Survivors recall horror of flu pandemic

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Survivors recall horror of flu pandemic

BRETT ZONGKER
Associated Press

<!-- begin body-content --> CHEVY CHASE, Md. - At the height of the flu pandemic in 1918, William H. Sardo Jr. remembers the pine caskets stacked in the living room of his family's house, a funeral home in Washington, D.C.


The city had slowed to a near halt. Schools were closed. Church services were banned. The federal government limited its hours of operation.


People were dying - some who took ill in the morning were dead by night.
"That's how quickly it happened," said Sardo, 94, who lives in an assisted living facility just outside the nation's capital. "They disappeared from the face of the earth."


Sardo is among the last survivors of the 1918 flu pandemic. Their stories offer a glimpse at the forgotten history of one of the world's worst plagues, when the virus killed at least 50 million people and perhaps as many as 100 million.


More than 600,000 people in the United States died of what was then called "Spanish Influenza." The flu seemed to be particularly lethal for otherwise healthy young adults, many of whom suffocated from the buildup of liquids in their lungs.


In the United States, the first reported cases surfaced at an Army camp in Kansas as World War I began winding down. The virus quickly spread among soldiers at U.S. camps and in the trenches of Europe. It paralyzed many communities as it circled the world.


In the District of Columbia, the first recorded influenza death came on Sept. 21, 1918. The victim, a 24-year-old railroad worker, had been exposed in New York four days earlier. The flu swept through the nation's capital, which had attracted thousands of soldiers and war workers. By the time the pandemic had subsided, at least 30,000 people had become ill and 3,000 had died in the city.


Among the infected was Sardo, who was 6 years old at the time.
He remembers little of his illness but recalls that his mother was terrified.
"They kept me well separated from everybody," said Sardo, who lived with his parents, two brothers and three other family members. His family quarantined him in the bedroom he had shared with his brother. Everyone in the family wore masks.


The city began shutting down. The federal government staggered its hours to limit crowding on the streets and on streetcars. Commissioners overseeing the district closed schools in early October, along with playgrounds, theaters, vaudeville houses and "all places of amusement." Dances and other social gatherings were banned.


The commissioners asked clergy to cancel church services because the pandemic was threatening the "machinery of the federal government,"
The Washington Star newspaper reported at the time. Pastors protested.


"There was a feeling that they couldn't turn to God, other than in prayer," Sardo said. "They liked the feeling of going to church, and they were forbidden."


The flu's spread and the ensuing restrictions "made everybody afraid to go see anybody," he said.


"It changed a lot of society," Sardo said. "We became more individualistic."


In a list of 12 rules to prevent the disease's spread, the Army's surgeon general wrote that people should "avoid needless crowding," open windows and "breathe deeply" when the air is "pure" and "wash your hands before eating."


One slogan was, "Cover up each cough and sneeze. If you don't, you'll spread the disease."


Those who were healthy wore masks when venturing outside. People who were known to be infected were threatened with a $50 fine if they were seen in public. Sardo remembers people throwing buckets of water with disinfectant on their sidewalks to wash away germs from people spitting on the street.


At the time, rumors swirled that the Germans had spread the disease - which Sardo did not believe.


A second flu survivor, 99-year-old Ruth Marshall, says she, her two sisters and a brother came down with what they thought was a cold. Then the fever struck and the illness became severe, she said.


Marshall, who lived just steps from the Capitol at the time, said the influenza deaths reported in the newspapers came as a surprise.


"We never thought we were going to die. We did pretty good - a lot of prayers," she said.


Others were not so fortunate. As the death toll started to mount, there was a shortage of coffins. Funeral homes could not keep up. Sardo's father, who owned William H. Sardo & Co., and other funeral-home directors turned to soldiers for help embalming and digging thousands of graves.


Talk of the threat of another pandemic brings back memories for Sardo, who says he has gotten a flu shot every year they are available.
"It scares the hell out of me. It does," Sardo said.


ON THE NET
Health and Human Services Department pandemic flu preparation: http://www.pandemicflu.gov/
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[Jonesie]

Re: Survivors recall horror of flu pandemic

Witness to 1918 flu: 'Death was there all the time'
98-year-old man recalls pandemic that killed millions
By Kelley Colihan
CNN


FRAMINGHAM, Massachusetts (CNN) -- Kenneth Crotty was 11 years old when the "great flu" hit his neighborhood in Framingham, outside Boston.

"It was scary, because every morning when you got up, you asked, 'Who died during the night?' You know death was there all the time."

The 1918 pandemic is thought to have killed anywhere from 20 million to 100 million people around the world. Researchers recently re-created the virus to study it for clues on how to fight the current strain of bird flu, which threatens to become the next great flu pandemic.

As an altar boy, Crotty said he served in more than 30 Masses for the dead, some for flu victims, some for those who died on the battlefields of World War I, which was in its final weeks.

"They'd have those monstrous big candles on the first six aisles on the body that was drawn down, and I remember the heartbreak I felt when I saw that person lugged down the center aisle, down the steps packed into a small truck," he said.

At 98, Crotty resides in a nursing home in his hometown in Massachusetts. In 1918, he lived there with his parents and four sisters.

He didn't get sick, but two of his sisters came down with the flu. His mother kept him downstairs, while his ill sisters stayed upstairs until they were well enough to move about.

Five neighbors on his street of about 20 houses died during the season of death, he recalled.

"People were very leery of each other. And when we went out, we wore a mask over our noses and mouths," he said.

Crotty said people also covered their shirts with holy medals to "ward off the evil of this terrible disease."

Historian John Barry, author of "The Great Influenza," said the disease "killed more people in 24 weeks than AIDS has killed in 24 years."

The worst-hit U.S. cities were Philadelphia, New York and Boston.

Barry said vigilantes patrolled the streets of Albuquerque, New Mexico, making people wear their masks.

President Woodrow Wilson continued sending troop ships to Europe, something Barry describes as "floating coffins."

Treatment was limited in 1918 -- Crotty said people tried folk medicine, prayer, anything.

"There were no antibiotics, there was just hope that you'd get through, that fate was kind enough that it wouldn't hit you or yours," he said.

Bayer aspirin was just hitting the market. But because it was a German company, and Germany was a foe in World War I, many Americans distrusted it and even believed the new product was a form of germ warfare.

A theory, Barry notes, that was even suggested by U.S. government officials. He said the pandemic caused the United States largely to "grind to a stop."

"Fear drove everybody inside," he said. Across the United States, "60 percent absentee rates" and empty city streets were common, Barry said.

He said the climate of fear was brought on by a mistrust of government officials and the press.

"People could see while they were being told on the one hand that it's ordinary influenza, on the other hand they are seeing their spouse die in 24 hours or less, bleeding from their eyes, ears, nose and mouth, turning so dark that people thought it was the black death," Barry says said. "People knew that they were being lied to; they knew that this was not ordinary influenza."

Nearly as quickly as it struck, the 1918 flu seemed to disappear.

Did it mutate? Or did people on Earth now have antibodies?

Leading scientists say both likely happened. Scientists say weakened strains of the 1918 virus have shown up since then. And as people are exposed to flu strains, they develop resistance to them.


Find this article at:

http://www.cnn.com/2005/HEALTH/conditions/10/07/1918.flu.witness/index.html

[Jonesie]

Re: Survivors recall horror of flu pandemic

Spanish Influenza in Lanark County taken from the Perth Courier.

Received from: Christine Spencer -

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Transcriber?s note: When I first started looking for deaths from the Spanish Influenza in Lanark County, I could not find many. My mother, who is 99 and clearly remembers this horrible epidemic, told me to look instead for deaths from pneumonia. It was not the influenza per se, she said, that killed so many, but the pneumonia that followed. This was really the first time, she said, that the general public was educated about germs and the necessity of washing your hands. From what I could learn via the internet, the Spanish Influenza spread in Canada from east to west via the railroad and returning soldiers from World War I. I found 44 deaths in Lanark County in the Courier clearly marked pneumonia or Spanish Influenza I have copied them below. Some others were also transcribed that may not have been due to the influenza.

