A Look Back...
Society Friends and Members:
Barbara Pries, who writes the monthly feature on "Sandwich Happening from the Past" .... from our collection of the Sandwich Reporter, has written an interesting piece on the influenza outbreak over one hundred years ago. And now......a look into our past.... (thank you Barbara!!)
The Influenza of 1918-1919 in Sandwich, NH
Notes from The Sandwich Reporter
Commonly, though inaccurately, referred to as the Spanish Flu, the influenza outbreak of 1918 and 1919 was a lethal outbreak of the H1N1 virus. A thorough article in the Sandwich Historical Society's 91st Excursion, written by D. Bruce Montgomery, gives a good summary of the virus and its effects. The following are some excerpts from The Sandwich Reporter during that time period. The first Reporter references to the influenza were to Camp Devens enlistees in May of 1918. There was a quick change of tone from preparing for the Sandwich Fair and the Grange fair in September, then October 10th had a headline for how to prepare for the raging influenza, including not being in groups of more than ten people at a time, as well as a list of students sent home from private schools, and the known sick. Then, in November, it was back to business as usual. The Excursion article lists 13 confirmed influenza deaths in Sandwich in 1918. Other Reporter article references are included here to help give a feeling of the year of war and changing technology - due to length, most references are summarized.
January 1918
Horse races were held at Dinsmore Pond, the Gateway to Sandwich Notch.
The Sandwich owned phone company joined the regional Carroll County Phone Company.
February 1918
Henry Ford vacated a block of office and manufacturing space on Pennsylvania Ave in DC, turning it into government office space in the course of a week.
April 1918
Congress has passed the Sedition Bill which makes it a crime to criticize the President and any member of his cabinet, but one can say any old thing about any member of Congress.
May 1918
From about 30,000 soldiers at Camp Devens, the 1,000 bed hospital was filled. There was separately a two week quarantine for all new enlistees due to influenza risk. The writer said the 'boys' here are cheerful and have learned to live in difficult circumstances. The writer was 'inspired' by some lectures, including "The Cure for Un-Americanism".
June 1918
Pine Blister Rust lecture in Conway.
August 1918
Complaints that the federal government had insisted farmers plant more wheat for military use, and that labor would be sent to plant and harvest. The help was sent for planting, then called back, leaving too much for the farmers to harvest themselves, so they will not be paid, regular crops weren't grown, and the soldiers will not have the wheat.
September 1918
The Employment Service will start recruiting women for manufacturing and other jobs held by men, so the men can be called to war without losing business.
One of our summer residents, Miss Mabel Sturgis of Manchester, Mass, has recently shown her appreciation of our town by making a gift of War Savings Stamps to the value of $100. The stamps have been filed with the Trustees of the Trust Funds and at its maturity are to be used for schools if needed, if not, for roads. Miss Sturgis is now in France doing refugee work.
Planning is in progress for the Grange fair and Sandwich Fairs in October, readers reminded to get their exhibit contributions ready.
October 3
Work was done on the bushes of the fair grounds to prepare it.
The Plymouth Fair was ordered closed.
David Peaslee claims to have dug one hundred potatoes out of one hill.
Cupid has been quite busy at North Sandwich of late with good results. We had much rather hear of this than of the Spanish plague which brings fear and unrest.
On account of the prevailing epidemic which is raging everywhere, the schools are closed.
October 10
The heartfelt sympathy of this part of Carroll County along with the rest of the state, goes out to stricken Berlin which is suffering, as the Berlin Reporter says, "with the worst plague in its history," refering to the widespread epidemic of the Spanish Influenza.
October 17
Obituary of William V. Hussey ... the news of his death was a thunderbolt from a clear sky. He was married last July 4th to Miss Conner of West Ossipee... On the morning of Aug 27, he left home with a number of Ossipee boys for Camp Devens. While in training at this camp he became a victim of the dreadful epidemic that is sweeping the country."
Two weeks ago, Louis Douglas of South Eaton, who was called to service the latter part of August, was brought to his home here for burial, he having been a victim of the prevailing epidemic.
Miss Bernice Burrows is at home from Laconia High School for a few weeks. The school is closed on account of the epidemic.
