100 Years Ago September 1918
The Haddams – The Spanish Flu Hits Connecticut!
Selected from the pages of The Evening Press and lightly annotated by Sally Haase
Haddam, Sept. 3, 1918: Anther proof of the willingness of the people to make sacrifices for the good of the country was the quiet which prevailed on Sunday, only now and then an automobile passed along the state road [in compliance with the president’s request to save fuel for the war effort.]
Hartford, Sept. 5, 1918: Connecticut is called upon for a 100 percent registration of men 18 to 45 years of age, unless previously registered, in a proclamation issued today by Government Holcomb. “Seldom in our history has the fitness of the American people to govern themselves been demonstrated by the promptness, honesty and goodwill with which our young men from21 to 31 years of age complied with the provisions of the first draft. …I call upon all citizens this affected …to bear in mind the high traditions of this commonwealth and add new luster to its proud name, by the fidelity and good spirit which this federal statue is obeyed.”
Middletown, Sept. 7, 1918: Walter L. Main’s big railroad show will show in Middletown Monday, and will arrive here early Sunday morning and pitch tents on the Silver street grounds. It is the first real circus of the season. It will afford Sunday amusement for the small boy and a father who will stroll to the grounds to see how the circus people pass the time when not on active duty. Monday there will be a parade and two exhibitions. The show is a clean one – -a real circus in every respect from the elephant to the bareback rider of olden times.
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Haddam, Sept. 7, 1918: During the month of August, although the ladies have had a busy time in their homes with canning and preserving, there have been sent to Red Cross headquarters 450 surgical dressings, and 469 garments and in the two months of school vacation, the little children have made and sent in 337 little bags for the soldiers kits and 351 packs of gun wipes.
Middletown, Sept. 9, 1918: The campaign to enroll the Jews of Middletown for the development of Palestine as a national Jewish homeland is now underway. Sympathy for the project has been expressed in the highest official circles throughout the country. [The British had just pushed the Turkish Ottoman Empire out of Palestine and Jordan in 1918.]
Haddam, Sept. 10, 1918: The school at the Haddam temporary home opened today. Also, there will be no teacher employed in the Turkey Hill district this year. Arrangements have been made for the transportations of the children to the Center school.
Middlesex County, Sept. 10, 1918: The Community Labor board has started on the task of enrolling Middlesex county’s quota of 685 workers to be transferred from non-war to war production.
East Haddam, Sept. 11, 1918: U.S. surveyors are at work in this vicinity and make their headquarters at River Side Inn.
… Rail shooters are gathering here for the season’s sport and the pushers are in demand. [Does anyone know about the sport of rail shooters?]
Washington, Sept. 13, 1918: Strikers at Bridgeport must either work or fight. This was the threat addressed to them in a telegram from President Wilson. It was the first application of [the administer of the draft] Provost Marshal General Crowder’s, famous work or fight order, and grew out of the refusal of the men to abide by the recent decision in their case by the war labor board. The president called upon them to return to work at once or forfeit their right to deferred classification on the grounds that they are employed in an essential industry.
Hartford, Sept. 18, 1918: Spanish Flu in State. Spanish influenza, that mysterious and rapidly spreading illness, has started an offensive in Connecticut, and the state board of health officials think it quite possible that the disease will become epidemic throughout the state within a few days. The disease first-occurred in this state at the naval training stations in New London, and within three days the number of cases has grown to several hundred. Ambulances are in constant use carrying sufferers to their homes or to hospitals and the armory has been pressed into service as a hospital.
Higganum, Sept. 19, 1918: A large number of people gathered at the school house to welcome the French military band as it came through town. Different bells about town were rung and the school children threw flowers as they passed along. A sum of money was raised for the purpose of purchasing cigars to give them. They were escorted into Middletown by First Selectman Charles Carlson and party. A large number of American and French flags were displayed along the way.
Middletown, Sept. 18, 1918: Middletown gave the French military band, which is touring the United States, a rousing welcome this noon, despite the rain. The crowds began to gather early, hundreds of people coming from out of town. Practically all the factories in town closed down at noon in order to give their employees a chance to see and hear the heroes. French flags were everywhere in evidence.
Hartford, Sept. 19, 1918: Flu Spreading Fast. There are already several hundred cases of the so-called Spanish influenza in New London. The epidemic is spreading rapidly and Dr. Black, of the Connecticut commission on public health, believes it will reach Hartford and other sections of the state within the next few days.
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Middletown, Sept. 21, 1918: The Middlesex County hospital is to receive nine “war-volunteer” pupil nurses immediately for training. It is a gratification to know that our training school is recognized by the highest authorities as equal to any in the country, and that nurses may go from our hospital to any army camp in Europe or America, without further training or examination.
Higganum, Sept. 24, 1918: Mrs. A.B. Johnson received word, that her son Hilmar was quite ill with pneumonia at Camp Upton. His sister, Mrs. Carl Johnson and her husband left last night to see him.
Camp Devens, Mass., Sept. 25, 1918: There was a big falling off in the number of influenza cases reported at the base hospital. Today’s record shows 274 new cases admitted up to noon.
100 years ago, much has changed and, then again, nothing has changed.
