The Epidemic —- Lanark County October 1918

from Perth Remembered

Perth Courier, Friday October 18, 1918

MANY ARE ILL WITH INFLUENZA

Perth and District having its share of general epidemicAn epidemic of Spanish influenza is running its course in Perth this week. Friday it commenced in earnest and at present there are people in all parts of the town ill with the malady. While a number have been remaining in bed with heavy colds and are taking due precautions, the majority of people and they number upwards of three hundred, either have a severe attack of old-fashioned grippe or the influenza. The danger with the influenza is the development of pneumonia, but there are few, if any, pneumonia developments so far, but two deaths occurred this week from those who contracted pneumonia following influenza. Local doctors have but few minutes rest. It means practically going day and night.The Board of Health met Friday evening. The four members were present – Dr. Dwyre, Medial Officers of Health, Mayor Hands, and Messrs. C. F. Stone and J. A. Kerr. A report on the prevalence of influenza was given by Dr. Dwyre and the Board ordered that the schools and places of amusement in town be closed until further notice, and the churches be requested to close.

Saturday morning the Board issued the following communication: At a meeting of the Local Board of Health for the Town of Perth, held Oct. 11th, it was decided upon hearing the Report of the Medical Health Officer for the Municipality regarding the prevalence of influenza in the Town, that until further notice:

1. ALL the Schools should be closed.

2. ALL Theatres and Places of Public Amusement should be closed.

3. THE Churches should be requested to discontinue the holding of religious services in the town.

4. ALL public entertainments should be prohibited.

5.AND the Secretary should notify the responsible parties in connection with the above institutions and Places of Entertainment in order that they may govern themselves accordingly.

I have the honor to be Sir, Your obedient servant, JOHN A. KERR, Secretary Local Board of Health.Knox, St. Andrew’s, Asbury and the Baptist church complied with the request and no services were held Sunday, nor Sunday School. And mid-week meetings have not been held and will not be until after the epidemic subsides. St. James Church held 8 o’clock celebration of Holy Communion and the regular morning. St. Johns church just a short service was held in the morning.

Haggart House Perth

The schools have all remained closed this week and the Balderson theatre closed Friday evening and will remain closed until new orders are issued. On Tuesday the Board of Health decided to prepare the Haggart home to accommodate a number of cases and the local branch of the St. John Ambulance Brigade is attending to the nursing requirements of several patients who have been taken there. Miss Elsie Walker of town is in charge. An appeal is made for supplies for the home.

And Perth is not alone seized with the influenza. Throughout the townships there is much sickness and a number of schools have been closed while those open have few pupils in attendance. Lanark, Carleton Place, Almonte and Smiths Falls are all in the throes of the epidemic.

At Lanark in each house where a case has developed the others of the family have been asked to remain at the house and not mingle with other people. Food and all requirements are supplied them by the policeman. This is an effective means of quelling the spread of the epidemic and might be adopted with profit by other places.In Perth three business places are closed this week on account of employers and emplyees being ill and the factories are all running short handed.

Linda KingI remember my mother just had her 6th child and I looked after my other siblings when she came home from hospital and then I came down with the flu and was very sick but I survived!!

October 18 1918 Almonte Gazette

October 18 1918 Almonte Gazette

October 18 1918 Almonte Gazette

October 18 1918 Almonte Gazette

Tragedy in Carleton Place 1919 — Spanish Flu — Trotman Family

Dr. Wood’s Norway Pine Syrup — QUACK MEDICINE Spanish Flu

Myths of History — Germs From a German U Boat Began Spanish Flu 1918

Spanish Flu 1918– Swine May Have to Wear Masks

Stanley Cup Called Off by the Spanish Flu 1919

Spanish Influenza in Lanark County from the Perth Courier — Names Names

Hey Even Journalists Can be Sick! Influenza 1918

More Family Names– Death by Influenza

Death by Influenza 1918- Any Names you Recognize?

They Lived and Died in Lanark County

What was Puking Fever? Child Bed Fever?

Think the Smallpox issue on Outlander was far fetched?

Smallpox in Carleton Place — Did You Know?

