1918-10-30oo Teacher Volunteers

When volunteers were desperately needed to assist the Sisters of Service with at home visits, work in the kitchen at First Methodist Church basement or delivery of meals by automobile, most of the teachers in the Hamilton Public School system answered the call:

 “That Hamilton public school teachers are not behind their more leisured sisters in the matter of prompt and effective service at this crisis in combatting the Spanish influenza and taking care of the many distressed cases, may be seen from the fact that about ninety teachers have volunteered their services gratis as S.O.S. workers. Of these, thirty-five have already been requisitioned and are acting as voluntary nurses and assistants at the diet in the diet kitchen at First Methodist church and at the emergency hospitals.

“Six teachers, with cars, in charge of Miss Patton, are in daily attendance, ready to do and go wherever dispatched, whether delivering delicacies from the diet kitchen or affording some recovering patient a breath of fresh air, so necessary to convalescence. These helpful ones are Misses McKenzie, Cotter, Gamble, Patton, Lake, Lester and Mrs. Wilson.

“At the diet kitchen of the city hospital, four teachers – Mrs. McArthur, Miss Troup, Miss Steer and Miss Stellens – are on duty day and evening, while Miss Fairley, of the King Edward school, has been doing splendid service as a dietician at the Jockey club hospital. At the diet kitchen in First Methodist church , the work of the teachers has been most capable and acceptable to the I.O.D.E. committees in charge. Here Misses Morton, Harding, Robinson, E. Hendrie, Jamieson, Morrison, Henderson, Marsden, McHaffie, McKindsey, Mrs. Westland and others are working everyday.

“From the office of the Y.M.C.A., most of the S.O.S. work has been done under the direction of Miss Kate Smith, whose efficiency and special gifts as organizer and superintendent are apparent in the quiet and effective manner in which the various workers have taken up their duty at the posts assigned to them. With Miss Smith, as assistants in clerical work etc., at central office in the Y are : Misses Marie Jamieson, J. Wood, Stock, Allan, Cameron, Gamble, Hayward, Hunter, Johnson, Leadley, H. Lawson, Ross, Patterson, McCallum, Middleton, Ruse, Sutherland, Shephard, Stringer, White, Kappele, M. Lawrie, Gill, McFarlane and others. Among the S.O.S. nurses who have been working and visiting homes stricken with the ‘flu’ are Misses Hazel Roberts, Sabine, Masha McLeod, E. McLeod, Alma Harris, Buddy, Cody, Horning, May Schofield, and Mary Schofield.”¹

¹ “Teachers  Have Answered Call : Ninety Volunteer Services in ‘Flu’ Epidemic : Taking Care of Many Patients in Distress”

Hamilton Spectator.   October 30, 1918.

1918-10-29oo IODE Kitchen

 “A great deal is being heard these days of the work being accomplished by the S.O.S. soup kitchen, and undoubtedly its usefulness in the present crisis is appreciated by the greater part of Hamiltonians. It remains, however, for the actual visitor to that scene of action in First Methodist church to fully understand the immense service which the Daughters of the Empire are giving to the city. Entering the regions below the church, a Herald reporter was struck with the amount of increased work being carried out by the ladies. It would have seemed last week that it was almost impossible for that kitchen to ‘hum’ more than it was doing then, but it was no exaggeration to state that if it was busy last week, it is at least three times as busy today.

                   WORK INCREASED

“The same little baskets were being laid side by side, the same custards were being poured into jars, jellies every bit as enticing were to be seen in the attractive sanitary cups which are being used by the ‘cooks.’ The same appetizing smell of the savory broth permeated the rooms, but the quantity was so increased as to amaze the visitor. Where there were two dozen, there are now six dozen pots of custard stored away in the capacious cupboard all ready for the daily demands. The jellies are in like quantity increased, as is every other food which is being made by the S.O.S.