Perth Courier, October 11, 1918

Several cases of Spanish Influenza have developed in town but all are receiving careful attention and the possibility of it becoming an epidemic here as in the cases of many towns, is remote. The medical officer of health warns all who have heavy colds to attend to them and thus avoid development of la grippe or influenza.


How To Combat Spanish Influenza:

1.) Avoid all unnecessary crowds. Keep out of doors, walk to work if possible and sleep with the windows open. Make use of all available sunshine.

2.) Keep the feet dry and warm. Use sufficient heat to keep the house dry and comfortable.

3.) Get seven hours sleep and good, clean food

4.) All those coming into contact with the sick should use gauze face masks covering the nose and the mouth with at least four thicknesses of cloth. These should be changed at two hour intervals and either burned or boiled four to five minutes. All persons should wash their hands immediately before heating.

5.) Avoid all sneezing and coughing individuals. If necessary to sneeze or cough, cover the face with a cloth or handkerchief.

6.) Refrain from eating in restaurants where dishes are either imperfectly sterilized or not sterilized. There is grave danger of conveying infection from this source as well as soda fountains. Ask for destructible cups and saucers or be sure all dishes are sterilized by being boiled.

Perth Courier, November 1, 1918

Denzell Howard, the son of James Denzell, Ramsay, died on Sunday, October 20 from pneumonia at the age of 22 years. He was on leave from the Ottawa military camp when taken ill. The funeral took place on Tuesday afternoon to the Methodist Cemetery at Boyd?s.

McGonegal?The death occurred at Carleton Place on Friday, October 18 of Mr. Noble McGonegal, at the age of 32 years at the home of his sister Mrs. T.J. Leskey(?). He was taken ill at Woodroy, Quebec with influenza which developed into pneumonia. Deceased was the son of the lat John McGonegal, Flower Station. The funeral took place from the home of his sister to Calabogie for interment.

King?The death occurred of Albert King on Wednesday of last week following illness from pneumonia. He was in his 24th year. Deceased was in the west for the summer, returning a short time ago. His parents, two brothers, and a sister survive; Archie and Russell at home and Mrs. McDougall of Brightside. The funeral took place Thursday to the Elmwood Cemetery.

Sloan?Pneumonia claimed a prominent citizen of Smith?s Falls in the person of Thomas Sloan, former proprietor of the Arlington Hotel. Since retiring from active business, he has devoted most of his time to a small farm just outside of town called Doneybrow Farm. He was 56 years of age and a former member of the town council there. He is survived by his wife and two daughters.

Currie-Mills?Mrs. (Rev.) Currie-Mills died Saturday afternoon, October 19 at the Methodist parsonage, Sharbot Lake, leaving her husband and three young children to mourn her loss. Deceased was ill but a short time with influenza and pneumonia. Rev. Thomas Brown of Perth was in charge of the funeral service. Deceased had been very zealous in attending those who were ill.

Barker?Sunday afternoon, October 20, Dr. Barker died at Sharbot Lake only being confined to his home a few days from pneumonia. He leaves a wife and young child. Deceased was 33 years of age and previous to being taken ill was very busily engaged attending to the wants of people who were ill, the village having been gripped very severely in the remorseless hand of the prevailing epidemic.

Knox?Mr. J. Clark Knox died at Smith?s Falls on Wednesday morning of last week from pneumonia. For over a year he had been editor of the Smith?s Falls News but gave it up to take a position on the Ottawa Daily. While getting ready to move he and the whole family fell victims to the influenza. Mrs. Knox and six children made good recoveries but his attack was more obdurate. He was born at Carleton Place, the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. David Knox, being in his 39th (?) year. He was engaged in western Canada in newspaper work for some time. His death is extremely bad, leaving as it does a wife and six young children. Interment was made at Carleton Place on Thursday last.

Cameron?After about only a week?s illness from pneumonia, Miss Catherine D. Cameron died on Friday morning last at the home of her brother Dr. W. A. Cameron. Her death was not unexpected but it caused keen regret among people of all classes in town by whom she was not only intimately known but universally respected. Miss Cameron was active in all matters pertaining to the public. Deceased was born in Drummond Township near Perth and she came when quite young and here she resided until the end. She is survived by three sisters and two brothers Mrs. D.H. Cameron at Ottawa; Mrs. Castiglione of Carbon, Sask.; Mrs. C.J. Bell of Winnipeg; Dr. Cameron, mayor and Mr. J.A. Cameron of this town. The funeral was held on Saturday afternoon in the Arnprior Cemetery and was largely attended. Rev. H.W. Cliff conducted the services at the home and the pallbearers were Messrs. J.S. Gillies, H.A. Jamieson, N.S. Robertson, James MacPherson, Dr. Steele, and J.E. Thompson. Arnprior Chronicle (Deceased was the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Ewen Cameron who owned the farm on the 2nd Line Bathurst, now the property of Wellington Best.)

The epidemic is abating in Perth but is still reported to be quite prevalent throughout the country. In town, however, it is on the downgrade and there is cause to believe the worst is over. Last Sunday, the request to the churches to remain closed was lifted and services were held in all the churches with the exception of the Baptist and St. John?s Church. Rev. Father Hogan has been indisposed lately. Sunday school was held, however, and while it is expected that all the churches will be open for both services on Sunday, the Board of Health does not wish that Sunday school be held at any of the churches feeling it is not in the best interest of the community to bring bodies of children together at the present period of sickness.


Perth Courier, Nov. 8, 1918

Palmer?After an illness of ten days from pneumonia, Walter Palmer died on Friday morning last at his home in North Elmsley at the age of 48 years. Deceased was a prosperous farmer and well known in the community. The funeral took place on Sunday afternoon from the deceased?s late home at 1:30 to the Scotch Line cemetery. In religion the deceased was a Presbyterian. A wife and two daughters survive. George Palmer, of town, is a brother of the deceased.

Harper?After an illness of ten days, Ida Lawson Harper of Walhalla, North Dakota, passed away on Monday morning, November 4 at 2:00. Influenza and its complications were the cause of this untimely death. As is the case with the disease no one thought the patient was in such serious condition. Deceased was the youngest daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. W.R. Gibson of Balderson. She was born in Lammermore July 25, 1886. She received her education in the public school there and in the high school at Lanark after which she taught for four years. On October 19, 1910 she married Hugh Harper of Lanark, living in that community for two years. Six years ago she moved to Walhalla, North Dakota with her husband and her little son John. Two more sons, Russell and Wallace were born. Mrs. Harper was a quiet, loving woman, a kind mother and a thoughtful, loving wife. Through a long period of ill health, she was brave and strong, always taking her share of the family responsibility. She is survived by her husband and three children and three brothers--John of Harper, Willie at Lammermore and Herbert who has been overseas for nearly three years. Four sisters?Mrs. Joseph Paul of Poland; Mrs. T.E. Ashcroft of Sinclair, Man.; Clara V. Gibson and Mrs. Jane Gibson of Walhalla, North Dakota also survive. A small funeral conducted by Rev. Mr. Wood was held at the undertaker?s parlor and her body was laid to rest in the cemetery at Walhalla. Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Wilson of Cavalier attended the funeral.

Troy?Miss Josephine Troy daughter of Mrs. Mary Troy of town, died at the Water Street Hospital of Ottawa on Friday last from pneumonia. Deceased had been ill but a short time and was in her 19th year. She was born at Westport. For the past four years she and her mother had lived at Perth. She was employed upwards of a year with the Perth Expositor after which she took a position with the civil service in Ottawa and had only been employed there about three weeks when she contracted influenza which developed into pneumonia. Many regretted to hear of her demise. She leaves to mourn her loss her mother and one brother, Walter, with the Canadian forces in France. Her father, the late Daniel Troy died several years ago. The funeral took place on Saturday afternoon last to St. Bridget?s Church and Cemetery in Stanleyville from her mother?s late residence on North Street.

