This post is an introduction to the seven part series describing the protest that took place in Jackson Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, over the enforcement of the compulsory vaccination law of 1895, which required all school children to be fully vaccinated before being admitted to school. The action of the Jackson Township school directors on December 9,1905, which permitted admission of unvaccinated pupils to the schools, was challenged by the Pennsylvania Health Department through its Commissioner, Dr. Samuel G. Dixon. Criminal conspiracy charges were brought against several school directors and two community members, and the trial that took place in late March 1906, was considered a test case for the State. It also drew national attention with the presence of Mrs. Lora C. Little, a noted anti-vaccination activist. The school directors and community members were found “not guilty” of the conspiracy charges, but Judge George Kunkel ruled that the compulsory vaccination law had to be enforced.
The story is told with pictures of some of the principal participants and news articles of the time.
The seven parts of the series can be accessed by clicking on the links below:
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Corrections and additional information should be added as comments to this post.