1918-10-05

“With five deaths in two days, including Dr. C. W. Graham, who expired early this morning after a short illness, 180 cases at the military hospital, and many unrecorded cases in private homes, the outbreak of Spanish influenza had assumed rather serious proportions in Hamilton today. Drastic measures are contemplated to fight the disease.

Hamilton Spectator.    October 05, 1918.

Less than a week after the first appearance of Spanish influenza had been confirmed, not only had the deadly virus spread across the city, but fatalities resulting from the outbreak had occurred.

There were three hospitals in operation in Hamilton in October, 1918 :

“In the military hospital, on King street east, 180 cases of the disease have been reported, with one death. In the armament school, there also are a large number of cases. Quarantine methods have been adopted in both these buildings, and hopes of counteracting the disease are being held by the officials of these places.

“Dr. Langrill, of the city hospital, stated that drastic measures would have to be taken in order to prevent the spread of the disease. The time to act is now, stated the doctor, before the malady gets its hold on the city. The only safeguard that citizens can take at the present is to avoid all public gatherings.

“In the city hospital at present there are only two cases, and one death, while in St. Joseph’s hospital, the number of cases has not been given out. In Hamilton, it is estimated that there  are over 400 cases, the majority of these being among the soldiers at the military hospital and the armament school.”¹

¹ “Spanish Influenza Epidemic is Serious : Physician and Four Others Died in Few Hours : Doctors and Health Board Will Confer Tonight”

Hamilton Spectator.    October 05, 1918.

An emergency meeting of the Hamilton Board of Health was called for the morning of October 5, 1918. The main item of discussion was what steps could be immediately taken to try to control the epidemic. Particularly, the board wanted to assess the advisability of closing school, and possibly even theaters, department stores and the prohibiting large public gatherings of any kind. Local doctors were strongly in favor of those items.

At the meeting, Dr. Roberts, the medical health officer of the city, informed members that he had been in consultation with the provincial health officer, Dr. McClenahan,  as regards the advisability of the closing orders :

“Dr. McClenahan said the first line of attack was to advise the public to avoid contact with persons who are affected. He said in epidemics he didn’t favor closing of schools, as a closer tab could be kept on school children.

“The provincial health officer advised against an order to close schools at the present time, and urged the board here to counsel the public against crowds and to keep away as much as possible from probable sources of infection.”¹

There was a distinct divergence of opinion between local doctors and the provincial health officer, whose opinion the Hamilton medical health officer shared.

Discussion at the emergency meeting featured an attempt by Hamilton Mayor Booker to bridge the divide:

 “Mayor Booker said if the medical health officer advised the closing of schools and theaters, he would vote for that measure, irrespective of the opinion of the provincial health officer.

“Controller Jutten didn’t favor that move, but the mayor had confidence in Drs. Roberts and McClenahan.

“The chairman announced that the board had been invited to attend the medical society meeting tonight, and the mayor modified his stand and offered a resolution that the board take whatever action the medical society and the medical officer advised.”¹

Sadly the article contained the following, a report whose content would be repeated again and again during the following weeks and months: 

“The first deaths recorded in Hamilton were:

                   FIRST DEATH

“The first death in Hamilton due to an attack of Spanish influenza occurred on Thursday, when Mrs. Harriet Warchopfsky, wife of Samuel Warchopfsky, succumbed to the disease at her home, 618 King street west.

“Last Saturday, Mrs. Warchopfsky caught a cold, but was not seriously ill until Wednesday afternoon, when it was necessary for her to go to bed. On Thursday afternoon, she breathed her last, although the family physician who had been attending her for several days, did all that was in his power to save her.

“Deceased was born in Hamilton 25 years ago and was a daughter of Pte. Morris and Mrs. Harris, 12 Hunt street. She had resided all her life, with the exception of a few years in the United States. Her husband, mother and son, Cyril, aged 5 years, of this city, and her father, who went overseas with the 86^th battalion, survive. The funeral took place yesterday afternoon from her mother’s residence to Anshe Sholom cemetery for internment.

                   DR. CLARENCE W. GRAHAM

          “Dr. Clarence W. Graham, 55, of Kensington avenue, one of Hamilton’s prominent practicing physicians and surgeons, died at the city hospital at 3 o’clock this morning after an illness of only one day. He had contracted the disease while attending to a patient.. Dr. Graham was born in Goderich, and had come to this city about seven years ago. He graduated from Toronto university in 1908, and went to New York, and since 1911 had practiced in Hamilton with marked success. Deceased was a member of the Masonic order at Stoney Creek. He was single and is survive by his parents, who reside in Goderich. A funeral service will be conducted at his home Sunday evening at 8:30. The remains will be sent to Goderich for internment.

