1918-1919 flu epidemic

At this unusual time of the coronavirus pandemic, it seems timely to reflect on how the flu pandemic impacted our relatives a century ago.

Some of my grandparents lost infant siblings. Daniel and Blanche Woodland's baby daughter Iza, six months old, died in May 1918 in Idaho. And redheaded John Sorensen Welch died at just four days old in January 1919, in New Zealand.

Wally Cramer had a first wife Fay, who died young from rheumatic heart issues, contracted as a toddler during the flu epidemic. And Anna Cramer decided to become a nurse because she was just five years old old  during this crisis, and watched her grandpa William Ira Hatch die in the flu epidemic.

Fay

Nurse Anna

For much of his adult life William Hatch served as a bishopric member or bishop, presiding during the time of the flu epidemic. William nursed his entire family back to health in 1918, but contracted the flu himself the next year and died from complications that led to spinal meningitis. He was buried without a public funeral due to the epidemic (an informal funeral was held in the yard). An inactive neighbor came to view his body, looked into William’s face for a long time, then said: “There lies the best damn man that ever lived.” He was 61, in January of 1919, when he passed away.

William in 1918 shortly before his death

The flu not only killed her daughter Iza, it nearly did Blanche and her next child, son D. Platt, in as well. Here's how she put it: "However, the joy [of his birth] was soon to be marred as at that time an epidemic of flu was raging, and I had contracted it. My dear little baby, as well as myself, were in dreadful pain and caused no little concern. My sister, Unita, a trained nurse, was waiting on me, and Dr. Roy was our doctor. My husband was very busy as everyone seemed to be in trouble, and he was called out a great deal. When he came home that evening, he was met by the doctor, who informed him that my condition was very serious, also the condition of the baby was not satisfactory, and he was desirous of having other professional help. Dr. Rich of Ogden was decided upon and was sent for. When he arrived, he like the others, shook his head. All of this, of course, I had no part in.

Word had spread of my serious condition, and my friends were greatly concerned, especially the Primary Stake Board of which I was counselor. Those were days that my family will never forget. My husband watched over me day and night. The Elders came often, and everyone was helping in the struggle. Fast and prayer meetings were held for me. When I would get to a place where it would seem that I couldn't go on, my husband would take me by the hand and repeat the hymn "O My Father" and others and the blackness would disappear. On the third day it seemed that nothing would help. My husband left the room and went across the field to a quiet clump of trees and there in the snow knelt down and asked the Lord for help. While praying, something said to him to go to the Stake Office (though it was the wee hours of the morning) and ask the Stake Presidency to come to the house and whatever blessing they promised would be granted. He could hardly go fast enough to the Stake Office where they were busy working on the stake reports. They came to the house and administered to me. President Gibbs sealed the blessing and pronounced that I would get well and not only live to raise my family but would have other children and would be a useful instrument in the hands of the Lord in working among the Youth of Zion. I was too ill to realize what was being said, but my husband was hanging on every word. When the brethren had concluded, the darkness was lifted. A change came both to me and my baby, and in a few days to the astonishment of the physicians, we were out of danger."

Blanche and baby D Platt Woodland