“There are additions, too. Some motherly heart  had conceived the idea of filling jars of creamed rice as an especial treat for the little sick children, and even gruel is sent away for the tiny babies. On one table were to be seen a number of jars of black currant jelly, these being sent out for coughs, all ready for the hot water to be added to make a soothing drink – stored away on a shelf were some delightful-looking jars of fruit – a special delivery for very sick patients.

“ ‘Yes,’ said Mrs. P. D. Crerar, who conducted a tour of inspection, ‘our aim is to send out baskets appropriate to conditions. If there are babies we include gruel in the basket; if a sick child, the creamed rice. We find out the conditions and suit the needs of the sick household.

“One of the most remarkable facts about the work is the orhanization. However busy, the system is never lost, and this, of course, results in an efficient service, which is just what is needed by doctors and nurses.

                   MRS. BURKHOLDER’S WORK

“Turning around a corner and coming upon a storeroom, Mrs. Burkholder, regent of St. Cecilia chapter was found. ‘Here,’ said Mrs. Crerar, ‘is our busiest woman, Mrs. Burkholder has been at the job since the kitchen was inaugurated last Monday – every day and all day. Here, there and everywhere, she personally conducts the entire workings of the kitchen, as far as the preparations of the foods are concerned. She has gone into it, heart and soul. Mrs. Burkholder, however, is very modest. ‘It is my chapter and they have been wonderful.

“Mrs. Crerar herself has the arduous job of being convener of the packing committee. Mrs. Crerar receives the baskets  as they are packed and determines their destination, passing them off in turn to Mrs. McCullough, convener of the transportation committee, who in her turn, sends of her seven or eight ‘transporters’ in their cars with the supplies to the houses where they are required.

                   HUNDREDS OF GIFTS

“The donations sent in every day by members and friends of the I.O.D.E., would, said the president, be impossible to enumerate. Hundreds of donations were sent in every morning, she added.

The Hamilton chapters Imperial Orders of the Daughters of the Empire, in light of the hardships caused by the Spanish influenza, collectively decided to put their energies and resources together to provide food, beverages and small treats for Hamilton household where the flu bug has brought family member to their beds, unable to attend to normal duties.

The big kitchen in the basement of the First Methodist church was made available to the I.O.D.E. volunteers. Right off the ladies were very busy and as the week rolled out, they got even busier as more and more Hamiltonians were afflicted by the plague.

During the second week, a reporter from the Hamilton Herald visited the I.O.D.E. kitchen and wrote up his impressions of it:

 “A great deal is being heard these days of the work being accomplished by the S.O.S. soup kitchen, and undoubtedly its usefulness in the present crisis is appreciated by the greater part of Hamiltonians. It remains, however, for the actual visitor to that scene of action in First Methodist church to fully understand the immense service which the Daughters of the Empire are giving to the city. Entering the regions below the church, a Herald reporter was struck with the amount of increased work being carried out by the ladies. It would have seemed last week that it was almost impossible for that kitchen to ‘hum’ more than it was doing then, but it was no exaggeration to state that if it was busy last week, it is at least three times as busy today.

                   WORK INCREASED

“The same little baskets were being laid side by side, the same custards were being poured into jars, jellies every bit as enticing were to be seen in the attractive sanitary cups which are being used by the ‘cooks.’ The same appetizing smell of the savory broth permeated the rooms, but the quantity was so increased as to amaze the visitor. Where there were two dozen, there are now six dozen pots of custard stored away in the capacious cupboard all ready for the daily demands. The jellies are in like quantity increased, as is every other food which is being made by the S.O.S.

“There are additions, too. Some motherly heart  had conceived the idea of filling jars of creamed rice as an especial treat for the little sick children, and even gruel is sent away for the tiny babies. On one table were to be seen a number of jars of black currant jelly, these being sent out for coughs, all ready for the hot water to be added to make a soothing drink – stored away on a shelf were some delightful-looking jars of fruit – a special delivery for very sick patients.

