by Kimberly Lerch | Published: June 16, 2020
October of 1918, its second week.[1] At the beginning of last week, residents in Champaign County felt safe; not a case to be mentioned in the Urbana Daily Courier. Then, local folks had relatives in other locations become flu victims. By the end of the week, there were three deaths of the flu in the county; two were military men stationed at Chanute Field up the road in Rantoul and a third death, a wife and mother who lived in a town near Rantoul. Was this going to be the end of this flu in the area or was it just the beginning?
All of the information used below was drawn from the Urbana Daily Courier archived in the Illinois Digital Newspaper Collections. The Urbana Daily Courier was printed once every Monday through Saturday by the Urbana Courier Co. in Urbana, Illinois. It carried major international and national stories, but concentrated on local stories on local county and city governments, crime issues, farm news, sports, and some university news, right down to the ‘personals’— a section that would list by name who was currently sick, receiving visitors, et cetera.
Monday, October 7 – Local Soldiers Taken By Flu, Not War
Two local soldiers Langhoff and Kyte (see October 4 entry) died. They died from pneumonia stateside and not in war.[2]
The boys at Urbana High School were ordered to start military drilling by the war department.[3]
Tuesday, October 8 – Number of Flu Cases on U of I Campus Doubles in Three Days
Mrs. Minnie Hutton, age 25, left behind her husband, Ross Hutton, and two young flu-infected children (a 3-year-old and a baby) after dying from pneumonia after the flu.[4]
3-year-old Darwin Stanley Dailey died of pneumonia after the flu. His grandmother, Mrs. Quinn (living in with the family), also had the flu.[5]
Mrs. Frank Snyder died in Danville from the flu. She caught it while caring for her son, Frank Snyder Jr., known by his middle name, Earl (see October 3 entry). When hearing that Earl was sick, she went to Mount Morris to care for him (his wife was in the hospital in Danville at the time). When he died, the family brought his body back to Danville to be buried. Mrs. Snyder then developed the flu and died.[6]
Colonel Charles B. Hagadorn, acting commandant of Camp Grant was found with a bullet in his head. Suicide. It was reported that he suffered from insomnia and nervousness, which was aggravated by the strain of the epidemic. The soldiers under his command at the camp were being hit hard by the epidemic (see October 4 entry).[7]
Mr. Ralph Chambers of Sadorus caught the flu in Chicago while on his honeymoon. He left behind his wife of only two weeks.[8]
Ohio’s Camp Sherman had 136 pneumonia deaths between noon and 3:00 p.m. yesterday, bringing their total number of deaths from the flu up to 576. That’s about the rate of a man dying every one minute, 20 seconds– for three hours straight.[9]
The S.N.T.C. (Student Naval Training Corps) began drilling again.[10]
No one was allowed to sit in the congressional galleries. Only lawyers were allowed in the Supreme Court.[11]
Buried on page 5 is an article entitled, “Student Cases Now Number 250.” In just three days (between Saturday and Tuesday), the number of sick at the University of Illinois doubled to 250. The top floor of College Hall was converted into a men’s emergency hospital. The University of Illinois took over the Phi Gamma Delta and Ilus houses for additional hospital space. Women were asked to provide care. Seven additional nurses were brought in and housed locally to help with the patient overload.[12]
Residents in Seattle could, upon request starting October 9, “obtain a serum” from a Seattle laboratory that “can prevent Spanish flu,” according to Dr. J.S. McBride, a Seattle city health commissioner. He stated that it had been used successfully by the government at the Bremerton navy shipyards in Puget Sound.[13] I believe this is the first instance of a cure or preventative I have seen in the paper so far.
Commandant Abercrombie ordered that military drills be resumed.[14] Authorities stated that: “At present the presence of the influenza is not alarming yet, although the utmost care is necessary to prevent the spread of further disease.”
