The Spanish Influenza Pandemic of 1918: An Account of Its Ravages in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, and the Efforts Made to Combat and Subdue It (1920) by Harvey Oscar Jewell

Author:Harvey, Oscar Jewell [Harvey, Oscar Jewell]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-03-09T16:00:00+00:00

Soup was distributed in Wilkes-Barre and outlying districts, and was sent to the Visiting Nurses' rooms and to the Home for Friendless Children. Corresponding amounts of desserts were sent out in Wilkes-Barre, and outlying districts, and to the Home for Friendless Children. Jellies and marmalades were donated in large quantities, and were sent out with the soup and desserts. The sum of $500.00 was donated for free milk for influenza patients.

Although Troop Trains were being served during the month of December, the Canteen continued the work incidental to the epidemic. From Canteen Headquarters large quantities of soup, custards and milk were distributed to individuals and families in the city and outskirts. Three thousand nine hundred and seventy-four people were served. Two thousand four hundred and fifty-six quarts of soup were distributed ; 167 quarts, with corresponding quantities of custard, were sent to Georgetown, and 13 ½ quarts to the Visiting Nurses' rooms for their lunches. Eight hundred and five quarts of milk were distributed. Two hundred and three lunches were packed for volunteer nurses on duty in the stricken homes. Twenty-four quarts of ice cream were distributed on Christmas Day. Desserts were distributed in which the following were used : 739 quarts milk, 84 quarts gelatin, 117 ½ dozen eggs, 10 ½ dozen lemons, 4 quarts vanilla, 47 boxes cornstarch, 53 boxes tapioca, 33 boxes gelatin, 12 boxes lemon jello, 85 pounds sugar.

At a meeting of the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce held December 10, 1918, with President Philip R. Bevan in the chair and Hayden Williams Secretary, a very full discussion took place with respect to the large number of children in Luzerne County who had been orphaned by the influenza scourge (2,390, as noted on page — , ante) — creating a condition demanding the serious consideration of every citizen of the County. Thereupon the following resolution was adopted :

"Resolved, That a committee be appointed to look into this matter, and make recommendations at a subsequent meeting of the Chamber."

Pursuant to this resolution President Bevan appointed a committee as follows : William C. Shepherd, Chairman, Percy A. Brown, C. F. Brisbin, John N. Conyngham, Charles E. Clift, William H. Conyngham, Fuller R. Hendershot and John D. Farnham. This committee met on January 3, 1919, and after careful deliberation unanimously decided that, before any consideration could be given to a definite plan for the permanent relief of influenza orphans, it would be necessary to form a general committee drawn from various sections of the County of Luzerne. Chairman Shepherd declared that, whatever plan of relief should be adopted, it should apply to the entire County. He said, also, that it would have to be decided whether or not any of the children could be taken care of by existing charitable organizations, or whether a special institution would have to be established.

Mr. Hendershot, and others present, raised the question as to whether or not any of the children could be taken care of by the Mothers' Pension Fund. It was admitted that if this were done the appropriations for the Fund would have to be increased.

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