“ ‘Yes,’ said Mrs. P. D. Crerar, who conducted a tour of inspection, ‘our aim is to send out baskets appropriate to conditions. If there are babies we include gruel in the basket; if a sick child, the creamed rice. We find out the conditions and suit the needs of the sick household.

“One of the most remarkable facts about the work is the organization. However busy, the system is never lost, and this, of course, results in an efficient service, which is just what is needed by doctors and nurses.

                   MRS. BURKHOLDER’S WORK

“Turning around a corner and coming upon a storeroom, Mrs. Burkholder, regent of St. Cecilia chapter was found. ‘Here,’ said Mrs. Crerar, ‘is our busiest woman, Mrs. Burkholder has been at the job since the kitchen was inaugurated last Monday – every day and all day. Here, there and everywhere, she personally conducts the entire workings of the kitchen, as far as the preparations of the foods are concerned. She has gone into it, heart and soul. Mrs. Burkholder, however, is very modest. ‘It is my chapter and they have been wonderful.

“Mrs. Crerar herself has the arduous job of being convener of the packing committee. Mrs. Crerar receives the baskets  as they are packed and determines their destination, passing them off in turn to Mrs. McCullough, convener of the transportation committee, who in her turn, sends of her seven or eight ‘transporters’ in their cars with the supplies to the houses where they are required.

                   HUNDREDS OF GIFTS

“The donations sent in every day by members and friends of the I.O.D.E., would, said the president, be impossible to enumerate. Hundreds of donations were sent in every morning, she added.

“We have stopped for nothing,’ said Mrs. Crerar, ‘neither for church nor age, nor any other reason, except the ‘flu’ itself. I am proud to be at the head of such a wonderful organization.’ ”¹

¹ “Great Work Being Done By the I.O.D.E. : Doing Valiant Service in Soup Kitchen for Victims of the Influenza : Many Dainties Sent Out : Work Well-Organized – Public Giving Work Whole-Hearted Support”

Hamilton Herald.    October 29, 1918.

             First Methodist Church, below

1918-10-26yy Nurses Needed

 “Several women who are anxious to do their part in combatting the ravages of the ‘flu’ applied last evening at the headquarters of the volunteer emergency health auxiliary welcomed by the workers there.”

Hamilton Spectator.   October 26, 1918.

The 1918 Spanish influenza had reached such a level of impact in Hamilton during the latter part of October 1918 that a desperate effort was made to encourage volunteers to assist the overwhelmed  staff of the hospitals and swell the numbers of the at-home visiting contingent of the Sisters of Service.

When it came to addressing the need for more volunteer nurses and to assist in coordinating the response from those who did volunteer, the Hamilton Young Women’s Christian Association get involved, particularly in terms of giving space for the workers at the downtown YMCA headquarters on Main street. :

“The call for nurses is an exceedingly urgent one, and many more sisters of service are needed. There is now open to women an opportunity such as they never have had before to render their city a service that will be instrumental in stamping out an epidemic that is the most virulent of any that has attacked Hamilton for many years, and a prompt response from healthy women, willing to give their time and help in assisting the health authorities and the physicians, will result in the saving of lives, and the stamping out of the deadly Spanish Influenza.”¹

¹“Need of Nurses Is Most Urgent : Very Rev. Dean Owen Impressed With Situation : Several Women Offered Services Last Evening”

Hamilton Spectator.   October 26, 1918.

On October 25, 1918, the YMCA building was visited by a Spectator reporter, and the dean of Christ Church Cathedral:

“Very Rev. Dean Owen was one of the public-spirited citizens who was helping at the headquarters last evening, and was deeply impressed with the critical necessity of getting help for the sufferers. As his work was answering the telephone, he received many pathetic appeals, and heard several heart-rending tales.