                             OTHER DEATHS

“Dr. Pierce, of Brantford, who is well-known in Hamilton, died this morning as a result of the disease. Many cases are also reported in that city. Bert Miller, of Dundas, was also a victim of the disease, his death occurring after a few hours’ illness.

                             NURSE A VICTIM

          “Miss Marie Rose Bulham, aged 22 years, a nurse in St. Joseph’s hospital, who also contracted the disease from a patient, died after a week’s illness. She was a native of Mildmay, and the remains will be sent there for internment

                             CORP. A.A. DOBSON

          “Corp. Algernon Richard Dobson, whose home is in Hartford, Conn., died at the military hospital last night after several days’ illness. He was a member of the R.A.F. school. He was born in Hamilton, but had resided in the United States for several years. The funeral arrangements have not been completed.

1918-09-30gg

“The epidemic of Spanish influenza which broke out late last week at the R.A.F. armament school, West Hamilton, was being viewed with a degree of alarm by the military authorities this morning.”

Hamilton Spectator.  September 30, 1918

The armament school near the intersection of  Longwood Road and Aberdeen avenue had only been in operation since the summer. The Westinghouse company had made its factory available for the Royal Air Force, Canadian division, to use as a place where the mechanics of airplanes, repair and otherwise, could be taught to soldiers. The school contained space for a barracks where as many as 175 to 200 soldiers could be housed while stationed there.

On Monday, September 30, 1918, the Hamilton newspapers carried reports an alarming increase in the numbers at the armament school who had contracted what was called the ‘Spanish Influenza’ contagion:

 “That the situation might be regarded as serious was evident in the fact that the armament school was placed in quarantine at noon on Saturday, and the civilian assistants sent to their homes to remain until further notice. At that time 47 cases of the disease had developed, and by noon today the number had increased to 150. As the hospital at the school could accommodate only 20 patients, the remainder were sent to the East Hamilton military hospital.”¹

¹ “Many Soldiers Fall Victims to Influenza : Nearly 150 Cases At East End Military Hospital : Accommodation Now Taxed at Its Utmost : Armament School Place Under Quarantine”

Hamilton Spectator.    September 30, 1918.

The situation at the east Hamilton military hospital changed for the worse very quickly:

“At that institution, the situation was considered serious. Though the cases admitted thus far were said to be mild, alarm rose from the rapid manner in which the illness is spreading. Up to early this morning, there were 137 admissions at that place. Owing to the unprecedented influx of patients, accommodation for any additional cases was now very limited, and it may be necessary to enlarge the hospital by opening wards in the adjoining C.O.R. barracks. The step was being considered by the officials this morning. The staff had already been increased by additional medical officers, nurses and orderlies from other institutions. Practically all yesterday, ambulances were busy rushing medical and other supplies from the Brant military hospital to the city.”¹

While the medical community did not have a specific identification of what the influenza virus was, how it was spread, how patients contracted it, or how to treat it, the reporters writing about it, as did the general population, had even less knowledge.

The Man for the Spectator said:

“In accounting for the outbreak among the cadets in West Hamilton, it was believed the disease came with a draft of birdmen arriving in the city from the east.” ¹

The man from the Hamilton Herald had this theory:

 “It is said that the form of grip so prevalent now is called ‘Spanish’ because it broke out with great intensity last summer, when upwards of eight million of the population were affected. It is caused by a microbe that is found chiefly in the nasal and bronchial secretions, and is transmitted through coughing or sneezing, or in the use of table napkins, kitchen utensils etc.

“It manifests itself by headaches, dizziness and a temperature that rises to 103 and 104.

“It has been stated that oil of eucalyptus is a specific for this malady, and that by anointing the nostrils with it, it may be checked in its early stages.” ²

²“Spanish ‘Flu’ Has Made Its Appearance Here : Aviation School in West Hamilton Isolated Because of Outbreak : Many Sufferers : Dr. Roberts Advises All Who Have It to Go at Once to Their Beds”

Hamilton Herald.    September 30, 1918.

