In the winter of 1898-99, sections of the Creek Nation experienced a serious smallpox epidemic. While not as severe as many earlier epidemics that had ravaged various Indian tribes, any smallpox epidemic was cause for concern. The highly contagious and often deadly disease had to be controlled quickly. Medical partners F.B. Fite and Jesse Blakemore were asked to lead the efforts to combat the epidemic.

Dr. Blakemore had earned his medical degree from Vanderbilt University in 1889. After practicing a short time in Arkansas, he came to Muskogee and went into practice with Dr. Fite, one of Muskogee’s most prominent physicians. Together they started the first private hospital in Indian Territory, known first as the Fite-Blakemore Hospital.

The name was changed to the Martha Robb Hospital in 1906. It was named for the wife of A.W. Robb, a good friend of Dr. Blakemore and a prominent Muskogee merchant. This 10-bed general hospital was located in a converted two-story wooden house at 212 S. Main St. Here Dr. Fite and Dr. Blakemore set up the first X-ray machine used in Indian Territory.

Dr. Fite worked in Muskogee during the smallpox epidemic. Dr. Blakemore went to Okmulgee, the Creek Nation capital. They worked to stem the spread of the smallpox disease through vaccination and quarantine. Dr. Blakemore quarantined the entire town of Okmulgee.

No one could leave the town until the epidemic was abated. Anyone entering the town to offer assistance would have to stay for the duration of the battle against the deadly disease. Dr. Blakemore stayed until the battle was won. His tireless efforts were credited with the quick control of the disease.

Dr. Blakemore had asked another Muskogee man to go to Okmulgee to help with the epidemic. That man was Charles Moore, one of Muskogee’s first undertakers. Moore had come to Muskogee as a painting contractor in 1883.

But after working in Indian Territory for several years, Moore sold his business and went to embalming school, returning to Muskogee in 1898. He had just built his funeral parlor when he was asked to travel with Dr. Blakemore into disease-ravaged Okmulgee. Not only did he assist with the care of the sick and the dying, he also had the sad task of arranging the burials of those who did not survive the smallpox.

Blakemore and Moore went to the center of the epidemic at some personal risk, but their efforts were rewarded. Moore especially gained a reputation for being compassionate and always willing to help someone in need. He was appointed to the Muskogee Providential Association, a charitable organization. When asked about his acts of kindness, he explained that his motto had always been, “Do unto others as you would have them do to you.”



Reach Jonita Mullins at jonita@netscape.com.