“ ‘The need for nurses is more pressing than I think the general public yet realizes,’ said the dean. ‘Nurses, nurses, and again more nurses, is the need of the hour. A number applied and were accepted tonight, but if the women of Hamilton, who are noted for their hearty response to calls for service, really knew the situation in many a home today, the ranks of the sisters of service would be swelled to a small army of mercy.’¹

The scene at the Hamilton YMCA room where Dean Owen and the reporter visited was extremely busy, but despite that, was also very organized and focused :

“A large number of calls were sent in last evening to the Y.W.C.A. for volunteer help, many families being absolutely desperate. What with the lack of domestic help, full hospitals and the discouraging shortage of trained nurses, unless the women of the city take it in hand, bids fair to become very serious.

“One sad case was taken care of by sending the ambulance to take to the hospital a mother, who was stricken with the disease, and raving in delirium, alone in the house with two small and uncared-for children.

“Instances of unfortunate sufferers might be related by the dozen; but it is sufficient to state that those in touch with the situation are appealing for help. There are many women who, with the training they will receive at the daily lectures by physicians and the daily demonstrations by a competent trained nurse, would be prepared to look after cases where no other is available.

“Help at the headquarters may be needed, and, ultimately, money; but at the present time, it is nurses that are the main need.

“This is work that must be done at once. Let it not be said to their shame that the women of Hamilton failed to answer the call to service in the time of their city’s great need.”¹

1918-10-26 One Day in Epidemic

“Hamilton, with its theaters and places of amusement closed on Monday, presented a very ‘dead’ appearance, but the citizens took the situation philosophically”

Hamilton Spectator.   October 26, 1918.

The after the Hamilton Board of Health’s closing order went into effect, both the Hamilton Spectator reporters seemed overwhelmed with the amount of news which needed to be published concerning the influenza epidemic.

Therefore, in both papers, with space at a premium, long stories about the effects of the epidemic on the city were replaced with many, one or two paragraph items.

First the Spectator :

“The weekly report of the board of health showed 253 cases of influenza as reported to the board. Just how unreliable these figures are, however, was well-illustrated when Dr. Awrey, after the report have been made out, walked into the board of health office and submitted a stack of 106 reports of influenza cases. Most of them were not new cases, for the physician, like most others engaged in fighting the ‘flu’ have been too busy to report the cases daily. Consequently, there will be no accurate estimate made of the number of cases which have occurred in the city until the epidemic dies down.

                   DAMP WEATHER MEANS DEATH

“Officials throughout the province, however, are confident that the worst has now been reached, if not passed. Eight new cases were reported to the local board today, and a total of 18 deaths were registered. The mortality, it is stated, has been heightened by the damp, mild weather.

COMPENSATION FOR LOSSES

“Whether or not the theaters, bowling alleys, pool rooms and other concerns affected by the closing order, shall receive compensation, is a question that may be discussed by the board of control when the epidemic has abated. The Winnipeg authorities have decided upon a rebate of license taxes of six months, and they are also contributing to the employees’ fund for employees who have been thrown out of work by the closing order. Mayor Booker said that he would not advocate such a move, but Controller Jutten said this morning that the matter would have to be considered later.

                   DIET KITCHEN OPEN SUNDAY

“In order that those who are depending upon the I.O.D.E. diet kitchen for their food for the influenza patients, the kitchen will be open all day Sunday, and a full staff of workers will be in attendance at the First Methodist church kitchen.

“Doctors and nurses are reminded that those in charge of the kitchen will gladly respond to any calls that made to supply soups, jellies, custards, etc. to those who are unable to provide for themselves.”¹

¹ “Dying Out : Fewer Cases of Influenza Reported Here Today”

Hamilton Spectator.    October 26, 1918.

From the Hamilton Herald, October 26, 1918 :

 “Today from some angles, the present epidemic seems to be on the downward path, and close to the end of its run. Six new deaths have taken place since yesterday, thus showing an increase in the mortality among those already infected. Only eight new cases were reported to the board of health this morning.

“It is apparent that there is a large number of cases that have not been reported to the health department. However, it is thought that the number not reported is not alarming, and the conditions are improving daily.

                   SERUM

“Dr. Jaffray, in charge of the city laboratories, refused to make any statement this morning on the progress he has made in preparing serumfor the cure of influenza.

