Focus on the 1918 Flu Pandemic in Erie, PA

What was it like in Erie, Pennsylvania, during the 1918 pandemic (Spanish Flu, H1N1 virus, influenza)? Well, now that we can browse the Erie Daily Times online from the late 1800s to present, we can get a pretty good idea. Accessed through NewsBank and the Erie County Public Library, nearly 40 newspaper articles referencing influenza from late September through the end of the year 1918 are curated and summarized below. 

These articles illuminate how a community in northwest Pennsylvania, lived through the 1918 pandemic. Most people who died did so within two weeks of falling ill. It’s interesting to note that no mention of wearing masks was found in the articles. Also, like today, many people were resistant to restrictions and closings.

In the summaries below, read about the courageous woman doctor who cared for the sick and then died of the disease; the mother and child who perished within two days of one another, and some prominent citizens who succumbed to the virus. You’ll also find some interesting statistics from the Erie area, throughout the state, and around the world.

9/21/1918 – p. 9 “Find New Organism in Search for Germ of Spanish Influenza” 

In New York, bacteriologists at the department of health discovered a new organism related to the Spanish Influenza. The article reported that 18 new cases had been reported in Erie in the past twenty four hours with 47 reported the day before. 

10/8/1918 – p. 1 “County Has a Thousand Cases of Flu”

Fifty new cases were reported the previous day. There were a total of 300 active cases in the city of Erie and 600 in Corry, while Waterford had only 10 or 15. The west county was entirely free of the flu. The city health officer, Dr. J. W. Wright, cautioned residents to “exercise the greatest care in protecting themselves.” He also warned them to “keep their heads and use plenty of good old fashioned commonsense, but above all things, don’t get panicky.” The health authorities asked that households be prepared to donate linens to the hospitals and for businesses to be prepared to offer their buildings as overflow hospitals. Many businesses and other public places had been closed by order of the health department, but in North East, saloons were running full blast. So far, no deaths had been reported in the city or county and health authorities thought they had the situation under control.

10/9/1918 – p. 4 “All Wholesale Liquor Stores Close Tonight”

As all wholesale liquor stores were closing, liquors could only be obtained with a doctor’s orders at drug stores. 

10/10/1918 – p. 1 “Prominent Man Victim of the Dread Malady”

Having been ill for a week, with his wife by his bedside, Charles Dupuy Spencer, whose father, William, was president of First National Bank, died at age 32. Charles had been the bank’s cashier, and had served in the Great War as a lieutenant, decorated for bravery by General Pershing. He volunteered with the Erie Boys’ Club and had been a member of the YMCA and Park Presbyterian Church, where he was a member of the board of trustees. “Chappy” contracted the disease while attending a conference in Chicago two weeks earlier. His wife, the former Mary Weimer, was now gravely ill and being cared for at their home, next door to Charles’ parents who lived at 519 Sixth Street (now a bed and breakfast).

10/10/1918 – p. 8 “Charles D. Spencer”

One of the first Erie residents to die from Spanish Influenza, Charles Spencer, 32, was already a prominent member of society in Erie. In addition to his wife, Mary, he was survived by his parents, three brothers, and two sisters. Although Mary was also very ill with the flu, she survived and moved back to Pittsburgh. Community-minded like her husband, she volunteered with several civic and charitable organizations. 

10/11/1918 – p. 1 “Flu Spreads to County; Two Deaths”

With two new deaths, the total now stood at six. Twenty-six new cases were reported and the virus was especially active in the east county, while it seemed to be abating in the city. There was worry that with cases increasing in the county, crop harvests could be affected. The public was cautioned to look for signs of a cold and that pneumonia and death could follow. 

10/15/1918 – p. 14 “Death Claims C. E. Morehouse”

Ill for only six days, Charles E. Morehouse died of influenza at St. Vincent Hospital. He was 48 years old and was employed by the Pennsylvania Railroad. He left behind his wife, three daughters, and a grandson.

10/17/1918 – p. 14 “300,000 Cases of Influenza in PA”

With 300,000 cases of the flu in Pennsylvania, Acting State Health Commissioner B. F. Royer declared that the most critical need was for nurses to go out into the communities affected. 