Devlin?Carleton Place Herald?Last Thursday morning James A. Devlin passed away following that of his wife by a fortnight. The deceased was born in Drummond township and selected as his life work the trade of a blacksmith. For about 35 years he had been a resident of Carleton Place. As a young man he married Eliza Jane Edwards who predeceased him by but a few days both being victims of the prevailing epidemic. Six sons and three daughters survive: Charles, Robert, Wellington, and Hugh of town, the latter just convalescing from the same illness, and Mrs. M. Baker of Ottawa, Mrs. G. McKeown(?) of Dryden, New York and Mrs. G. Deaves of town. One brother survives, Hugh of Bathurst and three sisters Mrs. Kinsworth of Pembroke, Mrs. McLaren and Miss Rachael Devlin of Ottawa. The funeral took place Saturday morning enterment being made in St. James Church.

Watson?s Corners: Church service was held in Zion Church on Sunday after having been dismissed for three weeks due to the flu epidemic.

Franktown: The public school will reopen in the village and the other sections throughout the township on Monday next. They have been closed by the Beckwith Board of Health for the last five weeks.

Park?Died, at North Battleford, Sask., Tuesday, Nov. 5, Mary Ellen Lorimir wife of Lorne E. Park, 37.

Pretty?Died, at Edmonton, Alberta, on Thursday, Oct. 31, Corp. Robert Pretty, son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Pretty of Hopetown, 28.


Perth Courier, Nov. 22, 1918

Drysdale?Died, at Lanark Village on November 15, Sarah Jennie Bond, wife of R.R. Drysdale, aged 54 years and 7 months.

Ferrier?Died, at Vancouver on Nov. 20, John R. Ferrier, second son of John Ferrier and the late Mrs. Ferrier, Sr., Perth. Funeral at Vancouver on Friday.

Hartney?Died at Perth on Monday, Nov. 18, James Hartney, aged (illegible).

Livingstone?Died, at Star Buck, Manitoba, Friday, Nov. 15, Robert Livingstone, aged 86(?).

Howden?Died, at Winnipeg on Nov. 18, Mrs. Howden, relict of the late Dr. Howden, and daughter of the late Dr. James Nichol and sister of Dr. Christopher Nichol of Perth.

Lockwood?Died, at Regina on Thursday, Nov. 14, Harold Stanley Lockwood. No age given.

McIntosh?Died at Burk?s Falls on Thursday, Nov. 14, Maggie Drysdale McIntosh, wife of Alexander McIntosh, aged 54.

McDougall?Died, at his son?s residence near Balderson, on Thursday, Nov. 14, Hugh McDougall of Watson?s Corners, aged 64.

O?Donnell?Died, at North Elmsley on Friday, Nov. 15, Sylvester Joseph O?Donnell, aged 21.

Percy?Died, at Lavant Township on Monday, Nov. 18, Mrs. James Percy, 88.

Strang?Died, at Lanark Village on Tuesday, Nov. 19, Annie Middleton Strang, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Strong, aged 25.

Tysick?Died, in the public hospital at Smith?s Falls, John Hubert Tysick, of Clarendon, aged 19.

Owing to the flu situation in the west, the national Thanksgiving which was supposed to have been observed Sunday, November 17 has been postponed to December 1.

Irving?The death took place on Tuesday night last at his home in North Elmsley of William J. Irving after an illness of ten days from pneumonia. The deceased was 33 years of age and was unmarried He followed the occupation of farming with his father. He was a steady, industrious young man and highly thought of by all of those in his community who knew him. The funeral took place on Thursday afternoon from his father?s residence in North Elmsley to the cemetery at Rideau Ferry. The father and mother and two sisters and three brothers survive, Dorothy at home and Mrs. Code of North Elmsley and Thomas, Edward and Howard.

Strong?Much regret is felt in Perth over the untimely death at Lanark on Tuesday morning last of Miss Annie Strang, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Strant, inher 25th year. Influenza seized her after she had spent a period nursing others ill with the malady. She was a graduate of Toronto General Hospital. Besides her parents she leaves two brothers and one sister?John of Toronto, Gertrude and Archie at home, Pte. William Strang who was killed in action was also a brother of the deceased. The funeral took place Wednesday and interment was made in Lanark Cemetery.

O?Donnell?The death took lace on Friday morning at the parents home of Sylvester Joseph O?Donnell, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Jeremiah P. O?Donnell of North Elmsley. The deceased was 21 years of age and born at North Elmsley and lived there all his life following the occupation of farming with his father. He had been ill only ten days and his death was due to pneumonia. He was a quiet, industrious young man and highly respected. In religion he was a Roman Catholic and a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters; the Holy Name Society and of the Sacred Heart. Surviving are his parents, one sister and one brother, Hannah and Fedelis(?) at home. The funeral took place from his late home Sunday afternoon at 2:00 to St. Francis de Sales church cemetery. Rev. Father Kelly conducted services at the grave. The pallbearers were Messrs. Ed Pruner, Willie Faughnan, Thomas lHourigan, J.D. Faughnan, Dan Carroll and Frank McGuire.

Harper?We are sorry to report Miss Mary Palmer has been on the sick list but is slowly recovering.


Perth Courier, Nov. 29, 1918

Forbes?Miss Marjory Forbes, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Chris Forbes of Lanark died on Thursday morning from influenza. The family are all ill with the influenza.

Mrs. Michael Nagle has received the following item from a western Canadian newspaper giving some particulars of the death of her son William Nagle at Assindoia. ?William Nagle who died from complications including pneumonia at the hospital was the son of a respected farmer in the Assiniboia district and himself a highly esteemed young man. At the time he took the influenza he had been home on provisional exemption and was due to report to his regiment at Moose Jaw this month. The funeral arrangements are awaiting instructions from military authorities. Rev. Father Poirier had administered the last rites to him on Sunday.?

Myers?William Thomas Myers, 27, died at his home near Portland from influenza. Survivors are his wife and little son, also his parents and three brothers and four sisters. Mrs. E.J. Kelly of Lombardy is a sister of the deceased.

Barr?The death occurred at Burridge on Friday, Nov. 14 of Miss Evelyn Barr, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Barr, 14. Deceased had been ill for a few days from pneumonia and her death came as a great shock to her many friends and immediate relatives. Besides her parents, deceased leaves to mourn her loss three brothers and one sister. The funeral was held on Sunday afternoon from her parents? residence. Service was conducted at the house by Rev. J.B Howe.

Shirley?Mr. and Mrs. James Shirley have met with a sad bereavement in the death of their son Erl(?) Ed(?) on Nov. 10 at Rosetown of pneumonia which developed from influenza. As the trains were not conveying any who died of this malady, interment had to take place at Rosetown. A sad feature is that not any of the family were able to attend the funeral due to sickness. Deceased will be greatly missed by his many friends herer. He was a young man of exceptional ability and was the life of his home.

Rock?The death of Miss Nettie Rock was felt with keen pain by her many friends in Winnipeg. She died at St. Boniface Hospital on Nov. 21 from influenza. The funeral took place on Saturday afternoon from Clark Leatherdale?s undertaking parlor to Brookside Cemetery. The large number of wreaths showed the high esteem in which she was held. She leaves to mourn her loss her father, Jack and May.

Mullen?Particulars have been received this week by Michael McCaffrey of Drummond regarding the death of the late Harry Mullen of Delora(?) on Oct. 17. Deceased was a returning soldier having enlisted on Nov. 17, 1914 with the 21st Battalion going overseas in the spring of 1915. After serving 8 months in France, he received shell shock at the Battle of Vimy Ridge and was returned to England to regain his former health. After four months in England, he returned to France again and after serving twelve months he received shrapnel wounds in the left leg at the Battle of the Somme and after some months of convalescing in England was returned to Canada in April, 1918. On October 5, he went to Delora and shortly after was stricken with influenza which he succumbed to on Oct. 17. The funeral was held the following morning, mass being celebrated by the rev. Father Murtagle and interment in the R.C. Cemetery. Although being a stranger at Delora, great sympathy was shown for the deceased by the many spiritual and floral offerings which adorned his casket

Strang?A sad death occurred at Lanark on Monday, of last week when Miss Gertrude Strang passed to the beyond after a severe attack of influenza. She was the only surviving daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Strang and was 19 years of age. Within a week, Mr. and Mrs. Strang have been sorely bereaved as their other daughter Annie passed away on Tuesday of the previous week. A son, William, was killed in action this summer.


