The Spanish Flu of 1918-- Part 7: Businesses Hit Particularly Hard

Like any communicable disease, case counts were higher in larger factories, institutions and residential facilities.

National Sewing Machine had hundreds out daily, with the highest number of sick employees at over 400 in one day.  Most plants had similar numbers with over half of their workers out sick.  The financial stress on businesses who had already suffered through fuel shortage closures earlier in the year was devastating.

Three Red Cross nurses were assigned to Belvidere to visit the sick in town regularly and driving services to transport the ill to and from medical services were provided free of charge.

With schools closed, local teachers were quickly trained in medical services and sent out to homes to supplement local care.

Sure Sounds a Whole Lot Like We Have Going On Right Now.    --Cooter

A Coal Shortage in 1920

In the last post, I wrote about the Normal School in DeKalb, Illinois, (NIU) having a shortage of coal in 1920.  Evidently this was not just here, but elsewhere.  I came across an blurb in the September 20, Bloomington-Normal Pantagraph newspaper from 1920 as follows:

"A large group of citizens met in the BHS (Bloomington High School)  auditorium to  tackle the coal shortage.  They decided to wire President Woodrow Wilson and ask him to take action against speculators.

"Keeping the McLean  County Coal Co. open is the heart of the issue."

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And, I found a copy of the November  2, 1920 Duluth (Minnesota) News Tribune with headlines "Duluth Coal Companies Charged With Illegal  Combination, Shortage Forced, Prices Boosted."

"A group of West Duluth residents yesterday charged that coal companies have conspired to cause a shortage of coal and to boost prices.  The residents have formed a committee to urge the U.S. District Attorney to  start proceedings against the coal companies."

--Cooter

Where'd the Onions Go and Dog Owners Beware in 1944

From the April 3, 2019, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1944, 75 Years Ago

For the first time in  the history of retail grocery and vegetable business a dearth of onions is causing many a disappointed shopper to return home without the desired purchase.  It is expected that the scarcity of onions is only temporary, but there have been no fresh onions on the market for some weeks."

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Dog owners in Sycamore, especially those in the Turner addition, found running at large will be picked up by the police department for disposal.  All fogs must be kept penned or on a leash."  There MIGHT be something wrong with the wording on this.

--Cooter

Gas Shortage in 1920

From the Nay 13, 2020, MidWeek (DeKalb County, Illinois)  "Looking Back."

1920, 100 Years Ago.

"Another filling station is out of gasoline.  Sawyer & Sons reached the limit this morning and at the present time, the only place in town that has gas is the independent oil filling station.

"The Standard is all out and has been for the past four days.  Both it and Sawyers are expecting a car, but because of the uncertainty of the railroads, do not know when  it will arrive."

Gas Shortages?  Back then?  Didn't Know there Were That Many Cars.  --CootGas

A Coal Shortage in DeKalb in 1917

From the February 8, 2017, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1917, 100 Years Ago.

"The coal situation in DeKalb is tighter right now than it has been for some time, especially as to coke and hard coal.  There is a fairly good supply of soft coal but hardly a wagon load or so of the other varieties.

"One local coal merchant informs the Chronicle that he has only a half a ton in his own celler and not a pound of coke in the yard.

"Others are also hard up for coal to supply their customers.  Another manager of a coke concern states that he will be having to use soft coal in his own house furnace within another day."

Of course, coal was the major heating source in homes and businesses back then.

Wonder If the Coal Shortage Was a Result of the War?  --Cooter