                   DECREASE FOR WEEK

“The medical health officer’s report for the week shows : Chickenpox at 4, scarlet fever at 3 and influenza at 252. The number of new cases of ‘flu’ this week is than half of last week’s report. This again points to the belief that the crest of the epidemic has been mounted, if not passed.

                   CHINESE DISEASE

“Capt. Dr. Joseph King, of the U.S. medical staff, states that the epidemic is the same as the malignant pneumonic plague which ravaged China intermittently for several years. He argues that the epidemic was not known until large numbers of Chinamen were brought through Canada and the United States on their way to the western front. Dr. Blue, director of the United States medical service, states that the epidemic is nothing but the grip.

“Local physicians say that the ‘flu’  is very much different from la grippe, however, they treat it much after the same style.

                   FILTHY CONDITIONS

“In investigating many of the cases that apply for help at the health officer’s office, a Herald representative learned that Hamilton has a slum, but it is not located in one district. In the center part of the city, where a nurse had been in attendance, it was found that a young man, with over twenty empty whisky bottles in his room, ate, slept and lived in one room. The filth that was confined into the space occupied by him is indescribable. For some time, infected with the ‘flu’ he had lain in bed with a collar, sweater and a pair of socks on. The trousers were missing. Other cases which have needed attention have brought to light incidents that are astonishing.”²

² “Eleven More Deaths From Spanish ‘Flu’ : Cases Reported This Week Less Than Half of previous week : Only 253 Cases Were Reported this week.”

Hamilton Herald     October 26, 1918

1918-10-26 Medical Society Statement

Since the influenza epidemic began, the Hamilton Board of health generally, and Dr. Roberts, Medical Health Officers, were often the targets of criticism as the community’s fear and frustration with the seemingly unstoppable nature of the spread of the disease.

The members of the Medical Society of Hamilton were often at loggerheads with the members of the board of health, as the practicing doctors felt that they knew best how to deal with influenza. There had been occasions where the doctors loudly proclaimed that the Board of Health members were making wrong decisions, once even to the point where the doctors no longer were no longer willing to meet with the board of health on daily basis as the doctors claimed to be far too busy.

Nevertheless, by late October, 1918, the epidemic was still raging in Hamilton and the death toll mounting higher every day.

The Medical Society leadership decided to, in their view, add to the advice that the Board of Hamilton had been giving citizens, advice that the doctors felt were of a most practical nature.

“The Medical Society of Hamilton authorizes the following statement:

“The people of Hamilton are to be congratulated on the care they have taken to prevent the spread of influenza. The warnings issued by the local board of health and others have been heeded, and the advice given is generally followed.

“The result is that the epidemic is not now as severe as it would otherwise have been, and the cases treated are less virulent.

“There should not, however, be any relaxation of the efforts to control the disease, nor any false feeling of security. Several types are still frequent.

“The history of the epidemic proves that, right up until the last, there is danger of fresh outbreak. We must stamp out the disease.

“There are still many people in Hamilton, who, through carelessness or ignorance, disregard all warnings. These people not only imperil themselves; they are a menace to the community, and infect others several days before they themselves develop acute symptoms of the disease.

“Constant care is still necessary, as is the avoidance of those who are careless. Do not associate with people who are negligent. Eternal vigilance is the price of safety.

“Cleanliness, plain food and early hours are as important now as at any stage of the epidemic.

“Nurses, and others in attendance on the sick, in addition to masks, should wear dresses that may be washed and sterilized.

“Various vaccines have been offered as preventive agents. It should be understood that these are preventive only, and are of no value after the disease has been contracted. They are all similar in action. They are not even an absolute preventive, but have been found to be a definite factor in modifying the severity of the disease.

“The members of the society earnestly request the people of Hamilton to assist the S.O.S. (Sisters of Service) to the greatest possible extent. There is great distress in many homes and help is urgently needed.”¹

¹“Keep On Fighting Influenza”

Hamilton Spectator.    October 26, 1918.