Perth Courier, Dec. 13, 1918

Olmstead?Following an illness from pneumonia the death occurred on Nov. 25 of George Olmstead, Mississippi Station, at the age of 25(?) 26(?) years. His death came as a great shock to his many friends as they had no idea his condition was so serious. He will be greatly missed. He married in August of 1915 Miss Annie Riddell, daughter of Mr. William Riddell who with an infant survive him. He also leaves to mourn his loss his parents Mr. and Mrs. David Olmstead, and three brothers?Elmer, William and Thomas and four sisters: Annie, Margaret, Mary and Ethel at home at present. The funeral took place to Crawford?s Cemetery the service being conducted by Mr. David Riddell of Robertsville. The pallbearers were Messrs. William Steele, Fred Steele, Donald McDougall, Ansley Gibson, Alex Bartraw and Alex Riddell.

Forbes?Lanark Era: For the second time in little over a week, death has entered the home of Mr. and Mrs. C.M. Forbes of this village. This time it took the youngest member of the family, the bright, clever, lovable and kindly Jean Forbes, in the 9th year of her age. She contracted influenza about two weeks ago which developed into pneumonia and though everything possible was done through nursing and medical skill she passed away Saturday evening. Little Jean was a lovely child, a favorite with everyone and gave promise of a very useful and helpful life. Her going, while particularly sad, was also beautiful, with no regrets or fears but that child like confidence and trust which was commanded by Him who said as He took them in His arms: ?Suffer the little children to come unto me and forbid them not for such is the Kingdom of Heaven?. The parents are comforted in knowing that their darling has only been taken tot eh Home above to receive that love and care of which earth?s best is only of a faint type.

Gunn?Death claimed George Gunn of Darling Township on December 3 at the age of 79 years. Deceased had been ill only about three weeks. Mr. Gunn was born at Ramsay township and was a son of the late Donald Gunn. He was a resident of Darling township for upwards of 65 years and won many warm friends. He was twice married. His first wife was Jane(?) Robertson of Darling who died some 30 years ago. There were nine children: John, deceased; Daniel of Mather, Manitoba; James of Waldville, Sask.; Alex of Arnprior; George at home; Mrs. Charles Moore of Ramsay; Mrs. W. Kingston of Carleton Place; Mrs. William Rintoul of Tatlock; Mrs. W. McDonald of Perth; and Mrs. James Ring of White Lake. (Transcriber?s note, this is ten, not nine). His second wife was Christina McAllister who survives and this union was blessed with a family of five: Bert of Almonte; Loyal, deceased; Stewart at home; Ernie and Grant of Perdue, Sask. The funeral was held on Thursday at 1:00 pm to Clayton Cemetery, Rev. P. Sinclair of Middleville officiating. Pallbearers were six sons: George, Alex, Bert, Stewart, Ernie and Grant.

Balderson?Died, at Balderson on Sunday, Dec. 1, Dorothy Alice Balderson, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Balderson, from influenza followed by pneumonia, aged one year six months.

Brunt?Died, at Hanover, Ont., on Tues., Dec 3, George Brunt, formerly of Lanark Village, aged 70.

Dobbie?Died, at Lanark Township on Sunday, Dec. 8, Margaret Crawford, wife of the late David Dibbie, aged 76.

Miller?Died, at Bathurst on Monday, Dec. 9, Ella Wilson, wife of Harvey Miller, aged 41.

Mowat-Tar?Died, on Monday, Dec. 3, Edmund C. Mowat-Tar, brother of Mrs. James G. Scott, McDonald?s Corners, aged 68

McLachlan?Died, at Victoria, B.C., on Nov. 18, John McLachlan, formerly of Lanark Township, aged 66.

McNiece?Died at 33 Primrose Avenue Ottawa on Tuesday, Dec. 3, John Y. McNiece, formerly of Drummond, in his 71st year.


Perth Courier, December 20, 1918

Franktown: Mr. and Mrs. Ross Bell have been on the sick list for some days past but are now recovering nicely.

Buchanan?Died, at Tennyson on Thursday, Dec. 12, Mrs. Duncan Buchanan, aged 82.

Gourlay?Died, at Brockville on Tuesday, Dec. 17, Austin C. Gourlay, aged 37.

Pink?Died, at London on Sat., Dec. 14, George Pink (no age)

Radenhurst?Died, at the Royal Victoria Hospital at Barrie, Ont., on Dec. 14, Annie Campbell Radenhurst, daughter of the late T.M. Radenhurst, Q.C. heretofore of Perth. Funeral (private) from the residence of her brother G.A. Radenhurst, Barrie

Trace?Died, at Montreal on Thursday, Dec. 12, Mrs. John Trace, aged 99.

Traynor?Died, at Perth on Sunday, Dec. 15, Mrs. Edward J. Traynor, 33.

McCann?The death occurred in Toronto a few days ago of Lames L. McCann, formerly of Westport. He was ill but a short time from influenza which was followed by pneumonia. Deceased spent three years overseas taking part in the Battles of Ypres and Verdun. He was twice wounded and returned home last April. Besides his wife he is survived by one son aged 13 and five brothers?Alex, Herbert, Harry, William, Archie and two sisters May and Maud.

Clark?After an illness of two weeks from influenza followed by pneumonia, Mrs. Stanley Clark passed away at her home in Edmonton on November 19 in her 25th year. Deceased, whose maiden name was Edna Bell(?) Paul was the second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. M.W. Paul formerly of Poland and now of Peace River, Alberta. The funeral service was conducted by Rev. H.J. Kieth, pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church. The pallbearers were Messrs. L.A. Craig, Ross Paul, A. Hobson, H. McCreedy, Charles Pennock, and James Hays; interment took place in the Edmonton Cemetery in which a large number of sorrowing friends accompanied the body to its last resting place.

Gourley?Deep regret is felt in Perth this week over the demise of Austin(?) C. Gourlay, accountant at the local Bank of Montreal. His death occurred in Brockville on Tuesday evening. He was in Brockville relieving for a couple of weeks at the branch there and was about to return to Perth when taken ill with influenza on Thursday of last week. He was taken to the hospital and the influenza turned to pneumonia. He was quite conscious to the end. His father was with him in the latter days of his illness. He was a son of Reginald Gourlay of Picton and formerly of Hamilton and grandson of Sir Henry and Lady Strong of Ottawa. Deceased was 37 years of age and had been with the local branch of the Bank of Montreal for five years. He was the embodiment of geniality and good fellowship. He was an Anglican in religion. The remains were taken to Picton on Wednesday where interment was made.

Traynor?Following an illness from influenza and pneumonia, Edward J. Traynor died at his home on Brock Street being 33 years of age. He was a son of Mrs. Michael Traynor. Another brother, George, who was in Calgary with the Canadian Army, succumbed to this dread malady over a month ago. Edward Traynor had lived on the 3rd Line Bathurst for the late 10 years coming to town last spring. Surviving are his mother, one brother John of Rosetown, Sask., and five sisters: Elizabeth at home; Sarah and Katie in Regina, Sask.; Mrs. William Kerr of Bathurst; and Mrs. James Menagh of Smith?s Falls. The funeral took place Tuesday morning at 9:00 at St. John?s Church. Requiem mass was sung by Rev. Father Hogan. The pallbearers were Messrs. James Conlon, Jr., Linus Leaver, Leo Lee, Thomas Traynor, Leo Mahan, and Joseph Mahan.


Perth Courier, January 3, 1919

Craig?Died, at St. Mary?s on Dec. 24, David Gemmill Craig, 73 years, youngest son of the late Adam Craig, Scotch pioneer of Lanark County.

Mitchell?Died, at Perth on Friday, Dec. 27, Miss Margaret Mitchell, formerly of Lanark Village, aged 91.

