in sPiritual reading
any considerable time were ti
att'ended to the laying out of I
of some of the men in the ward
All clothing, bedding, an<
The patients' laundry \.vasdon
One of the Patients usuallY he
nu", a ,.1116board and later b
summer, this work was done
munity room was used. The soi
with ishes. ln summer, the w'
'c and two of the
sisters had fo go to
e chickens
. Theyhaaea cow. They knit ,
andprny...
hink of themasI sit here.Their buikling
s us. The nts run from o e npartment
I thetr water pitchers,eaen in the day,
oorsopent0 cool the place. Sometimes
tn a c)w went right into their paior.
ter who ha.dhicldenbehind a curtair,
ke'resipire', consumption, influenza,
'fectus. Slme hauedied.
Soeur Sicotte
The only illnessthry hauent tal.cnis
lan attractedpeople not onlv from
t h e C u l f o f S t . L a w r e n c ea n d t h e
province. People came from as far
sult with her.
ren growing up with her brothers
away, when her father iniured his
en and black with infection, when
:tto. "Soeur St. Jean cut open the
L. She applied some ointmint and
hen the dressings were remor ed
recalled. "Everyone knew of the
6gdre was one hundred and four
w in 7976. The boundaries of her
f a small room on the top floor of
, a hospital that had been founded
quarters of a century earlier. She
e f e m m e e \ e m p l d i r e ' .g i f t e d t e m w Soeur St. Jean for the first time
t o v i s i th e r a u n t , S o e u rB l a n c h a r d .
', her head reaching nearlv to the
r face and I knew i wanted to be
time she began to play the organ
Louise L6gdre left Caraquet and
rph'. Soeur L€gdre recalled what
ues. She took turns with the other
m i n g t o I i g h t l h e t o u r t e e ns t o \ e s
etimes in the winter, frost covered
ea steam in the air as she chipped
gh water to splash her face anq
t
hands. Carrying a candle and a basket of wood shavings, the sistei made
her way through the dark silent building.
The Datients were awakened at six. All the sisters who were not
busy elsewhere went to the wards to recite morning prayers. Beds were
made and the floors were swept by the nuns. The air early in the morning
was very poor and when possible, the windows were opened. After
this, the sisters served breakfast.
The sisters shared the duties on the wards on an alternating schedule. At eight-thirty and again at four-thirty, those patients who were
unable to iare for themselves were washed and grooned. The wounds
were dressed. In the old lazaretto, there were no baths in the wards
Disinfectants were aslo rare; carbolic acid and creoline were all that were
used. In order not to infect themselves, the sisters worked with steel
pincers. The sores of the lepers were so Painful that this work was done
slowly. Every precaution was taken to keep from causing further suffering. There was no room in the narrow wards to do the dressings so
the sisters worked in the dining room. Here was a cupboard where the
medicines and ointments were kept.
It took a great deal of courage to undertake such a task. One srster
was on duty when a new arrival was brought in. To bandage his legs,
she put a basin of warm water on the floor and put his feet in it As
she uncovered the old dressings worms fell from his wounds into the
water. "Thankfully," she told Father Lajat, "the Good Lord had rendered him blind."r
For some, their first days in the lazaretto wards were very difficult.
One sister had to leave several times to regather her courage. Another
sister, on her first day in the ward, became physically ill herself after
feeding a very ill patient. "The food went into her mouth and out through
her nose." All the sisters said they became used to the work after the
first couple of days. "I didn't find the work difficult," Soeur L6gire said.
"We all worked like that. We didn't think anything of it."a
It was Doctor A. J. Losier, a practicing Physician in Chatham, born
and raised in Tracadie, who taught the sisters how to use disinfectants;
4nd he started them on the practice of using gloves. Dr. Losier came to
the lazaretto a few times when Dr. Smith was away or when he was ill.
The wards were seldom without one or more of the sisters ln
addition to morning prayers in the wards, "twice a day a few moments
were spent in spiritual reading." Those likely to remain in the hospital
any considerable time were taught to read, if necessary The sisters
attended to the laying out of the dead and it was they, with the help
of some of the men in the wards, who lowered the body into the casket.
All clothing, bedding, and bandages had to be washed by hand
The patients' laundry was done separately from the community wash
One of the patients usually helped with this chore. Washing was done
over a scrub board and later boiled in a cauldron over an open fire ln
summer, this work was done outside but in winter, the sisters' community room was used. The soap was made from boiled animal fat mixed
with ashes. In sumnler, the well supplied them with all the water they
t15
needed. In winter, some of the men in the lazaretto would go to the
river and fill barrels with ice water. When the weather was s; bad the
men could not go to the river, the sisters melted snow. It took two
women to lift the wet sheets, wring them out, and drape them over a
line.
Several times a year, carpets from inside the lazaretto were taken
outside to be aired. The sisteis shook these in the wind, or beat them
with branches. Soeur Ldg€re laughed to recall that the dust would fly
in their faces but none of them were afraid of catching ,la maladie,.
-_ None of the sisters got leprosy but tuberculosis exacted a terrible
toll. In one year. three sisiers died; ;11were in their twenties. On Tanuarv
15, 1885, Soeur Marguerite Hache passed away. The twenty-sir yeaiold woman had spent most of her years teaching. Eight months iater,
Soeur Marie-Anni Losier, the daughter of the f"orme"rkeeper, philias
Losier, died. She had been the first pupil in their school and the first to
be professed in the Tracadie foundation. In October 1885, Azilda Houde,
another young sister, became the third victim.
Dr. Smith, in his annual report to the government, penned this
tribute to them: "While in life it was theirs to soothe the sufferine and
comfort the sad hearts of those upon whom a mvsterious proviience
has
_laid_an-afflicting hand; now if is theirs to sleep their last sleep by
the lonely shore, near to those for whom they died. Earth mav erect no
monument to such unselfish devotion, but acioss the ages comes a voice:
'Inasmuch
as you do it for the least of my little one"s vou do rr unro
me.,,"
strong-religious convictions often succeeded in an age when
.Their
medrcdl knowledge wds 5cant. Two sisters, Marie-des-Anqes and Luce
Blanchard, also had tuberculosis. They made a sacred promii that should
they be cured,.they wo-uld start an orphanage. Soeur Marie-des-Anges
was cured and Soeur Blanchard's illness wint into a remission. As a
result, in 1888, a section of the attic over the convent was curtained off
and about a dozen homeless children were taken in. Soeur L6gdre slept
on.a small bed nearby. The care of the orphans was one oiher firit
assrgnments.
The sisters were subject to other diseases besides tuberculosis. Erysipelas frequently broke out in the lazaretto. The painful streptococcus
infection, characterized by a deep inflammation ofihe skin, in?ected the
sisters and their patients. Sore throats, influenzas, and fevers were other
illnesses that recognized no boundaries.
By 1891, two other sisters, Soeur Sicotte and Soeur Blanchard, were
seriously ill. Father Babineau wrote, "I consider that those self-sacrificins
ladies are more particularly exposed to contagion on account of thE
u n w h o l e s o m ec o n d i t i o n so f t h e b u i l d i n g s . ' , "
Father Babineau had been in Tracadie for twenty-two vears. An
active, ambitious administrator, he had just witnessed the completion
of a large stone church. Located on a cres't of a hill, it was some distance
away from the small wood frame chapel that faced the sea. Before the
work was quite done, he turned his aitention to the lazdretto.
116
In March o{ 1892,he Perso
of Agriculture. That Yearfouf
that measuredonlY nineteenb1
in this ward," he wrote.TThe <
for a sitting and dining room, a
repairs.A half storyabove,ele
samesizeas the men'sdormito
dimensions was equiPPedwitt
ing, and other occuPations.Ir
ceilings sloped and the light 1!
When the buildings werec
for ventilation. After the sist€
from the ceiling of eachward
even more unhealthy becaus
built on a wooden foundatio
around . . . had been aidedin
numberlessrats."3As a result,
bu
caved-inpit. The residence
in 1868h;d been enlargedat
growingcommunitY."But," Fa
intendedto be temPorary,sot
fortable."e
Three New Brunswick m
Gloucester,M. Adams from Nt
Restigouche,suPPortedRev.
randum to it on their own. Th
advisedly, that unlessa new I
may be compelled, for the P
whether or not theYshouldan;
Aduancepublished FatherBab
w;
the M.P;. FatherBabineau
and would never considerwil
are a misrePresentationof the
of charity and would continu
Father Babineauretumed
the successof his triP. He reP
that he had interested the g(
lazaretto,and that he had obt
a grant of twenty-five thousan
be forthcoming.
Mdre Doucet, SoeurSt. J
vember 3, 1891,had alreadYP
building. Soeur Sicottehad t
couragethe Patientsthat thinl
new lizaretto." Shetold the (
to help, "we will carry the I
scrimping, savingmoneyany
as far as Soeur Sicottewas
completeand Paidfor, shesai
in the lazarettowould go to the
hen the weather was so bad the
lstersmelted snow. It took two
lem out, and drape them over a
r inside the lazarettowere taken
thesein the wind, or beat them
to recallthat the dust would fly
fraid of catching'la maladie'.
rt tuberculosisexacteda terrible
'erein their twenties.On
January
sed away. The twenty-six year.rs teaching.Eight months later,
er of the former keeper, Philias
:il in their schooland-the first to
. In October1885,Azilda Houde,
. victim.
o the government, penned this
teirsto soothethe suffering and
whom a mysteriousProvidence
reirs to sleeptheir last sleep by
m they died. Earth may erect no
)ut acrossthe agescomesa voice:
rf my little ones you do it unto
)ften succeededin an age when
ters, Marie-des-Angesand Luce
nde a sacredpromise that should
hanage.SoeurMarie-des-Anges
rsswent into a remission. As a
)r the conventwas curtained off
'eretakenin. SoeurL6gdreslept
re orphanswas one of her first
iseasesbesidestuberculosis.Erretto. The painful streptococcus
nmationof the skin, infected ihe
nfluenzas,and feverswere other
:otteand SoeurBlanchard,were
)nsiderthat thoseself-sacrificing
o contagionon account of the
8s."u
adie for twenty-two years. An
Ljust witnessedthe completion
st of a hill, it was some distance
t that faced the sea. Before the
ention to the lazaretto.
In March of 1892, he personally presented a memorial to the Minister
of Agriculture. That vear fourteen men were crowded into one ward
that ireasured only nineteen by twenty-four feet. "I preach to the lepers
in this ward," he wrote.T The other ward, on the same floor, was used
for a sitting and dining room, and as a workshop for carpentry and shoe
repairs. A half story above, eleven women slept in a ward thatwas the
same size as the men's dormitory. A sitting and dining room of the same
dimensions was equipped with a loom and materials for sewing, weaving, and other occupations. In both roorns of the women's floor, the
ceilings sloped and the light was dim.
When the buildings were constructed, no provision had been made
for ventilation. After the sisters ardved, "one wooden pipe was run
from the ceiling of each ward to the roof." The air in the building was
even more unhealthy because of the outhouses adjoining. These were
built on a wooden foundation thrown over the ground. "The earth
around . . . had been aided in its downward tendency by the action of
numberless rats."3 As a result, the whole structure was sinking into the
caved-in pit. The residence built by the Board of Health for the sisters
in 1868 had been enlarged at their own expense to accommodate the
growing community. "But," Father Babineau said, "these buildings were
intended to be temporary, so that none of them are convenient or comfortable."'q
Three New Brunswick members of parliament, K. F. Burns from
Gloucester,M. Adams from Northumberland, and John McAIIister from
Restigouche, supported Rev. Babineau's brief and presented a memorandum to it on their own. They wrote, "ln conclusion, we beg to say,
advisedly, that unless a new building is provided very soon the nuns
may be compelled, for the protection of their own lives, to consider
whether or not they should any longer remain in charge."l0 TheMiramichi
Adaancepubli,shed,Father Babineau's brief as well as the statement from
the M.P.s. Father Babineau was quick to respond. The sisters had never
and would never consider withdrawing their services. ". . . the words
are a misrepresentation of the spidt of the Sisters, who do here a work
of charity and would continue it even at the cost of their lives."rr
Father Babineau returned ftom Ottawa to Tracadie optimistic about
the success of his trip. He reported to Le Courtier des ProaincesMaritimes
that he had interested the qovernment in the construction of a new
lazaretto, and that he had obtained a promise from the authorities that
a grant of twenty-five thousand dollars or more for a new building would
be forthcoming.
Mdre Doucet, Soeur St. Jean, and Soeur Sicotte, who died on November 3, 1891, had already prepared plans and specifications for a new
building. Soeur Sicotte had been particularly anxious. She would encourage the patients that things would be better, "when they are in the
new lazaretto." She told the others that if there were not enough men
to help, "we will carry the stones in our aprons." The sisters were
scrimping, saving money any way they could; the sacrifice was justified
as far as Soeur Sicotte was concerned. Until the new structure was
complete and paid for, she said, "We must be satisfied to eat old potatoes
|7
and treacle."r2In May, Ottawa sent an architect, Mr. Watts, to Tracadie
to look over the sisters' plans.
However, in spite of all the work and the high hopes for success,
they were disappointed. "It is with deep dismay that we learned by
telegraph that the federal governnent did not vote the funds," LesCorr
rier desProaincesMaritimes announced July 7, 7892. "The refusal to vote
the money for such a worthy cause is to shame our country in front of
the eves of the entire world."r3 The MirQmichi ,4d?at?cewrote that the
appropriation was turned down because the Plans and specifications
submitted by Father Babineau would have cost an estimated€ighty thousand dollars. "Whoever prepared the estimates could not have known
much about his business."rl
Father Babineau admitted he had given a rough sketch of what was
needed in the way of a new building in Ottawa that March However,
that was before the government architect had come to Tracadie. "We
presume that the government architect made plans and specifi.ations
and estimates based on the sketches and other data furnished by the
sisters . . ."15Father Babineau said that if anvone should be blamed for
the lack of an appropriation, it was Dr. Smith. Just before the priest had
presented his memorandum to the Sovernment, the doctor's report for
the year 1891 was tabled. The doctor Painted an oPtimistic picture and
concluded ". . . in a very few years leprosy with us will be a thing of
the past."'o
It is quite likelv that some members would think twice before allocating funds fdr ia buildlng that would soon be obsolete. The tone of
Dr. Smith's report changed drastically in 1892.That December he wrote,
"l found the disease cropping out in unexpected places, and I fear that
for years to come we may expect to meet with new cases . ."r'
Prophetically Le Coutier said the inadequate quafters were a constant source of daneer from disease to those who had to live and work
in them. At the start of the winter of 1893,nearly seventy people, men,
women and children, were crowded into the convent and the lazaretto,
a structure father Babineau said was "old, cold, and a pile of decaying
wood."r3
That year an epidemic of erysipelas broke out. In one eightday
period from March 5 to 14, five patients, Joseph Comeau, H6ldne Ferr6,
iather and daughter, B€lonie and Ol6sine Plourde, and Francois-D'Assise Basque, diad. "Before these deaths," Father Babineau said, "the
men's ward was so crowded that no new cases could have been admitted."r'q
Doctor Smith said thirteen patients had been ill with erysipelas,
some severaltimes in'succession.In addition there were casesof typhoid
and rheumatic fever. The sisters had been up night and day during the
worst of the epidemic. They, too, suffered repeated bouts of erysipelas
and other illnesses. Maybe because they were so terribly needed there
were no deaths among them that year.
In the meantime, the sisters revised their plans. This time the new
building was "perhaps more convenient and not quite so large.. ."
ll8
'?o
Father Babineauwrote The Pr
Ottawa. He followed uP his co
visits to the Ministerot Agnculr
he billed the governmentfor his
fro
The u n relentingPressure
so manv deathscauied bY infe
eovernment.BY the end of Marc
iifteen thousanddollars.The am
modest wood frdme structureb
wanted or believed was necessa
over the yearsand the dangerc
The rock could be quarriednear
A letterthat Rev. l'homasA'
'LesHosPitalidres'in
Jan
sent to
pdest
nor the sisterswante
th€
bv the works the sistersdid "in
so that I thought of makingYo
United Statesto edifY them as t
aid of your communitYl have-d
of Traiadiein which I know all (
The sisterswerequitewilli
915,000allocatedbY O-ttawaco
What funds wereraisedbYtheL
for a new convent and their oth
Minister of Agriculture, vetoed
(
severelycriticized if the sisters
required for their maintenance
No largeallocationwas for
did approve the revised Plans
dra*inqt *ere mrde, andFathe
ourchaiedtwelveacresof landI
iarouldnot be threatenedwith
zaretto and the adioining conv
300 feet bY 350 feet, resPectiv
t
The boundaryof the ProPerty
to the beach.
w
ln 1894,another$20,000
construc
for
ln March tenders
awarded to William Stewartof
other concessionThe buildin
first floor, and attic would hav
roof would be wood.
As constructiongot unde
oF
vardsfrom the old lazaretto,
hi
droPPed
had
thuthu.. He
'
leProsy
ot
subiect
the
to
time
The sistersstill had some
would accommodatethemselv
m architect, Mr. Watts, to Tracadie
rk,and the high hoper for succes>,
. oeep dlsmay thdt we ledrned by
rt did not vote the funds," LesCourd luly 7, 1892. "The refusal to vote
is to shame our country in front of
Miramichi Adosnce wiote that the
rause the plans and specifications
have cost an estimated eightV thou_
e estimates could not have i<nown
I given a rough sketch of what was
; i n O t t a w at h a t M a r c h . H o w e v e r
nitect had come to Tracddie. ..We
ect made plans and specifications
rand other data furnished by the
at if anyone should be blamed for
r. Smith. Just before the priest had
)vernment, the doctor's report for
painted an optimistic picture and
teprosy with us will be a thing of
berswould think traice before aluld soon be obsolete. The tone of
in 1892.That Decemberhe wrote.
rnexpected places, and I fear that
reet with new cases. .,,r7
inadequatequarters were a con.
r those who hdd to live and work
893,.nearlyseventy peopJe.men,
rto the convent and the lazaretto,
'old,
cold, and a pile of decaying
:las broke out. In one eiqht-dav
:s,Joseph Comeau, H6ldni Ferr6,
;ine Plourde, and Francois-D,Ashs," Father Babineau said, ,,the
new cases could have been ad_
Its had been ill with erysipelas.
lition there were cas"" of tyirhoij
een up night and day durine the
:red repeated bouts of erysilelas
ey were so terribly needid ihere
d their plans. This time the new
)nt and not quite so large . . .,,
Father Babineau wrote.'o The pdest sent a steady stream of letters to
Ottawa. He followed up his correspondence with frequent personal
visits to the Minister of Agriculture's office. After each trip to Ottawa,
he billed the government for his expenses.
The unrelenting pressure from Father Babineau, plus the reports of
so many deaths caused by infection unrelated to leprosy, moved the
government. By the end of March, parliament had approved a grant of
fifteen thousand dollars. The amount would have been sufficient for a
modest wood frame structure but that was not what Father Babineau
wanted or believed was necessarv. A stone buildine would wear better
over the years and the danger oi fire would be considerably reduced.
The rock could be quarried nearby.
A letter that Rev. Thomas A. Dwyer, a Brother of Charity in Boston,
'Les
sent to
Hospitalibres' in January 1893 contained an offer that neither
the pdest nor the sisters wanted to refuse. The Brother was attracted
by the works the sisters did "in favor of the poor lepers . . so rnuch
so that I thought of making your work known to the Catholics of the
United States to edify them as much as to invite them to come to the
aid of your community. I have decided to wdte an article on the lazaretto
of Tracadie in which I know all our readers will take a great interest."'r
The sisters were quite willing to Brant an interview. This way the
$15,000 allocated by Ottawa could be used entirely for the lazaretto.
What funds were raised by the Catholics of the United States would pay
for a new convent and their other charitable interests. Mr. Angers, the
Minister of Agriculture, vetoed the plan. The government would be
severely criticized if the sisters did not take from the $15,000 what was
required for their maintenance.
No large allocation was forthcoming that year but the Bovernment
did approve the revised plans submitted by the sisters. Architectural
drawings were made, and Father Babineau, on behalf of the government,
purchased twelve acres of land a short distance away. The new building
would not be threatened with high tides and spring run offs. The lazaretto and the adjoining convent grounds were to have frontages of
300 feet by 350 feet, respectively, on the village main road and shore.
The boundary of the property extended "11,622feet frorn the main road
to the beach.
In 1894, another $26,000 was voted for the building by parliament.
In March tenders for construction had been called and the contract was
awarded to William Stewart of Ottawa. Father Babineau had won another concession. The building, consisting of basement, ground floor,
first floor, and attic would have walls of stone. Floors, partitions, and
roof would be wood.
As construction got underway, another new structure, about 200
yards from the old lazaretto, opened. Dr. Smith had finally moved from
Chatham. He had dropped his pdvate practice to "devote my whole
time to the subject of leprosy."2'?
The sisters still had some problems to consider. The new lazaretto
would accommodate themselves and their leprosy patients but no pro119
vision had been made for the orphans. Nor was there space available
for elderly people, to several of whom they had recently given shelter.
As well, another need had presented itself to them and they were determined to meet it. Tracadie and the surrounding regions had no general hospital. The nearest one was fifty miles away. How convenient if
they could open a hospital wing adjacent to the new lazaretto, one large
enough to accommodate the orphans and elderly people as well as the
SICK.
THE NEW BUILDING
It is a massivestone stl
stories and mansardroof. Th
was begun on MaY 15thlast,
The structure is crucifor
feet 6 in. x 39 feet and the cro
distancefrom the old buildin
'
with a magnificientseaward
and miles of shoreon eithel
ground slopesdownward tor
d.rg.
The centreof the shuctu
The material used in bui
stone,quaried sometwelves
the lazarettoin largescows l
coveredin galvanizediron.
There is a well in the ba
supplying pure water- The b
ment to the level ot tne Srou
in the structure running thrl
supply heat.
The south wing of the m
the north wing that of the nt
The crosssectionwill co
druq room etc, and the rearI
cenial portion of the buildir
which will take in the height
the north and south wings t
a window directly over the r
In the lePers'wint the d
the above. There will be a 1(
This wing is provided with I
There i5 also in the winf
The wing that will be dr
will be thoroughly fitted uP
ends of the building, where
in the fresh air during the P
120
tns. Nor was there space available
m they had recently qiven shelter.
q rtselrto tnem dnd they were dee sunounding regions had no genfty miles away. How convenient if
cent to the new lazaretto, one large
T6
s andelderlyp"rpi;;;;;ii;ifi;
THE NEW BUILDING AND A PERIODOF CHANGE
It is a massive stone structure compdsing basement, t\,vo clear
stories and mansard roof. The work of excavatingfor the foundation
was begun on May 15th last, and the work on the building June 12th.
The structure is cruciform in shape. The main section being 193
feet 6 in. x 39 feet and the cross section90 x 39 feet. It is situated some
distancelrom the old buildings and occupiesa commanding position,
with a magnificient seaward view, as well as a view of the settlement
and miles of shore on either hand. There is excellentdraining, as the
ground slopesdownward toward the shore and a large sewer has been
ou8
The centre of the structure will be surmounted by a bell tower.
The material used in building is a handsome durable gray sandstone,ouarned some twelves miles distant and taken to the shorebelow
the laztretto in large scows.The sides of the roof are shingled, the top
covered in galvanized iron.
There is a well in the basement sunk 25 feet below the floor, and
supplying pure water. The basementfloor is of concrete,Portland cement to the level of the ground floor. There are five globe ventilators
in the structure running throughout, a fumace in the basementwill
supply heat.
The south wing of the main section will be the home of the lepers
the north wing that of the nuns.
The crosssectionwill contain in its front wing the receptionroom,
drug room etc, and the rear wing will be a vestry, one story high. That
central portion of the building. . . will be the chapel, a squareroom,
which will take in the height of two storiesand will be separatedfrom
the north and south wings by glass partitions, and will be lighted by
a window directly over the roof of the vestry.
In the lepers' wing the dining room and smoking room will be on
the above. There will be a room with two beds for very severecases.
This wing is provided with bathroom and all needful appliances.
There is also in the wing a small mortuary chapel.
The wing that will be devoted exclusively to the use of the nuns
will be thoroughly fitted up . . . Verandahs run along the sides and
ends of the building, where the nuns may take a little neededexercise
in the freshair during the period of their lonely vigils.
A. M. B.
TheDaily Sun (SaintJohn, N.B.)
October, 1894.
t2l
Y
,.
::
a
Women's room in the new lazaretto, after 1896- From Ft. Latat, Le Lnzirct de
Tracadie(7938). The elderly patient sitting could be Marguerite.
&e'
t
SistersH6loise Holmes and Marie de la Ferre with patient Hum Lee. Mus6e
Historique de Tracadie.
122
On thedaywe mouedto the.n
put n r\ckm
SoeurMarie-cles-Anges
ward. If wnsonly the t'irstweekin
my kneesand I hads fhickwoolsh
When sheftnishedwith me' t
DuRuavooer;wesatin a halt'circle'
Chias
o, ih, balcony,Marie-Ange
and lLtstineeomeauwereallowedt
The mouinghad begun.Wec
pastthe new lazarettoa d into ou
and the wheelsgroaned.Theroadz
mud.
We, who sif in thecloorusa
MaclamePoweris blind and Mnd
wheelsorLher chair.Therehasbee
afraidthe womenwill tnkeit I he
SoeurMlrie lelnedouerthera
tellsus who is cloittgwhaf Wecn
orderto gitte.Threelittle boysdan
After wearesettled,SoewMt
who is not yet professed,
Packour
to me. Only thewoodencrossthat
mv fafherandI llwaYshaw it nea
it'in paperbet'ore
YouPut it in th
andworn.I wou
alreadyscratched
it alongfheroad.
"LookMarguerite,I hauePac
nndI cnttseei
holdsup a package
thrf wearema
I cannotbeliezte
else,"Whenwe arein thenewblt
to me. Shepulls lrcr shawlclose
place,"shesays.
Th1otistesitswith herheldIo
fo
one seeherface."TheYsaYwet
new lnzaretto,"shewhisPeredl r
can'tmakeout heruords.
It is true. SurelYin thenewt
tablefor our thingsandtherewill
'la maladie'will loseitselfin tl
of
thewqlls.
their wsy between
"Perhaps,"Mabina saYsaga
will getbetterin thatcleanair'" M
worie by the badair of thisold bu
Thesisterstootalketlof nothi
It will beso mucheasier
t'orthemI
Maillet
Soeur
nearfu.
and baths
fter 1896. From Fr. Lajat, Le Lazarct de
g could be Marguerite.
Ferrewith patientHum Lee. Mus6e
to thenew lazaretto,ue wereexcited,'nousautres',
On thedarlwe ffiorJed.
SoeurMorie-desAngesput a rockingchairfor mein thedoorwnyof theroomen's
ward. If wasonly thefirst weekin April; SoetrMarie tuckeda blanketaround
my kneesand I hnda thick wool shnul nroundmy shoulders.
When shefinishedwith me, she broughtMalaina Powerqnd Thtotiste
Duguayooer;wesat in a halfcirclearoundthespotof sun thntume in. Outside
lookeddownat theworkers.OdiLeLeCIair
on thebalcony,Marie-AngeCh[asson
anrllustine Comeauwereallowedto helpand thevare downstairs.
The moainghad begun.We could seetwo wqgonsrolling ouer the road
past the new lazarettoqnd into our yard. Thehorsespulledin their harnesses
of snowand
and thewheelsgroaned.Theroadwasrutted with iceand patches
mud.
We, who sit in the doorway,are fhe worst casesnow but I am only olcl.
MadamePower is blind and MadameDuguay is trnobleto walk. Thereare
wheelson her chair. Therehasbeena flu on the men'swqrdond thesistersnre
at'raidthe womenwill takeit. I heardthemspenkof this.
SoeurMarie leanedouertherailing andwatchedwhat washappening.She
hasnn
tells us who is doing what. We can heqrthe aoices.It seemseaeryone
orderto giae. Threelittle boysdanceabouton fhegroundslike butterflies.
After we aresettled,SoeurMarie des-Anges
andanothersister,a newone
packour belongings.Thereis not muchthat belongs
who is not yet professecl,
to me. Only the woodencrossthat hung ooerour bedqt home.It wasmadeby
uy fatherandI alwayshaueit near."Be careful,"I tell theyoungsister."Wrqp
you put it in the box or you utill breqkit." Of course,it is
it in paperbet'ore
and worn. I would carry it myselfbut I am afraidI will drop
nlreadyscratched
it alongthe road.
"LookMarguerite,I hauepackedit ns thoughit wereof glass."Thesister
holdsup a package
and I can seeit is my crossinside.I smileat her.
I cannotbelieue
that weare moaingat last.For twoyears,wespol.eof little
else."When we are in the neu building,we will bewarm," Malainawhispers
to me. Shepulls her shawl closelto he/. "l will aluaysfeel the cold of this
place,"shesays.
Thlotistesitswifh her headloweredso it is hnrd to heqrher. Shewnntsno
oneto seeher face."Theusauwe will haaeeachour own chairand tablein the
I nod my head.Shesnyssomethingelsebut I
new lazaretto,"shewhisper:ecl.
can't makeout her words.
It is true. Surcly in the new buildingwe will bewqrm and we will hnoea
tablet'or our thingsand therewill be no smellof theouthouses.
Eztenthestink
of 'la maladie'will loseitselt'in thosebig rooms,qnd surely no rats will find
their way betweenthe walls.
"Perhaps,"Maluina saysagainin her hoarsewhisper,"Perhapsour sores
'la
will get betterin thatcleanair .'' Maybesheis right. Maybe malndie'is made
worseby the baclair of this old building.
Thesisterstootalkedof nothingbut thenezalazarettotheselastt'ewmonths.