1918-10-29Sisters of Service Supervision

It had been an explosive charge. Some very unhappy women who had volunteered with the Sisters of Service had told a Spectator reporter that they had been left alone for extended periods in the homes to which they had been assigned, that they had not been relieved or had any chance for food for 24 hours or more at a time.

It was claimed that S.O.S., while volunteers, would receive some compensation, to cover basic expenses. These payments were often long delayed or no made at all.

To try to address these charges and more generally show the general public that the Sisters of Service volunteers were actually well-looked after :

 “There seems to be some misunderstanding of the work of the S.O.S. and the sort of ladies who would like to assist in this good work. There is an impression that the conditions under which they will asked to work are inimical to their health and safety, and that the work should be done by regular inspectors of the board of health.

“It is because the facilities of normal times are entirely inadequate to cope with an emergency such as the unprecedented epidemic of the ‘flu’ that the S.O.S. came into being.”¹

¹ “Every Care Taken to Guard S.O.S. Nurses : All Volunteers Work Under Direction of Qualified Nurses : To See That They Are Well Looked After and Get Proper Food”

Hamilton Herald.    October 29, 1918.

The Herald reporter then proceeded to recount how the oversight of the Sisters of Service had been put together:

““The headquarters of S.O.S. organization are at the Y.W.C.A. building, West Main street. The city is divided into districts and each district is under the charge of a qualified nurse. When a call is received these emergency call nurses go into the homes, make an investigation and render such temporary help as seems necessary. They arrange to supply S.O.S. nurses where they are most needed.

                   FREQUENT VISITS

“The S.O.S. nurses are then sent into these homes, if conditions warrant, as quickly as they can be supplied. They are followed up once or twice daily as required, by an inspecting or advising nurse, who sees that they get proper food and supplies and that they understand the orders given by the physician and also assist, where necessary to carry out these orders. It will be seen that in no case are the sisters left in a position of the least uncertainty. The inspecting nurses give all information required and make frequent visits in order that any emergency may be met promptly.”¹

1918-10-23 Getting Better ??

“After raging for three weeks and claiming nearly a hundred victims, the tide of the Spanish influenza scourge is beginning to recede.”

Hamilton Spectator. October 23, 1918.

After weeks of the Spanish influenza epidemic’s effects, readers of the Spectator were heartened somewhat on October 23, 1918 when there was a sense that better days were coming.

In an article headlined, “Influenza Scourge is Diminishing Now,” the following appeared:

“There were fifty new cases reported in the past twenty-four hours, but  the demands and doctors were not so numerous, and it is hoped that the crest has been reached. Only six deaths were reported today.

“The little army of doctors and nurses continue to battle might and main. There were many cases of distress to be attended to, particularly those in which entire families were laid low by the plague. Physicians’ phones were ringing continuously, and many complaints of inability to get any medical assistance whatever. The doctors, however, protest against the practice some people have of putting in calls four or five times. They say they are rushing to attend cases in the order in which they are reported, and are doing everything they can.”¹

¹ “Influenza Scourge Is Diminishing Now : Health Authorities Believe That Hamilton is Over Crest of Epidemic.”

Hamilton Spectator.    October 23, 1918.

At the daily Board of Health meeting, the Medical Health officer, Dr. Roberts called for people all over Hamilton to look out for and looked after their neighbors who may have been laid low by influenza:

“Much of the distress is caused by the failure of neighbors to lend a hand to sick families owing to fear that they might be caught by the infection. Relief Officer McMenemy has his attention called to several such cases. In one instance, a woman and two children were sick and neighbors declined to lend any assistance. Dr. Roberts finally secured help for them.

