Like the colorful character, Auberon, in “The Great Steamboat Race” by John Brunner, William Albert Calhoon was suffering from “the consumption” in the last days of his life. In a letter written from a hospital bed in Cairo, IL, William Albert Calhoon described his condition to his sister Parthenia Parr Calhoon. The letter was dated 5 Jul 1889. William Albert had been treated in St Louis for five weeks without relief. On his way home to Georgetown, PA, he was forced to stop in Cairo, IL where again he was hospitalized. His description of the hospital and his fellow patients reveals much more about him than the hospital. William Albert Calhoon did return to Georgetown, PA where he died less than four months later on 25 Oct 1889. He was 37 years of age.
Ltr Cherokee Packet Co Envelop 7 Jul 1889 (Anna L and John F Nash Collection)
Ltr on Cherokee Packet Co dated 5 Jul 1889 (Anna L and John F Nash Collection)Cherokee Packet Co Letterhead by William A Calhoon Jul1889 (Anna L and John F Nash Collection)
Cherokee Packet Co Letterhead by William A Calhoon Jul1889 (Anna L and John F Nash Collection)
Deathe Notofication for William Albert Calhoon 25 Oct 1889 (Anna L and John F Nash Collection)
Tags: georgetown, steamboat