It will beso mucheasierfor themto treatus in our own wards,with hot water
and bathsnearby.SoeurMaillet told us sore throatsand infectionswill not
t23
sprmdsoquicklyamongus qs theydo here.And SoeurSonnanVsaidit uill be
goodfor all of us to breathedeeplyand not haaethesmellol rottenness
fill our
Iungs.
OutsideI hearMire St. lean'suoice,"Be carefulwith thatuate. It is filled
with thejars we broughtwith usfrom Montrcal." For her thosejars and.bottles
arelike my cross.I don't blameher eitherfor her care.Theyarequitebeautiful,
blue,Iikea summersky;theyhauebeenin her pharmacysinceI can remember.
For thepastfew days,we haaenot seenmuchof SoeurDoucetor Mere St.
hadnll to
lean. Theyhaaebeenbusy. Theointments,powders,and medicines
bebroughtto the new building. Theyhad to get the wardsin orderto receiae
usanddiaidethespaces
in thenn: buildingsothateaeryone
wouldknowwherc
to put thingsuthentheyweremoaedin.
When the time has comefor us to go, ue nre put on plank boardsand
wrappedin thick woolenblankets.Someflen cometo cnrry us downstairs.We
are put on oneof the taagonsand SoeurMarie-des-Anges
climbsup besideus
and sits on thestrau.
I did not want to go into the new lazarettolying downlike a deadperson.
puts pillowsat my backso I can sit. Aheadof us the
SoeurMsrie-des-Anges
orphansare lined up two by two. SoeulLAgArcis u)ith them. The little girls
wearlongwool skirtsqnd thickstockingsunderneath.
I h6oeuatchedthesisterc
knitting themsometimes
whentheVhadto staVup throughthenight. Thesisters
knit themps and mittensthe childrenwearas well.
Maluina weeps.Sheis a descendant
of FiddleBrideauand last year her
Iittlegirl, Marie, diedof 'la maladie'
. Her twoyoungboys,CharlesandBernard,
play abouttheuagonand I heara sisterscoldthem.
'la
Thosewith maladie'walkbehindthetwocartsthatcaftv theworctcases.
FatherBabinequgoesdovtn the line of childrenand sickand sistersand when
he is surewe areall ready,he beginsto say theHail Mary and we all respond.
The horsesstrqin in their troces.The wagonI am in rolls oaer the road
and I hearFatherBabineaubeginanotherprayer.lt remindsme ol the day I
'petit'
cradledin my arms.I turn to waaeto
went to Becs-Scies,
lean-Baptiste
my husbandand little onesbut no onewauesbackto me,
The news that Ottawa had decided io build the new lazaretto had
hardly been published before the sisters and their chaplain began expansion plans of their own. Soeur St. Jeanwrote, "We are counting on
the help of Divine Providenceto build our orphanageand our room for
sick other than lepers. Just the samewe know it is necessaryto take the
matterin hand."l
To launch their financial campaign the sistersheld a bazaar.Baked
goods, hand made items, and a variety of concert programs plus meals
highlighted the event. Cost of admission to the concertswas only 20C
while admission to the grounds was free. The sistersmanaged to raise
only $750.00.This plus private contributions came to a total of $2,850.
In the meantime Father Babineauhad permission from the federal
authoritiesto build the new wing on governmentland, provided the
costof constructionwas borne by the clergy and the parishioners.Bishop
Rogerssupported the idea of a general hospiial and an orphanage but
t24
he wanted it built on land own
ment property. "The orPha
retto . . . would always be an c
who do not wish well to our r
managed to convinceBishoPR
To help pay for the work tl
from their mother housein Mon
to borrow from the bank. The
loan from their motherhousean
be no debt; we should pay as r
sisters ordered the necessaryI
temporarily put the matter asid
In the late winter and earl
in the lazaretto wards. One patie
from Pointe Marcel died of th(
phanage.The sisters,fearingth
threatenedthe whole commun
ters in spite of the fact the nev
date was April 8, 1896.
In a svmbolic act of Purifi
eround that May aftersomi oftl
The fire stadedin the chimney
in,uries or loss of life.
Even at the time the new
Brunswick was on the decreas
admitted, ten patients were fro
of 31 admitted only 7 were frot
districts. From 1891to 1900on
there were 37 known cases;in
Dr. Smith saidthe diseaset
the sites of the original outbrea
period, from 1882to 1900inclu
iamily, camefrom PointeMarce
a village. 8 people carnefrom
Isidorel 3 from Pokemouche.2
raquet. After 1900, 27 Panentsa
22bthers were from outsideth
An interestingchangethat
in the averageageat the time o
from twenty-five, from 1868to
In the sametime frame the age
seven to forty. The new lazare
but it never housed more than
In the new edificethe orP
sisters'convent. However,the
was a cause of concern.Effort
hospital were renewedin 1897
Babineaufelt the sisterscouldP
without contractingany debt
Ere.And SoeulSormanysqidit uill be
nothaoethesmellof rottenness
fiII oul
,, "Becarefulwith thatcrnte. It is filled
Iontreal"Forherthosejnrs and bottles
tf for hercarc.Theyarequitebeautiful,
in herpharmacy
sinceI canremember.
seenmuchof SoeurDoucetor Mire St.
nts,Wwders,and medicines
hadall to
ad to get the wards in order to receiae
ing sothateueryone
wouldknou where
I go, we are put on plank boardsand
mencometo carryus downstairs.We
, Marie-des-Anges
climbsup besideus
tmrettolying downlikea dead.
person.
tty bnckso I cm sit. Aheadol us the
r Leg e is with them.The little girls
underneath.
I hauewatchedthe siiters
o stayup throughthenight. Thesisterc
ur aswell
rt of Fidile Brideauand last year her
' twoyoungbous, Charles
andBernard,
scowthem.
lhetu)ocartsthatcarrytheworstcases.
hildrenand.sickand sistersand when
;aytheHnil Mary andwe all respond.
he uagonI am in rolls oaerthe road
er prayer.lt remindsme of the day I
cradled
in my arms,I turn to waaeto
maesbackto me.
led to build the new lazarettohad
;tersand their chaplainbeganex. Jeanwrote,"We are countingon
d our orphanageand our room for
rrr'e
know it is necessaryto take the
in the sistersheld a bazaar.Baked
)ty of concertprogramsplus meals
ision to the concertswas only 20c
free. The sistersmanagedto'raise
ibutionscameto a totat of 92,850.
u had permissionfrom the federal
n governmentland, provided the
lergy andtheparishioners.
Bishop
ral hospitaland an orphanagebut
4
he wanted it built on land owned by the congregation, not on Sovernment property. "The orphanage attached to the leprosy lazaretto . . . would always be an object of attack on the part of those . . .
who do not wish well to our reliqious institutions."'?Father Babineau
managed to convince Bishop Rogers to withdrdw his obiections.
To help pay for the work the sisters hoped to receive either a loan
from their mother house in Montreal, or permission from BishoP Rogers
to borrow from the bank. The Tracadie Foundation did not recerve a
loan from their motherhouse and Bishop Rogers told them, "There must
be no debt; we should pay as we 9o."3 With what funds they had the
sisters ordered the necessary stone for the structure. After this they
temporadly put the matter aside
In ihe late winter and early part of the spdng, influenza broke out
in the lazaretto wards. One patient, twenty-five year old Th€otime Plourde
from Pointe Marcel died of the illness. The disease spread to the orphanage. The sisters, fearing the infected air and the insupportable cold
threatened the whole community, moved everyone into their new quarters in spite of the faci the new building was not quite complete. The
date was April 8, 1896.
In a symbolic act of purification, the old buildings burned to the
ground that May after some of the sisters had gone there to wash clothes.
The fire started in the chimney and spread to the attic. There were no
inju es or loss of life.
Even at the time the new lazaretto opened, the disease in New
Brunswick was on the decrease. From 1868 to 1880 inclusive, of the 54
admitted, ten Datients were from outside Tracadie. From 1881 to 1890,
of 31 admitted only 7 were from Tracadie: the rest were from outlying
districts. From 1891 to 1900 only 1 Patient was from Tracadie. In 1853
there were 37 known cases; in 1897 there were 20.
Dr. Smith said the disease had been carried to outlying regions from
the sites of the original outbreaks in Tracadie and Neguac ln a 19-year
period, from 1882 io 1900 inclusive, 18 persons, mainly members of one
iamilv. came from Pointe Marcel, a settlement too small to be considered
6 from Lameque, 5 ftom St.
a villige. 8 people came from Caraquet,
'shippagan,
and 1 fiom Lower CaIsidore] 3 from iokemouche, 2 from
raquet. After 1900, 27 patients admitted were from New Brunswick, and
22 others were from outside the province.
An interesting change ihat took place over the years was an increase
in the average age at the time of admission. In women the age had gone
from twenty-five, from 1868 to 1900, to thirty over the next fifty years.
In the same time frarne the age for men at admission went from twentyseven to forty. The new lazaretto could accommodate about 50 patients
but it never housed more than 22.
In the new edifice the orphans were again put in the attic over the
sisters' convent. However, the proimity of the children to the lazaretto
was a cause of concern. Efforts to have a new orphanage and general
hospital were renewed in 1897. On hand the sisters had $3,000. Father
Babineau felt the sisters could pay for the masonry and perhaps the roof
without contracting any debt.
In 1897 construction of the new wing began. Father Babineau supervised the work and made contracts. He personally donated $5,000,
He convinced the parish priest of Neguac, Father Th6berge, to contdbute
$4,000.He canvassed throughout the parish, including the lumber camps,
to raise the necessary funds. The total cost of construction came to
$12.500but there was no debt.
Even as the orphanage was under construction, other changes were
taking place. On April L5, 1897, twenty-seven-year-old Thordur Thorsteinsson, Jon Gudmundsson (Gimmisson) age thirty-three, and Elein
flurnisth) Freeman were admitted to the lazaretto. The three Icelandic
patients, strangers to each other, were among the new Canadians who
arrived in the country that winter. They were living in Western Canada
when leprosy was suspected and Dr. Smith was called in to investigate.
As in New Brunswick and Cape Breton, the victims were frorn a
recent immigrant population. It is possible that economic deprivation
was a motivating force behind their decision to leave Iceland. And, as
in Cape Breton and New Brunswick, a great deal of publicity surrounded
the discovery of leprosy among the Icelandic population of Western
Canada.
A Montreal reporter wrote that leprosy was common in Iceland and
"hereafter this fact will have to be reckoned with more seriouslv."o A
letter from Mr. Volmer F. Moller appeared in a Winnipeg paper, saying,
"The Icelander should be severelv scrutinized before allowed to enter
Canada. Leprosy has a great hold on Iceland, though much has been
done in latter years by the Danish government, the disease is spreading."s
Unlike the Cape Breton sufferers, the patients from Western Canada
were siven little choice in the manner of their treatment. An effort was
made-by some of their friends to have them sent back to Iceland but
because they were of a class whose presence in Canada had been especially solicited by imrnigrant agents, this request was refused. The
unhappy trio, accompanied by Dr. Smith, were forced to journey across
the country in a placarded freight car next to the engine. Elein Freeman
who left behind her husband and three young children including a baby,
died only a few months later in Tracadie. The sisters reported that she
never spoke after her arrival.
Dr. Smith visited a fourth Icelandic immigrant, Gudmundur Kristjansson (Goodmander Christiansson), in Selkirk, Manitoba, but the
nature of his illness was not certain. In a case like that the doctor would
send smears from the patient for bacteoriological examination. For the
time being Mr. Kristjanssan was allowed to remain in his home
Those who had leprosy in their families, or who lived in regions
where the illness had been found and/or suffered from a noticeable skin
condition were sometimes suspected of having the disease. Relatives or
neighbours or a parish pdest would ask Dr. Smith to examine them.
Dr. Smith said these persons were occasionally the victims of a malicious
whispering campaign. Thus, the certificate of Freedom from Leprosy
given to those so suspected meant a lot. Gudmundur Kristjansson was
one of these people. He wrote I
soon as you can as peopleare rne
guessingthat you will never sen
Instead of sendingthe Certi
would advise you to lay quiet, i
arrangementsfor your family as
them soon."7Dr. Smith would
However, Soeur St. Jeanwas ver
asked the government if he mip
that July the fourth Icelanderw
But she had severalbouts of illne
to parallel periods of turmoil, (
lazaretto and within the religiou
Relativesof the new Patie
membersand confusedaboutthe
daughter wrote that her father
before ". . . now leavingthem in
but we live in hope of his reco
pleasetell me how long you thir
why you do not give her more n
effort for a speedy cure?""
A fifth victim, Harold Robe
J.W. Daniel diagnosedhis dise
migrant from Bermuda. Dr. Da
meeting in the city where the oth
from leprosy. One doctor startle
woman had the illnessin much '
without exciting any fear or spre
Harold Robertswas isolated
Tracadie.A few months Iaterth
muda transportationwas arrang
cortedhim to New York wherehr
and son went back to the Westl
in Tracadiehe made a lot of frie
Jeansaid "He appearedcheerfu
very nice."ro
Rumours of discontentamo
a year before the new lazarettoo
few patients who were "cheerfu
w i n g b e g d n .f a t h e r B a b i n e a us u :ts. He personally donated $5,000.
;uac,Father Th6berge, to contribute
parish,includingthe lumber cdmps,
:otal cosl ol construction cdme to
'r construction,other chdnges \aere
Inty-seven-yea
r-old I hordur Thornisson)age thirty-three. and tlein
rthe lazaretto.The three Icelandrc
re among the new Canadians who
rey were living in Western Canada
Smith was called in to investigate.
-' Breton, the victims were from a
ossible that economic deprivation
decision to leave Iceland. And, as
Lgreat deal of publicity surrounded
Icelandic population of Western
'prosy was common in Tcelandand
:ckoned with more seriously."a A
: a r e di n a W i n n i p e gp a p e r .s a y i n g ,
:rutinized before allowed to enter
r Iceland, though much has been
overnment, the disease is spreadthe patients ftom Western Canada
r of their treatment. An effort was
ve them sent back to lceland but
presencein Canada had been ests, this request was refused. The
rith, were forced to journey across
next to the engine. flein Freeman
e y o u n gc h i l d r e ni n c l u d i n ga b a b y .
tdie. The sisters reported that she
t d i c i m m i g r a n t ,C u d m u n d u r K r j n), in Selkirk, Manitoba, but the
n a caselike that the doctor would
teoriological examination. For the
ved to remain in his home.
families,or who lived in regions
/or suffered from a noticeable skin
:f having the disease.Relativesor
ask Dr. Smith to examine them.
r s i o n a l l yt h e v i c t i m so f a m a l i c i o u s
iificate of Freedorn from Leprosy
ot. Cudmundur Kristidnsson was
6
one of these people. He wrote Dr. Smith, "I hope you will send it as
soon as you can as people are making such a farce about me talking and
guessing that you will never send it . . ."6
Instead of sending the Certificate of Freedom, Dr. Smith replied, "I
would advise you to lay quiet, and as quickly as you can, m;ke such
arrangements for your family as you can make, because you must leave
them soon."7 Dr. Smith would have gone for Gudmundur that Mav.
H o w e v e r , S o e u r S t . J e a n w a s v e r y i l l w i t h n e u r a l g i ao f t h e h e a r t a n d h e
asked the government if he might postpone the trip. It was not until
that July the fourth Icelander was admitted. Soeur St. Jean recovered.
But she had several bouts of illness over the next few vears that seemed
to parallel periods of turmoil, disputes, and controversy both in the
lazaretto and within the religious community.
Relatives of the new patients were concerned about their family
members and confused about the nature of the illness. Mr. Kristjansson's
daughter wrote that her father had never been away from his family
before ". . . now leaving them in his old age, I feel he must take it hard,
but we live in hope of his recovery."s Mr. Freeman wrote, "Will you
please tell me how long you think it will take my wife to get better and
why you do not give her rnore medicine, and I hope you will use every
effort for a speedy cure?",
A fifth victim, Harold Roberts, was living in Saint John when Dr.
J.W. Daniel diagnosed his disease. The young man was a recent immigrant from Bermuda. Dr. Daniel brought him to a medical society
meeting in the city where the other doctors agreed that he was suffering
from leprosy. One doctor startled his colleaguesby saying a Saint John
woman had the illness in much worse form yet she went about the city
without exciting any fear or spreading the illness to anyone else.
Harold Roberts was isolated until Dr. Smith arrived to brins him to
Tracadie. A few months later through the elforts ot his parenta in Bermuda transportation was arranged for his return home. Dr. Smith escorted him to New York where he was met bv the patient's father. Father
and son went back to the West Indies. In the five months he had been
in Tracadie he made a lot of friends anong the patients and Soeur St.
Jean said "He appeared cheerful, satisfied and polite and in one word
very nice."r'
Rumours of discontent among the patients began to circulate over
a year before the new lazaretto opened. In the next few vears there were
few patients who were "cheerful, satisfied and polite."
L7
DAYS OF D/SCORDAND/N
INVLSTIGATION
I did not send for Pierre Plourde he came to me . . . He wanted me to
w te to the government and seeif they could not get better grub than
the stuff they were getting. I told him that he had better put his complaint before the ladies of the hospital . . . His reply was that when the
Ieperscomplained they were threatenedwith Mr. Babineau,who generally came down and "lectured" them . . .
A few days afterwards Olivier Plourde, a leper from the hospital
dropped into my office and confirmed all that was told me . . . and
declaredthat he couldn't stand it any longer and was going home to
stay. I have sincelearnedthat complaintsagainstthe victualswere sent
out to parties in Tracadieduring the summer but it seemswith little
effect . . .
I appreciateall you said in referenceto the good mother Superior,
who I have known for many years, and I am the last person who would
causeher annoyance,or worry.
Robert Young to Dr. Smith,
Centre de documentation de la
Soci6t6Histoique Nicolas-Denys
January13, 1897.
'Eh
bien!' Ol what use is it to complain. We are here and ue cannot go
'Mais
homeagain.
les jeunes', the younger ones, they are more impatient than
me. Somedo not eat the food that is brought to them and they tell the sister to
take it backto the kitchen. There haae beenletters sent oltt of the lazaretto that
the sisters didn't get to seeand now some important peopleknow that we hque
'Pas
troublehere. The sickhad to go downstairs to seethe priest.
moi' , I cannot
walk that far. Oliae told me sll that happened.
Father Babineausaid we would bring bad luck on ourselaesif we continue.
"To complain is to hit the gol)ernment in the lace for all that has beengiuen
you when you shou[d thqnk the Almighty Father you haae been treqted so
kindly," he said to us.
"
"Who do we thank for the watery tea, the thin molasses
, the mouldy breacl?
Oliae asked. . . but there was no answer to that question.
"Today the meat was sour. We could smell it befoleit was put on our table.
What doesyour goaelnment sny to that?" asked]oseph Plourde. "l haue pain
in my stomachbecauseI am hungry yet I cannot eat this stuft'." He held up a
small round loaf of black bread. "It was half raw inside and full of uaggots,"
Olioe told me.
TheWiest got angry then and said the Plourdeswere always causing trouble
the
clergy and that thoseof us who agreedwith them were working on the
for
128
sideof the deoil Marie-Annewup
as thoughashamed.
Thepriestah
wqntsto walk with thednil when
The Plourdesarefightersbut
Eoenif we eatall thatis serued
to u
cannotfeelfull. Todnywehadpor
piesfor supper.Somenightsweha
Thefood was not as badas this a f
I do not speakwhat is on my
muchanyway.Besides,
I donot lDa
and noneof themcqnchnnge
thefa
'Alors' I swallow
my anger,I
,
restson thebednext to mine.Her I
no tearsfall. Night nnddayshelie
OnceMarie-Annetouched
EIe
was scaredof the marksof 'k mal
leaaeyoungchildrennndtheuarm
softly;saidhernamebutshedoesno
her.Shesitsnearherbedandtalll.to
our language
.
The mendownstairswhocam
Ianders!Theyhauea temper!Onet
of the sister.He saidthe meatu,vs
right. Thesisterhasto bringwhat
beeninsultedllke thtt.
The only onewho couldhelp,
hasnot beenwell andno onewill te
Whenwe ask they ssy only that she
her heartand I am woried.
The sistersarefrightenedtoo.
usedto tell us storiesabouttheirh
behindwhentheVcamein here.No
bath,thE aresilent.
Theward is largenndspaces
art
separates
mefrom theothers.It su,
now I don't mind. Eachbedhasa i
my Saint is but I wantedSaintThe
a little flower.
On thewall in thebackot'oursl
throughwhich we canlookdownint
holy pictureson themandprintedn
For manyweeksnow,I lay inn
My eyesightis aery bad,and theim
Iooklike, especially
oneof Jesuscur
Here, eaenwhen lepersare cut
hehasbeenheretwentyyears;heis w
throughhis youth,andhe is nowin
old marksof 'Ia maladie'showon ht
AN INYESTICAI/ON
me to me . . . He wanted me to
y could not get better grub than
that he had better put his com, . . His reply was that when the
rd with Mr. Babineau,who genn...
)urde, a leper from the hosPital
d all that was told me . . . and
longer and was going home to
rts againstthe victualswele sent
umrner-but it seemswith little
ceto the good mother Superior,
II am the last personwho wou]d
obertYoung to Dr. Smith,
entre de documentationde la
rci6tdHistoriqueNicolas-Denys
Lnuary13, 1897.
lain, We qre here and we cannot 8o
r ones,they arc nLoreimpatient thnn
iht to themand thE tell the s[ster to
t letterssent oLttof the lazaretto that
importantpeopleknow that we hare
'Pas moi' I cannot
,
to seethe priest.
ned.
badluck on ourseluesif loe continue.
I the faceflr nll thqt has beengioen
ty Father you haae been treated so
lhethin molasses
, the mouldy bread?''
to that question.
gmellit belorcit was put on our tnble.
'
askedlosephPlourde. "I hauepain
cannotedt this stuff." He hekl up a
nlt' rato insideand full of maggots,"
Plourdeswerealwayscausingtrouble
yeedwith them were working on the
J
sideof the dnil. Marie-Annewept. Someof the men lookeddownat thefloor
as thoughashamed.The priest nlwayswins when he snys thosethings;uho
wnntsto wnlk uith the deailwhenyou arealreadyon your way to thegraue?
The Plourdesare fightersbut theyaren't the only oneswho are hungry.
E-oen
if we eatall that ls seraedto us, theportionsaresmallanda youngperson
cannotfeelfull. Todayue hadporrldgefor breakfast,
beefsoupfor dinner,and
piesfor supper.Somenightswe haaeonly doughnuts,or piesor fried leftoaers.
Thefoodwns not as badas this a t'ewyearcago.
I do not speakwhst is on my mind. I am an old personand I don't eat
muchanyway. Besides,
I do not uant to hurt the sisters.Most of themarekind
and noneof themcan changethefood.
'Alors', I
swallowmy anger,like theyoung lcelandicwoman,Elein,who
restson thebednext to mine.Her breastsstitl drip utith milk t'or her baby.Yet
no tmrs fall. Night and day shelies qwakeand silent.
OnccMarie-AnnetouchedElein'sshouldbut the womandrewawov.She
was scqredof the marksof 'la maladie'I suppose.I understandwhat ft is to
Ienaeyoungchildrenand thewalmth of a husband's
arms.I haaespokento her
softly;saidhernamebut shedoesnot reply.On[y lustinedoeshot seemto bother
her.Shesitsnearherbedand talksto Eleinasif shewereoneof usandunderstood
our language
,
Themen downstoirswho camewhenshedid qre not like that. ThoselceIanderc!Theyhauea temper!One of themthrew his t'oodon thefloor in front
of the sister.He said the meatuas rotten and he couldn'teat it. That wasn't
right. Thesistelhas to bring what is giaenher to bring. Sheshouldnot haue
beeninsultedlike that.
Theonly one who couldhelp Elein is Mire St. Iean. But Mire St. lean
hasnot beenweIIand no onewill tell us how sheis or whqt is wrons with her.
Whenwe qsktheysayonly that sheis tired and rcsting.I haueheaidthat it is
her heartand I am worried.
Thesistersarefrightenedtoo. Theyare upsetaboutthe complaints.They
usedto tell us stoies about their homennd the brothersand sistersthealeft
behindwhentheyutme in here.Now whentheycombmy hair andgiuememy
bath,theyare silent.
Theward is Inrgeandspaces
arewidebetween
our beds.At night, a curtain
separates
mefrom the others.lt scaredment first to beclosedoff like that but
now I don't mind. Eachbedhasa Saint'snameaboaeit. I alwaysforgetwho
my Saint is but I wantedSaint Theresa,the Little Flower;my Lucille,shewas
a little flower.
On thewall in thebackof our sleepingquarters,a curtainhidesthewindow
throughwhichwe canlookdowninto thechapelandhearMass.Our wallshnae
holy pictureson themnnd printed messages;
only I cannotreadthem.
mostly
andI lookat theholypictures.
For manyweeksnow, I lay in my bed
what they
My eyesightis uery bad,and the imagesore bluted but I remember
Iooklike, especially
oneof lesuscuring the lepers.
Here,eaenwhenlepersare cured,theycqnnotXo home.MauriceBenoit,
hehasbeenheretwentyyears;heis well;yet he'sbeenherethroughhischildhood,
throughhis youth, and he is now in his middleyears.He hnndsare like mine;
old marksof'la maladie'
showon him.
t29
triecl
by little chiklren.TheapostLes
Anotherpictureis of lesussurrouncled
to
to
cotne
ones
the
little
to
allow
sarls
to keeDthe vounQonesbackbut lesus
andDr' Smith'
FatherBabineatt
him. iome iimes''
ic vense, I thinkthe sisiers,
are like the apostles.
OBITUARY
The oldestleperin the H6tel-DieuLazaretto,Tracadie,MargueriteSaulnier n6e Robichaud,died May 22, 1897,at the age of eiShty-three She
had suffered from leprosy diseasemost of her adult life and had been
a patientin the lazaiettosinceNovember3, 1880.Her quick wit and
hdr readinessto helPher fellow Patientsendearedher to all The length
of time she suffered from leprosy diseasewas a sourceof wonder both
in and out of the medicalcommunity.
Until recent weeks she had enjoyed relatively Sood health' Her illness
was complicatedby an influenza prevalent in the wards this spring, a
spokesmanfrom the lazaretto said.
Mrs. Saulnierwas the third child and eldestdauthter of Franeoisand
Marie Savoie.One of elevenchildren,she was born in 1813 On Julv
her in
Saulnierwho predeceased
16, 1832,she marriedlean-Baptiste
1874.The couple had seven children. A son, Luc, died several years
ago, a daughter, Lucille, died in the lazaretb in 1885'
A funeral Masswas said in the lazarettochapel.Burial was in the Parish
cemeteryin Tracadieon May 23, 1897.'
The first indications to the public that conditions in the hospital
were not right began to surface around 1894, and coincided with the
program envisioned by the Tracadie clergy T'rre
ambitious
"ipa.siio.t
Dailu Sun said the lazjretto residents were comPlaining about the food'
The iournalist was of the opinion they had no right to remonstrate as
lhev were supportedat public erpenseand they should feel obligrted
to ti.rebenelaitors.' Around this same period a certain number of patients
sent an anonvmous letter out of the institution which came into the
Dossessionof a Senator Burns. He sent it to Father Babineau for an
explanation. The p est said "One of the lepers was taking lessons in
wiitine from one'of the sisters and he was desirous of showing the
Ministir how he was imProving."3
The complaints escalated.In January of 1897, Robert Y9u1g, rynq
was now living in Caraquet, was visited by Pierre Plourde. He had
relatives in the'lazaretto and he told Young the' food was bad. He asked
'grub Some tim€ later Oliver
Young to help him get the sick better
Plourie, a paiient, left the lazaretto and told Mr. Young that unless the
conditions improved he was going home to stay Robert Young wrote
to Dr. Smith about these visits and threatened to go to Ottawa if somethins was not done. When Dr. Smith discussed the matter with Father
Babi"neauthe priest rePlied he thought it would be a-mistake to take-any
action. "The Plourdei will have their time and will get tired of these
complaints or people will get tired of listening to them."a
Although the sisters had the responsibility for the care of the sick
t30
thev had no real Power. The adr
q o v e r n m e n tg d v e t w o t h o u s a n dd (
f"or the needi of the sick l'he su
hu ndred dollars Per PatientPer Yt
but the cost of heat, shelter, clot
reliqious on the other hand had I
Bisiiop Roger' in l89o shows tht
nations and from the sale of veg
from the government and they ha
b u i l d i n g f u n d . T h e Ya l s oP o s s e s
themselves they were also exPec
The Plourdes did not get tire
l d z a r e t t o .l h e l c e l a n d e r s c r i t i c i z
to relativesdnd friends in Wester
i n t o t n g l i s h a n d b r o u g h tt o t h e ;
l - . W . C o l c l e u g ho f S e l k i r l , M a n i t
t h e l a z a r e t t oa n u n n e r y ." W e c a n
from any other hosPital that I ha
G u d m u n d u r K r i s t j a n s o nw r (
an odor that could be smelled fror
our brea
only half cooked ".
it
can be
that
raw
so
sometimes
but sometimes onlY water."" Th'
said they were served 5Poiledme
and thaI when they comPlajnedi
not dealt with.
I n o n e i n c i d e n tC u d m u n d s s
in front of the sister' Father Bab
patient to be served onlY breadar
iead the letters the Pdtientssent(
".
we dre used as men that h
were getting our Punishment . .
