DuBois: The Spanish Flu of 1918
From a two-volume anthology, Dubois Where and When
According to the World Book Encyclopedia, one of the worst global epidemics of influenza occurred in 1918-1919. About 20 million people died worldwide, including 500,000 Americans.
The epidemic in our area began in the mining town of Wishaw on 1/1/1918. By October 7th, 56 people out of 375 had died. DuBois's first case was 10/1/1918. All schools, theaters, saloons, poolrooms and churches were closed . . . . Some schools were converted to make-shift hospitals and the Elk's Home opened a nursery to care for children of sick parents. Maple Ave. Hospital and DuBois Hospital arranged isolation areas to care for the sick. A special policeman was hired to patrol the streets and keep people from congregating . . . . . Because some bodies blackened after death, some feared "bubonic plague" or the "black death". Ridgeway posted armed guards to prevent anyone from entering St. Mary's . . . . By the middle of November, there were 4,002 documented cases in DuBois with 122 deaths reported by the DuBois Daily Express. On November 13th, businesses and churches re-opened. One week later, schools and Sunday schools re-opened.
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