KOSSUTH COUNTY AND THE SPANISH FLU EPIDEMIC OF 1918 - PART 1

In 1918 a new influenza virus emerged.  Commonly referred to as “Spanish flu,” it was a strain of H1N1 influenza which spread rapidly through personal contact.  The global troop movement and overcrowding conditions brought about by World War I helped the virus to quickly move worldwide.  Lack of vaccines and treatments exacerbated the problem.

From article in Whittemore Champion, 10/17/1918

In a statement to the citizens of the United States, Surgeon General Rupert Blue stated, “The disease is characterized by sudden onset.  People are stricken on the streets.  First there is a chill, then fever with temperature from 101° to 103°, and aches all over the body and general prostration.  Persons so attacked should get to bed and call a physician.” 

CAUGHT UNAWARE

Kossuth County newspapers gave very little coverage to the topic.  On September 23^rd, a one sentence article appeared in the Burt Monitor stating that outbreaks had occurred in several eastern and southern cities.  The epidemic still seemed so distant – but that would change almost instantly.

Just three days later, Dennis “Dan” Studer of Wesley became the first Kossuth County soldier to succumb to the dreaded disease.  He had enlisted on August 5, 1918 and was stationed at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station near Chicago at the time of his death.  When his body arrived in Wesley for burial, the train was met by his family along with almost every resident of Wesley.  A silent and reverent procession accompanied the casket to the family home headed by Mayor Thomas Turgerson carrying an American flag.

Matthew McCarthy, the son of Dennis and Hannah McCarthy who had just recently moved to Ledyard, died at Camp Devens, Massachusetts, the same day that Dan Studer passed.  His funeral and burial were in Fort Dodge, the former home of the family and his hometown.

On the date that Dan and Matthew died, Mr. and Mrs. William Knoll who farmed southwest of Burt received a telegram that their son, George, was seriously ill with pneumonia following an attack of influenza.  They left immediately for Camp Devens which was near Boston.  Arriving there, the Knolls were compelled to wear gauze masks during their stay due to the widespread disease at the camp.  George was barely alive and unable to speak when they reached him, but his parents did feel that he recognized them.  They were at his side when he died a few hours later on September 29th.

Charles Junkermeier of Ledyard was the next Kossuth County soldier who passed from this illness in late September.  He had enlisted in May of 1918 at the age of 34 and was stationed at Fort Adams, Rhode Island at the time of his death.  His body was brought back to Ledyard where his mother lived and he was buried at Highland Home cemetery.

A shock wave rocked Bancroft and the flag was lowered to half mast when word was received that two hometown boys had passed in two days.  It was first learned that Frank Nemmers had died at Camp Gordon in Georgia on October 1^st from bronchial pneumonia after contracting influenza.  Just 25, Frank had joined his father in the hardware business prior to joining the army in July and had been an avid baseball player and fan.  An overflow crowd attended the funeral of this well-known local boy at St. John’s Catholic Church.

Notification of the death of Mort Wilson, a young soldier stationed at Camp Morrison, Virginia, was received shortly after the news of Nemmers’ passing was received.  Wilson had died September 30^th of pneumonia related to influenza.  Adopted by Mr. and Mrs. John McCowein after his mother died when he was 3, he had grown up in Bancroft.  When he realized that he would not survive his illness, he asked that his remains be shipped back to Bancroft for burial.

MEDICAL ADVICE

Headline from Bancroft Register, 10/3/1918

Area newspapers began to take more interest in the spreading epidemic after losing six of our finest in six days.  On October 3^rd the Bancroft Register printed an article on how Army, Navy, State and City physicians were preparing to fight as they predicted that in all probability half of the population of the United States would be affected.  To prevent catching influenza they recommended:

·         Avoid contact with people as far as possible, especially crowds indoors and on street cars.

·         Avoid persons suffering from “colds,” sore throats, and coughs.

·         Avoid chilling the body or living in rooms of temperature below 65 degrees or above 72.

·         Sleep and work in clean fresh air.

·         Keep your hands clean and out of your mouth.

·         Avoid expectorating in public places and see that others do likewise.

·         Avoid visiting the sick.

·         Eat plain, nourishing food and avoid alcoholic stimulants.

·         Cover your nose with your handkerchief when you sneeze, your mouth when you cough and change handkerchiefs often.

·         Don’t worry and keep your feet warm.

What to do if symptoms appear? 

·         Go to bed in a well-ventilated room and keep warm.

·         Keep away from other people.  Do not kiss anyone. Use individual basins, soap, towels, dinnerware and handkerchiefs.

·         If symptoms persist, stay in bed under the care of a physician.  The patient is advised to stay in bed at least three days after fever had disappeared to be sure that they are well and to avoid the possibility of pneumonia.

CLOSE TO HOME

The same edition of the Bancroft Register included an article stating that not a single case of influenza had yet been found at Camp Dodge which housed thousands of soldiers near Des Moines.  They had instituted careful screening of troops from other camps who arrived there to prevent exposure.  

Only one week later over 500 cases were reported there with three fatalities.  Medical supplies and bedding were woefully short.  An emergency call was received by the Kossuth County Red Cross for 150 sheets and pillowcases for use by patients at the camp.  Chairman Al Falkenhainer immediately reached out and Red Cross women from Algona, Burt, Titonka, Wesley and LuVerne responded.  That day 40 Algona members made 78 sets and the members of the other towns made an additional 18 sets which were shipped to Camp Dodge that evening.

Headline from Kossuth County Advance, 10/9/1918

With no quarantine orders in place, large gatherings continued in early October.  Church services were being held and schools were in session across the county.  The musical comedy, “The Kossuth County Fair,” produced by and starring local residents drew huge crowds to the Call Opera House.  The Kossuth County Historical Society held a well-attended annual meeting.  Algona Council 952 of the Knights of Columbus initiated 50 new members into their organization while honoring Dan Studer and Francis Nemmers with gold stars on their service flag. 

 
FIRST CASES DOCUMENTED

Several area people began experiencing symptoms around October 1^st.  Some of the first cases reported in Kossuth County came from the Bancroft area.  Among them was Roy Kline, who farmed south of town, sick with pneumonia after an attack of influenza.  His mother who lived in Plum Creek Township also became infected with the flu.  Algona began to see cases as well.  Mrs. Anton Anderson was recovering from the disease which she believed she may have contracted from a letter she had received from her son, Lyman, who had written it while a patient at an army hospital in Camp Upton, New York.

The dreaded virus had arrived.  What would the future hold?

Until next time,

Kossuth County History Buff

If you enjoyed this post, please don’t forget to “like” and SHARE to Facebook.  Not a Facebook user?  Sign up with your email address in the box on the right to have each post sent directly to you.

Be sure to visit the KCHB Facebook page for more interesting info about the history of Kossuth County, Iowa.

Reminder:  The posts on Kossuth County History Buff are ©2015-20 by Jean Kramer.  Please use the FB “share” feature instead of cutting/pasting.