Thorsteinsson, G. Kristiansson,
seph Plourde.T
t h e l c e l a n d e r sb e l i e v e dt h t
" W h e n D r . A . C S m i t h c a m ef c
something to do with the instih
he had nothing to do with it . .
it and that therefore the treatme
Mr. Kristjansson wrote "Dr. Sm
thins the doctor had told him in
Thelcelanders also exPectedto I
family, Dr. Smith Promised Mr.
a v e a r ' s t i m e . Y e t , i n a P n v a t e'
be given time to Provide for his
Kriitjansson's son-in-law asked
there why did You not saY so a
of you?"10
d @ Iittlechildren.Theaplstlestried
ys to allowthe little oflest0 cometo
lers,Father
Babinenu
sndDr. Smith,
ARY
aretto,Tracadie,MargueriteSaul7, at the ageof eighty-three.
She
rstof her adult life and had been
nber 3, 1880.Her quick wit and
.tsendearedher to all. The length
asewas a sourceof wonder both
elativelygood health. Her illness
'alentin the wards this sp ng, a
eldestdaughterof FranEois
and
, shewasborn in 1813.On July
aulnier who predeceasedher in
. A son, Luc, died severalyears
azarettoin 1885.
o chapel.Burialwasin the padsh
c that conditions in the hospital
nd 1894, and coincided with the
)ned by the Tracadie clergy. Tle
vere complaining about the food.
y had no fight to remonstrate as
;e and they should feel obligated
€riod a certain number of patients
institution which came into the
ent it to Father Babineau for an
the lepers was taking lessons in
he was desirous of showing the
ary of 1.897,Robert Young, who
;ited by Pierre Plourde. He had
rung the food was bad. He asked
rr 'grub.' Some time later Oliver
rd told Mr. Young that unless the
rme to stay. Robert Young wrote
:eatenedto go to Ottawa if somediscussed the matter with Father
it would be a mistake to take any
time and will get tired of these
liclpnino
r^ rhpm
"a
,onsibilityfor the care of the sick
they had no real power. The administrator was Father Babineau. The
government gave two thousand dollars which was to be used exclusively
for the needs of the sick. The sum worked out to approximately one
hundred dollars per patient per year. Included in that was not only food
but the cost of heat, shelter, clothing, and medicine. The twenty-nine
religious on the other hand had much less to live on. A report sent to
Bishop Rogers in 1896 shows the community took in $1,500 from donations and from the sale of vegetables. They received $800 in wages
from the government and they had in the bank a total of $1,899for their
building fund. They also possessedproperty valued at $2,182. Besides
themselves they were also expected to feed and clothe fifteen orphans.
The Plourdes did not get tired of complaining nor did others in the
lazaretto. The lcelanders criticized their treatment in the letters thev sent
to relatives and friends in Western Canada. Two of these were tranilated
into English and brought to the attention of the federal government by
F.W. Colcleugh of Selkirk, Manitoba. In one, Jon Gudmundsson dubbed
the lazaretto a nunnery. "We can't call it anything else as it is so different
from any other hospital that I have ever seen or heard of."s
Gudmundur Kristjanson wrote that the meat was so bad it gave off
an odor that could be srnelled from a distance and was served sometimes
only half cooked. ". . . our bread is very brown and black looking and
sometimes so raw that it can be made over again. We get tea to drink
but sometimes only water."6 The Icelanders, the Plourdes, and others
said they were served spoiled meat, that there were magots in the bread,
and that when thev comolained to Father Babineau their concerns were
not dealt with.
In one incident Gudmundsson threw his nlate of food on the floor
in front of the sister. Father Babineau was sent for and he ordered the
patient to be served onlv bread and water. The Icelanderssaid the sisters
iead the letters the patients sent out of the hospital. Gudmundsson said,
". . we ate used as men that had done a Bie Crime of some kind and
were getting our punishment . . ." His letter was witnessed by Thordur
Thorsteinsson, G. Kristjansson, Tranquille Leclair, and Oliver and Joseph Plourde.T
The Icelanders believed they had been misled by the phvsician.
"When Dr. A.C. Smith came foi me in Winnipeg he'told me'he had
something to do with the institution. But when he came here he said
he had nothing to do with it . . . that the government did not look after
it and that therefore the treatment could not be better than what it is."8
Mr. Kristjansson wrote "Dr. Smith hardly ever comes to see us." Everything the doctor had told him in Winnipeg about the hospital was false.,
The Icelanders also expected to be cured. According to the Kristjansson
family, Dr. Smith promised Mr. Kristjansson would be cured in about
a vear's time. Yet, in a Drivate communication the doctor asks that he
be given time to provide for his family before leaving them forever. Mr.
Kristjansson's son-inlaw asked, "If it is a prison for life to them that go
there why did you not say so and then we would not expect so much
of you?"to
l3l
Dr. Smith did very little to help the patients in iheir difficulties with
the administration. He could not visit the wards without permission
and, when he did come, one of the staff members always accompanied
him. It was not until 1900, after an office had been made for him in the
lazaretto, that he could see his patients alone. Even at that he was spied
upon by Father Babineau who, he said, watched him through the slats
in the door.
The only written reference we have that indicates he was aware
problems existed is in an undated communication to the government.
"On the removal of the lepers to the new building I intend to advise
the priest and the nuns of the imperative necessity of changes on the
lines which I submitted to you . . . non compliance will necessitate a
special report to the department . . . and would bring the whole matter
before the public."1l
When it came down to choosing the defence of the patients against
the administration Dr. Smith was with the status quo. His relationship
with the clergy, especially Father Babineau, had always been cool. Father
Babineau was often in competition with the doctor over controlling the
disease and admitting patienis, at least those from the region. Dr. Smith
was no longer the only medical man who could do the job. There were
French-speaking doctors now living in Caraquet. By the turn of the
century, two French-speaking doctors were established in Tracadie. Dr.
Smith certainly did not want the administrators of the hospital against
him. Besides, he was often absent from Tracadie to investiqate the disease, to attend,rhedical conferences, and to keep up to date on new
treatments. While he had the highest regard for the sisters, he referred
to the patients in most general and dehumanizing terms. He wrote in
7896, "Today we have registered on the books . . . as inmates fifteen
males and six females. Of these three are aged ten; one eleven, one
fourteen and two seventeen."12
The priests and the sisters were never required to furnish yearly
reports or detailed accounts, and no federal inspector had appeared on
the scene, since they had the management of the lazaretto. They had
total control of the patients once they were admitted.
The unhappiness among the patients was caused in part by their
disappointment after the move to the new quarters. The new building
was incomplete, cold, and drafty. To make matters worse, a large number of deaths occurred from October 1896 to October 1897. Raymond
Duguay, thirty-six years old, frorn St. Isidore; Philippe Plourde, aged
eighteen, from Pointe Marcel; Xavier Plourde, twenty-one, from Lamique; David Plourde, fifty-seven, from Pointe Marcel; Marcel LeBlanc,
thirty-six, from Shippagan; Elein (Journisth) Freeman; Malvina (Brideau)
Power, forty-five, from Tracadie; Th6otisie (Chiasson) Duguay, fortyfive, from Shippagan; and Marguerite (Robichaud) Saulrrier, eighty+hree,
from Tracadie-all died in this oeriod. Dr. Smith wrote ". . all who
died had been attacked by 'la grippe' last winter and were in consequence
enfeebled."l3 In spite of the evidence to the contrary, he reported in
1897 ihat all the patients, including the Icelandic ones "seemed surprisingly contented. The brighi" sunny influence of the kind sisters ac-
counts for the patient resiSnatio
Nearly one year after the Ic
Gionet and six other Patientssen
patients were pressedfor hunger
not able to eai it. Piesthat h;d
eight days old, moldy,.and full
represent our case to the gove
addressourselves. . . the lepersa
Young sent the dispositionto th
patients' complaints to Ottawa
given within ten days.
Around the sametime Olive
asking him to come to the laza
the love of the sick at leastfor I
also been informed of the docu
replied to the Bishop'sinquiries
sick in the presenceof MEre St
certain number of comPlaintsb
plained. Anyway they complain
To Robert Young FatherBat
being strange that our lePershi
thev can find a man who will at
complaints. . .I have it from Jc
least of the chargesI find in youl
and are untrue . . . Your attititu
inciting them to insubordination
This time the priest though
a tdp to Ottawa. He took docun
complainingwithout cause.enco
Dr. !
In one of thesecertificates,
eaten bread from the supper tal
complained of as being unfit. ".
and all that couldbe desiredby t
to the copy of this certificatehe k(
Babineaubrought me a pieceof
table and requestedme t
lepers'
^
In the faceof mounting critic
tc
appointedDr. E.P.LaChapelle
pidints at the lazaretto.The Mir
not to order any changes."Yol
chargesmade and in regard to
pointed out "lt would be much
way it is going on."'?o
Dr. Lachapellewas a Profe
President of the Council of He
Superintendent of Notre-Dame
mission were Dr. A. Vall6e, Su
Asylum, and Dr. E.P. Benoit,N
Hospital and Editor-in-Chiefof I
repatientsin their difficulties with
it the wards without Permission
aff membersalwaysaccompanied
ficehad beenmade for him in the
s alone.Evenat that he was spied
d, watchedhim through the slats
Lavethat indicateshe was aware
mmunicationto the government.
r new building I intend to advise
ative necessityof changeson the
ron compliancewill necessitatea
rnd would bring the whole matter
he defenceof the patients against
h the statusquo. His relationship
reau,hadalwaysbeencool. Father
th the doctorover controlling the
t thosefrom the region. Dr. Smith
vho could do the job. There were
in Caraquet.By the turn of the
wereestablishedin Tracadie.Dr.
dnistratorsof the hospital against
m Tracadieto investigatethe disand to keep up to date on new
regardfor the sisters,he referred
ehumanizingterms. He wrote in
the books.. . as inmatesfifteen
re are aged ten; one eleven, one
never required to furnish yearly
ederalinspectorhad appearedon
ementof the lazaretto. They had
were admitted.
ients was causedin part by their
new quarters.The new building
nake mattersworse, a large num1896to October 1897.Raymond
;. Isidore;Philippe Plourde, aged
r Plourde, twenty-one, from LarmPointeMarcel;Marcel LeBlanc,
nisth)Freeman;Malvina (Brideau)
iotisie (Chiasson)Duguay, forty(Robichaud)Saulnier, eighty-three,
d. Dr. Srnith wrote ". . all who
stwinter and werein consequence
,' to the contrary, he reported in
the Icelandicones "seemed sury influenceof the kind sistersac-
counts for the patient resignation which our poor lepers exhibit."'r
Nearly one year after the Icelanders' letters were sent out, Joseph
Gionet and six other patients sent Robert Young a document. It said the
patients were pressed for hunger because the food was so bad they were
not able to eat it. Pies that had recentlv been serued them were over
eight days old, moldy, and full of woims. "We would thank you to
represent our case to the government as we do not know whom to
address ourselves . . . the lepers are on the eve of going into the woods."r5
Young sent the disposition to the lazaretto and threatened to bring the
patients' complaints to Ottawa if a satisfactory explanation were not
given within ten days.
Around the same time Oliver Plourde sent a letter to Bishop Rogers,
asking him to come to the lazaretto and visit the patients, "If not for
the love of the sick at least for the love of God."16 Bishop Rogers had
also been informed of the document sent to Young. Father Babineau
replied to the Bishop's inquiries. He said he had read the petition to the
sick in the presence of Mdre St. Jean. "They said they didn't make a
certain number of complaints but they didn't deny they hadn't complained. Anyway they complain everyday."'7
To Robert Young Father Babineau replied, "lt must stdke many as
being strange that our lepers have to travel twenty-four miles before
they can find a man who will attach any importance to their untruthful
complaints. . . I have it from Joseph Gionet himself . . . that some at
leasf of the charges I find in your tyPewritten document ?rereneaer made
and are untrue . . . your attititude towards the lepers has the effect of
incitine them to insubordination."rF
This time ihe priest thought the matter serious enough to warrant
a trip to Ottawa. He took documents that he said proved the sick were
complaining without cause, encouraged by people outside the lazaretto.
In one of these certificates, Dr. Smith wrote that he had examined and
eaten bread from the supper table of the lazaretto that the lepers had
complained of as being unfit. ". . . the bread is well made, wholesome
and all that could be desired by the most fastidious." In a pencilled note
to the copy of this certificate he kept among his papers he added, "Father
Babineau brought me a piece of bread saying he had taken it from the
lepers'table
and requested me to taste and certify."'"
'
In the face of m6unting criticism, ihe Dept. of Agriculture in Ottawa
appointed Dr. E.P. LaChapelle to head a commission to investigate complaints at the lazaretto. The Minister, S.A. Fisher, iold Dr. Lachapelle
not to order any changes. "You should report here in regard to the
charges made and in regard to the conduct of the institution." Fisher
pointed out "It would be much easier to let it (the lazareiio) go on the
way it is going on."'?o
Dr. Lachapelle was a Professor of Medicine at Laval University,
President of the Council of Health for the Province of Quebec, and
Superintendent of Notre-Dame Hospital. Other mernbers of the commission were Dr. A. Vall6e, Superintendent of the Beauport Lunattc
Asvlum. and Dr. E.P. Benoit, Medical Service Attach6 at Notre-Dame
Hoipital and Editor-in-Chief of L'Union Mddicale.
133
The commissioners arrived in Tracadie November 1, 1898,and, unannounced, they presented their credentials to Mdre St. Jean. They began their inspection immediately. They found the food abundant and
of good quality. The meal prepared was well-cooked and appetizing.
The lepers' quarters were clean and well ventilated. The next day the
commissioners talked to Father Babineau. He wrote, "l had time to
explain the principal charges the sick had the habit of making . . . In
my interview I gave them a biography of Mr. Young from the time the
sick were under his government just to our day. What I have told them
eliminates all fear about their visit to him."':r
The sisters admitted there had been a few oroblems with the food.
One batch of bread was not as well done ai the others. Fresh fish
purchased during the week took on an odor bv the time it was served.
Saltedbeef was used when fresh was not availableand it had a tendencv
to turn black. Because the sick had tubercules in their mouths their sensL
of taste was affected, and the sores made it impossible for the cook to
add seasoning like salt and pepper. Food storige was a problem; the
commissioners recornmended the construction of an ice house. They
also believed the barn should be enlarged to shelter enough cows to
ensure a sufficient supply of milk.
Later the doctors talked individually to Jon Gudmundsson, Joseph
Gionet, Cudmundur Kristjansson, Thordur Thorsteinsson, Oliver
Plourde, jean Baptiste Plourde, Joseph Plourde, Joseph Dignard, Maurice Benoit, Marcel LeBlanc*, Tranquille Leclair, Olive L6gdre, Justine
Comeau, Genevidve Drysdale and Marie-Anne Chiasson, a total of fifteen of the twenty-one patients. They also met the sisters, Dr. Smith,
and later Robert Young.
In view of the fact they had been requested to make no charges in
their report, and that they had been preparedtn advance by Father Babineau before meeting the sick, it isn't surprising the commissioners
concluded "The complaints of the lepers . . are not substantiated . . .
by our inspection, our interviews, our investigation.""
Included in the report was a three-week menu that showed that,
whatever the quality, the meals were quite meagre by today's standards.
Suppers often consisted of doughnuts or a pastry serued with bread.
Sometimes the menu for the whole day, including the bread that accompanied each repast, came to hardly more than one substantial dinner.
A comparison between the 1898 menu and the one in use at the
time Dr. Labillois was in residence, 1850, shows that in quantity and in
n u t r i e n t c o n l e n t , t h e e a r l i e ro n e w a 5 s u p e r i o r .
*we are baffled by how thev managed
to talk to this inclividualas, accordingto the hospital
recordsand burial lisi. he died lan. 31. 1E97.
134
Morning
Noon
Night
Morning
Noon
Night
bread, fish,
POraroes
soup/ meat &
POtaroes
poddge & mi
Sunday
meat patty
flce souP
& steak
doughnuts
The sisterssaid the sick werese
had a choice of molassesor sug
been served spoiled or unclean
Besidestheir complaintsat
Dr. Smith. They had heardtales
among themselves."Dr. SmithI
carefor all the symptomsof thei
for not trying to cure them."6
The inmates chargedthe si
out. The sistersdenied this: the
the nuns put the lettersin a seco
The patientscould hide their corr
it in an inner envelope.
The patients told the comm
their time. The commissioners
w
but the garden was abandone
thought it was the government
the doctors admitted that most (
their hands and feet were deforr
cles atrophied: "work at first pa
The strongestrecommenda
appointment of a medicalsuper
tors said he should have his ofl
wards so he could visit at any tir
once a week. He would have
personal historiesbeginningwh,
to date. The Dept. of Agdcultu
hrrianr.rriwad
cadieNovember 1, 1898,and, un.entials to Mdre St. jean. They beey found the food abundant and
was weil-cooked and appetizing.
well ventilated. The next day the
neau. He wrote, "I had time to
r had the habit of making . . . In
y of Mr. Young from the time the
io our day. What I have told them
him."'?r
en a few problems with the food.
L done as the others. Fresh fish
n odor by the time it was served.
rot available and it had a tendency
:rcules in their mouths their sense
rade it impossible for the cook to
iood storage was a problem; the
rstruction of an ice house. They
rrged to shelter enough cows to
Lllyto Jon Gudmundsson, Joseph
Ihordur Thorsteinsson, Oliver
LPlourde, Joseph Dignard, Maur.le Leclair, Olive L6g0re, Justine
lie-Anne Chiasson, a total of fif' also met the sisters, Dr. Smith,
requested to make no charges in
trEared in advance by Father Baft surprising the commissioners
)rs. . . are not substantiated . . .
investi8ation. ""
p-week menu that showed that,
uite meagre by today's standards.
s or a pastry served with bread.
lay, including the bread that acy more than one substantial din-
nenu and the one in use at the
i0, shows that in quantity and in
upenor.
d s i n d i v i d u a l a s , a c c o r d i n gi o t h e h o s p i t a l
Morning
Noon
Night
Morning
Noon
Night
1850
Sunday
Monday
bread, fish,
porridge & milk
potatoes
soup, meat &
soup, meat &
potatoes
potatoes
porridge & milk porridge & milk
Sunday
meat patty
rice soup
& steak
doughnuts
1898
Monday
soup, boiled
beef & turnip
pies
Tuesday
fish & potatoes
soup, meat &
potatoes
porridge & milk,3
Tuesday
cod & grilled lard
fricot (a boiled
chicken dinner)
pouding creuse(a
type of deep-dish
fruit pie)'?4
The sisters said the sick were served three meals a day plus lunch. They
had a choice of molasses or sugar in tea and ponidge. Never had they
been served spoiled or unclean food.
Besides their complaints about the food, the patients denounced
Dr. Smith. They had heard tales of cures possible which they magnified
among themselves. "Dr. Smith visits from time to time, and gives good
care for all the symptoms of their disease but they reproach him bitterly
for not trying to cure them."2s
The inmates charged the sisters with reading the letters they sent
out. The sisters denied this: they said the postal authodties asked that
the nuns put the letters in a second envelope and address it themselves.
The patients could hide their correspondence if they wanted to by sealing
it in an inner envelope.
The patients told the commissioners they had nothing to do with
their time. The commissioners wrote that they could work if they chose:
but the garden was abandoned, the tools idle, because the inmates
thoughi it was the government's job to feed them. On the other hand
the doctors admitted that most of the patients could not work because
their hands and feet were deformed, their fingers rnutilated, theu muscles atrophied: "work at first painful, becomei impossible."r"
The strongest recommendation contained in the report was for the
appointment of a medical superintendent, namely Dr. Smith. The doctors said he should have his office in the institution with keys to the
wards so he could visit at any time. All the sick should see him at least
once a week. He would have to keep detailed medical records and
personal histories beginning when a person was admitted and kept up
to date. The Dept. of Agriculture should be notified whenever a new
patient arrived,
Until 1900the registersgave little more than the name of the patient
and the placeof residenceat the time of entry. Ages are missing in many
cases,and even as late as7897,the sexof individuals was not designated
properly. Thus, Elein Jurnisth Freeman was listed as a man. Before the
sistersarrived the list of patients'names was full of spelling errors; ages,
placesof residence,and other detailswere left out. Causesof death were
never listed. Dr. Smiih attdbuted them all to leprosy. When so many
other illnesseswere prevalent on the wards, it seemsunlikely that everyone died of leprosy.
The commissionersalso wanted the hospital put on a more professional level of management. To assure the level be maintained they
recommendedthat the lazaretto be inspected every year.
The government was slow to act on the report. Father Babineau
concluded that the administration had been completely exonerated.
However, he agreedto one changedesiredby the cornmissioners."They
want us to open a cemetery for the lepers on the lazaretto near the
shore . . . I will have to announce this io the sick and they will understand the exclusionof their remains from the parish cemeteryis the first
consequenceof the inquiry their complaints resulted in."" The change
of burial grounds was carried out as a precaution. Dr. Smith wrote
"Bacteriologistshave shown that the bacilli of leprosy . . . resists putrefaction . . . at present it is not known how long."':3In the spring of
1899JacobDignard 12, Marie-Anne Chiasson 19, and Bernard Power 13
were laid to rest in the new cemetery near the shore. All these young
people had died within a few days of each other.
Peacewas not resiored in the hospital. On August 24, 1899,Thomas
Savoywrote to Prime Minister Sir Wilfred Laurier on behalf of his wife
Tharsile. a lazaretto patient. He said he had asked Father Babineau"if
they could give my *ife a cup of tea once a day. . . . he did not answer
me-so I was obliged to go to the hospital and bring my wife some tea
and somethingto carry water in to use for herself." Mr. Savoyattempted
to buy some meat and sugar but was told they had no sugar and "were
keeping the meat to make soap."'u
Mr. Savoy included a petition signed by himself as witness and by
Oliver, Joseph, Cerenus, and Jean-BaptistePlourde, Joseph Gionei,
Thordur Thorsteinsson,and Gudmundur Kristjansson. They said they
were imprisoned and starved and that they only saw Dr. Smith about
once a year. They also claimed they were "tide and beaten."3oFather
Babineau said those who signed the letter were told it was simply a
requestfor a doctor who would cure them. "Two of the Icelanderswould
probably put their names to any document, including a petition to get
themselveshanged."3'
The problems in the lazaretto were not going to go away until the
qovernment had control of the medical direction of the institution. Dr.
tachapelle wrote, "The doctor should have the powers necessaryand
be the only one responsiblefor the treatment of the patients including
Finally, in spite of someresistancefrom the priest
their dietary needs."3'?
and the nuns, Dr. Smith was appointed the superintendent in the fall
of 1899.A room to the left of the entrance was assisned to him
136
One of the lastactsFatherB
as administrator was to secure
"These ladies should not be allo
while engagedin this humanev
plementary estirnates,an addit
bit lower than the priest's reou
increasein thirty yiars. One ye
becauseFather Babineauhad re
Father Babineau'sauthorita
ment-especially sincehis job h
turned his energiestoward inter
were the iurisdiction of the sist
priest and the Mother Superior
The Mother Superiorangen
the sistersto Bo to confessiontc
oiher slights to his authority cau
community togetherand, in fror
read a list of srievanceshe had a
causedan uproar in the conven
too far: they wanted him remr
believed the Mother Superior,l
Babineau'sauthority beciusethr
so. Soeur St. Jeanheadedthe la
The controversv spreadou
Roeers sided with Fatlier Babin
to Ivmoathize with MCreDouc€
istenceof the Tracadiefoundatic
perior of Les Hospiialibresde S
what was happening. Shein tur
Diomede Falconio, the highest
Church in Canada.
Father Babineauwas forced
to the sisters.However, his anim
this was not sufficientto keeohir
in the spring of 1903he wai trar
yearsin the parish. He was appo
New Brunswick. Here he undert
and oversaw the constructionof
St. Leonard until his death on N
After thirty-four yearsin Tr
to Arthabaska,Quebecwhere,or
the sick beganto line up outside
Mother SuDerior;true to her ch
to raisemonev for a hospital.In
assuredhim that in spiiebf missi
Shortly after beingelectedM
St. Jeanlearned she had cance
in Montreal, recovered,and retu
rest of the money she neededtr
r morethan the nameof the Patient
of entry.Agesdre missinBin mdny
wasnot desiSndted
x of ind'ividudls
un was listed as a man. Before the
neswas full of spellingerrors;ages,
wereleft out. Causesof death were
rem all to leprosy. When so many
wards,it seemsunlikely that everythe hospitalput on a more Professure the level be maintainedtheY
inspectedevery year.
rct on the report. Father Babineau
had been completelYexonerated
esiredby the commissioners."TheY
Lelepers on the lazaretto near the
his tb ihe sick and theY will underfrom the parishcemeteryis the first
nplaints iesulted in."'?7The change
ai a precaution.Dr. Smith wrote
re bacilli of leprosy . . . resists Purown how long."tt 1tt the sPring of
Chiasson19,and BernardPower 13
rry near the shore. All these Young
of eachother.
rspital.On August 24, 1899,Thomas
VilfredLauriei on behalf of his wife
C he had askedFather Babineau"if
r oncea day. . . . he did not answer
and bring mY wife some tea
Lospital
Mr. Savoyattempted
herself."
ior
se
Lstold they had no sugar and "were
;ignedby himselfas witnessand bY
ttourde, JosephCionet,
r---Baptisle
undur Kristjansson.They said they
that they only saw Dr. Smith about
:y were-"tide and beaten."s Father
he letter were told it was simPlY a
them. "Two of the Icelanderswould
)cument,including a petition to get
werenot goinqto go awaYuntil the
lical direc'iion-ofthieinstiiution. Dr.
uld have the powers necessaryand
: heatmentofihe patientsincluding
dteof sorneresistancefrom the priest
in the fall
)intedthe superintendent
rntrancewas assiBnedto him.
136
One of the last actsFatherBabineauperformed before his retirement
as administrator was to secure a small raise in salary for the sisters.
"These ladies should not be allowed or permitted to struggle for a living
suPwhile engagedin this humane work," he wrote.33In the 1899-1900
plementary estimates,an additional $200was set aside, a sum quite a
bit lower than ihe priest's request of $1,600.However it was their fitst
increasein thirty years. One year later another $200was given, again
becauseFather Babineauhad requestedit.
Father Babineau'sauthoritarian nature did not take well to retirement--{specially since his job had been taken over by his old rival. He
turned hii energiestoward internal matters of the convent, matters that
were the jurisdiction of the sisters. Before long a disPute between the
priest and the Mother Superior, Mdre Marie-Anne Doucet, broke out'
The Mother Superior angered the jealous priest by allowing two of
the sistersto go to ionfessioi to his curate instead of to him. This and
other sliqhts t; his authority causedFather Babineauto call the reliEious
commun"itvtoqether and, in front of all her sistersin religion, the priest
read a list bf giievanceshe had against the Mother Superior. This action
causedan up"roarin the convent Severalnuns felt the priest had gone
too far: they wanted him removed from his office A secondgroup
believed the Mother Superior, Mdre Doucet, should submit to Father
Babineau'sauthority beciuse the rules of obediencecalled for het to do
so. Soeur St. Jeanheaded the latter group.
The controversv spread outside the walls of the convent' Bishop
Roeers sided with Father Babineau. Other clergy in the region tended
to Svmpathizewith Mdre Doucet. The dispute threatened the very existeice'of the Tracadiefoundation. Finally MEre Brousseau,Mother Suoerior of Les Hospitalidresde St.-Josephin Montreal, was informed of
*hrtlvut happening.Shejn turn notiiied the ApostolicDelegate,Mgr'
Diomede Falcbnio,the highestranking cleric in the Roman Catholic
Church in Canada.
Father Babineauwas forced to resiSn from his position as Chaplain
to the sisters.However, his animosity to the congregationwas such that
this was not sufficient to keep him from meddling in their affairs Finally,
in the spring of 1903he was transferred from Tracadie,after thirty-two
vearsin the"parish.He was appointedpastorof St. Leonardin Northern
i.l"* B..rns*ick. Herehe undertookthe renovationof the parishchurch
and oversaw the construction of a spaciouspresbytery' He remained in
St. Leonard until his deaih on March 37, L91'5.
After thirty-four years in Tracadie, Soeur St. Jeanwas transferred
to Arthabaska,Quebei where, on the heelsof her arrival in August 1902,
the sick beean to line up outside the convent door. Shewas soon elected
Mother Su"perior;true to her character, she launched a financial drive
to raise monev for a hospital. In a letter to her old friend Dr' Smith, she
assuredhim that in spitebf missing Tracadiea greatdeal, shewas happy'
Shortly after being electedMother Superior for a secondterm, Soeur
St. Jeanlelrned she iad cancer on her left side. She was oPeratedon
in Montreal, recovered,and returned to Arthabaska. She borrowed the
rest of the money she needed to comPletethe hosPital she wanted so
t37
much but before she could see the work finished the cancer returned.
She was tormented by the debt she had caused.
Towards the end of her life, the Bishop of Quebec visited her bedside, blessed her and relieved her of her secular responsibilities. Comforted by this gesture, she died in peace May 8, 1906.She was 61 vears
old. When word of her death was received in Tracadie a solemn servtce
was held for her. Later in July, on his return from Rome, Bishop Thomas
F. Barry, who had replaced the late Bishop Rogers of Chatham, came
to Tracadieand celebrateda Pontificial Mass for Soeur St. Jean. Assisting
him were six other pdests, an indication of the high regard in which
she was held.
Today her motto is still displayed in the little Tracadie museum
operated by the sisters. It reads "Je cherche partout dans ma solitude
les croix que I'on me disait devoir y recontrer et nulle part je ne les
trouve." In my solitude I have looked all over for the crossesthey told
me I would meet and none of them could I find. The annals say Soeur
St. Jean was the soul of the Tracadie community and its many good
WOIKS.