When the number of soldiers who had contracted the influenza vastly increased in just a few days, the military authorities reached out to officials with the Hamilton Board of Health:

“Dr. Roberts, medical health officer, was called into consultation by the school authorities. On his request, the school was isolated, so none of the cadets will be visiting the city for some days at least.

“The influenza has not been reported from any other institution, though it would not surprise the board of health authorities if it did make its appearance, particularly in homes where children are cared for.

“No alarm is felt by the Hamilton health authorities. Dr. Roberts characterizes it as a form of grip and ordinary influenza. Dr. Roberts believes that the whole epidemic here, as well as elsewhere, is attributable directly to unseasonable weather. He points out that pneumonia follows in cases of grip when those who are ill do not take proper care. He advises all who feel the influenza or grip to go to bed and take the best of care of themselves in order to ensure against complications of a serious nature.” ²

While Dr. Roberts tried to minimize the serious of the outbreak or the possibility that it might develop into an epidemic, many worried citizens took the situation more seriously :

“Druggists report that never before was the demand for remedies for colds and fevers so prevalent. Doctors report the same thing, and there are few local practitioners who have not been called to attend patients with influenza.”²

The hope that the quarantine of the armament school, and the remedies suggested in the press, would halt the rapid and deadly outbreak of Spanish Influenza would soon be gone.

1917-01-01tt

Sherman Avenue Police Station, pictured in December 1914.

As the year 1917 began, a reporter with the Hamilton Herald was able conduct an interview with a policeman he chose not name, a policeman probably stationed at the east end station on Sherman Avenue North. As noted by the reporter, few Hamiltonians, other than those who lived there, would have known much about conditions in the far east end of the city:

 “That section of the city in the east end, largely occupied by foreigners, is, to many residents, little known.”¹

^“Here are the impressions of one of the police officials in that district about the foreigners:

“ ‘During the year they have paid in fines about $4,000, mostly for the illegal sale of liquor. One of the remarkable things is the way in which all nationalities crowd together in one house, and yet seem to agree. The Board of health has done some very good work in getting the people to keep their places clean, and improve their way of living. Many of them take a pride in keeping their places clean, and use every inch of ground in the summer time for gardening. Others are too zealous and would keep chickens in their cellars if it were not for the city bylaws. Most of them are troubled very little with sickness.

“ ‘As the majority of the men are earning good money, they have pretty fair bank accounts, the post office being the favorite bank. Some few men are a little dubious about placing money in a bank, and carry considerable of it around with them. One man of this opinion a short time ago had his money in a belt, but was relieved of it by one of his countrymen.

“ ‘The man thus relieved of one burden took on another – by attempting to drown his sorrows in drink, which prevented him from giving much of a description of the suspected thief. When these men get away, it is very difficult to find them, but for the most part we have little trouble with them. They never dispute the authority of the police, and this has to be used in many ways. Most of the aliens are glad to be in Canada, and take a pride in giving to the Patriotic and Red Cross funds. Many have wives and families in the old country, and while most of them take a pride in sending their money home, a few take unto themselves new ties. About the only thing they are afraid of is a heavy fine by the police magistrate. This has the effect of  keeping peace and good order more than most people believe, as they do not like their purse to be touched or to be deprived of their liberty. The advent of prohibition has been a blessing as we have not had one case of assaulting with intent to wound since in came into effect, while previously it was a weekly occurrence.’ ”¹

¹ “A Policeman’s Impressions : Prohibition Has Been Fine Thing for Foreigners : Not One Assault With Intent Case Since”

Hamilton Herald     January 01, 1917.

1915-06-03ee

As June 3, 1915  birthday of King George V approached, the king made it very clear that there should be no public celebrations. Thousands upon thousands of soldiers from throughout the British Empire had died or had been seriously wounded in the preceding 10 months of the Great War making any joyful celebrations very inappropriate.

The formal dissemination of the king’s wishes was made by a cable from the Honorable Lewis Harcourt, Secretary of State for the Colonies, which read:

“It is His Majesty’s wish that on occasion of His Majesty’s birthday this year flags should be flown, but no dinners, reviews, salutes or other celebrations should take place.”

In respect to the wishes of the King, the Hamilton Times, along with many other newspapers across Canada, decided to help local citizens show their patriotism and acquire flags.

This is the advertisement which the Hamilton Times published regarding the idea that the showing of flags, rather than the usual celebrations should happen on the King’s Birthday:

That advertisement was followed by another in the Times which gave details as to how flags could be acquired by Hamiltonians.

