Contributed photo / Dr. Jonathan Waverly BachmanDr. Jonathan Waverly Bachman dedicated his life to serving the spiritual, emotional and, especially during the yellow fever epidemic, the physical and medical needs of his congregants at First Presbyterian Church and others from 1873 until his death in 1924. His letters to his wife, who was safely quarantined along with their children in Sweetwater, offer insight into Chattanooga's reaction to the fever and its impact on the community.
- Oct. 10, 1878, 8 p.m. "Dearest Wife: I do not wonder at your anxiety. You would not be the good and loving wife I have ever known you to be were it not so, but I pray that God may give you grace to endure. Your lot is harder than mine. I wish you could know how truly I feel in regard to the souls of these perishing ones, and how many of them in their dying hours [have] given thanks to God that I was with them to instruct and comfort them. I have had but one conviction from the beginning and that is - my duty is here. You remember His words, 'leave the widow and the fatherless ones to me'."
While ministering to the sick, Bachman also worked in his fall garden, sharing the vegetables and flowers with the patients.
- Friday, Oct. 11, 2 p.m. "After making some visits and inquiries, I find all our sick better except Dr. Fraer and Miss Hattie [Ackerman] there is a north breeze which indicates cooler weather. Mr. Crandall is sitting up reading. Try and rest on your faith. May God bless and comfort you. Your Own Jonnie P. S. Miss Hattie says, living or dying, she is the Lord's - so it is well with her. Two bright little girls were given to me a few hours ago by a mother who is supposed to be near the end in the event of her death, I will send them to her sister in Brooklyn, NY.
"You must not be alarmed at our number of new cases. You see, our death rate is not very large. I think we have now under treatment over 150 cases. Atlanta has come nobly to our relief. She sends us three physicians, who will establish a hospital and furnish it at the expense of their city. This is brotherly love, indeed Dr. Knott, one of the physicians, looks like a man of experience. The city has given them the High School Building. They will fit it for a hospital tomorrow as soon [as] any one is taken, he will be removed at once to the hospital and receive the best of treatment. This will lighten the labors and lessen the dangers of all."
- Oct. 19, 2 p.m. "Dearest One: Your telegram received, and my first impulse and every feeling of my heart was to answer that I would be with you tonight - but, as you know, I answered differently. After consultation with Dr. Sims and others, it was thought best that I remain, and if matters still improve, go away the last of next week for a rest. Major Clift is trying to get us a pass to Bristol and return. If so, we can run up there and spend a little while among the kin. But you must make them understand that I must rest - rest."
Within two weeks, Bachman did get away to Bristol for a few days of rest, surrounded by his wife, children and extended family. His wife noted in a letter that he "was bronzed and thin, like a soldier returning from a long campaign." He had been tireless in his community work during the weeks of the fever, walking three times a day from his home to Terrace Hill to see after Mr. Crandall and his family. He was particularly devoted to an old friend, Father John, the Catholic priest, who had the fever, and he sat for hours with the Rev. G.H. Brewer as the German preacher succumbed to the illness. The records note that, because Rev. Brewer had "no place for a grave," Bachman buried him in his own family lot in the Citizens' Cemetery.
Chattanoogans urged Bachman to become the mayor, but he would not entertain the idea, as he deemed "it inconsistent with his ministerial calling." Instead, he would continue his work "as God wills it."
Linda Moss Mines, the Chattanooga-Hamilton County historian, serves as board chairwoman of Erlanger Health System and regent, Chief John Ross Chapter, NSDAR.