DON'T BE
I DON'T HA
Strangeto say the PeoPleof t
lazarettois situated,and theP(
seemto mind the diseasein th(
or infection does not seemto (
"Nobody had any fear of
gerald told us.' And Dr. Smith
preventing the boysfrom the vil
with our foungei Patients."!
Mrs. Delphine (Arseneau
at the age of
phanage in 1^898
aware of the leprosy Patients
window in the chaPelor throul
yard from theirs; but when the
say things like, "Don't be afra
much more fearful illnessto th
By ihe 20th century the n
Daily Sun reportedin 1902that
Cariquet communitiesin 1875
the iifected region in 1901wa
since 1891by 725so the decre
Over the next decadesthe I
ily declined. Irnprovedhealthci
severalpersonswere cureo/an
though cured, remained incar
nowhere else for them to go.
tacks, uremia, and strokecaus
leprosy.
Even before the 20th cenh
t
wrote, "Leprosy occasionallY
dith Benoit enteredthe lazarett
was admitted in 1879and went
in 1890.Thesepatientswere di
having entirely disaPPeared.
Maurice Benoit, who was
own accordin 1899,aPParent
138
vork finished the cancer returned.
had caused.
Bishop of Quebec visited her bedher secularresponsibilities.Com,aceMay 8, lq0o. She war 6l vears
:eived in Tracadie a solemn service
return from Rome, Bi'hop Thoma*
Bishop Rogersof Chatham, came
rl Massfor SoeurSt. Jean. AssistinEi
ation of the high reg,ardin which
'ed in the little Tracadie museum
cherche partout dans ma solitude
y recontrer et nulle part je ne les
d all over for lhe cro:ses they told
c o u l d I f i n d . T h e a n n a l ss a y S o e u r
ie community and its many good
IE
DON'T BE AFRAID OF ME,
I DON'T HAVE CHICKEN POX
Strange to say the people of this village of Tracadie where the.lePer
lazarettois siiuated, and the people of the sufiounding country do not
seemto mind the diseasein the least . . the idea of possiblecontagion
or infection does not seem to enter their minds
"Saddest Spot in North America,"
MontrealStar(Montreal,P.Q.)
no date-between 1899and 1902
"Nobody had any fear of the disease in Tracadie," Dorothy Fitzeerald told us.' And Dr. Srnith complained in 1904, "1 have difficulty
to associate
ireventing the boys from the village coming into the grounds
with our younger patients."'?
Mrs. Delphine (Arseneau) Lockhart, who was brought to the orphanaqe in 1b98 at the age of four, told us the orphans were hardly
a*ur""of the leprosy patGnts. They could see them behind the glass
window in the ihapil br through the fence that separated the orPhans'
vard from theirs; but when the children teased one another they would
iav thinqs like, "Don't be afraid of me, I don't have chicken pox," a
much m6re fearful illness to them than leplosy.3
By the 20th century the number of cases had been reduced. Tfte
Dailv Sun reported in 1902 that there had been 3T lepers in the TracadieCariquet co-mmunities in 1875 and 1,4by 7901. The total.population of
the infecied region in 1901 was 10,868. The population had increased
since 1891 by 725 so the decrease in cases was all the more marked.
Over the next decades the number of patienis in the lazaretto steadilv declined. Improved health care prolonged lives, remissions occurred,
.6,reral oersons'were cured. and some of these returned home Others,
though cured, remained incarcerated many years, because there was
else for them to go. Diseases such as peneumonia, heart at.,o-iet"
tacks, uremia, and stroke caused as many deaths among the Patients as
leprosy.
Even before the 20th century some cures were possible. Dr' Smith
wrote, "Leprosy occasionally tended to sPontaneous cessation. . . Judith Benoit entered the lazaretto in 1879 and left in 1889. Augustin Losier
was admitted in 1879 and went out in 1885. Louis Mazerolle went away
in 1890. These patients were discharged by me, the disease in each case
having entirely disappeared. "a
Maurice Benoit, who was admitted in 1878, left the hospital of his
own accord in 1899, apparently cured. He found work at a local lumber
139
mill, married, and lived to a ripe old age. "He was a very nice man,"
his friend Jim Losier recalled.s It was a happy ending for a man who
had spent most of his childhood and young adult years in the lazaretto.
Maurice Benoit's sister Judith presurnably married and led a normal life
after h'er release. Augustin Losier stayed a bachelor. For several years
he was employed doing odd jobs on the lazaretto grounds.
In 1900 Chaulmoogra oil was introduced with promising results.
The oil was expressed from the seeds of the chaulmogra tree, and was
taken internally. Dr. Smith had experimented with it twice earlier but
the results were negative.
Apparently encouraged by reports elsewhere, he iried the oil for a
third time. By October 31, 7901, Dr. Smith wrote that in all those patients
who took the chaulmoogra treatment "the general health improved;
ulcers on the limbs healed rapidly, tubercles disappeared, and swollen
faces and hands became reduced to a nearly normal condition. In the
cases of those who used the remedies only intermittingly, but little
improvement was noticeable."6
Over the next few years, Dr. Smith continued with the oil in combination with quinine or syrup of wild cherry in the hope of reducing
its most serious side effect-nausea and indigestion. By 1914, the oil
was refined and th€ product, called antileporal, was in general use at
the lazaretto. By 1919, ihe oil was given by injection as well as in capsule
form. "It is sore, especially the young ones find it so," Dr. JosephAntoine Langis said.7
Sister Victoria Branch was the first registered nurse assigned to the
lazaretto. "Before I went there, you know, there were no nurses, just
sisters trained on the job." She remernbered that the injections were
given once a month. "Chaulmoogra oil was very thick and you had to
have a great big needle. Nowadays, you have a fine needle; you hardly
feel it when it goes in. In those days, the injections were painful and
you hated to give them because they weren't muscular these people and
you had to give them deep in the muscle of the hip."s Some patients
refused the treatment because it was too painful. Others became deaihly
sick after an injection so it had to be stopped. Then there were those
who were unable to take the injections but could take the oil in capsule
form.
In the years when it was first introduced in Tracadie, both Dr. Smith
and later Dr. Langis had a chance to compare the results with patients
who could not tolerate the medicine and those who could. Dr. Lansis
agreed with Dr. Smith. "With all our inmates who are taking advantage
of this treatment, there is a notable improvement . . ." He found similar
cases who did not receive the oil "were getting worse everyday."e
With better health care generally among the population, the disease
occurrred rarely and few people outside of the lazaretto thought much
about it. The Fransblow family have had a retail store in Tracadie since
1898.Joseph, who with his brother now operates a similar establishment
in Bathurst, was born in the village. "People weren't against having the
lazaretto there. They accepted it. They never passed a petition or pro140
tested to have it taken out. Whe
just a small village and the rea
was it was so far from a town, it
around to do businessthere." Tl
was the ihird largestafter the W
In the village itself were qu
off, at least comfortable."Fishin
the main industries." The two
merchandise but mostly Eroce
pulpwood, fish, lobsters. . . the
ihev would neverputTracadie.
Tratadie, that's what theY thou
Fransblow said.loJim Losier,a re
put Tracadieon a ProductYou 1
SisterBranchsaidthe Young
than the older ones-they werer
keepers,becauseof the stigmaa
Sister Branch told us: "But still
quotations every month before'
your quotation list to the stores
our tr;de. Of course,we'd alwa
the merchandisewasn't iust so i
the lepers. After all, they had e
ferior food." In fact, there were
Fransblow, like severalothersv
were in the lazarelto, ihey didn
placesoutside the country."
As the century Progresse
more aware of the nature of the il
some of the attitudes common
of the victims were now immigra
The younger generationof villag
anceitors. Some believedthe la
becauseof its isolation and lacl
"We had one Russianwho went
The cops brought him back.We
the village startedmaking Petiti
Tracadie."
When a Catholicmissiona
admitted in 1957,Dr. Paulin, a
him and the other pahentsa m
to Dr. Paulin's cottage,located
the lazaretto. Since early times
acrossthe bay and Picnicon th
lagoon. Dr. Langisusedto taket
in the 1920s.On other occasion
in the orphanageat the time, h
gienic stindardi must have bee
dren got leprosy.
I age. "He was a very nice man,
s a happy ending for a man who
youngadultyearsin the ldzdretto.
rablymarriedand led a normal life
lyed a bachelor.For severalyears
the lazarettogrounds.
rtroducedwith promisingresults.
s of the chaulmogratree, and was
) mentedwith it twice earlier but
:ts elsewhere,he tried the oil for a
nith wrote that in all those patients
nt "the general health improved;
rberclesdisappeared,and swollen
a nearly normal condition. In the
lies only intermittingly, but little
dth continuedwith the oil in conild cherryin the hope of reducing
and indigestion. By 1914,the oil
antileporal,was in general use at
:n by injectionaswell as in capsule
rng ones find it so," Dr. Joseph'st registerednurse assignedto the
know, there were no nurses, just
remberedthat the iniections were
oil was very thick and you had to
you havea fine needle;you hardly
s, the injectionswere painful and
weren'tmuscularthesepeople and
ruscleof the hip."3 Some patients
toopainful.Othersbecamedeathly
e stopped.Then there were those
nsbut could take the oil in capsule
oducedin Tracadie,both Dr. Smith
, comParethe resultswith patients
and those who could. Dr. Langis
inmateswho are taking advantage
nprovement. . ." He found similar
'eregetting worse everyday."e
amongthe population, the disease
sideof the lazarettothought much
had a retail storein Tracadiesince
)w operatesa similarestablishment
"Peopleweren't againsthaving the
reynever passeda petition or pro40
tested to have it taken out. When we settled down there, Tracadie was
just a small village and the reason so much business was done there
was it was so far from a town, it became a centre. People came from all
around to do business there." There were a few stores and Fransblow's
was the third largest after the W.S. and N. & R. Loggie Compantes.
In the village itself were quite a few people who were, if not well
off, at least comfortable. "Fishing, farming, and lumbering, those were
the main industries." The two Loggie companies, ". . . sold general
merchandise but mostly groceries and they would buy railway ties,
pulpwood, fish, lobsters . . . they also canned blueberries, on their labels
ihey would never put Tracadie . . . People outside, when you mentioned
Traiadie, thafs what they thoughq that the lePers were there," Mr.
Fransblow said.lo Jim Losier, a ret"ired fisheries officer confirmed, "lf you
put Tracadie on a product you wouldn't be able to sell it at all."
Sister Branch said the younger peoPle in the village were more afraid
than the older ones-they were rnore opposed to the lepers. Some shopkeepers, because of the stigma abroad, also protested from time to time.
Sist'er Branch told us: "Bu--t still they loved to sell. You had to ask for
quotations every month before you bought your supplies So you sent
your quotation iist to the stores and everybody was competing to have
bur tride. Of course, we'd always go to the lowest bidder. Sometimes
the merchandise wasn't tust so ind of course, you wanted the best for
the lepers. After all, they had enough trouble without giving them inferior iood." In fact, there were so few cases from the region, that Mr.
Fransblow, like several others we talked to, believed, "The lepers that
were in the lazaretto, they didn't belong in Tracadie. They came fron
places outside the country."
As the century progressed, however, people in Tracadie became
more aware of the nature of the illness. With this knowledge they adopted
some of the attitudes common to those outside the community. Most
of the victims were now immigrants who had settled in western Canada.
The younger generation of villagers knew little about the disease in their
uncestotslso"me believed the lizaretto had been imposed on Tracadie
because of its isolation and lack of political power. Sister Branch said,
"We had one Russian who went to town, got some booze and got drunk.
The cops brought him back. Well, that made a bi8 furor. The people in
the village staried making petitions to Ottawa to bring the lepers out of
Tracadie."
When a Catholic missionary, who had contracted the disease, was
admiiied in 1957, Dr. Paulin, a general practitioner in Tracadie, gave
him and the other patients a moior boat. They were allowed to take it
to Dr. Paulin's cottage, located on a point of land some distance from
the lazaretto. Since early times the patients had been allowed to sail
across the bav and picnic on the sisters'land on the other side of the
lagoon. Dr. Lingis uied to take the patients from the lazaretto out sailing
inlhe 1920s. On other occasions, said Mrs. Lina Losier, who was a child
in the orphanage at the time, he brought the children out as well. Hysienic stindardi must have been maintained because none of the children got leprosy.
l4l
In the 1950s views were different. Sister Branch said peonle "were
saying the lepers had been seen all over town. you know they made it
worse than it was . . . that they had permission to do anything . . . We
had to deny it all the time . . . anyway they put the rules stdcter, Ottawa
did. The lepers weren't allowed any more to go on land, our own land.
Depressing, it made them feel like outsiders . . . But they kept going
on the lobster boat. We told ihem the water was for everybody.
But the positions taken by the people in Tracadie were quite tolerant
when compared to the attitudes of those outside the region. Mrs. Fitzgerald said, "People would drive right through. They wouldn't stay in
Tracadie for anything. They told weird stories . . ." Sister Branch told
us, "You could always tell visitors to Tracadie because they would detour
over to the left side of the highway when they passed in front of the
lazaretto. She also said she attended a medical convention in the midfifties where several in the health profession refused to shake her hand
o n c e t h e y l e a r n e ds h e w o r k e d w i t h l e p r o s yp a t i e n t s .
Jim Losier once accompanied a government official who wanted to
visit the lazaretto graveyard. "There was a gate and the gate was tied
up with a rope. The fellow wanted to look at the graveyard to make a
report to the government or something . . . anyway they couldn't untie
the knot. He had a little pocket knife . . . he cut the rope and after . .
he took his knife and threw it in the river well, he was scared." When
the government man had gone, Jim Losier's friend took a boat and
retrieved the knife which, he pointed out, was brand new.
At the turn of the century, Dorothy Fitzgerald's mother used to play
the piano for the lazaretto patients and in Iater years, her sister, Patdcia,
played as well. At Christmas, the sisters would lay out a red carpet and
the orphans would be allowed to visit the lazaretto. "The nuns would
tell us not to touch anything. We would sing songs for them. To us,
lepers was leprosy, that was all," Mrs. Lockhart said. Mrs. Lina Losier
visited the lazaretto with her classmates. "They (the lepers) enjoyed that
very much. One Chinese man would sway to the music and smile and
smile." "The lepers would love to see the children corne," Sister Branch
said. "They would talk to them." As for the children, some didn't come
because they were afraid but most wanted to visit the lazaretto wards.
"It was promised them as a treat."
Sometimes the lazaretto patients were allowed off the grounds. Mrs.
Fitzgerald recalled, "When I was a kid I used to sit out there on the
sidewalk with the two Icelanders. My great aunt, Mrs. Smith, had invited
them up. She had two chairs at the end of the driveway and she had
cookies and lemonade; and we'd be invited over too to sit there and
listen to her read the Bible to those two lepers."
Dr. Smith ihought the danger of catching leprosy so remote that he
encouraged his wife and daughter, Annie, to visit the English-speaking
patients. Annie became friendly with Muriel Middleion, a young woman
from Hamilton, Bermuda. Helen Smith was friends with Louise Hyson,
the mother of several children from Annapolis, Nova Scotia whose
youngest child, Arthur, also took the disease.
142
To the general public, ever
contrary, the belief wds that th
rapidly spread. This fear seemedt
among the immigrant populatior
mission in 1898 wrote, "This h(
appedrs to be gaining ground . .
instructions be given quarantine
country and creating new locus
Tn 1C07,the Federal authori
transport people with leprosy b
fireman at the ldzdretto.One he i
After the car had been disinfecte
ihey heard about that. That it v
Tracadie. fhere was an awful stt
Undl lqob, the sistersdnd tt
I a u n d r y b y h a n d , o v e r a s c r u bb
s t e a m l a u n d r y w a s i n s t a l l e d .T h
and the hospital but lazarettolar
and washed separately. The rner
of pdnts, big gloves . . . the ma
took two men to open it and shu
side to take the clothes out." Mr.
the lazarettowas done, the men sl
themselves with disinfectant.
Twenty-five years had gone
control of the lazaretto,yet Dr. S
on him by the Boards of Health
risdiction of the province. Now
this time, Dr. Smith considered tl
rosy is dying out with us and as
to the segregatingo[ such casesas
not be wise to return to the old
"
in which force was used under tl
Dr. Smith's objectionsnotwi
acted the most repressivelegisla
Leprosy Act was passedin the N
Act Respecting Leprosy became,
Canada found to be so afflicted c
lishment. "Discretionary power"
remain at home, provided the illnr
stage, and the person was assure
sanitary care.
"Suspected leper5", to use tt
made to submit to an examinatio
be incarcerated if believed to be al
If two doctors or the medical supel
j u d g e s c o u l d i s s u ed w a r r a n tf o r
finement to d lazdretto. Anyone r
i. Sister Branch said people "were
ver town, you know they made it
)ermission to do anything . . . We
'they put the rules stricter, Ottawa
n o r et o B o o n l a n d , o u r o w n l a n d .
,utsiders... But they kept going
3 water was for everybody."
rplein Tracadiewere quite tolerant
roseoutside the region. Mrs. Fitzrt through. They wouldn't stay in
rd stories. . ." Sister Branch told
racadiebecausethey would detour
when they passed in fuont of the
a medical convenfion in the midfession refused to shake her hand
rprosy patients.
overnment official who wanted tcr
was a gate and the gate was tied
r look at the graveyard to make a
. 9 . . . d n y w d yt h e yc o u l d n ' tu n t i e
. . . he cut the ropeand after . . .
river well, he was scared." When
,Losier's friend took a boat and
Lout, was brand new.
LyFitzgerald's mother used to play
I in later years, her sister, Patricia,
-'rswould lay out a red carpet and
it the lazaretto. "The nuns would
ould sing songs for them. To us,
s , L o c k h a r ts a i d .M r s . L i n a L o s i e r
ss. "They (the lepers) enjoyed that
s w a y t o t h e m u s i ca n d s m i l e a n d
the children come," Sister Branch
br the children, some didn't come
anted to visit the lazaretto wards
vereallowed off the grounds. Mrs
dd I used to sit out there on the
,reat aunt, Mrs. Smith, had invited
end of the driveway and she had
invited over too to sit there dnd
rvo lepers."
:atchingleprosy so remote that he
nnie, to visit the English-speaking
{uriel Middleton, a young woman
h was friends with Louise Hyson.
r Annapolis, Nova Scotia whose
disease.
2
To the general public, even doctors, in spite of evidence to the
contrary, the belief was that the disease could be easily caught and
rapidly spread. This fear seemed to increase with the discovery of leprosy
among the immigrant population. Members of the LaChappelle Commission in 1898 wrote, "This horrible disease, far from disappearing
appears to be gaining ground . . ." They recommended that, "Precise
instructions be given quarantine officers to prevent lepers entering the
country and creating new focus for disease."lr
In 1907, the Federal authorities ordered that railway cars used to
transport people with leprosy be fumigated. Jim Losier worked as a
fireman at the lazaretto. One he fumiqated a train car with sulfur smoke.
After the car had been disinfected it was talen to Moncton. "In Moncton
they heard about that. That it was the train that had taken lepers to
Tracadie. There was an awful storm in the papers."
Until 1906, the sisters and their servants still washed the lazaretro
laundry by hand, over a scrub board. However, in that year a modern
steam laundry was installed. The machine was used for the lazaretto
and the hospital but lazaretto laundry had to be loaded from that side
and washed separately. The men wore special clothes, "big coat, pair
of pants, big gloves . . the machine was heavy made of steel . . . it
took two men to open it and shut the doors. We had to go to the other
side to take the clothes out." Mr. Losier also said that when work inside
the lazaretto was done, the men shed the protective clothing and washed
themselves with disinfectant.
Twenty-five years had gone by since the federal government took
control of the lazaretto, yet Dr. Smith still used the authority conferred
on him by the Boards of Health when the lazaretto was under the jurisdiction of the province. Now legislation was before Parliament. By
this time, Dr. Smith considered the proposed act unnecessary. "As leprosy is dying out with us and as I see no greater difficulty with regard
to the segregating of such cases as may adse in the future, I fear it would
not be wise to return to the old and very unsatisfactory state of affairs
i n w h i c h f o r c e w a s u s e d u n d e r t h e m a c h i n e r yo f L a w . . . " ,
Dr. Smith's objections notwithstanding, the federal authorities enacted the most repressive legislation against the sick people since the
Leprosy Act was passed in the New Brunswick Legislature in 1844.An
Act Respecting Leprosy became law in 1906. Under it, every person in
Canada found to be so afflicted could be confined in a lazaretto establishment. "Discretionary power" was given to allow certain victims to
remain at home, provided the illness had not reached the communicable
stage, and the person was assured of isolation, medical treatment, and
sanrtary care.
"Suspected lepers", to use the term contained in the act, could be
made to submit to an examination bv a qualified doctor and forced to
be incarceratedif believed to be afflicted, or else face court proceedings.
If two doctors or the medical superintendent swore a person was a leper,
judges could issue a waffant for his or her arrest and subsequent confinement to a lazaretto. Anyone who harboured a leper was laible to a
fine of up to one hundred dollars and/or up to six months in iail. Warrants could be issued authorizing a constable or other persons to enter
a house, room, or place at any time in search of a suspected leper and
such a person could be forced to submit to an examination.l3
In spite of the act's provision to allow isolation at home, up until
the lazaretto in Tracadie closed its doors in 1965, the only persons given
that privilege were the Cape Breton victims. ". . . it has never been
found that a leper has sufficient funds to care for himself in his home
for the period of years, sometimes a lifetime, during which treatment
is necessary," wrote Dr- J. ]. Heagerty of the National Health Department
in 1932.1a
S. J. Smyth was certainly in a position to pay for his own medical
care. A Canadian engineer employed in Rio de Janeiro, he caught the
disease while in Brazil. When it was diagnosed at the out-patient department of Toronto General Hospital, company representatives asked
the government for permission to build a cottage for Mr. Smyth in an
isolated area in Canada. Married to a professional nurse, Julia Smyth,
he was guaranteed around-the-clock medical attention. His request was
turned down. Mr. Smyth, like other victims, found himself a lonely
passenger in a car "between the engine tender and the baggage car, as
far away as possible from the passenger coaches," on his way to Tracadie
"where a colony of lepers is established."r5
A private room with bath was provided for Mr. Smyth by dividing
a section of the large ten-bed men's ward. A room for Mrs. Smyth wai
found in the section of the convent, outside the sisters' cloister, reserved
for visiting priests. On March 23, 1933, Julia Smyth wrote, "we were
agreeably surprised with things in general at the hospital. I cannot call
iI"lazarctto" , aword Webster's Dictionarv defines as a pest house . ."16
That summer Mr. Smyih paid for the Bithurst Citizen's Band to come
down and entertain the "lipers" on the lawn of the lazaretto. "Sure we
all went out to that," Mrs. Fitzgerald recalled. Following the concert,
band members were allowed to tour the establishment. Mr. Smyth stayed
only a few months. "Not liking the climate nor the circumstances oihis
surroundings, Smyth obtained permission to iourney to England at his
own expense," the sisters' annals say.17
Mrs. Fitzgerald said, "Dr. Ryan and my brother and James Robichaud, they escorted him on board the train in Newcastle and they
escorted him to Halifax. He boarded a boat in Halifax for Eneland.
They're allowed to live in their own homes in England." He died two
years later of Bright's disease. Julia Smyth wrote to Sister Branch, "He
was only a young man, under forty."
Mr. Smyih wasn't the first patient to have special privileges if he
or she could afford them. Muriel Middleton had her own room in the
lazaretto and her parents sent her gifts of clothing and money.
The federal government paid for Rev. J. E. Davis's children to come
to visit him. The Baptist Minister caught the disease in India where he
worked for seventeen years. He was admitted to the lazaretto in November 1910. When the minister's condition worsened, the Deparrmenr
t44
of Public Health respondedto a re(
Dr. Montizambertwrole to her, '
that the minister has consentedtl
your father at the Tracadielazaf
ment . . The amountwill covera
where the medicalsuperintende
in his power towards your comfo
Miss Davis did not cometo s
made ihe trip during the Chdstma
to $40.25.A year later, StanleyDa
privilege.Dr. Montizambertsaidt
as an act of charity and compas
1916.Insteadof intermentin th€
sealedmetal casket,was transpo
The government'streatmen
years of his life to caring {or leper
able. In seeinghis children,Rev
did not have. A lot of men and r"
home never to see them again.
n o m a ns a td a y
O n e R u s s i aw
lonelinessfor her children. A your
much befriended her. Eachday c
"Pretend I am your daughter," s
languageand culture, a warm fnr
Many years later, anothersiste
children,now grown up, cameto'
"bui she had died the year before
was buried."
Nor did the compassion
sho
Davis extend to the sisterswho w(
citizens. In Novernber 1915,a mo
cadie,Dr. Langiswrote to Dr. Mr
Bariaultand SoeurMarie-AmeDc
in Montreal-Soeur Marie for can
medical care, to be given in the
However, the sisterswanted the I
expenseswhjch would alsoindu(
many who would accompanyther
deux soeurs. . . sont des person
des l6preux," Soeur Sormanywrt
in caring for lepers.Both had been
for over thirty years.
Since19i2, the congregatio
the federal authorities in salarie
salaryof $1,600.yearly. Therewer
in the lazaretto,plus severalwho s
novice was requiredto spend si
Sormany wrote that not only did tl
or up to six months in jail. Warrstableor other personsto enter
searchof a suspectedleper and
dt to an examination.13
llow isolationat home, uP until
s in 1965,the only personsgiven
sictims. ". . . it has never been
r to carefor himself in his home
ifetime, during which treatment
f the NationalHealthDepartment
ition to pay for his own medical
in Rio de Janeiro,he caught the
liagnosedat the out-patient decompanyrepresentativesasked
d a cottagefor Mr. Smyth in an
professionalnurse, Julia Smyth,
edicalattention.His requestwas
victims, found himself a lonely
e tenderand the baggagecar, as
'coaches,"on his way to Tracadie
,A
1115
vided for Mr. Smyth by dividing
ard. A room for Mrs. Smyth was
:sidethe sisters'cloister,reserved
3, Julia Smyth wrote, "we were
Leralat the hospital. I cannot call
ary definesasa pesthouse . ."15
BathurstCitizen's Band to come
e lawn of the lazaretto."Sure we
recalled.Following the concert,
restablishment.Mr. Smyth stayed
natenor the circumstancesof his
tion to joumey to England at his
Lndmy brother and JamesRobihe train in Newcastle and they
a boat in Halifax for England.
.omesin England." He died two
rFh wrote to SisterBranch, "He
t to have specialprivileges if he
rlletonhad her own room in the
s of clothing and money.
ev. J. E. Davis'schildren to come
ht the diseasein India where he
admitted to the lazarettoin Nolition worsened,the Department
of Public Health respondedto a requestfrom Evelyn Davis, his daughter.
Dr. Montizambert wrote to her, "l have the pleasurein informing you
that the minister has consentedthat your expensesin making a visit to
your father at the Tracadie lazaretto shall be defrayed by this department . . . The amount will cover all your travelling expensesat Tracadie
where the medical superintendent has been instructed to do everything
in his power towards your comfort while there."l3
Miss Davis did not come to see her father but her brother, George,
made the trip during the Christmas holidays in 1914.His expensescame
to $40.25.A year later, Stanley Davis, a secondson, was given the same
privilege. Dr. Montizambert said the favor was "Strongly recornmended
is an act of charity and compassion."'eRev. Davis died on April 29,
1916.Instead of interment in the lazaretto cemeteryhis body, laid in a
sealedmetal casket, was transported to Wicklow, Ontario, for burial.
The qovernment's treatment of the minister who had devoted 17
years of his life to caring for lepers in a foreign country was commendible. In seeing his children, Rev. Davis was accorded a favour many
did not have. A lot of men and women left spousesand youngsters at
home never to see them again.
One Russianwoman sat day after day unable to put into words her
lonelinessfor her children. A young sister who missed her mother very
much befriended her. Each day during recreation, she sat beside her,
"Pretend I am your daughter,t'she told her. Across the wide gap of
language and culture, a warm friendship developed between them."2o
Many years later, another sister, the late Louise Ldg€re recalled the
childreir, now grown up, came to the lazarettodoor to visit their mother
"but she had died the year before. The sistersshowed them where she
was buried."
Nor did the compassion shown by the federal authorities to Rev.
Davis extend to the siiters who were doing the samework for Canadian
citizens. In November 1915,a month before Stanley Davis visited Tracadie, Dr. Langis wrote to Dr. Montizambert on behalf of Soeur Marie
Bariault and Soeur Marie-Anne Doucet. They needed surgicaltreatment
in Montreal-Soeur Marie for cancer, Sceur Doucet for cataracts.Their
medical care, to be given in the HOtel-Dieu Hospital, would be free
However, the sisterswanted the government to pay for their travelling
eipenses which would also include those of Dr. Langis and Mdre Sormany who would accompanythem. The total requestedwas $170."Les
deux soeurs .
sont des personnes qui ont use leur sant6 au service
des l€preux," Soeur Sormany wrote.'l They had impaired their health
in caring for lepers. Both had been members of the Tracadiefoundation
for over thirty years.
Since 1912,the congregationhad received only $1,500a year from
the federal authorities in salaries, whereas Dr. Langis earned a basic
salaryof $1,600.yearly. There were always four sisterson full-time duty
in the lazaretto,plus severalwho servedthere on a rotation basis E\/ery
novice was required to spend six months in the leper wards- Mdre
Sormanywrote that not only did the sistershave to economizeseverely,
t45
they had to go into debt. Recent salary increases had been used to pay
off ihat debiand the congregation could not afford to send the sisters
to Montreal for the neceslary treatment. The Minister of Agriculture,
Martin Burrell, replied curtly, "not in my power to grant same.""
We do not know if the sisters found the money for the necessary
vovaqe but we do know that Soeur Marie-Anne's condition Progressed.
