Small pox
Source: Covington People’s Friend 23 Feb 1850 p 2
Small pox – in Montgomery County near our county line and between Middletown and Alamo, the small pox has prevailed to a frightful extent for a few weeks. There have been more than 30 cases and 6 or 8 deaths. No new cases have occurred for a few days which gives rise to the hope that the further spread of the disease is stayed.