Thomson?Died, at Elphin, on Friday, Dec. 13, Alexander Thomson, aged 48 years, 9 months and 19 days.

The many friends of Mr. E.J. McCaffrey will be glad to know he is recovering from a severe attack of influenza at St. Francis Hospital, Smith?s Falls.


Perth Courier, Jan. 10, 1919

Three weeks ago Mr. and Mrs. Alex McLean of Carleton Place announced the marriage of their daughter Bessie McLean to William D. Patterson of Calgary which would take place on Christmas Day. With that in view, Mr. Patterson came east but on his arrival at Carleton Place was taken ill with influenza. The wedding was postponed and Mr. Patterson?s illness became severe. His bride elect who is a professional nurse, and had just emerged from a similar illness, was constant in her care of him. But despite all that could be done, he died at 9:00 on New Years evening and was buried on the following day. Deceased was born in Carleton Place 31 years ago and of late years lived in the west. His father was the late W.A. Patterson who died 13 years ago. His mother, who lives in Vancouver is a sister of George Elliott, barrister of Winnipeg and of James Elliott, formerly of Pakenham, now of Oakville.

Crosbie?Word has been received here of the death in Regina of Robert Samuel Crosbie which sad event took place on Saturday, Dec. 28. Deceased was the assistant superintendent of the Regina Power House and was 44 years of age. Death was due to complications following an attack of influenza. He was well known here and for many years employed at the Glen Tay Power House. 14 years ago he went going to Kamloops, B.C. where he remained some six months, then going to Regina where he has since lived. He is survived by Mrs. Crosbie and ten children. Mrs. Crosbie is the former Mary Barr of Renfrew. The family are Erskine, who has been in France for three years; Mrs. Sam Harper (Alice) of Brandon, Manitoba; Annie, Nellie, Thomas, John and Duncan at home. (Transcriber?s note, this only accounts for eight) A sad cable was received from the record office on the Sunday the father lay dead in word coming of the death of the son-in-law Samuel Harper. The late Robert Crosbie was greatly interested in automobiles and was a member of the Regina Automobile Club. His aged father is Thomas Crosbie for many years a resident of Perth, and he survives. Deceased was a nephew of William Crosbie of town. The funeral took place in Regina the following Monday, Dec. 30 and was largely attended. Deceased?s only brother John of Wolsely(?), Sask., was present. The casket was covered with wreaths. Interment was made in the Regina Cemetery.


Perth Courier, Jan. 17, 1919

Allan?Died, at Montreal on Wednesday, Jan. 8, Herbert Allan, 28.

Allan?Died, on Jan. 8 at the Homeopathic Hospital, Montreal, Herbert Milton Allan, only son of the late Francis Allan of Perth and dearly beloved husband of Therese Reddy, 2772 Waverly.

Fidler?Died, at Ft. William, Ont., on Sunday morning, Jan. 12, William Fidler, formerly of Pembroke and father of Mrs. F.W. Passmore of Montreal.

Irving?Died, at North Elmsley, Saturday, Jan. 11, Edward J. Irving, aged 28.


Elsewhere in the same paper:

Following an illness of nine days from influenza, the death occurred on Saturday morning last of Edward Mundle Irving. Deceased was 28 years of age and followed the occupation of farming. He was well known in the community. Surviving are his parents and two brothers and two sisters. The funeral took place on Monday afternoon from his late home at 2:00 to the vault at Rideau Ferry. Another son (William) of Mr. and Mrs. Irving died a month ago from influenza.

Skelton?Died, on Jan. 14 at 91 William St., Montreal, Jas. O. Skelton, beloved husband of Ellen Cotnam, aged 28 years, 11 months, eldest son of James Skelton and Alice Baudet(?) of Jersey, Channel Islands.


Perth Courier, Jan. 24, 1919

Watson?s Corners: Death entered the home of Mr. and Mrs. John McIlquham on Saturday last and claimed their little four month old daughter after an illness from pneumonia. The funeral was held on Monday afternoon interment being in the village cemetery. Rev. R.J. Wilson conducted the funeral services at the house and grave.

Cooper?Died, at Water Street Hospital, Ottawa on Thursday, Jan. 23, Mrs. Michael L. Cooper. Funeral took place from Perth station to Stanleyville Cemetery on Saturday.

Kerr?Died, on Thursday, Jan. 16, at Santa Barbara, California, Jane Kerr, beloved wife of George Kerr of Toronto and formerly of Perth.

O?Meara?Died, at Drummond on Wed., Jan. 22, Mrs. Jas. O?Meara, aged 68.

Wilson?The death took place on Monday of William Emmery Wilson, barrister, formerly of Pembroke. The late Mr. Wilson was 32 years of age and had been practicing law in Toronto for several years and had attained considerable success in his profession. He had been ill only a short time his death being caused by pneumonia. He was the son of the late W.B. Wilson of Pembroke who went overseas as captain of the 224th Forestry Battalion and who died last fall shortly after his return. The body was taken to Pembroke and the funeral took place on Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 from his mother?s residence.


Perth Courier, Jan. 31, 1919

Larocque?James Frances Larocque died at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jas. Larocque, Wilson Street, on Sunday last, following an illness of about a week of pneumonia. He was nine years old and the only son. His parents and five sisters survive. The funeral took place on Tuesday from his late residence to St. John?s Church and thence to the R.C. Cemetery for interment.

Ormrod?Died, at Toronto, on Tuesday, Jan. 28, Miss Lolo Ormrod, 19.

Sweeney?Died, at Montague, on Monday, Jan. 24, Mrs. Anthony Sweeney, 74.


Perth Courier, Feb. 14, 1919

Five deaths in a family at Carleton Place within a few days from influenza makes an unhappy record for the province. A sister and brother Pearl Trotman and Bert Trotman died within an hour of each other on Sunday. A day afterwards the father Harry Trotman passed away aged 53 years. A day later Mrs. Bert Trotman and a little daughter passed away. This was five deaths from Sunday evening to Thursday all in one family. The brother and sister had a double funeral. Richard Trotman of Smith?s Falls, is a brother of the late Harry Trotman.

A warning that tuberculosis is an after-menace of Spanish Influenza was issued by the state charities aid association which urges everyone who has been ill with influenza and who has failed to make a prompt and complete recovery to take precautions by being examined by medical authorities.

McTavish?After a very brief illness there passed away at the home of her mother Mrs. Archie McTavish, North Street, on Monday, Lena McTavish, the second daughter of the family. This is the second death in the home within the last 13 months. The father died suddenly in January of last year. The deceased was a young woman of quiet and thoughtful disposition, a true home maker. She was deeply interested in patriotic work having taken an active part during the war years in Red Cross activities. She was a member of Knox Church and never out of her place at the Sunday services. She is mourned by her widowed mother, three brothers, and two sisters and by a host of friends in town and country. The funeral took place from the family residence on North Street on Wednesday at 2:00 pm, Rev. W.M. Grant officiating at the service, assisted by Rev. J.J. Grieg.