“Another extreme case on Mary street was brought to his notice. A woman whose husband was in hospital in France, was sick with her two little ones, one of them aged eight years and the other two. They were all in bed with no one to render them any assistance. The relief officer called Dr. Roberts and he finally secured admission for them to the general hospital, Dr. Langrill making room for them. On Stanley avenue, a family consisting of a man, his wife, and two children were all in bed suffering from the influenza.”¹

At the same Board of Health, a loosening of the order to the effect that all windows on street cars was made :

“Responding to protests against the opening wide of all windows in street cars, the board of health yesterday effected a modification of the original order. It was agreed that all ventilators should be opened, the central window of each vestibule, and one window on each side of the car. This went into effect this morning and brought vast relief.

“ ‘We have given the people enough fresh air for the next few days,’ said Dr. Roberts. He said that his investigation showed that the complaints formerly made that the ventilators were closed tight were mostly without foundation. Regarding the complaints that the Dundas and other suburban cars were overcrowded, he said that this could not be avoided, any more than could the city street cars when the workmen poured from the factories.¹

Hamilton’s Medical Officer Dr. Roberts was not in favor of the use of alcohol or face masks in efforts to deal with the epidemic, but others did not share his opinion:

                    “Those who advocate the relaxation of the liquor restrictions in order to combat the ‘flu have found a champion in Dr. Murray McFarlane, a well-known Toronto physician. He says that the government should take immediate steps to allow the free use of alcohol during the present conditions. In the pneumonia stage, a little nip of whisky is the best thing in the world, he avers. Dr. McFarlane is a strong prohibitionist, too.

“The physician likewise advocates the use of the influenza mask on the streets.

“ ‘ When people sneeze or cough on the streets, the disease germs are set floating in the air, and are consequently inhaled by passersby,’ he says. 

Whatever was the best advice on those two things was less important than acknowledging that maybe, just maybe the worst of the epidemic had come, and things would be improving soon:

The lead Spectator editorial for October 23 1918 , headlined ‘At The Crest’, tried to bring encouragement to the paper’s readers:

 “Dr. McCullough, the provincial medical health officer, announces that by Friday the influenza epidemic will have past its worse in Ontario. That is a most comforting assurance based on the experiences of other places visited by the scourge. Already reports are coming in from some points that an abatement of the disease is discernible. In the meantime, the local situation is being handled in a manner which reflects the greatest credit upon those who have volunteered to cope with it. Conspicuous among them is the Ontario Volunteer Aid association, the Hamilton branch of which was organized last night. For the promotion of this valuable body, Mrs. Henry Carpenter, the efficient and energetic vice-president, is deserving of great credit.”

“With six hospital in the city fighting the disease, and with Mr. Lovering’s scheme for caring for the patients among the soldiers’ dependents in operation, Hamilton has met the crisis in a prompt and praiseworthy manner. There seems to be no sure preventive of the disease. The fact that one-fourth of the city’s doctors have contracted the ailment through attending their patients shows how highly infectious it is. The only safeguard is to avoid all risk, and take every precaution. The authorities are doing everything possible to grapple with the situation ; it is the duty of all to second their efforts.”²

 ² “At the Crest”

Hamilton Spectator.    Editorial October 23, 1918.

When reading some positive about the progress and possible cresting of the influenza epidemic, the reality remained that there was distress all over the city, and the resources to cope were stretched to the maximum:³

³ “One of the saddest cases yet reported where the deadly influenza has carried off the breadwinner came to notice this morning. An Italian, Benedetto Grottoli by name, 243 Brant street, was taken ill on Saturday and died in the city hospital on Sunday. Grottoli’s wife is a helpless cripple, and had only recently returned to her home after having spent months in the hospital. She has five small children to care for and little or no means. Her fellow-countrymen are raising a subscription to temporarily care for the family.”

1918-10-24Church Closure Opposition

When the Hamilton Board of Health issued its proclamation that all churches, theaters, billiard rooms and many other places where crowds tended to gather, it was decided to have first go into effect on Wednesday, October 16, 1918.

Later, for reasons not publically related, that date was changed. The following Monday, October 21, 1918 was the new choice for the ban to go into effect with the hope that the influenza epidemic might be eased by having fewer crowded places open in Hamilton.