“Rush” at the sororities on campus were ordered cancelled. Upon hearing this, “the girls held an indignation meeting.” The order was revoked with a few caveats. The rush period was shortened from two weeks to one, and no social functions were to be held at the sorority houses.[15]
Wednesday, October 9 – To School or Not to School; That Is the Question
125 seats sat empty in Urbana grade schools on this date. Some were due to known flu cases at Lincoln and Webber grade schools; others were empty out of fear—the fear the parents felt sending their children into the schools.[16]
“The situation in the school is not alarming yet.” October 9, 1918—from article, “Are 125 Grade Pupils Absent”
Cincinnati resident Herbert Bamberger was visiting his sister, Mrs. Milton Meis of Urbana, when he died from the flu. He was a 31-year-old traveling salesman. This is, I believe, the first time the decedent was referred to as a ‘victim’ rather than as a ‘patient.’[17]
People dealing with flu patients (doctors, nurses, and “attendants”) are warned in an article entitled, “Nurses should be careful,” that this flu is very easily transmitted from the patient to the caretaker. It was recommended that they wear gauze masks when dealing with the sick.[18]
In Chicago, barbers are ordered to wear face masks when working on their clients.[19]
“It could hardly be prevented at this time, but by strict adherence to the orders published at the outbreak it could be checked… some of the cases are very light and the persons hardly know they have it… these are the ones that are causing it to spread…” October 9, 1918—Dr. Baker, representative of the State Department of Public Health sent to Urbana to collect data of the Spanish Influenza
Thursday, October 10 – Emergency Hospitals Established on Campus
The house of Ross Hutton and his family caught fire from “a spark on the roof” (burning leaves?) on this day. The house was not inside the city limits, so there were no hydrants nearby. The house was gutted and burned to the ground. Minnie Hutton, Ross’s wife, and their stillborn child were laid out in a casket in the parlor. As mentioned above, Mrs. Hutton died on Tuesday from the flu (see October 8 entry). Ross, now sick with the flu, and two children were elsewhere in the home. Neighbors were able to get Ross, the children, and the casket, out of the house unharmed. Neighbors took in the two children; a relative took in Ross.[20]
200,000 soldiers were diagnosed with the flu in the last 30 days; that’s over four men per minute.[21]
The Fourth Annual Convention of the East Central Division of the Illinois State Teachers’ organization meeting was still on for October 18 and 19 in Urbana.[22]
“With 200 cases in the emergency hospitals, but the physicians in charge believe they have the situation well in hand. A number of new cases [in Urbana] are appearing but they are not considered dangerous as yet.” October 10, 1918— from article, “Influenza Situation is Now Well in Hand”
Dr. E.J. Miller, a well-respected and popular doctor in the area was sick at home.[23]
A “Big Day at Chanute” was planned for October 12. This field day would entertain area folks with aerial acrobatics, games, military drills, and a football game. In return, locals could contribute 25 cents to help “boost” the post’s voluntary band. [24]
Women on campus and off were being offered pay to do clerical work (ordering supplies and timekeeping) in one of the three emergency hospitals (Osborne Hall, College Hall, and Beta Theta Pi House).[25]
All group sings, except the Women’s Glee Club, were cancelled due to the epidemic.[26]
Friday, October 11 – Cheerful Cooperation of All Citizens Earnestly Requested
Miss Agnes Rose, 16-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Rose, died.[27]
Miss Lucile McDowell, visiting G.W. Nogle from Aurora, died at his home.[28]
Mr. Marion H. Smith and John Lewis, both 26, died. They were stationed at Chanute Field.[29]
In an effort to slow (not stop, because they realized it could not be stopped) the spread of the flu, a proclamation was made by Urbana Mayor Chester W. Richards at the recommendation of Dr. A.M. Lindley, Chairman of the Board of Health, forbidding public gatherings in Urbana until further notice. “Places of amusement” (movie theaters, pool halls, and dances–public or private) were to be closed.[30]
“The cheerful cooperation of all citizens is earnestly requested in making these necessary orders effective.” October 11, 1918—from proclamation issued on this day by Chester W. Richards, Urbana Mayor and A.M. Lindley, M.D., Board of Health Chairman
That meant no public meetings, no Sunday school, and only one worship service per week. Most churches decided on their own not to hold their evening services.[31]
Leaf burning was banned. Burning leaves was blamed for sore or irritated throats, which they believed made a person more vulnerable to catching the flu. Police issued warnings for burning leaves and enforced the law against the misdemeanor offense of spitting on the sidewalk.[32]
Public schools were to remain open and the teachers were charged with taking care of the children that did attend.[33]
A third person in the Snyder family was affected because of the flu. On October 8, Mrs. Belle Snyder died from the flu, after having cared for her son, Mr. (Frank) Earl Snyder, Jr., who died on October 3. Earl’s wife, Ruth, was in Danville for an operation at the time her husband became sick and died, so she was unable to care for or be with her husband when he died. She had a nervous breakdown.[34]
The Webber Street Church of Christ (Reverend Guy Zerby, pastor) planned his church’s fall revival, a multi-day religious event to reinvigorate the faithful of his church and bring in new members from the surrounding community, starting on October 29 and running through November. A homecoming of members and friends of the church was to take place on October 17. The homecoming would consist of a supper and entertainment.[35]
The flu seemed to be leveling off or even decreasing in the military camps. New outbreaks of the flu were appearing in numerous locations throughout Illinois and elsewhere.[36]
“A survey of the situation by the states indicates little prospect of any immediate abatement of the malady.”—from survey out of Washington, D.C. [37]
Saturday, October 12 – Public Increasingly Concerned: Surgeon General Rupert Blue Answers Questions About Spanish Influenza
Many churches changed their routines due to the flu: churches in the university district decided not to hold services on October 13[38]; the Illinois Baptist state convention was postponed from October 14 to November 11[39]; and a Rally Day (the first day of the church calendar) for the Universalist church was postponed, but they still held their regular service[40].
