1918 Flu Pandemic Collection

Postcard depicting Dr. Carither's Inland Hospital, Moscow, Idaho. In 1918, while Dr. Carither's was serving the nation, he allowed Inland Hospital to be used for influenza patients from the university's Student Army Training Corps.

After the outbreak of World War I and subsequently the influenza the American Red Cross mobilized thousands of individuals. In Moscow, to combat the war the Red Cross did everything they could from knitting socks to preparing bandages to be sent to soldiers. When the influenza came to the area they served as nurses, made flu masks and prepared meals for patients. Esther Thomas was a member of the American Red Cross beginning in 1917 by 1918 she served as a nurse at the university for patients of the influenza.

Capt. Edgington requests appropriate facilities for expected influenza patients.

The Committee on Education enquires if any local physicians could perform health examinations on incoming Student Army Training Corps inductees due to a lack of medical officers.

President Lindley responds to Committee on Education recommending Dr. C.L. Gritman to be appointed medical officer.

Memorandum sent from the War Department giving 12 actions to take to defend against the influenza.

Page from Esther E. Thomas' university scrapbook describing the time of the the influenza on campus. On October 21st, she mentions how all the school has closed and there are 40 cases of the "flu" and she spent all day "bum"ing at home. She is "desperate" for something to do by the second day, and starts nursing by the end of the week.

Sign used to warn of the influenza outbreak

Photograph of the Alpha Kappa Epsilon House. This house was converted into an auxiliary hospital for patients with mild symptoms of the influenza.

Quarantine regulations signed by President Lindley for the university.

Colonel Rees instructs the University of Idaho to provide a 50 foot square space per man and advises avoid crowds for Student Army Training Corps students due to the influenza.

Richard Randall notifies recipient that the ban on public meetings has not been lifted and that all Idaho conferences are cancelled.

Richard Randall informs President Lindley of the postponement of all district meetings of the United War Work Campaign due to the State Board of Health ruling to close all public meetings.

Commissioner Bryan informs President Lindley on the State Board of Health's decision to issue a quarantine for all state institutions.

The article indicates the the university took the precautionary measure to close the school temporarily in order to prevent the spread of the Spanish Flu when three members of the S.A.T.C.'s vocational corps were found to have mild cases.

Subheaded 'Regulations of Health Board Affect Many Social Events,' the article indicates that though the UI campus has 'not yet' had cases of the Spanish Flu many student activities are banned by the State Board of Health.

Subheaded 'Quarantine is Effective in Preventing Outbreak Precautions,' the article indicates the UI campus has 'not yet' been paid a visit by the Spanish flu, although there are a few cases in town.

Subheaded 'Lewiston Asked to Help Town Where Disease Has Been Fatal To Four,' the article mentions Dr. E.L. White's, of Lewiston's White hospital, request for assistance in handling the Spanish Flu in Nez Perce. The Lewiston Red Cross chapter urges all women who have taken home nursing courses to report.

Biwer Secy informs President Lindley that the State Board of Health has closed all public and private schools, and enacted a quarantine on on state institutions.

Richard Randall informs President Lindley even a meeting of campaign representatives cannot happen because any meeting with over 10 members present is considered a public meeting.

President Lindley updates Commissioner Bryan on status of the influenza in the Student Army Training Corps.

Daily report on men admitted, discharched, and died from the influenza.

Letter to President Lindley and signed petition in protest of a freshman class election held during quarantine.

President Lindley updates Commissioner Bryan on status of the influenza in the Student Army Training Corps. It mentions difficulties in supplies, number of men, and doctors, as well as the work of the Red Cross and the use of hospitals and houses for for patients. He says that so far none of the girls have been infected.

Subheaded 'Other Camps Lose More Than Idaho - Cases Decrease Here,' the artice discusses the three deaths of S.A.T.C. men at the university due to influenza and compares these losses to Pullman.

Subheaded ' Discharges Exceed New Arrivals - No Co-Eds Have Disease,' the article discusses the hospitals used to treat patients of the infuenza, permanent and temporary, as well as measures being taken in cases some female students contract the disease. It mentions that more cases are being discharged than admitted,

Subheaded 'Protest Against Election Has Signature of Many Students,' the article discusses a petition against the Freshman Class election that was held during the quarantine.

Subheaded 'Knitting Needles and Crochet Hooks Busy - Journalist Talent Appears,' the article mentions the activities female students have taken up during quarantine.

Subheaded 'Military Police 'Shoo' Away All Suspects from Campus,' the article mentions the role of the military police in the enforcement of the university's quarantine.

Subheaded 'Washington Orders Rush ocal Red Cross and Aides,' the article discusses the order from the government that all patients of the influenza were required to wear face masks, and how the Red Cross and sorority members were making the masks for the patients.

Subheaded 'Prompt Attention Checks Spread of Disease - Men Vaccinated,' the article discusses how the number of cases of influenza appears to be decreasing and the work of all those who had helped during the trying time.

The article discusses how no female students have contracted the flu and the quarantines role in preventing the spread of the disease.

The editorial notes comment on the fortunate circumstances of the university due to the attention of President Lindley, the cooperation between the university and town, as well as how those in quarantine a fairing during the trying times.

Subheaded 'Authorities Take Advantage of Quarantine to Kill Mischievous Germs,' the article mentions how the university is using the time it has been ordered to close to fumigate.

Lists activities of living groups and individuals on campus during the campus quarantine.

