"In 1873 a Yellow fever epidemic claimed 2,000 in Memphis, a number which constituted at the
time the most yellow fever victims in an inland city. ...and over 5000 deaths
in 1878 too." Yellow Fever Epidemics - Tennessee Encyclopedia
"During the 1800's Memphis was a very swampy area and was well known as the filthiest and most foul smelling city on earth.
Open sewers contributed to the unpleasant odor and they provided breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Because it wasn't known
at the time that mosquitoes spread disease, nothing was done to improve the situation for almost
40 years." Yellow Fever - the plague of Memphis
In 1873 The Elgin National Watch company decided it wanted to help. They designed and
produced a promotional coin/token that they would sell for 10 cents a piece(they cost Elgin
50 cents a piece to make) and they would donate the entire amount collected to
Memphis, Tennessee and Shreveport, Louisiana to help with yellow fever.
They sold these coins at the 1873 Chicago Exposition. Take a few minutes and
read the articles below.
They are substantial coins and fairly thick.
My friend Nathan had done some research on these Metals/Tokens and
provided me these vintage news articles.
October 13, 1873 edition of the Chicago Evening Post.
November 18, 1873 in the Public Ledger (Memphis, Tennessee)
The Inter-Ocean, October 28, 1873
Rob
time the most yellow fever victims in an inland city. ...and over 5000 deaths
in 1878 too." Yellow Fever Epidemics - Tennessee Encyclopedia
"During the 1800's Memphis was a very swampy area and was well known as the filthiest and most foul smelling city on earth.
Open sewers contributed to the unpleasant odor and they provided breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Because it wasn't known
at the time that mosquitoes spread disease, nothing was done to improve the situation for almost
40 years." Yellow Fever - the plague of Memphis
In 1873 The Elgin National Watch company decided it wanted to help. They designed and
produced a promotional coin/token that they would sell for 10 cents a piece(they cost Elgin
50 cents a piece to make) and they would donate the entire amount collected to
Memphis, Tennessee and Shreveport, Louisiana to help with yellow fever.
They sold these coins at the 1873 Chicago Exposition. Take a few minutes and
read the articles below.
They are substantial coins and fairly thick.



My friend Nathan had done some research on these Metals/Tokens and
provided me these vintage news articles.
October 13, 1873 edition of the Chicago Evening Post.

November 18, 1873 in the Public Ledger (Memphis, Tennessee)

The Inter-Ocean, October 28, 1873

Rob
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