The Fourth Annual Convention of the East Central Division of the Illinois State Teachers’ organization meeting was cancelled today, just two days after it was announced (see October 10 entry).[41]
The library board considered closing the library “for a few days.”[42]
The Home Improvement Association, however, had five meetings set in Champaign County towns for the week of October 14-18. Poultry was the topic of interest at these meetings.[43]
Concerned Urbana citizens wanted the public schools to close; they considered it the best way to “stamp out the Spanish influenza” in the community. They were concerned with the amount of close contact the children had with one another while there.[44]
“It is ridiculous to close the Sunday schools, with their comparatively small attendance, and then let public schools, with their hundreds… remain open.” October 12, 1918—response by concerned citizens to the Urbana School Board not stopping instruction
An article entitled, “Uncle Sam’s Advice on Flu,” contained an excellent interview with the Surgeon General, Rupert Blue, about the Spanish Influenza. I believe he answered every question a person at that time could have about this flu except when it would end.[45]
Dr. George F. Baer, a homeopathic doctor from Pittsburgh announced he found a cure and a preventative for the Spanish influenza. It consists of iodine and creosote (wood-tar creosote, I’m assuming, for its antiseptic properties).[46]
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Notes:
[1] For an overview of local events during the first week of October, see the previous post, “Five Weeks in October: Week One.”
[2] “Another Urbana Solider Dies,” Urbana Daily Courier, October 7, 1918, https://idnc.library.illinois.edu/?a=d&d=TUC19181007.2.5&e=——-en-20–1–img-txIN———.
[3] “High School Boys to Start Drilling Tomorrow,” Urbana Daily Courier, October 7, 1918, https://idnc.library.illinois.edu/?a=d&d=TUC19181007.2.5&srpos=2&e=07-10-1918-07-10-1918–en-20-TUC-1–img-txIN-drilling——–.
[4] “Three More Die of Influenza,” Urbana Daily Courier, October 8, 1918, https://idnc.library.illinois.edu/?a=d&d=TUC19181008.2.5&e=——-en-20–1–img-txIN———.
[5] “Three More Die of Influenza,” Urbana Daily Courier, October 8, 1918, https://idnc.library.illinois.edu/?a=d&d=TUC19181008.2.5&e=——-en-20–1–img-txIN———.
[6] “Three More Die of Influenza,” Urbana Daily Courier, October 8, 1918, https://idnc.library.illinois.edu/?a=d&d=TUC19181008.2.5&e=——-en-20–1–img-txIN———.
[7] “Camp Grant Head Kills Himself,” Urbana Daily Courier, October 8, 1918, https://idnc.library.illinois.edu/?a=d&d=TUC19181008.2.7&e=——-en-20–1–img-txIN———“.
[8] “Bride of Two Weeks is Now Widow,” Urbana Daily Courier, October 8, 1918, https://idnc.library.illinois.edu/?a=d&d=TUC19181008.2.11&e=——-en-20–1–img-txIN———.
[9] “Deaths in Three Hours at Sherman Number 136,” Urbana Daily Courier, October 8, 1918, https://idnc.library.illinois.edu/?a=d&d=TUC19181008.2.13&e=——-en-20–1–img-txIN———.
