Smallpox brought to Muncie by band of Gypsies camping near Hemingray's glass factory

It is now thought that the true method of the introduction of smallpox into Muncie, as well as other gas belt towns, has been discovered. Early in the summer a band of gypsies camped in the woods south east of Hemingray's glass factory. One day a well known gentleman strolled over that way and noticed that two of the children, who were playing around the wagons, had sores on their faces and hands, and by inquiry he found out that one or two members of the tribe were quite sick. As these gypsies circulated quite freely in the south part of the city there seems but little doubt that the disease was brought here and given a start by them.