By'19i9, at the age of si\ty-five, an extremely painful glaucoma deprived
hir of her eyesight altogether. She died in 1934 after fifty-seven years
in relieious life. Soeur Marie Bariault who eventually died of cancer, had
done iiany of the manual tasks from nursing to shoemaking to laundry,
in the lazaretto wards and in the community.
Another privileged patient was Vashti DeLeon who had been raised
on a Jamaican plantition. Her parents were reportedly well-off . She was
working in a ihocolate factory in Toronto when the disease was diaSnosed. 5he was only twenty years old when, like Mr. Smyth, she arrived
by train. The date was January 26, L927.
Mr. Losier recalled that there was a blizzard the day she arrived;
the station was snowed in. The train stopped at Six Roads, about twenty
kilometers or twelve miles from the lazaretto. "They had to fix a sled,
mattresses on both sides, mattresses under her ' . . She was nice and
well-covered so she wouldn't catch cold The roads were pluggged . . '
She
it took them about half a day to bring her " . to the hospital
. . she was well dressed
was a voung woman. Her face was nice looking
up . .'. I lodked at her when she climbed the steps-her feet, her ankles,
thev were swollen." Sister Branch said Miss Deleon was "really frantic
whin she landed coming from Toronto and landing in Tracadie . . so
they prepared this unit ind made her a Private room so that made her
happier . . ."
Miss Deleon, a Catholic, left the church for two years, Sister Branch
said. "If God was ihat way she couldn't stand hirn any more. The-Mother
Superior, Mdre Ladauveisidre. .. a very clever woman, she brought
hei back and when she came back to the church . . she got resigned
She learned to . . . live with us. The sisters were her friends and she
used to have great fun with the other patients . . She had the first
radio. Her broiher brought her one right away . . we used to go there
for the news . . . The sisters didn't have any (a radio)." Miss Deleon
had lovely clothes sent to her by her sister and every year her brother
and sistei came to visit her. She was also introduced to young people
in ihe village by the younger nuns. "Those girls could-visit as often as
they liked, moie often than me," Sister Branch recalled.
Patricia Young remembered her. "Towards the end she talked behind a screen. She'd say'now I don't want anybody to look at me'"
the staff and patients as well as visWell-educated and popular among
-by
many we t;lked to She died of
itors, she was still'remembered
pneumonia on October 8, 1949
While Dr. Srnith warned visitors "do not call before ten, do not
touch anything they have been using, do not even sit down upon their
chairs, above Jl donot jnhale their breath,"'?3privately, he once said to
146
a friend, "I have come to the con
victim of this terrible illnessis b5
about it the more he was attrac
personalinconvenienceor of suff
if such an action on mY Partwoul
There is no evidencethat Dr. Sm
ising results with chaulmoograoi
not necessary.
Mrs. Fitzgerald said of him,
things that wint on." The librar
and papers on the subjectof lePr
m
other doctors and researchers
to e\plore the sitesof Indianenc
together a collection of Indian a
ho"bby.ElizabethKristjansson(C
sincere thanks for the Phoiogra
Severalof thr
full in the face."'?o
zaretto in this book were taken I
Of the three, Soeur St Jea
only Dr. Smith was to stay asso
'la
Who is to saY how long
region without Dr. Smith'sunco
Evenwith his
odi of segregation?
During t6e latterPartof the 19th
five of ten childrenof Jeanand
in the lazaretto.The motherand
within a one-YearPeriod.Evenfi
In other casestoo, when a vrct
results were disastrousfor his fr
Dr. Smith took over Fathe
He wrote to govemment officia
responded with Patients'familie
birthdays of the lazarettoreside
on their feast days or annivetsa
Every day, besidesvisiting I
generalhospital.[n the Yearer
t"hirty peopli had been treatedt
of medicaiion,Dr. SmithPaidfr
the sistersgo without their mon
one," SisterBranchsaid oI him.
to us," a lazarettoPatient,Jose
Mrs. Fitzgerald,sitting ihe I
rememberedhim in his latter d
the organ for him, and he wou
of the-window. The annalssal
paralysis that preventedhim fr
brr".iu^" his pain and went ev
y increaseshad been used to pay
uld not afford to send the sisters
ent. The Minister of Agriculture,
my power to grant same.""
Lrndthe money for the necessary
fie-Anne's condition progressed.
:emely painful glaucoma deprived
ied in 1934 after fifty-seven years
rho eventually died of cancer, had
Lursingto shoemaking to laundry,
munity.
LshtiDeleon who had been raised
were reportedly welfoff . She was
onto when the disease was diagwhen, like Mr. Smyth, she arrived
21.
s a blizzard. the day she arrived;
opped at Six Roads, about twenty
uaretto. "They had to fix a sled,
under her . . . She was nice and
ld. The roads were pluggged . . .
i h e r . , . t o t h e h o s p i t a .l . . S h e
looking . . . she was well dressed
:d ihe steps-her feet, her ankles,
I Miss Deleon was "really frantic
:o and landing in Tracadie . . . so
a private room so that made her
hurch for two years, Sister Branch
t stand him any rnore. The Mother
very clever woman, she brought
the church . . . she got resigned.
sisters were her friends and she
:r patients . . . She had the first
;ht away . . . we used to go there
ave any (a radio)." Miss Deleon
sister and every year her brother
also introduced to young people
Ihose girls could visit as often as
er Branch recalled.
"Towards the end she talked beI want anybody to look at me.' "
: staff and patients as well as visnany we talked to. She died of
"do not call before ten, do not
do not even sit down upon their
eath,"'?3privately, he once said to
a friend, "l have come to the conclusion that the only way to become a
victim of this terrible illness is by inoculation."'r The more he thought
about it the more he was attracted to this idea. "It isn't a questron ot
personal inconvenience or of sufferinfi, it is more a question of knowing
if such an action on my part would be in the interest of medical science "
There is no evidence that Dr. Smith carried this out. Perhaps the Promising results with chaulmoogra oil convinced hirn that such heroics were
not necessary.
Mrs. Fitzgerald said of him, "He loved to investigate all kinds of
things thai went on." The library in his office was stacked with books
and papers on the subject of leprosy. Frequently, he correspo_ndedwith
other doctors and researchersin the field. With all this, he still had ttme
to explore the sites of Indian encamPments around Tracadie and to put
together a collection of Indian artifacts. He took uP Photography as a
hobby. Elizabeth Kristjansson (Christianson) wrote to him, "Accept my
sinceie thanks for the photograph of my father . . he looks well and
full in the face."'?oSeveral oi thi photographs of Tracadie and the lazaretto in this book were taken by him.
Of the three, Soeur St. Jean, Reverend Babineau, and Dr' Smith,
only Dr. Smith was to stay associatedwith the lazaretto until his death.
'la maladie' would have lingered in the
Who is to say how long
sometimes ruthless methuncompromising,
region without Di. Smith's
od"sof segregation? Even with his vigrlence, the illness occasionally flared
During the latter part of the 19th and the early part of the 20th century,
five oiten children of Jean and Henriette Dignard from Lamdque died
in the lazaretto. The mother and two rnore of the children were admitted
within a one-year period. Eventually, the father as well became a victim.
In other cases too, when a victim succeeded in eluding detection, the
results were disastrous for his family.
Dr. Smith took over Father Babineau's duties as well as his own.
He wrote to government officials on behalf of the sisters. He also corresponded with patients' families and found time to help celebrate the
birthdavs of the lazaretto residents and to attend the sisters' celebrations
o n t h e i i f e a s td a y s o r a n n i v e r s a r i e s .
Every day, besides visiiing the lazaretto, he made his rounds in the
general hospital. In the year ending August, 1904, one hundred and
ilirty people had been treated there. If a patient was poor and in need
of medicaiion, Dr. Smith paid for the rnedicine himself rather than see
the sisters go without their money. "He was a great favorite with everyone," Sistei Branch said of him. "The doctor was always kind and good
to us," a lazaretto patient, Joseph A. Buttler wrote.'?7
Mrs. Fitzgerald, sitting the front room of what used to be his office,
remembered him in his latter days. He loved to have her mother plav
the organ for him, and he would sit wearing dark glass_es,Iooking out
of the-window. The annals say, "Near the end of his life, in spite of
paralysis that prevented him from doing his work as he wanted to, he
"'"
overcame his pain and went every day on his usual rounds
l4'1
a.ie.ain the early morning hours of March 73, 1909, at the age
, .He
of sixty-eight. "When the news of his death was brought to the lepe;,
they left the Iazaretto and ran over the fields towardi his home. Mrs.
Smith knew why they came and showed them into the room where his
body rested." The sisters wrote, "His name is venerated and rs synonymous with good will. He left in our hearts memories we will never
forget."'"
By the time he died, the long struggle with leprosy diseasein New
_
B r u n s w i c kw a s n e a r l v a t a n e n d .
PEOPL
When they die they are bur
distinguish their gravesfrom
void than if they had nevere
. . . the filst eventto mention
John Gimmerson (Jon Cudr
1897. . . it helpsour work a
of bringing one more soul to
The 14thof August,two of o
years old from Nova Scotia
originally frorn Russiaand en
to Catholicismand the nextd
communion.Fortheoccasio
were present.
He arrived on the adviceof a
walked 130 miles. It took hir
this distance;from Dalhous
his mealsand sleptin barns
In November of this year I\
mother of four was admitted
feel no less her loss combin
her disease.
| 4ti
's of March 13, 1909,at the age
eath was brought to the lepers,
fieldstowardshis home. Mrs.
d them into the room where his
name is veneratedand is synheartsmemorieswe will never
r9
PEOPLE
IUST LIKEUS
glewith leprosydiseasein New
When they die they are buried in leprous Srounds with nothing to
distinguishtheir gravesfrom that of any others,and leavingno more
void than if they had never existed.
"SaddestSpot in Noith America"
TheMatltrcalSfd/(Montreal,P.Q.)
no date, between1899and 1902
. . . the firsteventto mentionis the baptismof one our lcelandiclePers,
John Gimmerson (Jon Gudmundsson)interned in the lazarettoin
1897. . . it helps our work a little to know the joy from time to time
of bringing one more soul to our good Lord.
Annals of the R.H.S.f.in Tracadie
1904
The 14thof August, two of our protestantlePersArthur Hyson eleven
years old from Nova Scotia, and Nicolas PoPoff fourteen years olcl,
oiginally from Russiaand emigratedto Canadaaround1900converted
to Catholicismand the next day, the 15th,they were to maketheir first
communion.For the occasion,ason Sreatfeastdavs,ali the communitY
were present.
The Annals, 1909
He arrived on the advice of a co-citizen on April 30, 1919,after having
walked 130 miles. It took him seven days through bacl roads to cover
this distance; from Dalhousie to Tracadie. On his way he begged for
his meals and slept in barns. He came to us more dead than alive . . .
Dr. Joseph-Antoine Langis,
Case History of John Dignard
P u t l i c A r c h r v e so f N e w B r L l n . w r c l
1919
ln November of this year Mme Perehudoff. a Russian woman and
mother of four was admitted to the lazaretto. She isn't Catholic but we
feel no less her loss combined with the ineffable sufferings caused bv
her disease.
Thc Annals, 1926
Nicholas, who has been here only for two and a half years is actually
very sick and was baptizedby the chaplain... All the sisterswho
were free assistedat the ceremonyThe Annals, 1932
Nicholas after being examined by four doctors was declaredcured - . .
and on the Feastof St. Tosephhe took the train for Saskatchewanhis
place of birth, to rejoin his wife and parents. To describehis great ioy
would be impossible. Our wishes for a safe trip and our prayers accomParueonlm.
The Annals, 1934
On August 9 another ChineseHum. . . arrived,a simPleman very
kind . . . He is no trouble at all. He seemsto be so pleasedto be here.
The Annals, 1936
A sad event, Nicholas was readmitted to the lazaretto after five and a
half years at home . . . The sympathy we offered helped him find it
lesssad . . . His wife accompaniedher husband this time. What courage
and love this showed.
The Annals
October31, 1939
Dr. Joseph-Antoine Langis continued Dr. Smith's work. However,
his responsibilities r.t'ere fewer, his powers more limited, and the conditions under which he toiled considerablv improved from those earlier
days. Mrs. Smith reserved her husband's'office for him and Dr. Langis
inherited his library. Because he was married and the father of nine
children, the federal government constructed a residence for the superintendent and his family shortly after his arrival in Tracadie. The doctor,
who was born in Rimouski, Quebec, and had graduated from the University of Montreal, had practiced for many years in Petit Rocher, New
Brunswick, before taking up his new responsibilities.
Dr. Langis remained superintendent for the next twenty-three years.
During this period the number of cases declined dramatically from twentytwo in the year he arrived to ten when he retired at the end of 1933. He
was the first medical doctor to do a case historv-Besides
on each patient and to
the lazaretto, he
try and trace the disease in individual families.
carried on a private piactice in Tracadie as did the other physicians who
followed him as superintendent
After his retirement in 1934, Dr. W. T. Ryan, a native of Fredericton,
New Brunswick, was given the position. Dr. Ryan had been in government service earlier when, as a young physician, he followed the miners
up to the gold mining camps of Canada's north. At the time of his
appointment to Tracadie, he was a general practitioner in Boiestown.
The widespread region in rural l
the road for the country doctor.
for a less strenuousPracticeand
For almost ihe last thirty Y€
the number of patientswere fell
In the decadebetween1934and
sions. The last two casesfrom \
They were an elderly man flom
Traiadie who had been exPose
On February19,7939,Dr. I
illness. At his death, a Youngsu
tice in Tracadie,Aldoria Robicha
Eventuallv,he was given the P
chaud wlio introduceidthe sulfa
Branch said he usedto attendall
of things whether theY concem
those in the lazaretto.r
In January 1943,both the I
bY a fire
completelv destroYed
-While
there I
electrical iystem.
sistersand staff neededtime to :
Accommodation for the eight lr
perintendent's residence,then s
ilvan was very nice aboutit. Tht
stayed on the couch downstairs
It was a very largehouse,"Siste
in the house with them.
In the aftermath of the fire
Carville, Louisana, where ther
leprosv patients. "TheYwereex
rd of io.,rse he came"backwitl
said. On his return, Dr. Robicha
of leprosv.Up until then, Pati
rnoohu ,jil. The advent of the r
typef diasonehad to be taken f
type leprosy, it was only necess
When the new hosPitaloPe
kitchen, parlor, and officewere
of the sevenhad his or her own
those in their care.SomePatien
for visits. Many wrote.
We talked to SisterVictoria
Mother House locatedin Bathu
she was transferredto the gen
nurse in charge of the oPerat
with the lazarettobecauseI w;
she said. Petite, with gamon-li
over eighty. Still, shesPendssel
religious.
:wo and a half yearsis actually
aplain . . . All the sisterc who
e Annals, 1932
loctorswas declaredcured . . .
the hain for Saskatchewanhis
rents.To describehis great joy
l safe.trip and our pmyers ace Annals, 1934
.. arrived,a simpleman very
ms to be so pleasedto be here.
e Annals, 1936
lo the lazarettoafter five and a
we offered helped him find it
usbandthis time. What courage
e Annals
tober31, 1939
ed Dr. Smith's work. However,
/ers more limited, and the conbly improved frorn those earlier
.'s office for him and Dr. Langis
married and the father of nine
ucted a residence for the superr arrival in Tracadie. The doctor,
rd had graduated from the Uninny years in Petit Rocher, New
)sPonsibilities.
; for the next twenty-three years.
:clined dramatically from twentyre retired at the end of 1933. He
e history on each patient and to
rmilies. Besides the lazaretto, he
as did the other physicians who
T. Ryan, a native of Fredericton,
r. Dr. Ryan had been in governlysician, he followed the miners
Lda's north. At the time of his
reral practitioner in Boiestown.
The widespread region in rural New Brunswick meant many nights on
the road for the country doctor. After several years, he looked around
for a less strenuous practice and decided on Tracadie.
For almost the last thirty years that the lazaretto remained open,
the number of patients were few. Some of these were long term cases.
In the decade between 1934 and 1944, there were only five new admissions. The last two cases from New Brunswick were admitted in 1937.
They were an elderly man from Neguac and an elderly woman from
Tracadie who had been exposed to the disease many years earlier.
On February 79, 1.939,Dr. Ryan died of heart disease after a brief
illness. At his death, a young surgeon who had recently opened a practice in Tracadie, Aldoria Robichaud, was named interim superintendent.
Eventually, he was given the position permanently. It was Dr. Robichaud who introduced the sulfa drug diasone for leprosy victims. Sister
Branch said he used to attend all the medical conferences to keep abreast
of things whether they concerned the needs of his hospital patients or
those in the lazaretto.l
In January 1943, both the general hospital and the lazaretto were
completely destroyed by a fire that broke out in the morning in the
electrical system. While there was neither injury nor loss of life, the
sisters and staff needed time to find temporary quarters and to reopen,
Accommodation for the eight lazaretto patients was found in the superintendent's residence, then still occupied by the Ryan family. "Mrs.
Ryan was very nice about it. The children were away sornewhere so she
stayed on the couch downstairs and they lodged the patients upstairs.
It was a very large house," Sister Branch recalled. Three sisters remained
in the house with ihem.
In the aftermath of the fire, Dr. Robichaud used his time to visit
Carville, Louisana, where there was a four-hundred-bed hospital for
leprosy patients. "They were experimenting with the sulfas at that time
so of course he came back with a craze for the sulfas," Sister Branch
said. On his return, Dr. Robichaud introduced diasone into the treatment
of leprosy. Up until then, patients were still being treated with chaulmoogra oil. The advent of the new drug meant cures. In lepromatous
type, diasone had to be taken for four and a half years. In tuberculoid
type leprosy, it was only necessary to take the drug for eithteen months.
When the new hospital opened in L946, one dozen rooms including
kitchen, parlor, and office were reserved for the leprosy patients. Each
of the seven had his or her own room and bath. The sisters never forsot
those in their care. Some patients who were cured in later years returnid
for visits. Many wrote.
We talked to Sister Victoria Branch in a small parlor of the Provincial
Mother House located in Bathurst. After several years in the lazaretto,
she was transferred to the general hospital. Here she was made head
nurse in charge of the operating room. "But I was always connected
with the lazaretto because I was Dr. Robichaud's personal secretary,"
she said. Petite, with gamon-like eyes and a quick wit, she is now well
over eighty. Still, she spends several hours a day taking care ofbedridden
relieious.
151
_ Soeur Roseline L6g€re is the third generation of women to enter
'les
Hospitalidres de St.-Joseph'in Tracjdie. She is the niece of Soeur
Louise L6gdre, who was the niece of Soeur Blanchard. Retired from
regular duties, she too cares for bedridden sisters in the Mother House
in Bathurst. With a ready smile and an ability to tell a story, she brings
a sense of fun with her whenever she enters a room
In Tracadie, we met Soeur Georgina Robichaud who is in charge of
the sisters' personal archives. Age has slowed her somewhat buihas
failed to dim her memory or dampen her enthusiasm for life. In 1926,
she lay near death after battling tuberculosisfor severalmonths. Doctors
could do nothing more. Mothel Superior told her that she and the other
sisters were going to make a novena to the Canadian Martyrs, five
Jesuit
missionaries who had been put to death by the Hurons iwo centuries
earlier. A day after that novena all signs of irer illness disappeared. Her
cure was authenticated by members of the medical profeision and officials of the Roman Catholic Church. Because of it and other miracles,
the Martyrs were canonized.
It is thanks to Soeur Robichaud that many of the old documents
survived. "I have two file boxes, one of ancient documents, the other
of the present. When I go through the old papers, I could spend hours
and hours at it." Soeur Robichaud saved the collection from'fire on rwo
occasions. The first was during the Tracadie fire in 1943; the second
occurred in the Provincial House in Bathurst where she had taken the
documents for safe keeping. Soeur Robichaud worked in the lazaretto
for six months before she was a professed religious. ,,After I made my
p r o f e s s i o n I, w a s n ' t a b l e t o g o a g a i n a n d t h a t c a i s e d m e d l o t o f p d i n . . .
They called me 'Ma Petite MEr;
Soeur Dorina Frigault is now a worker at Accueil Ste. Famille, a
shelter for battered women, children, and troubled teenasers located
near the general hospital still called H6tel-Dieu de St. Jos+h. Back in
the spring of 1963, she prevented a number of items of hiitoric value
from being sold by her community. From this small collection the Mus6e
Historique de Tracadie grew: its foundation was almost entirelv due to
her efforts. "l never worked in the lazaretto but I often visite;. When
we were young we'd go every Sunday to give the news of the week,,,
Soeur.Frigault
_said. "They were famiiy to us. Those who knew how,
piayed on the harmonium and we sang all sorts of songs like ,you are
my Sunshine', not only religious songs."
Jim Losier had been a fisheries officer for over thirty years when he
retired in 1965. A veteran of the First World War, he spent an e\tra year
in England recovering from wounds before he returned to Tracadie in
1919. A friendly and kindly man with absolutely no fear of the illness,
he got to know manv of the victurrs.
Dorothy.(Young) Fitzgerald knew several of the patients as well.
- .
Lrl(e Slster Fngault, she was an amdteur historian. For many years, she
worked at the Court House in Newcastle. When she retuined to Tra_
cadie, she gathered up her great-uncle's documents and turned them
over to Provincial Archivists. lt was her wish that someone wnte a
complete documentary on the subject of the lazaretto. Mrs. Fitzgerald
152
died a month after we talkedt
younger. She worked in Mon
classesto play and sing for the
me and I just loved it." If onl
these people were touched b
through them the inrnates'vo
Philoromewas admittedtr
months after his mother had
and sistershad alreadydied c
the family yearsearlier.Accor
of his admission, PhiloromeI
stageand with treatmentthes
us he never had leprosy. In
mentally retarded but emotio
Dr. Langis tded unsucces
mental hospital in Saint John
Smith had a similar expedenc
with only vaguedirectivesfror
were considereddangerousb
they locked them in rooms wi
The engineersbrought P
and very powerful. "His room
be kept in there with him. Hi
days becausehe unraveledth
Gradually, with the help
stayed with him during the d
wards. However, shotly after
"He ran away . . . and only ir
we followed the track and we
in Pointe d Bouleau . . . He r,
in the snow. He didn't know
chief engineer, Jim Robichau
autres,' and he followed us b
back through the snow in his
nurses (sisters)looked after hi
Philorome was befriende
to follow her about the lazare
valuable piecesof equipment
by Miss Deleon. While Dr.
brought the leprosy patientst
SoeurLdgdrepushedthe whee
a bitterly cold windy day, So
chair."
Society'shorror of leprosy
and the way they saw thems
gave them more pdvacy and tl
Few were relatedany morean
distinct languagesand custoD
selvesrather than sharea con
I generation of women to enter
rcadie.She is the niece of Soeur
' Soeur Blanchard. Retired from
lden sistersin the Mother House
Lability to tell a story, she brings
enters a room.
ra Robichaud who is in charge of
s slowed her somewhat but has
her enthusiasm for life. In 1926,
osis for several months. Doctors
or told her that she and the other
the Canadian Martyrs, five Jesuit
rth by the Hurons two centu es
rs of her illnessdisappeared.Her
'f the medical profession and ofBecauseof it and other miracles,
hat many of the old documents
of ancient documents, the other
old papers, I could spend hours
3d the collection from fire on two
lracadie fire in 1943; the second
athurst where she had taken the
rbichaud worked in the lazaretto
ssed religious. "After I made my
d that caused me a lot of pain . . .
vorker at Accueil Ste. Famille, a
and troubled teenagers located
l6tel-Dieu de St. Joseph. Back in
umber of items of historic value
rm this small collection the Mus6e
lation was almost entirely due to
zaretto but I often visited. When
f to give the news of the week,"
ly to us. Those who knew how,
'You are
rg all sorts of songs like
;s."
icerfor over thirty years when he
VorldWar, he spent an extra year
rcforehe returned to Tracadiein
absolutelyno fear of the illness,
r severalof the patients as well.
ur historian.For many years, she
rstle.When she returned to Trale's documentsand turned them
her wish that someonewrite a
iof the lazaretto.Mrs. Fitzgerald
I
died a month after we talked to her. Her sister, Patricia, is several years
younger. She worked in Moncton until recent years. She used to skip
classes to play and sing for the patients. "They used to make a fuss over
me and I just loved it." If only briefly or over a period of many years,
these people were touched by those imprisoned in the lazaretto and
through them the inmates' voices have been heard.
Philorome was admitted to the lazaretto on May 78, 7909, just a few
months after his mother had been brouqht in. Several of his brothers
and sisters had alreadv died of the disease. His father had abandoned
the family years earliei According to Dr. Langis'report done at the time
of his admission, Philorome had symptoms of the illness in its earlier
stage and with treatment these cleared up. Sister Branch and others told
us he never had leprosy. ln any case, the young man was not only
mentally retarded but emotionally disturbed when he arrived.
Dr. Langis tried unsuccessfully to have Philorome committed to the
mental hospital in Saint John but his request was turned down. Dr.
Smith had a similar experience with a patient a few years earlier. Faced
with only vague directives ftom the federal authorities and patients who
were considered dangerous by their fellow inmates and their nurses,
they locked them in rooms within the lazaretto.
The engineers brought Philorome his food because he was angry
and very powerful. "His room was dark," Jim Losier said. Nothing could
be kept in there with him. His blankets had to be replaced every two
days because he unraveled them thread by thread.
Gradually, with the help of another patient, who, for a small fee,
stayed with him during the day, Philorome was allowed back into the
wards. However, shortly after, when the snow was deep on the ground,
"He ran away . . . and only in his sock feet . . ." Mr. Losier said. "So
we followed the track and we found his socks and he went away down
in Pointe ir Bouleau . . FIe was sitting under a big tree, no socks on,
in the snow. He didn't know where he was. He was all upset . . . The
'suis Phil, viens avec nous
chief engineer, Jim Robichaud, told him
autres,' and he followed us back to the hospital . . . a mile and a half
back through the snor^/ in his bare feet. As soon as he got there, the
nurses (sisters) looked after him, washed his feet and this and that."
Philorome was befriended by Soeur Roseline L6gdre and he used
to follow her about the lazaretto. At the time of the fire, one of the most
valuable pieces of equipment in the lazaretto was the wheelchair used
by Miss Deleon. While Dr. Robichaud and another Tracadie doctor
brought the leprosy patients to the Ryan house by car, Philorome and
Soeur L€gdre pushed the wheelchair over the ice-encrusted fields. It was
a bitterly cold windy day, Soeur L6gdre recalled but "we rescued the
chair."
Society's horror of leprosy was reflected by ihe victims of the disease
and the wav thev saw themselves and each other. The new lazaretto
gave them more privacy and they began to withdraw from one another.
Few were related any more and most were from different countdes with
distinct languages and customs. Sister Branch said they ate by themselves rather than share a common table and would rather do without
153
than be treated to a chocolate when the box had been opened by one
of their own. As a result they played cards but onlv solitaire Th.,-
listenedto the samestationoi tn"i.
t"jr.". if*"
ini
""pirut" with his ha;ds.
"f."."j
cottage built by Nick, who could do anything
On fine
days, they would sit by the ocean and let th-e water wash them. Thev
breathed the same salt air and ate their separate lunches done up by
the same sister.
"In the beginning, the sisters made their clothinq. Thev ordered
big bolts of material and evervbody dressed alike,,, Siiter Brinch said.
"In my time, they ordered them readv made from the Eaton.s cata_
l o g u e . . . T h e y l o v e d i t w h e n t h e c a t a l o g u ec a m e o u t a n d o f c o u r s e ,
only so much was allowed for thern. You couldn,t pamper them with
too many clothes. The lepers would pick what they winted and the
sisterswould order it for them if they needed it . . . Vfhen the catalogue
came it kept them busy. It isn't only lepers who are like that. Soime
people are like that too."
Soeur Branch gestured towards an open window where someone
was mowing the lawn. "We had hammocks in the sarden. We didn,t
follow them outside because they wanted to be alone. They loved to
watch their growing gardens,rnd to t,tkecdre ot them you In.,w, irr
spire of damaged hands. The women went rnore for flowers and the
nen for vegetables.
atk",.To"y handicapped people, the patients managed to adapt to
.,
the conditions imposed by their disease. Jean loved his sarden-and
tended. it himself even though he had no fingers. ,,He,d 6e weeding
using the sides of this hands. His whole family"died of it. His wife dieJ
young . . . She was only two years in the lazaretto. Serene,he wouldn,t
r a i s ea f i g h t f o r d n y t h i n g . " 5 i r t e r B r a n c h s a i d .
,,To
jim Losier spent several hours in
smoke, he
Jean's company.
, ,
had a stone on the table, matches, and the nuns used to fill his DiDe . . ...
First he'd bring h_ispipe to the table edge; then, taking the mjtih in his
mouth, he'd strike it against the rock. euicklv, he,i lay the flaning
match on the table with the burning end or er the edge,-pick hrs prpe
up with his mouth, hold it under the flame and puff unttt it was lit.'Fiis
daughter, Julie, used to lay her prayer book on ihn floo, in front of her
d n d t u r n t h e p a g e sw i t h t h e s t u m p c o f h e r h a n d s .
Jean used to go every day to the shore. One day he didn,t return
for supper. Sister Branch recalled, "So we sent philoiome down to see
and Philorome came up and said 'parti, parti,. So, we went to the shore.
H e w a s d e a d o n t h e b e a c h .T h e m e n h a d t o g o a n d b r i n e h i m h o m e .
H e w a s a f i s h e r m a n b e f o r e .O h , h e f e l t d t h o i e o n t h e s h o r e . .
