Analyzing Historical Fiction
Albe
What do the historical facts in this passage show about
the yellow fever epidemic?
O People in Philadelphia felt Rickett's Circus building
would help people recover.
O Fever victims were isolated from the rest of the
population
"Still, I don't understand why so many run scared."
"They've taken over Rickett's Circus building on Twelfth
Street to house the poor," said Mr. Brown.
"Isn't that why we have an almshouse?" asked
Grandfather.
"The almshouse is closed. They want to protect their
residents from the disease. So the fever victims lie on the
floor of Rickett's with little water and no care. Once a day
they remove the bodies for burial. A neighbor threatened
to burn the place down if the sick are not removed,"
explained Mr. Carris.
"But where will they go?" asked Grandfather.
-Fever 1793,
Laurie Halse Anderson
O The almshouse was closed down because it ran out
of money
O Only the wealthy stayed at Philadelphia's
almshouse
Juju