Last week, someone commented on LCHS’s Facebook page about sharing information or stories on the 1918 Flu Pandemic. In the last couple of weeks, there have been several articles written about the history of the 1918 Flu Pandemic and lessons learned from it in connection to the current situation. One article published on March 27 from National Geographic is titled: “How They Flattened the Curve During the 1918 Spanish Flu Pandemic.” The article explains how social distancing measures were used in 1918 to save lives and how efforts then may offer lessons for battling today’s crisis.

The Flu Pandemic of 1918 affected Lyon County with several residents becoming sick. Many of the deaths due to the illness occurred in October of 1918. The following information is from the Oct. 18, 1918, edition of The News Messenger of Lyon County. The title of the article is “Influenza Takes Heavy Toll Here-Twelve Lives Lost During Week-Warm Weather, Wind and Dust Spread Germs-Schools and Public Places Closed Last Sunday Indefinitely-Sickness Now Well Under Control-No Deaths the Past Two Days.”

“Never in the history of Marshall has there been such a death toll from any cause in so short a time as has been brought to us during the past week by the influenza epidemic from the trenches in Europe. Almost before any danger was realized, there were over a hundred cases of serious sickness, and for the past two weeks the five Marshall physicians have been taxed almost beyond human endurance, attending as many as possible, with little or no sleep, and with no thought of themselves. Not until several deaths were reported Saturday, and more that night, did the authorities realize the seriousness of the situation. On Sunday morning the health authorities and the city council were called together by Mayor Williams, and it was voted to immediately close all public places and orders were issued closing the schools, churches, theatres, candy shops and pool halls.”

The newspaper article continues with other measures that were put in place to slow the spread of the virus. The Oct. 18 newspaper includes obituaries for a few of those that died. The obituaries included were for: Lucile Watson Kiel, Margaret Bollman McGuire and her unborn child, Myrtle Robinson Stewart, Mrs. Bernt Dahl, Hubert Dieken, Mrs. Jack Steward. There are also other names mentioned in the news section of the paper. In the Nov. 1 edition, schools had reopened again after being closed for two weeks.

The photograph featured this week is from the museum’s collection. It is a family photograph of the Hugh and Eleanor (Price) Jones family. Hugh and Eleanor were married in Custer Township on Feb. 13, 1888. They had four children: Ruth, Rees and Richard (twins), and Mabel. This photograph was taken shortly before Rees enlisted in the U.S. Army and departed for Europe in 1918. Both Hugh and Ruth passed away from the influenza. Hugh passed away on Oct. 17, 1918, and Ruth passed away on Oct. 19, 1918. They are buried in the Bethel Community Cemetery in Garvin.

Due to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and the executive order by Governor Tim Walz on March 25, the Lyon County Historical Society Museum is closed to the public until May 1. As of March 28-April 10 as ordered by Governor Walz, staff will be working at home. On the Porch

Jennifer Andries, LCHS Executive Director

Last week, someone commented on LCHS’s Facebook page about sharing information or stories on the 1918 Flu Pandemic. In the last couple of weeks, there have been several articles written about the history of the 1918 Flu Pandemic and lessons learned from it in connection to the current situation. One article published on March 27 from National Geographic is titled: “How They Flattened the Curve During the 1918 Spanish Flu Pandemic”. The article explains how social distancing measures were used in 1918 to save lives and how efforts then may offer lessons for battling today’s crisis.

The Flu Pandemic of 1918 affected Lyon County with several residents becoming sick. Many of the deaths due to the illness occurred in October of 1918. The following information is from the October 18, 1918 edition of The News Messenger of Lyon County. The title of the article is “Influenza Takes Heavy Toll Here-Twelve Lives Lost During Week-Warm Weather, Wind and Dust Spread Germs-Schools and Public Places Closed Last Sunday Indefinitely-Sickness Now Well Under Control-No Deaths the Past Two Days”.

“Never in the history of Marshall has there been such a death toll from any cause in so short a time as has been brought to us during the past week by the influenza epidemic from the trenches in Europe. Almost before any danger was realized, there were over a hundred cases of serious sickness, and for the past two weeks the five Marshall physicians have been taxed almost beyond human endurance, attending as many as possible, with little or no sleep, and with no thought of themselves. Not until several deaths were reported Saturday, and more that night, did the authorities realize the seriousness of the situation. On Sunday morning the health authorities and the city council were called together by Mayor Williams, and it was voted to immediately close all public places and orders were issued closing the schools, churches, theatres, candy shops and pool halls.”

The newspaper article continues with other measures that were put in place to slow the spread of the virus. The October 18 newspaper includes obituaries for a few of those that died. The obituaries included were for: Lucile Watson Kiel, Margaret Bollman McGuire and her unborn child, Myrtle Robinson Stewart, Mrs. Bernt Dahl, Hubert Dieken, Mrs. Jack Steward. There are also other names mentioned in the news section of the paper. In the November 1 edition, schools had reopened again after being closed for two weeks.

The photograph featured this week is from the museum’s collection. It is a family photograph of the Hugh and Eleanor (Price) Jones family. Hugh and Eleanor were married in Custer Township on February 13, 1888. They had four children: Ruth, Rees and Richard (twins), and Mabel. This photograph was taken shortly before Rees enlisted in the U.S. Army and departed for Europe in 1918. Both Hugh and Ruth passed away from the influenza. Hugh passed away on October 17, 1918 and Ruth passed away on October 19, 1918. They are buried in the Bethel Community Cemetery in Garvin.

Due to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and the executive order by Governor Walz on March 25, the Lyon County Historical Society Museum is closed to the public until May 1. As of March 28-April 10 as ordered by Governor Walz, staff will be working at home. The best way to contact during this time is email: director@lyoncomuseum.org. As we all know the situation is fluid and executive orders may change.

Thank you to our volunteers, members, and our communities in Lyon County for your support. Thank you for your understanding and patience during this unprecedented time in our history. We hope to see our volunteers, members, and visitors in May. Stay safe and healthy!

The best way to contact during this time is email: director@lyoncomuseum.org. As we all know the situation is fluid and executive orders may change.

Thank you to our volunteers, members, and our communities in Lyon County for your support. Thank you for your understanding and patience during this unprecedented time in our history. We hope to see our volunteers, members, and visitors in May. Stay safe and healthy!