The ad began with the following encouragement to acquire a flag from the Times:

“Don’t delay – come today and get your Union Jack outfit. There’s one especially provided for you, one for every home, for every patriot, every loyal Son and Daughter in Canada. No better way exists to show your loyalty to Canada’s sons on the firing line than by hoisting your Empire’s emblem on your home on the Natal Day of your Sovereign.”

Readers were given the option of just purchasing a flag or acquiring a full outfit consisting of the flag, plus a flagstaff with an ornamental ball, and a case for storing  the flag

Readers were required to cut out a coupon which was to be taken to the Times’ office :

1915-04-27uu

A letter was received from a Hamilton soldier at the front in which he noted that soldiers on leave from duty were in need of sports equipment to help them pass the time before they were required to return to the trenches:

The letter was from a member of the Fourth Field Battery, a unit which had been under fire in Flanders for two months:

“By the way, I see they are getting up a fund for the soldiers in Hamilton, so I wish someone would call their attention to the only unit that so far have come from Hamilton. Some of our English friends have sent packages to us, but so far we have never received anything from Hamilton, outside of our individual families. Some articles were sent at Christmas, but we never got them, and most of the English regiments get footballs, and all sorts of presents regularly. We have had to buy all of ours, and at present we are playing baseball with a ball made out of binder twine, which we doubt ‘pinched’ from some farmer. It makes us feel rather cheap at time. For instance we never had a football when we were playing the Royal Horse Artillery Battery the other day. Their ball broke, but they had several others.”¹

¹ “Want Football and Baseball : Hamilton Soldier Writes a Complaint from Flanders.”

Hamilton Times.   April 27, 1915

1915-05-17gg

It took ten days to complete. With the combination of patriotic artwork, detailed financial and other information for prospective recruits plus other additions to make it interesting, the poster promised at the first meeting of the Hamilton Recruiting League appeared. Published by the three Hamilton daily newspapers, plus being printed for placing in prominent locations throughout the city, the poster is shown below in sections.

 

 

Canada Calls

The Empire Needs You

 

“If we do not do more in the future than we have done in the past, we are going to be beaten.” These are the words of Sir John Simon, British Home Secretary. We are going to do more and WE WILL NOT BE BEATEN, but Canada must send more men and Hamilton must do its share.

What will happen to the women of Hamilton if Britain were beaten ? Ask the women of Belgium ! They know!

 

 

Men of Hamilton

 

Will you let the Hun trample British liberty in the dirt, or will you do your bit? Never mind the shirkers and the won’t-works. You are in that class. Their case will be attended to next winter. Able-bodied men under forty-five will not expect much charity, so they will not be disappointed – if they fail to answer their country’s call NOW. The women of Hamilton want you to protect them and fight for them. Will you do it?

On the middle left portion of the poster, the following questions and answers were provided :

 Here are the questions you would ask and their answers.

 

Q. I am a married man, must I have the consent of my wife to enlist?

 

A. Yes, the following must get proper consent in order to be able to enlist for active service.  (a) Husbands  (b) Men over 18 and under 21 years of age must get the consent of both parents. (c) Some who are only support of a widowed mother or whose parents are dependent on them for support.

 

Q. What are the rates of pay?

 

A. The rate of pay is One dollar per day before moving to camp. A further allowance of 75 cents per day is made to cover meals and lodging, making $1.75 per day while in Hamilton. When in camp and on active service a field allowance of 10c is made making the total pay $1.10 per day. (Ibid - $1.85?)

 

Q. What examinations must a man pass in order to be accepted?

 

A. The recruit must be over 18 and under 45 years of age. The minimum height is 5 ft. 3 in., and the minimum chest measurement 33½ inches, with the chest normally expanded. The eyesight must be good, teeth in good condition. He must have free use of his limbs and not be flat footed. It is also necessary for the heart to be strong.

 

Q. Are the requirements with regard to teeth as strict as before?

 

A. No. Arrangements have now been made at Niagara Camp to do the necessary work on teeth that are not in quite good enough state of preservation. Men are now being accepted with partial sets of false teeth, this being left to the discretion of the examining doctor. A great many men who were turned down for the first and second contingents may now join under the present regulations.

 

Q. I am a married man, what provision will be made for my wife and family?

 

A. It has been found that a woman requires an income of $30 per month on her own account. $7.50 for a child between the ages of 10 and 15, $4.50 for a child between the ages of 5 and 10, and $3.00 for a child under 5 years.

