“From the Archives” continues sharing some of the stories reported in our community chronicles in 1918 during the Spanish Flu Epidemic. The accounts speak for themselves.
At the end of September an epidemic spread throughout all America and also visited our neighborhood. About forty of our children and six sisters were taken down with the sickness, the so-called “Spanish Influenza,” or better “The Black Plague.” Thanks to careful nursing and timely care and the special goodness of God, the epidemic left us in two weeks. Classes were continued without any disturbance. We ascribe this special protection of God to the fact that adoration of the most Blessed Sacrament is constantly being held here in Stella since the opening of the institution. May the Eucharistic Lord be our protection and strength during the present and future storm. (Stella Niagara Chronicle, 1918)
The new school year began on 3 September. As soon as we were settled to our work, the terrible influenza broke out in Buffalo. As a result of the proclamation of the mayor, the city was under Quarantine from 11 October-1 November. Even the churches were closed. Since the weather was favorable, we had Holy Mass on the first Sunday in the small schoolyard. The altar was placed on the porch of the parish hall and the general prayer and singing was very pious and devotional. On the following Sundays, the weather was not good and the ban on gatherings was tightened.
Everyone was happy when the churches were reopened on All Saints' Day. On the day after Election Day, on 6 November, schools started again, but with extended hours, in the morning until 11:45 and in the afternoon until 3:30. (St. Joachim, Buffalo, Chronicle, 1918)
On 3 September, school started again with 365 children. Soon after, the Spanish Influenza entered the country, and the schools had to be closed on 10 October. Many of our children became ill, including our two priests. Mr. Kaplan and Rev. Curran succumbed to the disease on November 5, while the pastor slowly recovered. In November, the schools were allowed to be reopened, but soon had to be closed for the second time until 5 Jan. 1919. (Sacred Heart, Columbus, Chronicle, 1918)
After the Christmas holidays the children came back and, despite all the fear of influenza, school could be in session continuously until the end (of the term.) (Sacred Heart, Columbus, Chronicle, 1919)
We were spared from the influenza but were under quarantine for two months. (St. Ann, Columbus, Chronicle, 1918)
On September 3 school was reopened with 400 children. Everything was going along in the best possible way when the influenza erupted and the schools had to be closed on October 14. On November 19 they reopened, but after only 7 days they closed again until the new year. The disease claimed many victims. Two sisters went for a week to care for a sick family. When the epidemic broke out in our orphanage, 5 sisters were working there. On Christmas afternoon the last of them came back. We were very happy to be all reunited, and immediately went to the chapel to thank the dear God through a "Te Deum" for his special protection. (St. John, Columbus, Chronicle, 1918)
On 10 October, (Forty Hours Devotion) was opened with a solemn procession. The conclusion was to have been equally solemn, but, because of the influenza, schools and churches had to be suddenly closed, and after the high office on Sunday, the Blessed Sacrament was reinstated without singing or procession. The white-clad children sadly went home, and the church and school remained closed for 5 weeks. On 18 November the schools were reopened, but after only a few days they closed again until the new year. Four of our sisters went to St. Vincent's during the Epidemic to care for the orphans. They stayed for 12 days, and returned home healthy and well on Christmas Eve. (St. Leo, Columbus, Chronicle, 1918)
As the year had begun with jubilation, so it concluded with sorrow. At the Feast of the Immaculate Conception we had many visitors in the house. The following day it became apparent that someone had brought in the epidemic. Several little boys showed high fever. Although they were immediately separated, it went as lightning through the ranks of the boys and girls. In four days, 200 sick children and 8 sisters were already in bed. Sisters from all our convents in Columbus came to help us. As soon as it became known in the city, doctors, male nurses, and sisters of other communities hastened to help us. The superior of Mt. Carmel Hospital brought us several male nurses and all the necessary medicines, and brought us 16 gallons of fresh milk from their farm every week for weeks. By the end of the week, almost all the children and 21 sisters were in bed.
Both Sister Edward and Sister Narcissa then had lung inflammation, and the dear God saw fit to call both to eternity before Christmas. Our good Father Goldschmidt was also on the verge of death. The good Aachen sisters sent us one of their sisters, who fed him day and night, and with God's help made him eat again. By Christmas, the danger was over, most of the children and almost all the sisters were up again, and our other sisters were all able to return to their convents for Christmas Eve. For St. Vincent’s it was a sad Christmas because of the two sisters and seven orphans God called to himself. (St. Vincent Orphanage Chronicle, 1918)