There are several new cases of the epidemic in the past week. Among the victims of the disease are: Edward Gilman and family, George Gilman, Raymound Steele and family, Mrs. Katharine Blackey, Mrs. Fred Burrows, Arthur Avery's family, Mrs. Stella Blumburg, Mildred Blanchard and Willam Taylor's family.
Mr. Wilbur Quimby is thought to be gaining a little. Rosalie is now quite sick with the same. We should all be very thankful that this fever that is taking hold upon so many may pass our dwelling.
From DC: The influenza epidemic had had a tendency to delay the program of the sub-committee on Americanization, owing to the compulsory closing of the schools and the order prohibiting gatherings of more than ten persons.
October 10 – A front page ad displayed how to avoid the flue and care for those who have it.
The Board of Health of North Conway has decided to keep the ban on schools, movies, churches and other gatherings for another week.
Red Cross calls on everyone to wear gauze masks around the ill, you can get them from the Red Cross or any doctor for free.
There is so much sickness around town that it would be impossible to give a correct list, but among those who are sick are the following: Lewis D. Garland and family, Stuart and Emily Heard, Walter Burrows, Georgie Gault, Mrs. John Tilton, Mrs. Arthur Corliss, Paul Hanson, Natt Burrows, Mrs. Julia Watson and Miss Cordelia Sherman. Although there are many cases, there are not many seriously sick.
The Library will be closed until Oct. 19, on account of the prevailing epidemic.
Miss Louisa Moulton returned from Unionville, Conn. for a brief stay or until the prevailing epidemic is under control.
October 31
Schools have reopened, summer people who escaped back here are leaving again, and the sick are improving.
In Conway, the influenza is leaving behind a sad record of bereavement.
November 7
Linwood Bickford, youngest son of Mr. ad Mrs. George Bickford died after an illness of a few days with influenza. He was fifteen years old. The body was brought back to Center Sandwich for burial.
November 14
All appeared back to usual in print, with concerts, gatherings, and notes about weather.
Barbara Pries, who writes the monthly feature on "Sandwich Happening from the Past" .... from our collection of the Sandwich Reporter, has written an interesting piece on the influenza outbreak over one hundred years ago. And now......a look into our past.... (thank you Barbara!!)
The Influenza of 1918-1919 in Sandwich, NH
Notes from The Sandwich Reporter
Commonly, though inaccurately, referred to as the Spanish Flu, the influenza outbreak of 1918 and 1919 was a lethal outbreak of the H1N1 virus. A thorough article in the Sandwich Historical Society's 91st Excursion, written by D. Bruce Montgomery, gives a good summary of the virus and its effects. The following are some excerpts from The Sandwich Reporter during that time period. The first Reporter references to the influenza were to Camp Devens enlistees in May of 1918. There was a quick change of tone from preparing for the Sandwich Fair and the Grange fair in September, then October 10th had a headline for how to prepare for the raging influenza, including not being in groups of more than ten people at a time, as well as a list of students sent home from private schools, and the known sick. Then, in November, it was back to business as usual. The Excursion article lists 13 confirmed influenza deaths in Sandwich in 1918. Other Reporter article references are included here to help give a feeling of the year of war and changing technology - due to length, most references are summarized.
January 1918
Horse races were held at Dinsmore Pond, the Gateway to Sandwich Notch.
The Sandwich owned phone company joined the regional Carroll County Phone Company.
February 1918
Henry Ford vacated a block of office and manufacturing space on Pennsylvania Ave in DC, turning it into government office space in the course of a week.
April 1918
Congress has passed the Sedition Bill which makes it a crime to criticize the President and any member of his cabinet, but one can say any old thing about any member of Congress.
May 1918
From about 30,000 soldiers at Camp Devens, the 1,000 bed hospital was filled. There was separately a two week quarantine for all new enlistees due to influenza risk. The writer said the 'boys' here are cheerful and have learned to live in difficult circumstances. The writer was 'inspired' by some lectures, including "The Cure for Un-Americanism".
June 1918
Pine Blister Rust lecture in Conway.
