The Passing of Pearl Fitzsimmons
A young child’s life is claimed by diphtheria in a brief and tragic illness.
Pearl, the 10-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John F. Fitzsimmons of 402 1/2 East Twenty-sixth street, died yesterday of diphtheria. The little girl was sick only three days and an operation performed to check the disease failed to save the child. A private funeral was held this afternoon. Interment was in Tacoma cemetery.
“The little girl was sick only three days and an operation performed to check the disease failed to save the child.”
Then · 1904122 years apartNow · 2026
In 1904, diphtheria was a terrifying and common cause of childhood mortality. This story highlights the reality of health risks before the widespread availability of vaccines.
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