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One hundred years ago, in September 1918, the front page of the Daily Star was filled with information on the progress of the Allies and the defeats of Germany during the First World War. in France. The Fredericksburg Agricultural Fair was scheduled to open on September 24th. Everything seemed to be going well.
But, on the 20th, news began to appear, dug into the biggest stories. They would persist and increase in prevalence, in the same way as the insidious virus that was responsible for it: the 1918 influenza pandemic. Before being completed, one third of the world's population would be affected and between 50 and 100 million killed, more than killed in the "war to end all wars".
Elliot Brooks wrote to Camp Lee's home, telling his family that over 500 men had the flu and were quarantined. Some have referred to the flu as the old "flu", which has been called "Spanish flu" because it was there that it was widely reported in the spring. The first flu wave was widespread but the least lethal; the world was about to experience the second and deadliest of the three waves (the third would follow in the spring of 1919).
The army first tried to minimize the impact of the flu – which started between the troops and spread to civilians – not to hurt morale. In the same issue of the newspaper that printed Brooks' letter and indicated that flu on the east coast was now widespread, an army official said the health of the soldiers was good both at home and abroad . Another official said the flu had been sent here by German submarines, who may have picked up passengers from the ships they torpedoed, vaccinated them against the flu, and then handed them over to the allies. .
On the eve of the opening of the fair, an editorial warned locals to pay attention and monitor sneezing, although there have been "few cases" of flu reported here. He assured people that great care had been taken to maintain sanitary conditions at the exhibition grounds. On the same day, the city's schools announced that they had closed for the remainder of the week due to a "number of cases" of influenza and asked Mayor Rowe to close all the places of entertainment of the city. The mayor has folded the same day, although he has quickly changed the order to only apply to children under 16 years of age.
The fairgrounds were located in Spotsylvania County, and a crowd of 7,000 people was estimated on the second day of the fair. Although people were concerned about the germs and the newspaper reported traffic jams on the railways due to the movement of heavy troops, the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac railroads still offered discounted tickets for the fair. . A "good watering" of officers and boys from neighboring camps was present in uniform. In the end, this may not have been important. The flu was about to spread like wildfire all over the country, and the "death-defying plane thefts" of the fair, the mid-term competitions and many would be the last amusements of the people during a time.
September 25 was the date when the ability to destroy the flu became known. The army reported 5,234 new cases in the last 24 hours, 644 cases of pneumonia and 155 deaths, for a total of 29,000 men with influenza. Gravely Dunn, 17, from the top of Princess Anne Street, died of pneumonia after the flu, as most of the victims who succumbed.
Although at the time people did not know that the flu was caused by a virus, the theory of germs was accepted. Editorial after editorial urged Fredericksburgers to exercise great caution, like avoiding coughing or sneezing on someone. Interestingly, many other precautions have also been taken, such as removing waste and opening windows.
The idea that the air is the culprit still exists in the nineteenth century; On September 27th, the Opera Theater Leader assured guests not to alarm and explained exactly how his air was flowing and was being replaced. This would be the last announcement to run until November; the next day, the mayor reissued his order to close all public places, including churches, for all ages. The majority of deaths were in the 20 to 40 age group.
Because of its effects as a "stimulant", the supply of confiscated alcohol from the city was requested to help the sick by the post commander in Quantico, Brig. Gen Dean. (Alcohol was illegal in Virginia at the time.) The next day, Dean wrote to thank Judge Goolrick, assuring that the gift was already being used to fight the disease. Dean himself would die nine days later.
On September 30, the Star reported that few families had escaped the disease and that doctors were traveling day and night. Half of the Star's bearers were hit; so many employees knew that it was difficult to publish the newspaper. It would only get worse in October.
Congress has allocated $ 1 million to fight the flu. Banks started closing at noon. The YWCA war conference was postponed; Red Cross meetings have been interrupted. The "Newsy Nuggets", a chronicle devoted mainly to the comings and goings of people, now only report patients. Many deaths have been reported.
The army has continued to report an impressive number of new cases: 14,000 in the last 24 hours, then the disease appeared to slow down – only 13,000 new cases. A few days later, 17,000 new cases.
In the nation's capital, employees indicated that they worked on a phased schedule to avoid hustling on trams and trains. The Supreme Court convened on October 8 to adjourn the next day. People who could easily afford medical care could not get help, and many could not even get the treatment. Fifty soldiers were sent on a special detail to dig graves; coffins were weak.
All the while, people were still being asked to drop off items at the Red Cross centers and to contribute to the fourth freedom loan, although all the parades were canceled. The flu was not an excuse: C.W. Jones, of Fredericksburg, issued an announcement proudly proclaiming "flu or no flu," 100% of his employees had registered. The war was about to end, but it was not over yet.
At the beginning of November, the German war effort was out of breath and it seemed like it was the flu. On November 7, articles were leaked about the November 11 armistice, and the following day The Leader Theater published an announcement announcing, "The flu has taken off." Two days later, all the churches resumed their services; the next day was the day of the armistice. Those who were able to go out participated in the parade of the victory of November 13th.
In the last 19 months, people have worked for the war effort, lived with less food and cried missing loved ones. It must be hard for them to believe that the last weeks of this great conflict leading to a victory, many others would die of an illness. Yet, in the weeks following the armistice day, Fredericksburgers continued to donate to the last United War Work Fund and rejoice in Thanksgiving and the daily pleasures of life.
Wendy Migdal, Professor at Ni River Middle School, in Spotsylvania County, is a freelance writer in Fredericksburg.
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