When patients died, Sister Roseline Legere told us, thev were em_
balmed at the lazaretto. "We covered their bld and erposed ihem at the
holse. We brought them into the chapel for the service. We went in
behind the coffin. I assisted at the deaih of philorome. ,,He died sud_
denly at the shore like his father. They are interred in the leDers, cem_
etery. Only one wasn't catholic and he'is buried away from the others.,,
Jean was not the only one who liked the beach. Nick would so to
15.1
the shore and get drunk. "Some
bother to look for him. He ma
and he'd sell these and he'd m;
from the village bring him his d
"He was quite a fella," she said
I could name four or five. They
had to be invited to leave the 1
When a patient was cured
aside from her family, than thr
just twenty-one " 'Une belle pe
Branch smiled with the memor
Montreal because on the train il
lazarello, somebody might ha'
and her family came to meet h
never saw such joy. Her father
in the air and her brothers the
her back."
Sister Branch was never sl
members him and wonders yel
the patients, Sam, another Chir
He was scared of the showers
The sisters said he "bathed in z
went home and we never healr
the war. The Chinese had paid
refunded if they wished to rett
revolution in China. He'd beer
from a small village near Cant
might have been killed as soon
from a capitalist country."
Jim Losier, too, carried witt
with the patients. "There was
went to the First World War ra
because I was a retumed man. l
would visit him and bring thei
wanted to kiss the boys and sh
touch them and she'd pull the
was frightened you know. You
him. That would make hirn ma
her but after himself. After a ti:
Mr. Losier cleared his throa
Oh, he had a terrible voice for si
to him all day. His eyes were ner
"Another lad was blind. H
table he liked and the nuns tool
covered it with a bit of oilcloth.
to him but the man could smel
happend to my table?' And tht
and put on the oilcloth. Oh, hr
box had been opened by one
cards but only solitaire. They
rarate radios. They shared the
thing with his hands. On fine
et the water wash them. They
separate lunches done up by
r their clothing. They ordered
rsedalike," Sister Branch said.
made from the Eaton's cataogue came out and of course,
ru couldn't pamper them with
:k what they wanted and the
rdedit . . . When the catalogue
rperswho are like that. Some
rpen window where someone
ocks in the garden. We didn't
ed to be alone. They loved to
ie care of them you know, in
rent more for flowers and the
patients managed to adapt to
e. Jean loved his garden and
no fingers. "He'd be weeding
family died of it. His wife died
lazaretto. Serene, he wouldn't
Lsaid.
an's company. "To smoke, he
: nuns used to fill his pipe . . ."
); then, taking the match in his
Quickly, he'd lay the flaming
d over the edge, pick his pipe
ne and puff until it was lit. His
Dok on the floor in front of her
rer hands.
ore. One day he didn't return
le sent Philorome down to see
,arti'. So, we went to the shore.
rd to go and bring him home.
rt home on the shore."
Ldgdre told us, they were emir bed and exposed them at the
el for the service. We went in
I of Philorome. "He died sude interred in the lepers' cemburied away from the others."
d the beach. Nick would go to
the shore and get drunk. "Sometimes he'd stay there to sleeP.We didn't
bother to look for him. He made furniture, all sorts of stuff, ashtrays,
and he'd sell these and he'd make money from that. He had the people
from the village bring him his drink." Patricia Young remembered Nick.
"He was quite a fella," she said. "A lot of girls thought he was nice . . .
I could name four or five. They wouldn't thank me for doing it . . they
had to be invited to leave the place."
When a patient was cured no one reioiced more in the recovery,
aside from her family, than the sister who had treated her. Betty was
just twenty-one " 'Une belle p€tite Chinoise'. She cured quickly." Soeur
Branch smiled with the memory of it. "Dr. Robichaud brought her to
Montreal because on the train if they knew they were coming out of the
lazaretto, somebody might have kicked. He brought her to Montteal
and her family came to meet her at the station. Dr. Robichaud said he
never saw such joy. Her father lifted her up and was swinging her up
in the air and her brothers the same thing. They were so glad to have
her back."
Sister Branch was never sure what happened to Sam and she remembers him and wonders yet. When the children came and sang for
the patients, Sam, another Chinese, would clap his hands and sin€ too.
He was scared of the showers and he used to take his bath in a basiu
The sisters said he "bathed in a saucer but he was always clean and he
went home and we never heard from him after that " That was during
the war. The Chinese had paid a $500 fee to enter Canada and this was
refunded if thev wished to return. "He went back home but there was
revolution in China. He'd been cured with the old medicine He was
from a small village near Canton. We often spoke about Sam - . . He
rnight have been killed as soon as he got there because he was coming
from a capitalist country."
Jim Losier, too, carried with him some poignant moments he shared
with the patients. "There was a fellow by the name of Lomrnes. He
went to the First World War with me. He was always looking for me
because I was a returned man. He had married an English girl. His wife
would visit him and bring their two little boys. Oh, that was sad He
wanted to kiss the boys and she didn't want him to He'd reach out to
touch them and she'd pull them back. Small boys, well dressed She
was frightened you know. You can't blame her. She wouldn't go near
him. That would make him mad. Break his heart. He wasn't mad after
her but after himself . After a time, she went back to England . ."
Mr. Losier cleared his throat. "There was one man, Jon, could sing.
Oh, he had a terrible voice for singing, rich and smooth We could listen
to him all day. His eyes were nearly gone. The diseasehad got his eyes."
"Another lad was blind. He had no hands either. He had this little
table he liked and the nuns took it to clean. They washed it all well and
back
covered it with a bit of oilcloth. When they finished they brought it'What
to him but the man could smell the oilcloth on it and he asked,
happend to my table?' And the sister told him that she had cleaned it
ani-put on th6 oilcloth. Oh, he was angry and he tore the oilcloth off
with his teeth. He was in bad shape that fellow; the flesh was just falling
off of him. He was in bed all thi time. He knew that nobodv wanted
to go nearhim."
"There was one girl born in the lazaretto,,,Sister Branch said, ,,She
was delivered by Dr. Smith and she was adopted bv a familv that lived
outside the village. She's still living. She wiites every Christmas and
she comes to see me every summer. Well, she was my maid you see.
After she was grown up, everybody knew that she was born in the
lazaretto. Nobody wanted to hire her so they took her to the lazaretto
and she worked for me for two years. She hjd her room with the other
maids. She never married. She lives in euebec. She s past seventy now,
you know."
Once Sister Branch had to make arrangments for the birth of a child
dght in the lazaretto. Her eyes twinkled asihe recalledthe story. Regina
was pregnant when they discovered she had leprosy in Toronio. ,,Tthey
confined her right away and her daughter was born here. In fact, i
delivered her. Dr. Robichaud came to-see her. It was seven or eisht
o'clock. Sister Alfreda Hach6 and I were there and she had been in laEor
sirue_th€ morning. She only started to progress after seven and she was
only half way when we called Dr. Robiaha;d . . . so she started pushing
because she didn't like Dr. Robichaud. She found he was too distan'i
and she had prayed for him not to touch her baby. I was holding the
baby up by the ankles when he arrived. He had to cut the coid, of
coulse . ."
"Then we took the baby and brought ii ight out of the lazaretto to
.
the sisters'infirmary. She (Regina) wasn't allowed to hold it. We could
only show it to her through the grill in the chapel. Sister Lucienne
Thomas was appointed nurse for the baby. She lobked after that babe
until it was a month old. Then he came, the father, and brought it to
his sister." Three years later, Regina left the lazaretto. ,,She wasn,t discharged but she wasn't contagious any more so the department said
'okay,
you want to stay home, stay home.'She came to see us several
t i m e s b u t n o t w i t h t h e g i r l . S h e w a s i n c o l l e g e .S h e ( R e g r n a )w a n t e d t o
see the trees that she had planted . . . they'd grown yo"u know . . .,,
Wlen possible, special consideration was given to the children.
^.
Sister Branch remembired a little boy named Jo"e. ,,He came from the
west. His father came with him and he said,he,s going to lose his class.
He was nine years old and Sister Caissie gave him d"asses . . . but we
didn't keep him long- At that time they had to be one year negatrve
before discharge. Dr. Robichaud only keit him six months. Being aihild,
his place was not with the adults; his place was with his fa;ily. The
family doctor was anxious to have little joe back home and we confided
him to that doctor and told him to continue the treatment. I am sure he
made one grade during that time. He was very bright.,,
"One boy about eleven was with us for nearly two vears. He was
from Toronto and his parents told their friends th;t he #as in Tracadie
to study. music.-The sisters taught him to play the guitar so I suppose
you could say there was some truth in thai.',
The Chinese patients wer(
with special foods of their own
even sent for different seeds f,
planied in his own garden. H
local weeds were edible and v
his favorite he used to cook
results with chopsticks. The s
Branch said, "You know, when
Hum worked all the time.
he had to make us some pole
hamrner was loose and we'd g
R. Ldgdre recalled. She paused 1
died he (Hum) knew, and he s
deceased who returned in the l;
that stayed with him. He was tl
never impatient. He never fou2
Soeur Frigault used to visil
'Soeur
Frico', she recalled witl
hard for her. She had a brother
(Mme Perehudoff s) feet were t
and down stairs but she had I
brother look after it. She'd wa(
if they have sores on their feet,
Mrs. Fitzgerald remembere
the others in the Ryan house. '
come out to the gate and wave
and she said to me 'You know l
you, to see the hat'. I remembe
was standing right at the gate i
head. 'Now you've got the hat,
wore it until there wasn't a shr
While Philorome might ha
sister, Archange, or Hortense a
bered her, never had the diseas
as a teenager and spent most of
and her parents had leprosy; an,
in Saint John; since there was I
took her into the lazaretto as a I
dishes and we paid her a smalJ
also learned how to knit and cr
were sold to visitors. She also r
for decoration.
Archange, Mme Fperehudr
the lazaretto. By that time, non
Perehudoff had been cured witl
back. They had grown old in th,
families. In February of 1964,
Perehudoff died of a stroke. Soe
had leprosy remained." The sisl
Ltfellow;the flesh was just falling
:. He knew that nobody wanted
aretto," SisterBranchsaid, "She
asadoptedby a family that lived
Shewrites every Christmas and
,Vell,she was my maid you see.
knew that she was born in the
so they took her to the lazaretto
Shehad her room with the other
Quebec.She'spast seventynow,
rangmentsfor the birth of a child
I assherecalledthe story. Regina
rehad leprosyin Toronto. "They
Lghterwas born here. ln fact, I
l see her, It was seven or eight
e thereand shehad been in labor
progressafter sevenand she was
:haud . . . so shestartedpushing
l. She found he was too distant
uch her baby. I was holding the
'ed. He had to cut the cord, of
Bhtit dght out of the lazarettoto
Jn't allowedto hold it. We could
I in the chapel. Sister Lucienne
baby.Shelooked after that babe
ne, the father, and brought it to
ft the lazaretto."She wasn't disry more so the department said
rme.' Shecameto seeus several
college.She (Regina)wanted to
they'd grown you know . . ."
tion was given io the children.
namedJoe. "He came from the
said'he'sgoingto losehis class.'
sie gavehim classes. . . but we
Leyhad to be one year negative
:pt him sixmonths. Beinga child,
placewas with his family. The
rJoebackhome and we confided
inue the treatment.I am sure he
wasvery bright."
us for nearly two years. He was
r friends that he was in Tracadie
r to play the guitar so I suppose
Lthat."
The Chinese patients were allowed to augment their hospital diet
with special foods of their own that were imported from Montreal. Hum
even sent for different seeds for greens not found in Tracadie that he
planted in his own garden. He also gave the sisterslessons on what
local weeds were edible and which were not. Dandelion greens were
his favodte he used to cook these with rice and chicken and eat the
results with chopsticks. The sisters never tried his recipes but Sister
Branch said, "You know, when it was cooking, it smelled pretty good."
Hum worked all the time. "When we went into the new hospital,
he had to make us some poles to open the windows Sometimes the
hamner was loose and we'd give it to him; he would adjust it," Soeur
R. L€gdre recalled. She paused for a moment, thinking "When someone
died he (Hum) knew, and he saw a little child pass, he'd say it was the
deceased who returned in the little child. Even though he was Catholic,
that stayed with hirn. He was the best man anyone could know. He was
never impatient. He never fought with the others. He helped us a lot."
Soeur Friqault used to visit Mme Perehudoff "She used to call me
'Soeur Frico', she recalled with a smile. "She was married and it was
hard for her. She had a brother Nick . . ." Sister Branch said, ". . her
(Mme Perehudoff's) feet were crippled so she couldn't very well go up
and down stairs but she had hei garden just the same. She had her
brother look after it. She'd waddle out to her garden every day. Even
if they have sores on their feet, they don't feel pain."
Mrs. Fitzgerald remembered Mme Perehudoff when she stayed with
the others inihe Ryan house. "Every day I'd go by to work and she'd
come out to the gaie and wave to me. Anyway one day I was going by
and she said to me'You know I admire that hat. That's why I come see
you, to see the hat'. I remember that it was a pink felt hat. One day she
was standing right at the Sate and I took the hat off and put it on her
'Now you-'ve got the hat,' I said, and she loved that hat, and she
head.
wore it until there iasn't a shred left of it."
While Philorome might have had leprosy in its early stages, his
sister, Archange, or Hortense as she was called by those who-remembered her, never had the disease. Yet, she, too, went into the lazaretto
as a teenager and sPent most of her life there. Seven brothers and sisters
and her pirents hai leprosy; another brother died in the rnental hospital
in Saint lohn; since there was no where else for her to 8o, the sisters
took her into the lazaretto as a Patient. "She helped clean and wash the
dishes and we paid her a small salary," Sister Frigault said. Archange
also learned how to knit and crochet and some of the items she made
were sold to visitors. She also made paper flowers and hung them up
for decoration.
Archange, Mme Fperehudoff, and Hum were the last residents in
the lazaretto. By that time, none of them had leprosy. Hum and Mme
Perehudoff had been cured with the diasone but they didn't care to go
back. They had grown old in the lazaretto and had lost touch with their
families. in Febiuary of 1964, Hum died of uremia; that June, Mme
Perehudoff died of a stroke. Soeur Frigault said, "Archange, who never
had leorosv remained." The sisters wanted to close the lazaretto so they
157
looked for a place for Archange. Several senior citizen's residences were
approached but they refused to take her because of her family history.
Finally, a place was found in an old age home away from Tracadie but
in the province. She died there in 7977. "The sisters had looked after
the lepers for ninety years." The lazaretto closed its doors in 1965.
Leprosy still exists in Canada. Victims are isolated for a short time
in hopsitals until their disease is rendered non-infectious, a period of
about one month. After this, treatment can be continued at home and
they can lead a nearly normal life. But where are the Hansen's Disease
sufferers? Why do they not show themselves, talk of their disease with
the hope that their personal testimonies will improve the lot of fellowvictims_. They cannot. In an era when homosexuals are making public
their life choices, when ex-prisoners and former alcoholics dare toipeak
of their experiences, 'the leper' continues to live in his isolation becluse
he is socieiy's last taboo. Most of all this book is for thern.
The repugnanceinspired by the biblicalidea of leprosy is repeatedeach
day by modern w ters. Traditional allusions to lepers are probably
written without meaning to causeharm but they perpetuateprejudices
which are disastrousto ex-patientsof lazarettoswho wish to retum to
a normal life after being rendered non-infectious.
Dr. Aldoria Robichaud,
quoted in Le D/oif (Ottawa)
February13, 1959
[ediflcah
of heeCom
Frum
LfprcV,(4tL
*/""* d /"/
/.A
/dc /4.n
-y
r-/.r^oftio*
"/
#,;
/ 4**y
Inspectoraf tr.lr\os! lor
thc D )m;nion,
CertificateofFreedom from leprosy. Dr. Smith Papers,Centre de documentarron
de Ia SocieteHistoriqueNicoias-tienys,
CentreUniversitaireShippagan
EP
"It began with the lepersand
veloped today, it is becauseof
The sisterscameto look afte
opened the hospital, the orpha
school. Besidesthe academicpr
and a domesticscienceprogram
For a long while the institution
Sister Frigault said.
"The sisterskept the old ba
to look after. From this, they we
what was necessaryio feed ihe
beginning, mattressesfrom hor
socks. When I entered,we werr
religious altogether."
"One priest said the govem
how the sisterscould operatea h
a nursing schoolfor sistersin 19
people. The government never
No one was turned away frorn
farm products. Others were not
the hospital stayed there. Ther
means to pay, forgot that debt.
rather than to have recordsof pt
Frigault said. "It costthirty dolla
There were those who only gave
Soeur Frigault's voice was stror
those early years.
"Nothing was lost. We had
our crusts . . . Soeur Christie w
garden. In autumn, she gathere
barb. We had the boardersand
remembereveryonehelped;the
the beginning severalyoung si
from that, if you go to the cem
when they died. And, they work
was 99, SoeurL6gdreis now 109
she died. They looked on the g
in a comrnunity; it's like a famil
On January 6, 1943,the sis
will never forget the day. "We r
phone rang very loud. I was Su
Y
I senior citizen's residences were
er because of her family historyp home away from Tracadie but
7. "The sisters had looked after
:tto closed its doors in 1965.
iims are isolated for a short time
ered non-infectious, a period of
t can be continued at home and
where are the Hansen's Disease
Lselves,talk of their disease with
:s will improve ihe lot of fellowhomosexuals are making public
d former alcoholics dare to speak
es to live in his isolation because
ris book is for them.
ideaof leprosyis repeatedeach
llusionsto lepers are probably
I but they perpetuateprejudices
azarettoswho wish to return to
'infectious.
Dr. Aldoria Robichaud,
quotedin Ls D,"oit(Ottawa)
February13, 1959
oI||frumlepnsy,
r".rzo,-
4-r ---
'Er
r//
(2.,-.* -.*k". d /-;"/ "/ d/,;
Inspclor of tr.prost for
lh. D )minion,
ith PaDers,Centrede documentation
ntre Unive6itaire Shippagan.
I
EPILOGUE
"It began with the lepers and the work continued. If Tracadie is developed today, it is because of them . . ."
Sister Dorina Frisault
Interview of Julf 16, 1981
The sisterscameto look after the leprosy victims and they eventually
opened the hospital, the orphanage, and they academy and boarding
school. Besidesthe academic program, they had a commercial course
and a domestic scienceprogram. They also taught painiing and music.
For a long while the institution "had the biggest payroll in Tracadie,"
Sister Frigault said.
"The sisterskept the old bachelorsand maids who nobody wanted
to look after. From this, they were left the land they needed to produce
what was necessaryto feed the orphans. They made everything in the
beginning, mattressesfrom horse hair; they made shoes; they knitted
socks. When I entered, we were five new ones. We were seventy-two
religious altogether."
"One priest said the government would scratchtheir headsto know
how the sisterscould operatea hospital with so little money. We opened
a nursing school for sistersin 1950and after got permission to teach lay
people. The government never Bave one cent for the nursing school.
No one was turned away from the hospital. Many people paid with
farm products. Others were not able to pay. They paid the doctor and
the hospital stayed there. There were some who when they had the
means to pay, forgoi thai debt. The sisters burned the account books
rather than to have records of people who didn't pay their bills," Sister
Frigault said. "It cost thirty dollars a year for a boarder at the Academy.
There were those who only gave $15. . . . board, food, heat, and light."
Soeur Frigault's voice was strong as she remembered the struggles of
those early years.
"Nothing was lost. We had good food but no fancy stuff. We ate
our crusts . . Soeur Christie was a saint but she spent her life in the
garden.In autumn, she gatheredthe vegetables,
thA fruit and the rhubarb. We had the boardersand the hospital patientsto feed... as I
remember everyone helped; the sisters, the pupils, the orphans . . . In
the beginning several young sisters died from tuberculosis but apart
from that, if you go to the cemetery, you will see what age they were
when they died. And, they worked very hard . . . SoeurSaint Elizabeth
was 99, Soeur L€gdreis now 109*,Soeur Bernier was 100yearsold when
she died. They looked on the good side of life and the fact they lived
in a community; it's like a family."
On January 6, 7943, the sisters nearly lost it all. Soeur Robichaud
will never forget the day. "We were in the chapel and on leaving, the
phone rang very loud. I was Superior. I took the phone and sister told
*SisterLouise L6gdre has since died.
159
me there was a fire in the hospital. After chapel, each sister must present
herself in front of the Superior to ask permissions for the day . . . I told
them that a fire had broken out on the fourth floor of the hospital. Those
who were able to come and help, came, and the others went back to
the chapel to pray . . ."
"l kepi watch that it didn't go on the other side of the cloister because
there were sisters who were sick. After a time, someone said it was
necessaryto move them. I went to look for some men to help and one
came forward and I told him he was too small. It was the'vicaire'. He
'I
said, am strong'and he came."
"Once the fourth floor was emptied, we emptied the second and
the first. I went back and forth, from one floor to ihe other. It was verv
cold. They put the hoses in the river and the water froze. Fire trucki
came from Chatham and Newcastle. The water u,ould freeze before it
got to the building. That's why it all went up in flames.
Sister Branch continued, "There were no patients on the third floor
where the operating room was. Someone phbned the church and the
church bell started to ring. Of course. the first thing we had to do was
get the patients out. There was one girl who had luit been operated on
the night before...
We didn't have an electric elevator. We had a
dumbwaiter and we put her on that. That's how we took our patients
who couldn't walk up and down stairs. Between the academy ind the
hospital there was a covered bridge so we put them all in there while
we were clearing the other floors. Then people started to affive and the
evacuation was very quick."
"We saved quite a lot of things, the mattresses, pillows, bedding,
..
the patients' belongings. I saved my operating room trble . . . The table
'
weighed two thousand pounds. Three men took it down by staircase
.,
,' .. _ and when they brought it back, they had to have a pulley to lift it.,,
"As soon as we could, we started hauling the patients over to the
i
academy. Soeur Roseline L6gdre looked after the lepers and she went
with them to the Ryan hume."
Sister Robichaud said, "lt was during vacation. We had little boys
as boarders and we had to close the boarding school because of the
sick." They kept the boarding school for girls.
"In the academy, we started laying mattresseson the floor . . . All
the patients were in bed by suppertime," Sister Branch recalled. After
the patien_tswere moved into the academy, the covered bridge, as Sister
Branch called it, was destroyed to prevent the fire from spreiding there.
By the next day, the academy was all that remained of the complex.
As the little band of founders had done seventy-five years earlier,
the sisters looked for the crosses thev were to bear bui found only
challenges. "We took steps ritht away to rebuild. We didn't have insurance. We had to borrow," Sister Robichaud said. By January 1946,
the new general hospital opened while the cloister and lizaretto opened
a few months later. The new building was of brick and completdy fire
proof. It had an 80 bed capacity.
t60
Thanks to the introduction of
ready beaten. The fire, then, marke
were to pass before the lazaretto s
good.
chapel, each sister must present
rmissions for the day . . . I told
urth floor of the hospital. Those
3, and the others went back to
Thanks to the introduction of diasone, leprosy in Canada was already beaten. The fire, then, marked the end of an era but twenty years
were to pass before the lazaretto shut its doors to leprosy patients for
qooct.
other side of the cloister because
r a time, someone said it was
; for some men to help and one
'vicaire'. He
o small. It was the
rd, we emptied the second and
le floor to the other. It was very
nd the water froze. Fire trucks
he water u'ould freeze before it
lnt up in flames."
rre no patients on the third floor
,ne phoned the church and the
he first thing we had to do was
who had just been operated on
an electric elevator. We had a
hat's how we took our patients
, Between the academy and the
we put them all in there while
people started to arrive and the
€ mattresses, pillows, bedding,
lrating room table . . . The table
men took it down by staircase
ld to have a pulley to lift it."
hauling the patients over to the
I after the lepers and she went
ing vacation.We had little boys
ooarding school because of the
rr girls.
;mattresseson the floor . . . All
:," SisterBranch recalled. After
ny, the coveredbridge, as Sister
nt the fire from spreading there.
hat remained of the complex.
done seventy-five years earlier,
y' were to bear but found only
' to rebuild. We didn't have inrbichaudsaid. By January 1946,
the cloisterand lazarettoopened
rvasof brick and completely fire
t6r
-T
I
NOTES
The sources for the facts given in the text are too numerous to be cited
in their entirety here. Foithose who would be interested, full versions
of the orisinal tvpescript, notes, and bibliography are deposited at the
Pubtic Arihives of New Brunswick, Fredericton, N B , the Universitv ot
Moncton, Moncton, N.B., and the National Library, Ottawa Relerences
have been qiven for direct quotations Other materials consulted have
b e e n l i 5 t e da t t h e e n d o t l h e n o t e s t o e a c h c h a p t e r '
INTRODUCTION
Ltpet and his No/ilc'''? H'i's (Creat
1. Peter Richards, lntrod to The MedieiJal
Bitain, 1977),p. xvi.
2. Ibid., p. xv.
Other sourcesconsulted:Public Archives of Neu'Blunswick; Public Archivesof Canada;A. McPhedranM D , "Leprosyrn CaPeBret()nNova Scotia"'
(188]);;'Liftrngthe LeprosyStiEIma"'Inne'
CanaLdian
lournalof MedicalScience,6
(Moncton'
tu1'1'!r11n5a'itk
M.dirr" 177
Stewart,
Brenton
Di.
W.
isSZ;
NAavtO,
(Bathurst'1967)'
eI Galialogie
d' HisLo:re
i6i'+r'."a Oo"ut n"bichaud,les Robic/ta
CHAPTERONE
Tlte
1. "The Strange and Tragic History of the Lazaretto at Tracadie' N B
1880
2u.
(Sdint
B.r.
N
Iul\
"'
Ibhn
Dailttl elegiaph
of
Histoluuf thc NotLlrculnrl of tlrcPro1olce
2. RobertCooney,A Conpcndious
New Brunswiik antl lhe Disttict of Gaspern Loa'crCnrndo(Halitar' 1832)'pp'
32, 33, 34-5.
(Wevmouth'N S )' Novem3. PlacideGaudet,"Tracadie,N 8.," L'Era'ryilitle
ber 17, 1892.
(Shediac'N B.)' Sep4. PlacideGaudet,"Tracadie,N.8 ," LeMoniteutAcndlcrr
tember21, 1882.
5. ProvincialArchivesof New Brunswick Dr' A Key to HonorableW F Odell'
Miramichi,N B., FebruarY28, 1844'
"
Pte6. William H. Meyer, M D., "Historv of Leprosyin.Louisiana A,.rePo,rt
Societ,v
Medical
State
Louisrana
the
of
meeting
annual
sentedat the 75th
in New Orleans,MaY 3, 1955
Other sourcesconsulted: Provincial Archives of New Biunswickj Tracadie
PlacideGaudet,"Origine des Brideauet des Thomasde TraParishRegisters;
No .10 (19o8);M6dard
."ai", N.f8," Cahierde I Socilti Histotqie Acacltennc,ll,
'Pelerinage
C|hit de ]n Sa'iile
Cdraquet
Hictorique;
f-iti" Cormier,
ian"r
"t qcodirnrr,l, \o 4 (lq;4)r Albert Landry' Caprlcin 'Aleri' Landrv
Hiitiniu,
Soiittt HisloiqucNi'
a" Cut'uo""tet se: De.cendantb(1721-17q8),Cahtcttje']a
ll
& o l a ' - D / L v . l, l , N o . I ( 1 q 7 4 )A; l b e r tL a n d r y ,C a P u c i n v a d e u r c e n t sa n '
l. No 4 rlq72t: llacide Caudet
Hr'toriqueNicola'-Dcttvs.
Coiii, a, n Sociili
'lAlexisLandrv. ' L Euanpitlne
(Neymouth, N.S.), APil 7, 1892;PlacideCaudet,
(shediac, N B ), APril 16'
"nl;lrr.r1t Pi6rre Bastar-ache, Li Moniteur ,4cadie7t
f S89;Wilfiu- f . GanonS, "The History of Tracadie," Acltlic sts' b'. No- 3 (1906)'
F X Lilrontc, yretntercurt dtTracadie(1842-1852)'
Oi Utyrs"-1. Bourgeois)'L',4&&l
(Moncton,1961).
163
CHAPTER TWO
1. PhiliasF. Bourgeois,C.S.C., ViedeL'AbbdFrangois-Xader
Lafn ce(Montreal,
1913),pp. 16, 17-18,21, 37, 57, 52, s5.
2. ProvincialArchives of New Brunswick. H.W. Baldwin, sheriff, to the Clerk
of the Peacefor GloucesterCounty, N.B., Bathurst,N.8., March 13, 1844.
3. P.A.N.B. Rev. F.X. Lafranceand I. Blackhallto Lieutenant-Governor
Sr.
W.M.G. Colebrooke,Caraquet,N.B., February2g, 1g44.
4. P.F. Bourgeois,p. 56.
5. P.A.N.B.,Reportof DoctorsA. Key, J.B. Toldervey,A.H. Skene,and Robert
Gordon to Lieutenant-Governor
sir W.M.G. Coiebrooke,Chatham,N.8.,
April 5, 1844.
6. Ibid.
7. "Diseaseat_Tracadie
and Neguac,,,The NewBrunswick
(SaintJohn,
Courle,"
N.B.), April 13, 1844.
8. "Absurd Rumor," TheGleaner
(Chatham,N.B.), May g, 1g44.
9. "The Lep,rosyat Tracadie," The New BtunswickCou er (Sar t
John, N.B.),
Iune 15. 1844.
10. "The Leprosy", TheGleaner(Chatham, N.B.), June 26, 1844.
11. "Country Gloucester,"TheGleaner
(Chatham,N.B.), lune 5, 1g44.