 

Q. When does the separation allowance start?

 

A. Immediately upon being sworn in and enlisted in Hamilton, but the first installment will not be paid until after the final acceptance for overseas service.

 

Q. To whom are Government Separation Allowances granted?

 

A. Separation Allowances are granted (a) wives (b) children of a widower if they are in the care of a guardian. Girls over 16 and boys over 14 years of age are not eligible. (c) Widowed mothers, if the son is unmarried and her sole support.

 

q. What pensions are paid in case of the death of a soldier?

 

A. The widow receives $22 a month and $5.oo a month for each child. In the case of a soldier leaving a wife and three children, the pension would be $37.00 a month or $484 a year.

 

On the middle left of the poster were more questions and answers, focussed specifically on financial matters:

 

 

 

See the Recruiting Officer at Once.

 

Q. How much pay must a soldier assign to his wife?

 

A. Every man who receives a separation allowance for his wife must assign half his pay ($16.50 per month) and may assign as much as $25.00 per month, but not more.

 

Q. Is the assigned pay figured as part of the income necessary to support a family ?

 

A. No. The assigned pay of the soldier is not taken into account by the Patriotic Fund in determining the amount to be paid to a depending family for support. In the case of the family described above, if the soldier assigned $20 per month, the total income of the family would be $69.50 per month.

 

Q. What is the reason for making a man assign at least one-half his pay?

 

A. The Government believes that if they are willing to allow a separation, the soldier should be equally willing to assign at least one-half of the pay received. It is hoped the families of soldiers will have the foresight and common sense to put in the bank all the assigned pay received so that when the soldier returns, there may be a nest egg to help the family along until he receives employment.

 

Q. How is the Government allowance paid?

 

A. It is paid by check on the Bank of Montreal forwarded from Ottawa.

 

Q. How is the assigned pay of a soldier forwarded?

A. It is also paid by check from Ottawa.

 

Q. How is the Patriotic Fund allowance paid?

 

A. It is paid by the local branch of the Patriotic Fynd.

 

Q. My wife is in England. Will she receive a Government separation allowance?

 

A. Yes, this will be forwarded from Ottawa regularly just as if the wife were living in Canada.

 

Q. Will the Canadian Patriotic Fund help the dependents of soldiers living in England or out of Canada?

 

A. No. The separation will be forwarded, but any other assistance needed would be of a local nature. If there is more than one child between the ages of 10 and 15, $7.50 is allowed for only one child, and $4.50 for the others. In order for any man wishing to enlist to find out how his family will be left, he may figure the total income from the above rates.

Thus, if a man leaves a wife and four children, aged 13, 11, 7 and 3, the income would be $30.00 for the wife, $7.50 for the 13 year old, and $4.50 for the one 11 and 7, and $3.00 for the 3 year old child, being a total of $49.50 per month.

 

Q. How much of the family income does the Patriotic Fund pay ?

 

A. The Government allowance is $30.00 per month to the wife of a soldier, the balance is made up by the Patriotic Fund. Thus, in the above case, $30.00 would be paid as a Government separation allowance and $29.50 per month would be paid by the Patriotic Fund. In no case, however, will the Patriotic Fund pay more than $40.00 per month, and in the case of large families, a certain amount of discretion is allowed to the officers of the fund.

Directly in the middle between the two question and answer lists was a photograph and information regarding the Batchelor family:

 

One Family’s Contribution.

 

C. L. Batchelor, 31 Fairholt Road, takes pride in the showing his family has made in these days of distress. Mr. Batchelor has four boys in the Canadian army, the above being a photo of the four lads. “I trust the young men of this city, looking at the picture, will feel inspired to do their duty as these young men are doing,” said the proud parent, as he handed in the photograph.

The young men are : Pte. Martin Batchelor, seated, 19^th battalion, 2^nd contingent; Bugler Frank Batchelor, 58^th battalion, on the left; Pte. Harold Batchelor, 19^th battalion center, standing; and Bugler Victor Batchelor, 5^th contingent, right, standing. All boys are old members of the 91^st Highlanders.

 

Across the bottom of the poster were the following quotes :

 

“Whatever has been dealt out to Belgium, France and Poland will be our fate tenfold if we fail to subdue the Germans.”  - Rudyard Kipling.

 

“It’s up to the women of Canada to send forth their husbands, their sons and their sweethearts. They are all needed.”

-      Lieut.-Col. Labatt.