Publisher’s Note: The following article, published in the Aug. 7, 1925 edition of The News Messenger reports on an anthrax outbreak in Lyon County that killed 20 head of cattle while sending two residents to the hospital. A portion of this article will be featured in the new book: “The Sesquicentennial: Cultivating 150 Years of History in Marshall and Lyon County.” Books can be ordered for $44.95 by calling The Independent or filling out the form included in an advertisement in today’s paper.

(Aug. 7) — Twenty cattle are dead on the Richard DeVoss farm 10 miles west of Green Valley and Mr. DeVoss and a 10-year-old son are in a Rochester hospital as the result of an outbreak of a deadly disease. The first animals died July 24 and the others since last Saturday. Every effort has been made to save the remainder of the herd through vaccination.

Mr. DeVoss skinned the carcass July 24 and it is thought he and the boy became infected with the disease at that time. While the disease has not been definitely identified as anthrax, every indication points to the conclusion it is. Microscopic examination of the germs, though indicating anthrax, are not conclusive, and consequently a specimen was sent in to the Minnesota livestock cemetery board for laboratory testing. A guinea pig was inoculated with the disease germs.

A telegram received by the news messenger from Dr. Charles E. Cotton, secretary of the livestock board at 5 o’clock last night reads as follows:

“News messenger.

Marshall Minn.,

Guinea pig not dead but is showing affects of inoculation.

Minnesota livestock sanitary board,

Charles E. Cotton

Dr. Guy Young, local veterinarian, was first called to the farm last Saturday. After making an examination of several dead animals and taking steps to begin vaccination of the others at once, he later discovered in a blood test what seem to be anthrax germs and spores. The state livestock board was notified and Dr. R. Fenstermacher arrived Tuesday morning to assist in treating the disease.

Vaccinate twice.

All live in cattle on the DeVoss farm were vaccinated on Monday and revaccinated on Tuesday. Cattle and farms within a radius of 2 miles of the place are being vaccinated in the attempt to keep the disease from spreading.

Mr. DeVoss and his son were taken ill the latter part of last week and on Monday were taken to the Mayo hospital in Rochester. Their condition is reported as fair.

The DeVoss farm is the only place hit by the disease so far as it is now known. One animal died on the John Boerboom farm about two miles further west, some weeks ago, but test showed no definitive signs of anthrax. The carpet was burned this week.

All dogs were ordered tied up in Fairview Township the first of the week, for a few fear they might carry the disease. Dr. Fenstermacher stress the fact that every farmer, for the protection of himself and neighbors, report immediately the death of any animal, whether he suspects the cars with was anthrax or something else.

All animals victims of anthrax should be burned, he said, not buried, because the anthrax dream when exposed to oxygen forms of spore with a shell covering similar to an eggshell. The spores, he continued, are not affected by extreme temperatures, and hands will live for a long time. It takes 20 minutes of boiling to kill them.

Milk from a vaccinated cow is fit for human consumption, Dr. Fenstermacher said. One of the first symptoms of anthrax is a quick falling off in milk supply, he continued. When the regular amount is given in the morning and the supply in the evening drops to about a cup full, consumption of the milk should cease immediately.

Horses are just as susceptible to anthrax is cattle, Fritz Peterson, county agent said yesterday, and pigs and sheep are also to a lesser extent.

All farmers in the vicinity of the DeVoss farm are invited to attend a meeting at the Green Valley school house tonight at 8 o’clock when means of combating the disease and providing it spread will be discussed.