Allen County OhArchives News.....Spanish Influenza Epidemic of 1918 1918 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/oh/ohfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Judy Woerner judyw0113@yahoo.com April 27, 2006, 1:02 am The Lima Daily News 1918 Spanish Influenza Epidemic of 1918 in Lima and Nearby Communities Excerpts from available issues of The Lima Daily News ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- October 10, 1918 DRASTIC QUARANTINE ORDER GOES INTO EFFECT IN LIMA THIS EVENING Lima’s second victim of Spanish Influenza is LEWIS OLT, of the Lima Packing company, who died Wednesday night after a week’s illness with the disease. WILLIAM E. JOHNSON, of Elmer D. Webb company, suffering with the influenza is in a critical condition, according to reports from his home this afternoon. Mrs. ETHEL MILLER, north Union street, is also in a serious condition with the disease. Numerous other critical cases are being reported. HENRY KELLER, agent for PETER ALTMEYER, 45, Findlay, manager of the Krantz Brewing company’s plant there, was notified today that he had died of the influenza. ALTMEYER was well known in Lima and attended the Elk’s clambake here two weeks ago. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- October 11, 1918 William E. Johnson, Lima’s third victim to the dread Spanish influenza epidemic died at 2:15 o’clock this afternoon at his home, 447 Albert street, after an illness of two weeks’ duration, which later developed into pneumonia. Health Officers Report to Daily News Conditions in their Sections. The Daily News presents below a summary of conditions in the cities on all sides of Lima, showing conditions of the Spanish Flu epidemic. Kenton is the hardest hit, while Findlay has a seemingly malignant type of the disease. Here is the story as told The Daily News by the Health Officers themselves: FINDLAY.—The Sanitary police officer stated this morning that there were few new cases reported here, although there are now between 400 to 500 cases in the city. The conditions are at a standstill although most of the cases are serious. CHARLES L. REIMUND and entire family are suffering from the disease. Mr. REIMUND is an oil man of prominence. ORVILLE MOORE is ill. Mr. HEADSWORTH and family are confined with the dreaded disease. They are reported as in serious condition. Mr. HEADSWORTH is local manager for the Toledo News-Bee. Every kind of amusement, schools, churches, lodges and public meetings of all kinds are closed on account of the epidemic. KENTON.—This city is perhaps the hardest hit of any of the surrounding towns with the epidemic now raging in the country. There are in the neighborhood of 500 to 600 cases reported and are still coming in. There were 114 new cases reported in the last 24 hours. Most of these are serious ones. Everything is closed tight and under the closest surveillance. Many prominent people in town are confined with the dread malady. Probate Judge R. D. TURNER is serious. PAUL WAGNER, prominent young man is also dangerously ill. JOHN D. JAMES, who owns a cigar factory and cigar store is reported worse. WALTER W. BERN and entire family, consisting of four children, all are ill and dangerously. He is county recorder. The family of WILLIAM HARP have suffered a great deal, as they have already lost two children, and there are now six other cases in the family. O. E. BONNELL and daughter are suffering from the effects, also five carriers in the city post office are in serious condition. Misses CLARA BOWLER and ANNA DRASS, teachers in the High school are confined to their homes with Influenza. Mr. WURST is also a sufferer. He is proprietor of Woolworth’s 5 & 10 cent store in this city. WAPAKONETA.—The city is closed up tight on account of the epidemic of Influenza. Schools, churches, lodges, saloons and all public meetings are shut. Drastic measures are being taken here to prevent the spread of the disease. There are about 12 cases in town, and only two were reported within the last 24 hours. The situation is believed to be growing better here, but the closing laws will be enforced. No deaths have resulted. ADA.—The health officer stated this morning that conditions were fairly good, although there are 75 cases in town. Public schools, churches, and all public meetings are discontinued, until the epidemic is under control. Classes at the University are allowed to run. COLUMBUS GROVE.