Secrets Of TV’s The Rifleman: More Than Just Guns And Good Times

Small Pox Epidemic

In the television series, it’s said that Mark McCain’s mother died of Small Pox in the Indian Territory of Oklahoma in the 1870s. The disease dates back to before the human population kept proper records; even Egyptian mummies were found to have had the disease. Small Pox was rampant across the world during the 18th century, claiming the lives of upwards of 50-90% of entire populations. Still, by the latter end of the 19th century, the disease appeared in America, along with Scarlet Fever, Yellow Fever, and Typhus, so it is highly likely that families still experienced loss of family members during that time, due to the disease.