Spanish Flu Outbreak 1918-- Part 5: Struck at Camp Grant First in the Area

The first cases to hit the northern Illinois area were identified at Camp Grant  in Rockford.  Some newspapers speculated that Boone County actually had cases of Spanish flu as early as February 1918, but local doctors misdiagnosed then as secondary effects of the scarlet fever.

By October of 1918, though, the deadly virus was everywhere.  Due to the close proximity of soldier living quarters at Camp Grant in Rockford, hundreds were admitted every day to the military hospital there.  There was a record 768 hospitalizations in one day.

There were so many deaths that officers decided not to broadcast the total number to avoid a general public panic.  Military vehicles were used as ambulances for the camp and for Winnebago and surrounding counties, including Boone.

Here in Belvidere, schools, churches and theaters were closed before the sate banned attendance at any public gatherings effective October 18, 1918.  Once the state ban took effect, funerals, weddings, lodge meetings, government meetings/councils and hospital visits were not allowed.

The state also mandated masks for anyone in contact with the public outside of their own families.

--DaCoot

Already Had the Spanish Flu and Survived By 1920? No Worry Mon

From the December 2, 2020, MidWeek (DeKalb County, Illinois)  "Looking Back."

1920. 100 Years Ago.

"If you had the real Spanish flu back in 1918 and 1919, and didn't die of it you won't have it again.

"You can start in the winter with a perfectly light heart and no worry whatsoever as how to treat yourself in the case of a fresh attack, now that the time-honored whiskey and  quinine cure is no longer integrally available."

Prohibition started in January 1920.

It is too bad that these days in 2020 that if you get the virus and survive you only get a temporary immunity from it.

No Whiskey for You.  --Cooter

How Americans Struggled to Bury the Dead in 1918 Flu Pandemic-- Part 5

Public funerals and wakes were banned  in cities including Philadelphia and Chicago.  Iowa prohibited public funerals and even the opening of caskets.   Exceptions were only made for  parents and wives identifying  soldiers before burial -- and even then, they could only open   the caskets if family members covered their mouths and noses with masks and refrained from touching the body.

"In many communities, processing  the loss of loved ones entails a series of rituals and rites and laying a person to rest in a respectful way,"  Bristow says.  "In many cities, the restrictions on public events meant that families  and communities had those rites interrupted, so grieving didn't take place in public but became an individual process, which had long-term consequences.  Without an opportunity to share it with those around them, that grief was carried for decades."

How Americans Struggled to Bury the Dead in 1918 Flu Pandemic-- Part 4: Like a Scene Out of the Middle Ages

Those buried in the mass graves were primarily poorer and immigrant residents so there was a class aspect to death and what happened to you.  The more affluent were more likely to secure the rites of passage into the hereafter than the poorer, more recent arrivals.

The scenes on the streets of Philadelphia appeared to be straight out of the plague-infested Middle Ages.  Throughout the day and night, horse-drawn carriages  kept a constant parade through the streets as priests joined the police   in collecting corpses draped in sackcloths and blood-stained  sheets that were left on porches and sidewalks.

The bodies were piled on top of each other in the wagons and limbs were protruding from underneath the sheets.  I couldn't help but think of that scene in the Monty Python movie.

The parents of one small boy who had succumbed to the flu begged the authorities to at least have him the dignity of being buried in a wooden box that had been used  to ship macaroni instead of wrapping him in a sheet and having him taken away in a patrol wagon.

The Spanish Flu Comes to McHenry County in 1918-- Part 2: Avoid Those Coughs and Sneezes

To combat this growing threat, the U.S. Public Health Service issued a bulletin in September 1918 outlining precautionary steps and what to do if you or a loved one became infected.

"So far as a disease like influenza is concerned health authorities everywhere recognize the very close relation between its spread and overcrowded homes.  ...The value of fresh air through open windows cannot be overemphasized.

"Where crowding is unavoidable, as in street cars, care should be taken to keep the face turned as not to inhale directly the air breathed out by another person.  It is especially important to  be aware of the person who coughs are sneezes without covering his mouth or nose.

"It also follows that one should keep out of crowds and stuffy places as much as possible, keep homes, offices, and workshops well aired, spend some time out of doors each day, walk to work if at all practicable -- in short make every possible effort to breathe  as much pure air as possible."

