----Source: CLARK COUNTY REPUBLICAN PRESS (Neillsville, Wis.) 04/19/1890

Stevens, Blanche (OCT 1879 - 18 APR 1890)

Blanche Stevens, aged ten years, visited Merrillan something over a week ago. It is reported that she slept with a little girl who had just recovered from or was just coming down with diphtheria. As to the truth of the statement we cannot say. Blanche came home the first part of last week and complained of having a sore throat. Dr. Mulvey was called Sunday morning and pronounced the disease a case of diphtheria. He immediately informed the health officer but the case was not quarantined until last Tuesday noon, nearly three days after the public should have been warned against entering the sick room of the child. The poor sufferer died at about 11 o'clock yesterday forenoon, after a terrible suffering. It is hoped there will be no spread of the disease, but it is feared that some person have been unduly exposed, and it be well for us to be prepared to check any further outbreak.