10/19/1918 – p. 5 “10,086 Deaths in this State”

The number of deaths so far that month from influenza equaled the usual number of deaths in the commonwealth from all causes. The town of Wampum, population 1,000 had 200 cases. In New Kensington, church services were ordered cancelled. In Beaver, court was cancelled. In some communities schools were closed. In New Castle, the country club was being used as an emergency hospital. Several local soldiers died at camp.

10/21/1918 – p. 2 “Death Puts End to Wedding Plan”

Bessie Brown, age 20, was to have been married to J. Henry Buck on Thanksgiving Day. Bessie had been living with her aunts since her parents died some years before. She was a member of the Erie High class of 1917, and the obituary described her as, “one of the most charming young women of the city, of high ideals and fine character.”

10/30/1918 – p. 5 “Sad Death of Chas. Barney”

Charles C. Barney of Greene Township was 31 years old and left behind a heartbroken wife and two children. He was described as a popular young man in the community who would be missed by a wide circle of friends.

10/31/1918 – p. 4 “Flu Gaining by Leaps in City Report”

During the previous 24-hour period, 225 new cases of influenza and 13 deaths caused by flu were reported to the local board of health. It was the largest number of deaths in a 24-hour period yet in the area. The official statement from the board of health read, “People are again reminded that social gatherings, large or small, are forbidden for their own good. A few hours of pleasure will not compensate any of them for a week or two of influenza or possibly the loss of life.”

The closing of public places mandated by the state and the district physician, Dr. J. W. Wright stated that saloons, movie theaters, churches, and schools would remain closed. Corry was permitted to reopen its churches. Apparently, soda fountain and ice cream parlors were allowed to remain open, but they were strongly warned to sterilize dishes by boiling them between every customer.

Citizens were volunteering their time cooking for invalids and Erie women were serving as nurses and aids in the hospitals, many having taken a Red Cross course in nursing.

11/6/1918 – p. 4 “May Lift Flu Ban Sunday Royer Hints”

The acting state health commissioner had planned to reopen the county that Friday, but was concerned about the 187 new cases and 13 deaths in one day. Subsequent to that, there was a decrease in new cases, and so he was considering opening the county two days later. Meanwhile, both Hamot and St. Vincent hospitals were filled to capacity and the emergency hospital was nearly so.

11/11/1918 – p. 14 “Obituary—Fred C. O’Camb”

“Every possible medical aid, together with the loving care of his family was lavished upon the cheerful and patient sufferer but for all that it could not stay the hand of the Grim Reaper, who has no respect for persons.” Fred was 45 years old and had worked at Erie Malleable Iron Co. for 23 years. He left behind his wife and children, including two sons serving in the Great War, who could not be reached to be notified of their father’s death.

11/14/1918 – p. 4 “Blame Increase of Flu on Celebration”

In Pittsburgh, the celebration of the end of the war was responsible for a 100 percent increase in the new cases of influenza in that city. At the same time, the city was reopening its schools that morning. 

11/19/1918 – p. 11 “Funds Needed Fight ‘Flu’ in City Hospitals”

Many nurses were ill and the rest were overworked. Hamot Hospital had nearly exhausted its funds through fighting the flu. Since the previous morning, 379 new cases of the flu were reported in the city.

11/20/1918 – p. 19 “Herman Kloeffler is Claimed by Death”

A well-known man of the city, Herman Kloeffler was stricken with influenza, which turned into pneumonia. Kloeffler, age 35, was a foreman at Hammermill Paper Company, “enjoying the confidence of his employer and the esteem of his employees.” He was survived by his wife, the former Mary Schroeck, daughter of a well-known contractor, and four children.

11/23/1918 – p. 3 “Death Summons Erie Physician”

“Dr. Margaret Allen Judge died at Hamot Hospital last evening of influenza, after heroic service during the epidemic—profession has lost valuable member.” Dr. Judge had wanted to serve overseas to help take care of the war wounded, but was persuaded to stay home, where her burden was made heavier by “the absence of so many of her profession called to war service.” She was about to take a vacation when the influenza crisis hit the city. Friends urged her to take at least a day off, but she refused, “I should feel like a soldier running away from the field of battle did I desert my patients when they needed me.” 