Sounds Somewhat Familiar, Doesn't It?  --Cooter

1918 Influenza in Butler County, Pa.,-- Part 2: The "Grippe" Spread Quickly, Very, Very Quickly

On September 23, 1918, Dr. Phillip E. Marks, director of  the Bureau of Infectious Diseases in Pittsburgh, seemed to shrug off the seriousness of this new epidemic, saying it was nothing more than an attack by  the "old fashioned Grippe" (the common name for influenza at the time)

He said, "If persons will take care to sneeze into their handkerchiefs, there will be no danger of the germs spreading."   That danger, however was becoming quite clear by the beginning of October, some seven days later as the influenza had enveloped Pennsylvania, that's how fast it was spreading.

By October 5,  Dr. W.L. Steen, Pennsylvania State Commissioner of Health,  ordered all public places of entertainment closed and prohibited all public gatherings.  Two days later, the Butler Eagle reported 139 new cases, bringing the total number of cases there to over 1,100.

Sounds Familiar, Doesn't It?  --Cooter

Influenza Epidemic of 1918 in Butler County, Pa.-- Part 1: In U.S. Started at Fort Riley in Kansas and Spread

From the Butler County Historical Society  "Influenza epidemic of 1918' by P. Schultz.

While thousands of men were being maimed and killed in Europe during WW I, even more so  were being killed world wide by an unseen foe.  The influenza epidemic of 1918.  It did not confine to Europe, but spread all over the world, infecting 20 to 40% of the earth's population and killing over 20 million.  Some 500,000 of those deaths took place in the United States.

The exact origin of it is not known, though first cases of it in the United States were reported from Fort Riley in Kansas in arch 1918.  It took six months to spread to Pennsylvania where it started in Philadelphia and spread from there to the rest of the state, reaching the western part of the state by September.

--Cooter

To Prevent Influenza! in 1918

From the Illustrated Current News Vol. 1, No 788, October 18, 1918.

A picture of a nurse wearing a face mask is included.

These sure sound like what we hear today.

*****************************************

**  Do not take any person's breath.

**  Keep the mouth and teeth clean.

**  Avoid those that cough and sneeze.

**  Don't visit poorly ventilated places.

**  Keep warm, get fresh air and sunshine.

**  Don't use common drinking cups, towels, etc..

** Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze.

**  Avoid Worry, Fear and Fatigue.

**  Stay at home if you have a cold.

**   Walk to your work or office.

**  In sick rooms wear a gauze mask like in illustration.

Sounds Somewhat Familiar.  --Cooter

Influenza Epidemic Victims, Butler Co., Pa.-- Part 2: Immigrants

Just north of the West Winfield Township in Butler County, Pennsylvania,  is a silent, sobering place known as the Wooden Cross (or Black Cross) Cemetery.  In the early 1900s, many Polish and Slovak immigrants moved to this area in western Pa. to work in the expanding  limestone mine, sand plant, brick yards and tile works in the area.

However, in 1918, many of these men were exposed to  the influenza virus which turned into the worst pandemic ever in terms of those affected and those who died.

Many of these men died without a church, organization or family that would make sure they received a proper burial.  Like many immigrants of the time, these men had left their families behind and come to the new country to establish themselves.

At the same time, local, state and federal  governments refused to fund burials for them.  So, these men were buried here.

Proper Etiquette in 1918: Gentlemen, Remove Your Hat When You Eat

From the October 17, 2018, MidWeek  "Looking Bacl."

1918, 100 Years Ago.

"The old-fashioned man who is used to running into the house at meal time, sitting down to the table without removing his hat, consuming the meal before him and again rushing out, only to spend the time doing nothing.  In a local restaurant an elderly man accompanied by a woman stopped for dinner, and the man calmly sat at the table, did not remove his hat and hurriedly ate his food.

"There were others in the dining room at the time but the man cared not,  for he did not remove his hat all the time he was in the place.   It is not often that such people are seen nowadays, as nearly everyone knows that when he sits at a table in a restaurant he is expected to have respect enough for other women, if not for the one he is with, to remove his hat."

If you ate your food in front of my mom and left your baseball cap on, you'd sure hear about it.

And, We Are Not Talking About Baseball Caps.  --Coothat

A Real Tootful in 1918

From the December 19, 2018, MidWeek  (DeKalb County, Illinois)  "Looking Back."

1918, 100 Years Ago.

"A Chicago man accompanied by 'a friend'  came out here last evening, and having been employed by the government 'hadn't touched a drop' for some time, and when released from work immediately began to tank up.

"When the couple arrived here both were well soused and the young man, rather talkative, started something in Bell's restaurant and the proprietor and police had to finish."

