Spanish Influenza: Same song second verse?

Emergency Regulations providing for, among other things, the closing of schools, theaters and places of public amusement and prohibiting public gatherings upon the outbreak of influenza in any Montana community were promulgated Monday October 10, 1918, by Secretary W.F,. Cogswell of the State Board of Health. Governor Stewart and Attorney General Ford approved of the regulations stated Helena newspapers. 

The Philipsburg Mail announced: “Notice was published that all public places were closed due to the Spanish Influenza. Dr. W.I. Powers naming this an epidemic issued orders that all public places be closed until further notice. The schools were closed October 10th as was the McDonald Theater and the order also affected the churches"

The Mail goes on to state: “More than 100 cases of the dreaded Spanish influenza has been reported to the Philipsburg Health Officer, (Dr.) W.I. Power since the disease first made it’s appearance and he has issued orders to close all places of meetings, including the schools, churches, and even the public phone exchange…The influenza has already claimed two victims here and it is absolutely necessary that every one take all due caution and use all preventative measures to eradicate this menace to the community. 

“A matter of vital importance” headlined the article October 18th, describing local conditions in reference to the influenza epidemic as extremely serious. The physicians were taxed to the utmost to answer an unusual number of calls for their service and because a dearth of experienced nurses and similar aid it was absolutely necessary that each person co-operate with them in stamping out this disease as rapidly as possible. Strict orders had been given by the Board of Health that congregating for any purpose whatever must stop and the anti-spitting ordinance would be enforced to the letter. Gauze masks were being supplied by the Red Cross chapter and those person’s whose occupation exposed them to influenza were instructed to avail themselves of this article of prevention. For a mask call the Red Cross or Mrs. M.C. Ross. 

Dead from pneumonia was C. Dormet, who had arrived in Philipsburg, from Utah a month before to work in the mill. William Graham of Drummond was rushed to the Missoula hospital, on the evening of the October 17, but died in route. Also, Leland Lacey, who came to Philipsburg, from Hayden Lake, Idaho, about a month ago, became ill a short time ago and died October 17. The ages of these three young men were not given. 

Mrs. John Hickey (Effie May), succumbed to pneumonia on October 14, after an illness of a weeks duration, which began as the Spanish influenza. She was twenty three years old. The influenza epidemic continued and by November 9 had claimed the life of Harry Parfitt Jr., a thirty four year old married man with a ten month old son. Bob Wrightson, died the day of the Mail, publication and the funeral would be planned when word was received from his sister in Salt Lake. Influenza claimed the life of Leslie Bates, of Hall, while being treated in the Missoula hospital. Malcolm McLean died of influenza, in Butte, after moving there from Philipsburg, a short time ago. Services were held in Butte with interment in the Philipsburg cemetery. 

Miles John, infant son of Ralph and Sue (McDonald) Williams, also succumbed to the influenza at the age of two and one half months, October 31.. George J. Egge, aged thirty four years and Mrs. Lucille (Perraut) McClellan, thirty one years old were victims of the influenza and pneumonia the past week. Egge’s body was to be shipped to North Dakota, accompanied by his sister. Mrs. Egge would also accompany the body if she was well enough to travel, according to the Philipsburg Mail, November 22, 1918. 

Two more Granite county residents died by mid November: Twenty seven year old, Hadley Morrison, a rancher in the lower valley who was survived by a wife and two small babies. The other victim was Mrs. Vera Mae (Hughes) Bowles, also twenty seven years of age and the mother of Maxine and Bernard. 

E.P. Rule, of Hall, died from pneumonia secondary to influenza, at the Butte hospital on November 30. His son Elisha was also stricken and his condition continued to be serious. He was survived by his wife, son Elisha age twenty one and daughter Della, age six. 

This pandemic was happening as the world was fighting in World War I, food was rationed, everyone was solicited to meet War Bond Campaign goals and there was no hospital in Granite County. The only difference from the situation today is every able bodied person was ordered to work because all the young men were off fighting the war.