Other sourcesconsulted: Provincial Archives of Canada:public Archives of
New Brunswick;JamesF.W. Johnson,Notcson NorthAmeica(Edinburgh,1g51),
II; "Diseasein the Countyof Gloucester,' TheNe:co
Brutsulck CorrrerlSiint John,
N.B.), March 30, 1844;Alexander Boyle, M.D., ,,The Leprosv in New Bruns_
wick," TheLondonMedicalGazette,XXXTV(August 9, 1844);Rob6rtBayard,M.D.,
"Creel ElephantiaSis
as Occurring in Traca"die
and its Vicinrties,,/fhe Lanret
(SeptemberL 184q);Philip A. Kalisch,,,frdcadieand penikese
LeprosandrA
comparativeanalysisof societalresponseto leprosyin New Bruns;ick, 1g44_
1880,and Massachusetts,1904-7921,,,Bu eti ;f thi Histotv of Medicine,XLyII
(1973),Doreen MenziesArbuckle, TheNorth WestMiramichi(Oitawa, D7a); "The
Leprosy,"TheGleaner
(Chatham,N.B.),June26,1844;andF6lixM.LajatO.S.B.,
Le Lnzaretde Trucadieet la Communauttdes Religieuses
Hospitaliires
tte iaint_losepi
(Montreal, 1938).
10. P.A.N.B.,Houseof AssemblY
Jo
Other sourcesconsulted:Provin(
ParishRegisters;1861censusreportfo
Mr. Hilarion Coughlan, November8,
Le MoniteurAcadien(Shediac,N B.), S
CHAP]
1. ProvincialArchivesof New Bruns
P.59.
2. Ibid.
3. Ibid., p. 67.
4. lbrd., pp. 67-68.
5. Ibid., p. 151.
6. Ibid. for 1845,P. 1'69.
7. Ibid. for 1848,P. 150
eounc
, . B . E r e c u t i vC
8 . P . A . N . B .N
p
.
6
3
1
.
I
b
i
d
.
,
9.
10. P.A.N.B.,Houseof AssemblY
Jo
IL Deltd, "TracadieLeProsY,"fte I
March 11, 1848.
12. Ibid., March 18, 1848
Other sourcesconsulted:Provin
Courier(saintlohn, N B.),
Brunswrck
N.B.), February15,1848;Dr. RobertB
wickCourier(SaintJohn,N.B ), Fehu
"TracadieLeprosy," TheNewBrunsw
CHAP
CHAPTER THREE
1. A. Danel, 5.J., Histoique des Laztrcts de Sheldrake
ef de Tracsdie,Nouaeau
Manuscript
(Barhurst
Community
College
Library), p. 16; and
\t!t:syic.k,
F.M. Lajat,op. cit., p.85.
2. From an interviewwith SisterVicto a Branch,R.H.S.f.,May 22,1982.
3. Provinncial Archives of New Brunswick, House of Assemllv Tournal for
1845report by Dr. A. Key to Lieutenant-GovernorSir W.M.Gl iolebrooke,
o. 166.
4. P.A.N.B.,Houseof AssemblyJournalfor 1845,p. 194.
5. P.A.N.B.,N.B. ExecutiveCouncil,M.c. 9, ,A1,Vol. 115,p.458.
b. Ibid., p. 493.
7. P.A.N.B.,Houseof Assenbly Journalfor 1846,appendixLXXXIII.
8. P.A.N.B.,Houseof AssemblyJournalfor 184g,p. 59.
9. P.A.N.B.,Houseof AssemblyJournalfor 7849,p. L57.
164
"Arrival oI Emigrants," TheGlea
"Boards of Health," TheGleaneI
"The SheldrakeIsland Affair," Tl
"Lepers at SheldrakeIsland," Tlt
ProvincialArchivesof New Bruns
PP. 1,55,157.
6. Ibid., Appendix CCXXIV.
7. Public Archives of New Brunsw
and others, FebruarY3, 1849.
8. P.A.N.B.,Houseof AsernblyJou
Other sourcesconsulted:Provin
ParishRegisters;Harold Wright, "lri:
No. 1 (19
Brunsuick,6,
Nouueau-New
Historyol Chatham,N.B. (Chatham,\
TheGleaner(Chatham,N.B.), Augus
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
'wo
Frangois-Xaztier
Lafrance
(Montreal,
I.W. Baldwin,sheriff, to the Clerk
., Bathurst,N.8., March 13, 1844.
:khall to Lieutenant-GovernorSr.
bruary28, 1844.
loldervey,A.H. Skene,and Robert
,I.G. Colebrooke,Chatham, N.8.,
lew Brunswick
Courier(SaintJohn,
N.B.),May 8, 1844.
flswickCourier(SaintJohn, N.B.),
.B.),June26, 1844.
ram,N.B.),June5, 1844.
ivesof Canada:PublicArchives of
"tNorthAtnerica(Edinburgh, 1851),
NewBtunswick
Coutiel(SaintJohn,
D., "The Leprosy in New Brunsiust9, 1844);RobertBayard,M.D.,
lie and its Vicinities," The Ldncet
:adie and PenikeseLeprosaria:A
leprosyin New Brunswick, 1844r of the Historll of Medicine, XLY
'estMifttmichi(Ottawa,1978);"The
16,1844;
andF6lixM. LajatO.S.B.,
igieuses
Hospitaliires
de Saintloseph
10. P.A.N.B., House of Assemblylournal for 1847,appendixXCIV
Other sourcesconsultedrProvincial Archives of New Brunswick; Tracadie
ParishRegisters;1861censusreport for CloucesterCounty, N B; Interview with
Mr. Hilarion Coughlan, November 8, 1982;Placide Gaudet, "Tracadie, N B ,"
LeMoniteurAcadie (Shediac,N.B.), SePtember28, 1882
CHAPTERFOUR
1. ProvincialArchives of New Brunswick, House of AssemblyJournalfor 1848,
P.59.
2. Ibid.
3. rbid., p. 67.
4. lbrd., pp. 67-68.
5. Ibid., p. 151.
6. Ibid. for 1845,p. 1,69.
7. Ibid. for i848, p. 150.
8. P.A.N.B., N.B. ExecutiveCouncil,M.G. 9, A1, Vol. i16, p. 630.
9. Ibid., p. 631.
10. P.A.N.B., House of AssemblyJournalfor 1848,p 151.
11. Delta, "TracadieLeprosy," The New BrunswickCoarier(SaintJohn, N B.).
March 11, 1848.
12. Ibid., March 18, 1848.
Other sourcesconsulted: Provincial Archives of New Brunswick; T/reNerl
(Chatham,
BrunswickCouriet(Saint John, N.B.), February 19, 1848;The Gleaner
'The NewBruns'
N.B.),February15,1848;Dr. RobertBayard,"TracadieLeprosy
wick Cowier (S;int lohn, N.B.), February 26, 1848and March 4, 1848;and Delta,
"Tracadie Leprosy," The NewBrunswickCor,"iel(SaintJohn, N.B ), April 1, 1848.
CHAPTER FIVE
IREE
Sheldruke
et de Tracadie,Nouoeau
nity ColleSeLibiary), p. 16j and
anch,R.H.S.J.,May 27, 7982.
, House of AssemblyJournal for
lovernor Sir W.M.G. Colebrooke,
1845,p. 194.
,, A1, Vol. 115,p. 458.
1846,appendixLXXXIII.
1M8, p. 59.
lM9, p. 1.57.
"Arrival of Emigrants," The Gleaner(Chatham, N.B.), June 8, 1847.
"Boards of Health," TheGleaner(Chatham, N.B.), February 29, 1848.
"The SheldrakeIsland Affair," TheGleaner(Chatham, N.B ), April 11, 1848.
"Lepers at Sheldrakelsland," The G/eare,"(Chatham, N.B.), June 13, 1848
ProvincialArchives of New Brunswick, House of AssemblyJournalfor 1849,
pp. 1,55,1,57
.
6. Ibid., Appendix CCXXIV.
7. Public Archives of New Brunswick, Petition No. 68 by ReverendLafrance
and others, February 3, 1849.
8. P.A.N.B., House of AsemblyJournalfor 1849,p.1'69.
Othe! sourcesconsulted: Provincial Archives of New Brunswick; Tracadie
ParishRegisters;Harold Wright, "lrish Emigration 1847Tragedy Recalled,"le
Winds,A
Noweau-NewBrutrsuick,6, Nb. 1 (1981);JamesA. Fraser, By Fauorable
Histonlof Chatham,N. B. (Chatham, N.B., 1975);and "Proceedingsof Sessions,"
(Chatham,N.B.), August 1, 1848.
TheGlenner
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
165
CHAPTER SIX
1 . ProvincialArchivesof New Brunswick,N.B. ExecutiveCouncit,M.G. 9, Af
,
V o l . 1 1 6 ,p . 6 5 1 .
2 . P.A.N.B.,Houseof AssemblyJournalfor 1850,p. 160.
3 . Ibid.
4 . I b i d . ,p . 1 5 9 .
5 . P . A . N . B .N
, . B . E x e c u t i vC
e ouncilM
, . G . 9 , A 1 , V o l . 1 1 6 ,p . 6 5 2 .
6 . Ibid., p. 653.
7 . JamesF.W. Johnson,op. cit., pp_ 24, 25, 2Z.
8 . P.A.N.B., Houseof AssemblyJournalfor 1850,p. 160.
9.
Itre Glearcr(Chatham,N.B.),
l.b9:,-9"tq4, M.D., "The TracadieDisease,,,
April 22, 1850.
10. P.A.N.B.,Houseof AssemblyJournalfor 1850,p. 161.
11. F.-M. Lajat, op. cit., pp. 129-30.JamesDavidsonto Dr. Labillois,n.d.
12. P.A.N.B.,House of AssemblyJournalfor 1g51,appendixCXX.
13. F.-M.Lajat,op. cir.,p. 131.Dr. LaBilloisro Boardof Health,August5, 1850.
14. P.A.N.B.,Houseof AssemblyJournalfor 1851,appendixCXXL
15. Ibid.
16. Ibid., appendixCXX.
17. Ibid., appendixCXXI.
18. rbid.
19. FerdinandGauvreau,"The Governmentand the Lpers,,,TheMornitg Free
nan (SaintJohn,N.B.), June 1, 1861.
20. A. Danel,S.J.,op. cit., p. 69.
21. P.A.N.B.,House of AssemblyJournalfor 1851,appendixCXX.
22. Ibrd. for 1852,appendix CLIX.
Other sourcesconsulted:provincialArchives of New Brunswick;public
Archivesof Canada;HistoricalMap of TiacadieparishRegisters;
patriceCallant,
ks regis_tr-es.de
la Caspeste
t1752-1850)
(Matap6dia,p.e.,-i96S); Sr. St._Jean_de_
Goto,toMotherSuperionnMontreal,Tracadie,N.8., November10,1gZ2;placide
Gauoer, Le Lazaret de l racadieet le docteurLaBillois,..
l e Courrierdesprouinces
Matilim?s,IBath,u$L,_ r,f u_ly12, 1894:Diti,tnnatreBoyrnph4ue
rlu Ca,ntln1lo!a!
r o n t oa n d Q u e b e c l, q 7 7 ) .V o l . l X ; F e r d i n a n d
L a L r v r e a u, ,,f h e ' C o v e r n m e na(n d
the Lepers,"Jle MorningFrceman
(SaintJohn, N.B.), June 1 and June 15, 1g61;
"LegislativeProceedi^.gs,".The
NewBrunswick
Courier(SaintJohn, N.B.), March
16, 1850;and EdouardLefebvrede Bellefeuille,,,LesL6preuxde Tracadie,,,la
ReaueCanadienne,
VII (1870).
CHAPTERSEVEN
1. Complime,n-tary
addressto Rev.Mr. G a| reau,TheGleanel
(Chatham,N.B.),
March 3, 1852.
2. F.-M. Lajat,op. cit., p. 120.
3. ProvincialArchives of New Brunswick, Microfilm F_140,TracadieLazaretto,
ifs patrentsaftl.other lepersin New Brunswick.Notescompiledby Dr. W.
t . S t e w a rot f M o n c t o n ,N . B .
4. P.A.N.B.,Houseof AssemblyJournalfor 1g53,appendixCLXIII.
166
5 . P.A.N.B.,PetitionNo. 150.I
C. LaBilloismay be employ
6. P.A.N.B.Huseof Assembl
7 . Ibid., appendicesCCXLIII ar
8. Ibid., appendix CCXLIV.
9 . A.M. Pope,op. cit.,p.743.
1 0 . FerdinandGauvreau,"The C
ann (SaintJohn,N.B.),May
1 1 . P.A.N.B.,Houseof Assem
1.2. Edouard Lefebvrede Bellefe
1 3 . P.A.N.B.,Houseof Assem
't4.
lbid., for 1853,appendixCL
1 5 . Ibid., for 1858,appendixDL
1 6 . F.-M. Lajat, op..rt., p. 1.42
1 7 . Ibid., p. 144.
1 8 . FerdinandGauvreau,"The C
/ra, (SaintJohn,N.B.),May
19. Ibid., June1, 1861.
20. Ibid., July 4, 186i.
21. Ibid., July 6, 1861.
22. Ibid., June1, 1861.
23. Ibid., July 4, 1861.
24. Ibid., July 6, 1861.
25. Ibid., June1, 1861.
Other sourcesconsulted:Pr
Hamilton Gordon, Wilderness
lou
(To
tionaryof CanatlianBiography
"At Tracadie,New Brunswick,"(
Lepe$," The Cleaner(Chatham,
Lazaretde Tracadieet le Dr. LaBi
N.B.), July 12, 1894.
CHI
1. ProvincialArchivesof Canad
rosy," p. 34.
2. A. Danel,op. cit., p.84.
3. From an interview with the I
1982.
4. Public Archives of New Bru
appendix13,p. 19.
P.A.N.B.,
Papersf
5.
Sessional
riculture repoit No. 10, p. 2l
Bioyap
6. Dictioflaryof Canadian
7. P.A.N.B.,Houseof Assemb
8. Ibid.
9. Ibid.
I
iIX
B, Executive
Council,M.C. 9, A1,
18s0,p. 160.
), A1, Vol. 11,6,p. 652.
27.
1850,p. 160.
se,"TheCleauer
(Chatham,N.B.),
1850,p. 161.
vidsonto Dr. Labillois,n.d.
1851,appendixCXX.
Boardof Health,August5, 1850.
1851,appendixCXXI.
nd the Lpers," The MontingFree
1851,appendixCXX.
Livesof New Brunswick; Public
ParishRegisters;PatriceGallant,
tia, P.Q., 1968);Sr. St.-Jean-deN.B.,November10,1872,Placide
aBillols,"LeCoutrierdesProuiuces
maireBiographique
dtLCanada(Toiauvreau,"The Covernment and
N.B.),June1 and June15, 1861;
(SaintJohn,N.B.), March
lor,"rer
, "Les L6preuxde Tracadie," Ld
/EN
:au,TheGleaner
(Chatham,N.B.),
:rofilmF-140,TracadieLazaretto,
wick. Notescompiledby Dr. W.
1853,
appendixCLXIII.
5. P.A.N.B.,PetitionNo. 150.BonaventureSavovand otherspravingthat DrC. LaBillois may be employed at the Lazaretto at Tracadie,March 8, 1853.
6. P.A.N.B. Huse of AssemblyJournalfor 1854,appendixCCXLIV.
7. Ibid., appendicesCCXLlll and CCXLIV.
8. Ibid., appendixCCXLIV.
9. A.M. Pope,op. cit., p. 743.
10. Ferdinand Gauvreau, "The Government and the Lepers," The Mofiitlg Free
man(SaintJohn, N.B.), May 30, 1861.
11. P.A.N.B., Houseof AssemblyJournalfor 1854.appendixCCXLIV.
12. EdouardLefebvrede Bellefeuille,op. cit., p. 573.
13. P.A.N.B., House of AssemblyJournalfor 1862,appendixNo. 14.
14. Ibid., for 1853,appendixCLXIV, p. 221.
15. Ibid., for 1858,appendixDLXXXVIIL
16. F.-M. Lajat, op. cit., p. 142.
17. lbid., p. 144.
18. Ferdinand Gauvreau, "The Government and the Lepers," Tht MorrtingFreernan(SaintJohn, N.B.), May 30, 1861.
19. Ibid., June 1, 1861.
20. Ibid., July 4, 1861.
21. Ibid., July 6, 1861.
22. Ibid., June 1, 1861.
23. Ibid., July 4, 1861.
24. Ibid., July 6, 1861.
25. Ibid., June 1, 1861.
Other sources consulted: Provincial Archives of New Brunswick; Arthur
Hamilton Gordon, Wilderness
lourneysirt NerLtBrutrswick(SaintJohn, 1864);Dic
tionaryof CanadianBiography(Toronto and Quebec, 7972),Vol. X; A.M. Pope,
"At Tracadie,New Brunswick," CatholicWorld, XXXVI, No. 47 (1883);"Tracadie
Lepers," The Gleanrl (Chatham, N.B.), July 14, 1855;and Placide Gaudet, "Le
Mdlifil,es (Bathurst,
Lazaretde Tracadieet le Dr. LaBillois," CourrierdesProuinces
N.B.), July 12, 1894.
CHAPTEREIGHT
1. Provincial Archives of Canada,Dr. J. C. Tachd, "Questions RegardingLeprosy," P. 34.
2. A. Danel,op. cit., p. 84.
3. From an interview with the late Mrs. Dorothy (Young) Fitzgerald, Mav 26,
1.982.
4. Public Archives of New Brunswick, House of Assemblv Journal for 1867,
appendix13, p. 19.
P.A.N.B.,
5.
SessionalPapersfor 1892,Vol. XXV, No. 5, Departmentof Agriculturereport No.10, p.21.
(Toronto and Quebec,1977),Vol.lX, p. 615.
6. DictionaryofCanadianBiographt4
7. P.A.N.B., Houseof AssemblyJournalfor 1868,appendix11, p. 19
8. Ibid.
9. Ibid.
t67
10. Ibid. for 1867,appendix13, p. 19.
11. Arthur Hamilton Gordon,op. cit., p. 37.
Other sourcesconsulted: ProvincialArchives of New Brunswick; 1861Census report for Gloucester County, N.B.; "County Gloucester," The Cleancr
(Chatham,N.B.), August 16, 1862;Centrede documentationde la Soci€t6HistoriqueNicolas-Denys
in Shippagan,Dr. A.C. Smith LetterBook. Dr. Smith to
Dr. Montizambert, Director Generalof Public Health, April9, 1904;Archives of
the ReligieusesHospitaliares de Saint-Josephin Montreal, Lettres circulaires
(1916-1928);
and Annals of the 'ReligieusesHospitalieres de Saint-Joseph'of
Tracadie.
CHAPTER NINE
1. F.-M. Lajat,op. cit., p. 161.
2. ProvincialArchives of New Brunswick, House of AssemblyJournalfor 1868,
appendix11, p. 18.
3. A. Bernard, op. cit., p. 76. Rev. Jean-MariePaquet to More Mance in Montreal, January 10, 1868.
4. Ibid., p. 82.
5. F.-M.Lajat,op. cit., p. 170.ReverendGauvreauto MdreMancein Montreal,
June1867.
6. A. Bernard,op. cit., p. 86.
7. F.-M. Lajat, op. cit., pp. 185-86.Mgr. Bourgetto Mdre Mance,September
10, 1868.
8. A. Bemardo
, p . c i t . ,p . 9 1 .
9. Archives of the Dioceseof Bathurst. Telegramfrom Mgi. J. Rogers,September 1868.
p. 265.
10. Annalsof the H6tel-Dieude Montreal,Vol. 3 (1860-1881),
11. Ibid.
12. F.-M. Lajat,op. cit., p. 193.
13. Annals of the Hdtel-Dieu de Montreal, Vol. 3 (1860-1881),
p. 265.
14. Archives of the R. H. S. J. in Tracadie. MCre Pagd to Mother Superior in
Montreal, September25, 1868.
de Saifit-loseph
Other sourcesconsulted: Antoine Bernard, LesHospitaliOrcs
et leur oeuoreen Acadie(Yall6e-Lourdes,N.B., 1958);Antoine Bernard, Hlsloire
(Montreal, 1935);Archives of the R. H. S. J. in Montreal.
deIasuroiaance
acadiezze
CHAPTER TEN
1. Archives of the R. H. S. J. in Tracadie. Mdre Pag6 to Mother Supenor rn
Montreal, September25, 1868.
2. rbid.
p. 266.
3. Annals of the Hdtel-Dieu de Montreal, Vol. 3 (1860-1881),
4. Archives of the R. H. S. J. in Tracadie. Mdre Pagd to Mother Superior in
Montreal, September25, 1868.
5. Ibid.
6. Ibid.
168
7. Annals of the H6tel-Dieude
8. Archives of the R. H. S. J. ir
Montreal, September25, 186
9. Ibid.
10. Annals of the Hdtel-Deu in I
11. lbid., p. 282.
12. Ibid.
CHA
1. Annals of the Hdtel-Dieude
2. Ibrd,.,pp. 284-85.
3. Archives of the R. H. S. J. in
perior in Montreal, April 28,
4. Ibid. Sr. St. Jean-de-Goto
to
1868.
5. E. L. de Belleveuille,op. cit.,
6. Siska,"Les L6preuxde Tmca
tember 7, 1882.
7. E. L. de Bellefeuille,op. cit.,
8. "Mission de Tracadie,"LeMo
Sr. St. Jean-de-Gototo Mott
(should be 1872).
9. A. Bemard, op. cit., pp. 109
10. A.M. Pope,op. clt.,p.744.
11. "Mission de Tracadie,"op. c
Montreal, February6, 1870.
12. E. L. de Bellefeuille,op. cit.,
13. Public Archivesof Canada,D
P. 10.
14. W.H. Thornton,B.A.,"A visi
New Brunswick," Canad.iaA
15. P.A.C., Dr. J.C.Tach6,op. c
16. A.M. Pope, op. cit. pp.749-5
17. J.E. Craham, M.D., "Lepros
Surgicallournal,XII (1884),p,
18. P.A.N.B.,Houseof Assemb
19. Ibid.
20. "Lazaretto Sca dal," The Mi
1879.Informer to the Editot
21. P.A.N.B., House of Assemb
Other sourcescon6ulted:Pro
zarctto," Miramichi Adaance(Chi
Babineau'smemorialto the Dom
10, 1891;an interview with the l
1982;Archives of the Dioceseof
20, 1869;and an interview with S
ivesof New Brunswick;1861CenCounty Gloucester," The Cleancr
documentationde Ia Soci6t6HisL Smith Letter Book. Dr. Smith to
Health,April 9, 1904;Archives of
h in Montreal, Lettres circulaires
Hospitaleresde SainFjoseph' of
7. Annals of the H6tel-Dieu de Montreal, Vol. 3 (1860-1881),
p. 272.
8. Archives of the R. H. S. J. in Tracadie. Mdre Pag6 to Mother Superior in
Montreal, September25, 1868.
9. Ibid.
p. 276.
10. Annals of the H6tel-Dieuin Montreal,Vol. 3 (1860-1881),
11. Ibid., p. 282.
12. Ibid.
CHAPTERELEVEN
IINE
ouseof AssemblyJournalfor 1868,
ie Paquetto Mdre Mance in Mon-
Lweauto MdreMancein Montreal,
rurgetto Mare Mance, September
&m from MgI. J. Rogers,Septemp. 265.
ol. 3 (1860-1881),
p. 26s.
ol. 3 (1860-1881),
More Pag6to Mother Superior in
de Saint-loseph
rd, LesHospitaliircs
, 1958);Antoine Bernard, Hlsfoire
vesof the R. H. S. J. in Montreal.
]EN
M€re Pag6to Mother Superior in
p. 266.
ol. 3 (1860-1881),
M&e Pagdto Mother Superior in
1. Annals of the H6tel-Dieu de Montreal, Vol. 3 (1860-1881),
pp. 284, 385-86.
2. Ibid., pp. 284-85.
3. Archives of the R. H. S. J. in Tracadie.Reverend Gauvreau to Mother Superior in Montreal, April 28, 1869.
4. Ibid. Sr. St. Jean-de-Gototo Mother Supedor in Montreal, November 11,
1868.
5. E. L. de Belleveuille,op. cit., p.572.
6. Siska, "Les Ldpreux de Tracadie," LeMoniteurAcudien(Shediac,N.B.), September 7, 1882.
7. E. L. de Bellefeuille,op. cit., p. 572.
8. "Mission de Tracadie," LeMoniteurAcadier(Shediac,N.B.), August 6, 1874.
Sr. St. Jean-de-Gototo Mother Supedor in Montreal, November 10, 1862
(should be 1872).
9. A. Bemardo
, p . c i t . .p p . 1 0 9 - 1 0 .
10. A.M. Pope, op. cit., p.744.
11. "Mission de Tracadie," op. cit. Sr. St. Jean-de-Gototo Mother Superior in
Montreal, February 6, 1870.
12. E. L. de Bellefeuille,op. cit., pp. 564-65.
13. Public Archives of Canada,Dr. J.C. Tach6, "Questions regarding leprosy,"
P. 10.
14. W.H. Thornton, B.A., "A visit to the Lazaretto,a leper infirmary at Tracadie,
New Brunswick," CanadianMetlicaland Surgicallournal,IX (1881),p. 521.
15. P.A.C., Dr, J.C. Tach6,op. cit., p. 8.
16. A.M. Pope,op. cit. pp. 749-50.
17. J.E. Graham, M.D., "Leprosy in New Brunswick," CanadianMedicaland
SurgicalJournal,XII (1884),p. 158.
18. P.A.N.B.,Houseof AssemblyJournalfor 1879,p. 120.
19. Ibid.
20. "Lazaretto Scandal," The Miramichi Adaance(Chatharn, N.B.), March 27,
1879.Informer to the Editor, March 24, 1879.
21. P.A.N.B., House of Assembly Journal for 1876,TracadieLazarctto, p.7.
Other sourcesconsulted: Provincial Archives of New Brunswick; "The Lazaretto," Miramichi AdLlance(Chatham, N.B.), April 14, 1892. Reverend J.A.
Babineau'smemorial to the Dominion Government, Tracadie,N.B., December
10, 1891;an interview with the late Mrs. Dorothy (Young) Fitzgerald, May 26,
1982;Archives of the Dioceseof Bathurst. MCie Pagd to Mgr. J. Rogers,April
20, 1869;and an intewiew with Sister Victoria Branch, R.H.S.J.,Ap l20, 1981.
r69
CHAPTERTWELVE
1. "Mort du Pdre Cauvreau," Le Monitcur,4cadicrr
(Shediac,N.B.), May 13,
1875.
2. "TracadieLazarettoScandal,"TheMirtmichi AclLlonoe
(Chatham,N.B.), March
13, 1879.
3. Ibid., March 20, 1879.
4. Ibid., March 20, 1879.
5. Thc Union Arltocate,March 12, 1879.
6. rbid.
7. TheMiramichiAtiudr.e, February 13, 1879.
8. TheUnion Adaoute, March 5, 7879.
9. TheMtuanlichiAd?cacc,May 8, 7879;a dTht UniLtuAdttocate,
April 30, 1879.
10. P.A.N.B.,House of Assembll,Journalfor 7879,p. 49.
11. P.A.N.B.,Houseof AssemblyJournalfor 1872,Appendix No. VIII.
12. F-M. Lajat,op. cit., p. 268.Dr. J.C.Tachdto Mdre Braultin Tracadie,October
10, 1878.
13. A.M. Pope,op. cit., p. 740.
1,4.TheMiramichiAdzrarce,June 3, 1880.
1,5."Le Lazaretde Tracadie,"Le MoniteurAcndicrr
(Shediac,N.B.), August 5,
1880.
15. A.M. Pope,op. cit., p. 740.
Other sourcesconsulted:ProvincialArchives of New Brunswick;Public
Archivesof Canada;1871Censusreport for GloucesterCounty, N.B.; Tracadie
Parish Registers;Dictionarvof Canacliatt
(Toronto and Quebec, 1972),
Blo,qrnplrrT
Vol. X; Archives of the Dioceseof Bathurst, Biography of Rev. J. Auguste Babineau;Archivesof the R.H.S.J.of Tracadie,Officesfor 1880;PlacideGaudet.
"Tracadie,N.8.," LeMoniteurAcadlcrr
(Shediac,N.B.), September28, 1882;Ferdinand Gauvreau, "The Government and the Lepers," The Monitg Frcendn
(SaintJohn, N.B.), June 15, 1861;"The New BrunswickLegislature,"Tre Mlr
amichiAdoance(Chatham, N.B.), March 7, 187t the controversy was carried on
in these placesand times in 7879:TheMirumichiAdrntlce(Chatham, N.B.), February 13, 20, and 27, March 6, 13, 20, and 27, Aptrl3, 10, and 17, May 1 and 8,
and June 10; and The Union Ad?ocate(Newcastle, N.B.), March 5 and 12, and
April 2 and 30.
CHAPTERTHIRTEEN
1. The Beachcomber,"Where all Hope is Abandoned: a visit to the Home of
(Halifax,N.S.), n.d.
the Lepers,"TheHalifaxChronicle
2. "Along the North Shore, Visit to the Abode of the New Brunswick Lepers,"
TheDaily Sun(SaintJohn, N.B.), October,1894.
3. Siska,"Les ldpreuxde Tracadie,"LeMoniteurAcadien(Shediac,N.B.), September 7, 1882.
4. Ibid.
5. rbid.
6. A.M. Pope, op. cit., p.749.
7. Ibid., p. 748.
f
170
8. Public Archivesof Canada,M
Lynch to Right HonorableSir
9. Ibid., file i45880.
10. rbid.