Dr. Judge was trained at Jefferson College in Philadelphia and practiced in Boston before returning to Erie eight years before her death. “Her magnetic personality, her genial kindliness and her unflagging patience made her the ideal physician and her keen wit, her broad knowledge and her vital interest in world happenings made her a most agreeable companion and a cherished friend.” This young heroine was just 37 years old and left behind her parents in Oil City and several siblings. 

11/30/1918 – p. 3 “200 New Cases Influenza Today”

The health department was preparing to placard houses throughout the city where cases of influenza had been reported on order of Thomas Mehaffey, director of public safety. A strict quarantine was in place for anyone suffering from the disease until cleared by their physician. Many citizens wondered why this hadn’t been done earlier, but Acting State Health Commissioner Dr. B. F. Royer had advised against it. 

12/2/1918 – p. 7 “70 New Cases Flu, 7 Deaths”

The 70 new cases marked an improvement over the 179 new cases reported the previous Saturday. The health department was out in force placarding the homes of the afflicted in the city.

12/3/1918 – p. 1 “Deaths”

Although the obituary does not mention influenza, an examination of their death certificates reveals this for both a mother and daughter. Catherine Theresa Lechler, age two, died of influenza on December 1, 1918, and on December 3, her mother, Theresa Lechler, age 27, wife of William, died of the same disease. 

12/4/1918 – p. 4 “Attempt to Renew ‘Flu’ Ban Failed”

There was much disagreement at a Council of National Defense meeting on whether or not closings should be reinstated, with retailers nervous about not making their forecasted holiday sales. Schools were experiencing 10-percent absenteeism, either because of the virus, or the fear of it. 

Doctors were not forthcoming with information about which homes should be placarded, instead blaming overcrowded streetcars and men going to work in manufacturing. Two resolutions that were passed left the ban decision with the Erie County Medical Society, the Board of Health, and City Council and decided that a vigorous education campaign should start immediately.

12/4/1918 – p. 7 “Doctors Must Make Reports on Cases of ‘Flu’”

If doctors didn’t start coughing up names, the director of public safety threatened to seek a city ordinance compelling them to do so. Forty-three cases of influenza and nine deaths had been reported in the two hours leading up to press time. The argument for placarding homes of the afflicted was to keep them in quarantine and slow the virus.

12/6/1918 – p. 18 “Remobilizing Industry for Peace Conditions”

This was an advertisement for the December 7, 1918, edition of The Literary Digest” which listed the table of contents, including an article entitled, “Is Influenza a Chinese Plague?” An examination of the article revealed that a medical doctor, Capt. James Joseph King of the US Army Medical Corps claimed in The Medical Record that the plague taken to France by 200,000 Chinese unskilled laborers bore a similarity to the influenza virus. 

In early 1917, the laborers were “collected” from Northern China and sent to France. In March 1918, they were in the rear of the lines during the German Drive and this was thought to  explain the outbreak in the German army and its rapid spread in Spain. 

12/6/1918 – p. 19 “A Good Preventative for Spanish Influenza”

In 1918, it was sometimes not readily apparent that an “article” was actually an advertisement. In this particular case, an unnamed Erie physician recommended a product called “Pheno-Septol” as an influenza preventative. The advertisement also claimed that medical authorities, hospitals, bacteriologists considered Pheno-Septol a “true germicide” that destroyed most deadly germs. It then urged the reader to buy a 25-cent bottle ($4.31 today) and use as directed to “keep yourself free from Spanish Influenza, grip and throat troubles.” 

In 1931, the product was condemned for misbranding and having no antiseptic and germicidal properties when used as directed. It consisted of phenol (a chemical made from coal tar requiring careful handling because it could cause chemical burns), salicylate (aspirin is made from this), borate (a mineral), alcohol, potassium salt, flavoring materials (benzaldehyde, which has an almond odor), and an “orange-colored dye.” 

