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Dear Editor;
During this new era of vaccinations, a subscriber brought this in from the Marion (WI) Advertiser from 120 years ago. Marion is in the Fox Valley (northern) area of Wisconsin.
Smallpox is gradually drawing nearer to Marion, and it would be wisdom on part of parents if they would put aside all prejudices and go right today and have Dr. Schroeckenstein vaccinate their children. No telling what day or hour some in the village will come down with this dreaded disease. About half the towns in this county have from one to 25 cases. August Opperman of Big Falls is down with it and under the care of Dr. Schroeckenstein. Mr. Opperman is afflicted with the regular old malignant smallpox which often proves fatal and invariable leaves the patient badly pitted and scarred. Now folks, heed this warning. You are not safe a minute from this dread contagion. Should you be afflicted the cost of cure will be hundred times more than vaccination, which is but a little, and a sure preventative from catching the disease.
David Wilke, Dodgeville, WI