A Diplomatic Dilemma at the Border
Hon. John Leary and his wife, returning from their honeymoon in Japan, found themselves stranded at the Victoria quarantine station, leading to a strange battle of bureaucracy.
Hon. John Leary and wife, of Seattle, arrived at Victoria today on the return from a bridal tour through Japan on an Oriental steamer. The quarantine regulations prevented them from coming across the Sound, and Mr. Leary adopted the strategic maneuver of evading the regulations by sending the following telegram to his friend, Colonel Henry Landes, chairman of the health board: 'Self and wife here. Must see you immediately on official business. Answer John Leary.' Mr. Landes comprehended the situation and answered as follows: 'You can come within hailing distance and will converse from wharf; then return to Victoria or undergo fumigation and remain in quarantine fourteen days.'
“You can come within hailing distance and will converse from wharf; then return to Victoria or undergo fumigation and remain in quarantine fourteen days.”
This 1892 stand-off over pandemic-era border restrictions highlights the historic tension between the economic necessity of cross-border trade and the strict mandates of public health. Much like the border closures during the 2020 pandemic, the story shows that even the wealthy and politically connected were not immune to the rigid application of quarantine laws.
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