[10] “Student Jackies at U. of I. Resume Drill,” Urbana Daily Courier, October 8, 1918, https://idnc.library.illinois.edu/?a=d&d=TUC19181008.2.22&e=——-en-20–1–img-txIN———.
[11] “Influenza Closes Congress Galleries,” Urbana Daily Courier, October 8, 1918, https://idnc.library.illinois.edu/?a=d&d=TUC19181008.2.23&e=——-en-20–1–img-txIN———.
[12] “Student Cases Now Number 250,” Urbana Daily Courier, October 8, 1918, https://idnc.library.illinois.edu/?a=d&d=TUC19181008.2.42&e=——-en-20–1–img-txIN———.
[13] “Seattle Believes It has Serum to Counteract “Flu”,” Urbana Daily Courier, October 8, 1918, https://idnc.library.illinois.edu/?a=d&d=TUC19181008.2.18&e=——-en-20–1–img-txIN———.
[14] “Student Cases Now Number 250,” Urbana Daily Courier, October 8, 1918, https://idnc.library.illinois.edu/?a=d&d=TUC19181008.2.42&e=——-en-20–1–img-txIN———
[15] “Change Minds Again; Rush Season is On,” Urbana Daily Courier, October 8, 1918, https://idnc.library.illinois.edu/?a=d&d=TUC19181008.2.52&srpos=1&e=08-10-1918-08-10-1918–en-20-TUC-1–img-txIN-sorority——–.
[16] “Are 125 Grade Pupils Absent,” Urbana Daily Courier, October 9, 1918, https://idnc.library.illinois.edu/?a=d&d=TUC19181009.2.4&e=——-en-20–1–img-txIN———.
[17] “Another Victim of Influenza Dies,”Urbana Daily Courier, October 9, 1918, https://idnc.library.illinois.edu/?a=d&d=TUC19181009.2.7&e=——-en-20–1–img-txIN———.
[18] “Nurses Should be Careful,” Urbana Daily Courier, October 9, 1918, https://idnc.library.illinois.edu/?a=d&d=TUC19181009.2.14&e=——-en-20–1–img-txIN———.
[19] “Barbers Ordered to Wear Face Masks,” Urbana Daily Courier, October 9, 1918, https://idnc.library.illinois.edu/?a=d&d=TUC19181009.2.24&e=——-en-20–1–img-txIN———.
[20] “House of Death Burns to the Ground,” Urbana Daily Courier, October 10, 1918, https://idnc.library.illinois.edu/?a=d&d=TUC19181010.2.3&e=——-en-20–1–img-txIN———.
[21] “Nearly 200,000 U.S. Soldiers Have “Flu”,”Urbana Daily Courier, https://idnc.library.illinois.edu/?a=d&d=TUC19181010.2.20&e=——-en-20–1–img-txIN———.
[22] “Teachers Ready for Convention,” Urbana Daily Courier, October 10, 1918, https://idnc.library.illinois.edu/?a=d&d=TUC19181010.2.28&e=——-en-20–1–img-txIN———.
[23] “Nearly 200,000 U.S. Soldiers Have “Flu”,”Urbana Daily Courier, https://idnc.library.illinois.edu/?a=d&d=TUC19181010.2.20&e=——-en-20–1–img-txIN———.
[24] “Will be Big Day at Chanute,” Urbana Daily Courier, October 10, 1918, https://idnc.library.illinois.edu/?a=d&d=TUC19181010.2.31&e=——-en-20–1–img-txIN———.
[25] “University Notes,” Urbana Daily Courier, October 10, 1918, https://idnc.library.illinois.edu/?a=d&d=TUC19181010.2.32&e=——-en-20–1–img-txIN———.
[26] “University Notes,” Urbana Daily Courier, October 10, 1918, https://idnc.library.illinois.edu/?a=d&d=TUC19181010.2.32&e=——-en-20–1–img-txIN———.
[27] “Epidemic Takes Four More Lives,” Urbana Daily Courier, October 11, 1918, https://idnc.library.illinois.edu/?a=d&d=TUC19181011.2.2&e=——-en-20–1–img-txIN———.
[28] “Epidemic Takes Four More Lives,” Urbana Daily Courier, October 11, 1918, https://idnc.library.illinois.edu/?a=d&d=TUC19181011.2.2&e=——-en-20–1–img-txIN———.