11. Ibid., file 145885.
12. ProvincialArchivesof New B
No. 10, Departmentof Agric
13. F.-M. Lajat, op. cit.,p.297.
Other sourcesconsulted:Pr<
ParishRegisters;Archivesof the I
en Amdrique," Le MoniteurAca
interviews with the late Sr. Louir
CHAP
1. Albert S. Ashmead, "Introd
province of New Brunswick
icnl Association,Vol. 2-XX 2l
2. Ibid.
3. A. McPhedran,"Leprosyin C
Vol. 7 (1882),p. 15. From n
graduatein medicine.
4. ProvincialArchivesof New B
No. 7, Dept. of Agriculturer
5. Albert S. Ashmead,op. cit.,
6. Ibid., pp. 205,206.
7. A. McPhedran,op. cit., p.2i
8. "La ldpre dans les Province
January 15, 1891.
Papers
fo
P.A.N.B.,
Sessional
9.
rcport no. 37, p.27.
10. P.A.N.B.,MicrofilmF-140.D
4, 1,897.
de.
11. Centrede documentation
papers. John Jos. Dunber tc
25, year unknown.
12. P.A.N.B.,MicrofilmF-140.I
25, August 6, 1900.
13. Public Archives of Canada,F
Montizambert,January8, 19
14. Ibid.
i5. rbid.
16. Centre de documentationde
papers. Neil McMillan to H.
1893.
Papersf <
17. P.A.N.B.,Sessional
reportno. 12,p. 27.
18. Centre de documentationde
letter book, p. 51. Dr. Smith
Y
VELVE
(Shediac,N.B.), May 13,
,4cadiefi
:hi Aduance(Chathan, N.B.), March
TheUnionAtlt'ocnte,
Ap l30, 1879.
,r 1879,p. 49.
rr 1872,Appendix No. VIIL
to MCreBraultin Tracadie,October
(Shediac,
N.B.), August 5,
cadien
thives of New Brunswick; Public
GloucesterCounty, N.B.; Tracadie
(Torontoand Quebec, 1972),
"phv
Biographyof Rev. J. Auguste Ba, Officesfor 1880;PlacideGaudet,
ac,N.B.),September
28, 1882;Fer:he Lepers," The Montitg Frccnnn
' BrunswickLegislature," TheMiri78ithe controversywas canied on
ichiAdaance
\Chatham,N.B.), Feb, Apdl 3, 10,and 17,May 1 and 8,
astle,N.B.),March5 and 12, and
.RTEEN
\bandoned:a visit to the Home of
rx,N.S.),n.d.
'deof the New BrunswickLepers,"
:r,1,894.
dteurAcatlien(Shediac,N.B.), Sep-
8. Public Archives of Canada,M.G. 26 A, Vol. 323, file 145881.Archbishop J.J.
Lynch to Right Honorable Sir John A. McDonald, Toronto, August 22, 1885.
9. Ibid., file 145880.
10. Ibid.
11. Ibid., file 145885.
12. ProvincialArchives of New Brunswick, SessionalPapersfor 1887,Vol. XX,
No. 10, Department of Agriculture report no. 38, p. 180.
i3. F.-M. Lajat, op. cit., p.297.
Other sourcesconsulted: Provincial Archives of New Brunswick; Tracadie
ParishRegisters;Archives of the R.H.S.J.of Tracadie,Offices for 1885;"La ldpre
en Amdrique," Le Moniteur Acadien(Shediac,N.B.), September10, 1885;and
interviewswith the late Sr. LouiseL6gere,R.H.S.J.in 1967and 7976.
CHAPTERFOURTEEN
1. Albert S. Ashmead, "lntroduction of Leprosy into Nova Scotia and the
province of New Brunswick. Micmacsimmune, " ThelournalAmericanMed
ical Association,
Vol. 2-XX 28 (1896),p.206.
2 . tbid.
3 . A. McPhedran,"Leprosy in CapeBreton," Canaclian
lournalofMedicalScience,
Vol. 7 (1882),p. 15. From notes left by the late William Fletcher, undeigraduate in medicine.
ProvincialArchives of New Brunswick, SessionalPapersfor 1886,Vol. XIX,
No. 7, Dept. of Agriculturereport no. 37, p. 157.
5. Albert S. Ashmead,op. cit., p. 206.
6. Ibrd., pp. 205, 206.
7. A. McPhedran,op. cit., p.272.
8. "La ldpre dans les Provinces Maritimes," L'Eaanglline(Weymouth, N.S.),
January15, 1891.
9. P.A.N.B.,Sessional
Papersfor 1891,Vol. XXXIV,No.4, Dept. ofAgriculture
rcport no. 37, p. 27.
10. P.A.N.B.,Microfilm F-140.Dr. Smith to Ministerof Agriculture,November
4, 1897.
11. Centrede documentationde la Soci6tdHistoriqueNicolas-Denys,
Dr. Smith
papers. John Jos. Dunber to Dr. Smith, Scotsville,Cape Breton, October
25, year unknown.
12. P.A.N.B., Microfilm F-140.Dr. Smith's report on investigatingtrips, July
25, August 6, 1900.
13. PublicArchivesof Canada,R.G.29, Vol. 300,file 177605.
Dr. Smith to Dr.
Montizambert, January 8, 1906.
14. Ibid.
1 5 . rbid.
76. Centre de documentationde la Soci6t€Historique Nicolas-Denys,Dr. Smith
papers. Neil McMillan to H. Cameron Esq., South Lake Ainslie, March 6,
1893.
1.7.P.A.N.B.,Sessional
Papersfot 1897,Vol. XXXI, No. 5, Dept. of Agriculture
report no. 1,2,p. 27.
18. Centre de documentation de la Soci6t6Historioue Nicolas-Denvs,Dr. Smith
l e t t e rb o o k ,p . 5 1 . D r . S m i t ht o D r . M o n t i z a m b e r A
t ,p r i l q , 1 d 0 4 .
t'7|
19. P.A.C., R.G. 29, Vol. 5, lile 147248_Dr. Smith to Dr. Montizambert, Sep_
tember 26, 1902.
20. lbid., flle 147248.
21. Centre de documentationde Ia Soci6t6Historique Nicolas-Denys,Dr. Smith
papers.Dr. Smith to W.B. Scarth,Deputy Minister of Agriculture, February
29, 1,896.
22. Siska,op. cit.
23. P.A.C., R.c. 29, Vol. 1, Minute Book.
24. Ibid.
25. Centre Documentation de la Soci6t6Historique Nicolas-Denvs,Dr. Smith
Ietterbook, p. 51.
26. Ibid.
27. P.A.N.B., SessionalPapersfor 1896,Vol. XXIX, No. 5, Dept. of Agriculture
report no. 14, p. 25.
Other sources consulted: Provincial Archives of New Brunswick; public
Archives of Canada;Archives of the dioceseof Bathurst, Rapport triennal des
Religieuses
Hospitalidres
de St.-Joseph
de Tracadie,August 2), lg93;and,,Disparition d'un l6preusede Tracadie," L'Eztangeline
(\Neyiouth, N.S.), August 12,
1897.
19. Public Archives of Canada,R.
Lowe, Deputy Minister of Agri
Fath
20. P.A.N.B.,MicrofilmF-140.
26, 1893.
21. F.-M. Lajat,op. cit., pp.302-0
22. P.A.N.B.,Microfiln F-140.Dr. !
Other sourcesconsulted:Prov
Archives of Canada;TracadieParis
thurst; Centre de documentationd
Smith papers;Herman E. Hayd, "A
Mediml Record(October1, 1884; "
(Shediac,N.B.), Au gust6, 1874t"Ha
Maritimes(Balhttst, N.B.), Februa
ParoissedeTraca.lie(Quebec,7946r "1
desProuinces
Marifimes(Bathurst,N.l
Maritimes(
Le CourrierdesPtooinces
Maritines(B
LeCouttkt desProuinces
journal, March 24, 1894.
CHAP
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
From an interview with the late Sr. Louise L6gdre,R.H.S.J.,December1976.
Ibid.
F.-M. Lajat,op. cit., p.387.
From an interview with the late Sr. Louise L6gdre,R.H.S.J.,December1976.
Provincial Archives oI New Brunswick, Sessionalpapers for 1gg7,Vol. XX
No. 10,Dept. of Agriculturerepori no. 33, p. 180.
6 . "The Lazaretto," The Miramichi Adua ce lchatham, N.B.). April 14, 1g92.
Rev. Babineau's memorial to the Dominion Government, December 10,
1891.
7. Ibid.
8 . Ibid.
9 . rbid.
1 0 . "Ottawa," TheMiramichiAdaance(Chatham, N.B.), April Z, 1892.
1 1 . P.A.N.B., Microfilm F-140.Father Babineauto the Minister of Agriculture,
April 11, 1892.
1.2.F.-M. Lajat,op. cit., p.301.
13. "Le Lazaretde Tracadie," LeCourrierdesProz.tinces
Maritimes(Bathurst,N. B.),
July 7,1892.
14. "The TracadieLazaretto," TheMiramichiAdaance(Chatham, N.B.), July 14,
1892.
15. rbid.
16. P A
SessionalPapersfor 1892,Yol. XXV, No. 5, Dept. of Ag culture
\ P,,
reportNo. 10, p. 21.
17. Ibid. for 1893,Vol. XXVI No. 5, Dept. of Agriculture report No. 11, p. 21.
18. P.A.N.B., Microfilm F-140.Father Babineauto the Minister of Agriculture,
January 26, 7893.
t'72
1 . Archives of the Dioceseof Bath
March 10, 1894.
2 . Ibid. Mgr. Rogersto Mdre St. J
3 . Ibid.
4. "Lepers and Leprosy," TheMi
1897.
2 5 . Centrede documentationde la
papeis. A newspaperarticleer
o . Ibid. Letter to Dr. SmithsEnedI
itoba, May 1, 1897.
7. Ibid. Dr. Smith to ChristianGo
8. Ibid. Mrs. Maxim to Dr. Smith
9. Ibid. G. Freemanto Dr. Smith,
10. Archives of the Dioceseof Bat
February5, 1898.
Other sourcesconsulted:Pro!
Archivesof Canada;TracadieParish
TheMiramichiAdoance(Chatham,N
America," The MontrealSfar (Mon
"Lepers and Leprosy," TheMirami
and "Leprosy in SaintJohn," TheM
16, 7897.
CHAPTE
1. Donat Robichaud,op. cit., p,2
2. "Along the North-Shore-Visit
TheDaily Sun (SaintJohn, N.B
I
Smith to Dr. Montizambert, Sep-
istoriqueNicolas-Denys,Dr. Smith
y Ministerof Agriculture, February
rtoriqueNicolas-Denys,Dr. Smith
XXIX,No. 5, Dept. of Agriculture
chivesof New Brunswick; Public
of Bathurst,Rapport t ennal des
acadie,August 22, 1893;and "Dislize(Weymouth,N.S.), August 12,
19. Public Archives of Canada, R G. 17, Vol. 1670. Father Babineau to John
Lowe, Deputy Minister of Agriculture, March 16, 1893
P.A.N.B.,MicrofilrnF-140.FatherBabineauto DePt of AgriculttrreJanuary
26, 1893.
2 1 . F . - M .L a j a t .o p . c i t . . p P . 3 0 2 - 0 3
22. P.A.N.B.,MicrofilmF-140.Dr. Smith to DePt.of Agriculture,May 14,1894'
Other sources consulted: Provincial Archives of New Brunswick; Public
Archives of Canada;Tracadie Parish Registers;Archives of the Dioceseof Bathurst; Centre de documentation de la Soci6t€Historique Nicolas-Denys,Dr'
Smith papers;Herman E. Hayd, "A visit to the New Brunswick lazarctto," The
Medicai Record(October 1, 1887),"Mission de Tracadie," Le Moniteur A'aLlien
Prooinces
(Shediac,
N.B.), Au gusl6,1874;"H'toisme Catholique/' le Co.utrier
'Maritimes
.des
(Bativstilv.g.), feb.uury 27, 1890;Edmond o]uellet, Histotiquede la
(Quebec,1946);"Nouvelles Locales-Le sl6Prcux," LeCourtier
Paroisse
deTracodie
t)esPtorincesMoritimes(Bathurst,N.B ), April 14, 1892;"Le Lazaretde Tracadie,"
Le Courrier desProaincesMd,"ifim?s(Bathurst, N B.), July 7,1892; "Le Lazaret,"
Matitimes(Bathurst,N B.), March 30, 1893iand the same
LeCourrietdesProainces
journal, March 24, 1894.
CHAPTERSIXTEEN
ITEEN
(Chatham,N.B.), July 14,
Aduance
1. Archives of the Dioceseof Bathurst Mdre St Jean-de-Gototo Mgr' Rogers,
March 10, 1894.
2. Ibid. Mgr. Rogersto Mere St. Jean-de-Goto,June 30, 1895
3. Ibid.
4. "Lepers and Leprosy," The Miramichi Atloance(Chalharn, N.B'), April 22,
1897.
2 5. Centrede documentationde la Soci6tdHistorique Nicolas-Denys,Dr' Smith
papers. A newsPaPerarticle entitled "Cases of Leprosy," n d.
6. Ibid. Letter to Dr. Smith signed Christian Goodmansson,West Selkirk, Manitoba, May 1, 1897.
7. Ibid. Dr. Smith to Christian Goodmansson,Tracadie,May 25, 1897'
8. Ibid. Mrs. Maxim to Dr. Smith, West Selkirk, Manitoba, August 9, 1897
9. Ibid. G. Freemanto Dr. Smith, August 15, 1897.
10. Archives of the Diocese of Bathurst Sr' St. Jean-de-Gototo Mgr' Rogers,
February 5, 1898.
Other sources consulted: Provincial Archives of New Brunswick; Public
Archives of Canada;TracadieParish Registers;"Historical Buildings Destroyed,"
TheMiramichiAd,arce(Chatham,N.B ). May 21. l89b; "SaddestSPotin North
Amedca," The Mottreal Sfa,"(Montreal, P Q.), n.d., between 1899and 1902;
"Lepers and Leprosy," TheMiramichiAdoance(Chatham, N.B.), APil 22, 1897;
and"'Leprosv in Sai;t John," TheMiramichiAdoance(Chatham,N.B ), December
1.6,1897-.
. XXV, No. 5, Dept. of Agriculture
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
i Agdculturereport No.11, p. 21.
eauto the Minister of Agriculture,
L. Donat Robichaud,op. cit., p.226, no 724(c);TracadieParishRegisters.
2. "Alone the North-Shore-Visit to the Abode of the New Brunswick lepers,"
TheDailu Sun (SaintJohn, N.B ), October, 1894
December1976.
) L6gerc,R.H.S.J.,
: L€gdre,R.H.S.J.,December1976.
iessionalPapersfor 1887,Vol. Xx
18,p. 180.
(Chatham,N.B.), April 14, 1892.
inion Government,December 10,
am, N.B.), ApmT, 1892.
eauto the Minister of Agriculture,
'roainces
Matitines(Bathurst,N. B.),
173
3. Centre de documentationde la Soci6t6Histo que Nicolas-Denys,Dr. Smith
papers."Sam Slick" to Dr. Smith, Tracadre,N.8., November-2b,1g96.
4. Ibid. J.A. Babineauto Dr. Smith, Thursdayevening,n.d.
5. PublicArchivesof Canada,R.G. 29, Vol. 5 pr. 2, File115783
Letter,,B,,from
J o nC u d m u n d s s o n .
6. Ibid. Letter "A" from Gudmundur Kristjanssonto his wife, September27,
1897.
7. Ibid. Letter "8".
8. Ibid.
9. Ibid. Letter "A".
10. Centrede documentation
de la Soci6tdHistoriqueNicolas-Denvs,
Dr. Smith
papers.AlexanderMaxim to Dr. Smith, WesaSelkirk,Manitoba.February
2 1 ,1 8 q 8 .
1i. Ibid. A draft copy of a letter from Dr. Smith to the Dept. of Agriculture,
n.d., about 1895.
12. ProvincialArchives of New Brunswick, SessionalPapersfor 1897,Vol. XXXI,
No. 5, Dept. of Agriculturereport no. 12,p. 2b.
13. P.A.N.B.,Microfilm F-140.Leprosypatientsin New Brunswicksince1815;
TracadieParish Registers.
14. Ibid. SessionalPapersfor 1898,Vol. XXXII, No. 6, Dept. of Agriculture report
no. 12, p. 65.
15. P.A.C., R.G.29, Vol. 5, pt. 2, File 116298.
Copy of a lertersignedin pencil
by seven of the lepers in the presenceof a witness, August 1898.
16. Achivesof the Dioceseof Bathurst. Olivier Plourde to Mgr. Rogers,Tracadie,
N.8., June 7, 1898.
i7. Ibid. J.A. Babineauto Mgr. Rogers,August 27, 1898.
18. P.A.C.,R.G.29,Vol. 5, pt. 2, File116298.
Copyof a letterfrom J.A. Babineau
to Hon. R. Young, August 25, 1898.
19. Centre de documentationde la Soci€t€Historique Nicolas-Denvs,Dr. Smith
papers.Copy of a certificatesignedA.C. Smiih, M.D., Auguit 27, 1898.
20. P.A.C.,R.c. 29, Vol. 5, pt. 2. SydneyFisherto Dr. LaChapelle,October27,
1898.
21. Archives of the Dioceseof Bathurst. J.A. Babineauto Mgr. Rogers,Tracadie,
N.8., November3, 1898.
P.A.C.,R.C.29,Vol. 5, pt. 3, File117938.Rapport
de la CommissionM6dicale
Nommde le 26 octobre,1898,pour faire enqu6tesut les plaintesportdscontre
l'administration du Lazaiet de Tracadie,f. 3.
23. "Documents in6dits*menu au Lazaret de Tracadie," Cahierde ! SocieftHis
totiqueNicolas-Denys,
Vol. III, No. 1 (1975),p. 30.
P.A.C.,R.G. 29, Yol.5, pt. 3, File 117938,
appendix.
25. Ibid. p. 5.
26. Ibid. p. 6.
27. Archives of the Dioceseof Bathurst.J.A. Babineauto Mgr. Rogers,Tracadie,
N.8., November3, 1898.
28. P.A.N.B.,Sessional
Papersfor 1889,Vol. XXXIII,No. 6, Dept.ofAgriculture
report no. 13, p. 60.
29. P.A.C.,R.G. 29,Vol. 5, pt. 4, Flle1.22951.
ThomasSavoyto Hon. Sir Wilfred
Laurier,Tracadie,N.8., August 24, 1899.
30. Ibid.
31. P.A.N.B.,MicrofilmF-140.Fathe
9, 1899.
32. P.A.C.,R.G.29,Vol.5, pt. 3, Filel
et ami," Montreal, September17
33. Ibid., pt. 4, File 12i419.J.A. Ba
June6, 1899.
Other sourcesconsulted:Provrr
Archives of Canada;Archivesof the D
in Montreal, Lettrescirculaires(1900
cadie.
CHAPTE
1. From an interview with the late I\
'1982.
2. ProvincialArchivesof New Bruns
i0, 1904.
3. From an interview with the lateMr
26, 1982.
4. Centre de documentationde la I
Book, pp. 92-93.Dr. Srnithto Dr.
5. From an interview with Mr. Jim L
6. P.A.N.B.,Sessional
Papersfor 190
reportno. 12, p. 52.
7. Ibid. for 1918,Vol. L I, No. 7, D
110.
8. From an interview\^ith SisterVic
9. P.A.N.B.,Sessional
Papersfor 19
report, appendix 15, p. 112;and
7, Dept. of Agriculture report on
10. From an interview with Mr. Josep
commentsare recordedvetbatim
and 1982with the personsnamed
11. Public Archives of Canada,R.G. j
la commissionm6dicalenomm6e
Ies plaintes portds contre l'admm
12.
12. P.A.C., R.c.29, Vol. 300,File 1
January 8, 1906.
13. P.A.N.B.,RevisedStatutes
of Can
8-12,1,6,and 17, pp. 2278-80.
1 4 . P . A . C . ,R . c . 2 9 ,V o I . 3 0 0p, r . 3 . C
the Department of pensionsand I
15. "Toronto man on way to Tracadi
t , . 8 . 1M
Lgrt (BdthursN
, a r c h1 6 ,
16. P.A.C., R.G. 29, Vol. 300,pt. 3. (
Department of pensionsand Natic
this report.
1 7 . A n n a l so f t h e R . H . 5 . Jo. f T r a c a d
itoriqueNicolas-Denys,Dr. Smith
lie,N.B.,November26, 1896.
ry evening,n.d.
pt. 2, File115783Letter "B" from
Lnssonto his wife, September27,
3 1 . P.A.N.B.,MicrofilmF-140.FatherBabineauto Deputy Minister,November
9, 1899.
32. P.A.C.,R.G.29,Vol. 5, pt. 3, File123219.
LaChappelleto "Mon cherconfrere
et ami," Montreal,September17, 1899.
33. Ibid., pt.4, File 121419.J.A. Babineauto Hon. S. Fisher,Tracadie.N.8.,
June6, 1899.
Other sources consulted: Provincial Archives of New Brunswick; Public
Archives of Canada; Archives of the Diocese of Bathurst; Archives of the R. H.S.J.
in Montreal, Lettres circulaires (1900-1915);
and Archives of the R.H.S.l. in Tracaclre.
rtoriqueNicolas-Denys,Dr. Smith
rVestSelkirk,Manitoba, February
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
nith to the Dept. of Agriculture,
isionalPapersfor 1897,Vol. XXXI,
, p. 26.
rts in New Brunswicksince 1815;
No. 6, Dept.ofAgriculturereport
Copy of a letter signed in pencil
a witness,August 1898.
Plourdeto Mgr. Rogeis,Tracadie,
st 27, 1898.
lopy of a letterfrom J.A. Babineau
toriqueNicolas-Denvs,Dr. Smith
Smith,M.D., August27, 1898.
er to Dr. Lachapelle,O.tober 27,
rbineauto Mgr. Rogers,Tracadie,
rpportdela CommissionM6dicale
FCtesurlesplaintesport6scontre
).3.
Tracadie,"CahietdeI Sociiti His
l, p. 30.
aPPendu.
rbineauto Mgr. Rogers,Tracadie,
XXIII, No. 6, Dept. of Agriculture
ihomasSavoyto Hon. Sir Wilfred
1. From an interview with the late Mrs. Dorothy (Young) Fitzgerald,May 26,
1.982.
2. ProvincialArchives of New Brunswick, Microfilm F-140.Dr. Smith, February
I0, Iq04.
3. From an interview with the IateMrs. Delphine (Arseneau)Lockhart, October
26, 1982.
4. Centre de documentation de la Soci6t6 Nicolas-Denys, Dr. Smith Letter
Book, pp. 92-93.Dr. Smith to Dr. Montizambert, December20, 1904.
5. From an interview with Mr. Jim Losier, April27, 1981.
6. P.A.N.B.,Sessional
Papersfor 1906,Vol. XXXVI,No. 6, Dept.of Agncurture
report no. 12, p. 52.
7. Ibid. for 1918,Vol. LIll, No. 7, Dept. of Agriculturereport on leprosy,p.
110.
8. From an interviewwith SisterVictoriaBranch,R.H.S.J.,May 20, 1981.
9. P.A.N.B., SessionalPapersfor 1916,Vol. LI, No. 11, Dept. of Agriculture
report, appendix15, p. 1,1,2;
and SessionalPapersfor 1918,Vol. LIII, No.
7, Dept. of Agriculture report on leprosy, p. 110.
10. Froman interviewwith Mr. JosephFransblow,June17,1981.All subsequent
comments are recorded verbatim from interviews conductedbetween 1976
and 1982with the peisons named.
11. PublicArchivesof Canada,R.G. 29, Yol.5, pt. 3, File 117938.Rapportde
la commission m6dicale nomm6e le 26 octobre 1898pour faire enquote sur
les plaintes pod6s contre l'administration du Lazaret de Tracadie,pp. 1112. P.A.C., R.G. 29, Vo1.300, File 177605.Dr. Smith to Dr. Montizambert,
January 8, 1906.
13. P.A.N.B.,RevisedStatutesof Canadafor 1906,Vol. III, Chapter136,Items
8 - 1 2 ,l b . a n d 1 7 .p p . 2 2 7 8 - 8 0 .
14. P.A.C., R.G. 29, Vol. 300,pt. 3. Copy of a report"Control of leprosy"from
the Department of pensions and National Health.
15. "Toronto man on way to Tracadie Leper Colony," The GloucestetNortlcnt
Lfftf (Bathurst,N.B.), March 16, 1933.
16. P.A.C., R.G. 29, Vol. 300, pt. 3. Copy of "Control of Leprosy," from the
Department of pensions and National Health. Mrs. Smyth's letter is part of
this report.
17. Annals of the R.H.S.J.of Tracadie,p. 235.
l'75
1 8 .Centre de documentationde la SocidtdHistorique Nicolas-Denvs,Di. Smith
papers.DirectorGeneralof PublicHealth to Miss EvelynDavis,November
I 8 , l 9t 4 .
19. Ibid. From a secondnotation signed Dr. Montizambert.
20. F.-M. Lajat, op. cit., p. 409.
27. P.A.C., R.G. 29, Yol. 6, pt. 8. SisterSormany,Superior,to Hon. Sir M.
Burrell, Minister of Agriculture, Tracadie,N.B., November 19, 1915.
22. Ibid. Telegramfrom M. Burrell to ReverendSister Superior, November 22,
191.5.
"Saddestspot in North America,"TheMontrealStat(Montreal,P.Q.), n.d.,
between 1899and 1902.
"Le Dr. Smith et la ldpre," L'Eoangeline
(Weymouth, N.S.), January6, 1898.
25. Ibid.
26. Centre de documentationde la Soci6t6Histoiique Nicolas-Denvs,Dr. Smith
papers.ElizabethChristiansonto Dr. Smith, Tacoma,Washington,July 5,
1905.
27. P.A.C., R.G. 29, Vol. 4, pt. 4a, JosephA. Buttler to Dr. Montizambert,
Tracadie,N.B., November28, 1908.
28. Annalsof the R.H.S.J.in Tracadie,pp. 184-85.
29. Ibid., pp. 184,185.
Other sourcesconsulted:Public Archives of Canada;ProvincialArchives of
New Brunswick; Archives of the R.H.S.J.in Tracadie,offices for years 1885on;
"The lepersof Tracadie,"TheDaily Sun (SaintJohn, N.B.), Aprii 22, I9O2;Dt.
Ulysse-.f . Bourgeois,Genealogie
desLosier,Descendants
de Prciper Desiardinsdit
Losier,de Tracadie,NouLjeau-Brunswick
(Tracadie,N.8., 1953);and "Home of the
Lepe$," TheSaintloftn Globe(Saint John, N.B.), August 16, 1904.
CHAPTERNINETEEN
1. From an interuiew with Sister Victoria Branch, R.H.S.]., May 37, 1982.
Subsequentcomments are recorded verbatim from intervii\as conducted
between 1976and 1982with the persons named.
2. Dr. Aldoria Robichaud,quoted in GeorgeMcNevin, "On soigneune dizaine
de l6preux a Tracadie,N.B.," Le Drcit (Ottawa\, February 13, 1959
Other sourcesconsulted:Public Archives of Canada;ProvincialArchives of
New Brunswick; Annals of the R.H.S.J. in Tracadie;Lucv Nesbitt, ',Le Lazaret
de Tracadieprodigede cha tddedevouement,de science,"L Euangdlme
(Moncton, N.B.), October23, 1930;F.L. Whitehead,M.D., "Leprosv in New Brunswick
the End of an Era," Canad.ian
MedicalAssociation
Joutnal,Yoi.97 (November 18,
7967);and John Mosher, "Lazaretto at Tracadie, Housing seven lepers, Forms
link with Past," TheTelegraph
16, 1947.
louttal (SaintJohn, N.B.), JanLrary
EPILOGUE
Quotations are iecorded verbatim ftom interviews conductedbetween 1981
and 1982with the persons named.
Other sourcesconsulted: Edmond Ouellet, op. cit.; and The Annals of the
R.H.S.J.in Tracadie.
Mary fane Losier was born and raised in Amherst, N.s.. she attended st.
Francis Xavier university and graduated from the Nova scotia Normal college.
After teaching in Halifax co., N.s., for three years, sheand her husband movld
first to campbellton then to Bathurst. Mrs. Losier has published feature articles
and some fiction in Atlantic Insighl The Annals of ste. Anne de Beaupre, The
Oracle of St. loseph, The Atlantic Adaocate, and Arts Atlantic.
Cdline Pinet was born in Moncton, N.B., and spent her early childhood there.
she obtained her Bachelor of Elementary Education and her Bachelor of Arts
from the Universit6 de Moncton. After i9zz, when she retired from teaching
to devote more time to her family, she cultivated her interest in Acadian historyl
Of Ch_ildrenof Lazarus, Mary fane and C6line say: ,,We didn,t begin to write
a book. we began by asking a question. who were the Canadiai victims of
leprosy? we studied New Brunswick and Acadian history, read genearogies,
scanned parish and church records and old newspapers on microfilm until our
eyes drew inward. we visited people in their homes, and the sisters in their
parlors, for long and detailed interviews. Gradually, Frangoise,
fulienne, Michel,
Tranquil, Barnab6, all the children of Lazarus, took up residence in our hearts
- they became our friends. And other personalities were emerging: pere Lafrance, Dr. Smith, Father Babineau, and perhaps one of the gieatest unsung
heroines of our time, Amanda Viger (Soeur St. ]ean-de-Goto). As for Les Hos-pitalidres de saint-|oseph, who could not admire those anonymous, zealouslv
religious, eminently practical women who walked where rnen had feared to
tread? while they nearly single handedly cared for the sick, they arso built an
institution that became the hub of Tracadie."
cx