August 1918
Complaints that the federal government had insisted farmers plant more wheat for military use, and that labor would be sent to plant and harvest. The help was sent for planting, then called back, leaving too much for the farmers to harvest themselves, so they will not be paid, regular crops weren't grown, and the soldiers will not have the wheat.
September 1918
The Employment Service will start recruiting women for manufacturing and other jobs held by men, so the men can be called to war without losing business.
One of our summer residents, Miss Mabel Sturgis of Manchester, Mass, has recently shown her appreciation of our town by making a gift of War Savings Stamps to the value of $100. The stamps have been filed with the Trustees of the Trust Funds and at its maturity are to be used for schools if needed, if not, for roads. Miss Sturgis is now in France doing refugee work.
Planning is in progress for the Grange fair and Sandwich Fairs in October, readers reminded to get their exhibit contributions ready.
October 3
Work was done on the bushes of the fair grounds to prepare it.
The Plymouth Fair was ordered closed.
David Peaslee claims to have dug one hundred potatoes out of one hill.
Cupid has been quite busy at North Sandwich of late with good results. We had much rather hear of this than of the Spanish plague which brings fear and unrest.
On account of the prevailing epidemic which is raging everywhere, the schools are closed.
October 10
The heartfelt sympathy of this part of Carroll County along with the rest of the state, goes out to stricken Berlin which is suffering, as the Berlin Reporter says, "with the worst plague in its history," refering to the widespread epidemic of the Spanish Influenza.
October 17
Obituary of William V. Hussey ... the news of his death was a thunderbolt from a clear sky. He was married last July 4th to Miss Conner of West Ossipee... On the morning of Aug 27, he left home with a number of Ossipee boys for Camp Devens. While in training at this camp he became a victim of the dreadful epidemic that is sweeping the country."
Two weeks ago, Louis Douglas of South Eaton, who was called to service the latter part of August, was brought to his home here for burial, he having been a victim of the prevailing epidemic.
Miss Bernice Burrows is at home from Laconia High School for a few weeks. The school is closed on account of the epidemic.
There are several new cases of the epidemic in the past week. Among the victims of the disease are: Edward Gilman and family, George Gilman, Raymound Steele and family, Mrs. Katharine Blackey, Mrs. Fred Burrows, Arthur Avery's family, Mrs. Stella Blumburg, Mildred Blanchard and Willam Taylor's family.
Mr. Wilbur Quimby is thought to be gaining a little. Rosalie is now quite sick with the same. We should all be very thankful that this fever that is taking hold upon so many may pass our dwelling.
From DC: The influenza epidemic had had a tendency to delay the program of the sub-committee on Americanization, owing to the compulsory closing of the schools and the order prohibiting gatherings of more than ten persons.
October 10 – A front page ad displayed how to avoid the flue and care for those who have it.
The Board of Health of North Conway has decided to keep the ban on schools, movies, churches and other gatherings for another week.
Red Cross calls on everyone to wear gauze masks around the ill, you can get them from the Red Cross or any doctor for free.
There is so much sickness around town that it would be impossible to give a correct list, but among those who are sick are the following: Lewis D. Garland and family, Stuart and Emily Heard, Walter Burrows, Georgie Gault, Mrs. John Tilton, Mrs. Arthur Corliss, Paul Hanson, Natt Burrows, Mrs. Julia Watson and Miss Cordelia Sherman. Although there are many cases, there are not many seriously sick.
The Library will be closed until Oct. 19, on account of the prevailing epidemic.
Miss Louisa Moulton returned from Unionville, Conn. for a brief stay or until the prevailing epidemic is under control.
October 31
Schools have reopened, summer people who escaped back here are leaving again, and the sick are improving.
In Conway, the influenza is leaving behind a sad record of bereavement.
November 7
Linwood Bickford, youngest son of Mr. ad Mrs. George Bickford died after an illness of a few days with influenza. He was fifteen years old. The body was brought back to Center Sandwich for burial.
November 14
All appeared back to usual in print, with concerts, gatherings, and notes about weather.
Where is it?
Do you recognize this homestead? Email your answers to sandwichhistory@gmail.com.