Covell?The death took place at his home early Saturday morning of Herbert R. Covell, after an illness of ten days from influenza. The deceased who was 37 years old was born in Lombardy, a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Covell and lived there practically all his life, following the occupation of farming. The last two winters he and his family had gone to Smith?s Falls to live the deceased working for the C.P.R. as a brakeman. He was a quiet, industrious man and his early death is a shock to his family and friends. He is survived by his wife who, previous to her marriage, was Marion McGillivray, of Smith?s Falls and one little son, Robert. Four brothers and three sisters survive: Mervin and Albert of Lombardy; George of Perth; William of Franktown; Mrs. Herb Phillipps of Smith?s Falls; Mrs. Thomas McVeety and Mrs. C.E. McLean of Perth. The late Mr. Covell was a member of the Masons, the Oddfellows of Lombardy L.O.L and the B.of R.T. and representatives of these societies were in attendance at the funeral. The deceased was an Anglican in religion and Rev. Canon Bilson officiated at the service at 2:00 yesterday afternoon. The funeral was held from the residence of Mr. J.G. McLean, 28 Annabella Street tot eh public cemetery. Rideau Record

Crawford?The following is from a Marquette, Michigan paper and refers to the death of Fred Crawford, son of the late Samuel Crawford of Bathurst, where he was born. ?Pneumonia, which followed an attack of influenza, resulted in the death of Fred J. Crawford, 49, manager of the Crawford Tailor Shop at his home at 812(?) Pine Street. Mr. Crawford was ill for two weeks but did not summon medical aid until a few days ago at which time little could be done for him by the doctor. Mr. Crawford came to Marquette about fifteen years ago and entered into the employ of Johann Clothing Company with the late John D. Mangam(?). He worked for several years for the Johnson Company and later branched out into business for himself at the location of the Smith Millinery Parlor. After the completion of the Longyear block he moved his business to that place which he managed at the time of his death. Mr. Crawford is survived by his widow and six children, Roy, John, Louis, Thomas, Margaret and Adeline. Five brothers and two sisters living in Canada also mourn him being: George, Thomas, Will, Lawrence, Martin, Mary Ann and Elizabeth. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Ancient Order of Hibernia, U.P.O.E. and the Eagles. The funeral will be held at 2:00 from the house with interment at Holy Cross Cemetery. The funeral will be private.

Fournier?On Thursday morning, Feb. 6, one of Stanleyville?s happiest homes was overshadowed in sorrow and gloom when the husband and father was called away, in the person of Thomas J. Fournier, after a long illness. The late Mr. Fournier was a son of Augustus Fournier and his wife the late Sarah Foster, and was born at Perth 39 years ago. Early in his life he married a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Quinn of Westport and since then resided in Bathurst where he leaves many lasting friends. About a year ago he moved to Stanleyville and was nicely settled in his new home when he fell victim to influenza and pneumonia. Complications ensued and though surrounded by every comfort and attended with loving care, he slowly sank until death released him after four months of suffering. The late Mr. Fournier was an honest, upright young man and a friend of everyone and universally respected. In politics he was a Liberal. Besides his widow he leaves a family of seven children: Gerald, a student at the Federal Business Collete; Francis, Bert, Carmel, Helen, Verna and baby Shirley at home. A large number of sorrowing friends and over 50 carriages followed the remains to St. Bridget?s Church, Stanleyville where a solemn Requiem Mass was sung by Rev. Father Keeley. The funeral then progressed to Perth where the remains were laid in St. John?s vault to await burial in the family plot in the cemetery there in the spring. The pallbearers were Messrs. P.J. Smith, M.E. Quigley, James Adams, James Russell, Patrick Manion and William Kerr.

Owing to another outbreak of the Spanish Influenza, a special meeting of the Board of Health was called last Friday evening and it was decided to close all public buildings except churches and places of amusement. Funerals must be provided. This time the type does not seem of such a serious nature and it is principally children who are suffering.

Noonan?Died, at Hotel Dieu, Kingston, Friday, Feb. 7, Mrs. John Noonan, Perth, aged 35(?) 55(?).

Winnett?Died, at Toronto on Sat., Feb. 8, Mrs. Henry Winnett, mother of Mrs. Boyd A.C. Caldwell


Perth Courier, Feb. 21, 1919

Cameron?Died, at Smith?s Falls on Sunday, Feb. 16, James Y. Cameron, Bathurst, aged 63.

Nagle?Died, at Perth on Monday, Feb.17, Michael Nagle, aged 65(?) 66(?)

Quigley?Died, at Perth on Thursday, Feb. 18, Peter Quigley, aged 74.

Whateley?Died, at Great Onalvern(?) England, Monday, Feb. 3, Edward Whateley, brother of the late George Whateley of Perth.

Radey?The Toronto Star published an obituary of Mrs. Michael J. Radey of Toronto, who died Feb. 16 after an illness of nine weeks. Her maiden name was Elizabeth O?Brien, niece of the late Phillip who lived in the house on North Street, occupying afterwards by the late Henry Kehoe. Deceased was born in Perth 54 years ago and was a member of the R.C. Church in which she was an active worker. She leaves a family of three sons and two daughters to mourn her loss.

Lister?Word was received by relatives in town of the sudden death of Elizabeth Jane Bales Lister, beloved wife of James Lister of Rathgore(?) Avenue, Winnipeg. Mrs. Lister was taken ill just one week before her death and had to be taken to Victoria Hospital to undergo an operation. Her run down system could not stand the strain and she took a chill which developed into peritonitis. Mrs. Lister was 49 and was married in Perth 24 years ago. She had lived in Winnipeg 15 years and will be missed by her large circle of friends. Besides her husband she leaves a family of five sons: George, James, Earl, Frank and Willie, and two daughter?Florence and Marion, to mourn her loss. Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Bales of Clarendon, survive and Mrs. George Burke, town, is a sister. She was of good Christian faith and a member of the Anglican Church. Her funeral took place on Friday, 7th inst. To Brookside Cemetery and was largely attended.

The influenza epidemic is again raging in our midst and taking a toll from many families, sparing neither the young or the old. On Saturday, as a precautionary measure, the Board of Health ordered the closing of schools, skating rinks, etc. It is earnestly hoped the public will loyally cooperate with the spirit of the order and refrain from gatherings of any description. Loitering in streets, post offices, rail road rooms for the purpose of friendly chats should be avoided. Let persons who have no business abroad busy themselves at home, endeavoring to keep fit and well and if attacked by the dreaded flue take every care that the home is practically under quarantine orders. In this manner, everyone helping, Smith?s falls will soon have a clean bill of health. Smith?s Falls News


Perth Courier, Feb. 28, 1919

Mrs. R.T. Noonan of Burgess is in Ottawa this week with her daughter, Miss Margaret Noonan who is ill with influenza.

Baker (or Buker)?Died, at Perth on Feb. 24, Ellen Fisher Baker(or Buker), wife of Hiram Baker (or Buker), aged 74.

Smith?Died, at Burgess on Sat., Feb. 15(?), Terence J. Smith, aged 57.

Shirley?James Shirley, of War Time(?), Sask., arrived in Perth on Saturday last with the body of his son, Earl Shirley for burial. Earl Shirley had enlisted with the 1st Depot Battalion last summer and was stationed at Regina. He took ill and was sent home when pneumonia developed and he died on the 10th day of November in his 23rd year. Deceased was born in Bathurst and removed west with his parents five years ago. Besides his parents, four brothers and one sister survive. Herman Shirley of Perth is his uncle.


Perth Courier, March 7, 1919

It is reported that Private Floyd Smith, a well known local young man, died of Spanish Influenza in a hospital in England. Private Smith who was a son of Mr. and Mrs. John Smith of town, had been with the colors a considerable time and passed through many of the larger engagements on the western front. He was back from France prior to his return to Canada when he succumbed to this dread malady.

That the flu is again raging among the military forces in parts of England is the statement of Pte. L.(?) Conlon, now attached to the 6th Canadian Reserves in Seaforth, England In a letter recently receive by his brother, A.J. Conlon, extra precaution is being taken by the camp commander to prevent the spread of the malady.

Pte. John A. Connell, son of Mr. and Mrs. James Connell, Smith?s Falls, died in a hospital in England of the influenza. Pte Connell enlisted with the 136th Battalion and went overseas with the unit in September of 1916. Deceased was married several years ago to Miss Lottie Cain, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Sydney Cain of Perth, who survives him with one little daughter.

Farrell?A sad death occurred on Tuesday morning March 4, when Mrs. George Farrell passed away in St. Frances Hospital, Smith?s Falls, at the age o 44. Deceased had been in failing health for the past several months and six weeks ago was taken to the hospital. She was born in Burgess, a daughter of Charles McShane and the late Mrs. McShane. Mrs. Farrell was a woman of kind and loving disposition and was held in high esteem by all who knew her. Four children are left to mourn the loss of a fond mother: Vincent, Marie, John, and Kathleen. Also, one brother survives, John H. McShane of Virgin(?), Minn. The funeral took place from her late residence on Colbourne Street, Thursday morning at 8:45 to St. John?s Church where Requiem Mass was celebrated by Rev. Father Hogan and interment took place in St. John?s Cemetery. The pallbearers wre Messrs. J.T. Conway, A.V. McLean, A. Egan, D.S. McParlan, William Taulty(?) and A. Kileen.

