OBIT: William Thomas PURDUE, 1918, Juniata, Blair County, PA

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JUNIATA MAN FIRST VICTIM OF INFLUENZA
William Thomas Purdue, Ill Three Days, Succumbs to Dread Disease - 
Seemed Improved Few Hours Before Dissolution

  The first death to be reported in the county directly due to Spanish 
influenza was that of William Thomas Purdue, aged 59, of 901 Third 
avenue, Juniata, who died of that disease at 11:15 o'clock yesterday 
morning.  He had been ill but three days and on Thursday evening his 
condition was greatly improved.
  Mr. Purdue, who was employed by the Pennsy as a car repairman, was 
taken ill Monday night with a severe cold that bordered on the grip.  
Medical attention was immediately secured, but Thursday night he seemed 
much improved and the attending physician thought that the worst had 
passed, and warned his patient to be very careful.
  However, yesterday morning his condition changed for the worse and 
death resulted at 11.15 o'clock.  He was born Aug. 14, 1869, and 
resided in Juniata for ten years.  Besides his wife he is survived by 
two children, Marguerite and Edward, both at home.  A brother, Edward, 
of Bellefonte survives, as do the following sisters: Mrs. Bert Poorman, 
Mrs. George Rhodes, Mrs. Clarence Tate, Mrs. Mable Rossman, and Miss 
Fannie, of Bellefonte, and Mrs. Amanda Gummo, of Wisconsin.
  He was a member of the I.O.O.F. of Bellefonte and of the Pennsy 
relief.  The remains will be taken to Bellefonte tomorrow and services 
will be held at that place Monday morning.

Altoona Times, Saturday Morning, October 5, 1918