Making Up For Lost Time I Reckon.  --Cooter

Stealing Milk in 1918

From the October 31, 2018, MidWeek (DeKalb County, Illinois)  "Looking Back."

1918, 100 Years Ago.

"The stealing of milk from porches about town is causing some little inconvenience these days, and also is exciting the wrath of citizens.

"Last night the thieves worked on North Fourth street and they have been on John street and other places in town.  People, however, have no idea who the theives are.

Got Milk?  --Cooter

Work Or Fight Order and Sunday Driving During World War I

You can read two Looking Back 100 Years Ago from 1918 in my  Down Da Road I Go blog from yesterday, February 21, 2019.  I accidentally put them in that blog and didn't want to redo them in this one.

In short, you were not supposed to go joy riding on a Sunday because of gasoline concerns.  Plus, an industry deemed important to the World War I war effort didn't have to worry about its workers either working in a war industry or signing up to fight.

--Cooter

Home Guard to Drill in DeKalb in 1918

From the December 26, 2018, MidWeek  (DeKalb County, Illinois)  "Looking Back."

1918, 100 Years Ago.

"All members of the Home Guards are ordered to report on Locust street in front of the Armory at 7:15 o'clock this evening for drill.

"All members of the company who have not been granted leave are expected to be present."

Even With the War Over, Practice Still On.  --Cooter

Honor Roll For the Boys In the Service in 1918

From the December 19, 2018, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1918, 100 Years Ago.

"Honor rolls for the boys of the American Steel & Wire company who gave up their employment to enter service have recently been placed.  One is hung across from the office of the east and west works and contains the names of 107 men now in service.  The roll of honor at the north and south works contains the names of 25 boys.

"The honor rolls are hand made with the exception of a lithographed eagle with flags at the top and are works of art, and are so protected from the weather that they will remain there for some time to come."

Hopefully There Will Be Jobs Awaiting Them Upon Their Return.  --Cooter

Malta Township Still Short On War Work Drive in 1918

From the December 19, 2018, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1918, 100 Years Ago.

"The township of Malta is making  a final effort today to go over the top in the war work drive, and the chairman of the committee, Jesse Plapp, has a large force of workers out on the task of securing funds.

"The township is a few hundred dollars short of its quota, but the chairman and others are confident that a full quota will be subscribed before the drive closes."

War's Over, But Still Covering the Costs.  --Cooter

DeKalb To Get A New Library in 1918

From the October 24, 2018, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1918, 100 Years Ago.

"War days over, DeKalb is to have a new library.  At least that is the plan of the board here, the initial steps toward the new building being taken in the buying  of the lot directly north of the Christian Science church fronting Oak and Third streets.

"The lot, which is part of the Glidden estate, is centrally located and it presents unusual advantages for a library building.  The deal has been closed, all the details having been arranged."

--Cooter

An Eagle Comes To DeKalb in 1918: Good Or Bad Wartime Omen?

From the November 7, 2018, MidWeek  (DeKalb County, Illinois)  "Looking Back."

1918, 100 Years Ago.

"What does the appearance of an eagle mean when it enters a town during wartime.  Is it a premonition of good or evil?

"More likely the bird wanted to rest and found DeKalb a neat spot.  The bird was seen by John Anderson and others who live near the Haish school.  It was a mammoth creature and most beautiful according to those who saw it."

Of course we now know that this was the time World War I was fast approaching its end.

By November  7, 1918, the War Was Almost Over.  --Cooter

A Strange Aeroplane Over DeKalb County in 1918

From the October 24, 2018, MidWeek  (DeKalb County, Illinois)  "Looking Back."

1918, 100 Years Ago.

"A large aeroplane, flying high in the air and at a fast speed, passing over parts of DeKalb county this forenoon between 10 and 11 o'clock.  The machine was first seen when going over Hinckley and later it was seen as it passed over the northeast part of DeKalb by the piano workers.

"It is probable the machine was enroute from Rantoul to Camp Grant."

Rantoul was the site of Chanute Field which was used for airplanes during World War I.

At Least It Wasn't A German Attack By the Kaiser's Forces.  --DaCoot

Speak English Movement in 1918

From the October 10, 2018, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1918, 100 Years Ago.

"Speak English, write English and tell your family to  write and speak English, is the slogan now among the steel company plants here, and is but another follow-up plan of the recent Americanization meeting held here some time ago.

"On the occasion of the last pay day at the American Steel & Wire company, every check going to a worker of foreign nationality, was stamped, 'Speak English.' "

--Cooter