[29] “Epidemic Takes Four More Lives,” Urbana Daily Courier, October 11, 1918, https://idnc.library.illinois.edu/?a=d&d=TUC19181011.2.2&e=——-en-20–1–img-txIN———.
[30] “Closes Places of Amusement,” Urbana Daily Courier, October 11, 1918, https://idnc.library.illinois.edu/?a=d&d=TUC19181011.2.3&e=——-en-20–1–img-txIN———.
[31] “Most Churches will Omit Evening Service,” Urbana Daily Courier, October 11, 1918, https://idnc.library.illinois.edu/?a=d&d=TUC19181011.2.8&e=——-en-20–1–img-txIN———.
[32] “Burning Leaves at Night Blamed,” Urbana Daily Courier, October 11, 1918, https://idnc.library.illinois.edu/?a=d&d=TUC19181011.2.11&e=——-en-20–1–img-txIN———.
[33] “Closes Places of Amusement,” Urbana Daily Courier, October 11, 1918, https://idnc.library.illinois.edu/?a=d&d=TUC19181011.2.3&e=——-en-20–1–img-txIN———.
[34] “Another Member of Family Ill,” Urbana Daily Courier, October 11, 1918, https://idnc.library.illinois.edu/?a=d&d=TUC19181011.2.13&e=——-en-20–1–img-txIN———.
[35] “Webber Church Plans Revival,” Urbana Daily Courier, October 11, 1918, https://idnc.library.illinois.edu/?a=d&d=TUC19181011.2.24&srpos=1&e=11-10-1918-11-10-1918–en-20-TUC-1–img-txIN-revival——–.
[36] “Influenza Raging Among Civilians,” Urbana Daily Courier, October 11, 1918, https://idnc.library.illinois.edu/?a=d&d=TUC19181011.2.44&e=——-en-20–1–img-txIN———.
[37] “Influenza Raging Among Civilians,” Urbana Daily Courier, October 11, 1918, https://idnc.library.illinois.edu/?a=d&d=TUC19181011.2.44&e=——-en-20–1–img-txIN———
[38] “University Churches to be Closed Tomorrow,” Urbana Daily Courier, October 12, 1918, https://idnc.library.illinois.edu/?a=d&d=TUC19181012.2.4&e=——-en-20–1–img-txIN———.
[39] “Baptist Meeting is Postponed,” Urbana Daily Courier, October 12, 1918, https://idnc.library.illinois.edu/?a=d&d=TUC19181012.2.6&srpos=2&e=12-10-1918-12-10-1918–en-20-TUC-1–img-txIN-Baptist——–.
[40] “Rally Day Postponed,” Urbana Daily Courier, October 12, 1918, https://idnc.library.illinois.edu/?a=d&d=TUC19181012.2.1&e=——-en-20–1–img-txIN———.
[41] “Convention is Called Off,” Urbana Daily Courier, October 12, 1918, https://idnc.library.illinois.edu/?a=d&d=TUC19181012.2.35&e=——-en-20–1–img-txIN———.
[42] “Want Public Schools Closed,” Urbana Daily Courier, October 12, 1918, https://idnc.library.illinois.edu/?a=d&d=TUC19181012.2.14&e=——-en-20–1–img-txIN———.
[43] “Five Meetings Are Scheduled,” Urbana Daily Courier, October 12, 1918, https://idnc.library.illinois.edu/?a=d&d=TUC19181012.2.6&e=——-en-20–1–img-txIN———.
[44] “Want Public Schools Closed,” Urbana Daily Courier, October 12, 1918, https://idnc.library.illinois.edu/?a=d&d=TUC19181012.2.14&e=——-en-20–1–img-txIN———
[45] “Uncle Sam’s Advice on Flu,” Urbana Daily Courier, October 12, 1918, https://idnc.library.illinois.edu/?a=d&d=TUC19181012.2.26&e=——-en-20–1–img-txIN———.
[46] “Doctor Announces Flu Cure and Preventative,” Urbana Daily Courier, October 12, 1918, https://idnc.library.illinois.edu/?a=d&d=TUC19181012.2.37&srpos=1&e=12-10-1918-12-10-1918–en-20-TUC-1–img-txIN-creosote——–.