Martial Law Is Declared in Maysville

Orders Received to Inoculate Against Typhoid  National Guardsmen to Patrol Stricken City in Boats

Maysville, Ky., Jan. 26, (AP) – Martial law was declared today in Maysville, flood-soaked Mason County city, which has been under water for nearly a week, as orders were received from Thomas A. Parran, Jr. United States Surgeon General, to inoculate all residents in the area against typhoid fever.  The Ohio River, which has sent its waters pouring through the city for the last six days, reached a stage of 75.3 feet at 6 p.m.  It continued to creep slowly upward.  The order declaring martial law through out Maysville and Mason County was issued to day by Gov. A. B. Chandler, following a telephone conversation with Mason Judge A. Gordon Sulzer.  Judge Sulzer was appointed Provost Marshal by Governor Chandler.  The Mason County jurist immediately directed Lieut. J. A. Kehoe commander of the National Guard unit which has been on duty here for the last four days, to take charge of the city.  National Guardsmen were ordered to patrol the city in boats.  They were instructed to take all steps necessary to preserve the peace and protect property.  The Maysville Water Company announced today that the water to private residences and business houses unaffected by the flood will be cut off.  The utility firm will maintain an ample supply for fire protection.  Water for drinking and cooking purposes will be shipped in from other Kentucky cities.  Mason County Health Director Goodloe today began the task of inoculating citizens against typhoid.  All available physicians were called to assist in the work.  Officials here today received word from Dover, Mason County village seven miles west of Maysville, which had been unreported for seventy-two hours.  Two-thirds of the town, which has a population of 300, is under water, reports reaching here stated, and scores of refugees are being housed in the villages large school building.  The supply of food, clothing, and coal is ample, it was said.

From the Louisville Courier Journal, January 27, 1937