The September 2015 meeting of the Madison County Genealogical Society was held at the Edwardsville Public Library on Thursday, September 10, at 7:00 pm.

President, Robert Ridenour, called the meeting to order.

The following is the Treasurer's report for the month of August:

• Total Assets as of August 1, 2015 - $17,230.79
• General Fund - Beg. Balance $5,017.67 - Income $0.46 - Expenses $18.60 - End Balance $4,999.53
• Publications Fund - Beg. Balance $12,213.12 - Income $0.00 - Expenses $0.00 - End Balance $12,213.12
• Total Assets as of August 31, 2015 - $17,212.65

Do you have a family member that is interested in (or even obsessed with) genealogy? A membership in the Madison County Genealogical Society would be a very thoughtful gift. A gift card will be sent to the recipient of any gift membership.

The following memberships are available:
Individual/Family Annual Membership $20.00
Patron Annual Membership $30.00
Life Membership $250.00

Contact our Secretary, Petie Hunter, at [email protected], about a gift membership.

On September 10, 2015, Cindy Reinhardt, local historian, member of Edwardsville's Historic Preservation Commission, and member of the Madison County Historical Society's Board, presented a program on the Influenza Pandemic of 1918-19.

The 1918 influenza epidemic was the deadliest health crisis in recorded history. The first cases appeared in Haskell, Kansas, in January 1918. It spread, to Fort Riley (Camp Funston 300 miles away) and then to other U. S. Military camps. It traveled to Europe with the American soldiers during World War I. The results were an estimated 50 million deaths world-wide (with a world population of 1.8 billion). There were an estimated 675,000 deaths in the U. S. More Americans died of influenza than in battle during WW I; half of the soldier fatalities in Europe were caused by influenza/pneumonia.

The following are quotes from "The Great Influenza" by John Barry:

"Although the influenza pandemic stretched over two years, perhaps two-thirds of the deaths occurred in a period of twenty-four weeks, and more than half of those deaths occurred in even less time - from mid-September to early December 1918."

"In 1918, Influenza killed more people in a year than the Black Death of the Middle Ages killed in a century; it killed more people in 24 weeks than AIDS has killed in twenty-four years."

The 1918 influenza was a deadly mutated strain of what is now known as H1N1. It was highly contagious and passed most quickly through dense populations, i.e., crowded military camps, hospitals, industries, and urban communities. Delayed symptoms factored in the spread of the disease. Many of today's influenza strains have the greatest effect on the old and the very young. The 1918 strain hit men and women in their prime in greater numbers. It often resulted in a quick death. There was no cure or vaccine. The pandemic generated fear throughout the world.

Madison County's Response:

Quarantines were enacted for households with patients. Alton, Granite City, and Wood River established emergency hospitals for influenza patients. Flu bans shut down many Madison County towns where public gatherings were forbidden on numerous occasions. Red Cross volunteers were trained to visit the sick due to a shortage of doctors. Thousands of flu masks were made by volunteers and soldiers; but they were of little value.

Clara died of influenza November 2, 1918; William later married Ida Sanders Stahlhut whose husband Henry died of influenza on December 6, 1918.

George Lewis Werner

George Lewis Werner was one of 13 Madison County residents who died on November 13, 1918 of influenza complicated by pneumonia. A resident of Madison, Illinois, the 32year-old machinist was the father of five young children. After his death his wife, Nora Spears Werner, and their children moved in with her parents.

August and Henry Hellmann

The Hellmann brothers, Heinrich and August, two American soldiers, both died from the influenza on the same day, but one in America, the other in Europe.

Hardships Caused by the Epidemic

Nearly 500 residents died in Madison County during the epidemic; others died at military camps or in Europe. Thousands became ill. In Granite City, a day care was founded so women widowed in the epidemic could work. Granite City lost 98 patients (population 9,903 in 1910). In Alton, the orphanage was expanded to accommodate the children left without parents by the epidemic. The family breadwinner was unable to work if his household was under quarantine. Many businesses had to close due to employee shortages. Several "Flu Bans" closed theaters, churches, lodges, schools, and other non-essential businesses. Students lost 10-12 weeks of school. Weddings were postponed. Funerals were private.

Sources

Local newspapers Sept 1918-Jan 1919
Alton
Collinsville
Edwardsville
Granite City
Highland
Troy
Madison County Death Certificates Sept 1918-Jan 1919
Illinois Medical Journals 1918-1919
Government and Educational web sites
Interviews with Madison County families
Numerous books and journals

This presentation was very well received and provoked many questions and comments.