There was some speculation that the date was changed to allow theaters a few extra days to earn some revenue from ticket purchasers. Ambrose Small, owner of the Grand Opera House, specifically denied that assertion, noting that revenues were seriously down by of the impact of the epidemic.

The change of date allowed churches in Hamilton to be open one more time before the ban on church openings went into effect. While that was welcome by church leaders and church goers, it was hardly enough to quell opposition to church closings at all.

The Board of Health, meeting almost daily during the epidemic, was in receipt of a hand-delivered letter from the Anglican Bishop of Niagara :

“This morning the board of health held a meeting at which several important matters were under consideration. One of them came in the form of a letter from Bishop Clarke, on behalf of the Anglican clergy of the city, asking for a modification of the official proclamation so that religious gatherings of 25 or less might be permitted. The board gave this matter serious attention.”

The Bishop’s letter follows :

                                                                             October 22, 1918

“To the Members of the Board of Health, Hamilton, Ont.

Gentlemen : A week ago I called together the Anglican clergy in active service in this city to the number of twenty, to consider how we could best support the board of health in their strenuous efforts to reduce the ravages of the pestilence which has come upon our city, and how we could afford the devout members of our church opportunities to meet for united prayer and intercession to Almighty God to avert the scourge.

We all felt that it could not be eradicated by mere physical remedies, the cause and the cure being as yet beyond the comprehension of our ablest medical men.

We recognize that the Author of national sufferings has righteous reason for His dispensations, though mysterious to us. We believe, however, that by uniting together in humiliation before Him, and fervently imploring him to avert the calamity, that His merciful interposition may be expected.

I cannot tell you, gentlemen what disappointment it gave me on hearing of your decision.

I am advised that you studiously omitted from your ‘proclamation’ the limited permission approved of by the medical health officer, viz. that churches remain open for  private prayer and for services of intercession, provided that not more than twenty-five persons are allowed to assemble at one time, and you ordered in pace thereof that every house of God in the city should be hermetically sealed until further notice.

At the same time, I understand, you gave permission to all industrial, commercial and business institutions, in which in many cases large numbers are congregated and the length of service is from eight to ten hours a day, to continue as heretofore.

You have also promised to permit meetings to be held to promote Victory Loans etc.

From a medical standpoint your ‘proclamation’ will avail but little. From a religious standpoint, we feel that you may more than wounded the feelings of hundreds of our citizens

In this land of religious freedom, the feelings and wishes, even of a minority of the people, should be seriously considered.

May I express the hope that the decision you arrived at is not final, but that you may, on further thought, reconsider your action with regard to church services, and grant that before next Sunday some measure of relief may be given to those who feel very keenly in this matter. Believe me.

                                      Very faithfully yours,

                                                WILLIAM NIAGARA”

The bishop’s letter was given serious, if brief, attention before a motion was made, seconded and voted upon unanimously in favor of not altering the original proclamation in any way.

The next day, another letter from an Anglican Church leader, was printed in the Spectator. The letter although less studiously worded than the bishop’s was no less direct:

 “To the Editor : It has been sagely observed that ‘the law is an ass,’ if ever we doubted the justice of this dictum we have only to consider the Gilbertian situation created by two announcements in this evening’s papers. The board of health abides by its decision to close the churches next Sunday in accordance with the terms of the proclamation. The proclamation provides that nothing in its terms shall interfere with meetings essential to the successful prosecution of the war. Now the minister of finance requests the clergy to give the Victory loan a sendoff on Sunday. Therefore, every church in Hamilton may open on Sunday and packed to the doors for a Victory loan meeting, but no church may open for the worship of Almighty God.

“Perhaps the board recognizing this ludicrous, not to say sacrilegious, provision of the proclamation will relent even at the eleventh hour.

                                                Faithfully yours,

                                           WM. P. ROBERTSON,

                   The Church of St. Thomas,

                   October 24, 1918. ²

² “Closing of Churches”

Hamilton Spectator.    October 24, 1918.