The Great White Plague

Remedies and Drugstores 1918

The Winnipeg Tribune
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
12 Oct 1918, Sat  •  Page 9

 

 

 

The Winnipeg Tribune
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
24 Sep 1918, Tue  •  Page

 

Myths of History — Germs From a German U Boat Began Spanish Flu 1918

Spanish Flu 1918– Swine May Have to Wear Masks

Stanley Cup Called Off by the Spanish Flu 1919

Spanish Influenza in Lanark County from the Perth Courier — Names Names

Hey Even Journalists Can be Sick! Influenza 1918

More Family Names– Death by Influenza

Death by Influenza 1918- Any Names you Recognize?

They Lived and Died in Lanark County

What was Puking Fever? Child Bed Fever?

Think the Smallpox issue on Outlander was far fetched?

Smallpox in Carleton Place — Did You Know?

The Great White Plague

Myths of History — Germs From a German U Boat Began Spanish Flu 1918

The Vancouver Sun
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
25 Jul 1957, Thu  •  Page 4

 

The Winnipeg Tribune
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
24 Sep 1918, Tue  •  Page 1

 

 

Did the Germans Start the Fire at the Portland School in 1915?

Was it the Germans Or UFO’s that Invaded the Ottawa Valley in 1915?

Spanish Flu 1918– Swine May Have to Wear Masks

Quad-City Times
Davenport, Iowa
08 Dec 1918, Sun  •  Page 11

Lanark County Pigs on the Wing

Run Pig Run–Shake it Off! Convictions of 1870

When Pigs Fly or Bacon Up is Hard to Do

Tuesday’s Top Lanark County Story- Pigs in Dalhousie Space?

Auctionering Without a License and Pigs on the Loose

“I Like My Chicken Fryin’ Size” said the Pig

Lobster John and Arnold the Pig in Carleton Place

The Solar Eclipse of 1918

Photo Linda Seccaspina Berkeley Ca. 2012

Clipped from The Ottawa Journal,  08 Sep 1905, Fri,  Page 11

Almonte  June 7 1918

The solar eclipse on Saturday evening was the centre of attraction of all those astronomical and otherwise Inclined- , It was rather cloudy about the time the eclipse was taking place. However, some of the clouds passed and about 7 o’clock a
fairly good glimpse was obtainable. Then the disc of the sun was about two-thirds covered. The eclipse; was not a total one from a Canadian viewpoint and the nearest Canadian point of totality was at Victoria, B.C.

 

 

Clipped from The Ottawa Journal,  11 May 1918, Sat,  Page 18

 

Clipped from The Salt Lake Herald-Republican,  08 Jul 1918, Mon,  Page 4

 

 

Photo Linda Seccaspina Berkeley Ca 2012

 

Come and visit the Lanark County Genealogical Society Facebook page– what’s there? Cool old photos–and lots of things interesting to read. Also check out The Tales of Carleton Place.

Information where you can buy all Linda Seccaspina’s books-You can also read Linda in The Townships Sun andScreamin’ Mamas (US

 

I have been writing about downtown Carleton Place Bridge Street for months and this is something I really want to do. Come join me in the Domino’s Parking lot- corner Lake Ave and Bridge, Carleton Place at 11 am Saturday September 16 (rain date September 17) for a free walkabout of Bridge Street. It’s history is way more than just stores. This walkabout is FREE BUT I will be carrying a pouch for donations to the Carleton Place Hospital as they have been so good to me. I don’t know if I will ever do another walking tour so come join me on something that has been on my bucket list since I began writing about Bridge Street. It’s always a good time–trust me.

 

The Hysteria and Overbooking of Hayley’s Comet 1910

From January to June–The Year of Earthquakes 1897

When The Streets of Carleton Place Ran Thick With the Blood of Terror!

When The Streets of Carleton Place Ran Thick With the Blood of Terror!- Volume 1- Part 2

More Family Names– Death by Influenza

 

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.

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.

 

Related Reading

 

Death by Influenza 1918- Any Names you Recognize?

They Lived and Died in Lanark County

What was Puking Fever? Child Bed Fever?

Think the Smallpox issue on Outlander was far fetched?

Smallpox in Carleton Place — Did You Know?

The Great White Plague

I Will Take Some Opium to Go Please —The “Drug Dispensary” at the Chatterton House Hotel

Come and visit the Lanark County Genealogical Society Facebook page– what’s there? Cool old photos–and lots of things interesting to read.

Information where you can buy all Linda Seccaspina’s books-You can also read Linda in Hometown News