Loucks?Mrs. Robert Patterson, Mill Street, received the sad news on Wednesday of the death at Oyen, Alberta on Feb. 26 of her niece Mrs. Walter Loucks, formerly of Clarkesburg, Ontario, where her husband died about two years ago. Influenza developed into pneumonia which was the cause of her death. Mrs. Loucks was only ill about six days.

Thornton?Died, on Sunday, March 2, Kate Alexandra Caldwell, second daughter of the late W.C. Caldwell, Esq., M.P.P., North Lanark, Ontario and Mrs. Caldwell, and beloved wife of Victor W. Thornton, of Los Angeles, California. Her husband and three young sons are left to mourn her loss. A private funeral took place on Wednesday afternoon from the residence of her uncle, T.B. Caldwell, Perth. The service was conducted by Rev. Dr. A.H. Scott.


Perth Courier, March 21, 1919

Ainley?Died, at Westmount, on March 18(?) after a prolonged illness, Mabel Ainley, wife of Capt. Lawrence T. Ainley, M.D. and daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Richardson. Interment at Perth privately.


http://www.rootsweb.com/~onlanark/Ne...anark_coun.htm

[Jonesie]

Re: Survivors recall horror of flu pandemic

Cass City, Michigan area deaths of 1918 remembered:

http://newspapers.rawson.lib.mi.us/c...21-1976_17.pdf

[Sally Furniss]

Re: Survivors recall horror of flu pandemic

Listen to survivors of the 1918 Flu Pandemic.

http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/culture/influenza-pandemic/

He took me in his arms and carried me to see my dead sister before she was carried to the grave. He took me for a last visit to my mother for he thought that both of us would die. But we didn't. We gasped for breath, our chests and throats rattled with the passage of the hard-won air. We sweated and we shivered, we fainted and revived. Death waited for us but we survived.

From a 1967 radio documentary about the pandemic, 'The Great Plague'. Hear and read this extract from the documentary.

Current anxiety over the danger of avian influenza virus ? H5N1 ? has revived memories of New Zealand's worst disease outbreak, the lethal influenza pandemic of 1918. In two months New Zealand lost about half as many people to influenza as it had in the whole of the First World War.
Was the Niagara to blame?

Many people believed the deadly flu virus came to New Zealand aboard the Royal Mail liner Niagara, which arrived in Auckland from Vancouver and San Francisco on 12 October 1918. However this is now no longer believed to be the case. Read more.

The 'Spanish flu', as it was often called, arrived in New Zealand in early October 1918, probably with returning troops. By the time it eased in December the death toll had topped 8600, including at least 2160 Maori. Worldwide, the flu is now thought to have killed as many as 50 million people.

At the height of the crisis, during November, the whole country held its breath: schools, factories, shops, theatres and hotels were closed. One man recalled how he:

stood in the middle of Wellington City at 2 p.m. on a weekday afternoon, and there was not a soul to be seen - no trams running, no shops open - It was really a City of the Dead.

The virus struck with little warning. Apparently healthy people could collapse within hours of the first symptoms appearing; some died within a day. Often, corpses turned purple or black, adding to the grief of survivors and evoking images of the Black Death of the fourteenth century. Across the country, schools and halls were turned into makeshift hospitals. Much of the burden of caring for the sick fell on volunteer caregivers, especially women.
Impact on Maori

The virus had an especially deadly impact on Maori, whose death rate, 4.2 percent, was about seven times that of Pakeha. Many people blamed substandard housing ? Maori rural dwellings often had earthen floors and were damp and overcrowded ? but the small size and isolation of Maori settlements also compounded the misery. The flu spread so fast that remote communities had little or no warning of its arrival. In the absence of outside help, there were often not enough locals left standing to care for the sick.

Whole settlements were decimated: at Mangatawhiri in Waikato, about 50 out of 200 local Maori died. Whina Cooper recalled similar suffering at Panguru, Hokianga:

Everyone was sick, no one to help, they were dying one after the other. My father was very, very sick then. He was the first to die. I couldn't do anything for him. I remember we put him in a coffin, like a box. There were many others, you could see them on the roads, on the sledges, the ones that are able to drag them away, dragged them away to the cemetery. No time for tangis.

Even worse was the flu's impact on Western Samoa, then under New Zealand military rule. There, over 7500 ? one in five people ? died, at least partly because of the negligence of the New Zealand authorities in enforcing a quarantine.
Remembering the Pandemic

This collection of recollections from people who lived through the pandemic are taken from a 1967 radio documentary by Jim Henderson called 'The Great Plague'. None of the interviewees are named in the documentary. Sound Archives / Nga Taonga Korero
reference: TCDR562
The sound files may not be reused without permission from Sound Archives / Nga Taonga Korero.
Black Plague

Hear this recollection from 'The Great Plague' (mp3, 175kb)

[Woman speaking] I well remember my husband, who was custodian of the town hall at the time, coming home very depressed and telling me all about this awful flu epidemic that was spreading so fast. The patients had very high temperatures and when they died the bodies turned black just like the plague and it was really serious. He felt that if he got it that would be the end. So I said well it's no use frightening ourselves into it, we must take every precaution and hope for the best. I used to disinfect the drains well and we gargled with a weak solution of Condy's fluid everyday. Tom used to spray the car with formalin after taking patients to the hospital. It spread so fast that they had to put up a marquee to take their overflow of patients.

Sound Archives / Nga Taonga Korero
Reference: TCDR562
This sound file may not be reused without permission from Sound Archives / Nga Taonga Korero.
Armistice

Hear these recollections from 'The Great Plague' (mp3, 189kb)

[Woman speaking] Well I was very bad in bed, I worked at dress making and I just fell on the table and [was] taken home in a taxi and I ? had to sit up in bed when the war was over and wave a little flag, I couldn't go out to celebrate - my boyfriend was away at the war at the time.

[Woman speaking] And it came, Armistice Day. I went to town early that morning - a friend came and drove me in - as we simply had to have more hospitals, more room to nurse cases. I got into town just before 9 and the bells started ringing. I said 'whatever is going on?' 'It's peace' they said, 'peace!' How I loathed the sound of it. Everything shut up and I could get nothing, not a thing until tomorrow. And that was just the day that I'm sure cost hundreds of lives. But simply had those people been able to be taken in to those hospitals that day, they might have been spared. You couldn't do a thing about it, it was peace and everyone was celebrating.

Sound Archives / Nga Taonga Korero
Reference: TCDR562
This sound file may not be reused without permission from Sound Archives / Nga Taonga Korero.
Carrying the dead

Hear these recollections from 'The Great Plague' (mp3, 138kb)

[Man speaking] At all times it seems, day and night, ambulances were on the move everywhere. They must have been manned in relays. In those days there was no free ambulance, the hospitals carried their own. These vehicles had tinkling bells instead of sirens.

[Woman speaking] At night time was, I think, the most saddest of all because the trucks were rumbling past my place all night long. We found out after that they didn't have time to make coffins they were just buried in boxes and the sad part was when we went over to cemetery later, when it was all over, no one knew where they were putting the flowers, they just put them on a mound of ground and trusted the luck of it being one of their own.

Sound Archives / Nga Taonga Korero
Reference: TCDR562
This sound file may not be reused without permission from Sound Archives / Nga Taonga Korero.
Cures

Hear these recollections from 'The Great Plague' (mp3, 368kb)

[Man speaking] And I had a mate standing - we were on the corner and he fell down by the lamppost and ?he hadn't had anything to drink that day. So then he managed to get home and he had the black plague all right, black spots all over him and he was taking mulled beer, if you know what that is, heated beer. It's no good. Every morning I visited him and now he says, 'I'm going Harry', course I couldn't say otherwise?and then he recuperated!