Subheaded 'Victims of Influenza Are Being Cared for Better Here Than Elsewhere,' the article praises the work of the university and military administration, as well as the women in Moscow in their care for influenza patients.

Subheaded 'Outlook on Local Conditions is More Encouraging - Optimism Prevails,' the article discusses a meeting of university deans on how best to combat the influenza epidemic, and possible other disease outbreaks.

Page from Esther E. Thomas' university scrapbook describing the time of the influenza on campus. She talks about working as a nurse for the "flu" boys and going into quarantine to get a health certificate, so she can return to classes.

The first page of a signed petition from the students of the University of Idaho requesting cancellation of studies, school functions, and other duties until after the Thanksgiving Holiday due to the quarantine.

Commissioner Bryan responds to letter from President Lindley on the status of the influenza. He celebrates that the state has had only slight losses to the influenza.

Subheaded 'Ralph Gochnour Dies at Inland Hospital after Three Weeks' Illness,' the article details the life of Ralph Gochnour, a student at the university, after he dies from the influenza.

Subheaded 'Numbers New Cases Grows Smaller - Co-Eds Immune from Epidemic,' the article indicates that the worst of the influenza has passed at the university with few new cases and rapidly emptying hospitals.

Subheaded 'War Department Rescinds Former Order Requiring Masks to be Worn,' the article looks back on the attitudes of men as they were forced to wear masks. Their major grievance was the inability to smoke.

After visiting the university to investigate the death of his son, Mr. R.C. Frazer praises the care given to the S.A.T.C.

Two S.A.T.C. officers are victims of the influenza, but appear to be recovering well.

Subheaded 'Lieut. Meehan Looks Forward to Brilliant Seaseon for Teams,' the article discusses the postponement of football practice due to the influenza epidemic. The acting coach is waiting on word from Dr. Kotalik before practices may restart.

The article relates that attitudes of men ordered to wear flu masks, and the outcome for not doing so.

The article describes an order from company commanders that all blankets and clothing be exposed to the air during the day to kill the "flu" bugs.

Lists activities of living groups and individuals on campus during the campus quarantine.

President Lindley responds to a petition from students regarding student elections held during quarantine.

Photograph of Red Cross Volunteers marching in World War I parade Main Street, Moscow, Idaho.

President Lindley enquires about an open air assembly during quarantine.

Biwer Secy informs President Lindley that the quarantine is not intended to interfere with activities within a quarantined district.

Subheaded 'Two More Section B Men Are Victims of Spanish Influenza,' the article details the deaths of two S.A.T.C. men who died of the influenza.

Subheaded 'Senior Girls in Dietics Make Tempting Dishes for Flu Victims,' the article describes the work home economics students are doing for influenza patients, including cooking meals for approximately 40 patients.

Lists activities of living groups and individuals on campus during the campus quarantine.

Subheaded 'Men Have Supervised Study New Equipment for S.A.T.C. Men,' the article notes that according to Captain Felker the quarantine will remain in effect until all cases of the influenza are cured.

Subheaded 'Guild Hall No Longer Needed as Hospital - Classes Resume Work,' the article indicates that though the influenza continues Guild Hall is no longer being used as a convalescent hospital.

President Lindley notifies Commissioner Bryan that currently there are only 13 cases of influenza in the hospital and all are recovering well. He notes that a few cases have developed in the sorority houses.

Subheaded 'Cases Among Girls Very Mild - Saturday May See Quarantine Lifted,' the article discusses the few cases of influenza left among the S.A.T.C. and the first cases of the influenza among the women of the Chi Delta Phi house.

Subheaded 'Frank J. Paterka of Spokane Dies from Pneumonia After Influenza,' the article details the death of Frank Paterka.

The article discusses the morale of campus after four weeks of quarantine and the students' worry about classes and credits.

Subheaded 'No New Cases Are Reported But Caution Is Still Necessary,' the article discusses that there have been no new cases in the S.A.T.C., the quarantine is to be lifted, that emergency hospitals have been closed, and that ultimately few deaths occurred as a result of the influenza.

The article mentions that plans for S.A.T.C. men to visit local homes for Thanksgiving have been cancelled to stop any new spread of the flu. Activities planned by churches have also been cancelled.

List of the twelve men who died from the Spanish Influenza while in the University of Idaho Student Army Training Corps.

President Lindley requests for Dr. F.J. Kotalik to determine the fitness of a student to continue study after the influenza.

Subheaded 'History of Disease Shows It To Be One Which Demands Great Precaution,' the article discusses the transmission and spread of influenza and how difficult it is to contain it.

Subheaded 'City Health Officer Sanctions Senior Ruff - First All-College Affair In Three Months,' the article indicates that the quarantine and ban on social activities is lifted and large universtiy-wide events are once again being planned.

Subheaded 'Temporary 'Flu' Infirmary May Become Permanent University Institution,' the aricle mentions that Aldrich house, once used as a temporary hospital, is now unused but still contains beds ready for the next wave of illness. Mentions the need for a hospital on campus.

Lindley served as President of the University of Idaho from 1917 to 1920. Beginning his presidency the same year the United States entered World War I, Lindley dealt with a loss of male students to the military, the establishment of the Student Army Training Corps on campus, and the outbreak of the influenza.

Gritman hospital saw to the most serious cases of the influenza outbreak.

Lillian Otness recalls what she remembers as a child during the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic and its affect on Moscow, Idaho.

Eugene Settle recalls how everyone except his mother was stricken with the influenza, and how neighbors helped the family.