1878 was a particularly horrendous year for Yellow Fever in New Orleans. The warning signs came early, when boats docking from Cuba had cases among sailors as early as May. At the time the cause of the disease wasn't known, only that it struck primarily in the heat of summer.

When news of Yellow Fever sweeping through the refugee camps in Cuba reached New Orleans, those who could afford to left the city. More than 1/5 of the city's population abandoned New Orleans for the summer and were glad they did so- 23,707 cases of the plague were reported in those 3 months, leaving at least 4.600 dead in its wake.

The fever (also called Yellow Jack) spread quickest amongst newcomers to the city, often laborers and immigrants who had not lived here long enough to build up any resistance. Young children who hadn't lived through an outbreak were also particularly susceptible, and when the plague-carrying mosquitoes got into the house, everyone was in danger. It wasn't unusual to have entire families die within a day of one another.

The Ferguson children died in just that way, with 1 day old Sercy and 22 month old Mary Love dying on August 30th, followed by their big brother Edwin, nearly 5 years old, the next day.