What do you think?
Rate this book
Fire, Pestilence, and Death: St. Louis, 1849
In 1849, St. Louis was little more than a frontier town, swelling under the pressure of rapid population growth, creaking under the strain of poor infrastructure, and often trapped within the confines of ignorance and prejudice. The cholera epidemic and Great Fire of 1849 were both a consequence of those problems and—despite the devastation they brought—a chance for the city to escape them. This book draws on the incomparable archives of the Missouri Historical Society, including newspaper accounts, letters, diaries, city and county records, and contemporary publications, to reveal the story of 1849 St. Louis as it was experienced by people who lived through that incredible year. The tale that emerges is as impressive as the city it full of all the drama and excitement of a great narrative and brimming with vivid accounts of momentous events whose causes and effects are still debated today. No St. Louis history buff will want to miss it.
280 pages, Paperback
Published February 15, 2018
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 14, 2020
History/Genealogy
December 10, 2024
This was interesting book about cholera epidemic and fire in 1849 st Louis mo. The two murder trials were less interesting.
April 25, 2018
I purchased this book after listening to the author present his work at the St Louis
County Library’s author’s series. The first half of the book was simply fascinating. I had a hard time putting the book down.
Through the author’s writings I could visually picture riverboats aflame tied along the St Louis riverfront during the Great Fire of 1849.
Another topic that quelled my interest was a place called Arsenal Island, established as a quarantine station for incoming riverboat passengers during the cholera epidemic of 1849. Many cholera victims were immigrants from Germany and Ireland. If a riverboat failed to stop at the island for a cholera inspection, a cannon was fired to alert the firemen and police of that a group of possible contagious passengers were headed toward the wharf.
I also found it interesting to read 145 people died from cholera in a twenty-four hour period on July 9, 1849. That was the largest loss experienced in a twenty- four hour time span during the epidemic.
There was a chapter devoted to slavery in St Louis including the Back to Africa movement.
I gave the book four stars due to the last two chapters. One dealt with a bank heist and the other with a murder. Neither were of much interest me, and I questioned why
they were included in the first place.
In closing, I really enjoyed the book overall.
The author wrote about historical topics in detail that you rarely run across when reading about St. Louis’ past.
County Library’s author’s series. The first half of the book was simply fascinating. I had a hard time putting the book down.
Through the author’s writings I could visually picture riverboats aflame tied along the St Louis riverfront during the Great Fire of 1849.
Another topic that quelled my interest was a place called Arsenal Island, established as a quarantine station for incoming riverboat passengers during the cholera epidemic of 1849. Many cholera victims were immigrants from Germany and Ireland. If a riverboat failed to stop at the island for a cholera inspection, a cannon was fired to alert the firemen and police of that a group of possible contagious passengers were headed toward the wharf.
I also found it interesting to read 145 people died from cholera in a twenty-four hour period on July 9, 1849. That was the largest loss experienced in a twenty- four hour time span during the epidemic.
There was a chapter devoted to slavery in St Louis including the Back to Africa movement.
I gave the book four stars due to the last two chapters. One dealt with a bank heist and the other with a murder. Neither were of much interest me, and I questioned why
they were included in the first place.
In closing, I really enjoyed the book overall.
The author wrote about historical topics in detail that you rarely run across when reading about St. Louis’ past.
April 9, 2018
This is an excellent book about a crucial year in the history of St. Louis as it was beginning to prosper and grow. From cholera, to the great fire, to slavery, to murder and fairness under the law, 1849 was a year that had it all. 1849 was a year that had a tremendous year that would have a long-lasting influence on the psyche of the residents of St. Louis and even those passing through on their way west.
As I was reading this, I was trying to place buildings and events from the past against today's modern cityscape.
Note: I rated the book 5-stars as it is an excellent book but still took note of a factual error. On pg. 161, the author made reference to the 13th Amendment granting citizenship to all persons regardless of color. Though the 13th Amendment did end slavery, it was the 14th Amendment that granted citizenship.
As I was reading this, I was trying to place buildings and events from the past against today's modern cityscape.
Note: I rated the book 5-stars as it is an excellent book but still took note of a factual error. On pg. 161, the author made reference to the 13th Amendment granting citizenship to all persons regardless of color. Though the 13th Amendment did end slavery, it was the 14th Amendment that granted citizenship.
August 8, 2018
This book concentrates on this rather remarkable year in the life of St. Louis:
1. The fire. Not as horrible I suspect as what rages in CA now but for the time, a serious terrifying event. The fire department, all volunteer I believe, with little in the way of equipment, was an amazement.
2. Cholera epidemic. Nobody knew anything and lots of folks died. But many did not. Tireless doctors.
3. Life for black people (I'd say citizens but then no black person, slave or free, could be a citizen could they?) at the time. What grief and injustice. The other 2 great events were accidents based on lack of human knowledge. But this.....this is all on us
1. The fire. Not as horrible I suspect as what rages in CA now but for the time, a serious terrifying event. The fire department, all volunteer I believe, with little in the way of equipment, was an amazement.
2. Cholera epidemic. Nobody knew anything and lots of folks died. But many did not. Tireless doctors.
3. Life for black people (I'd say citizens but then no black person, slave or free, could be a citizen could they?) at the time. What grief and injustice. The other 2 great events were accidents based on lack of human knowledge. But this.....this is all on us
June 25, 2024
Great book! Has so much information about the Cholera outbreak and Great Fire of St. Louis! Extremely entertaining even though it is a thoroughly educational history. Would highly recommend to anyone interested in STL history!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews