Letter from Walter Reed to James Carroll on September 26, 1900

Wissamann Washington, DC. 

Sept 26, 1900 

My Dear Carroll, Major Kean’s cable telling of poor Lazear’s desperate condition, was quickly followed by the one announcing his death.  I cannot begin to express my sorrow over this unhappy termination of our colleague’s work!   

I know that your own distress is just as acute as my own.  He was a brave fellow and his loss is one that we can with difficulty fill.  I got the General to cable yesterday about securing Lazear’s notes which he wrote that he had taken in each case bitten by mosquitos.  Examine them carefully & keep all.  I will leave here in the morning for N.Y. – and will ask you to meet with me with a conveyance at foot of O’Reilly St. or at the Navy Yard Dock (you can find out from Quartermaster where passengers will land) on the arrival of the Crook, which should be Wednesday noon Oct. 3rd.   

If your observations are such as you & Lazear have indicated we must publish a preliminary note as soon as it can be gotten ready. 

Affectionately, 

Reed