—The epidemic has been prevalent for some time and has partially been controlled in this city, as there are about 40 cases in all, and these are not considered serious although some may develop pneumonia. Few deaths have resulted. All schools, churches, saloons and public meetings are closed and conditions look a good deal better. SPENCERVILLE.—There are now about 35 cases in this city, at the present and only one new case reported in the last 24 hours. Churches, schools and meetings are closed. Mr. WHEELER who is an oil pumper is ill with the disease, and also Mr. HILTY who owns the meat market, neither of the two cases is considered serious at this time. VAN WERT.—There are perhaps 35 or 40 cases of “Flu” in the city, but not many serious ones at this time. These are mostly mild cases and unless pneumonia sets in, nothing serious will develop. No business houses, churches or schools have yet been closed, but a meeting is called for tonight, and the health officer thinks that every thing will be closed by tomorrow, more as a preventive than a necessity. There have been no deaths from the dreaded disease here. CRIDERSVILLE.—There are four cases reported here and all are mild ones. The schools were closed this morning and no public meetings will be allowed until the epidemic is under complete control. BLUFFTON.—No cases have been reported here, but Board of Health has closed all schools and places of public gatherings. They are taking all precautions to keep the disease from the community. CELINA.—This city has a few cases scattered over the city, none as yet, have proved fatal. There has been nothing closed as yet, but this will be done if the disease spreads. OTTAWA.—Health officers state this morning that there were 50 cases in the city, and still reporting new ones. Everything is closed up and the small town of Glandorf is completely isolated. CHARLES SCHIERHOH, manager of the newspaper is ill; HENRY LANDWEHR, a lumber man, is also suffering. The GODDE family consisting of eight, are seriously ill. SAM KERR and son are both suffering of pneumonia brought about by the Influenza. There were eight new cases in the last 24 hours. Dr. HAROLD is seriously ill with influenza, and is unable to take care of patients. Doctors from this city are helping Leipsic as two doctors from there are ill, and unable to assist with the other cases. The doctors are working hard between the two places. There are about 120 cases here and in surrounding neighborhood. ST. MARYS.—There is nothing to be alarmed about in this place although the usual precautions have been taken to prevent the spread of the epidemic. There are only one or two cases and these are light attacks. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- October 12, 1918 Of Lima residents afflicted with Influenza, one of the most serious cases is that of U. G. WALTZ, well known business man, and a member of the hardware firm Waltz and Berryhill. He is confined to his home and was reported this morning to be in critical condition. Private funeral services will be held for DOIT BOIDELL who died yesterday of Spanish influenza at Cincinnati. Young BODELL had only been in the service for a fortnight, and before that resided with WALTER FISHER of Lima. EDWIN E. JONES, 21 years of age, son of Mr. and Mrs. D. E. JONES, was another Lima soldier who fell victim to the dread Spanish Influenza epidemic. He was stationed at Camp Taylor, Louisville, Ky., and died Friday morning. Mr. and Mrs. CHARLES MARTIN, St. Johns avenue, received word late Friday night announcing the death of their son WILLARD L. MARTIN, 29 years of age, which occurred at Camp Sherman, Chillicothe, following a brief illness from influenza and pneumonia. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- October 13, 1918 Another Lima boy has paid the supreme sacrifice of his life for his country. Mr. and Mrs. PETER BERRY, received an official communication from the war department at Washington Saturday morning stating that their son Corporal ARTHUR BERRY had died in a French hospital of pneumonia, September 18. The body of Private JOHN OSBORN, a victim of the dread influenza, will arrive in Lima from Camp Sherman early Sunday morning. Private funeral services will be held from the home of his sister, Mrs. P. J. KERSHAW on Monday, with interment in Roundhead cemetery. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- October 14, 1918 Another soldier of Allen County has given his all to his country, in the person of IRA RAY CLAPPER, 21. Private CLAPPER died at Camp Sherman of pneumonia, brought on by Spanish influenza. Three brothers, FRANCES, ALVA, and DELBERT, 2 sisters, EDITH and Mrs. SARAH SMITH, and his parents, survive. SILAS BENTON WIKEL, 35 years of age, died at his Lima home Sunday from Spanish influenza and pneumonia. Besides the wife, three children, MAUDE, MARY and ROSILLA survive him. Two sisters Mrs. JOHN WILLIAMS and Mrs. BERT HEARLEY and three brothers, DALLAS and BURLIN all of Lima, and JAMES of Toledo, are also left. LESTER SCHNITZER, manager of The Leader store, died suddenly at his home in Lima this morning of Spanish influenza. RUTH ELLA BAUMGARDNER who was born in Lima, November 14, 1906, died in Chicago Sunday morning of Spanish influenza. She was in Chicago, undergoing an operation for infantile paralysis, which had attacked her when only four years old. Mr. Siferd has gone to Chicago to accompany the body to Lima. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- October 16, 1918 DELPHOS IS SERIOUS Spanish Flu is spreading in Delphos more rapidly than in Lima, and according to the health officer, there were 56 new cases Monday and 80 cases yesterday. The condition of patients is also reported critical, two deaths occurring yesterday. Mrs. ANNA CONLEY, as head of the Women’s Benefit association, has started a movement to aid in stamping out the epidemic thru preventive precautions. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- October 17, 1918 One of Lima’s best known young men in the service, Captain DUNCAN R. MACCONNELL, 27, died Wednesday at his post, Ft. Stevens, Oregon. Spanish influenza, which developed into pneumonia, caused his death. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. A. T. MACDONNELL, Market street, and three brothers, GEORGE, ALEXANDER and JAMES survive. The body will be brought home for burial. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- October 19, 1918 DR. W. L. NEVILLE, widely known practicing physician, who has been working night and day in the recent demand for his profession, was himself stricken by the Spanish Flu last night and is reported in a serious condition with a temperature of 104 today. NEVILLE has been active in politics and served on the Lima State Hospital board from its inception. HENRY SHICK, 72, for 36 years a resident of Lima, died at his home, 839 north Main street, last evening of pneumonia. The deceased was one of Lima’s veteran grocerymen. Besides his widow, four sons, CHARLES, Alger; OTTO and OSCAR, Toledo; LOUIS, Lima; and two daughters, Mrs. LIZZIE LIVINGSTON, Toledo, and Mrs. JOHN KOPP, Lima, all survive him. The legion of friends of Lieut. A. J. DUNN, real estate broker, who has just been commissioned a first lieutenant in the engineers corps, will learn with regret that, returning from the South where he took his final examinations, now lies a victim of the Spanish Flu at his Collett street home. His temperature was reported as very high today, pneumonia having followed the first attacks of the plague. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- October 26, 1918 The remains of DAVID O. POINT, soldier who died at Camp Jackson, S. C. after an attack of Spanish Influenza, have been brought to the Eckert Undertaking Parlors, south Main street. Wapakoneta. JOHN KATTMAN, 24, died Wednesday of pneumonia, setting in from Spanish influenza. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. KATTMAN of Mercer county. The remains of Mrs. JOHN COCHRAN, who died Thursday in Nashville, Tenn., after an attack of Spanish influenza, have been brought to the Williams and Davis undertaking parlors, on west Market street. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- November 1, 1918 The influenza epidemic in this city today increased with 18 new cases reported up to noon. This is the largest number of cases reported to health officials this week. There is one death in the last 24 hours, Mrs. ELIZABETH BAKER died, being a victim of the disease. DR. BURTON himself is today confined to his home and is quite ill with an attack of bronchitis. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- November 3, 1918 Spencerville. Funeral services for Mrs. RALPH NIERHART, 28, whose husband is in service in France will be held today. Her death was due to influenza. She is the first victim of the disease in that town. Two hundred cases have been reported there. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- December 5, 1918 KALIDA IN THROES OF FLU EPIDEMIC. Two hundred new cases of influenza have developed at Kalida since last Saturday, among a population of seven hundred. Four children belonging to one family have died this week. The family is that of JOHN SHANK. The town is quarantined. FLU SITUATION IN LIMA SERIOUS AGAIN. Dr. H. E. Burton, City Health Officer reports that 60 new cases developed Wednesday, as against only eighteen on the day previous. Quite a number of cases are being reported today, but it is thought that the number will be somewhat lower than that of Wednesday. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- December 11, 1918 ABERT RAY BECKMAN, 35, DIED Wednesday morning after a short illness of influenza followed by bronchial pneumonia. Mr. BECKMAN was a motorman employee in the Ohio Electric railway, for the past 12 years. KENNETH E. SHEETS, aged 11, taken to the Detention hospital with the entire family a few days ago, died yesterday afternoon. The parents, two sisters and one brother are still under care. ALTON OSMON, chief stamp clerk at the local post office is confined to his home with the influenza. Three other employees are ill at their homes. J. C. FERGUSON, of Oak street, and his entire family were removed to the Detention hospital. They all have the Influenza. The members of the family are: Mr. and Mrs. FERGUSON, MARTHA, CHARLES, BRICE and RAYMOND. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- December 14, 1918 HARRY V. CURRAN, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. J. J. CURRAN, north Jefferson street, died Saturday after an illness of one week with pneumonia which followed an attack of influenza. He was 25 years of age. Besides his parents he leaves one sister, Miss LUCILLE CURRAN, and one brother, FRANCIS. HUBER VANCE WETHERSPOON, 17, died Saturday after a short illness from influenza at the home of his sister, Mrs. JOHN FRAIL of west High street. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. FRANK WETHERSPOON, of this city, and was an employee of the Lima Locomotive works. Sieferds removed Mr. and Mrs. W. WINTERS from Crossly apartments to St. Rita’s hospital. They both had influenza. Mrs. CHARLES GRADY, 35, died Saturday after a short illness from influenza and pneumonia at her residence on south Pine street. FLOYD GINTER, 26, son of Mr. and Mrs. C. B. GINTER of north Collett street, died Saturday at St. Rita’s hospital of influenza and pneumonia. Delphos. Mrs. EDGAR CLARK died Friday at the home of her sister, Miss MARY DOLT, from influenza and pneumonia. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- December 16, 1918 LUCILLE THELMA MEEKS, 12, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. F. MEEKS died, Sunday from Influenza and pneumonia at her home on Arch avenue. Mrs. MARTHA RUFFER, 73, died Saturday after a brief illness of influenza at the home of her daughter, Mrs. AMOS LAMPHIER, north Union street. MARY SMITH, 67, wife of DAVID SMITH, died after a short illness of influenza at the home on east High street on Saturday. Surviving are her husband, DAVIS SMITH, who is ill with influenza and two sons, HARRY and WILBUR SMITH of Lima, also two daughters, Mrs. W. H. JONES of Columbus Grove and Mrs. G. GOBBS, of Wapakoneta. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- December 27, 1918 MILLION OHIOANS HAVE SUFFERED FROM ‘FLU’ Over a million Ohioans have suffered with influenza and there have been 20,000 deaths from the disease, according to the latest estimates of the state health department. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- January 10, 1919 Wapakoneta—FRANK WEIMERT, 51, died Wednesday after a severe attack of influenza, followed by pneumonia. Mr. WEIMERT has for the past twenty years been engaged in business as a member of the firm Canther & Weimert. FLU HAS FLOWN FROM THIS CITY Has the Flu flown? Miss Lima says yes, the Health Officer says yes, and the reports accord with the affirmative. Not one case has been reported for the past 24-hour period, and doctors are openly claiming that it is a thing of the past, and they are not knocking the proverbial piece of wood when they so attest. Aside from slight showings in surrounding towns, which are not considered forerunners of another epidemical attack, the entire district is gradually getting back to normal health conditions and people are breathing free once again. “As the influenza epidemic in Lima now seems to be history,” stated Dr. Burton, local health officer, “we can be thankful that it did not strike us harder. It was a trying time for all concerned, and everybody was concerned, except the 25 to 30 percent whose physical condition makes them naturally immune to the disease.” File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/oh/allen/newspapers/spanishi34nnw.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ohfiles/ File size: 19.1 Kb