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

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

WW I: October 28, 1918: A Call To Chicago For More Troops

From the October 28, 2018, Chicago Sun-Times  "Chicago Daily News: On This Date."  As reported by the Chicago Daily News, sister paper of the Chicago Sun-Times.

OCTOBER 28, 1918, 100 years ago.

**  A call for 2,395 white men for general military service, to entrain for Camp Wadsworth at Spartensburg,  S.C. (Spartanburg)., the five-day period beginning Nov. 11, was received by Adjt. Gen. Dickenson today.

**  Another call directs the entrainment of 465 colored men, beginning Nov. 13, for Camp Grant at Rockford.

**  These calls exhaust the draft availables in all registration lists previous to that of September 12.

--Cooter

Railroad Tracks to Camp Grant in 1917

In my Friday, March 30, 2018 RoadDog's RoadLog, I wrote about additional railroad tracks being added in DeKalb County,Illinois in 1917.  This was to help make faster and more efficient travel to Camp Grant, a huge World War I training camp to the west of Rockford, Illinois.

--Cooter

Send Cakes and Sweets to Soldiers at Camp Grant in 1917

From the October 18, 2017, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1917, 100 Years Ago.

"A DeKalb lady receiving the following from Camp Grant comes forward with the suggestion today that DeKalb women and girls spend a little time in making cakes and other sweets for the soldier boys not mobilized there."

Meaning soldiers not sent off to war.  Some more World War I homefront effort.

--Cooter

"Pole of Smokes" for Camp Grant: Smoking in World War I

From the October 11, 2017, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1917, 100 Years Ago.

"Just watch the pole of smokes for Camp Granters, now on display in Anderson Brothers' window, increase.  It was announced this morning at the store that if occasion demanded the entire west window would be devoted to the display of tobacco for the soldiers of the selected army, and those sponsoring the movement only hope that such will be necessary.

" DeKalb smokers know what it is to be away from the humidor and find that the pouch is empty and willing to give almost anything for a smoke -- that is just the way the fellows at Camp Grant are feeling, that is a large majority of them."

This sounds like getting tobacco for pipe smoking.

Smokes for Camp Grant.  --Cooter

Camp Grant Boys Need Blankets: World War I

From the October 25, 2017, MidWeek (DeKalb County, Illinois)  "Looking Back."

1917, 100 Years Ago.

"Perhaps DeKalb folks do not know that the boys at Camp Grant (Rockford, Illinois) are in need of comforts and blankets these chilly nights.

"The Chronicle received word from one who visited the camp very recently that the boys there do not hesitate to say that an extra blanket or comfort from the folks at home would be appreciated more than anything else."

Warm and Snugly for the War.  --DaCoot

33rd U.S. Infantry Division in World War I-- Part 3: Medal of Honor Recipient Sgt. Willie Sandlin

The first two blog entries are on March 12, 2014.  Hit the 33rd Division label to go to them.

As we approach the 100th anniversary of the U.S. entry into World War I next year.

Camp Grant, where the 33rd Infantry Division was inactivated was in Rockford, Illinois.  Its site is presently Rockford Airport.

MEDAL OF HONOR WINNER

Sgt. Willie Sandlin of Co. A, 132nd Infantry, 33rd Division, from Kentucky.

Single-handedly destroyed three German machine gun emplacements and killed 24 at Bois de Forges, France.

He died in 1949 of a lingering lung infection from a poison gas attack at the Battle of Argonne.  Sgt. Sandlin also fought in the War of 1812.

A Hero.