[Woman speaking] Some used gargles and that sort of thing and there was this formalin place. And the old fashioned remedy of wearing a camphor bag - that was very prominent - and people had them on their children and on themselves and um I don't know whether it had the effect, but sometimes just the thought that you got something like that is a help to people's morale isn't it?

[Man speaking] Most of them got over it but if you bled at the nose - if they bled at the nose - they got over it. If they didn't they went black and that was a finish.

[Woman speaking]I was living with my sister and she would have a fire set ready for me to light with sulphur sprinkled all over the wood. Before I mixed with the family I went to this room, lit the fire and bent over it and inhaled some of the fumes and was also fumigated at the same time. We kept away from crowds and never took home books from libraries.

Sound Archives / Nga Taonga Korero
Reference: TCDR562
This sound file may not be reused without permission from Sound Archives / Nga Taonga Korero.
Delirium

Hear these recollections from 'The Great Plague' (mp3, 287kb)

[Woman speaking] And the thing was they came in with terrific temperatures and if we couldn't get those temperatures down, they dropped suddenly - below subnormal - and they started delirium. And once they got very delirious, we just couldn't save them and there was no way of bringing the temperatures down then except by cold sponging. And that had to be done by somebody with experience you see, otherwise they'd get an awful shock if it's badly done and chills as well. So I'm trying to keep the patients moderately clean and then when they got really delirious keeping them in bed. And the noise of the delirium at night was terrific.

[Man speaking] And he went raving mad one night before they took him away. He was running around the room with a knife? he just couldn't control himself. So they came and took him away to the hospital. Next morning they came over and told me poor old Jack had died, so that was one of my mates who went.

[Man speaking] One particular night there was a chap - I won't mention any names - but he jumped out of bed and I grabbed him and I said 'where are you going?' He was a big fella and of course I'm not very big, but I got me arms around just big around him and said 'come on, come on back to bed'. 'Let me go, let me go' he said, 'let me go' he said, 'I must get down and meet Massey and Ward'. Massey and Ward at that time were coming back from an Imperial conference at home [Britain] you see, and anyway I said 'come on get back into bed'. Yes, I got him back - I just got him on to bed and he said 'oh God' he said, and he was dead as a doornail, just went dead.

Sound Archives / Nga Taonga Korero
Reference: TCDR562
This sound file may not be reused without permission from Sound Archives / Nga Taonga Korero.
One family's story

Hear this recollection from 'The Great Plague' (mp3, 437kb)

[Man speaking] My father, the Reverend James McCaw [?] of Lower Hutt - although by this time engrossed in helping people ill or dying with the dreaded plague - breathed a sigh of relief that his son was not on board the Tahiti but safe in camp at Featherston. Safe? Within a week the camp was visited by death a dozen times a day. Bert was one of the victims. A day later his sister, Nan, a year younger, joined him from the Lower Hutt manse. Here too lay the youngest of the family and their mother all at death's door. But the parson, he was fit and well and capable. He boiled a daily brew of beef tea in the copper. He fed a score of helpless sick folk in an emergency hospital set up in the church hall and each day he presided over ten or a dozen funerals. He and Father Walsh were the only two ministers of religion in the valley able to get about. They buried the dead as they were brought to the grave irrespective of creed or denomination. In the midst of all this horror came the Armistice, November 11, 1918. I recall the nearby church bell ringing and my father telling me the war was over. I was only vaguely interested. He told me that Bert my brother had died. I took as much interest. He took me in his arms and carried me to see my dead sister before she was carried to the grave. He took me for a last visit to my mother for he thought that both of us would die. But we didn't. We gasped for breath, our chests and throats rattled with the passage of the hard-won air. We sweated and we shivered, we fainted and revived. Death waited for us but we survived. Close to us lived two middle-aged women retired nurses. They bolted their doors and hid from the plague. My father burst their door open with a charge of his great shoulder and thrust them in to the fray where they and he toiled mightily. So he and his wife and the rest of his family came through it. But a hundred Hutt people did not. My father lost a score of his flock and two of his children, but not his faith.

Sound Archives / Nga Taonga Korero
Reference: TCDR562
This sound file may not be reused without permission from Sound Archives / Nga Taonga Korero.
Kids coping

Hear these recollections from 'The Great Plague' (mp3, 209kb)

[Woman speaking] Interviewer: Was it a problem with the children running around?

[Woman speaking] Answer: Ah no, the children were very good; we had to keep them, they were not allowed out the gate. They had to play in their own back yards. So no the children seemed to realize too how dreadful the time was and the unfortunate part was when anyone having a baby, the mothers were lost, the babies seemed to survive. But there was a dreadful lot of babies were left without their mothers. And I think that was one of the saddest parts.

[Man speaking] At the school, when we're in the class, and that some of my friends whose parents had passed away would all of a sudden start their crying and the teacher would have to console them later.

[Man speaking] I remember that the schools were closed and we rather enjoyed the holiday, the extended holiday for the tragedies that were happening everyday. It didn't touch me, I was far too young to realize.

Sound Archives / Nga Taonga Korero
Reference: TCDR562
This sound file may not be reused without permission from Sound Archives / Nga Taonga Korero.
Kids helping

Hear these recollections from 'The Great Plague' (mp3, 288kb)

[Woman speaking] Mother would come home and she would boil up and make the most beautiful vegetable and meat soups and then I would take them in thermos flasks to people who were too ill to perhaps warm their own food. And I wasn't allowed to enter the house, I just placed it on the door step and then went back to my pony and where people were a little better I could carry it in a billy in a jelly form and people were able to get food in that manner. But most of these people were almost unable to more than come to the door and just pick up the container that was left for them.

[Woman speaking] It wasn't safe for men to go out on the farms alone in case they were struck down and no one knew where they were. So one of the children or someone, they generally went in twos. When we wanted to do our shopping we had to go into Waverly by a horse and gig and when we got into the grocer's shop we rattled a kerosene tin which was hanging from a beam of the verandah. They came out to their door, took our order and then put the things on the pavement and we collected them and put our money into a mug with disinfectant in it and they collected it out of the mug.

Sound Archives / Nga Taonga Korero
Reference: TCDR562
This sound file may not be reused without permission from Sound Archives / Nga Taonga Korero.
Overwhelmed

Hear these recollections from 'The Great Plague' (mp3, 214kb)

[Woman speaking] It just got so that if you wanted help - if you didn't feel so well - you opened your window and you put a white rag out the window and you unlocked you front door and left a white rag on the handle of the door you see so that anybody could come in and when these people who were going around on motorbikes in cars saw them you see they got out to investigate because it was beyond, you couldn't deal with it. You just couldn't deal with it at all. It was beyond anything.

[Woman speaking] I lived in Wellington at the time and was working in a chemist shop. People started to pour in with prescriptions of all descriptions and people were collapsing on the road and being picked up and taken to hospital until the hospitals were full and then it began that we could hardly deal with them for the simple reason they came in so thick and fast. I gave prescriptions. I was working in the shop and the chemist was working flat out and the doctors finally put the prescription in the paper and so they copied it out and copied this and gave it in bulk form.

Sound Archives / Nga Taonga Korero
Reference: TCDR562
This sound file may not be reused without permission from Sound Archives / Nga Taonga Korero.
Need for nurses

Hear this recollection from 'The Great Plague' (mp3, 168kb)

[Woman speaking] Well the Red Cross give girls or women training in home nursing at the beginning of every year and if girls would only take that training from my experience of the epidemic it was one of the best things that they could do. It was a very good training for 3 months and if anybody came into the hospital when we were desperate you could even take a temperature, or make a bed or a pulse or had any idea of nursing we would fall almost on our necks with gratitude because we didn't have to show them around you see. We just said get to it and we look after them you see. So ever since then I worked a good deal in the Red Cross you see in Hastings and Havelock and my great idea is to get every girl trained that I could in this course of home nursing. We'll have epidemics again and we'll have emergencies again probably of the Civil Defense now is working as you know probably don't you. Well what they wanted is people who can nurse. Don't you agree?