12/6/1918 – p. 22 “Says Cold Weather Brings Return of Influenza”

In this “article” it’s not apparent until the very bottom with the small indication “Adv” that the article is just that. It starts out by discussing what the title suggests and then segues into how breathing in the medicated air of Hyomel can stop the virus in a person’s nose and throat. It’s usual use was for colds and coughs, and its main ingredient was 12-percent alcohol.

12/7/1918 – p. 9 “Shop Early Plea of Health Boss”

The acting state health commissioner, B. F. Royer, advised everyone to start shopping “early” and urged merchants to cooperate by displaying their holiday items earlier than usual. By today’s standards, mid-December would be unthinkably late. Royer said, “Influenza is spreading largely by droplets caused by sneezing, coughing and spitting, and it is a disease spread in crowds and poorly ventilated places.”

12/7/1918 – p. 2 “Report 68 New Cases of Flu; Only 3 Deaths”

Double this amount had been reported the day before. Indications were that, at least, the situation was not getting worse.

12/10/1918 – p. 7 “20 New Cases of Flu are Reported”

This was the smallest report in many days, which was encouraging, but it was wondered if perhaps doctors were simply too busy to report all of their cases. 

12/10/1918 – p. 6 “Sad Death of Mrs. W. J. Schaaf”

Mrs. Rosemary Farley Schaaf, wife of William J. Schaaf, was only 29 years old when she died of complications from the flu. She had just given birth to her son, William Joseph Schaaf, Jr. two weeks prior. Rosemary’s son would have made her proud.

William Jr. grew up to become a captain in the Army Air Corps during WWII, flying 30 raids over Germany. Schaaf was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal. He then graduated from the Cornell University School of Law and became a partner in the law firm of Marsh, Spaeder, Baur, Spaeder & Schaaf. He died in 2011. 

12/10/1918 – p. 1 “Death Toll of Influenza, U.S. Camps, 10,000”

There were 338,257 cases of influenza in the US Army camps during the year and approximately 10,000 deaths.

12/12/1918 – p. 6 “Flu Situation Improved Over November Report”

There were 1,200 new cases reported in the first part of December vs. 1,400 for the first 11 days of November. Only 26 cases had been reported through noon that day with 47 reported the day before. Two deaths were reported. 

12/17/1918 – p. 11 “Health Boards Lifts ‘Flu’ Ban”

The influenza ban imposed on the commonwealth on November 7 by order of the state health authorities was lifted the previous day. Although it had been a statewide ban, about 200 businessmen in the area were successful at having an injunction placed against the order. It seemed that only church funerals had been affected by the ban.

12/20/1918 – p. 17 “6,000,000 Dead from Influenza”

A medical correspondent for the Times in London estimated that 6 million people perished from the flu during the past three months. By contrast the war had caused 20 million deaths in four-and-a-half years. 

This made influenza five times deadlier than the war, because if influenza continued for the same amount of time, its toll would be 100 million. “Never since the black death has such a plague swept over the world, he says, adding that the need of a new survey of public health measures has never been more forcibly illustrated.”

12/21/1918 – p. 9 “Board of Health is Issuing Vaccine”

The local board of health started issuing the Rosenow vaccine to physicians free of charge. Doctors were required to make reports to determine if there was any value to it.

12/27/1918 – p. 5 “Community Sing Sunday at Park Theater”

A “Victory Community Sing” took place, the first of the weekly sings in several months because of influenza. A record crowd of 1,200 was expected to pack the theater the following week.

12/28/1918 – p. 11 “Flu Situation Well in Hand” 

Only 15 cases and 3 deaths had been reported in the previous 24-hour period. “There is every indication that the disease has run itself out.” Because the medical community members still weren’t sure what caused influenza, they cautioned that it could return. 

12/30/1918 – 8 “The Mystery of Influenza”

At first the medical community thought the flu passed only from person to person. Then, because a remote village had contracted it and had only seen the mailman, who wasn’t ill, they thought it could have been transmitted from the letters. They now believed that it traveled through the air and spread fastest where people congregated and occupied the same sleeping quarters. This explained why it spread so fast through the military. The article advised, “We should all live out door lives so far as we can and keep in physical condition such that we can resist disease.”